davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
Workmen Were Eating in slianty
When Heat From Steam Pipes
Ignited Explosive.
THREE MET INSTANT DEATH
Bodies Of Victims of Pennsyl-
yaria Accident Were Horribly
Mutilatcd.

(By Associated P.,ss.,

WILKEsBARRE, PA. February 1s.-A
terrific explosion occurred early to-day
in the Buttonwood Mine, operated by the
Parish Coal Company, about two miles
from this city, which caused tho dr;ith
of four men. The explosion occurred in
a timberman's shanty located along the
sangway, near the foot OF the shaft. In
this shanty WAS stored a lot of giant
powder and this exploded. A number of
company hands were at work last night
in the mine and it is thought they went
to the shanty to get warm and have
their lunch, and that the heat from the
steam pipes ignited the powder.
The dead:
WILLIAM MENTSE. aged 25.
JOHN TAYLOR WILLIAMS, aged 90.
OWEN o. ANTHONY, aged IS.
ANTHONY sSHULRUN. aged 35.
Three of them met instant death and
their bodies were mutilated and dismem-
bered in ghastly manner. The fourth
man, Shulruh. died a few hours later at
the city hospital. His head was crushed
and several ribs were broken.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
RICHMOND FIRM
TO FIGHT REPEAL
Removal of Tax OH Alcohol
Force American Ether Co.
Out of Business.
WILL BE HEARD TOMORROW
is Expected That Opponents OF
the Measure Will Present
Strong Case.
From our Regular correspondent.)

QFrom Our Regular Correspondent)
WASHINGTON, February ls.-Hearings
on the bill to repeal the tax on natural
alcohol will be resumed in the Committee
on Ways and Means Tuesday. The sub
ject is of interest to certain Richmond
interests-the American Ether Company.
The product of the works is obtained
from a secret source by means of pro-
cess which Is not made public. All other
ether manufactured in this country is
made from alcohol. The product of the
Richmond works is obtained at a much
less cost than that of ether produced
from alcohol but If the tax is taken Off
alcohol ether can he made more cheaply
elsewhere than Richmond. The Rich
mond plant is not adapted to the produc-
ton of ether from alcohol and would
probably have to close down If alcohol
TO be used In the arts and denaturalized
be untaxed.
The opponents of the proposition to
repeal the tax will be heard Tuesday,
though 1t is not known that the Richmond
ether people will be present at the hear
ings. II would seem that the opponents
of the bill will make out a pretty strong
case. Attention will be called to the greet
'biiSdSS III VI lNiihcIiileSS III 1SiS oN-
ing. it is alleged, to the drinking of
methylated spirits. which are untaxed.
The drinking of spirits of this description
has been strongly condemned by leading
medical journals of England, and by
prominent newspapers. Not only is such
liquor said to be obtainabe at the lowest
prices, but being heavily loaded with
petroleum and wood alcohol, is highly
injurious to those who drink It.
The manufacturers of wood alcohol
themselves will oppose the bill. They
claim they vii be ruined If ethyl alcohol
is made free for manufacturing purposes.
when denaturized.
Other opponents OF the bill are the con-
sumers of the by-products OF wood alco-
hol such as charcoal for steel makir..
lumber men who supply the wood waste
for the dstilieries, and those who manu-
facture or use acetate of lime, the cost OF
which will be greatly increased IL wood
alcohol is displaced by denaturized grain
Continued on Second Pagej A
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
FOLLOWS
THE EXPOSURES.
Reputation, Character and Health
Unable to Withstand Com
rnittee S Attack.

The exposures consequent upon the
work of the Armstrong Legislative
Committee brought about the collapse
in the ,health OF John a. Mccall
On September 6, the first day of the
public sessions of the Armstrong COM
mittee, Mr. Mccall occupied n position oe
dazzling prominence in tile business
world, His reputation and character
had never suffered attack. He twas SUP,
posed to be invulnerabe.
He appeared befqre the COMMITTEES ON
the opening day and before the first
witness was called he stood i'm the mid
die OF the AldermanIc chamber aud
made Il ringing speech In which he tle-
sclarcd:
1.-THE New York Life comes before
this committee unrepresented by ooui,-
sci. We have retained no lawyers, and
do not need them. Nc have nothing
to conceaa nothing to hide. We court
it, Int will assist the commlttee to the
utmost limit OF our powers 10 make It's
investigation thorough and complete
Put to the Test. iB
This speech brought much credit to
Mr., Mccall at the time. but a few days
later, when he was placed ON the stand
he had to make admissions about pay
inei,ts for political purposes. OF Immense
sums given Andrew Hamilton for 40
specific purpose, OF juggleti account;
books and mnny other ifresulartties
which he could not Satisfactorily explain.
Several tilaes he was again called ia, th,s
stand, and before the investigation WAS
half completed 1t was regarded as a GER
tainty that lie would have 70 resign hin
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
.APOPLEC7|G STROKE
KILLS JOHN. g. sTETsON
ell-Known Philadelphia Hat
Manufactures Dies Suddenly
At Florida Home.
(By Associated Press.)

