The Kansas City Star from Kansas City, Missouri • 1

I THE KANSAS CITY STAR. O'CLOCK SIX VOL 26, NO. 152; KANSAS CITY, FEBRUARY 16, THURSDAY. TWELVE PAGES PRICE TWO CENTS. THE CITY SHORT OF COAL DEALERS CAN'T FILL ORDERS AND ARE DOUBTFUL OF THE FUTURE.

Not Enough Coming to Supply the Dewand, Railways Hope Relieve the Situation if the Weathbut, ex is Favorable. None of the coal dealers in Kansas City has enough coal on hand to supply the mands made on them. The wholesale dealers will consider the requests of their customers only and many of the retailers are not attempting even to supply customers. One of the biggest retail firms in the city had only ten tons on hand this morning. The J.

H. Leonard Coal. comreceived twenty carloads semipany anthracite coal. over the Kansas City Southern last night and twenty more carloads are to arrive for it morning, but it is taking orders Monto morrow day's 5 delivery. J.

H. Leonard, the general manager of the company, said this morning: "We are getting more orders than we can begin to supply and are not attempting to take orders from anyone but our customers. We are unable even to supply these with what they want. Every retail dealer among our customers has many orders ahead on his books, and on account of our low supply we can afford to give them only one ton for every two tons they have orders for. For instance, if one of our customers has orders for fifty tons which he cannot supply we give him "We received twenty car loads of semianthracite over the Kansas City Southern last night, and I think I could sell the whole lot for almost any price I named if I didn't feel under obligations to help out my customers.

One of the big packing plants, morning." offered me a big price fort the lot R. Gardner, general sales agent. of the Crescent company, said this the situation was very Cherokee, bad. retailers, are the greatest he "Many of them have one or two tons on hand, and none of them can supply the demands of customers, SOME CAUSES FOR THE SHORTAGE. "The failure of the railroads to deliver coal is not the only cause of the famine.

In December and January the price of coal was so low and the consumption so small that many of the mines shut down temporarily. Then when this big demand came they were caught unprepared. In many of the mines, too, the forces, were cut down on of cold, many of the men refusing to work. However. the situation would not be nearly as bad as it is if the railroads had not been tied up." W.

C. Perry of the Central Coal and Coke company said that his firm was sueceding pretty well in satisfying its regular customers, but that it was making no attempt to supply other demands. He said that the railroad service was wholly to blame for the scarcity of the fuel. There are only six lines into Kansas City that can be called coal carrying lines, These are the Frisco, the Burlington, the Wabash, the Kansas City Southern, the Missouri, Kansas Texas, and the Missouri Pacific. The Burlington carries coal only for its own use and to supply the Armour.

Packing company. The Missouri has brought in 240 cars since Monday, The has averaged twenty cars. daily this week, about half its normal business. The "Katy" bringing only a small percentage of its usual The Frisco has averaged sixty cars a day since Monday, as against a usual business of 100 cars daily. The Kansas City.

Southern brought 111 three solid trains of coal yesterday and is well up to its usual average. RELIEF WITH GOOD WEATHER. The railroad officials say that the cold snap has reduced more than one-half the power to move trains. For several days not a freight train of any kind except a few coal trains and trains carrying oranges or other perishable freight moved in Kansas City territory. Beginning yes: terday there was a return to nearly normal conditions and it is expected, so say the railroad men, that all kinds of freight will be moving on schedule time within a day or two.

There is one condition that has served materially to aggravate the coal situation. Dealers do not like to bring coal into Kansas until it is actually needed for the reason that demurrage charges must be paid on cars not unloaded within a certain rime after arriving at destination. Consequently coal is kept outside of Kansas City and rushed in when there is demand for it. The cold snap created the demand and at the same time brought about conditions which made it almost impossible to handle the coal. Railroad conditions men say continue that if the present weather there will not be any difficulty in getting the conf into Kansas City.

The Metropolitan Street Railway company, which probably uses more coal than any other Kansas City consumer, is also receiving fuel daily and its officials have no reason for expecting a scarcity at this time. The leading hotels are also well supplied. Their managers say that they do not expect to have any trouble keeping the fires in their furnaces going. THE WATER DEPARTMENT SUPPLIED. There were four cars of coal on track at the Turkey creek water works station to-day and the men in charge did not fear that the supply would run out.

