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THE EVENING STAR WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION. O?oa, UUtt. and foairtTuU ifiM Th# Eruiag SUr Newipiptr Company, O&ca: S Kafaat St. London, lOftui H?w York (Mm. Tribuaa Building. Ofica: Firat litiout Bank iuildiny. The Krenlnc Star, with the Sunday mornin* edition, is delivered by carriers within th* city at .V) ituli per month. Orders may he sent by ?all or telephone Main 3440. Collection !a mania by carrier at the end o* each month. By mall, postagv prepaid: Dallr. Sunday Included. one month. 60 cental 1 Dally. Snnday excepted, one month. 50 renta. Hatarday gtar. t> year. Sunday Star. *1.30 year. No. 17. i 50. WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1909 Weather. Showers tonight ami prob ably Sunday; colder tonight. THIRTY-TWO PAGES. TWO CENTS FATE MONIES How Maurer and Rogers Died Told by Eye-Witness. FELLOW-WORKER'S STORY Three Men Were Extinguishing Fire at Girls' School. TWO WOUNDED IN FUSILLADE Stephen R. Trowbridge Prepares Ac count of Assassination for Turkish Government. CONSTANTINOPLE. May l.-Siephen R. Trowbridge, a missionary of the Amer ican board of commissioners for foreign missions, -was the only American or Eu ropean to witness the killing in Adana of D- M. Rogers and Henry Maurer, fel low-missionaries at Adana. He has supplied the following account of the occurrence, dated Adana, April 24, to representatives of the grand vizier, and has written It out also for the mission board at home. Mr. Trowbridge says: "Firing and fighting began April 14 be tween Moslems and Armenians, which re sulted in a number of casualties on both sides. By nightfall it was clear that in cendiaries were at work, for several dis tricts of the city were covered by clouds of smoke, which rolled out far Into the country, where vineyards and country houses also were burning. All night long the reports of firearms rang out from all sides. The roofs and parapets of houses, minarets, windows with shutters and other ambuscades were used. The most persistent and dangerous fusillade came from one of the minarets on the border of the Armenian quarter. Flames and Bullets. "The next morning, April 13, the confla grations had spread to such an extent that we were obliged to watch closely the environs of the building of the girls school and the residence of William N. Chambers. All the streets were deserted and the firing from ambuscades was kept up all the morning. "A fresh outburst of smoke near the girls' school showed that we were threat ened by fire. The wind fanned the flames and drove them from house to house in our direction. "Mr. Roger? was guarding the home of Miss Wallace and the dispensary across the street from the school. It was clear that the large school, a building of brick j and wood, was in danger. "We spent the morning In ripping off projecting woodwork and the porch posts. It soon became evident that direct ef forts to put out the flames must be undertaken. "Up to that time no one had dared to go on the streets because of the shooting from one end by Moslems and from the other by Armenians. Moslem pillagers, armed and in desperate mood, were loot ing the houses opposite the buildings on flre. "Mr. Maurer and I took a crowbar and an ax. and crossed the street to destroy the wooden porches, shutters and stair ways of the houses between the fires and the girls' school. We carried palls of water, which we threw wherever we saw flames breaking out. "All this time there had been no sign of any effort on the part of the govern ment authorities to stop the rioting, pil lage and burning. No soldiers or police men had appeared, nor had any pumps or apparatus for fighting fire been brought out. "The only news we had of the soldiers was the galling rifle flre from the min arets. This shooting, apparently, was di rected at the houses where the Armenians were resisting by a return fire. Moslems Promise Safety. "When I first climbed to the roofs near the flames armed Moslems appeared on three sides within close range. When they understood that I was not firing on them, but had come to work against the flames, they lowered their rifles and as sured me with many pledges that I might go on unmolested. "Then three Turks appeared at the windows of a house just across the street. After assuring me of my safety they dropped back again to their work of plunder. "Back of that house, in a well protected position, was a turbaned Moslem, cover ing these looters with his rifle and firing frequently to protect them. Two other Moslems appeared suddenly on my left, but, perceiving my purpose, they bade me feel no concern. "In the meanwhile Mr. Maurer, who had been carrying water In palls from the yard of the girls' school, came up to me and made use of a crowbar in throwing down a wall, one side of which was burning