The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-29
FIRE DRILL
WORKS WELL {, | ].
lille Smaller Children March Out
in Order While the Large
Fight Threatening Fire.
MORE SURPRISES RI! (: EXPECTED ::,', y; /, j {: {!
Contcstccs III Norfolk It1vestiga-
ton Will Fight for 1filnc-Es-
capcs From Crittendcn Home.
Especial to The Times. Dispatch,

Especial to The Times. Dlspntch.)
NORFOLK, VA. jim. 2s.-The fire drill
taught the school children Of Norfolk
prevented panic among tho 400 pu-
pills OF Reservoir Avenue School this
morning, when an alarm was given
shortly after the primary grade got
down to work. The entire school, save
rome Of the smallest pupils. marched
with military precision from tho school.
whilo the janItor and tho larger boys
extinguished the. flames. started BY an
overturned oil stove. which was used
because OF defective heating.
More surprises are expected In tho pri-
mary contest when the taking Of evil
u dcnce is resumed before the subcontnt-a
tee OF the State Central Committee to-
morrow. Tho lcontestees Will fight for
time. but the contestants will fight any
further recess until all the testimony Is
In.
CONSOLIDATION gj3
There viii be an early conference be-
tween the Councils and tho business
bodies of Berkley and Of Norfolk city,.
looking toward the consolidation Of the
two municipalities. a!
{ ,Etta Long. who gave her name when
she was found halt dead OF morphine
and beatings, but who s now known to
IN Gladys Hope OF O. respectable hen n
rico county family, escaped IN her night
clothes from tho Florence Crittenden
Home, in this city. last night. A man,
who has not yet been apprehended ald-
ed and she was afterwaTd located In a
low resort
NoRFoLK COUNTY wRANGLE.
The center OF interest in tho Norfolk
county political wrange has again been
transferred to Richmond. and the Wrat'-
E Hlc over the admission Of Messrs. Owens
and Parker, Fusion delegates from inc
Z county. into the Democratic CAUCUS has
been succeeded by the more important
question OF their title 70 tho seats TO
which the returns show them TO nave
been elected.
Messrs Johnson and Ethcridge. the
ca ndidatcs for the House on the Fusion
ticket. are making vigorous nSnt
against the seating OF Owens and PARK
Grand their adherents OF the anti-Fu-
Sion element declare that when all tho
eyIdence IS In, the Committee on Privi-
leRes and Elections cannot fail to- make
an adverse report on the seating OF the
delegates to whom the certlficates OF
election were awarded on the face OF the
returns. j. s5 49,
UT ia probable that a large dclegatlon
from both sides will be present IN Rich
INC committee. The Fusionlsts say tina
while there may be n minority report
from the Elections Committee they be-
lieve tho majority report Will favor their
candidates, and that 1t will BIO adopted.
They regard tho practical seating Of
their men in the caucus as evidence on
Its face that the Legislature VIII not
turn them out on account OF me lrauo-
ulent practices charged by their Fusion
opponents.
Tho stra!ghtouts say that the tran
.cript OF the evidence of voters taken
during the contest hearings IN Berk-
lev cannot but convince the members
OF the committee. IL they are at all In
clined to be fair. with the TACT that
frauds Of the grossest character were
nerpctrated in Norfolk county III the
most barefaced manner. and that the
election was unfair and farce through
out.
A. has been stated their principal COM
plaint Is on the score OF irregularities,
amounting to a violation OF the election
law. which they claim existed at
Halls Corner and other precincts
and also to the lack Of representation al
lowed the opponents OF the Fusion par
~. members OF which constituted tho
electoral board which made the appoint
ments OF the Judges and clerks Of cleo
ton. &. I,
The fight before the committee will
likely furnish the most startling evidence
Of tho bitterness existing between the
two parties in Norfolk county that has
been drawn forth by any previous Gus,
cussion OF the matter Having 1ailea
IA have tho Fuslonists summariy OK
relied from tho Democratic caucus, the
straightouts will now bend all their en-
ergics to deprving them OF their seats
IN the House and to seating their own
men in their stead.