DELAND. FLA, Feb. 1S.-Mr. John b.
stetson, the millionaire hat manufacturer
at Gillen. near Deland to-day at 1 O'Clock.
Mr.. stetson was stricken with apoplexy
this morning and Notwithstanding the
best medical attention he died without
rcgaining consciousness His wife was
the only member Of his Immediate fan,i-
tly present. Mr.. stetson had been feel
ing quite well, He attended the Unl-
versity Trustees' meeting Thursday, and
tho presentation exercises at the Audito-
rum Friday.
The family and friends leave on the mid
night train for Philadelphia with tho
bod..
Tho entire town of Deland is in mourn
ing.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
Sorrow in Philadelphia.
(By Associated Prcss.)

(By Associated Press.)
4 PHILADELPHIA, February 1S.-Thc
death OF John b. Stetson, the millionaire
hat manufacturer, of this city, at his
winter homo in Qeland, Fla, to-day,
was {, great shock to his relatives and
friends in Philadelphia. He had looked
forward to spending u pleasant winter
In the South. Tho body will arrive here
Tuesday.
John b. Stetson was the son Of nat
Eterand was born in Orange. N. j., in 1880.
5He opened small shop here IN 1863. he
came u large manufacturer and took
greut interest In the welfare nf his en7
5ployes, who now number $500. He was
the founder OF the John B. Stetson uni-
vefsity at Deland and Its principal sup
porter lie leaves widow, two sons
and married daughter. a,ss
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
.LONGW0RTHs SPEND
SUNDAY VERY QUIETLY
Bride and Groom Receive No
Callers, and Pass Part of Day
in in Stroll.
(By Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, in February Repre-
sentative and Mrs. Nicholas Longworth,
who We're married at the White House
YESTERDAY, passed the day very quietly
ut Friendship" the country home of
John r. Mclean, ut Tennullytown, which
they are making their temporary head
quarters The weather was pleasant most
OF the day hnd the couple took il stroll
around the beautiful ground surrounding
the place. The gates of the grounds were
closed during the day and It is said at
the house tonight that there had not
been any callers.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
TRANSPORT PICKS UP
SHIPWRECKED CREW
lRy Associated Press )

HONOLULU. February 1s.-The United
States transport Buford last night arrived
from Manila with thirty-seven Japanese,
who were picked up from the wreck of the
barkentine Tunamoto, February 7th.
When the Buford met the Tunamoto she
was dsmasted and without provisions.
The barkentine was en- route from Toxic
to Marcus Island. She was abandoned
by her crew. who We're taken on board
the Buford.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
Lecture Before Typos.

ME- Jumes Lynch, urosldent of the
lnternatSonal 'ryposraphicnl Union. wiil
delvep nm address at II special meeting
OF the Richmond union Int hall over
SPARKS y Blnrks establishment on Broad
Street, to-nisst at S. O'Clock. Mr.. lynch
eral members Of the union NJ Washing
ton, ltyis desired that all the membsrs
Of the local union be present ut tho
meeting Tonight, . II n
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
CHINA WANTS DIRECT
SHIPMENT OF CASH
LlRy Associated Press. \

h A1tIx1COF CITY, MEXICC, February u.s.
The Mexican Postoffice Department. has
Bandeavored to perfect arrangements with
the Chinese government whereby a packet
post and postal money order busincss
Of both countries and especially in MD
sof Chinese subjects here who made cpli-
tinuous remtttancss 10 China. hut the
reply y that as China does not belong
and 1t Is intimated that China prefers
direct shipment OF cash ia that coun-4
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
ARE NOT OPPOSED
TO THE INQUIRY
Members of Corporation
Commission Welcome
Investigation.
HAD TROUBLE TO
SECURE AN AUTHOR
This Was the Only Drawback
the Matter Ever Had After
It Was suggested-Mern-
bers Did Not Feel
Like Standing
Sponsor.

