davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
MINING MAN BECOMES
TARGET IN THE DARK
Louis Sloss Wanders Into
Wrong House and Is
Fired Upon
HAS NARROW ESCAPE
Charles Alphin Glad His
Poor Workmanship
Saved Intruder
HAS NARROW ESCAPE
SPECIAL DIsPArcH TO THE CALL

TONOPAH. March 4.-Louis Sloss
secretary of the Kewanos Company OF
Goldfeld and one of the heaviest stock
holders in that company. had a narrow
escape from death recently at the
hands of Charles Afphin, one of the
proprietors Of the Butler Theater
Sloss, who was in this. city to meet
the Kewanos stockholders coming from
the coast on their recent inspection
trip, was staying with a friend named
O'Keefe. Late at night Sloss deter
mined to go to bed. and. securing the
key to the house. started to find the
O'Keefe residence, where he was to
sleep. Sloss became confused as to
the house and finally picking out one
that looked right, he tried the key.
which worked. and walked in. He
went through the first room and opened
the door of the second. when he was
halted by a sharp command to hold
up his hands He did so, but before
he could speak a bullet passed his ear
and buried itself in the wall Not
content with his bad pistol practice.
the outraged householder sprang from
his bed and beat Sloss in the face
with his fist Sloss broke away and
rushed to the door, which he slammed
after him, and ran down the street
This tale did not get out in Tonopah
AT nfSI Alpnln, tne man whose oeu-
room the mine owner had 50 uncere-
noniousIy entered. told OF having
routed a robber. but who that ~robber"
was did not develop until Sloss told
the stbry yesterday In Goldheld. Both
men were congratulating themselves
on lucky escapes today. Sloss be-
cause he is still alive and Alphin be-
cause his poor craftsmanship saved
him from taking the life OF an innocent
man AIDhin used an automatic pfsfOf
and it had but one shot In IL. To this
fact Sloss owes his life
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
CONGRESS ADJOURNs ITS
SESSION VERY QUIETLY
Minority Compliments Pre-
siding Officer in
Each House
CONTINUED From Page /, Column 3

lit. affords me great pleasure TO offer a
resolution which expresses the expert
ence / have had and / am quite sure
voices the sentiment of every Senator
in this chamber. bearing testimony to
the courtesy, the fairness and the abil-
ity with which our presiding officer has
discharged the functions of his Office
The resolution rendered "the thanks
of the Senate TO Vice President Fair
banks for the dignif1ed. impartial and
courteous manner in which he has pre-
sided over the Senate's deliberations
during the present session" The reso-
luton was unanimously adopted.
FAIRBANKS GAVEL FALLS
The Vice President then appeared,
and. replying TO the resolution, said
If the chair has been able to convince
the Senate of his impartiality in the
discharge of the duties which devolve
upon him and which are often delicate
and difficult. he is gratifed in full
measure.
The chair desires to place upon the
records his testimony in behalf of those
Senators whose service In .the Senate
is about to terminate. for their un-
wavering devotion to the public inter-
est while here and to wish them many
years of further usefulness to their
countrymen.
The chair wishes for those remain
ing in the Senate and now entering
upon their vacation after arduous pub
lie duty health and safe return. They
have well earned the approving judg-
ment of their constituencies by their
intelligent and complete conservation
to the public service.
The Senate of the United States has
well vindicated its claim to the popular
approval by its wise. careful and pa
triotic consideration of many questions
of large concern to the Government and
the people. Each passing session JUS
titles the wisdom of the fathers who
established the Senate as one of the
essential safeguards TO American in
stitutions and one of the assurances Of
the political welfare Of the people.
The hour which by law terminates
the second session of the Fifty-ninth
Congress having arrived. the chair de-
clares the Senate adjourned without
day"
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
ALL OREGON MAIL WENT
To HERMANN DIRECT
New Evidence Bearing on
Charge of Destroying
Public Records
LAND CLERK HEARD
Books Burned Contained the
Answers Written by
Commissioner