fiercely. We worked with pails of water, the crowbar and the ax for over an hour. "It seemed that we must have help. We repeatedly begged some Armenian young men, who were lurking around the street corners shielded from the Mos lem flre, to put away their arms and come and save the school building. "The real danger that pressed upon our minds was not the possible loss of the building, but the perilous situation in which our American friends, the hundreds of Christian refugees and the eighty school girls would find themselves In case the building burned. "In every direction there was rioting and shooting. There was no refuge, ex cept possibly In the Protestant Church, some distance away, and even this was threatened from three sides by the con flagration. "8o we came back to the school and asked for volunteers. Mr. Rogers came at once. He had been In Miss Wallace's house and did not knuw how close tlie Ore had come. He carried water back and forth three times. "Mr. Maurer was using the crowbar against a wall. 1, higher uu on the roof, was pouring water on places just catch ing fire. "We had thus worked a considerable time without being harmed by the Mos lems, when the Armenians at the other end of the street commenced firing on the houses where the looters were at work. Suddenly two shots rang out not more than eight yards from where we were working. Two Mortally Wounded. "Mr. Rogers, who was in the street bringing water, was mortally wounded. He called to me by name, and then fell In the middle of the street. "The other bullet hit Mr. Maurer In the left lung near the heart, a wound that -caused him to suffer great pain. The crowbar fell from his hands. He then climbed down the ladder and collapsed ?t the side of Mr. Rogers. "Immediately after these two shots sev era! other bullets from the Moslems, who had fired them, whizzed past. I droppe.l almost flat on the roof and made my wa> to the edge. -I could see Mr. Maurer climbing down the ladder with the greatest difficulty. 1 could also hear Mr. Rogers groaning. "Mv first thought was to help my two comrades home to have their wounds treated. Consequently without concealing my intention I stepped to the lower roof and climbed down the same ladder Mr. Maurer had used. . . "It was clear that both men would ha\ to be carried in. I went on rapid'V the school to tell Dr. Thomas D. Christie and Frederick W. McAllum. "Just then the British vice eonnil at Mersina, MaJ. Daughty-Wylie, ""-Ued with twenty Turkish soldiers on a to1 the city. They rode up and found Mr. Rogers and Mr. Maurer lying wounded in th,"T tie Entire neighborhood was deserted The soldiers were ordered to the fire in several directions, but by this time the murderers had disappeared. "Mr. Maurer died a few minutes later in the school building. Mr. Rogers lived only a few minutes longer than Mr. Mau- , rer. He did not regain consciousness. , "Both men passed peacefully away. They died as good soldiers of Jesus Christ." May Day Passing Quietly in Paris and Provinces. STRONG MEASURES TAKEN Street!'of Capital Patrolled by Sol diers. PRINCIPAL LABOR MEETING Violent Speeches and Besolutions Calling lor "Destruction of Last Bulwark of Capital.'' PARIS. May 1.?No disorders have oc curred in Paris up to a late hour this afternoon. It is hoped that May day will pass without any serious breaches of the peace. Nor have any disorders been reported from the provinces. Dispatches received from Bordeaux, Bourges. Nice, Mount Tel lier. Marseille, Angoulebe, Brest, Lorlent, Montbeliard, Rochefort, Rochelle, Tours and other places report that the strike Is nowhere general, but that there have been workmen's meetings and processions of the usual May day character. At Meru and Noeux-les-MIUtes the strike is complete. At Callais a large ma jority of the workmen are out. 75,000 Workmen Best. PossilKy a total of 75,OU) workmen in the various trades have abstained from work to attetid big meetings called in the populous quarters of the city. The cessation is in no way general. All the public services?railway, tram way, omnibus, cab, underground trac tion and electric light?the interruption of which was to constitute a proof of the discipline of the proletariat, are practi cally normal. Nevertheless, Paris today bears a strong resemblance to an armed camp, as the government has neglected no precaution to insure tranquillity. Troops are massed In their barracks and in the courtyards of public buildings, while cavalrymen and detachments of the republican guard patrol the streets. Police reserves have occupied the pybllc squares, particularly the Place de la Re publlque, which is the center of revolu tionary effervescence. Police bicycle and automobile corps are being held in readi ness. Ministry Beady to Act. The ministers have remained In * eir of fices ready to adopt any measures that may be required. . The