davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
REPORT
ON LANDS
COMMISSIONER GENT
TELLS OF HIS WORK.
TWO MILLION ACRES RESTORED
TO ENTRY-TEN MILLION
ACRES RELEASED.

The report of the commissioner gen.
eral of the land office, r. S. Ballinger,
for the fiscal year ended June 50, 1907,
is made public. It shows that subse-
Qucnt to March 4 more than 2,oo0, 900
acrs of public lands, previously held
under blanket orders of suspension.
were restored to entry. Nearly 10000.
600 acres were released from with.
drawal in the same period Of time.
THE most strenuous effort" says
the commissioner general, rs being
made with the force at my command
to restrain unlawful and fraudulent
practices in the public land states, and
to secure evidence to prosecute those
guilty OF violation of the land laws.
The field force is totally inadequate in
number to report all such offenders;
hence the gross offenders are more
particularly sought for"
The report condemns as obsolete and
absurd some Of the existing land laws
in particular the act of March 3, 1893
governing the patenting Of coal lands
Title having passed. the government
possesses NO guaranty that as plblic
utility the coal can be made available
to supply the market; On the contrary
these lands have almost uniformly
passed into the hands of spectators
or large combinations controlling the
output or the transportation, 80 that
the consumer is at the mercy Of both
in the greater portion of the west,
said the report. The inducements fOI
much of the crime and fraud commit
ted under the present system can BE-
prevented by separation OF the nsht
to mine from the title to the soil
The report shows the total cash re
Of public lands to have been $9.547,2 73
Miscellaneous receipts. including salet
Of Indian lands, were $2,e05,se4; a
grand total OF 81 .553.177, representing
an increase Of $3.967,654 in the tota
receipts over the preceding year, OF
52.3 per cent.
'The total area of the land disposed
OF during the year was 20,997,5 66 acres
an increase over 1906 of 1,55s,37.
acres.
There are now 169 national forest,
formerly called forest reserves) sye
ated by presidential proclamations. ON
bracins 150, 1871 ,666 acres. The fetal in
crease In the area OF the national for
ests since the last annual report IL -,
1924 acres.
The report concludes with thts dats
Of future opening of Indian lands Il
settlement. already provided for b,
congress: Colville reservation, Wash
ington. about 100000 acres win b
opened in a year or two; Flathead res
ervation, Montana, about loot, o0t
acres will be opened in 1908; Yakims
reservation, Washington, about 1,145,
900 acres. time for opening net ye
nxed; Blackfoot reservation, Montana
about $780, 900 acres, may be opened ir
1908: Occur d'Alene reservation, Ida
no. 10000 acres, probably be opened
in the fall of 1908; Rosebud reserva
ton, South Dakota, about $4,000
acres, will be opened in 1908; Lemh
reservation, Idaho, about $1,000 acres
will he OIpnpd in 1903
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19

Hereafter and until the close of the
first day of JanuRrys1sos. pestmasters
are directed to deliver all letters ar
irving at their respective postofices
addressed plainly. and Enthusiastically
to Santa Claus" without any other
terms of expression identifying the
person for whom sGch letters are In.
tended, to any regularly organized
charitable society in the city or town
of address, to be Used Exclusively for
charitable purposes. ii2 5-e
Is In the event that claims be made by
more than one- society for letters. so
addressed, such letters will be equally
divided. according to number, betwaan
or among the societies making such
claim. lie ~ H1Hi a. i.rIs ~
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
Sold Much Public Land.

The whole amount Of fees and COM
missions collected at land Offices in
Washington and Alaska during the
last fiscal year is stated to have been
distributed as follows: North Yakima,
$11.749; Olympia, $4701; Seattle,
3S395; Spokane, $2k53O;; Vancouver,
1928; Walla Walla, $17.130; Water
vile, $27,76o; juneau. $2136, The net
revenue arising from these fees and
COMMISSIONS. after 1deducting the
amounts earned and paid to registers
and receivers. was. In the state Of
Washington, 1864 ,222.r
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
BURNS $4,000; THEN HE Dies.
Wealthy Farmer Of Ohio Grows Child
ish In Eiohty-fifth Year-Dsad
From Heart Disease.

