| WE4THIV TO-DAY: I ♦ For North Carolina: | f RA '*--J VOL LiV. NO. 115. Leads all North Carolina Dailies in News Miff circulation THE STATE NORMAL FOUND IN FLAMES Four Hundred Girls Aroused From Sleep Make Their Way From the Building to a Place of Safety. TWO BUILDINGS BURN These Were the;;Kitchen in Which Were the Dining. Cold Storage Boiler and Heating Rooms With Quarters for 150 Girls, and the Large Four Story Brick Dormitory Near by. Wonderful Nerve Shown by the Girls, Who in Many Cases Lost Heavily. Generosity of Hotels and Banks. Quarters to be Pro vided and the Work of the College to Go On. (Special to News and Observer.) Greensboro, N. C., Jan. 21. —It was with a feeling of absolute terror that people awakened before light this morn ing were told that the Normal College was on fire, and that the dormitory, where thiee hundred and fifty girls were known to bo sleeping was in flames. Every one thought of them, every heart longed to b: present to help to save. . As crowds hastily loft their beds, hur rying to the college a mile distant, there was an awful dread of coming horror. No thought was given the loss of ;he build ing, m the ignorance of how its precious occupants were faring. No street care were running at the hour, and those who rt ached there were overcome with Joy • to find that not a soul of all the four hundred had been burned or dis abled, but that with wonderful fore thought on the part of the watchman and the system immediately organized by the college authorities, every soul ws saved,, there not even being a panic during the whole time of rescue. GIRLS DISPLAY HEROISM. The nerve and cosines* displayed by these young girls was something remark able, and the concern felt for them by every man, woman and child in Greens boro. Is sufficient assurance of their high merit. Everybody and everything turned out and poured out assistance end ae ccmmodations, r-cling that the best was not half good enough for them. The proprietor of the Ben bow Hotel was thoughtful enough to at once begin preparations for breakfast for the whoie crowd, the street cars tendered free pas sage, and at nine o’clock every one of the girls had been comfortably and royally fed and cared tor, by that and other hotels in the city which had also responded in no uncertain tones of hospitality soon after. The same thing occurred at din ner, and parents of the students all over the State need have no fear that their daughters or wards will suffer a moment of discomfort. The college authorities arc not at all rattled, for at the meeting at ten o’clock everything was being planned out tor comfortable disposition of the burned out students, and arrangements were mads to begin the regular exercises Monday morning, this causing only one day’s interruption in college studies. The lire was discovered in the kitelvn of the building devoted to dining room, laundry, tioiler room, -cold storage and heating pfrint, destroyed that buildmj and tho Jarge four-story brick dormitory near by at five o’clock this morning. In the first building were rooms .\>r one hun dred and fifty girls, and the dormitory proper had two hundred young ladies from all parts of the State. Every soul was saved without a single accident. A COOL, SENSIBLE MAN. The fire was discovered by the watch man at I o’clock breaking through the roof of the kitchen. With rare presence of mind, he went up and down the build ing having the girls awakened and a corps of assistants put to work at rescue, before giving a general alarm. By thl* means there was no panic, every lady preserving wonderful presence of mind. The alarm was sounded at 4:20, and the fire companies made quick work get ting there, a mile from quarters. It was impossible *o do more than save the other buildings There were several hr.ir breadth escapes snd much excitement among the girls, tut at no time anything approaching a panic. Two girls in tbe fourth s*ory who had been overlooked, wore awakened Just • s the flames had begun to eat their beds, and realizing their situation, they rushed on their rescuer, knocking him down, and were just in the act of leaping from a window when he pulled them back, and carried both to the first land ing. when an aid succeeded in getting them safely to the ground. ' With this exception there was no un usual occurrence. A great many trunks were lost. Every one In seventy-five looms, containing two each on tho tmrd The News and Observer. and fourth floors were burned. All others were saved. Much clothing was hanging In wardrobes and some the mums contained money,though in almost all ease s the girls took their purses, even when they left trunks. The largest umount lost yet known was sixty dollars by one. and forty by