fact that many of the principal la bor agitators were dispatched secretly to the provinces last night has created some apprehension, particularly as It has been announced that the demonstration In Paris was to be a feint to cover more serious manifestations in the smaller In dustrial centers. . The principal meeting of the day was held at the labor exchange. After several violent speeches resolutions were adopted eniolnlng the proletariat to concerted ac tion in an anti-military and anti-patriotic propaganda to "destroy the last bulwark of capital/' OBEGON LAJTD CASES. judge Hunt Considering Hotion for Kev Trial for Bill. PORTLAND. Ore.. May L?In the fed eral court Judge Hunt has taken under advisement a motion for a new trial in U? case of ex-United States District At torney John Hill, convicted of conspiracy to defraud the government of public grants; dismissed the cases against Her man W. Stone of Minnesota and ex-State Senator F. P. Mayes, and postponed pass ing sentence on Oeorge Sorenson, a?l In connection with the Oregon land fraud cases. In the Stone case the defendant was indicted for purchasing land from an en tryman after the latter had timber claim. This the United Stales Supreme Court subsequently decided was not Illegal. SHOT HIS PUB8T7EB DEAD. Negro Chased Through Flat House Uses Pistol When Cornered. .Hpooinl Dlsi>?trh to The Star. NK\V YORK, May 1.?Two negroes. Ed ward Ray and Chester Arthur Anderson, wound up a night of revelry by quarreling early this morning in West 133d street. The result was that Anderson shot and killed Ray. Anderson Is twenty-one years old. a bootblack by occupation and lives at 30 West 133d street. Ray. who was thirty-five years old. lived at 136 West 133d street. Anderson ?"ays that Ray knocked him down in the street and kicked him. An derson got up and tried to escape. He ran into the flat house in which he lived and burst Into the rooms occupied by William T. Johnson, a Pullman porter. Ray pursued him with a knife. They ran through the rooms of the alarmed Johnson family. Anderson, cornered, drew a revolver and flred five shots at Ray. They all took effect and Ray was killed instantly. Anderson escaped to the street, but was caught by Policeman Miller. Minister of Foreign Affairs. STOCKHOLM May 1.?Count Taube. tlie Swedish minister to Germany, has been appointed minister of foreign af fairs in succession to E. B. Trolle, who will assume the Berlin post. News Note: Two Strangers Spent Some Time on the Floor of the Senate Yesterday Against the Rules and Despite the Vigilance of the Doorkeepers. Catafalque of Kwang-Hsu Fol lowed by China's Regent. FIVE DAYS' TRIP BEGINS Imperial Remains to Be Carried by Relay Eighty Miles. PRECAUTIONS ARE ELABORATE Twenty Thousand Troops Will Af ford Protection Along Route to Last Resting Place. Special Cablegram to The Star. PEKIXG. May 1.?The funeral of the late Emperor Kwang-Hsu took place to day. There was an Imposing procession. Prince Chun, the regent, father of the reigning emperor, had a place in the cor tege immediately behind the catafalque. All the representatives of the foreign powers attended and were entertained aft erward by the regent. Between living walls of soldiery, gen darmerie and police the funeral cortege started on its long journey from the For bidden City, the scene of his troubled life, to the Hwang-Ling imperial tombs, where amid the fastnesses of the sacred hills the geomancers guarantee a propitious and peaceful resting place. Eighty Miles Journey. The preparations were cn the most elab orate oriental scale. The catafalque will be carried eighty miles, a Ave days' jour ney, by relays, each consisting of 140 bearers. The greatest precaut'ons have been taken against the possibility of any un toward event. Twenty thousand troops have been detailed for the protection aiu esoort of the catafalque. Imperial and diplomatic participation is confined to the Imperial city. All street crossings were closed by Im mense stretches of white cloth. A com pany of soldiers was stationed at each crossing, and one soldier detailed to every house along the line of march within Mnf Similar precautions have been taken outside the city. The Chinese press, out side Peking as well as here, has been pro hibited from making any reference to the official anxiety or to the preparations taken to safeguard the catafalque. Legation Flag at Half-Mast. Over the Chinese legation in this city is floating the imperial (lag of China at half-staff. This is a final trib ute of respect to the late Emperor ot China, whose body is being conveyed today to the Imperial tombs at Hwang Ling for deposit alongside the remains of his predecessors. The long journey tro the tombs be gins at Peking, wnere elaborate cere monials will first be held In the Forbid den city. The body will be borne eighty miles. Hundreds of bearers