The Topeka state journal. [volume], January 01, 1909, LAST EDITION, Image 1

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LAST EDITION.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, JANUARY 1, 1909.
FRIDAY EVENING.
TWO CENTS.
in ww n li '3 i . i ti ti ftk i it
A
r
' A Vein of Sorrow Bans Through
!- New Tear Greetings
At the "White House Owing to
Italy's Misfortune.
FOR THE LAST TIME
President Roosevelt Is Recip
ient of Good Wishes
On the Part of the Governments
of the World.
Washington, Jan. 1. Seldom has
there been a gathering at the White
House so fraught with elements of in
terest as that which assembled today
to extend to President Roosevelt
wishes for a happy New Year. It was
the last opportunity of the public to
meet their present chief executive and
it was distinguished by the attendance
of diplomatic representatives of nearly
all the nations of the world, of officials
from every branch of the government
and of citizens in every walk of life.
A shadow of sadness was cast over
the company by the recent terrible
calamity which has fallen upon the
Italian people whose ambassador was
present as the dean of the diplomatic
corps and by the absence of the repre
sentative of the emperor of China, who
is wearing a badge of mourning for the
late emperor and dowager empress of
his country.
To Mr. Roosevelt the occasion was
memorable beyond any in which he
' Vhos participated since his elevation to
? e presidency. In the exchanges of
salutations there were many reier
eLces tA the events of his career during
the coming year, when he will face
the ,angtys of the African wilderness.
As many of those present have come
Into office during his administration
and with him will retire to private life
after March 4 next, there were abun
dant subjects for conversation con
cerning the uncertainties of the New
Tear.
Several hours before the formal
reception began at 11 o'clock citizens,
men and women, representing every
social class began to assemble in front
of the beautiful portico of the his
toric white mansion, waiting an op
portunity to enter and to be presented
to the president.
The first greetings of the day were
extended to the president and Mrs.
Roosevelt by the vice president,
members of the cabinet and their
ladies, without the least show of for
mality. These felicitations were ex
changed in the private rocms on the
second floor of the mansion.
Waile the prealdtn'Jal iarty ns
gathering above there was another
assemblage in the state dining room
on the first floor. There, in the pre
scribed attire of their respective
ourts, were the diplomatic repre
ntatives accredited to this country.
"ie central figure in this company
s Baron Edmondo . Mayor Des
nchez the Italian ambassador.
, he greetings extended to him were
iracterized by manifestations of sor
' ' ivv over the dire calamity under which
his countrymen have so recently suf
fered rather than the usual salutation
attending the first day of the year.
When at the head of the .line of di
plomats he passed into the blue room
President Roosevelt shook his hand and
assured him of the sincere sympathy
of the American people for his stricken
countrymen. Mrs. Roosevelt also ex
pressed her sympathy. The mourning
which also kept Special Ambassador
Tonk away, prevented Wu Ting Fang,
the Chinese minister from attending the
reception.
The descent of the presidential party
f -om the private rooms to the blue
r n was one of the most picturesque
turc of the day.
As the president and Mrs. Roosevelt
started down the staircase, followed-by
others of the receiving party, a blare
of trumpets resounded throughout the
mansion. The Marine band, in brilliant!
scarlet uniforms, was stationed in the
stately hall. The strains of "Hail to
the Chief" greeted the president as he
reached the main floor and turned tf
enter the blue room. The reception was
marked by informality. The announce- j
ment -of the cal,lers was made to the
president by Col. Charles S. Bromwell,
IT. ff. A . and to Mrs. Roosevelt by
Car w
I fthe lit.
V -- iti re
W . Butt, military aide to
reception of those accorded
fi'l.'i - s in the line was In progress,
Tiiaiiv c:iiiers. stretching from the portals
of the White House, through the grounds
nd out along Pennsylvania avenue, wait
ed catientlv.
As the rear of this procession entered
the White House the oolicemen who had
struggled for hours to keep the stream
of humanitv in the line were almost com
pletely exhausted, tne president naa a.
frionrtlv word of srreetinK for each visitor.
and seemed to enioy the time spent at his
arduous task. After the public reception
the president led the way to the dining
room, wnere retresnments were servea.
