Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VETERANS ON MARCH 30909 Union Soldiers Parade Streets Gf Washington. IT WAS AN INSPIRING SPECTACLE To See the Reglrents of Battle-Scar red Soldiers Lir.: Up For the Grand March Down Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, Special.t-For more than six hours the people in Wash ington hummed the chorus of the old civil war songs, "Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching," and for an equal time the veterans constituting the Grand Army of the Republic made good the claim. The parade was the climax of the thirty-sixth encamp ment of their order. The occasion was in every way worthy of the Grand Army. Beginning at a !ew minutes past 10 o'clcck, when the head cf the column moved from its station at the capital, It was almost 5 o'clock when the last nsaad in the line passed the place of disbandment west of the White House. None cf the soldiers were marching any great part of :he time, for the en tire line of march did not exceed two and one-half miles in length, but those who composed the rear detachments were on their feet practically all day, much of the time being consumed in waiting to take their places in the line. The route cf the parade was down historic Pennsylvania avenue, along which many of them marched as raw recruits in going to the war in 1861 and 1362 and many others as tried veterans on the occasion of the grand review after the close of the war in 1865. More than fi'e hours: time was con sumed by the procession in passing the reviewing stand in front of the White House. There were at least 25. 000 men in line and the estimate of Comm ander-in-Chief Torrance ran as high as 30,000 men. The parade was reviewed by Commander-in-Chief Tor rance, who was assisted by the mem bers of the Presid ent's cabinet and by Adjutant General Fowler, of the G. A. Rs. Secretary Hay stood imme diately on the right of the comman der-in-Chief, while Secretaries Root, Moody. Wilson and Hitchcock and Postmaster General Payne occupied seats in their rear. Occupying seats well to the front were many veterans of the civil war, including General 0. 0. Howard. General Edward Mc Cook, General Daniel E. Sickles, Gen eral Carrington, General J. Warren Keifer and General Allen. Standing in the midst of these distinguished ex soldiers was the ex-Confederate lieutenant general. Longstreet. He was escorted to the front together with General Sickles and when the two ap peared side by side they were greeted with harty cheers. It was said to be the first time that an ex-Confederate officr had appeared in a Grand Army reviewing stand. Scattered here and and once in a while a girl appeared In many they were accompanied by as the daughter of the regiment. There was one female band, com posed of ladies hailing from Water loo, Ind., all of whom wore lag mnaroon colored dresses. They played a patriotic air as they passed the re viewing stand and were duly cheered. Indeed, whenever ladies occnpied a * place in the line they were applauded, notwithstanding their presence was forbidden by gene:-al orders. In many instances the departments representing States carried banners Or badges or other devices intended to attract attenitioni to especial State characteristics or productions. The Georgia men wore oppen cotton boils in their hats and the Alabamanians the same insignia in their coat lapels, while the Minrnesota men held aloft a broad placard announcing that t~o be the "Bread and butter State." South Dakota's sons cs.rried long sticks bearing on the point long ears -of yellow corn. The Floridians carried palms, the Louisianans cotton and sugar cane and the Vermonters ferns. Every Kansan in the parade, and there were several hundred of them, carried an umbrella painted on the outside to represent a huge sunflower. This probably was the most unique display made by any State, though it was only little more so than that of Iowa, whose members each carried a big ear of native corn as a canteen. Texas carried high in the air a lone silver star set between a pair of immense Texas steer horns. The Oklahoma contingent, as usual, pressed the claims of that Territory to admission Into the Union of States. One of the Michiganders held up a big gray rooster, but he was too subdued to crow as he passed the grand stand, though he was vehemently urged to do so. Bryan Post, of Trenton, N. J., carried a hornets' nest (vacated) and a placard held aloof announcing that "there are still left some of the spring chickens of 1861." The Maryland di vision was preceded by 40 tightly furled and badly-worn battle flags. A number of colored men marched in the columns from the Southern States, including Kentucky, Maryland, Georgia and the District of Columbia. In many thsy were accompanied by their own bands and they were gen erally received with cheers as they passed along. In some instances the departments were represented by only a dozen or a score of veterans. Arizona had the smallest representation of any State or Territory in line. There were only three men in her column, but they marched bravely along abreast, hav ing their banner borne in advance by' a colored man, the "color-bearer,'" as one of the three announced. Changing to Wood Burners. Wilmington, Special.