Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-02-16
NO. 20

that he desired the passage OF two
cent fare bill. He did not wish to leave
| any locpholes for the railroads to e.
cape, aud II they desired to run their
train by electricity they would not
come under the provisions OF the bin.
The minority leader took the members
of the house to task for their haste
in passing such important legislation,
and when he moved TO reconsider the
vote by which the bill was passed TO
third reading, and also the vote by
which the vote was advanced to its
third reading. the motion prevailed
was then made a special order for
without dissenting vote. The bin
was then made special order for
Tuesday at IL o'clock and In the mean
time complete copies OF the bin we're
printed and given to the delegates
Although Il is expected that the bih
will be passed by the lower house,
the main point of issue still remains
unsettled and will likely result In a
conference between the senate and the
house, or else result in the defeat OF
the bill. The senate Is almost united
In exempting railroads less than Atty
miles In length, not controlled by an
other road with that mileage, from the
provisions of the bin and In the bill re-
ported TO the house snch provision
!. was embodied. The question was
brought TO the front at once, and af-
ter long debate the bill was amend
ed by striking out that provision, the
!. house going on record in favor OF
fiat two-cent rate to be applied on all
roads alike. Those who are In a posi-
J ton to know, say the senate never will
agree to such bill, and unless the
house recedes from Its position the
people of West Virginia will not profit
by twocent fare at the hands OF this
legislature.
The Mine Explosions.
I The Joint committee appointed to
; investigate the mine explosions at
} Stewart and Thomas have returned
, from Stewart. Very little of impor-
! lance was learned by the committee
, and most of the work of investigation
will be done In this city. The mine In
I which the explosion occurred was
, In badly wrecked condition. and as
, much water was falling down the
/ shaft because OF the lack of pumping
capacity, By reason OF a broken pump
that members of the committee ala
, not feel justified in making a personal
descent into the mine. They there
, fore, satisfied themselves with sending
| down experts and relying upon their
, reports to give the desired information
which will be heard later. Three wit
nesses were exanlined-Thomas Davis,
mine foreman al parrel. formerly en-
ployed at Stewar., and one OF the first
to 20 into the mine after the explo-
sion: w. G. Colbnrn. superintendent oil
the Stewart mine; Lawrence Shores,
Z who ran the engine that drew up the
cages at Stewart and Ruben Durham.
colored fireman at Stewart From
these 1t vas gathered that the mine
did not have two openings as reduir-
ed By law: that there was gas In the
mine a year ago when Durham, the
witness who swore 10 this. worked III
the pit, and that there had been some
complaint among the men OF the bad
condition OF the mine. The superin-
tendent was confident that the explo-
sion had been brought on by windy
shot" which set off an explosion OF
dust, though others who have examin-
ed the mine declare 1t started by an
explosion of gas that set off the dust.
Eighty.three bodies have been taken
from the mine, and it is thought that
there are three bodies still in the
mine. Many witnesses have been SUM
moned to appear before the committee,
and the talking of testimony win be-
gin today
The ht use passed engrossed senate
bin No 76, limiting the powers OF
municipal corporations to impose
taxes. The bin is a favorite admins
: tration measure, and restricts the
J municipalities to a maximum levy OF
+ 40 cents. An amendment was tackled
I on to the bill in the lower house pro-
: viding that any municipality with
J any outstanding Indebtedness, when
the bin goes into effect, may make
special levy Of 10 cents for the pur-
pose OF paving the same The house
also passed the substitute house bill
No. II, relating to the manufacture
and sale OF food. drink and drugs.
and providing against fraud and de-
ception. The bill is pure food meas
! ure and conforms to the national law