-Mr. Roosevelt had left the line before the
public wa admitted to the White House.
Bo had most of the cabinet ladies and oth
ers who had been invited to step behind
the line. Miss Ethel had mingled with the
crowd throuehout the morning but she,
too, disappeared with some of her young
friends early in tne oar.
PROHTS SMALLER.
Business of 1908 Was Below the Two
Previous Years.
New York. Jan. 1. Bradstreets says:
'Tolidav quiet has ruled in trade and in
tVitrv. with pre-inventory rates among
tvth buyers and clearance offerings by
i:e retailers of leading features. Trade
i 1 regular lines felt the influence of un
' -.isonable mild weather early in the
ck. but toward the close a cold wave
the west gave some stimulus to busi-
ess in seasonable goods. Results of the
i-ar are now being arrived at in many
. of wnoiesaie iraae. wnne conai-
are irresrular preventing characteri-
lon as a wiiuie. trie year was ueiuw
nd 1906 at many cities ana prouts
f II I.' v noted tl
II . -w rain prodi
(1 1 elatively t
smaller all around. It
that reports from the sur-
producing sections of the west
J J t'latively trie Dest. uoueciions are
1 f ilar, still dragging at the south.
clmnwnfl ftnA Invpntnrips hvp
4 I for ouiet in industry, but it is to
o .feed that while there Is yet much
Sd'e lachinerv or capacity, still the feel
inir etnerally in all lines .as compared
with vear ago has very much improved
and or'tiniism now rules where depres
sion as so visible t we've months ago.
fetor M of goods are small in all positions
a ooA trade Is looked for in 1909, but
.ttle exrcit , i ' '
A and st-re, nu- -r . : . . !I v
ftvlrt this Wi'tk. .Inventory alu
hulidav ubst-rfdnt'9 being responsible tor
much dullness, prices continue firm and
as , a matter of tact there are no signs
of weakness. New orders for pig iron
have been very moderate but cast iron
pipe interests are inquiring for a com
paratively good tonnage and demand for
basic pig continues good in eastern Penn
sylvania. Ccpper is firmer, European con
sumers having purchased more freely and
at the same time American interests are
said to have taken Quite liberal quantities.
Business failures in the United States for
the week ending December 39, number 299
against 223 last week, 345 in the week end
ing January 2. 190S. 185 in 1907, 20 in 1906
and 278 in 1905. Business failures in can
ada for the week endlnw December 30
number 28. comnared with 23 last week
and 27 in the corresponding period a year
ago.
POSSUM FOR TAFT.
It will Be Served bt Atlanta Banquet
by' His Request.
Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 1. One hundred
opossums with the usual accompani
ment of sweet potatoes, will grace the
banquet table of the Atlanta chamber
of commerce on the evening of January
Jo, when President-elect Taft will be
the guest of honor of the city. When a
delegation of prominent Atlantans call
ed upon Mr. Taft a few days ago in
Augusta to arrange the details of his
visit to this city, the spokesman court
eously asked the next occupant of the
White House if he had any suggestions
to offer relative to the preparations for
the banquet.
Just one, smilingly replied the big
Ohioan. "I have had a lifetime long
Ing to taste 'possum and 'taters.' My
visit to the south would be incomplete
unless this wish is realized.
Mr. Taft's wish will be gratified and
there will be 'possum and "taters"
enough and to spare for the more than
600 guests of the evening. Southerners
are traditionally partial to this dish and
it may be said that when the president
elect announced his desire for the fa
vorite dish he but further endeared
himself to the people of this section
and it Is confidently predicted that he
will experience an even more kindly
feeling toward the south after he has
partaken of the juicy meat and Georgia
yams.
From the coves of Rabun Gap to the
southern border of Okef enokee, through
out the length and breadth of the per
simmon land, will be opossums be gath
ered and a selection of an even hun
dred of the largest and fattest will be
made for the banquet board, that the
proverbial hospitality and cuisine of
the south may be maintained on the oc
casion of the visit of the next president-
DEFICIT $74,288,463.