rho investigation into the circum-
stances under which A: S. Lanicr. late
a clerk in tho Department of Corporation
Commission. was dismissed will tend to
keep things lively at the Capitol this
week.
In some quarters there seems to be,
an impression which Is entirely errone-'
ous, that there was objections on the
part of the friends of the Corporation
Commission to the proposed inquiry. Ex-
actly tho opposite is true. AS soon as
1t became known that such move was
In contemplation, Judge Beverley 7.
Crunp, the only commissioner whose
name was mentioned welcomed the full
est investigation In a signed statement
to the public, while the position of tho
others is known to be favorable.
When the. resolution was first talked
of there was considerable doubt concern
ing it's presentation, as it was hard to
cared to assume the responsibility of
fathcring it.
II was among those who first proposed
the subject therefore, that any doubt
or objection ever existed. and not among
tho officials OF the commission or their
friends. Any apparent opposition which
may have developed in the House came
not from any commissioner. directly or
indirectly. but from the members who
tn, lI,tlsn off I
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
ROY CABELL WILL
BE POSTMASTER.
Young Richmonder Def
nitely Decides to
Accept.
MOVE is TO BLOCK
WISE NOMINATION
Cabell Was Anxious to Give Way
to Wray T. Knight, But Presi-
dent Roosevelt Would
Not Consider the
Present In
curnbent.

Mr.. Roy T.. Cabcll has definitely de-
cided to accept the postmastcrship Of
Richmond.
This is a statement made last night
by a close political friend OF Mr.. Cabell.
who made tho assertion with personal
qualification.
1t has tech rumorcd that the position
would be declined by Mr.. Cabell, who, 1t
was said, would urge the rc-appolntment
OF Mr.. Wray T. knight who has the
backing OF the busisess men of the city.
1t has also been said that Mr.. Cabell
would hold office for q few months and
then retire In Mr.. knights favor, but
such rimors are now pronounced untrue.
The story goes that Mr.. Cabell did not
desire the appointment and that he did
all In his power to ring about the re-
appointment OF Mr.. knight, but finding
that the President would under no cir
cumstances nominate Mr.. Knight, he
finally was prevailed upon to accept the
office. rather than see 1t go to the man
backed by Honorable John s. Wise, OF
New York. who is said to be Mr.. Ar
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
May Be Assistant.

t
The new postmaster has the power TO
appoint the assistant postmaster and it is
said that the position has been offered
TO Mr. Knight. but that he has not yet
either declined or excepted It.
Mr.. Cabell. who has Lately formed !,
partnership with his brother. Mr.. pat
rick Henry Cary Cahel and Mr.. Res7erf
H. Talley, Assistant United States District
Attorney. Will not give up the practice
of the law, but viii retain his member
ship in the firm of Cabell. Talley and
cabell. with Offices in the Shafer Build
ing
When asked the reason of the Presi-
dents animosity TO Mr.. knight. the gen
tleman quoted said that no one here knew
and that the President had given no rem
son for his action. simply saying that
he would not consider the appointment
OF Mr. Knight.
Mr.. cabell was out of town on yes
terday.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
Opposed to Wise's Choice.

Republicans down here are opposed to
anyone whom John S. Wise would urge
for the position" said prominent party
man last night, and we urged Mr.. Cabell
to accept the postmastership SO that
there would be no chance OF Mr.. Wise
having his man appointed
"All of us think that Mr.. CabeiI IS an
IDEAL man for the Office. but his friend
ship for Mr.. knight prompted him %
90 aii IN ms power to have him reap
pointed. When he found that this was
impossible. he determined 10 accept and
VIII take charge of the postohice ON
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
Will Pass the Senate.