Marion. Ohio, Dec. 1S.-JOhn Cor
don. wealthy farmer OF this county,
burned $4,000 in bills Sunday, short
time before he died. The charred
remnants Of the bills were found by
members Of his family. but a. they
were mostly ashes no attempt will be
made to have them replaced.
Gordon was IS years old and In the
last few weeks had grown childish.
He had steadfastly refused to put the
$4,000, his savings for years, into
bank. but kept it under his pillow
This morning he amused himself by
setting fire to them and watching them
burn. Shortly before noon. when one
Of his sons entered the room, the re-
mains of the bills were found and Cor
don was lying dead on the bed He
had succumbed to heart disease.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
SAYS TAFT
is THE MAN
CHICAGO AMERICAN is
SURE HE'LL WIN.
CLAIMED THAT HE HAS 256
VOTES OUT OF 4s9 TO
NOMINATE.
The Chicago Examiner says:

The chicago Examiner says.
Secretary William H. Taft can al.
most read his title clear to the repub.
lican nomination for president, If the
forecasts of the political leaders are
reliable. Dispatches to the Examiner
from the leaders. Of II states and one
territory have declared for Taft.
The states that have declared fol-
the presidents political executor are
Arkansas. Louisiana, Missouri, North
and South Carolina, Texas, Virginia
Massachusetts, Arizona. Maryland
Alabama and Florida. OF course, the
declarations have only been by com
mitteemen and other leaders, and
there is many a slip between the
prophecy and the fulflment.
The prophecies, however, give Score
tary Taft 256 votes in convention
that will take 4S9 to nominate. Grant
ing that he will also get the 46 votes
of his own state, Ohio, he will have
3O2, and further granting that now
that he has killed the Cortelyou boom
the president can carry the Other
southern states of Georgia, Tennessee
and Mississippi-with 70 votes-foI
his favorite, when. then Mr.. Taft will
have 372. or only lit less than he
needs.
Taggart Picks Fairbanks.
Thomas Taggart, chairman of the
democratic national committee, de
cleares the belief that Charles w
Fairbanks will be the choice Of the
Chicago convention for presidential
nominee on the republican ticket.
Chancellor Day for Hughes.
Declaring that calm, statesmanlike
men" were wanted in the White
House. Chancellor James R. Day o.
Syracuse university, the guest Of
honor Saturday night at the seventh
annual dinner of tho New York chap
ter of the American Institute Of Bank
ing, came out for Governor Hughes fol
president. The declaration of Mr.. Day
was greeted with rounds of applause
In his speech Chancellor Day dis
cussed and deplored attacks made
upon corporate interests and upor
banks. He said that committees haC
usurped the place Of the constitution
of the United States and that they
were in effect nothing more thar
''star chamber sessions"
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
BRILLIANT NAVAL BALL.
Farewell Party In Honor Of Admira
Bob Evans.

Old Point Comfort. Va. Dec. H.
A brilliant naval and military ball was
given At the Hotel Chamberlain last
Friday in honor of Admiral Evans and
the other officers of the is battleships
which sailed Monday on their notable
cruise to the Pacific ocean. The re.
canton and dance in the gaily deco.
rated ballroom closed a day given
over almost entirely to social func.
lions.
AT, ,. p.. o..,.s
WITH roosrd - tha r.nort that 81,
1.n.neso sorv.nts IN hoard tho VOC
sa,s ~ ~. p.o,eo hovna eoot h.n.
haa, .-onsf.rr.d e. o.ho, .h,r. ~.
.ro 60 no To-, hah,rd =, mo. .,a,.d IN
hoo,s ~ e.a.h,, Cor,...,o,,. go.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
Now York Bank Statement,

New York, Dec. 1.-THE statement
OF the clearing house banks for the
week shows that TIE banks hold $40,-
101,174 less than the requirements of
the 25 per cent reserve rule. This fs
an increase of $6,l09.175 In the pro-
portionate cash reserve as compared
with last week.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
Mine Horrors Of Half Century.