Government Revenues I'ell Off and
Expenses Increased.
Washington, Jan. 1. The forthcom
ing treasury statement of the govern
ment receipts and expenditures will
show a deficit for the first six months
of the current fiscal year of approxi
mately $74,288,463. The receipts from
customs for the six months will ag
gregate about $139,003,076; internal
revenue about $128,740,530 and re
ceipts from miscellaneous sources
about $25,679,305.
There is a falling off in customs as
compared with the corresponding
period in 1907 of about $27,680,000
and a decrease of internal revenue of
about $4,000,000 and in miscellaneous
receipts of about $3,000,000. The ex
penditures during the same period
will amount to nearly $358,000,000 as
against $325,000,000 for the first six
mon hs of the last fiscal year.
The heaviest increase will be shown
to be on account of the war depart
ment, which will approximate $12,500,
000. The civil and miscellaneous ex
penditures have increased about $11,
500,000 as compared with the corre
sponding period last year.
USHERED IN BY FIRE.
New Tear at Sliowhegan Makes a Bad
Beginning.
Skowhegan, Me., Jan. 1. Fire de
stroyed two business blocks and dam
aged three others and burned five
tenement houses in the heart of this
city, early today. Two of the houses
were dynamited to check the progress
of the flames, and it was only after
eight houra work that the local de
partment assisted by apparatus from
Waterville and Fairfield, succeeded in
bringing the fire under control. The
loss is estimated at $400,000.
The fire started from some unknown
cause In the basement of the brick
Gould block, which was totally de
stroyed .
The second and third floors consti
tuted the Hotel Oxford. Two firemen,
Harry Jackson and Harry Mitchell
were injured and taken unconscious
from the ruins.
ABRAMS PROMOTED.
To Become Assistant Superintendent
of a Colorado Road.
John H. Abrams, who has been at
the head of the Red Ball freight de
partment of the Santa Fe and service
inspector with headquarters in Tope
ka, has been appointed assistant su
perintendent of a division of a Colo
rado railroad and will leave Topeka in
a few days with his family for his new
home.
BISHOP GIVE $1,000.
3. .7. Hennessy Makes Magnificent Con
tribution to Earthquake Sufferers.
Wichita, Kan., Jan. 1. Bishop John
J. Hennessy of the Wichita diocese of
the Catholic church today telegraphed
$1,000 to the Sicilian and Italian
earthquake sufferers as a personal con
tribution.
- Crepe on Saloon Door.
Biloxi, Miss., Jan. 1. For the first time
in 200 years Biloxi is without saloons,
the seven that were operating here go
ing out of business yesterday when
statutory prohibition became effective
in Mississippi. One saloon Is adorned
with huge bunches of crepe and the
legend: "Gone, but not forgotten."
iltiNEY POURS IN.
Contributions to . Relief of the
Earthquake Sufferers
Are Reported From All Quarters
4 of the Country.
SHE "GITEgr 100,000.
Canada Makes a Liberal Appro
priation for the Fund.
Aaoipnus Busch Makes Sub
scription of 625,000.
Rome, Jan. 1. The Lipari islands
have not been d stroyed, nor has there
been any loss of life there'
This news, received with prayers of
graiituae throughout Italy, has just
been brought In by the torpedo boat
sent out by the government to inves
tigate.
, Grisconi at Messina.
Rome. Jan. 1. Despite the first as
sertions that WilliamH. Bishop, United
otates consul at Palermo was not in
the Island of Sicily at the time of the
eannquaKe, the American embassy
huw oeueves tnat he is there. All ef
forts to communicate with him how.
ever, have been fruitless.
French Squadron Arrives.
Messina, Jan. 1. A French squadron
has arrived here to assist in the relief
worK. tfive thousand troops also ar
rived and are being scattered through
the city to assist the wounded and
Keep order.
Americans Were Lucky.
rwapies, Jan. 1. up to the present
time 2,000 persons from the earthquake
zone have arrived here. The hospitals
are all filled and the churches nuhlic
halls and theaters are being fitted up
to receive otners. Many of the injured
were taKen oy rorce to the hospitals,
becoming frenzied with the idea of be
ing compelled to enter the institutions.
