davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-01
New Developments in Webber
Murder at Auburn.
MORE CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE
The 5000 Stolen From the Placer
County Bark Found BY the
Coroner on Weber Property
In a cosshed.

Auburn, Nov, so,--The money stolen
from the Placer county bank BY a
masked bandit last May has been
found and young Adolph Weber. who
since his arrest on the charge OF muir
dering his father, mother. sister and
brother, has rested nnder the suspicion
that he was the bold highwayman, who
In broad daylight entered the bank and
at the point of pistol held up the
cashier for $4,000. has had the charge
of robbery preferred against him. The
money was found on the Weber prop
|erty In cowshed last Wednesday by
Coroner Shepherd and three assistants.
The discovery OF the gold on tae
Weber homestead. In place not many
feet removed from the spot where was
found the bloody pistol with which
young Weber Is supposed TO have dealt
death TO his parents. his schoolgirl
sister and crippled brother. Is regarded
as almost proof conclusive that the
prisoners lust for gold drove him to
commit the two crimes. one foul and
fiendish, the other bold and daring.
Immediately after the gold was
found the bank officials were informed.
The fact that II was found on the
Weber estate caused them TO form but
one conclusion-that Adolph Weber.
as they had long suspected, was the
thief. Cashier Smith swore TO a COM
plaint charging Weber with the crime
Iof robbery and warrant was issued
by Justice Of the Peace Smith. II was
served on Weber In his cell yesterday
morning.
The serving of the warrant, In the
eyes OF the officers and the bank off,
cials. was more than a formal affair.
With them II was the completion Of a
chain Of evidence that branded Weber
not only as thief but as foul and
fiendish murderer. creature capable
OF dyeing his hands in the blood OF his
kin to satisfy his love for gold. They
expected that Weber would show some
sign that the mass Of evidence against
him was having an effect upon his iron
will, that he would weaken and betray
his inmost feelings, and II was even
expected that the youth might give
up the hard struggle he Is making
against circumstances and confess his
guilt.
But they were disappointed. When
Sheriff Keena stepped into the cell OF
the accused and unfolded the imposing
document that charged the boy with |
robbery. young Weber displayed only
curiosity. AS the sheriff read aloud |
the accusing words weber's eyes gilt |
tered. Then he smiled. the same con-
temptuous smile that he has worn at |
all times since his arrest.
oh" ne said. Il thought you had |
discovered the motive for the murders" |
There was not a tremor In his voice |
and when he took the warrent from
the sheriff his hand was steady. Hasti-
ly he glanced at the paper and then |
with a shrug said:
This Is a trivial matter. II does not |
amount to anything. | hope the mur-
der charge will be heard first. l want
to get II of my hands"
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-01
LACK OF INTEREST.

The building up of city like As
toria requires the united efforts Of all
peoples, aided and assisted by its COM
mercial organizations. There seems
to be an apathy existing among the
leading citizens of the town as is evi-
denced by the small attendance at the
meetings Of the chamber Of commerce.
No commercial organization can be
successful in its efforts unless 1t is
backed up by the business men.
Matters of vital importance often
come before the meeting that require
the careful consideration OF the busl-
ness element There are many ques-
tions Of public import requiring legis-
lation at the hands of either the state
legislature or congress and in order
to present these matters In an intelli-
gible manner, win require hearty CO.
operation. When commercial or
ganization of so much importance as
the chamber of commerce meets and
only finds three or four members pres
ent, It is not conducive to the pro-
gressiveness Of the city. What AS
toria is today, to great extent, has
been accomplished by the untiring eff
forts of the chamber Of commerce.
Its usefulness in securing needed ap-
propriations for our water ways is
manifest. It's cooperation with other
commercial organizations in the state
is necessary to build up the city, and
secure. .rapital to develop its resources.
It is generally conceded that Clatsop
county possesses uneauaied advan-
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-01
NELLIE sLY's LATEST.
She Of Cherry Pie Fame 10 Out for
Seaman's Plums.