They said they had more 011 the way that they were sure to receive. There was also a sufficient supply at Quindaro for present purposes. None of the packing houses has been A forced to close down on account of a shortage of coal and each packing house reports enough coal on hand to-day to run from two to six days. The supply of coal at the Nelson Morris packing, plant was nearly exhausted yesterday, but several cars of coal were secured last night and enough is now on hand to last to-day and co-morrow. By that time the large shipments which are on the way are expected to arrive and the situation will be relieved.

Mr. Petersen, of Schwarzschild Sulzberger's, this morning manager, that some alarm was felt yesterday over coal supply at that plant, but enough coal had been secured to run the plant. three, days. Large shipments are expected to- day and to-morrow, he said. At Swift's and Cudahy's practically the same statements were made.

Zorn Trial to Be atponed Again. an The trial of Dr. Louis Zorn, set for next Monday in the criminal court, will be postponed because the chief witness for the state is sick. Dr. Zorn is charged with the murder of Al Sechrist, a constable.

Do you buy insurance? Casey will intercat you. Kemper Tel. 1175 Main. SAN FRANCISCO'S CHIEF OUT. Scandal in the Police Department Caused by Chinese Gambling.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. a result of the recent scandals in the police department in connection with, gambling in the Chinese quarter, the chief of police, Mr. Wittman, was suspended last night from duty under charges of incompetency, and neglect of duty. NOT FOR GAS PIPING. Kansas House Refuses to Follow the Senate's Lend.

TOPEKA, Feb. -The gas bill will pass the house as prepared by the Kansas Gas Protective association and will prohibit the use of pumps on pipe lines. This was indicated this afternoon by the poll on the Adams amendment. It stood 70 against the use of pumps to 24 for their use. The senate bill favors gas piping by al lowing pumps on the pipe lines.

The senate probably will not pass the house bill. This would leave the pumping of gas at the producer's option. A SNOW FLURRY OR RAIN. Forecaster Connor's Weather Predietion for -Colder To-Morrow. 7 n.

m. 30 8 a. m. ...20 1 p. a.

...33 10 a. 3 p. 11 a. m. 111.

A snow flurry or a light rain may be expected to-night. The temperature probably will range from 22 to 26 degrees above zero. P. Connor, the weather forecaster, also predicts a colder temperature and light rains to-morrow. The minimum a temperature here last night was 14 degrees above zero.

It was recorded at 7 o'clock. At 6 o'clock this morning the temperature was 26 degrees. In the West and Northwest also been a decided rise in the since yesterday morning. In only a few places in the Northwest is zero weather prevailing In Missouri and Iowa the temperature is ranging from TO to 26 degrees above: in Kansas and Nebraska from 22 to 20 degrees and in Oklahoma TO For 26 the to first 28 time degrees. since January 27 the temperature went above the freezing point that day the maximum temthe maximum temperature was 34 degrees.

perature, was 30 degrees. On January 23 2 o'clock this afternoon the temperature was 33 degrees. "It will go a few degrees higher before evening, said Mr. Connor. "It is only a spurt, however.

To-morrow the temperature will be colder." DROWNED IN A BATHTUB. Miss Emma Dillard, Formerly a Cleric In Dry Goods Store, Found Dead. Miss Emma Dillard, who boarded at East Fourteenth street, was found dead in the bathtub there this morning. The tub was filled with water and Miss Dillard, had apparently been drowned. She was partly dressed when found.

Miss Dillard had been in the bathroom about twenty minutes when Mrs. E. S. who lives in the house, went to the door and knocked. Getting no response, she summoned the janitor of the house, and he burst open the door.

Miss Dillard bad been in poor health for two years and was for a time a patient at Dr. John Pune ton's sanitarium at Thirtieth street and Lydia avenne. She left there a week ago, against the advice of her physicfans, Miss Dillard worked at Peck's dry goods store, in the lace department, for several years until her health forced her to give up her place. DIDN'T LEAVE HIS SIGNATURE. A Departing Hotel Guest Surprised the Clerk at the Midland.

The Midland hotel entertained a guest recently who gave one of the clerks a shock by his queer method of taking leave, The guest walked to the desk and pleasantly remarked: "Well, I guess I'll go now; I've paid my bill." saying, he looked over the register carefully until he found his name. Then he took a pen, dipped it in the ink, and with a flourish, began to make big black scratches across his name in the book. The clerk overcame the temporary paralysis o- casioned by surprise in time to prevent the total effacement of the name, but not soon enough to keep some ugly ink marks from the register. "I have thought much about the strange proceeding," said the clerk, "and the only explanation I have is that the man was worth several million dollars, and was afraid to leave his signature in exposed places like hotel registers, for fear someone might cut out the autograph and paste it on a EASTERN OIL MEN HERE. Are Going to Topeka To-Night to Study the Situation in Kansas, P.