Three tank steamers filled with
drinking water have left here for Mes
sina. A large number of the persons
saved Dy tne sailors of the Russian
warship Makroff deprived themselves
of food and drink in order that the
sufferings of the more unfortunate
might be alleviated.
At Taormina, Sicily, where a number
of Americans are spending the winter.
it is said, tnat tne town escaped with
slight damage.
Vote of Condolence.
Rio Janeiro, Jan. 1. The senate has
passed a vote of condolence with Italy
on the terrible calamity In the province
of Calabria and Sicily, The Italian,
Brazilian and Gsrm- banks have stud-
scribed $1,600 for the sufferers and this
amount, together with that realized
from the subscription being taken by
the Journal of Commerce and those
that have been opened all over the
state will amount to a handsome sum.
Spain Sends a Cruiser.
Madrid, Jan. . 1. The government
has ordered the cruiser Gataluna to
Messina to assist in succoring persons
in distress there.
IYench Women to Help.
Paris, Jan. 1. A party of French
women, members of the Red Cross so
ciety, have left here for Messina to
minister to the wants of the sick and
wounded.
llcggio Death List 20,000.
Rome, Jan. 1. An official dispatch
received here from Reggio says that
the death list there apparently
amounts'to 20,000.
Toronto Gives $5,000.
Toronto, Jan. 1. The board of con
trol has unanimously decided to grant
$5,000 for the relief of Italy's earth
quake sufferers. Public subscription
lists have been opened.
Cincinnati's Mite.
Cincinnati, Jan. 1. A total of $875 has
been donated in this city to 'he fund
for the relief of the earthquake suffer
ers of Italy.
(Continued on Page Kight-
TEAR STARTS OUT. WELL.
There Is No Snow and Atmosphere Is
Clear and Crisp,
All that Copeka needs, today, the
first day of Che New Tear to make the
winter scene complete is a blanket of
snow, but this Is missing and there is
little prospect $hat the desire for
sleighing 'weatber; will be gratified
not for a few days at least. The tem
peratures have been slightly higher
than during the..past 24 hours, but at
that the mercury haa hung below the
freezing point the greater part- of the
day. There was a trace of sleet about
9;30 last night. .
t Speaking of. the year and month just
closed. Assistant Weather . Observer
Flora said, "The report which has just
been issued by the Topeka weather
station reveals a number -of peculiar
conditions. December just closed was
the seventh warmest and the second
dryest of which we have any record,
and there has been a much greater
amount of sunshine than usual. .
"The year just closed is the third
wettest on record with 43.20 inches of
precipitation, the wettest being the
year of the great floods,- 1903 with a
precipitation record of 44.14 inches. It
was also the third warmest year of
which we have a record and the only
year during the past 22 In which the
temperature failed to go below three
degrees above zero. ' It is also remark
able in that we have had but one other
year during the past -22 when the
temperature failed to go above 96, the
maximum for the year 1908."
The following were the tempera
tures since 7 o'clock this morning:
7 o'clock- ..... 16!l0 o'clock 18
8 o'clock lSlll o'clock ...... 19
9 o'clock 16I12 o'clock 20
DR. TiSK POISONED.
Takes Carbolic Acid by Mistake
Saved by Prompt Action.
-Life
By a mistake in tfie medicine bottle.
Dr. D. M. Fisk, the eminent Washburn
professor, came very near to ending
his life last night.; The doctor has
been 111 with grip and has been taking
a mixture of strychnine, wine and
iron which looks the same as a bottle
of carbolic acid sitting near. Without
looking at the label the doctor poured
a spoonful of the acid into some sugar
and swallowed it. Mr. Gienn Millice,
his son-in-law, and a medical student,
fortunately came In just at the lime.
Hastily he gave a glass of milk to Dr.
Fisk and ran for Dr. Dains. the pro
fessor of chemistry, who lives near.
