The Watertown News du lieu suivant : Watertown, Wisconsin • 7

FIFTEEN DEAD IN MISSOURI CYCLONE Many Homes Are Destroyed in Northern Part State. WHOLE FAMILIES WIPED OUT Osage Indian Reservation in Oklahoma Also Visited by Twister and Town of Nelagony la Destroyed. Kansas City, June Twenty are known to be dead in Bates and Johnson counties, southeastern Missouri, where a tornado Saturday evening mowed down giant trees and destroyed all homes in its path of death, sixty miles long The twister dipped to earth near Lacygne, Kan. Its fury Increased as It sped northeast Into Missouri, blotting out whole families, venting its rage mostly on women and babies, ending five miles northeast of Drexel, Mo. As if to laugh at the diabolic havoc wrought, the storm picked up the Galloway home, tore its walls asunder, scattered the timbers to the four winds, stripped the mother, father and child of their clothing and left them standing in the road, a hundred yards from where their residence had stood a minute before.

The path was fifty miles. The storm had death wings. Few were left uninjured. In the Cory neighborhood were found many features. The handle of a pitchfork was found sticking in the top of an oak tree.

Near here were found scores of dead chickens, some of them without a feather left to their bodies. The end gate of a wagon was found in the Cory barnyard sticking in the hard ground. A Kansas City Southern train of nine cars was blown off the track near Drexel and the train turned in the opposite direction. Some of the cars standing, some on their sides and backs, all off the track, including the engine. It was a work train filled with Greeks.

One was killed and 17 hurt Warrensburg, June 18. tornado one-half mile wide swept northeastward eight miles through southern Johnson county and northern Henry county. For five miles, from a mile northeast of Shawnee Mound, Henry county, to a mile south of Leeton, Johnson county, almost every dwelling house was blown away. The home of Don Carlos, one and a half miles southeast of Leston, was crushed and Carlos and his wife were killed in their beds. The home of the Misses Mllmer was destroyed and the two women were carried into a field, but were not hurt.

Near Sutherland, the home of Guy Booth was destroyed. Booth was killed and his wife and two daughters, Blanche and Ethel, were fatally Injured. Zanesville, Ohio, June 18. were killed, one of them being a priest, who met his death while administering the last sacraments to one of the other victims, In a cyclone which struck this city. Mote than five hundred houses were damaged and fifty families were rendered homeless by the storm.

Scores of narrow escapes were reported. It is estimated that the storm caused damage of more than 000. Plain City. 17 miles west of Columbus, was almost demolished and several persons are reported to have been injured. AMERICUS LOSES TO GOTCH.

Champion Wins In Straight Falls By Using Toe Hold. Baltimore, June 16. Gotch defeated Gus Schoenlein (Americas) here in straight falls, taking the first In 62 minutes and 10 seconds and the second in 34 seconds, both with the toe hold. The match took place In the open at Oriole park, a cold drizzle setting in before it was over. Prom the beginning it was plain that Gotch was the superior of Amerlcus, but the Baltimorean put up a game fight, refusing to give up until Gotch clamped a toe hold on right foot.

The member was so swollen that Americua was obliged to begin the second round without shoes. The injury incapacitated him, and Gotch gained the second fall easily, again using the toe hold. BAKER TO GET GATES GIFT. Relatives Waive the Conditions Attaching to the $250,000 Bequest. Aurora, 111., Juno the eve of departing with Henry Baker, nephew and heir of the late John W.

Gates, for California in the hope of his recovery from tuberculosis, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gates, other heirs, have agreed to give him the $250,000 left him by his uncle without any of the conditions fixed in the Oates will. One was that the young man must complete hla college course still unmarried. Big Strike la Settled.

Perth Amboy, N. J. June strike of 1,100 employes of the American Smelting and Refining company, which has cost three lives and a property loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars, was settled Sunday. Aerial Tour of England On. London, June Slack started os his aerial tour of England Sunday, flying from the Henderson aerodrome.

He quickly took to an altitude of one thousand feet. Bradford was his first stop. La Follette Reaches Fifty-Seven. Washington. June La Follette of Wisconsin, the Progressive presidential candidate, was fifty-seven years old Friday.