New York. Nov. ao.---The heirs and
executors Of the late Robert Seaman
are arranging legal battle against
Mrs. Seaman, formerly known an Nellie
BLY,. to keep the fortuen OF ii.ooo,ooO,
or more. that was her husbands estate.
There are two Wills. one leaving Mrs.
Seaman only $500. and the other giving
her almost all OF the great estate.
These two Wills are to be made the
basis OF a fight between Mrs. Seaman
and other contestants.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-01
Civil Service Extension.

San Francisco, Nov. 3O.-News has
been received from Washington that
special deputy collectors at this port
have been placed on the civil service
list. The only one so far affected on
this coast is william B. Hamilton, the
special deputy under Mr.. stratton.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-01

kF-Oraers for the delivering Of The MogSiSa
AsfORiAS 10 either residence or place Of business
may be made by postal card or through tele-
phone. Any lrrexulsrity In delivery should be
Immediately reported to the otice Of publication.
Telephone Main Col.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-01
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
THE sgMl.wEgKLv AsroRIAN,

BY mail. per year. in advance 81 90
The San Francisco call., 1904-12-07

vain endeavor to secure laws permit
ting the condemnation of insanitary
dwellings. The local death rates, espe-
clally from preventable diseases, are so
uhduly high as to suggest that the eX-
ceptional wholesomeness of Washing
tons better sections is offset by bad
conditions in her poorer neighborhoods.
A special Commission on Housing and
Health Conditions in the National Cap
ital' would not only bring about the
reformation of existing evils, but would
also formulate an appropriate building
cooe 10 protect the city from mammoth
brick tenements and other evils which
threaten to develop here as they have
IN other cities. That the nations cap
ltal should be made model for other
municipalities is an ideal which ap-
peals to all patriotic citizens every
where, and such a special commission
might map out and organize the city's
Iuture development in lines of civic
social service, just as Major L'Enfant
ana the recent Park Commission plan
ned the arrangement of her streets
and parks.
1t is mortifying to remember that
Washington has no compulsory school
attendance law and that careful in
quirleS indicate the habitual absence
from school of some 20 per cent of all
children between the ages Of s and IA
1t must be evident to all who consider
the problems of neglected child life or
the benefits of compulsory education in
other cities that one of the most urgent
needs of the national capital is a law
requiring the school attendance of all
children. this law to be enforced by
attendance agents directed by the
Board of Education.
Public Fairgrounds are necessary
means for the development of whole
some citizenship in modern cities. 1t
is important that the work inaugu-
rated here through voluntary efforts
should be taken up and extended
through Congressional appropriation of
funds sufficient to equip and maintain
numerous convenient small Fairgrounds
upon land which can be secured with
out purchase or rental. 1t is also de-
slrable that small vacant places be pur-
chased ana reserved as small park
Fairgrounds in densely settled sections
of the city which now have no public,
open spaces and are destined soon to be
built up solidly. All these needs should
be met Immediately. To meet them
would entail expenses; but a corre-
spending saving could be made by stop
ping the building of streets and leveling
of ground for purposes largely specu-
lative in outlying parts of the city.
2 There are certain s1offenders. whose
criminality takes the shape of bru-
tality and cruelty toward the weak,
who need a special type of punishment
The wife-beater. for example, is made
quately punished by Imprisonment: for
imprisonment may often mean nothing
to him, while it may cause hunger and
want to the wife and children who
have been the victims of his brutality.
Probably some form of corporal pun
ishment would be the most adequate
way Of meeting this kind of crime.
The San Francisco call., 1904-12-07
\MnPK ARE BENEFITED
! VVOI\Nll\O BUT

road rates, 1 do believe that, as a fair
security to shippers, the commission
should be vested with the power, where
given rate has been challenged and
after full hearing found to be unrea-
sonable, to decide. subject to judicial
review, what shall be a reasonable
rate to take its place; the ruling Of the
commission to take effect immediately,
and to obtain unless and until it is
reversed by the court of review. The
Government must in increasing degree
supervise and regulate the workings of
the railways engaged in interstate COM
merce; and such increased supervision
is the only alternative to an increase
Of the present evils on the one hand
or still more radical policy on the
other. In my judgment the most i'm
portant legislative act now needed as
regards the regulation of corporations
is this act TO confer on the Interstate
Commerce Commission the power to
revise rates and regulations, the re-
vised rate to a once go into effect,
and to stay in effect unless and until
the court Of review reverses it.
Steamship companies engaged in
interstate commerce and protected in
cur coastwise trade should be held to
a strict observance of the interstate
commerce act.
The San Francisco call., 1904-12-07