They then got a stomach pump from
Dr. Adams, who lives just across the
alley, and In a very few minutes the
sociologist was out of danger. He is
reported as feeling well this morning
considering a grip patient and no evil
effects of the accident are noticed.
The timely arrival of Mr. Millice,
coming doctor, and the Tiearness of so
many- other kinds of doctors in the
college com-nunitx- i all. orobably, that
saved the life of r. Fi.sk. "
THEY DIED TOGETHER.
Couple Could Not Stand the Loss of
Their Daughter.
New York. Jan. 1. Unable to endure the
thoueht of spending: their declining years
without the cheering presence of . their
daughter. Prof. J P. Gordy of New York
university and his wife committed suicide
few hours after the death of their girl,
IS years old. After giving way to their
crrief. the tarent3 appeared more resigned
and the Dhvsicians and nurses left. The
two then retired to their apartments and
getting into bed. swallowed the contents
of three bottles of chloroform. Two hours
later Prof. James K. Lough of New York
universitv who occupies apartments ad
joining those of the Oordys traced the
odor or cnioroiorm to nis inenas rooms.
He summoned Dr. "Van Sant Vord, tho
Gordv family physician, and the two
broke in the door. They found the couple
clasped in each others arms and both
dead.
Prof. Gordy was a recognized authority
in political history.
Weather Indications.
Chicago. Jan. 1. Forecast for Kan
sas: Fair tonight and Saturday. Warm
er tonight.
YOU CAN HAVE THE ROOM THIS OLD MAX IS
5y( QF THAT 01D EiPv '
V MAN WHO IS JUST RtT rjBlA
FIRST GOOD NEWS
Only Slight Damage Was Done
on the Lipari Island s.
Few Buildings Wrecked and No
1 Loss of Life.
DYING IX ANGUISH.
Thousands Still Beneath Ruins
Must Perish.
Inland Towns Are Still Without
. Any Form of Belief.
Rome, Jan. 1. The first cheerful
news since the devastation of Calabria
and eastern Sicily by earthquake and
tidal wave last Monday, was received
this morning by the minister of ma
rine. A dispatch from the commander
of the torpedo boat sent, post haste tg
verify the report that the Lipari, or
Aeolian islands, had been engulfed
and all of the population, some 28,000
people annihilated, brought the grate
ful information that while the islands
had experienced the earthquake only
a few buildings have been demolished
and that no lives were lost.
Otherwise the story coming from
the south today is a repetition of the
previous recitals ' of devastation, suf
fering starvation and horror.
The king and queen of Italy continue
their pious pilgrimage along what was
once the beautiful and smiling eastern
coast of Sicily, but which today is a
desolated region strewn with unsep
ulchred dead and where thousands are
dying in anguish amid the ruins of
their homes. The Duke of Aosta is
also on the scene devoting himself to
the succor of his countrymen. The
duke has visited Palmi and all the
surrounding villages. This section af
ter Messina and Reggio suffered more
heavily than any other. The duke said
to one of the aids with him:
Scourge Erom God.
"The catastrophe indeed is a
scourge from God. The time has
come when it is no longer possible to
think about those beneath ruins. All
hope of saving any of these un
fortunates after the four days that
have elapsed since th-s disaster must
of necessity be abandoned. All our
efforts must be devoted to caring for
the wounded survivors."
In view of these conditions the gov
ernment has decided to concentrate
its energies to removing the wounded
to points where they can receive
proper attention. Uninjured survivors
also will be assisted from the de
vasts ted - territory aid it is hopad that
in this way serious epidemics can be
avoided.
The colossal emigrant steamships
that for years past have been en
gaged in transporting the surplus
population of Calabria and Sicily to
thai four corners of the world, but es
pecially to the Linited States, are to
day being employed In removing sur
vivors and refugees to places of
safety. Messina and Reggio, the two
typical southern cities of Italy, are to
day no more. The rury or land ana
sea has completed their ruin and what
little remains heaps of shattered
masonry covering countless dead
bodies is now to be covered with
quick lime to prevent the outbreak of
epidemic. The system of gathering
the survivors on board the huge emi
grant steamers will solve one of the
most important problems that con
fronts the authorities namely that of
feeding the people. If it is found im
possible to set the refugees on shore,
and the land accommodations are
rapidly filling up with the injured.
they can be fed on board ship for
each vessel is provided with 30 days
rations for a full passenger list, and
this leeway will give time for de
cisions as to where the unfortunates
had best be landed.