Mr. La Follette, who Is in this city at present, is enjoying the best of health. West Point Hotel Destroyed Newburgh. N. June explosion of an alcohol lamp used hy of the guests In heating curling Irons, practically destroyed the historic Point hotel here Friday.

The building was built in 1829. TAFT VETOES ARMY BILL WITH GEN. WOOO OUSTER President Sends Entire Measure Back to Congress With Message of Disapproval. Washington, June 19. Taft on Monday vetoed the army appropriation bill, carrying a provision to legislate Major General Wood oit of hia office as chief of staff The president returned the bill to the house with a sharp message on the propriety of attaching special legislation to an appropriation bill.

In his message the president said; "The army of the United States Is far too vital an institution to the people of this country to be made the victim of hasty or imperfect theories of legislation. As was pointed out by the chairman of the senate military committee, it Is well known that the wa college and the general staff have been for many months engaged upon comprehensive plan of army reorganization. At the present time, therefore, it Is especially inappropriate. In my opinion, to force upon the statute books legislation enacted without the usual deliberation and care. I cannot consciously surrender the responsibility in shaping such laws with Which I am vested under the Constitution.

therefore, return to your honorable body, without mv approval, the said The flat declaration that ho was opposed to the enactment of legislation as a rider on an appropriation bill was taken as an indication that he would also veto the legislative, judicial and executive bill, which carries an amendment that would abolish the commerce court. BIRD WOMAN FALLS TO DEATH Miss Julia Clarke Is Killed at Springfield, 111., in Practice Flight. Springfield, 111., June 19. the first aviation accident in which a woman has figured Miss Julia Clarke of Denver, was killed on Monday in her Initial flight at the state fair grounds here. A mishap 500 feet In the air caused her Curtiss biplane to shoot to earth like a bullet.

The machine struck and lodged in a tree, but the young woman was hurled from her seat and her body horribly mangled by the Impact. The crowd who witnessed the acbident were horror stricken. Grimly suspicious of the machine which was alleged to have had an unlucky record, Miss Clarke left a note requesting that if she were killed that her body be taken to Denver for cremation at the Riverside crematory and that she be buried in Denver in a black dress The flight was in practice preliminary to an exhibition to be given here on Friday and Saturday. DEALS BLOW TO SHERMAN ACT Attorney General Says Sundry Civil Bill Repeals Anti-Trust Law. Washington, June house has so amended the sundry civil appropriation bill as virtually to repeal the Sherman anti-trust law, in the opinion of Attorney General Wickersham, if the provision is Anally enacted into law.

The amendment, it is said, would legislate Jacob M. Dickinson, former secretary of war, out of the employ of the government, as its chief counsel in the steel trust suit and others. The provision would forbid the attorney general from using the sundry civil appropriations for the payment of salary or allowance to any person holding another position under the government or who had been in the federal employ during the preceding two years. TABLETS MARK MARCH ROUTE. Advance of General Herkimer In 1777 Is Commemorated at Utica.

Utica, N. June Nicholas 40 mile advance through the Mohawk Valley to relieve Col. Peter Gansevoort at Fort Stanwix from the onslaught of a largo force of British and Indians in August, 1777, was commemorated Thursday by the unveiling of fourteen bronze tablets strung along his line of march. It Is probable that never before in bistory of the United States has as striking a memorial service been staged. BACK FROM VOLCANO AREA Cutter McCulloch Reports Finding But Two Dead in Katmai.

Seward, Alaska, June 19. revenue cutter McCulloch arrived hero on Monday from Kodiak. I with the cheering news that conditions in the district covered by ashes from Katmai volcano are much improved and that there is no confirmation of reports of the heavy loss of life on the mainland. All Inhabitants at Katmai, a main-' land village near the volcano, are safe, having been taken to Afognak. The only fatalities known to have resulted from the eruption were a woman and a baby who were dangerously ill.

Gale Wipes Ont Village. Guthrie, June 19. or more houses in the village of Kaylor. were smashed by a terrific gale, but every person in the population of 300 escaped and only two were hurt, according to news of Monday. Garroy Wins Grand Aviation Prize.

Angers, France, June 19. Garros, the French aviator, won the grand prize of aviation Monday. The prize was given by the French Aero club and was worth The distance covered was 653 miles. Vetoes Arizona Fight Bill. Phoenix.