will be employed in that task, while lio.ouo troop* will line the way. It will take five days to complete the journey. DR. JONES' SLAYERS TAKEN. ? ? Ilongote Head Hunters Captured by Philippines Constabulary. CHICAGO. May 1.?Field museum au thorities have been notified by a telegram from Brig. (Sen. C. R. Edwards, in charge pf Insular affairs at Washington, that the murderers of Dr. WtyH&m Jones, who was killed by head hunters on the Island of Luson,' have been captured. "I suppose," ssld Curator O. A. Dorsey, "that the capture was effected by Capt. George Bowers, who Is in command of the nearest constabulary. At the time of the murder he was sent out to Inves tigate among the Ilongotes, the tribes among which Dr. Jones was doing his work. The trial probably will be held In Ben guet province, which is nearest to the head hunters' country. I PROGRAM of EXERCISES MON DAY AFTEBNOON. President Taft, Government and ?/iatrict Offlciala Invited to v Attend Ceremoniea. Tributes will be paid to the memory of former Gov. Alexander Robey Shepherd at the ceremonies attending the unveiling of the statue of the former head of the local government In front of the District building Monday afternoon at 3:.'<0 o'clock. Theodore W. Noyes. chairman of the Shepherd memorial committee, will pre side. The formal program will be opened by an invocation by Roy. Dr. Wallace RadcJiffe, pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, which was attended by Gov. Shepherd and the members of his family when they were residents of this city. An introductory address -rill be made by Mr. Noyes on "Shepherd and the New Washington." He will be fol lowed by William F. Mattingly. who was tor a long time an Intimate friend of Mr. ?TS" iddree" The statue will be unveiled by Alexan der Robey Shepherd, third, and as the ,'S rev,?aled to view a salute will be fired by a battery of the District artillery. The presentation address will be made by B. H. Warner, chairman of the finance committee, and that of acceptance in behalf of the District by Henry B P Macfarland. president of the board' of I District Commissioners. The program will close with the benediction by Bishon Alfred Harding. Music will be furnished by the Marine Band. lurnisnea . Several hundred seats have been provld- I the i,nvited among whom1 * 1 ft P?,,nent officials of the national and District governments and representa tives of all the civic associations of the city. Among those invited are the Presi dent and the members of his cabinet reo resentatives of the Senate, the House, the Judiciary and the local government At r^:en1t meeting, members of the Board 21 Ead? were '?rmally invited, as Gov Shepherd was the first and for a long time the only honorary member of that body. I he Chamber of Commerce mem bers have also received invitations Members of the family of Gov. Shepherd have come to Washington for this oc cannon and will be present at the unveil CROWDS GREET JAPAN'S SHIPS 1 I TWO CRUISERS ENTER HARBOR AT SAN FRANCISCO. SAN FRANCISCO, May 1.-Almost the entire Japanese population of this city numbering about 5,000, and great crowds of Americans gathered on the hills over looking the bay and th? Golden Gate this morning to witness the arrival from Los Angeles of the Japanese cruisers Aso and Soya. The waters of the harbor were crowded with steamers, launches and sail boats, many of them containing enthusi astic parties of Nipponese. The revenue cutter McCulloch put to sea early in the I morning to meet the warships outside the Heads and escort them through the Golden Gate and effect their course up the bay to anchor. The program commit tee has devoted the whole day to official reception and exchange of courtesies. Admiral Swinburne, representing the navy; Gen. Weston, represents the simj. Mayor Taylor and the cltiviu' committee met on board the cruisS- w?Tt Virginia, flagship of the American soua* ron. to await the signal for putMng ^ ?? na\ al launches for the Japanese admiral's visit. Collector ot the Port President Taft# offlckU re?es25tiv? Uet. Gov. Porter and the Jana^V~~' sul, Matsuao Nagai. were taken d^wn thi bay on the revenue cutter Golden Gatte ^ . announced that he had decided to remain two days lonaer than planned at first, and will not anchor for the north until May ia ?*ver?1 1 *and points thlS ?>rt' deluding I Sacramento. San Jose. Stanford Univer ?">[ "n<J the Lick Observatory. The elaborate land program for ont? tainment of the visitors, details of which Kur,.