This advantage of feeding, however,
applies only to the survivors of Reggio
and Messina. There are still scores of
LEAVING.
smaller inland towns and villages
where It is impossible to send relief.
The conditions in these sections are in
deed desperate. The survivors have no
shelter whatever, and no food, the per
sistent rains make it Impossible to
kindle fires and the majority have but
tattered rags for clothing. In the In
land villages surrounding Reggio alone
that have been destroyed the dead
number 7,000. Whenever it has been
possible to eet a message through from
these localities the cry has been for
food. Amid the gloomy and depressing
horror which like a leaden weignt op-
nressoa lha land that bv all . countries
has been called the earden spot of
EuroDe. two noble female figures stand
out as guardian angels watching over
the afflicted population. uney are
Queen Helena and another Helena, the
Duchess of Aosta. The queen haa given
the sufferers her tears, and with her
own hands she has bound up their
wounds, using her handkerchiefs when
other bandages were lacking. She has
given also of her worldly possessions
including the rings from her nngers.
The Duchess of Aosta who still proud
lv Hiens herself a princess of France
is performing miracles of love, pity and
endurance at Naples, wnere tne wounu
ed are arriving in great numbers. This
nnhln woman has firiven not only
pecuniary help but has nursed the in
jured with demonstrations of affection.
Children robbed by a cruel fate of their
nnrentg unil relatives have louna in
this princess a new and tender mother.
CAUSE OF TUB QTJAKJE.
Scientists Put Forth Theories Regard
ing the Disaster.
New York, Jan. 1. Opinions given
here by two scientific men on the phy
sical features of the terrible convul
sion of nature in Calabria and Sicily
are nigniy interesting.
of
cm, . i r-. o-i at rvilnTYiliia. university nrefac
v,ic nrin n with thA statement that
it was mere conjecture on account of
the meager information at hand, but
he added:
"I cannot get away from " the old
tVionrv thai the -earth was at one time
a molten mass, the surface having
cooled off sufficiently to form a crust.
The earth is continually contracting
which causes the weaker portions on
the surface to cave In and It seems to
me that this is what occurred in the
nocA ef tVia TtaHan earthnuake.
"I should say that for about fifty
miiM namllol with the straits of Mes
sina the land under the sea and along
the coast cavea in, causing me nea in
rush with great rorce in on tne lana
. .1 .11 KufnrO it-1'
Prof. John J. Stevenson, professor of
geology at jNew lore unnersiij miu
.rvoaVinc of the disajster:
"As a disturbance in the earth's
crust, the Messina quake, terrible as
were its effect, was only a small air air.
It may be compared to the explosion
rtvnamitB bomb, which
does frightful execution within a small
area, but is without effect a short dis
tance away. Thus while Messina and
tj-cj-i r wpr pill 1re.lv devastated, ac
nnrdine to present . reports, Palermo
waii onlv slightly shaken, Taormina
woo unharmed and at Naples the
Prof. Sieveiison then compared; the
Italian earthquake to the Charleston,
S C-, earthquake wnicn, ne saia. was
felt from the Atlantic ocean to Ark
ansas and Minnesota and New York
and Maine. .
TO CONTINUE THREE YEARS.
Prediction of a Scientist Regarding
the Disturbance m iiaiy.
Rome, Jan. 1. The presence of the
king and queen of Italy in the strick
en district haa done much to infuse
energy into the different relief com
mitrees Considering the means at
,i jinDoi th. ifs.iA workers
wonders are being done. The queen
looks far from -well. She is exhausted
and the terrible scenes she has wit-
in :u ik&vc tun.vi.vu " -
weeps frequently, and on more than
one occasion sne naa curaiuu
hands of some unfortunate woman
nritv, ha tun The kinsr desired the
queen to return to Rome, but this she
refused, saying sue cuuiu uu
from thinking of the miseries of her
uj..,. i -,' Mmoinlnff on the srvnt
SUUJOv.13. iJJ , r, V. .
she feels she can ao somemuig to re
lieve the general misery.
fr ; iAnn4ntf i ciT-r fnr the ROllth.
lldlua , ci. . i.. - ' - -
alwmot nMrlv with Dews.