W. Roth of Buffalo, N. and W. L. McKenzie and I.

S. Motter of Lima, O. are at the Hotel Baltimore. Mr. Roth is senior member of the Roth-Argue Maire Oil company of Lima, owners of some of the biggest wells in the Bartlesville, I.

T. oil field and of other oil properties in Kansas. Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Motter are also members of the company.

The party is going to Topeka to-night to study the oil situation. CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH. A Fire In Peoria, Ill, Also. Injured the Father and Mother. PEORIA, Feb.

of a mysterious origin in the house of Manning Harris, a coal miner living at Edwards. fourteen miles from his city, burned to death three small children to The mother was taken from the burning house badly burned. Harris was also badly to alarm the family the doors burned. When the neighbors, attempted and windows locked. The mother was.

Provisions Searce on Nantucket Island. NANTUCKET, Feb. -Only three barrels of kerosene remain on Nantucket island, which is blockaded by ice. Many homes are 111 darkness. Butter is sold half pound lots.

Some of the dealers are without sugar, molasses and beans, but there are enough necessaries to withstand an ice siege of several weeks longer. Skating Still Good in the Parks. The park officials said this morning that the ice was still in good condition for skating to day, but if the weather continues mild the ice will soon become soft and will be somewhat cut up by the skaters. CAN'T CATCH PURSE THIEVES WOMEN ROBBED ALMOST DAILY IN THE SHOPPING DISTRICT. Eleven Victims of Purse Snatchers In Fifteen Days and No Arrests- -The Police Say They Will Get Them Yet.

February 8---Mrs. Nellie Parish, 9919 Campbell. street: purse, containing $7, snatched by negro near Twenty-ninth and Harrison streets. February 9-Mrs. L.

Berlow, 720 Locust street; purse, containing $9, snatched by negro at Ninth and Cherry streets. February 9-Mrs. Jennie Ellis. 905 Penn street: purse, containing $3.50, snatched by negro near Tenth and Penn streets, February 10-Mrs. Nellie McKay, 612 West Thirteenth street; purse, containing $1.60, snatched by negro near Thirteenth and Broadway, February 11-Mrs.

Maude Steele, 1118 Charlotte street; purse, with $1.50, snatched by negro at Fourteenth street and Grand avenue. February 11-Mrs. Mary Peiyman, 2025 West Prospect place; purse, containing $2, at Eighth street and Broadway. February 11-Mrs. Annie Kinney, 1168 East Second street; purse snatched by negro al Eighth and Holmes streets.

February 12- Miss Margaret Maywood, 1003 Penn street; attacked by white man, who snatched purse, containing $5, at Eleventh street and Broadway. February 13-Mrs. Mary Anthony, 2505 Brighton avenue; purse, containing $1,80, snatched by negro near Twelfth street and Baltimore aventie. February 14-- -Miss Sarah Rickey 1412 Charlotte street; purse snatched by white man at Fourteenth street and Grand avenue. February 16-- Miss Gene Frotz; held up by negro, who snatched purse, containing $6, on Eleventh street, between Wyandotte and Central streets, Within fifteen days eleven women have been victims of purse snatchers, who have become so daring that they, carry 011 their work even in the shopping district of the city.

It is dangerous for a woman to be on the streets unaccompanied after dark. One of the most daring of these robberies took place last night, when Gene Frotz, a maid employed by Miss Helen Grantly, an actress, was attacked at Eleventh and Central streets at 7 o'clock. While it was dark, there were many persons on the streets when the thief, who evidently had no fear of being molested by a policeman, stopped the young woman and forcibly took her purse containing $6. NO ARRESTS FOR A MONTH. Many other women have been stopped by the thieves while returning home from work early in the evening.

In nearly every case the victims were on down town streets and the thief was a negro who snatched the purses and then ran. In one instance violence- was resorted to by the thief. On February 12, a white struck Miss Margaret Maywood at Eleventh, and Broadway and knocked her down because she had 110 purse to give him when he demanded it. No purse snatchers have been arrested within a month. CHIEF HAVES PROMISES ACTION.