-The force in the Coast Line machine shops at Flor ence is working overtime in order to catch up with the excess of work. which is largely in converting coal burning locomotives into wood-burn ers. Ths scarcity of coal is really be coming an item with the railroads. It is said that the Coast Line has recent ly found it necessary to confiscate coal In transit to Richmond to keep its PRESIDENT REVIEWS VETERKAS. Uthough Suffering, 1r. Roosevelt Sam the Parade of 0. A. R. Washington, Special. - PrMdent Roosevelt Wednesday reviewed the :rand Army parade in his carriage. He was carried down stairs from his room >n the second floor of the temporary White House in an invalid's chair and N amid the cheers of a large crowd, was placed in the carriage, in which there was a board to support his injured leg. He was accompanied by Secretary Dortelyou and Colonel Bingham, his military aide. His carriage was guard d by a platoon of mounted police, nder command of Major Silvester. As the carriage appeared on the avenue, the Presidentgtopped at the reviewing tand for a moment until the marshals a Af the parade and Rawlin's Post, of a) Minneapolis, the right of the line, had ti passed and then drove down the ave aue to the peace monument, at the oot of the capitol. The veterans faced 0 he carriage as the President drove by U and saluted him. He was continuously rf cheered by the crowds as he drove al along. Less than 35 minutes were con- u umed in the journey. During its pro- . gress the President found that the it -rd to rest his limb was uncomfort- 1 able and it was discarded. When the ir White House was reached the Presi- S uent did not alight. Instead Secretary a orteylou and Colonel Bingham got, ut, and much to the surprise and de light of the visiting crowds, Mrs. Roos- r velt emerged, entered the carriage and S was driven rapidly away with the fl President. The drive took the Presi- a dent and Mrs. Roosevelt through the aorthwest section of the city. President and Mrs. Roosevelt re turned to the White Hsuse about 1:30, iaving been gone an hour and a half. They had driven through Rock Creek nd Zoological Parks, but kept clear of the crowds. Several thousand people t waiting outside the White House cheer ed their return. The President's ride 01 down Pennsylvania avenue, along the line of march of the parade, was an ti ovation for him and a source of great 5 pleasure to the thousands of people packed in the streets and stands. The tl delightful weater eased the minds oft his physicians as to the propriety of p the President leaving the room in which he has been confined since his i return from Indianapolis. He was in h excellent spirits and looking forward to the ride with intense pleasure. In front of the temporary White 0 House for half a square each way e twenty deep 5,000 or 6,000 people greet ed the President's appearance with cheers of welcome. The President re-a sponded to these cheers by raising his 01 hat and bowing and smiling. When he was lifted into the carriage the Pres ident steadied himself on his right leg and hopped to the further side, adjust ing his injured leg to the board which a had been put in by his attendants. Secretary Cortelyou joined him on his left and Colonel Theodore Bingham, in t full uniform, occupied the seat in front. Mrs. Roosevelt watched the P President's departure from the window W and as the President drove away he saluted her by raising his hat. As the party swept into the broad a avenue a tremendous cheer went up and the sidewalks and stands were Y white with fluttering handkerchiefS. S The President acknowledged the de- ' monstration by lifting his hat and C bowing right and left. The journey P down the avenue was made to the b right of the oncoring column of vet erans, the demon ration swelling in volume as they proceeded. The return journey from the peace monument wasa made on the other side of the avenue at a more rapid pace. When the car-t riage drew up in front of the Jackson t Place residence, the horses were fleck ed with foam. Negro Arrested for Forgery. .Laurens, S. C., Special.-Wednesday tu afternoon a negro calling himself Joe u: Mack presented at the People's Loan and Savings Bank a check payable to ei bimself or bearer and purporting to be ri signed by a leading pilanter for $137. The bank officers instantly suspected gj the fraudulence of the signature and te etained the man until investigation e2 could be made. After some time the b< egro became alarmed and suddenly al darted away, leaping through a win- fe dow, breaking the sash. A cry was y raised and in a few moments the man was captured by several young men a1 who were in the chase. The negro, t< whose name was ascertained to be Wil o ls Henderson, is in jail. He declares tt that he is not the man who was in the F bank but the officers of the latter iden- I . tified him positively. e $50,000 Lost by Beaumont Fire. Beaumont. Tex., Special.-The fire in the oil field was extinguished early Wednesday morning. The damage was confined to an era comprising about d two acres and the losses consist of 75 a derricks. 50 pumping plants and half a m dozen small oil tanks which were used C or settling. The loss is placed at $150,- w 000. Thomas Rowley, the man burned ir while trying to save a derrick, is still pl alive ,but cannot recover. P White For Ambassador. Washington, Special.