^mpIeted..today' deludes auSnS receptions *nd a banquet. All the Japanese residences and stores are tally decorated. e8 LOOKING FOB'"JOKERS" Chief Worry Over the Senate Tariff Bill. "BIG STIgK" MADE LARGER House Maximum Bates Advanced From 20 to 25 Per Cent. WAY OPENED FOB COMPBOMISE Bill Expected to Look Different When It Finally Comes From the Conferees. As realization of the full Import of the Senate finance committee's maximum and minimum provision begins to soak in. senators view with mingled feelings of ad miration and astonishment that action. It makes the "downward revisionists" gasp?the audacity of the tariff builders of the Senate in out-Heroding Herod in this feature of protection. The high tariff men are delighted. The House proposed a maximum tariff as a "pig stick" to be used against for eign nations in compelling favorable trade terms with the United States. The Sen ate committee increases the size of the stick and provides a little firmer hold for its wielding. The House's maximum was an advanco of 20 per cent on tha rates named In the bill. The^fenate requires an advance of 25 per cent aa valorem. The framers of. the Senate provision do not expect, of course, that the maximum rates will apply, since all countries will be supposed to hasten to ameliorate any harsh conditions imposed against the United Spates, and this proposition for the increased duty is more sentimental than impending. But in case a foreign country can not rearrange Its economic affairs to suit the American tariff the Increase will take place, and the down ward revisionists are considering the| proposition in its possible last analysis. Where the Difference Is. It is pointed out, however, that in one respect the Senate maximum and mini mum provision is a great deal more con servative than Is proposed by the House. Under the House plan the maximum tariff would operate automatically in case any other country made restrictions on our trade. If the government of the Aethei lands, lor example, should change the rate 011 some American import, the duty on leaf tobacco, already very high, would be raised 20 per cent automatically and the cigar-making trade demoralized. Under the Senate plan the change would not be automatically, but in the discre tion of the President, and time would be afforded for negotiations. But it is net advisable to lose sight of the fact that a great deal of "compro mising" is yet to be done, and that the disagreement between the House and Senate over the maximum and minimum feature is a mighty handy asset of "trad" ing." The final aspect of the bill, as it comes from the conferees for ultimate agreement, wO! be very different from Its present complexion and from the hill as it came from the House. The critics of the maximum and mini mum provision of the Senate committee find the ground cut beneath them to a great extent by the fact- that President Taft and his cabinet are agreeable to the Aid rich plan. It was submitted to the President and his Attorney General miu came bade with their "O. K." It is to be assumed that If It was a "good enough Morgan" for the administration it should be satisfactory to the "progressive fac tion" of republicans. Looking Out for "Jokers." AH the statesmen Interested In the tariff were busy today worrying with the administrative sections of the bill a? amended by the Senate committee. "Where are the 'Jokers?* " is the ques tion every man has in the front of his mind. As a woodpile for the concealment pf tariff Senegambiaoa, the administra tive clauses are popularly supposed to be pre-eminent. The downward revisionists look upon it with fear and trembling and are aljnost sure it must be full of -conceal ed menace*. Some of them never will be found, probably, until the board of gen eral appraisers coma to pass upon them, i assisted by able briefs from the importers and the manufacturers. One new feature of the administrative section is the creation of a customs court, which will be an appellate court for the board of general appraisers. Its decisions s-hall be final, except In cases where a con stitutional question is involved, necessi tating decision by the Supreme Court of the United States. Will Provide Fat Jobs. This customs court will be welcomed as providing some fat offices. There will be five Judges at salaries of $10,000 a year; an assistant attorney general at $7 500; one assistant attorney at $8,000 and three at $5,000, together with bailiffs and clerks. Senators and representatives are be ginning to wonder how long the tarlif bill will keep Congress in session. One well posted member of the finance com mittee thinks the bill can get through the Senate by June 20, and that a cou ple of weeks in conference could clear up the differences between the two houses. No attempt will be made to secure a quorum of the House until a day has been agreed upon for a vote in the Sen ate, which will be reached by unanimous consent after everybody is tired with the tariff discussion. The absent members of the House will then be summoned and held here until final passage of the bill. QUESTIONS T. J. HIS t District Attorney Conducts Cross-Examination. WITNESS VERY DRAMATIC Interjects Comments in the Annis Murder Trial. TAKEN TO