Johnstown, Pa, July II, 1902, II:
dead
Auderlues, Belgium. March II. 1892
200 dead.
Nanaimo, Vancouver, May 4, 1887
ITO dead.
Lund. England, Feb. 10. 1857. IS!
dead.
Dour. Belgium. No. 10, 1888, 12l
dead.
Berlin. Germany, Aug: 10. 1893. 81
dead.
Rhondda Valley, Wales. Feb. IS
1887, 80 dead.
Mems. Belgium. March 5. 1885, 81
dead.
Braznell mine. near Brownsville
Pa. Dec. "a, 1889, 80 dead.
Ebbw Valley. Wales, May "a, 1901
80 dead.
Harwick, Pa, Jan. 20. 1904. 1873
dead.
Hanna. Wyo.. June 80. 1908. 200
dead.
Pas de Calais, France, March 10
1906. over 1000 dead.
Cananea, Mex, June /, 1906, 100
dead
Naomi mine, Belle Vernon. Pa, Dec
l, 1907, "a dead.
Pocahontas mine. Virginia, 1884. 307
dead.
Newburg, w. Va, 1886, 80 dead.
Red Ash, w. Va, March 6, 1900, 46
dead.
Berryburg mine, Harbor county, w.
Va. Nav. 2, 1900. Is dead.
Monongah mine, Monongah, w. Va,
Dec. 6, 1907, 400 dead.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
Train Kills, George 3. Fisk

~ Trenton, N j. Decr17.--George F.
Fish, a New York pewspapernnan, for
meriy Of Philadelphia and Pittsburg,
and recently press agent fpr, the
Jamestown exposition. was struck and
killed By a Pennsylyania train 20
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
Democrats Feel Good.

Members Of the democratic national
committed were among the most in.
terested of the. readers OF the an
nouncement that President, Roosevelt
had reiterated his determination not to
accept another nomination for the
presidency. and while most Of them
were. reserved, in their, comment, 1t
was evident that they saw ln IT a
favorable omen for their party. g..
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
Implement Works start.

Racine Wis.-.As evidence that the
financial situation here has improved
the Case Plow company has resumed
work at ifs pinlt., employing 400 men
and running 10 hours a day, The
Mitchell-Lewis Wagon company will
also start its plant. employing 1900
men.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
Pacific Boats HI Storms.

= San Francisco, Dec. 1.-THE storm
which has prevailed along the coast
for the last few days is, according to
mariners. one of the most severe ex-
periented IN many years.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19

1.-The Rev. A. C. Jefries, father Of
James Jeffries. the champion heavy
weight fighter OF the country, while on
a visit in the east the other day said
emphatically. that his son would newer
enter the ring again. , ......
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19

" A man who IS always trying some
thing new never does very wen. but
he has a great deal to say about his
steady neighbor being in a rut.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19

While a man IL still VERY Young he
finds that the people regard him as
old enough to find all his happiness
in giving happiness to others.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19

The average boys idea Of a good
breakfast is an awful Jolt to all the
rules Of health.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19

A thin man always likes to get
weighed with his overcast on.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19

A good lawyer, hacked by a client
with plenty OF money. can do nearly
but cheat death. $500.
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19
Democrats Meet In Denver.

Washington.--The next demoGratic
national convention will be at Denver
and the date Of the meeting is fixed
at July Z. '.-'iA
Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-19

A just complaint is an accommoda-
ton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
YALE'S GLEE CLUB
 COMES CHRISTMAS
SINGERS AND PLAYERS WILL AP- PEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN BIRMINGHAM AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM.

The Yale Glee Banjo and Mandolin mas Day and will give a concert in the evening at the High school audi torium.
 They represent Yale in song, and there is the same dash and go in their songs as there Is n dash and go in Yale men on the athletic field.
 One of the reasons that Yale wins so much on the athletic field is because of that spirit that Is so well exhibited in their songs. They teach men to overturn a chain of mountains. if they are in the way. There is grit and courage. and spirit that brings the Yale men out of so many tight corners. This Is tonic that fires every man in the university. In addition to the learning this spirit Is the best thing that graduate takes away from Yale. It is this that gives him the feeling that he must win, and 1t Is this spirit that is found in the songs of Yale.
 These songs represent not only to college men, but to all men, the days of youth when the world seems bright n est and best, when success seems a matter of course, and failure impossi- ble. This Is the class of songs that will be presented on Christmas Night to the Birmingham public, and 1t is the first time that they have had an opportunity of hearing a Glee club of any of the large eastern universities and 1t will be rich treat for lovers of this class of music. The Yale clubs have heretofore limited their trips to the eastern and middle states, going as far north as Minneapolis and St Paul, and as far west as Denver. The visit to the cities of the south is q venture before untried.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
4 MEN HURT WHEN
 CARS BROKE LOOSE
CARS ON BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN DASH INTO WREckER, TURN ENGINE OVER AND DO coNsID- ERABLE DAMAGE.