-The Presi dent has decided to appoint Henry N White, secretary of the United States 12 ambassy at London. as ambassador to Ii Rome. The appointment probably will P 2t be made until next spring and Am- d assador Meyer will remain at his ti post until then. John B. Jackson, who Si as been secretary of the embassy at r4 Berlin since 1894. also is slated for an s1 mportant diplomatic appointment. ci ls promotion is to be based upo. che ri same reason as will inspire that of o Mdr. Wh~te, namely, a desire to extend j( nto the diplomatic service the prln- lI 21ple of promotion based on merit, a Need Cars Badly. Roanoke, Va.. Special.-A statement was made at the offices of the Nor olk & Western Railway Company. C :hat the road is badly in need of more ti ocomotives and that the road would uy or hire 50 engines if tiey were v'ailable. The result pf the - S eavors so far to get motive pow r C as taken the form cf one engine ti bired from the Atlantic Coast Line. -, lhe strenuous demands of a freight. :raffic far exceeding any such oc ason in the history of the road has AL WAS RED lOT. overnor Odell Gives Coal Operators a Well Deserved Roast. EW YORK EXECUTIVE HITS HARD. e Tells fir. Baer That The Owners of the nines lave Not Acted With Fairness to the Public, New York, Special.-"What do you tean by politicians? I want you and Li tne other operators to understond iat I am the Uovernor of New York, ie chosen representative of- 7,000,000 C people, and that I am here in this atter solely in that capacity and to ,lieve if possible an intolerable situ tion. And what is more, I intend to se every power at my command to do ." Governor Odell made this state ent to President Baer, of the Read g Railroad, in the presence of United tates Senators Platt, of New Yor-c, ad Quay and Penrose, of Pennsyl inia. It was the culmination of a Lther heated interview in the office of nator Platt and the result of the rst meeting between Governor Odell ad President Baer. Mr. Baer was not the best of humor when, accompa led by E. B. Thomas, chairman of te board of directors of the Erie Rail ad, he entered Senator Platt's office. he conference was begun by a state ent made by Senator Penrose that ie situation was becoming so serious iat some. solution must be found at ace. He suggested that operators iould Incline to some concessions to ard a settlement. "If you mean by at," said President Baer, -"that we e to recognize the existence of a la 3r union, I tell you right now that e operators will consider no such roposition." Governor Odell was on his feet - in a instant. Holding a half burnt cigar L his hand and white with excitement, e said: "Are we to understand that no kind I conciliatory proposition will receive nsideration at the hands of the op ,ators?" "I did not say that," angered Mr. aer, "but I do say, and I ielterate it, at we will not accept political advice r allow the interference of politicians t this, our affair." Then it was that Governor Odell Lade the statement attributed to him , the beginning of this article. President Baer, evidently appreciat g that he had gone too far, bowed Governor Odell and said: "Governor, I beg your pardon. No rsonal affront was Intended and we ill listen to any suggestion you may ave to make; but again I repeat that e must refuse to recognize the union i represented by Mr. Mitchell." "I believe," said the Governor, "that )ur position from a public view is ab >lutely untenable. If coal operaters, ilroad men and other busines's men mn combine for mutual profit and rotection, there- is no reason why la ring men should not." "'What is the proposlg. ' sked :r. Baer, coldly. "Just this," said Governor~ Odell, "I n sure that the labor organization, of hich Mr. Mitchell Is head, desires him >be fair with the general public. If me operators will consent to give the en five cents a ton increase, I will rsnally present It to the miners and believe they will .accept it. It is a ~ir proposition. "Does this mean, Governor Odell, at we are to recognize the miners' nion?" Mr. Baer asked.' "It certainly does," answered Goy 'nor Odell, quickly, "and there is no aon why you should not." Mr. Baer and Mr. Thomas rose to go, :r. Thomas remarking thbat the mat r would be presented to the other op 'ators and that an early answer would e forthcoming. Mr. Baer said: "We re to meet a committee of the Manu eturers' Association on Tuesday and e may have an answer then." The conference broke up, Mr. Blier ad Mr. Thomas withdrawing. Sena >rs Platt, Penrose and Quay talked ver the matter for a short- time and en tey, too, separated, the two ennsylvanians announcing that they ould go back to Harrisburg and dis ss the situation with Governor Stone. Kiied By Explosion. Anderson, S. C., Special.-As a re ilt of the premature explosion of a ynamite charge at Pourtman Shoals, ne miles west of this place, Friday orning, James White, of Norwich, onn., foreman of the quarry gang, as instantly killed, and three negroes ijured. one fatally. White was an em toye of a construction company of almer, Mass. Farmers' Congress Adjourns. Macon, Ga., Special.-The Farthers' ational Congress held its fourth and st session Friday. It was the most 2portant day of the conference. A ~rsistent attempt was made to' in ice the congress to reconsider its ac on of 1901 and endorse the ship sub dy bill.The delegates from the West ~-enforced by those from the South, istained the adverse report of the >mmittee on resolutions and the ~solution of endorsement was laid 1the table by an overwhelming ma rity. Reciprocity, where it will cc rge markets for farm products, was ;prved. Sunday Coal Trains. Durham, N. C.. Special.