WASHINGTON, March 4.-When the
trial of representative Hermann of
Oregon, charged with the destruction
of public records while he was Com
missioner of the General Land ONCE,
was resumed today witnesses were
examined to determine the method of
handling the mail in Commissioner
Hermann's Office.
Horace Wilcox, a clerk in the Land
Office, who was a messenger of the
Commissioner at the time Hermann was
in Office. testified that all stamped let
ters addressed to Hermann from Ore
gon were sent to the Commissioner S
desk without being opened. The rest
of the mail was opened either by the
chief clerk or by somebody else. He
made it clear that all Oregon mail went
to the Commissioner direct.
Several other employees of the Gen
eral Land Office were examined by Dis
trict Attorney Baker. with view to
showing that the letter press books de-
stroyed were Government records and
not merely personal property of Her
mann. In each instance the District
Attorney submitted to the witness let
ters from the office, some Of which were
identified.
The witness indicated that in the
natural course of business answers to
the letters would be prepared by the
Commissioner. but no record of the
answers could be found. The District
Attorney was by this evidence laying a
foundation of proof that the answers
were contained in the destroyed books.
Senator C. W. Fulton of Oregon, re-
spending to an inquiry as TO Hermann s
integrity and honesty, said: so far as
l know his reputation is excellent"
He further said that he had heard
other people speak highly of Mr.. Her
mann and gave the names of some of
them.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
SIGNS JUDGEsHTP BILL
President VIII Appoint w. c. Van Fleet
10 the Federal Bench

WASHINGTON. March 4-If there
had been an executive session of the
Senate today ii is probable that w G
Van Fleet would now be United States
District Judge for the Northern Dis
trict Of California. The judgeship bill
was signed by the President this morn
ing and il is understood that Van
Fleets nomination was made out ready
for transmission to the Senate when it
was learned that there would not be an
executive session.
The President is expected to appoint
Van Fleet within a few days, and his
name will be presented to the Senate
for confirmation next December.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
ROYALTY IN OCEAN DISASTER

VICTORIA. B. c., March 4.-The EN-
press of China. which arrived today
from the Orient, brought word that the
steamer Devanha, upon which Prince
h hlushimi of Japan and suite are jour-
neying to England, was in collision
with the Japanese steamer Shinshu in
the Inland Sea of Japan, the Devanha
being obliged to return to Kobe for
repairs. Four lives We're lost on the
Shinshu.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
RAILWAY EMPLOYEES BILL
senate Agrees TO Conference Report ON
Bill Limiting Hours

WASHINGTON. March 4.-The Sep
ate today agreed to the conference
report on the bill limiting the hours
OF service Of railway employees. as
agreed upon by the conference last
night The House also agreed TO tho
conferees report. and in both houses
the adoption was by unanimous vote.
The agreement limits the daily service
OF railway telegrapners to nine hours.
with a provision that the requirement
may be extended as to any particular
case when a proper showing is made
TO the Interstate Commerce COmmis-
sion.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
CAME IN ALASKA
Bill for Its Protection Brings Out Some
FacetiOus Remarks

WASHINGTON. March z.-Senator
Beveridge called up today a bill for
the protection Of game in Alaska The
reading Of the measure was demand
ed by Culberson. and he proceeded for
five minutes, when ii was suggested
by Senator Carter that il would be
impossible 10 get the bill engrossed
before noon, even II IL were passed.
Il wish TO call attention to the fact
that the bill must necessarily be
amended" said Senator Clapp. Tt gives
no protection TO woodchucks, and there
is no exception against the penalty Tor
thu man who kills ducks and prairie
chickens in defense.
The bill was Withdrawn amid
laughter.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
YOUNG MAN DROPS TO
TO INSTANT DEATH
William Surnmerville Falls Seven
Stories Down an Elevator Shaft
in a New BuiIdino

William Summerville Is years Of
age, fell seven stories down the ele-
vator shaft of the building being con-
structed at the northwest corner OF
Fourth and Mission streets yesterday
and was instantly killed. Summerville
was a sheet metal worker
This is the same building in which.
about six weeks ago. the elevator shaft
dropped six floors. badly injurfng the
Eve men who were passengers, though
not fatally.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05