June 17. F.unt on Friday vetoed the bill permitting twenty-round prize fights in In a message to the legislature Governor Hunt declared the bill wai a step backward. Women Ask for Franchise. Washington. June from 116,582 favoring a constitutional amendment enabling women to vote on the same terms as men, were presented to the house Friday by of Wisconsin.

JEROME WEAKENS H. K. CASE Brings Out Unfavorable Points as to His Sanity. EXPERT ALIENISTS ON STAND Number of Witnesses Testify That They Believe Slayer of Stanford White Is Sane and Rational. New York, June 19.

the first session of his third fight to secure his release from the Matteawan asylum for the insane, Harry K. Thaw' on Monday met with reverses that do not augur well for the securing his freedom. William Travers Jerome, who twice prosecuted Stanford slayer for the crime itself and twice later prevented his being set at liberty, was again the master of the situation. The former district attorney got one of the expert alienists, Dr. William A.

White, head of the government asylum for the insane at Washington, to swear that In his belief that Thaw not only Is sane now, but never was insane. Then Jerome confronted Doctor White with a sworn statement he made at the first trial to the effect that Thaw was absolutely insane when he shot White. Another alienist, Dr. Royal A. Leak of the Matteawan asylum, was obliged to admit that Thaw' has from which there is no recovery, and that "constitutional are one in ten paranoiacs and that they are apt to commit homicide while influenced by alcoholic or other excitement.

These admissions seemed to more than counterbalance Doctor assertion that Thaw is, despite his weakness, sane. There were other unfavorable points brought out by Jerome. There was a charge by him that the Thaw interests are hiding Susan Merrill, an important state witness. But in spite of the turn of things Thaw remained as cheerful and hopeful as ever. He is relying on winning his own battle when he takes the stand, although twice previously Jerome has been the victor in their duels.

He is going to let his attorney, Clarence J. Shearn, conduct his case and will not Interfere as he has always done before. Former Gov. A. Stone of Pennsylvania, who represents the Thaw family In civil affairs, testified that he had interviews with Harry on business matters and found him perfectly rational and competent.

President L. E. Holder of Wooster university in Ohio, said he was an old friend of the Thaw family; that Harry had given him when his college building was burned and that recently he had visited the young man six times and thought him perfectly rational. Dr. H.

Ernest Schmidt, a practicing physician in White Plains for 50 years and recognized as an expert for Bloomingdale, also considered Thaw perfectly sane. MEAT BOYCOTT ON INCREASE. Fifty Thousand New York Families Stop Use of Beef. New York, June 17. leaders of the movement to boycott meat among the Jews of the East side said that at the noon hour on Friday there were 50,000 families in the district who had pledged themselves not to eat flesh until prices are cut and that the number Is swelling every hour.

Of the 1,500 butcher shops on the East side only 150 are selling meat, about 600 are confining their sales to poultry and the remainder are closed entirely, according to Mrs. Sadie Erdman, the leader in the movement. BALKS AT TOGA. George Wingfield of Nevada Would Rather Attend to Mines. Reno, June 17.

Wingfield, millionaire mine operator, who was appointed by Governor Oddle to represent Nevada in the senate In place of the late Senator Nixon, may not accept the distinguished position offered him. Wingfield has written a remarkable letter to Governor Oddle, saying he must not sacrifice his business for the sake of going to Washington. Governor Oddie has not replied to the letter. CONFIRM DEATH. Washington Officials Believe This Will End the Cuban Revolt.

Washington, June 19. Usher from Guantanamo cabled the navy department on Monday a confirmation of the report that Estenoz, the Cuban insurgent leader, had been killed and that LaCaste, the paralytic rebel commander, had been captured by the government forces. Officials here believe this blow practically will terminate the revolution, though some brigand bands may continue to pillage and loot for some time. Orville Wright Will Continue Flying. New York, June 19.

spite of the wishes of his multi-millionaire friends on the directorate of the Wright company, Orville Wright will continue to fly whenever his own sweet will dictates. Friant Wins French Derby, Paris. June 19. Prix du Jockey French the Chantilly course was won by a rank outsider, Prince Murat's Friant 11., at 32 to 1. It was worth this year 200.

