The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-11
FIRE SUFFERERS
 TO GET INSURANCE

THAN USUAL AFTER PAYING
 LARGE LOSSES LIKE THOSE
 INCURRED AT SAN FRANCISCO.
 New York, May 1O.-The sufferers be- cause of the fire following the earthquake in San Francisco will experience less loss through failure of their insurance under writers than those in any great conhagra- ton which has visited this country. ac- cording to statement made today by President J. II. Washburn of the Ma tional Board of Fire Underwriters at the fourteenth annual meeting of that of ganization.
 Mr. Washburn said that the San Fran cisco disaster found the insurance com panies better prepared than they were ever before after mourning such enor- nous losses.
 ~------~-~-----~>r-----o cheer swept up the Neva. The imperial launch immediately crossed the river and entered the winter palace from the quay entrance. For the first time since the ceremony of blessing the waters, January 19. 1905. when the emperor escaped death from the charge of grape fired from a gun of a saluting battery, the emperor and empress were back in the Russian capital
 A little more than two hours later vast hosts of military and civil dignitaries be- gan arriving at the winter palace to ls- ten to the emperors message to the rep resentatives of the people. The scene on the palace square today was in vivid con- trast of that less than fifteen months ago. when the troops met with volleys the people coming to ask the little father for less than they have now been granted. Instead of grim soldiers shooting Into a mob, prancing cavalry with shining ac- coutrements guarded the approaches, while the square itself was filled with rank upon rank of the chevalier guards. curiassiers. Hussars, Lancers and other guard regiments each in picturesque uni form of red, blue and yellow. Their hel- nets and cuirasses shone in the sun, while the polished lance heads formed a thcket of flashing lines overhead. The emperor's picked Circassan Cossacks in long flow ing crimson kaftaos. sitting high on wild steppe horses, gave the highest note of color to the scene Behind the iron grill leading to the court yard of the palace were massed q squadron of heavy dra- goons and battery of machine guns.
 Splendid Equipages.
 Through this brilliant maze of troops passed splendid equipages, many of the eoachmen wearing the red Imperial livery and bearing invited guests swiftly to the various entrances to which they had been assigned Although the bars of what had hitherto been the most exclusive court in Europe were lowered for the first time to admit to the emperors presence men who had come not by virtue of his in- vitation. but because they held mandate from the people. the rules and traditions of caste and rank were not otherwise re- laxed By different entrances and up diff ferent stairways, into different saloons, strictly according to rank, the concourse of court dignitares. nobles. foreign rep resentatives clergy and military and civil officials. all In full uniform. gathered to await the summons from the throne in the hall of St. George. Members of the council of the empire or upper house as- sembled in the Hermitage pavilion.
 In the gold decorated music room. the field marshals the Arabic halls, the Pom peian gallery the hall of columns, etc. gathered the suites of the various grand dukes and grand duchesses. the procura- tor general of the Holy synod, the mem bers of the Holy synod the generals of high rank. admirals aides de camp, etc, while the immediate suites Of the Emperor and two EnlpTeSSfS TtlIldlItu III tHt iNo- manoff gallery of the throne room, mag nifcent apartment ornamented with rl- handed jasper and beautiful mosaics pre- senting the temples pastum. The ladies and maids of honor of courts, arrayed In ancient costumes of purple. broidered with pearls and wearing sugar loaf head dresses similarly adorned presented a charming appearance. In the concert room q force of veteran grenadiers mounted before the insignia of the Emperor's sov- ereignty the imperial crown sceptre. globe. sword. standard and seal of the empire, representing the most valuable collection of jewels in the world. The precious stones blazed like live coals. The sceptre alone is valued at S.2O0.ooo. It is surmounted by the celebrated Orlon diamond of 1s5 carats, a mate of the Kohinoor. which together formed the eyes of the golden lion before the temple of the grand mogul at Helhi. The romantic. bloody history of these two jewels stolen by Sepoys is well known. The crown Is surmounted by a cross formed of five diamonds, each worth kings ransom. set upon q priceless ruby, the whole resting on a golden circle studded with pearls giving it the appearance of mitre and thus making 1t emblematic not only of sovereignty. but of supreme authority over the Russian church. The globe also is surmounted by-a diamond cross resting on an immense sapphire.
 Guests Enter Hall.
 Shortly before 1 o'clock in obedience to signals the streams of guests began slow ly flowing towards the great St. Georges hall. At each door of the series of sa- looms stood two foot soldiers at present arms" while along the walls were ranged detachments of guard regiments in pie turesuue uniforms, SD that the march of the members of Parliament to the throne hall was almost like a review of the imperial guard.
 St. Georges hall is an apartment 150 feet long by sixty feet wide. and is given stately appearance by double rows of graceful corinthian columns and marble walls. while through it's forty windows today streamed flood of brilliant sun shine.
 In the center of the Marquetry floor
 (Conrinued e., Seventh Pagsl