can and should be Offset by returns
from the national forests. Under SINH
lar circumstances the forest possessions
of other great nations form an import
ant source of revenue to their Govern
ments
Every administrative officer concerned
is convinced of the necessity for the
proposed consolidation of forest work In
the Department of Agriculture, and L
myself have urged it more than once
in former messages. Again / commend
it to the early and favorable consid-
Grafton of the Congress. The interests
of the nation at large and of the West
in particular have suffered greatly be-
cause of the delay.
1 call the attention of the Congress
again to the report and recommenda-
tion of the Commission on the Public
Lands forwarded by me to the second
session of the present Congress. The
commission has prosecuted it's investl-
cations actively during the past season,
and a second report is now in an ad-
vanced stage Of preparation.
In connection with the work or the
forest reserves 1 desire again TO urge
upon the Congress the Importance Of
authorizing the President to set aside
certain portions of these reserves or
other public lands as game refugees Tor
the preservation of the bison, the
wapiti and other large beasts once so
abundant in our woods and mountains
and on our great plains, and now tend
ing toward extinction. Every support
should be give to the authorities Of the
Yellowstone Park in their successful
efforts at preserving the large creatures
therein; and at very little expense por-
tions of the public domain in other
regions which are wholly unsuited to
agricultural settlement could be SINH
larly utilized. We owe it to- future
generations to keep alive the noble
and beautiful creatures which by their
presence add such distinctive character
to the American wilderness. The limits
of the Yellowstone Park should be ex-
tended southwark. The Canyon of the
Colorado should be made a national
park; and the natiOnal-park system
should include the Yosemite and as
many as possible of the groves of giant
trees in California.
The San Francisco call., 1904-12-07
CORPORATIONS BUREAU
Special Report viii Be Made
on the Beef Industry.

The Bureau Of Corporations has made
careful preliminary investigation of
many important corporations. 1t will
make a special report on the beef in
dUstry.
The policy Of the bureau is to accom-
plish the purposes Of its creation by
cooperation. not antagOnism; by max
ing constructive legislation, not de-
structiVe prosecution, the immediate
object Of its inquiries; by conservative
investigation Of law and fact, and by
refusal 70 issue incomplete and hence
necessarily inaccurate reports. Its pol
icy being thus one Of open inquiry into,
and not attack upon, business. the
bureau has been able to gain not only
the confidence. but better still, the CO.
operation Of men engaged in legitimate
business.
The bureau offers to the Congress the
means Of getting at the cost Of produc-
tion Of our various great staples of
commerce.
OF necessity the careful investigation
Of special corporations will afford the
Commissioner knowledge of certain
business facts, the publication of which
might be an improper infringement of
private rights. The method of making
public the results Of these investiga-
tions affords. under the law, a means
for the protection of private rights
The Congress will have all facts except
such as would give to another corpo-
ration information which would injure
the legitimate business Of a competitor
and destroy thesincentive for individual
superiority and thrift
The bureau has also made exhaustive
examinations into the legal condition
under which corporate business is car
ried on in the various States; into all
Judicial decisions on the subject: and
into the various systems of corporate
taxation in use. / call special atten-
ton TO the report of the chief of the
bureau; and ] earnestly ask that the
Congress carefully consider the report
ana recommendations Of the Commits
sioner on this subject.
The business Of insurance vitality
affects the great mass Of the people of
the United States and is national and
not local in its application. 1t involves
a multitude Of transactions among the
people OF the different States and be-
tween American companies and foreign
Governments urge that the Congress
carefully consider whether the power
Of the Bureau Of Corporations cannot
constitutiOnally be extended to cover
Interstate transactions in insurance.
The San Francisco call., 1904-12-07
Irrigation Projects
and forest Rsserve
Rapid Progress To5card the Re
clamation of Arid Lands
an The West.