"Every officer that can possibly be spared has been assigned to capture, the thief or thieves who has been snatching purses," said Chief Hayes this morning. "So far we have been unsuccessful but will capture them. I will say this, it will only be a question of a few days until we has able to give us a description of have them, in jail. None of the women the thieves. However, I believe that almost all this work has been done by one negro.

"Last fall there was 3 similar siege of this crime and we stopped it. There are eight purse snatchers 111 the county jail awaiting trial." PAID 450 DEPOSITORS IN A DAY. worth City of the Savings Cirenlt Bank Clerk in Settlement. the Kansas The circuit clerk, Harry G. Henley, paid 450 depositors of the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings bank yesterday.

He will pay quite as many to-day. Those who hold certificates, numbered from 1,500 to 2,000 are paid to-day, Those who hold certificates numbered from 2,000 to 2,500 will be paid to-morrow. There are about 7,000 depositors. No. depositor need hesitate to surrender his certificate because it then becomes a court record.

It will be carefully preserved and may be examined at any time. LAMBS ARE COSTLY. Record Prices at the Stock Ball Million Fattened on Peas. Sheep cost more in the Kansas City stock yards than ever before. Lambs sold yesterday for $8 a hundred, yearlings, $6.90, ewes $5.50 and wethers $5.90.

Most of the animals have been fattened on cow peas. Up to three years ago peas had not been used as a fattening feed 111 the West. This year about million more fattened on peas in one locality alone, the San Luis valley in Colorado. High prices are due to a 20 per cent decrease in the lamb crop in New Mexico, Arizona and the Northwest. IT NEEDS LOTS OF SOAP.

An Attempt Started to Conquer the Dirt at the City Market. There is an odor of soapsuds at the city market. There has been an awakening on the part of the officials to the need of a general cleaning up and additional janitor service has been provided, but the condition of the building is such that it will need a large quantity of soap and energy, Windows are being washed, and the effort at cleanliness may reach the grimy woodwork, the tenants and patrons hope. TO INVESTIGATE THEIR DEATHS. An Inquest for Four Children Who Perished in Flames Over the Line.

D. M. Shiveley, coroner of Wyandotte county, will hold an inquest to-morrow to inquire into the case of the four children burned to death in Kansas City, last night. Two negro families lived in a frame shanty on some. land across from the Swift Packing company plant.

While the parents of one family were away the house caught fire and burned. The young children were caught in the building and perished. ELECTION WITNESS IS MISSING. Charles 0. Smith Was to Have Testified in the Farrell Election Fraud Case.

Charles O. Smith, charged with election fraud, is missing. Smith promised the former prosecutor to testify against John L. Farrell, who was 4 under arrest upon the same charge. Smith was released without bond upon request of A.

S. Lyman, former assistant prosecutor. He has not been here since. His case was called for trial to-day and postponed to April 27. in the criminal court.

A good place to discuss business matters is Heidelberg at Hotel Baltimore. The best of German dishes are served there. W. A. WHITE OUT OF DANGER.

The Kansan WIll Return From Colorado to Hits Home Soon. EMPORIA, Feb. -William Allen White, who has been ill of grip and erysipelas, is now out of danger, and word has been received that he and his family will return home soon, Mr. and Mrs. White went to Manitou, for the health of their infant daughter, who has recovered.

NO KANSAS RACE BETTING. Senator Brewer's BIll in Topeka Probably WIll Become Law. TOPERA, Feb. Brewer of Dickinson county will have his bill to prohibit bookmaking and pool selling made a special order for an early day and push it through. He has made a canvass of the members of both the senate and the house and says there is no doubt that it will become a law.

The bill is drastic and if it becomes a law there will be little chance for gamblers and others who keep pool rooms either at or remote from race courses and gamble upon the endurance of man or beast, to escape punishment. It provides for a fine of $3,000 or a term in jail, or both. If both the branches of the legislature pass the bill it will receive the signature of Governor Hoch without question. The proposed bill stopping bookmaking and pool selling in Kansas will be of particular interest to Kansas City, where bookmakers have operated across the Missouri line in Kansas City, when forced to suspend in Kansas City, Mo. The patronage of the race betting pool room across the line in the bottoms is drawn almost entirely from the Missouri side.