TASK BY COUNSEL Other Brother of Man Accused of the Killing Says Defendant. Was Irrational. Special Dispatch to The Star. FLUSHING. L. I., May 1.?District At torney De Witt today subjected Thorn ton Jenkins Hains to a searching cross examination. When the trial of Capt. Hains for the murder of William E. Annis adjourned yesterday afternoon he had only begun to cover the ground he had so carefully mapped out. Mr. De Witt, who is a young man, untried in a big criminal case up to the time of the present trial, made a very good impres sion as a cross-examiner. Before Thornton Hains took the stand this morning he was given a severe talk ing to by John F. Mclntyre, chief coun sel for the defense. Thornton, who again and again essayed the dramatic, and to ho was again and again rebuked by Justice Qarretson for his manner of testifying, incurred the displeasure even of his own attorneys. Mr. Mclntyre told him this morning that hereafter he must be more careful in giving his testimony. Taken to Task by Counsel. Another thing that brought Thornton admonition was his way of interjecting his own comments and not confining him self to responsive answer to the ques tions. Mr. Mclntyre remonstrated with him this morning about it. "But I want to save my brother's life," he said. "That's all right," Mr. Mclntyre re plied, "but if you don't want to get into bad favor with the court and have your testimony stricken from the record you had better do as I say." Thornton was slightly angered by this, but oromised to do his best. When Thornton took the stand today his manner was rather subdued. His voice was more ?:uiet than yesterday, but he had not lost his self-possession a particle. There was more testimony about "the white and drawn face and glassy eyes" of the captain. Bringing Out Discrepancies. The witness denied that he had at any time gone with his brother to secure for him an extension of leave of absence. The period covered by Mr. DeWitt in Ms questions on this matter was after the "confession." Mr. De Witt's questions were directed for a time to bringing out discrepancies between Thornton's testimony In the trial where he took the stand in behalf of him self, and his testimony under direct ex amination in the present trial. None of the discrepancies was of a material char acter. and in every instance Thornton calmly admitted that he was in error when giving evidence for himself. "My testimony in this trial is correct," he said. The familiar scene at the yacht club uock was then pictured again in questions and answers, save that Mr. De Witt studiously avoided, as Mr. Mclntyre had. questioning the witness about the actual shooting. By so doing he kept from the Jury anything Thornton might have said about the captain's alleged "insane" ac tions on the float. Eventually Mr. De Witt asked: "When you walked toward the dock ot the club house were you armed?" Mr. Mclntyre promptly interposed an objection which the court sustained, and the district attorney announced that he was through with the witness. Xaj. Hains a Witness. Maj. John Hains, the other brother of the defendant, was then called. Up to the time court adjourned for luncheon Maj. Hains did not contribute any evi dence that was new to those who have followed the case. He told the story of Capt. Hains' return from the Philippines and Immediate departure from San Fran cisco east to find what was the matter in his home. Then followed accounts of conversations in which the major quoted the captain's account of Claudia Hains" alleged admissions of guilt. Maj. Hains, who gave his evidence in a very careful. reserved manner, was always at pains to describe the outward effect of th?t>e con versations on Capt. Hains. describing the defendant's nervous manner, his inabiilty to sleep and eat. and hi* frequent Inco herent remarks about Annis. "His actions and speech in my judg ment, were Irrational." was the way Maj. Hains characterised his .brother's demeanor at the period shortly antedat ing the shooting. The major's evidence reheased many of the most trying episodes in the captain's experience, and during the recital Capt. Hains never blinked an eye lid. but sat in his habitual position playing with his hair. Adjournment was :aken just after Maj. Hains had begun to describe the ac tion of a Colt .45 caliber revolver. feecoTera Valuable Stolen Bings. PARIS. May 1.?The examining magis trate who has been investigating the re cent robbery here of Mrs. William Bar tels of Chicago, has- returned to her five rings valued at *a.0(*i, which were re ceived from a maid servant of Mrs. Bar tels and a waiter who are under ar refet charged with the robbery. MACFAHLAND TO Taft to Delay Reappointment Pending Possible Change in Form of Government. PRESIDENT OF BOARD STAYS AT LEAST A YEAR National Exectutive Has Not Yet De cida" ' . x? to Be Done. TALKS WITH