another. These wore rare exceptions. One hundred ~nd twenty five girls lost all clothing. KINDNESS OF THE PEOPLE. It was a weird sight at o’clock will: five hundred girls, many of them tremb ling with cold, lightly clad, scattered over the trunk and furniture-strewn lawn, while the fire was roaring in the build Ings containing many of their precious belongings. But soon everything was in order, under the wonderful system or ganized by the managers of the college. The street car '*ompany tendered the free use of cars, and hotels gave invita tion to breakfast and every girl came down for breakfast. A meeting was held at ten o’clock and invitations from homes ir. tho city poured in, enough to accom modate twice the number of those burned out. Another dormitory building will be able to accommodate one hundred and twenty five girls at once. The college will not close, of this President Mclver assured the assembled citizens and students. The banks of the city offered one hun dred dollars each to the girls who had all their clothing burned. The Southern Railway offers free transportation and beck foY girls having to return home. PLANS TO RESUME AT ONCE. There was a meeting of students, the faculty and citizens at the college chapel at 4 o’clock this evening. Resides these were Pre:-ident Venable, of the State University, State Superintendent of Pub lic Instruction and Chairman of the Board of Directors J. Y. Joyner, and State Treasurer B. R. Lacy. The first work was assignment of homes. Out of the entire student body, when the first call of names was read, it was found that only eleven had been overlooked, for these, 'there were thirty-seven reserve homes waiting. Call was made for tho-e who desired to go nome temporarily and only twenty-four responded, and provis ions were at onto made for them to leave tonight. They expect to be back Mon day. Mayor cf the city W. H. Osborn was on ihe platform and by his authority, Presi dent Mclver announced that no one in need of funds would be put to any incon venience as citizens of Greensboro had subscribed a sufficient amount for every one, those who preferred being permitted to borrow, but all would be supplied. Superintendent Joyner in a short ad dress assured the students that two million North Carolinians stood behind th<> institution and would see that it would rise from the ashes more splendid than ever. He said that had he not heard of the calamity he, never would have known from the conduct of the girls ex cept for the smoking ruins that any thing unusual hafi happened. State Treasurer Lacy, whd bps two daughters in the institution, rfjedged everything in his power to remedy the loss, even to the keys of the State Treasury, if that were permissible. At the conclusion of the meeting, every body having been assigned homes with perfect order and system, Dr. Mclver notified the two hundred who are at the college to report promptly at the nreet cars at X o’clock in the morning to go to the hotels in the city and take break fast, and for all those at private homes to promptly at 10 o’clock at the college chapel to receive further instruc tions. A list of lost books was even taken so that the deficiency can be sup plied at the earliest possible moment. Before dispersing, the entire audience joined in singing the “Old North State" with their accustomed fervor and har mony. The conduct of the entire student body and faculty has awakened univer sal and enthusiastic admlrati n of citi zens here. Telegrams have been pouring in all day expre-sing to Dr. Mclver assurances of condolence, and hope, and promin nt men from an over the country have been swift to offer assistance, as well as sympathy- DR. MeTVER'S STATEMENT. President Mclver 'this afternoon Issued the following notice: “To the Public: The main dormitory of the State Normal and Industrial Col lege was ourned this morning about 4 o’clock. No student was injured in any way. though a number of them lost the*r trunks and ail their clothing. The ciu zens of Greensboro have opened their homes to the students and comfortable temporary arrangements have been made. Thorp will be no su pension of the college. The students have shown perfect self-pos scssion and there has been at no time anything bordering on a panic. The three other dnrmttorle*. together with tho temporary equipments of rooms in the main college building, the students build ing and the Curry building will enabh the larg ly in protecting other buildings which was done. The grand jury was charged not only to make inquiry as to the origin of the flro but also as to why it was not checked, to ascertain the re sponaibility of the loss, whether there was a lack of water or water pressure and whether thorn was