AFTER OTHER GAMBLERS. TOO. Senate BIlE to Make Convictions Easy in the State. TOPEKA, Feb. -The senate.

by a suspension of the rules, passed Senator Waggener's bill this morning making it easy to convict violators of the gaming law. It IS air amendment to the general statutes and following is its text: Section 2247. No person shall be incapacitated from testifying touching any committed by another against any of the provisions of the act relating to gaming to which this is amendatory by reason of having participated in any prohibited games or played at or with any gaining device prohibited by the laws of the state of Kansas, but no person shall be prosecuted or punished on account of any transaction, matter or thing concerning which he may be so required to testify or produce evidence. Provided, That nothing in this act shall be construed to exempt such person from prosecution and punishment for perjury in so testifying. It now goes to the house.

DEAD IN A SUBMARINE BOAT. Two Killed and Fifteen Injured In Explosions off Queenstown, Ireland. QUEENSTOWN, IRELAND, Feb. explosion of gasoline occurred on board the new British submarine boat "A-5" to-day while the officers and crew, eleven men, were charging the tanks. The crew were hurled in all directions.

Nine of them were picked up by boats and taken to a hospital. The crew of the British gunboat Hazard volunteered to go to the rescue of the submarine boat's crew, but hardly had they got on board the submarine when a second explosion took place and all the rescuers were more or less injured. Lieutenant Skinner, an officer of the submarine boat, subsequently died of his injuries. Two dead men were found 011 board "A-5" The total number of men injured was fifteen. Several of them were blown out of the boat and far out into the water.

They will die. FINED TWO TONS OF COAL. A Barber Took Fuel While the Owner Was Being Shaved. By order of Judge Brady Robert Brown, owner of a barber shop at 116 East Eighth street, gave two tons of coal to Chief Hayes this morning for distribution to poor families. Brown was arraigned in police this morning on the charge of stealing coal from the basement of Toohey Shannon's saloon, 118 East Eighth street.

Joseph Shannon testifed that he was a customer of Brown. said that when he went into the shop to be shaved another barber would do the work while Brown went into the basement of the saloon next door and took the coal. At the request of Shannon, Brown was not fined, but was ordered to give coal to the police. SECRET MEETING OF MINISTERS. Was Called for the Purpose of Discussing the So-Called Bill.

A called meeting of the Kansas City Ministers alliance was held in the rooms of the Western Methodist Book concern, 1123 McGee street, this afternoon. The meeting was for the purpose of discussing the bill before the legislature repealing the so-called breeders' law, which relates to horse racing. The Rev. Albert Bushnell, representing the executive committee, read two resolutions relating to the bill. One placed the alliance against it.

The second resolution suggested that every minister present a petition to his congregation next Sunday asking the legislature to repeal the present law. Auxiliary to Railway Mall Clerks. The preliminary organization of a woman's auxiliary to the Railway Mail Cierks' association was formed last night at a meeting held at the home of Vernon Snyder, 3320 East Fourteenth street. Mrs. George DeWolf was chosen temporary chairman and Mrs.

O. O. Kirkam temporary secretary. A permanent organization will be perfected at a meeting March I. NEWS NOTES.

The Senate in Washington to-day received a formal invitation to attend the opening of the Lewis and Clark exposition at Portland, June 1. No action was taken. Ex-Governor Horace Boies of Iowa, who is ill in Hot Springs, seems much improved to-day and his son. H. B.

Boies. will leave for home to-night. The gOVernor, however, will remain. His illness is extreme nervousness. In the National House of Representatives to-day, following the adoption of the conference report upon the omnibus claims bill, the House resumed consideration of the bill to provide a government for the Panama canal zone.

All the committee amendments were agreed to and the bill was passed. The three-story brick building occupied by Vivian as a carriage and harness repository and the bank protection company, burned to-day in Minneapolis. The loss is $90,000. The fire burned so fiercely that the police deemed it advisable to arouse the guests of the Rockingham and Holmes hotels adjoining. GARFIELD TOLD TO BEGIN MR.

ROOSEVELT TAKES UP THE STANDARD OIL INVESTIGATION. The Request of Congress for an Investigation Caused Immediate Action President--Governor Hoch Probsbly Will Sign the Refinery Bill. WASHINGTON, Feb. -President Roosevelt to-day directed James R. Garfield, commissioner of corporations of the Department of Commerce Labor, to begin immediately the oil investigation quested by the House of Representatives yesterday in a resolution adopted unanimously.