Prince of Wales a Man. London. June 18. prince of Wales attained his legal majority Sunday. He celebrated his eighteenth birthday.

On the attainment of this age he was given his own household, being selected by the king and queen. Forty-Two Clubmen Near Death. New York, June IS. motorboat Count, carrying 42 members of the Hancock Social club and a crew of 12 men, was wrecked Sunday on a dike, hidden by the high tide extending along the west shore of Flushing bay. DARROW TRIAL IS IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE Prosecutor Fredericks May Drop Case Because of Ruling Made by Judge Hutton.

Los Angeles, June 17. Darrow bribery trial is in danger of a collapse. District Attorney Fredericks, In a statement to the court on Friday, intimates that if Judge Hutton adheres to a ruling that he made per- milling the defense to interrupt the I program by placing O. A. i Tveltmoe and Antone Johannsen, the labor leaders, on the witness stand to i testify that Clarence S.

Darrow was In no way connected with the spiriting away of Mrs. Flora Caplan, he may re- fuse to proceed further In the case. This peculiar tangle in the trial grows out of the earlier employment of Earl Rogers, chief coun- self, by the and Manufac- association to Investigate the destruction of the Los Angeles Times building, and to attempt to capture the dynamiters. Rogers, in a statement immediately declared his position in this case had become intolerable as the result of the recent ruling, which declared that evidence of collateral crimes in the McNamara defense were admissable. He stated he had not expected such evidence to be admitted when he undertook the Darrow defense.

Now, particularly in the Mrs. Caplan matter, he found himself in possession of information which his client ought to know, but which he would not disclose to him. It was too late for him to withdraw and let another attorney be substituted. He asked that the court take some stand in the matter which would relieve him of this intolerable position. The specific thing that he asked was that, In order that his client might come in possession of these facts, the defense should be permitted at this time to put Johannsen and Tveltmoe, the labor leaders, on the stand to testify as to whether Darrow had any connection with the abduction from the state of Mrs.

Caplan. District Attorney Fredericks and Assistant District Attorney Ford argued vehemently against this proposal. ILLINOIS CONTEST IS FILED. Rainey Makes Objection to Seating Delegates From 20th District. Baltimore, June 18.

the Democratic national convention will not assemble until June 25, some of the delegates and committeemen who are here are of the opinion that the convention may be extended be yond the time set for its owing to the prospect of a long-drawnout fight In the Republican convention at Chicago. Representative H. T. Rainey of Illinois filed notice on Saturday with Secrdtary Urey Woodson that the seating of the two delegates and alternates from the Twentieth district of Illinois will be contested, but makes no mention on what grounds the contest will be founded. Several national committeemen have reached Baltimore.

The first to arrive was former Judge Martin J. Wade of lowa City, who Is a member of the subcommittee on arrangements. He said the lowa delegation is instructed for Clark. GIRL FREES MAN AS SLAYER. Cannot Connect Suspect With Killing of Eight in lowa.

Monmouth, 111., June 17. Attorney Batcliff of Yillisca, accompanied by Mrs. Emma Van Gilder and her daughter Fay, arrived here on Friday to see Joe Ricks, who is being held for a possible connection with the murder of the Moore family at Villisca, Sunday night. As soon as the girl saw Ricks she declared he was not the man she had seen in Yillisca. It Is believed here Ricks had no connection with the crime.

REPORT NEW MEXICO REVOLT. Vasquez Gomez Proposes Early Deposition of Orozco as President. Washington, June 18. organization of anew and powerful revolution in Mexico under the leadership of Vasquez Gomez as president, with the early deposition of Orozco by his generals is the news that comes to Washington from private Mexican sources. It is stated that Gomez has gone into Mexico from San Antonio and that he is to rally all the forces of the rebellion to make a final campaign.

SMELTER STRIKE IS SETTLED. Men at Perth Amboy, N. Gain Complete Victory. Perth Amboy, June 18. strike of 1,100 employes of the American Smelting and Refining company, which has cost three lives and a property loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars, was practically settled on a basis that gives the workmen a complete victory.