1X1 1111' n f ' ...--'- - - -
paper men, relatives of victims, or vol
unteers on rescue romimiwra, iiicao
committees are composed of every na
tionality of Europe.
. t -u- trnhmtpprn do ti nt sneak
cyuints " i i-' - - -
p Ttaiinn bill- thev ero forward
simply because they have hands with
. i x 1. ah vnlnnlppm nra
v r 1 1 i 1 1 I wuir. ' - " ' -
thankfully accepted, and there Is room
for tnousanas more.
i int. miaui v -
. m - that the RfiSTTl 1C ac
tivities will continue for three years
to come. He recommends the enforce
ment of restrictive building laws in
the earthquake zones of Italy.
The' personal accounts of survivors
obtained today all go to confirm the
first reports of the extent of the disas
i .3 u. v-. . a jl tn t i o cTewsome
l 1 , tlllU 1UC.Y wiAi. cuv. v o
recital of suffering and pathetic In
ability to help the injured. One feature
of the disaster at Reggio is the large
number of nomeiess cnuurcB. ii
some cases little babies were found
i v,A4- An Vi o mlnfl find 1t
seems impossible to restore them to
their parents even 11 tne purajiu? oi a
alive. A sailor who went asnore at
Reggio relates that during nis wore
... ,A n-aa ottianteri bv a sound
UL 1 C. 111 i -- -.- -' - -
of infant voices. Looking under a fal
len beam he rouna twins aouui ji
ii in a haaket Thpv were uninjured
and their clothing was of the best.
They have not yet been claimed.
-r cnrvlvnrii recovered
ill 1 1 1 1 1 1 y vao . . . ......
consciousness to find themselves far
away from the scene of the disaster.
Larger numbers of survivors have be-
; fphov trv to throw them-
UUII1C 1 1 1 rtti 1 1 v. . , - - - - . -
selves overboard, if they are at sea. or
to hurl themselves out or car winuowa.
One poor woman relates that in her
family were her husband and eight
children. She was awakened by a
great rushing noise. She then lost con
sciousness and knew nothing further
until she found herself on board a
steamer far away from her home. The
authorities would not permit her to
return to seek her family. ,
A youth, himself wounded, carried
his two little brothers from their
wrecked home. When the party was
found they were lying by the side of
the road, the young man dead but the
children uninjured. .
What has taken place at Reggio has
been a repetition, of the scenes at
Messina, but the proportion of the
population to perish at the former
place is higher. Today the conditions
at Reggio are worse than at Messina,
owing to danger of epidemic from de
composing bodies.
It has been proposed in small vil
lages where not one house remains
statTding, to set the debris on fire as a
means of purification. (
THE WATER CURE.
Board of Investigators Mating
a Thorough Examination
Into the Methods of Treatment
Given Lansing Convicts.
STRAPPED IS -A,. CRIB.
Manner of Punishing Prisoners
Gone Into Closely.
Eat Dinner With Jail Birds and
Declare It Good.
Leavenworth, Kan., Jan. 1. Th
board of Investigation appointed by
Governor E. W. Hoch began their In
quiry into the administration of affairs
of the state prison at Lansing in deep
earnest.
The . most striking part of Thurs
day's work came late in the afternoon
when the board placed Dr. Kanavel,
the prison physician on the stand t-
testify.
Dr. Kanavel described the "water
cure" in detail and surprised the
board by declaring that he would
gladly undergo the punishment to
show the workings and the harmless
ness of it. The investigators replied
it was not necessary.
"The prisoner to be punished was
strapped In a crib or fiame crate in a
sitting position and water at sixty
pounds pressure was administered
through a hose at about six fee: dis
tance," said the doctor.