The investigation by direction of the President will be rigid and comprehensive. The President has directed a letter to Commissioner Garfield in which he has given his directions and presented 111 outline his views, The inquiry will be pressed as rapidly as possible. The scope of the investiga- ARe COMMISSIONER GARFIELD. tion and the time it will occupy cannot indicated at this time. Representative Campbell of Kansas, the author of the resolution adopted by the house, had conference with President Roosevelt today.

Mr. Campbell's, idea is that the investigation should concern particularly the situation in the Kansas field, but he expressed to the President his belief that the inquiry begun, would extend the operations the Standard Oil comonce, pany in the Beaumont field of Texas and perhaps to other fields. OIL BELT ASKED TO HELP. The request was made this morning, through Representative Campbell, that the people of the oil field at once place themselves in position to co-operate with the commissioner of corporations in quickly ascertaining all the facts in regard to the Standard Oil company's operations. To this end it is suggested that committees be appointed in the following towns for the purpose of forwarding information Department of Labor and Commerce: Chanute, Humboldt, Sedan, Peru, Independence, Coffeyville and Neodesha.

Heretofore there has been a of opinion between the commissioner of corporations and the department of justice in regard to the use which should be made of the information acquired by the agents of the corporation bureaus. Mr. Garfield has contended that this information was only intended for the President and Congress as a guide to legislation. The language of the Campbell resolution makes the present investigation materially different from any other undertaken by corporation bureau. It is specifically provided that "such information may be used by Congress as a basis for legislation or the department of justice as a basis for legal THE EAST WATCHING KANSAS.

It can be stated that the administration is in thorough sympathy with the proposed investigation, and all departments of the government will co-operate. The Kansas situation has attracted universal attention throughout the East. The action of the Kansas legislature in appropriating money to build a state refinery was displayed in all the newspapers to-day. Elaborate reviews were printed of the development of the oil field, and the methods of the Standard company. HOCH PROBABLY WILL SIGN.

TOPEKA, Feb. -Governor Hoch will, is believed, sign the bill providing for the erection by the state of an oil refinery, passed by the house yesterday, but he clines to say anything of his intentions. The governor and his friends hoped, it is said, to defeat the measure, but the fact that the house passed it by such an overwhelming majority will, it is believed, deter him from vetoing it. The two bills passed by the house yesterday affect not only the oil trust, socalled, but other combines. The freight rate bill passed makes the railroads common carriers, and in this way the oil trust, as well as other truste, are to be fought.

The anti-discrimination bill, which has been set for consideration to-morrow, is said to have friends enough to insure its passage. This measure was drawn up with the intention of preventing any trust from entering Kansas and underselling in the state. STUBBS FEARS THE FUTURE. Speaker Stubbs, in explaining his vote against the refinery bill, is believed 1 to have expressed the sentiments of the administration on that measure when he said: "The legislature of Kansas has overturned the traditions of history. It is att alarming situation.

This is only a beginning, and nobody dares say where this frenzy will lead us. It may go too far. The men supporting this bill have not looked far enough ahead." JOHN D. WAS "INTERESTED." No Statement From the Standard 0118 Head, However. NEW YORK, Feb.

D. Rockefeller, head of the Standard Oil company, now in Lakewood, N. has been informed of the action taken by the House of Representatives requesting the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to investigate the crude oil and petroleum situation, with special reference to recent developments in the Kansas field. Mr. Rockefeller received the news with interest.

but declined to make any comment. Officials of the company in this city also were disinclined to discuss the matter. IL. H. Rogers said: "In view of the limited information which has reached me and the fact that the Standard Oil company is already the subject of inquiry, I can say nothing regarding the matter.

I am unacquainted with the nature of the investigation which has been set on foot. In any event, I can not see the propriety of a statement at this time." FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION. A Kansas Resolution To-Morrow a Standard Oil Fight Result. TOPERA, Feb. The bills striking at the Standard Oil trust have been met with 50 many objections on constitutional grounds that a strong sentiment 1 has sprung up in favor of a new constitution and a constitutional convention to form one.

A new convention has been often proposed by lawyers, politicians and newspapers, but the Prohibitionists, fearful of losing their pet amendment, have been strong enough to shut off the discussion and frighten the politicians into submission. But now there is a bigger issue in the public mind--that of the trusts- and it is the first time since 1880 that a bigger question than prohibition has been before the people of this state. To successfully fight the trusts and restore commerce to fair competition, the powers of the legislature and of the executive must be broadened. The trust must be outlawed by a specific provision of the constitution and to do this the constitution must be reconstructed. Besides this, the state has outgrown the present limitations of the constitution in all its provisions, and the only way to mend it is to let go of it and make an entirely new one, To this end a resolution submitting the question of calling a constitutional convention to a vote of the people in 1906 has been prepared.