The Byrd resolution calling for the ap-
pointment of joint committee of In
yestigation will be taken up in the Sen
ate Committee for Courts of Justice this
morning. and in all likelihood favorably
reported. 1t has already passed the
House, and will go through the Senate
and the joint committee. yet to be named.
win get down to business by "Wednesday
or Thursday.
Recent developments tend to show that
all the powder to be used in the battle
is not In the hands OF those on any one
side of the controversy, but that when
the crucial test comes before the commits
tee some interesting matters will come
to the public attention. which have not
hitherto been hinted at.
1t is believed that Delegate Byrd will
head the committee on the House side,
and that he will pobably be chairman.
While, of course, Lieutenant- Governor Ell
Tyson has given no intimation as to his
probable appointments. pending the adop-
ton Of the resolution by the Senate yet
there is an impressfoi that the long
headed member from Rockingham. HoI.
George B Keezel, will in part represent
the Senate in the body.
The sessions of the committee, as the
situation is lit present understood, Will
he held with open doors.
Saunders Matter. M
A matter OF considerable public inter-
est. especially to the people of the Tide
water section, which will come up in the
Senate to-day. will have reference to the
confirmation or rejection of Mr.. Joseph II.
Saunders as superintendent of schools
of the city Of Portsmouth Mr.. Saunders
has strong backing on the ground. both in
and out of the Legislature. and his fight
is for ~ committee of investigation.
s Mr.. Samuel T. Montague. of Ports
mouth. is here and said last night that
he could not understand how objection
could be raised to an investigation, when
Mr.. Saunders and his friends were
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
What the Bill Contains.


Tho bill was introduced early in the
session by AIR. Shakelford. OF Orange. at
the instance of certain fraternal benefi-
cial societies. who are interested In its
passage. 1t was stated then, and is
claimed now, that the bill merely re-en-
acted the act of 1897. which Acquired addi-
tional taxation and great publicity, hut
which was inadvertly repealed In 1eo4
The repeal, it is said. was proposed
in contemplation of the enactment of
general insurance bin at that session
but while the repeal bill was adopted
1lle general bill fell through with the
result that associations were left with
practically no specific laws governing
them.
Undor ruling of the Attorney-Gen-
eral, 1t is stated. the repeal of the old
act was beyond question and the auditor
had no power to tax the associations
except on their visible property The
Shackelford bill. 1t was said when II was
introduced, is in line with the recon-
Incndatlons of the Attorney General. 1t
requires fee of so in addition to the
property tax, and rc-enacts the old law
with some additions said to be designed
TO perfect Its operation in the respect OF
requiring greater publicity in the affairs
OF the associations by means of more
detailed annual reports. These official
reports are used by bona fide companies
as evidences of good faith and as bases
OF comparison with other companies for
advertising purposes, and the necessity
of making them. it is held, will efec-
lively stamp out the wildcat concerns
so-caled. The bill has the hearty en-
dorsement of the Royal Arcanum and
other beneficial associations doing busi- !
nc pt ot,I fat. a
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
Where Trouble Lies.

b So far as this goes there appears to
be no objection. The trouble comes in at
another point. One of the clauses In the
bill reads as follows.
Such orders or associations shall
be governed by this act and shall be
exempt from all provisions of the
assurance laws of this State, not
enly In governmental relations with
tho State. but for every other pur-
pose, and no law hereafter passed
shall apply to fraternal beneficiary
orders or associations unless they be
expressly designated therein.'
Advocates of the bill have proposed
an amendment striking out the words
not .ohiy IN governmental relations with
tne STATE, put' Tor every other purpose" :"
but IN the opinion of the newly-developcd
opposition this does not in any way re-
licve the situation. It is further pointed
out thar law which expressly desig-
mated an association would be Of
douptful constitutionality, so thar in fact
no law whatever could amply Attention
is also called to another clause in 4 he
bill declared to fbc very remarknblc It3is
this:
ne money or other benefits char
ity, relief or aid, to be paid, provided
or rendered by any such order or asso-
citation. shall neither before nor after
being paid, be liable to attachment.
aarnlshment or other process, and
shall not be seized, taken, appropri-
ated or applied by any legal or equl-
table process or operation OF Law to
pay any debt or liability of a member
or his beneficiary, or of any person
whosmay have any right thereln.,
81 have not yet investigated the old
statutcs%' said u Senator last night, "a
law referring to beneficial associations
4 III Of hp1iaya re n0
1t was repealed | do not know. But / do
know that this new ball lBproposes ap-
pafently to make the ASSOCIATIONS the
lords of the creation with powcrAto do
pretty much anything they please. Under,
this billin mutual assurance society could
do business in Virginia subject to prac-
tically no law, Tho provisions of tho act
are extraordinary and will have to be
axplulned."
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19
FRATER RNAL BILL
CAUSES FLUTTER.
fEl -----
a Measure Giving Broad
Powers to Beneficial
Orders Held UP
MUST BE EXPLAINED
SAYS "A SENATOR
When Bill Comes Up Again
Members Will Be Loaded for
lt-The Mutual Company
Could Operate Under
It Without Pale
of Law.