"Was any effort made to force tha
nozzle into the mouth of the man un
der punishment?"
..JlNever'" rePUea the physician.
The water cure as administered
here was not Injurioua"
He explained that before this pun
ishment was given tha convict culprit
was always subjected to a medical ex
amination. He testified this punish
ment had beeu discontinued in July
last.
The members of the committee ex
amined the "crib" used to restrain in
sane convicts and punish lncorrigibles.
"Why these are chicken coops," ex
claimed F. D. Coburn, of the commit
tee. He measured the crib and found
it large enough to allow a large man
to lie down in comfort. The cribs have
not been in use for several months
Dr. Kanavel said that never had a
prisoner complained to him of the
diet.
The members of the committee then
asked Dr. Kanavel about the f.-iod. Ho
said it was his duty to inspect all th
food and that whila h hud r ;.vr" p
of more than a hundred sick to look
after he did the best he could. ia
testified that no patient had ever com
plained to him about the food or said
that he was ill from anything he ate.
At this point Mr. Coburn looked at an
anonymous letter he took from his
pocket and said, "Doctor, was a wagon
load of beef rejected December 24?"
One Load of Beef Rejected.
"Yes, the warden and I Inspected It
and decided It was too lean and not
up to contract. We frequently send
meat back. . The warden is very par
ticular about the meat."
Dr. Sheldon turned to Warden Has
kell, who was In the room, and asked
him about the meat.
"We won't allow any old cows to be
put In here," said Warden Haskell.
"We must have good flour and meat
here. " Our board buys a good grade of
flour. It doesn't take the cheap grades
like nearly every place. I don't accept
meat that Is only fit for canning."
Warden Haskell then told of reject
ing oatmeal and other food at various
times.
Here Mr. Coburn said: T had threw
complaints from prisoners today and
they were all about the hash. One sa.ld
bad meat and rotten onions were put
In the hash. What do you know about
the hash making?"
Dr. Kanavel informed him that the
prisoners prepared the onions and meat
and if It was bad they allowed It to go
In. Mr. Coburn remarked tnat there
seemed to be more complaint about the
bad cooks than the quality or quantity
of food. Prof. Blackmar asked ur.
Kanavel about the tea. Miss Kate Ber
nard, in her report on the penitentiary,
said that only three pounds were allow
ed for the evening meaL
Weak Tea for Prisoners Health.
T cut the strength of the tea one-
half, from six pounds to three," sain
Dr. Kanavel. "I would like to reduce It
again for the benefit of the health of
the prisoners. It was reduced solely to
aid their neaitn.
"How about the health of the men In
the mine?" asked Dr. Sheldon.
"The men in tne mine nave tne own.
of health. They are the most neaitny -
men we have. The mine tasK oi tnrea
cars a day is not heavy.
The committee adjourned to meet at
10 o'clock this , morning, when-- F. L.
.TankRon attornev general, is to be on
hand and the examination of witnesses
will he resumed.
Women Prisoners Questioned.
The committee visited the women's
nrarri. Here several of the prisoners
were questioned, including Jessie Mor
rison. Miss Morrison, as well as the
others, said the greatest kindness and
consideration was shown all women
prisoners, that tne rooa was gooa aim
wholesome and that everything was
rinne to make their lot as pleasant as
the prison rules would permit.
Tii hoard at noon without warning.
walked into the dining hall and ate at
the table with the convicts, tney ue
clared the meal as good as that of
the average Kansas farmer.
ALL SALOONS CLOSED.
it
Is Now Unlawful to SeU Liquor in
' Alabama. '
Mobile Ala.. Jan. 1. At 12 o'clock last
night the saloons of Alabama were placed
under the ban. It Is now against the law
to sell liouor in the state. In Mobile ana
Mobile county all the school funds come
directly from the taxes on the sale of in
toxicating liquors.
Information from all over the state is
that officials enforced the law to the let
ter. In 1907 lirjuor revenue of the state was
$223,000 and the revenue for 190S will amount
to about r75.000. It is estimated that about
five hundred saloons were closed in tha
principal towns of the state not already
dry.