PROMOTION: The act or promoting advance
meut: ENCOURAGEMENT.-Ce Dicrionary.
The California Promotion COMMITTEES has cnr
its object the PROMOTING OF California a
whole.
1t has nothing to sell.
It's energies are devoted TO fostering all thfnRs
that have the ADVANCEMENT of California as
their object.
1t gives reliable information on every subject
connected with the industries ef California
If gives ENCOURAGEMENT TO the establish
ment Of new industries and invites desIrzbls i'm
migration
It is not an employment agency. although II
gives information regarding labor conditions.
IL presents the opportunities and needs In all
fields OF business and professional activity.
The Committee Is supported By popular sub
scription and makes no charge for any servtcs
rendered.
Animated with the Committee are one hundred
and sixty commercial oTga anizations OF the State
with membership Of over thirty thousand
Meetings are held semfannually IN different
parts OF California; where matters Of State in-
terest are discussed.
Headquarters OF the Committee are maintained
IN San Eranciseo IA California Building. Union
CORRESPONDENTS INVITED.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
COMPOSER DIES ON TRAIN

Ell PASO. Texas. March 4.-As the
Mexican Central passenger train was
crossing the Rio Grande tonight, COM
ing in from Mexico. Senior Manuel
Marieu. a musician and composer ia
nous in Mexico. breathed his last. He
was en- route TO California to visit a
son and was i'll when he left San Luis
1-otosi.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
DEATH DUE no .-coLrc ct,Rr,

Los ANGELES. March z.-Fred Hirch
died today st the Receiving Hospital
here after several hours OF SUFFERING.
and the authorities attribute his deafh
10 opiates contained in a bottle of collie
cure. which he had procured I'm a local
drug store.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05

Skate on the most perfect floor In s.
r. at the Auditorium. Fillmore & Page
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05

TRAcKwoRKER INJURED-George Jogs,
employed by the United Railroads trackwork-
er, Was thrown from a Fillmore street car res
terdsy at Sutter street and painfully bruised.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05

Schilling's Best is the standard in the
American tea and coffee market.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05

CALIFORNIAN IN PARIS
PARIS, March 4.-Charles Josslyn
OF San Francisco registered at the
Call Herald bureau today.
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05

MARYLAND CASUALTY co. OF Balti-
more-H 3. WINDSOR & Co. gen'I
agts.. Mutual Saw. Blk. bldg Temp 23s4
REID Bros architects. 2s2s Cough
st. Tel. West s001.
o. F. WILEY & CO.-Carriages, busi-
ness wagons. etc 19 Fell St
Weekly Call, 81 per YeaP
The San Francisco call., 1907-03-05
THE CALIFORNIA PROMOTION COMMITTEE
(Organlxed 10O2l

PROMOTION: The act or promoting advance
ment: ENCOURAGEMENT.-C Dicrionary.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Mr.. Evans suggests permitting voters
at the direct primaries to act directly
with reference to proposed platform
principles, as a means of bringing the
platform nearer the people than plat
form made by delegates or candidates
might be. This verges SO closely upon
direct legislation that the thing to do
granted it were desirable to go the
length suggested by Mr.. Evans, would
be to provide the initiative and referen-
dunn in its completeness as Oregon and
Oklahoma have done. So long as we
are to trust Jaw making to representa-
tiyes, however, there seems no safer
way to proceed than to elect or defeat
them on their own promises as to what
measures they will favor or oppose,
that is, on a platform made by them
selves.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Senator McKesson's bill requiring a
large degree OF publicity in grain prices
has met with some opposition, but of
a character to commend the measure
to the average farmer 1t is a short bill
requiring grain dealers to send on a
postal card to the state department of
commerce and labor a statement of the
prices they are paying per bushel for
the principal cereals. The tax imposed
upon the dealers is not more than one
cent day for the postal card required
for the report. If it were necessary to
pay t.eis expense out of the public
treasury it would prove good invest
ment, for nothing will do more to curb
the ambition of dealers and railroa is
than the publicity involved i'm this sys-
TEN of reports. When the railroad rates
are published in comprehensive and un-
derstandable form and the prices paid
for grain at each station are put into
tables by the labor bureau Ii will be
possible TO do away with many discri-
limitations that have been allowed 10
exist In the past under the shelter OF
general Ignorance of the subject. The
bill looks In the right direction.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Thomas f. Ryan reaches solid ground
when he declares that the railroads
should be taken out Of Wall street and
the stock quotation tickers should be
taken out Of the railroad Offices. The
practical railroad men who are charged
with the responsibility of operating the
railroads should be in absolute con-
troll"
One of the singing charges made by
Albert Shaw against the men who con-
troll the railroads of the United States
is that they spend their days in pro-
noting their private fortunes in Wall
street and their nights in pleasure in
the city of New York. Mr. Ryan is
right and Mr.. Shaw is right The time
is at hand for complete reorganiza-
tion of railroad management in the
United States.
The independent., 1907-03-28