It is scheduled to be introduced by the senate committee of judiciary to-morrow. RAPS A TERRITORIAL COMPANY. Sceretary Hitchcock Arraigns the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Corporation. WASHINGTON, Feb. Hitchcock gave out a statement to-day arraigning as a "gigantic monopoly" the present lease the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil company of the right to prospect for oil and gas throughout the entire area of the Osage Indian reservation and explain-1 ing the agreement reached several days ago for cutting off more than one half of the lands operative under this lease the next ten years.

The statement sets forth that what is known as the Osage oil lease, granting the exclusive right to prospect, develop and sublet for oil and gas throughout the entire million acres of the Osage Indian lands, was granted for ten years by the then Secretary of the Interior Hoke Smith March 16, 1806, to Edwin B. Foster, but that "after a checkered existence" the lessee is known as the Indian Territory Illuminating Oil company, "It was, says this statement. "one of the most gigantic monopolies ever issued for an individual or company by any Secretary of the Interior. The original lease was nothing short of a public scandal." Secretary Bliss investigated the lease with a view to canceling it, but found he could not do so legally. The statement says Secretary Hitchcock especially opposed the extension of the original lease because the company is obtaining from the Indians practically 50 per cent of the royalty accruing to the Indians who own the property, while the sub-lessees provide the capital.

An amendment to the Indian appropriation bill incorporating the final conclusion reached by the various interests and the department, intended to protect both the Indians and the sublessees, cuts the lands operative under the lease to. 680,000 acres. OIL. LESSEES ARE DESPERATE. Territorial Operators WIll Make a Final Effort With Secretary Hitchcock.

MUSKOGEE, I. Feb. determined effort will be made by the oil producers of Indian territory to break up the present system of oil leases effective in Indian territory and place the oil business on an entirely different basis. Notice was received by some of the operators here last night that they would be expected to join the movement. The plan, so far as it has been decided, is to organize the strongest lobby that has ever gone to Washington from Indian territory, furnish them plenty of means and keep them in Washington until the Secretary of the Interior is convinced.

This combination intends to get the active support of the off men in the Pennsylvania field and they think that enough pressure can be brought to bear on the Secretary of Interior to force him to throw down the bars and let the oil men pass the impassable barriers he has erected about the territory oil field by the present system of leases. The oil men have been driven to this step by the Secretary's order to make a financial showing within fifteen days. They know that they cannot put up the money and they are going to try to hold the leases without it. SHUT OFF HIS WATER SUPPLY. Superintendent Goodwin of the Water Works Hadn't Pald His Bill.

Even the officials of the water ment are made to feel the effect of violating their own rules. W. G. Goodwin 15. superintendent of the water works.

was called up by telephone by Mrs. Goodwin," he said this morning, "and informed that there was a meter inspector at the house shutting off the water because my bill was not paid. I had forgotten all about it. I made a rush for 1 the collector's office and paid up in time to have the man at the shutoff valve turn the water on again." TO WAIT FOR A THAW. The City Not Ready 10 Clean the Streets With Shovels.

The street department is waiting for the weather to thaw the snow on the streets sufficiently to make it possible to remove it by the flushing process. It is asserted that the force is insufficient to do the work with shovels. The snow remains on the sidewalks, few occupants of buildings having cleared them. There is need of activity Oft. the part of the police to compel the cleaning of the side walks.

A Smithrille, Couple Eloped. SMITHVILLE, Feb. 16 James Cavanaugh, son of Patrick Cavanaugh, living south of town, and Miss May Lewis, daughter of Daniel Lewis of Paradise, ran away and were married in Platte City this morning. H. HYDE IS RE-ELECTED.

AN AGREEMENT REACHED IN THE EQUITABLE LIFE FIGHT. James W. Alexander Will Stay aN Prentdent- -The Announcement Made That Some Kind of a Mutunilention Plan Had Been Adopted. New YORK, Feb. meeting of the board of directors of the Equitable Life Assurance society adjourned at 4:45 o'clock.

No official statement was made public then, but it was unofficially stated that President James W. Alexander and First Vice President James H. Hyde and all the other officers of the society had been re-elected, that the meeting had been harmonious and that some kind of a mutualization plan had been adopted. New YORK, Feb. -The crucial point in a contest involving control of 400 million dollars will be reached this afternoon when the directors of the Equitable Life Assurance society meets to consider the question of changing the association from stock to a mutual company, On one side is James H.