Four men of the Southern wrecking crew. which had been working on the road below East Thomas, narrowly es- capped death yesterday morning shortly before o'clock when nine cars broke loose from Birmingham Southern engine No 29 and dashed down grade into the engine which was pulling the wrecker.
 There were four men painfully injured in the smashup, but it is not believed that any of the injuries will prove fatal. The injured were J. E. Wheeler, con- ductor, back hurt and seriously scalded; G. A. Weathers, engineer, face lacerated; Clifford Hoyle, fireman, left leg sprained, and G. c. Bailey, brakeman, ankle twisted.
 The accident occurred at the crossing of the Southern and Louisville and Nash vile tracks at East Thomas. One of the engines was switching some cars in tho verds near the furnaces when string of them broke loose and dashed down the grade striking the Southern engine at the crossing The engine was com nletely smashed up and was turned top sdo down.
 The four men. who were in the engine can trying to keep warm, saved their lives only by jumping from the engine when they saw the cars co"ihs. haee Tov,s ambulance answered the call ana removed the injured to the Copeland ih- frmary. All will recover
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
SHARP CONFLICT ]
 IN THE EVIDENCE.
SISTER OF GRAY SAYS SHE WAS. PRESENT AND M'MAkiN SAYS SHE WAS A QUARTER OF A MILE AWAY.

The sharp conflict of the evidence oG certain witnesses for the defense in tho trial of Walter Shpp, the boy charged with the murder of Clarence Gray near Warrior last June, caused considerable talk around the court house yesterday evening. With the exception of this point there were no unusual features brought out in the trial yesterday.
 The conflict of certain points In tho evidence taken yesterday afternoon is of a very direct nature. It seems that the defense has all along been offering a yer sion of the killing of young Gray which the testimony of a witness named Me- Maxim does not uphold. It has been the testimony of a number of the witnesses. for the defense that Walter Shipps sis- ter was present at the time of the killing and that she saw the tragedy. It seems. further, that early yesterday afternoon the defendants sister took the stand and testified as to how the death of Gray occurred.
 When young McMakln took the stand. however he stated positively, and said that he could not be mistaken in the statement, that Shipps sister was at the home of Jake Atterway, a quarter of al mile away from the spot when her brother killed young Gray. He was ques- toned very closely by both sides, but stated positively that he was not miss taken.
 The conflict In this point caused nJ little amount of comment. It is be< lieved by a great many that if the testi- mony of the remaining witnesses for ths defense corroborates that of McMakin 1t may mean q turning point in the case.
 Interest in the trial of Shipp Is tense. There is good deal of speculation on the verdict in the case. The real cause which prompted snipp to kill Gray hasl not yet been brought out in the evidence, although certain witnesses have testified that Gray was a sort of overbearing and undesirable companion. On account of the extreme youth of the defenda' the case has attracted attention and verdict from the Jury will be await. with interest.
 It Is probable that all of the evden's 's in the case will be taken by noon today. In which event a verdict from the jury ia expected early tomorrow afternoon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
ATHLETICS OVER
 TELEGRAPH WIRES
RESULTS OF INDOOR MEETS IN THE Y. M. c. A. GYMNASIUMS TO- NIGHT WILL BE TELEGRAPHED TO DIFFERENT POINTS.

The southern telegraphic indoor meet Will be held tonight with the Young Mems Christian associations of four southern cities participating. These cities are Memphis, Galveston, Texarkana. and Birmingham, while Montgomery and Co., mabus, Ga, have announced their in- tention of entering the next regular meet, which will be held the second Friday night in January.
 The meet will begin simultaneously in each city, each association running off the events in it's own gymnasium. They will begin at 8 o'clock sharp, and each association will telegraph the results to each of the other associations. The name and records of the first three winners in each of the five events will be the information telegraphed. The physical director in each association will also send a statement of the records made to the general secretary of the Amateur union, who will decide upon the winners This will also serve to establish indoor records for the southern states, there being no such record at present. Gold and silver medals will be the trophies. The officers in charge of the local meet will be Karl Platowsky, referee Jack B.adle, J. S. Counselman and T. c. Young, timekeepers; II. H. Hagood, c. V. Orr and A. Balsam, judges, and Pro- lessor Steglich, starter.
 The Birmingham Young Mems Chris : tan association basketball team will leave for Montgomery this morning, where they will play the Young Mems Christian association team of that town tonight While the local team is weak ened by the inability of three of the best players to make the trip, an easy victory is expected. The team has been practicing hard and the men are fast and in good condition.
 After playing with the Montgomery team the Birmingham team will pro- ceed to Columbus, Ga, where they will tie up with the Young Mems Christian association team of that place on Sat urday night. The Columbus game Is eX- pected to be rather hard one, as the Georgia boys have been displaying rare form, defeating the Montgomery team by large score few days ago.
 The men composing the team which will make the trip are Lackmond Garner and Hanna, forwards Thornton Estes, center; Greenwood, Julius chairsell and Baungardner, guards. They will be ac- companied by Physical Director A. c. Brown
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
TELL TROUBLES
 OF TAXATION
Two Men Go Over Their Lists and Think They Are Doing
 Their Part.