During the two and a half years
that have elapsed since the passage of
the reclamation act rapid progress
has been made in the surveys and ex-
aminations of the opportunities for
reclamation in the thirteen States and
three Territories of the arid West Con-
struction has already been begun on
the largest and most important Of the
irrigation works, and plans are being
completed for works which will utilize
the funds now available. The opera
lions are being carried on by the Re-
clamation Service, a corps Of engineers
selected through competitive civil SER
vice examinations. This corps includes
experienced consulting and construct
ing engineers as well as various experts
In mechanical and legal matters, and is
composed largely Of men who have
spent most of their lives in practical
affalrs connected with irrigation. The
larger problems have been solved and
1t now remains to execute with care,
economy and thoroughnes the work
which has been laid out. All important
details are being carefully considered
by boards of consulting engineers. Sc
le cted for their thorough knowledge
and practical experience. Each project
is taken up OH the ground by competent
men and viewed from the standpoint
OF the creation of prosperous homes,
and of promptly refunding to the
Treasury the cost of construction. The
reclamation act has been found to be
remarkably complete and effective, and
so broad in it's provisions that a wide
range of undertakings has been possible
under it. AT the same time, economy
is guaranteed by the fact that the
funds must ultimately be returned to be
used over again.
1t is the cardinal principle of the for
est reserve policy of this administration
that the reserves are for use. Whatever
interferes with the use Of their re-
sources is to be avoided by every pos
sible means. But these resources must
be ussd in such a way as to make them
permanent.
The forest policy of the Government
is just now a subject of vivid public
interest throughout the West and to the
people of the United States in general
The forest reserves themselves are of
extreme value TO the present as well as
The San Francisco call., 1904-12-07
Continued From Page IL. Column

..Rut do not feel / am disposed 10
grant unreasonable requests, spend the
money Of our company unnecessarily
or without value received, nor expect
The davs Of mistakes are disappearing,
or that cause for complaint viii not
continually occur; simply TO correct
such abuses as may be discovered, 10
better conditions as fast as reasonaply
NAV be expected constantly striving,
with varying success, Tor tnat improve
ment we all desire. TO convince you
there is force at work in the right
direction, all the time making progress
lis the disposition with which l have
come among you. asking your goodwin
and encoura cement.
# e day has gone by when a cor
poration can be handled successfully
in defiance Of the public will. even
though that Will be unreasonable ana
wrong. A public may be led, but not
driven. and j prefer to go with 1t ana
shape or modify, in a measure, its
opinion, rather than be swept from
nv bearings. with loss 10 myself and
the interests in my charge.
Violent prejudice exists toward cor
p0rate activity and capital to-day,
much Of il founded in reason. more in
apprehension, and a large measure is
due TO the personal traits of arbitrary.
unreasonable, incompetent and often
sive men IN positions of authority. The
accomplishment Of results by indirec-
ton, the endeavor to thwart the inten-
ZION If not the expressed letter of the
law (the viii of the people,. a disre
gard Of the rights Of others, a disposi-
ton 10 withhold what is due, to force
by main strength or inactivity result
not justified, depending upon the weak
ness Of the claimant and his indisposi-
tion 10 become involved in litigation,
have created a sentiment harmful in
the extreme and a disposition to con-
slider anything fair that gives gain TO
the individual at the expense of the
company.
IF corporations are to continue TO
do the worlds work, as they are best
fitted to, these qualities in their rep
resentatives that have resulted in the
present prejudice against them must
be relegated 10 the background. The
corporations must come out into the
open and see and be seen. They must
take the public into their confidence
and ask for what they want, and no
more, and be prepared TO explain salts
factorily what advantage will accrue
10 the public If they are given their
desires: for they are permitted to exist
not that they may make money solely,
but that they may effectively serve
those from whom they derive their
power.
Publicity, and not secrecy. will win
hereafter. and laws be construed by
their intent and not by their letter,
otherwise public utilities will be owned
and operated by the public which Gre
ated them, even though the service be
less efficient and the result less salts
factory from financial standpoint"
The San Francisco call., 1904-12-07
QUESTION OF REBATES.
Abuse of Carrier Privileges
Must Be Checked.