The men are given an average increase in pay of 15 per all they demanded and the odious bonus system is abolished. Five Drowned In Destructive Flood. Winnipeg, June 19. John Corcoran of the Camp Corcoran Construction company and four laborers were drowned in a flood which swept over the camp west of High River, Alberta, Monday night. Will Dissolve National Packing Cos.

Washington, June General Wickersham was advised that the National Packing company would be voluntarily dissolved by the beef packers by August 1. In view of this action suits will be abolished. Assaults Umpire; Gets Jail Sentence. Pittsburg. June assaulting Umpire Ralph C.

Kennedy of the S. C. Frick league Sunday. Charles Hague was sentenced to pay the costs of prosecution and a fine of SIOO and serve nine months in the county jail. Thaw Again Before Court.

New York. June 18. K. Thaw, slayer of Stanford White, Monday began before Supreme Court Justice Keogh in White Plains to obtain his release from the state hospital for the criminal insane at Matteawan. WANTS LIMIT FOR NEW STATE BANKS State Commissioner Points Out Defect of Present Laws.

CANNOT REFUSE APPROVAL Thinks Many New Institutions Create Needless and Unprofitable Competition, Thus Menacing the Stability of Financial Conditions. there is a serious defect in the banking law of Wissonsin, in that there is no adequate provision whereby permission to organize a new bank may be refused by the department, is pointed out in a recent report by Commissioner of Banking A. E. Kuolt. The commissioner declares that the number of banks, fifty-six, organized during the year 1911, is out of proportion to the resent needs of the state.

some of these new banks were needed in new says Commissioner Kuolt, in places which have outgrown their hanking facilities, others, located where such facilities are adequate to existing business, create needless and unprofitable competition. Untrammeled competition is a menace to the stability of the affected banks. Since it is the intention of bank regulation to strengthen, and unnecessary competition weakens, the need arises of some rule to restrict Commissioner Kuolt points out that under the provisions of the national bank act the comptroller of the currency is clothed with power to refuse charters to new' banks for cause, fie says that the only statutory provision in Wisconsin for the refusal of the prescribed certificate of authority to commence business is contained in section 2024-12 of the code and is inadequate both as to cause and time of refusal. The cause spefliced must be that the bank has been for other than legitimate banking Other valid causes are not recognized by this statute. The time falls upon the date w'hen the bank is ready to open for business.

To refuse a charter at this eleventh hour would cause hardship and financial loss to stockholders, many of whom might be innocent of any design to violate or to circumvent the law'. pow'er of refusal should be Solncident with the first overtures to organize a new' says the commissioner. SCOUTS MAY BUY FARM Plan State Reservation for Badger Near Valley Junction Under Consideration. are under way for the purchase of a state reservation for the Boy Scouts of Wisconsin. One of the sites considered for such a reservation where the scouts of Wisconsin could gather each summer is Bonnie View-, about tw and a half miles from Valley Junction.

A natural lake and adjoining farm wdth a humber of cottages, the site of a camping resort, are points in its favor. The purpose is to have in Wisconsin for the Boy Scouts a second such as was held last year in Indiana. The farm, with its thirty acres of cranberries, would be worked by boys in summer and would be the source of considerable income. Efforts may be made to have the farm, which is part of a camping resort, bought by a company of men interested in the Boy Scouts. After purchase the grounds be selfsupporting.

All state patrols of the Boy Scouts w'ould he- welcome to camp at the farm for one or two w'eeks each summer Give Standard Measure. Madison. berry growers and dealers are honestly complying with the berry box law and the regulations under that law as administered by the department of weights and measures. Dairy and Food Commissioner Emery says that his agents report but little complaint of failure. Expect 300 Delegates.

Oshkosh. 200 and 300 delegates and members are expected to attend the state convention of the Christian Endeavor Union in this city July 27-30. The total membership in Wisconsin is 10,000. Stephenson Comes Home. Washington, D.

Stephenson of Wisconsin has gone to hia (home at Marinette to remain until July 1. Old Soldier Breaks Neck. the breaking of a scaffolding on the Johnson Lumber company building, Harrison Weidman, an old settler and civil w'ar veteran, fell and broke his neck. Four other workmen also precipitated to the ground, were uninjured. Waukesha Pastor Weds.