In speaking of the proposed sch edule of taxes w. J. Adams, president of the Adams Drug Co.,, while not making complaint, gave a practical illustration yesterday of how the new rates would affect his business.
 "I will pay a merchants tax, tax for operating a drug store, a tax for selling newspapers, tobacco, cigars and cigarettes. l will also pay tax for selling cold drinks and in spite of that fact. will pay an additional tax for selling coca-cola. Still further. l will pay tax for selling ice cream"
 The latter part of his statement was heard by Robert H. Baugh, president of the Birmingham Ans and Cycle com pany.
 the Birmingham Arms anld Cycle com nared to mine" said he. "I am forced to nay a tremendous license for selling nistols. a license for selling guns, shells. shot and powder. There is an additional license for playing cards, and bicycles. I pay license of $25 for the nrivilenge of repairing bicycles. and a license of s25 for the privilege of mend ing guns. This is true in spite of the fact that the man who repairs my bicycles also repairs my guns
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-13
MEETING MAY Stt SOME LIVELY TIMES Southern Steel Creditors Will
 Hear Report LARGE NUMBER IN CITY Expert Accountant Has Prepared Full Statement of Financial Condition of Bankrupt Concern, Which
 Will Be Submitted.
LARGE NUMBER IN CITY

In the office of N. l.. Steele, referee Southern Steel company will make a report to the company's creditors this morning at 10 o'clock.
 As the creditors of the company are numerous, it is a certainty that the meeting will be well attended It Is estimated that the bankrupt com pany owes nor etahn helf a million dollars.
 E. T. Schular. vice president of the Southern Steel, arrived in Birmingham yesterday and stopped at the Hillman. With him were O. R. Hood, T. s. Kyle and Joseph M. Eliot. Jr. The party came from Gadsden, in which city a blast furnace and steel mill were for merly operated. They will, of course, be present at the meeting this morn ing.
 While nothing of a definite nature was given out. it was pretty well au- thentieated yesterday afternoon, that at the meeting today, some very pointed statements will be made. The meeting proInlSeS to tdke SeHSdlioidl lul II, according to the reports current yester day. Col. T. G. Bush, who has been acting receiver nor any of the others connected in any way with the com pany, had anything to say concerning the probable outcome of the meeting. The session, beginning at 10 o'clock, will be open, and there will be free discussion of the situation.
 G. r. Rosson. an expert accountant, has furnished the receivers with a full statement of the financial condition of the bankrupt concern. it's assets and liabilities, with notes and explanations. After the meeting the creditors of the company will be in a position to know what to expect in way of payment, and from what source tlfeir money will come
 It was once thought that enough money could be raised to start the different plants of the company, and gradually get them on their feet. This was impossible, however, in view of the late financial stress. It Is consd- cred likely that either the merged ColHpdhltSt tbllpoSllS lne will buy and operate their respective plants, or some other corporation will take over the Southern Steel The properties of the Southern Steel consist of the Lacy Buck Iron com pany the Georgia Steel company, the Chattanooga Furnace company blast furnace and steel mill at Gadsden, a wire and nail mill at Ensley ore mines at Portersvile and Dirtdevil, and coal mines at Virginia City and Altoona.
 As the South hern Steel is an Alabama corporation, all the stockholders who have not paid in full for their hold ings are liable to the creditors of the company for the difference between th e amount paid and par or so much there of as may be necessary to satisfy the creditors.
 Great importance is attached to the meeting this morning.