-Major W. A. uthrie left for the western part of i State to consult Governor Aycock rd obtain, if pcssible, his sanctica for un1ay coal trains to be run in Nort~h arolina. Hie is acting undier instrue es omthe legal departmenlt of tmh< 'rfolk & We-stern road. The sole ch WILL SETTLE STRIKE. Report That Coal operators wim -Open Mines Soon. A Monday morning special from Scranton, Pa., says: This is the beginning of a week which it is generally believed will put to a test the claim of the operators that they will be enabled to start up their collieries, if given protection, and the counter claim of the United Mine Workers' organization as expressed in Wednesday's resolutions that the strik ers will not return to work without doncessions, even though the entire military of the United States should be sent here to protect them. With a determination to prove their claim, the operators have been during the past week making a supreme effort to secure men. That they have sneceeded to some extent is evidenced by an nouncements made with some posi tiveness that various collieries will re sume operations in the course of a few days. The Delaware & Hudson Ccm pany will make a start at the Belle vue. The Green Ridge Coal Conpany will open up its Green Ridge colleries, probably Tuesday or Wednesday. but assuredly, some day this week. Other companies say they are figuring on a resumption at certain collieries, but declined to give the location. Claim is also made on the operators' side that the forces at collieries already work ing are to be largely increased during the week. The United Mine Workers' leaders continue to assert that the mil itary can do nothing towards inducing men to return to work, and that all the men who could be induced to go back to work without concessions are already back. Strike disorder is now almost wholly wanting. During the past two. days the soldiers have had nothing to do further than their regu lar patrol duty, not a single call hav ing come to any of the three regiments in thlis'country to deal with disorder or threatened disorder. Street Car Strike Over. New Orleans, Special.-The street car strike, inaugurated by the dis satisfied employes of the N.v Orleans Railway Company, was se.fled here Sunday night, the Car Men's Union unanimously accepting the Governor's ultimatum on a secret ballot. The basis of settlement is that the men will go back to work Monday morning at 20 cents and 10 hours. with a mini mum of seven and a half hours a day, no discrimination to be made against any of the men under charges and so many to be taken back as are needed for the operation of the company's line. There is widespread rejoicing in the city over the settlement of the strike, which began Sunday morning two weeks ago and has been the most effective tie-up ever attempted in this city. Not a single passenger has been carried on a car since it began and not a passenger car has gotten more than five blocks, from a barn. The credit for settlement is largely due to W. S. Parkerson, who took up the cause of the strikers yesterday morn ing and labored indefatigably all night and all day, convincing them that they could hope'for nothing better and that they could not prevail against the militia massed here. United States Senator Foster, Governor Heard and Mayor Capdeviie were all instru mental in some degree in bringing about the final result. An Agreement Reacher. Birmingham, Ala., Special.-At a conference between the committee c'f district No. 20. United Mine Workers of America, and President J. C. Ma son. of the Sloss Sheffield Steel and Iron Company, witb reference to the collection of assessments for the an thracite strikers from among the miners of that company, an amicable agreement was reached, both sides refuse to give out the details. May Ask For Federal Troops. Washington, Special.-The opera tors will make another determined ef fort to start up additional collieries next Monday and in case the militia cannot furnish the necessary protec tion for the men who want to go to work, and their families, a number of local operators will petition the Gov ernor as to the advisability of calling n the President for Federal troops. Action of Belgian Miners. Charlerol, BelgIum, Special-The na tional committee of the great Belgian coal fields met Sunday and pissed res olutions in favor of demanding an in crease of 15 per cent. in the wages of coal miners, the object of the demand being to create a-reversion in favor of the striking coal miners in France and to prevent the supplying of Belgian coal to France. Railroad Reported Sold. Southern Pines, Special-It is report ed here that E. W. Shedd, representing Boston capitalists, has succeeded in purchasing the Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad, which runs from Aberdeen to within a few miles of Fayetteville, and which will form a portion of the through line from Concord to Fayette ville, and known as the Moore County & Western Railroad. In spite of the fact that the Aberdeen & Rockfish Railway is doing a good business, it is regarded as likely that the sale has been. made, and that important devel opments will be made public scon. (Jun Boats Ordered Out. Ldon, By Cable.