R. Jack, pastor of the German church in Waukesha, was married here to Miss Mabel Sloan of Arlington Ninety-six Receive Diplomas. and diplomas were issued to ninety-six students of Lawrence college at the sixty-second annual commencement, being the largest number in the history of the Institution. Three Members of Family Die. Neenah.

family of H. J. Becker, residing north of here, is sorely afflicted. Within a week a son aged 17, the mother, and a 10- months-old daughter have died. ALUMNI GATHER AT VARSITY Six Hundred Former Students Meet at Madison tor Class Reunions on Alumni Day.

was invaded by 600 old grads on alumni day, who were back at the Alma Mater for the fifty-ninth annual commencement exercises, class reunions and annual sessions of the Wisconsin Alumni association. One of the oldest graduates to arrive was George B. Cross, the only surviving member of the class of 1867, one of the classes scheduled for a regular reunion this spring. Without others of his class to greet. Mr.

Cross is a lonely reunionist; but he is being cordially received by other sous and daughters of Wisconsin. The oldest class which has a regular reunion this year was graduated in 1862. Members of that clas were: Gideon Winan Allen, Sturgeon Bay; Michael A. Leahy, Marshfield; Isaac Newton Stewart, Appleton. Wis.

At the time the directory of graduated was issued in 1907, all members of this class were living. THOMPSON FOR GOVERNOR isconsin Socialists Nominate Former City Clerk of Milwaukee to Lead Party in State Campaign. Milwaukee. social democrats, in state convention here, nominated the following state ticket, all candidates being nominated by acclamation save the candidate for fovernor: U. Thompson of Milwaukee.

Lieutenant M. Parks of Superior. Secretary of Weaver of Beaver Dam. State treasurer H. Ammon of Kiel.

Attorney D. Jaseph of Green Bay. Chairman, state central committee R. Gaylord of Milwaukee. Secretary, state central committee E.

H. Thomas of Milwaukee. Two names were placed before the convention for nomination for governor, those of Carl U. Thompson and W. A.

Jacobs, formerly of Racine and now of Milwaukee and the candidate of the party for the honor two years ago. The vote stood 66 for Thompson and 22 for Jacobs. Sixty-four delegates from Milwaukee county and fiftv-seven from other points In the state sat in the convention. MACCABEES NAME OFFICERS J. W.

Brown, Stevens Point, Chosen Great Commander at Madison Encampment. Madison. a meeting of delegates of the Knights of the Maccabees in great camp here, officers were elected as follows: Great commander, J. W. Brown, Stevens Point; executive committee, P.

N. Schuengel, Milwaukee; Bert Horton, Oshkosh; J. C. MacKenzie, Madison; auditors, A. D.

Crandall, Milwaukee; S. W. Swanson, Marinette; August Plug, Chippewa Falls. The board of auditors passed upon the accounts of the great camp and reported that the order is in a flourishing condition, the increase in membership in the past three months was more than double that of the preceding quarter year. The membership is now more than 7,000 in the state.

SCRUB STOCK PROFITLESS Dairy Cow Competition at State Univarsity Shows Average Animal Pays for Feed Only. Madison. the average cow in Wisconsin just pays for her feed is shown by the results of the Wisconsin dairy cow competition, which have been published in a bulletin of the college of agriculture of the university. By proper feeding and management big profits can be secured from good cows, the bulletin states, but nothing can be expected from stock. The cows in the first prize herd entered in the competition produced 16,044 pounds of milk and their average yield of butter fat was nearly 600 pounds.

Two-thirds of all the cows entered produced over 400 pounds of butter fat in one year. Veteran Postal Employe Dead. Milwaukee. W. Fowler, aged 73 years, more than fifty-six years employed in the Milwaukee postoffice, is dead.

Two Drown While Fishing. Medford. fishing on Sacket lake, A1 Zemme? and John Anderson were drowned as the result of the capsizing of their boat. Look for Bumper Oat Crop. Eau Claire.

bumper oat crop will be raised in this section this season, and there is also going to be a lot of hay. It is feared that the frost has damaged the rye crop considerably. Corn is getting a good start. Install Water Gas Plant. Oshkosh.