CONGRESSMEN Consults With^ Them Regarding Conditions of Administration in Capital Which Need Cor rection. President Taft is not fully satisfied with the form of the District govern ment. L ntil he determines what recommenda tions he will make to Congress on the subject he will not, as his intention is understood at this time, formally reap point Henry B. F. Masfarland as Commis sioner for another three years' term al though he will continue Mr. Macfarland in office for at least another year, frotn May 5, when his present term expires. The President is not dissatisfied with Mr. Macfarland or his services. On the other hand, he considers him an able, conscientious public officer who has done splendid work in his position, and will not disturb him there under existing con ditions. The President's views as to the form of the District government have not crys tallized. because he has not had time to make the study he desires to do between now and the reassembling of Congress in regular session. The President has dis cussed the situation with Senator Gailin ger and Representative Smith, chairmen, respectively, of the Senate and House committees on the District of Columbia. Ideas Have Not Taken Form. The President has. as stated, reached no decision as to whether, in his opinion, the Commissioner form of government should be succeeded by a one-headed gov ernment, with a governor or mayor. As to suffrage in the District, he has given it little thought, but is understood to be opposed. The pressure of the tariff and other na tional matters has taken up so much of the time of the President that he has not been aole to give the District government the consideration he desires and will give it later on. The President has had conferences with prominent local citizens as to the reap pointment of Commissioner Macfarland. The almost unanimous sentiment of lead ing citizens of the District who have talk ed with the President was that no better selection of a Commissioner could be made than Mr. Macfarland. The President, according to all advices, has been in sympathy with these views. His personal regard for Mr. Macfarland is high. He has had no other man in mind for Commissioner. But for his possible determination to ask Congress to change the form of gov ernment, it is said, lie would issue a com mission at this time to Mr. Macfarland for another three years. His belief, from his talks with the heads of the District committees 4n Congress, is that the na tional legislative body will he willing tc consider the question of government at the regular session and dispose of it. Wants Freedom to Act. Snould the executive and legislative branches both agree upon a single-headed government the President wants to be free to make an appointment without even an indirect obligation to continue either of the Commissioners now in of fice. 8hould Congress take no action al the next session as to the District, the President will be free to commission Mr. Macfarland for a three-year term or per mit him to continue in office indefinitely. A few names were mentioned to the President as possible successors to Com missioner Macfarland. At one time there was talk that the President would name James Henry, correspondent of the Phil adelphia Press, as commissioner. This had no more foundation than the known good opinion of the President for Mr. Henry. The President at no time has given serious thought to naming a new man as Commissioner. COURTLAND, VA, ON FIRE. Flames Extend From Hotel to Busi ness Section. Social Pippateb to Th<> SUr. SPFFOLK, Va? May 1.?The business section of Courtland, Va., thirty milee west of Suffolk, is burning. The blaz< began about noon In a hotel. Shortly afterward the lony-distance phone opera tor was driven from her office. The tele graph wires have also been burned oul and communication is cut off. Courtland is the capital of Southamp ton. At 2 o'clock the fire was under control The Merchants and Farmers' Bank Reese's drug store, th? hotel and several small buildings were burned. LIGHTNING STARTS A FIRE. Norfolk Veneer Company's Plant Burns During Heavy Storm. NORFOLK. Va., May 1.?Fire starting in the midst of a severe storm and a! first' supposed to be in the lumber factors of the Raper-Jackson-White Companj nearby, destroyed the Norfolk Veneei Company's plant on the Lamberts Point terminal tracks of the Norfolk and West ern railway early today. Lightning struck the plant and the flr? spread rapidly, a heavy rain interferina with the work of the firemen. The loss It upward of SluO.OOO, with full Insurance. Wealthy Chicagoan'a Suicide. CHICAGO. May 1.?August Moos, a wealthy retired silk merchant, a gee eighty-two years, and father of Josept and Julius Moos, comprising the firm o| Moo.s Brothers, committed suicide earlj today by hanging himself from a bedpost 111 health is given as the cause. * 4