criminal responsi bility anywhere on the part of anyuody and to this end the court advised tne grand Jury that they had ttm power and it was their duty to bring before there every official of the fire and water de partments and every official of the city, if it was necessary, to get at the truth of the matter and locate the respona bii ity. It was further suggested that a ca lamity of this nature under the shadow' the sitting court should not bo allowed to pass without a thorough investigation. It was duo the public, tho authorities of the Normal College? the fire and water departments and the gate city, which, while claimrng to have* the most efficient fire department In the State has suffered tvoo most disastrous fires within the last week. THE LOSS AND INSURANCE. From best advices the insurance com missioner valued the entire plant of the college at ISO,OOO, the buildings burned at 65.000. the mechanical building and con tents at 512,500, the dormitory and furni ture, etc., at $53,000. From insurant; agents here the approximate insurance on this property Is stated to be about one-half the estimated value, divided up among at least twenty five companies *b that the total loss will be in the neigh borhood of $30,000, amounting to not over $2,000 for ar.y one company. STALE IN SAFE Was it SBO,OOO Train Robbers Got or a Mere Trifle? (By the Associated Press.) San Francisco, Cal., Jan. 21. —Tram robbers stole Ihe iron safe from the ex piess car of the Sunset L'mited, north bound, on the Southern Pacific Railway near San Luis Obispo, today and it ir understood the robbers secured) a large amount of treasure from the stolen strong box, .the sum being placed as high .as SSO,- 000. This, however, is denied at the office of Wells, Fargo & Company. The San «et Limited was travelling tn two section* and it was in one of the express cars of the second section that the robbery occurred. The express Messenger T. Sullivan, had two cars to look after, ; % shortly alt r the train left San Luis Obispo and while It was nearing San Marquerote, b'* dis covered the loss of the safe. He had be n working in the forward express and as 3oon as he went to the rear be made the astounding discovery that the sate had been wrenched from the corner of tha cur, where it had been secured by heavy steel bars, and earn'd away. The messenger Immediately gave the warning. The train was stopped and word wa* wired along the line to look out for the robbers. The train reached this cdy IM . day and detectives were at. once i-ent to the scene of the robbery. Tb sore was found today In he rough lends alongside the track. It had been rifled of everything except a valuable diamond and some valuable parwr--. Not withstanding the express people’s state ment that there was little of value in the case, it is stated that package sent from Barbara was worth about 51,- 500. The Wells, Fargo officers say that thor * were two safes In the train, one of which Is locked at. New Orleans, the other be ing a depository for local valuables which llicv assert seldom contains more than s!.eoo. II was tho letter safe that wps stolen. Buried Under a Landslide. (By the Associated Press.) Charleston, S. G'., Jan. 21.—Today at Aiken, S. C., a landslide occurred while several negroes were at work on an rx-' cavation on the line of the city sewerage extension and one negro named Wallace Turnbull was buried under a ma*-* of clay and timbers, while other laborers nar rowly escaped injury. Turnbull’s body ha., not been recovered. Goes to the Norfolk and Western. (By the Associated Press.) Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 21— A deal was officially cloned here today bv which the Columbus Terminal and Transfer ’ Com pany passes to the Norfolk and Westn*, Railroad. President Johnson ,o n flnm*d the rumor that N. D. Maho,- has been ;>n po.ntcd general manager c f the Norfoll road, effective February 1. a. (’ NVedl«> 3 is promoted to general superintendent WE EIADS HAVE A STRAIGHT FLUSH You’re Not So Flush as You Once Were. BEPARTEE IN HOUSE Tillman Declares That He Wants the Panama Canal, But Objects Se riously to Playing the Thief in Order to Obtain That Water-way. (By the Associated Pre3B.) Washington, Jan. 21. —The Army Appro priation Bill was under consideration in c« mmlttee of the whole today for five hours, most of which time was devoted to a gonial discussion of the tariff ques tion. Mr. Williams, flic minority leader, inking the phrase “stand pat” for Ills text made a general arraignment of Re publican politics. Replying to a ques tion by Mr. Watson (In disposition to prevent a frank and open consideration of the subject. Barclay is Appointed. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Jar. 21.