Oshkosh Gas company is installing a water-gas plant, including a holder of 500,000 cubic feet capacity. Ball Player Seriously Hurt. Marinette. catcher for the Gladstone baseball team of the U. P.

Wisconsin league, is at St. hospital suffering with serious injuries from being struck on the head by a pitched ball. Electricity Kills Girl. Beaver Dam. Wueirkesz, 15 years old, was instantly killed here by coming in contact with in electrically charged awning chain a front of a store.

DISTRIBUTE OF PUBLICJILITIES Amount This Year. $525,128, an Increase of $58,759. TOWNS GET 85 PER CENT Largest Assessment Against Milwaukee Street Car Co-, Milwaukee Northern Railway, and Light, Heat Traction Cos. state tax commission has made distribution of the tax levied against the street railway, light, heat and power companies opera ced in the slate, the total amount of the tax being $525,128.21 on an assessed valuation of $47,365,000. The distribution is according to the law which requires that 85 per cent of the tax shall be returned to the towns, cities and villages in which the properties are located.

15 per cent being retained by the slate as compensation for administration. The total amount of the tax for 1912 is $53,759.14 more than for 1911, when it was $471,369.07. The amount retained by the state out of the present tax is $78,769.23 while (he amount distributed to the towns, cities and villages is $446,358.98. The largest assessments are those against the Milwaukee Electric Railway Light company, the Milwaukee Light, Heat Traction company and the Milwaukee Northern railway, the total of the three being 256.70, on a valuation of 200,000. CONVICTS TO BUILIJ ROADS System of Varied Industries for mates at Waupun Considered by Board of Control.

system of varied industries for the employment of the convicts at the Wisconsin state prison at Waupun will be considered by the state board of control. At present a majority of the prisoners are working under a contract made by the state with a knitting company in the manufacture of socks and stockings. The board will consider the advisability of varying the work, and one of the labor plans to receive attention is road building for the state. According to President Smith of the state board of control, there are about 730 convicts in the state prison at present, of which number between 450 and 500 are employed in the knitting plant. Their income for the state is approximately $8,500 a month.

In addition the prisoners earn over $1,4 00 a month over and above their task requirements. This money is credited to their private accounts. Prisoners have earned as much as sl7 per month for overtime. The number of women prisoners at Waupun is now about twenty. They are employed iu laundering the linen, patching and other light work.

FIRE RATES ARE EXCESSIVE House Owners of Wisconsin Ara Overcharged an Aggregate of $700,000 Annually. Madison. Milwaukee, Oshkosh. Madison, La Crosse and other Wisconsin cities are paying excessive rates for dwelling house insurance, aggregating an overcharge of upward of $700,000 annually. This Is one of the conclusions demonstrated by the evidence presented to the legislative fire insurance investigating committee, according to a statement made by Insurance Commissioner Ekern.

The testimony also indicates that Wisconsin is a profitable field for insurance companies in that the ratio of losses to premiums Is more favorable than in the country as a whole. Excepting the year 1910, which was an unfavorable year for all classes of companies in Wisconsin, the percentages for each year show a more favorable loss ratio in Wisconsin than upon the business of these companies as a whole. The losses in Wisconsin are about 4 per cent lower than outside of this state. Pioneer Pea Grower Dead. Kroos, aged 94, one of the earliest pioneers of Sheboygan county, is dead.

Mr. Kroos first introduced pea growing in this section, where It is now a leading industry. Serves 42 Years as Justice. Eau Devitt, 97 years old, is dead here. He served forty-two consecutive years in Eau Claire as justice of the peace.

Firemen Meet at Reedsburg. twenty-fifth annual convention and tournament of the Wisconsin State association will be held at Reedsburg on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 19 to 21. Hailstorm Does Damage, in the residence section of Kilbourn were broken by a terrific hail storm that swept the district west of Portage. Fruit trees and crops were damaged. Provides Acid If Bullet Fails.

Fond du Frost, 32, a farm hand, attempted suicide by shooting himself in the side with a revolver. He will probably die. When picked up, a bottle of carbolia acid was found in his pocket. Gray Badger Killed. Kenosha.

big gray badger, the first of tha species seen in this section of Wisconsin iu more than 20 years, was killed here. The carcass weighed forty-two pounds..