Above all else, we must strive TO
keep The highways OF commerce open
10 all on equal terms; and to do this
II is necessary Il put a complete stop
10 all rebates. Whether the simmer
or the railroad is to blame makes no
dlnerence; the rebate must be stopped.
the abuses Of the private car and pri-
vste terminal-track and side-track svs-
TENS must be stopped, and the legisla-
ton Of the tifty-eighth Congress which
declares II TO be unlawful for anv per-
son or corporation 10 offer, grant. give.
solicit, accept or receive any rebate.
concession or discrimination in resDecf
Of the transportation Of any propertv
ln interstate or foreign commerce.
whereby such property shall by anv
device whatever be transported at a
Jess rate than that named in the tariffs
published BY the carrier must be en-
forced For some time after the enact
nent Of the act 20 regulate commerce
y remained mOOted question whether
that act conferred upon the Interstate
Commerce Commission the power. after
II had found challenged rate TO be
unreasonable, 70 declare what there
after should, prima facie, be the rea-
sOnable maximum rate for the trans
portatiOn in dispute The Supreme
Court finally resolved that question in
the negative. 80 that as the law now
stanos the commission simply possess
the bare power 20 denOunce a particu-
lar rate as unreasonable While I am
on the opinion that at present II would
De undesirable. n II were not imprac-
ticaDle. nnally 10 clothe the cornnfs-
sion WIN general authority to fix rail-
The San Francisco call., 1904-12-07
Government .TssIsts
OMler of tAe Soil
SbEeuGfd Results Achie0ed bv the
Federal Department of
agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture has
grown into an educational institution
with faculty of 1000 specialists max
ing research into all the sciences of
production. The Congress appropriates,
directly and indirectly, Sc, 00O, 900 annu-
ally to carry on this work 1t reaches
every State and Territory in the Union
and the islands OF the sea lately come
under our flag. Cooperation is had
with the State experiment stations, and
with many other institutions and in
dividuals. The world is carefully
searched for new varieties of grains,
fruits. grasses, vegetables, trees and
shrubs, suitable to various localities
in our country; and marked benefit to
our producers has resulted.
The activities of our age in lines of
research have reached the tillers of the
soil and inspired them with ambition
to know more of the principles that
govern the forces of nature with which
they have to deal. Nearly half of the
people of this country devote their en-
Until recent date little has been done
to prepare these millions for their life
work. In most lines of human activity
college trained men are the leaders.
The farmer had no opportunity for spe-
clal training until the Congress made
provision for it forty years ago. Dur
ing these years progress has been made
and teachers have been prepared Over
5000 students are in abundance at our
State agricultural colleges. The Fed
eral Government expends $4,000, 900 an
nually toward this education and for
research in Washington and in the sew
eral States and Territories. The De-
partment of Agriculture has given fa-
cilities for post graduate work to 500
young men during the last seven years,
preparing them for advanced lines of
work in the department and in the
State institutions.
The facts concerning meteorology and
it's relations TO plant and animal life are
being Systematically inquired into.
Temperature and moisture are controll-
ing factors in all agricultural opera
tions. The seasons of the cyclones of
the Caribbean Sea and their paths are
being forecasted with increasing aceu-
racy. The cold winds that come from
the north are anticipated and their
times and intensity told to farmers,
gardeners and fruiterers in all southern
localities.
We sell $3.50, ,O0O,OO worth of animals
and animal products to foreign coun-
tries every year, in addition to supply
ing our own people more cheaply and
abundantly than any other nation is
dDle " PiONiuS 1Ot itS peOple. SUCCESS
full manufacturing depends primarily
on cheap food, which accounts to a con-
siderable extent for our growth in this
direction. The Department of AgricuI-
ture, by careful inspection of meats,
guards the health of our people and
gives clean bills of health to deserving
exports; 1t Is prepared to deal promptly
with imported disc ases Of animals, and
maintain the excellence of our flocks
and herds in this respect. There should
be an annual census Of the livestock
of the nation.
We sell abroad about $500 600 900