companies at more than their value
and sell these bonds to the public
Should this deal go through and the
cities affected afterward attempt to
base the price of gas on the cost of
furnishing it these purchasers Of in
flated bonds would lose and the cities
would be charged with a-ssailing the
rights Of property. The man who
takes a mortgage on a farm or town
lot of more than the property is worth
shamefully pockets his loss in quiet,
hoping nobody will hear of his fool
ishness. When he takes a mortgage
on a gas plant or other public service
property of more than the property
is worth he calls it a bond and ex-
poets the public to underWrite his
venture by making rates high enough
to make him whole. That at least,
was the system until lately. Both
cities and bond buyers tend to learn
etter nowadays.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Fifty thousand dollars is being
raised by subscription in Portland,
Ore, to secure the services of F. J..
Heney and Detective Burns to do to
Portland graft what they have done
to land graft and are now doing to
San Francisco graft. Is the time COM
ing when cities in search of settlers
will have to produce character Gre
dentials stamped something like this:
Investigated and guaranteed free
from graft and official mismanage-
ment by the Heney bonded good gov
ernment guarantee company"
The independent., 1907-03-28
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR

straightforward remittances should
be sent by postoffice money order, ex-
press order. or by bank draft on New
York or Chicago.
Change of Subscribers re-
questing a change of address must give
the OLD as well as the NEW address
Advertising Rates furnished upon ap-
plication.
sample Copies sent free to any ad-
dress upon application. Send for sample
copies and club rates.
Address all communications, and make
all drafts. money orders, etc, payable to
TIE INDEPENDENT.
Lincoln, Neb
The independent., 1907-03-28

Horace George Raynor requested
needed financial assistance. Mr.. White
ly refused. Thereupon, according to
Raynor's evidence, he felt his blood
he knew Whitley was dead. Here was a
'brain storm" If ever there was one,
but three months later Raynor is un-
occurred in England, OF course.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Seyenty-nine out of I25 republican
members of the Massachusetts legisla-
ture announce themselves in favor Of
timent will grow and continue to find
expression throughout the country as
long as a fear exists that the move
ment to nominate an anti Roosevelt
candidate has q chance to succeed. The
interests that would least like to con-
tinue Roosevelt in Office should write
it in their check books that the surest
way to force him to run is to create
an alternative between Roosevelt and
a candidate of their picking.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Since January ] the price of oil of
lemon has advanced so per cent A
like increase has taken place in the
price of vanilla beans. This seems to
bear out the contention of the oppon-
ents of the pure food law that the law
would be blow to the poor. The
fact is that the poor and the rich
can now buy somewhat cheaper than
they could then what sold at low prices
as vanilla and lemon extracts before
the law was passed. only IL Is not
labeled vanilla or lemon. A Canvass
of the drug trade discioses that the
Improvement In the quality OF drugs
sold now is on the average more
noticeable than the increase In price.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Karl Klein, an Auburn butcher pro-
posed to ship quantity of lard to a
Missouri customer. The railroad COM
pany refused to take the shipment, on
the ground that under the packing
house inspection law the lard would
have to be inspected and approved by
the government before it could legally
be made an interstate shipment. The
national government seemed all at
once an exceedingly impertinent
meddler in peoples private affairs, and
Mr.. Klein appealed to the secretary of
agriculture for relief. He has re-
ceived notice that shipments by farm
ers and retailers made directly to COLI
sumers do not come under the inspec-
tion law An opposite ruling would
have created no end of inconvenience
to communities near state lines.
The independent., 1907-03-28

That famous pulp ceiling in the AL
bany capitol has apparently been out
done in the Pennsylvania state house,
where it has been found that lacquer
was substituted for gold plate on the
electrical fittings, and where domestic
glass costing $27, so was used on a
piece of work calling for French cut
glass for which the state paid the COR
tractor $13S,757. The architect seems
to be in hot water over this glass item,
for he certified that the imported arti-
Gle had been supplied. The American
manufacturer Identifies the glass and
tells to a cent what he received for it.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Pine for the warm spring days as
we may, the warm wave that has
visited Nebraska, and most of the
country besides, has been any
thing but welcome to those who
look into the future. Fruit buds
are. confiding things, and respond
to the advances of fervid March
sun and and south wind as readily
as to the coaxing warmth of May
After the forcing weather of the last
week April cold snaps will be regarded
with a great deal of apprehension by
people who depend for their winter
pleasure on cellar full of apples.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Boss Ruef AYERS that the present at
tack upon him and his San Francisco
officials is nothing more than an at
tempt to seize the municipal govern
ment. This is unquestionably the true
analysis. Ruef has IL. Somebody Is try
ing to "seize'' II away from him. That
somebody may be merely another crew
OF pirates like his own. as sometimes
happens. But It looks more like an at
tempt to seize" IL for Its rightful pos
SCISSORS
The independent., 1907-03-28