Hyde, worth 60 million dollars, vice president and holder of a majority of the society's capital stock, while arrayed against him is President James W. Alexander of the association, together with thirty-eight other officers of the society. Several of Hyde's friends said today that the $100,000 ball at Sherry's which Hyde gave is only brought up as an excuse to aid in the attack upon the Equitable's vice president. The story, they say, that the ball "sent a shiver through life insurance business" is nonsense. WOULD ELIMINATE HYDE.

President. Alexander and his supporters have proposed a plan to change the association from a stock to a mutual company. Their proposition, if agreed to, Mr. Hyde's friends declare, will practically eliminate Mr. Hyde from the management of the company, even if his majority holdings of the stock of the company are retained.

It is said the reorganization contemplates the retirement of Mr. Hyde as vice president, too. Both Mr. Hyde and President Alexander have given out statements in regard to to-day's meeting defining their respective positions and it was apparent from those that the positions of the opposing interests were widely separated. Mr.

Hyde declares that while he favors the mutual plan to a certain extent, he has 110 intention, whatever, of giving up his control of the company. President Alexander's statement declares that Mr. Hyde's retirement is a matter of first importance to all of those interested in the association. HYDE WILL WIN, HE SAYS. Although Mr.

Schiff and others have spoken for Mr. Hyde, the young vice president himself has confined himself to the one declaration that he will retain his office and stand pat. One of his personal representatives, however, issued this semiofficial statement for him: "We have the Alexander faction beaten to a standstill. Thirty-seven out of fifty directors are pledged to Mr. Hyde, and he will make no concessions.

When the meeting is held this afternoon there will be fight, in which we will win out. Mr. Hyde will not force his opponents to make good their threats to resign, and it is probable that they will reconsider their announcement. It would be only just for him to force them out of office, as this fight against him has been as selfish as it is unjust. Here is Hyde's brief statement: HYDE'S BRIEF STATEMENT, "I will not resign.

I shall be able to maintain my control. And every policy holder in the Equitable may rest assured that I will sacredly protect his interests. am Standing pat. James Alexander said this morning: "I have 110 personal ambition to seek personal control. The policy holders and their families are the objects of my solicitude and I have no doubt that the voice of these policy holders and of a sound public opinion will be listened to.

Directors who are affiliated with both sides attempted early to-day to bring about an agreement. So far as known, however, no compromise has been effected. It is said that at the meeting of the directors a week ago, Mr. Hyde offered to place 510. shares which he controls in the hands of the directorate for five years.

These shares, whose par value is only $51,000, are held by Mr. Hyde, his mother and his sister, Mrs. 'Sidney Dillon Ripley, This offer was refused. INCIDENTS OF THE $100,000 BALL. Hyde Appeared With Rejane Whille Wives of Diplomats Were Ignored.

NEW YORK, Feb. Until a month ago, it may be fairly said, James H. Hyde was unknown to the general public. He awoke the day after the Louis XV revel he gave at Sherry's and found himself famous. Now it is said that this revel paved the way for the attempt at his undoing.

In effect, his rivals are saying: "We do not question your honesty or your sincerity, and we are satisfied that you have ability. But you cannot mix social extravagances with the management of an insurance concern which handles millions of the people's money. It will be better for you to retire." This comes, by the way, notwithstanding that among Mr. Hyde's guests at the famous revel were many of the directors of the Equitable, company who are now asked to vote away his control of the concern. So it appears that the "can-can" danced by the onyx table at Sherry's has involved.

478 million dollars of money and welfare of million citizens of the United States who hold the policies in the Equitable Life Assurance society, The actual cost of the Rejane "can-can" thus far has been: To cost of Sherry dinner, to loss in business by company, million dollars; total, 000. A story that was told to-day to illustrate how the contest against Mr. Hyde had its start, was that among the guests at the revel were Mme. Jusserand, wife of the French ambassador. and Mme.

W. H. Waddington, widow of the former premier of France. who was a diplomat of the first rank. When the hour for supper arrived, it is alleged, Mme.

Jusserand and Mme. Waddington found that no places had been assigned to them at the table, nor had any provision been made to have them escorted to the banquet room. At the critical moment, Mr. Hyde appeared on the arm of Rejane, the actress. Mrie.

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