81 the mercst accident, the Senate
Saturday, before 1t was too late, dis
covered itself upon the point OF aiding
to its cngrossment an innocent looking
Gill which since 1t has been carefully
scrutinizcd is declared to contain sweep
ing provisions that IL enacted will place
iratcrnal beneficial associations almost
beyond the pale OF the law and In fact
actually makes possible the operation OF
mutual assurance society in Virginia.
subject to neither State nor statute and
very little cisc beyond its own sweet
viii and accord.
While this is an extreme view cx-
pressed late last night by scvGra sena-
tors who had just made an examination
OF the bill in question, IT. Is certainly
true that the discoveries resulting from
this investigation have caused a futter
in legislative circles, and that when the
measure is reached again on the calen-
dar, II will be "nafTcd" from more than
one direction. In the opinion OF these
gentlcmcn, the bill Is exceedingly dan
gerous and unless rejected entirely Will
need great modification. Had 1t been en-
crossed yesterday 1t would In all iikeli-
hood have passed to-day without at
tracing notice and would eventually have
In the same manner become a law. When
il was reached in tile regular oder.
Judge I.aycnncr of Shenandoah inter-
posed an objection. but shortly withdrew
all opposition and the bill was in fair
way TO being engrossed. when Mr.. Full
ton. OF Warren, looking casually over
tho pages, discovered a clause that
aroused curiosity which developed into
objection so strenuous that the bin was
hun t.. I,nf,
The evening the matter was taken UP
also by Judge Phlcgar. of Montgomery.
Mr.. Thomas. of Lynchburg. and others:
investigation was made. and the ground
s.ss laid for an attack on the nieasure
as soon as IL shows itseif agafrl
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19

CONTINUED on Second Page.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-19

Continued on Second Page.1
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-10-14

ry in general, Tallahassee still holds
It's reputation for-shall We call IL
dignity of movement It's the thing
Philadelphia is accused of by the rest
Of the country. and perhaps Tallahas.
see will not object TO being classed
with Philadelphia, considering the ex.
clusiveness of Philadelphiafs smart
set, its assembly balls and It ALSO
lutte social superiority to any other
community in the known world.
This reputation can be best Illus
-trated by the story Of an incident OF
which Tallahassee is said to be\the
scene. A visitor to the city was being
shown the places of interest and OF
course was taken to see the capitol.
After looking in at the various offices,
the senate chamber and house of rep
resentatives he was taken up to the
cupalo on top of the building in order
to get a view of the surrounding
country from that elevation. Leaning
fell to the ground. The friend who
was conducting the sightseeing expe.
dition rushed down the stairs TO the
aid of the visitor and found him just
rising from the ground after his fight
through the air. Are you hurt?" he
inquired anxiously "Oh no." replied
the other with a smile, we're in Tai
lahassee, you know. ] fell slowly"
A walk through the business por-
tons of the town any Saturday win
! disclose curious scenes to those not
accustomed to a predominant negro
/ population. That is the day when
f. the entire black population does It's
; t-adin'" aud from morn till dewey
eve the streets are crowded with a
molly throng arrayed in every con-
eeivable color and combination of col.
( ors
(. Amusing scraps of conversation
NAV sometimes be caught by the
passer-by. as witness this, between
gray "wooled" old fellow and youns
girl. "Honey." said the Old darkey,
"huccomee you amt neTer IS matidf
Whit all your" 81 des CANT find
man to my notion" was the reply,
and the old man shook his head as
he said: You Is too choositlve,
chile, yous too choositiye."
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-10-14

Of years. sowe4can see,how coal was
not. only. squeezed into SOLID mass,
but often much Of the oil and gas
which were In the leaves OF the
piauts was driven out by pressure
and the internal heat-ot earth. ana
sths whole baked Into one substance.
~The difference betweeoucom which
-ia1nes saod coal which burus only