Secretary Taft, the statesman who
from Charleston today on one of his
justly celebrated tours. Three exceed
ingly important problems of States
manship now confront the administra-
ton from the outside and Mr. Taft is
trusted as no one else to cope with
them. The canal work is one, and the
objective points. Either going or com
ing he will visit Cuba and lend the
great strength of his personal presence
to the second problem, that of getting
the crippled republic on it's own legs
again. He will doubtless glance in on
Porto Rico en- route. He will barely
be necessary to start for the Philip
pines. He has promised the people over
there, who regard their former COVER
nor as their best American friend, to
be present and help at the christening
of the new representative assembly
which is to be born in September. Pos
sibly the secretary will stop at Samoa
certainly at Hawaii, and perhaps at
Alaska on the way This will make his
trip cover all of the American possess
sions. Needless to say the next presi-
dent will have a great grasp of col
onial affairs If his name is Taft.
The independent., 1907-03-28

American workmen who clamor for
more Sunday amusements may be In
terested in the strike now in progress
In Paris among shop employees to Sc
cure the Sunday rest promised in the
new French regimen. In the end, the
man to suffer most heavily from a
general abandonment of the old-fash-
toned American Sunday is the one who
works with his hands,
The independent., 1907-03-28

Nominations by the voters only in
extraordinary cases is the ideal of the
opponents Of the direct primary in
Iowa. 1t seems they do not dare de-
feat direct primary law and yet cam
net bpng themselves to favor direct
primary that is such more than in
name 1t is the Illinois trick over
again. In the state senate the bill has
been amended to provide that nomina-
tions shall be by convention wnen the
given percentage of the total vote.
By bringing out a sufficient number Of
fayorite sons a political machine could
then nearly always throw the nomina-
they could manipulate with almost all
the eclat Of old times. In conven-
ton a candidate with one-tWentieth of
the delegates instructed for him can
candidates for ten, other offices each
with a twentieth of the delegates to
use as trading stock. A ticket can
thus be made up of men not one
Of whom has received the endorse
ment of over five per cent of his
party. The advocates of this system
are nevertheless profoundly shocked at
the thought of candidates being nomin-
ated by direct vote with anything less
than a full majority of all the votes
The independent., 1907-03-28

Great Britain proposes to abate not a
jot of the tightness Of the tight little
isle. The war lords in parliament voted
against the tunnel beneath the English
channel in fear of invasion by that
route. The peace advocates voted
would give excuse for more battle
ships That made 1t practically unani-
nous.
The independent., 1907-03-28

i've of American capital, notwithstand-
ing the alleged damage to railroad in
vestments by regulative legislation. It
seems to mean moreover that Ameri-
cans are Indifferent to or skeptical Of
the value of Philippine trade. They will
find that British capital in the Philip
pine bank will tend to draw Philippine
trade to Great Britain.
The independent., 1907-03-28
Thomas Bailey Aldrich, who died last

Thomas Bailey Aldrich, who died last
week at the ripe age Of seventy, prob
ably belongs with the number who,
While not ruined by wealth, were at
least prevented by it from achieving all
that their natural abilities seemed 10
warrant. In his later life, when the
time seemed ripe for greater work than
he had already done, easy circuin-
stances and a reduced activity of pen
came together. OF course it is only
conjecture to say that had he been
pressed by necessity into greater ac-
tivity he might have won rank as one
Of the major American authors.
The independent., 1907-03-28

Mosquito determination by the use
of petroleum has not proved the sue
cess it at first promised to be- In
New Jersey the expense of keeping
the stagnant pools coated with oil has
been found prohibitive except in mil
lionaire localities. Drainage, the
method of permanent determination,
is regarded as the only genuine way
of escape