--The President to day went *<< the nominations: Postmasters—Nor A. Barkley, Lineo Daniel, Rutherford WANDERING JEW OF CASE ARGUED James vs. Southern Rail way in Supreme Court. TO SPEAK ON PANAMA Senator Simmons Has Prepared an Address on this Questfon. He Will Criticise Some of Ad ministration's Acts in Panama Matter. (Special to News and Observer.) Washington, Jan. 21, —Argument in the James case against the Southern Rail way from North Carolina was begun in the United States Supreme Court late this afternoon and will be continued tomor row. Senator Overman, ex-Judge A. C. Av ery, and C. A, iUountjoy, of New York, represent 'the plaintiff, Mrs. James, and Col. W. A. Henderson, Capt. Chan. Price, and F. H. Busbeo appear for the defend ant railroad. Senntor Overman made tin opening argument this afternoon. This ease has been in the State and Federal courts so long that everybody in North Carolina must be familiar with it. It is an action brought many years ago by Mrs. James, against the Southern Railway for killing her husband, who was an engineer in charge of an engine that was wrecked. She obtained a verdict foi $20,000. The State Supreme Court .sus tained the verdict and then the fight was tranferred to the Federal Court, then back to the State courts uud again to the Federal Courts —twice before the State Supreme Court, three times before the Circuit (fount of Appeals, to .say nothing of several Injunctions In it issued by Judge Simonton, and now for the first time it is before the United States Su preme Court, principally on a question of Jurisdiction. Senator Simmons has prepared a spec b on the Panama question and will probab ly deliver it at an early date. He will vote for ratification of the treaty, but will criticise severely some of the acts of the administration in regard to the rev > lution in Panama and the recognition of the new republic. Senator Overman think* it quite probable that he will vote against the treaty. Kope Elias, of North Carolina, has written to Senator Simmons and Over man, saying that If he could get their en dorsement he would be an applicant for appointment by the President on the cn mil commission. They have advised him that it is pretty definitely settled hat cx- Senator Jones, of Arkansas, is to receive the appointment. In this connection. It will be recalled that Senator Jones sud denly changed from advocacy of the Nlcn ragua route to vote for the Panama route, which the administration much de sired, and as a result was beaten in his State n't the next election. Rutherford R. Hayes, son of the for mcr president, and James H. Cutler, who is interested in street railway property in North Carolina, are here in the inter est of the Appalachian Forest Reserve* Bill. Mr. Hayes lives nt A-hevtlle and Is president of the association that Is urg ing the bill. State Geologist Holmes has also been heir recently on a similar mis sion. FRED L. MERRITT. MADE $20,000 A YEAR. Yet Machen's Salary Was $3,500. Tampering Willi Witnesses. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Jan. 21. — An Interesting Incident in the trial of August VV. Mach en, the Gross brothers and the Lorenzos on an indictment charging conspiracy to defraud the government in connection with the sale of letter-box fasteners, came t-oday just before the usual h' ur for ad journment. Throughout the day bank official* had been Jin the -land tci-tifying concerning various checks and drafts which passed between D. B. Gruff and Martha J. Lorenz and George F. Lorenz and Machen. After J- W. Herring, cash ier of the Union National Bank of West minister, Md-, had told of the various transactions of Machen with his bank. Mr. Taggart, Arsistant I>l*trlet Attorney, offered in evidence the transcript of Mach en’s entire dealings with that institution, to the admission of which Charles A. Douglass objected. Taking up the docu ment, Holmes Conrad, special counsel for tho government, contended that it was admissible ami remarked that tn looking over it if appeared that by strict econ omy, Machen on a salary of $’,500 a year, had managed to make $20,000 a year. This brought forth a storm of protest from counsel for the defense, who appeal er! to the court to let the defendant Machen be tried on only one charge at a time. In the midst of the argument an adjournment was taken until tomor row. Several bank officers were examine I ns to payments by D. H. Gross to tho I/orenzeg and payment* by Georg*; E. Lo renz to Machen. J. W. Herring, cashier of the Union National Bank of Westminster, Md.. iden tified several New York drafts of Dr. Lorenz to Machen which had been depos- ] itrd and credited to Maeben’s account I with tlir* bank, and also a leter from * Machen dated January 23, 11*00, cudora ) ♦ THI WEATMr w TO-r»AV J Ralolgn l Rain. \ PRICf KIVfcCKNT* Inga High! draft on George 15- Loren* for $1,031 which was forwarded to Toledo for collection. In the course of the testimony yester day it was brought out that among the checks sent by I). B. Gross to Martha J. Lorenz was tone for $2,062, and the government today ►ought to show that about that time Machen drew the sight draft on George E. Ixmcnz for the $1,021, or one half the amount of the check. Several similar transactions were sot forth, the witness giving the dates and amounts of the various draft deposits by Machen. Affidavits were today presented lo the court alleging that I’o-tottlce Inspectors Maher and Gregory approached witness es. Justice Pritchard issued a rule re quiring the Inspectors to make answer. The Revolution at Montevideo. (By the Associ&ti d Press.> Washington, Jan. 21.—According to a cable report to the Slate Department from United States Minister Finch at Mon tevideo. the revolutionary disturbance in that country iH much more serious and extensive than has been supposed here. The minister cables under date of the 20th as follows: “There have been three buttles, all won by tin* government; the last one being on the 18th- The total number of killed nnd wounded was about f>oo. The government forces were estimated at 28,000 and the rebels at 7,000 to 9,000. The opinion hero is that the insurrection will be suppressed in a rrenth unless aided by near neighbors. The press and telegraph censorship con tinues; also martial law.’’ To Suppress Lawlessness. (By the Associated Proa.) Charleston, S. C., Jan. 21. — A in..so meet ing of the citizens of Aiken, S. C.. has been called for Saturday, January 23, at noon. The purpose of the' meeting in to take such action as may ho advisable in aiding the governor in bis efforts 1» suppress the lawlessness existing in tins Stale. To Relieve Tobacco Growers. Washington, Jan. 2b—The Tlouho Com mittee on Ways and Means has granted a hearing on February 4ih, on several pending bills for the relief of tobacco growers. The general proposition is to remit the customs tax on growers who stem and twist their own tobacco. TAKE AN INCH, I WANT AN ELL. This Last Phrase Describes the Japa* i nese Position Just Now. IB ythe Associated Pre-s.) Toklo, Jan. 21. The growing belief (hut a peaceful settlement of existing In tcrnationul difficulties eventually will be atalned has served to strengthen the financial markets and stocks are advanc in gon the locnl exchange. Tlie government, which has so far not received any communication from Rus sia, remains sllynt awaking a formal re sponse to its last note. The mere accept ance of nJpan's proposals will not suffice. Japan will unquestionably Insist, upon some definite plan of action besides mere promises, including a reduction of the Russian fleet In Japanc e waters. The government of Japan has expended a largo amount of money In preparation for war and is now ready to fight and is naturally unwilling to disarm, unless ab solute ly convinced that her rights will bo safeguarded. London, Jan. 21- —The Westminster Ga zette this afternoon voices official and general opinion on the Far Easter rrinin, saying: “We believe the chances of peace are at thi (-moment more favorable than llicy have been for some w’eoks past.” The Associated Press lea : ns that even liomdowno, who has been consistently pessimist ic, yesterday took a hopeful V’cv; of the situation rind expressed* the belief that war would be averted, iiis opinion was based on -the conditions out - lined in these dispatches yesterday, name ly: that Russia is willing to concede prat Really all Japan’s demands, but that he cannot see her way to make a treaty with Japan recognizing in black and white China’s sovereignty over Manchuria. Discussing this, however, Karon Haya chi, ihc Japanese Minister to Groat Brit ain maintains a pessimistic view. He declared today that Japan would rather fl-ght than forego an actual treaty admi sion by Russia of China's sovereignty over Manchuria. Seoul is Quiet. (ISy the Associated Press.) Seoul, Jen. 2J. — I The city la quiet at present, rieven out of ten ministers o' the Korean Cabinet have resigned an I tour now ones have Iren appointed. They are all neutral ns i jjard the revival of lh" progressive Independence clsure which the government opposes. A m rlouH insurrection Is threatened in tho southern provinces because oi' official on piession. Pythian District Mooting. (Fpeciil to News and Observer.) Monroe, N. C., Jan. 21. The fifth dis trict meeting Knights of Pythian wh-. held here yesterday. A very Interesting programme was arranged at th< opera houic. The address of welomc wan