-In a dispatch from Hamburg, the correspondent of the Daily Mail says that on account of the murder in Venezuela of Admirai Russell, a German subject, and mana ger of the Venezuela Plantation Com pany, tbe German government has or dered the cruisers Vineta, Panther and Gazelle to go to Venezuela. A dispatch rceived from Willlemstadt yesterdary said thg Vineta already had arrived at a Guniare. TROOPS ORDERED OUT Strike Situatiog Grows More and More Critical PENNSYLVANIA TROOPS ON DUTY. The Soldiers Are Ordered to See to it That Every Person Who Desires to Work Shcll Be Protected. Harrisburg, Pa., Special.-General eraers placing the entire National Guard of Pennsyivania on duty in the strike rogion were issued Tuesday from division headquarters, which have been established at the Common wealth Hotel, in charge of C3lonel Wm. J. Elliott. assistant adjutant gen eral 6f the Guard, who will remain in Harrisburg until the *troops are re called. The orders designate the loca tion of the three brigades and all of the State troops will be in the field by Thursday. No effort is being made to get the troops on duty within any spe eial time limit, it being the desire of the general officers to allow the sol diers to arrange their private matters before going into the field. General Miller will be commander of the di vision. The formal order of General Miller disposing of the National Guard In the various counties affected by the strike says: "The division is hereby ordered on duty In the counties of Luzerne, Car bon, Schuykill, Lackawanna, Susque hanna, Northumberland and Columbia, to see that all men who desire to work and their families have ample protec tion, protect all trains and other prop erty from utlawful Interefence with all persons engaging In acts of violence and intimidation and hold them under guard until their release will not en danger the public peace; see that threats, intimidations, assaults and all acts of violence cease at once, the pub lic peace and good order will be pre served upon all occasions, and that no interference whatsoever will be permit ted with officers and men in the dis charge of their duties." Mitchell Sees tlanufacturers. Buffalo, N. Y., Special.-The confer ence between the committee appointed by the National Manufacturers' Assoc! ation and President Mitchell and his lieutenants held at the Iroquois Hotel Tuesday afternoon did not result in any definite plan being agreed upon for tae partial resumption of work in the anthracite coal fields, but the members of the manufacturers' committee stated that they were greatly pleased with the progress made. The fact that commu nication was established with the op erators by long-distance telephone and an appointment made to meet a com mittee representing them in Philadel phia is looked upon as signicant. Mr. Mitchell positively declined to discuss the request made by President Roosevelt that Mitchell -use his infiu ece to induce the miners to reinme work with a promise of the appoint ment of a commission to investigate the miners' grievances. It was learned from a reliable source, however. that Mr. Mitchell does not regard the prop osition favorably and that he will de line to ask the miners to resume work under the conditions- stipulated. When the conference adjourned the following official statement was given out: "The committee of the National As sociation of Manufacturers has listen ed to the present strike difficulty as~ ofered. by a special eommittee of the United Mine Works, at the head of which was Mr. John Mitchell. The Na tional Association of Manufacturers' committee has learned what it could of the conditigi and now goes to Phil adelphia for the purpose of meeting a committee of mine operators with the idea of getting their side of the dif iculty. The National Association of Manufacturers' committee carries ne proposition from the mine workers and has no other mission than the desire ,to speedily bring about a settlement of the dispute." Engineer Roughly Handied. Shamokin, Pa., Special.-While ohn Colson, of Mahoning City, a on-unionist engineer at the Reading ompany's Henry Clay shaft, was walking to the collery he was at acked by a mob, one of whom hit him n head with a brick, while others lubbed him into a state of Insensi bility. He was rescued from death by oal and Iron police dispersing the mob. Refutse to Talk. New York, Special.--None of the oal operators present at the meeting f the Temple Iron Company made a statement of what was done at the meeting. President Baer went from the conference to 3. P. Morgan and later took a train for Philadelphia. A prominent dealer speaking of the present scarcity of soft coal said the presidents of the coal roads have promised to relieve the situation b~y rushing coal here. Domestic sizes of anthracite were selling at $25 a ton retail. Soft coal, wholesale at $8.75 a ton, was selling at $10 to family and St $9 to steam trade.. Ordered to Investigate. New York, Special.-It was learned uesday that United States District Attorney Burnett has been Instructed y the Attorney General in Washing ton to investigate the workin-g of the oal trust in his district, that of the southern half of New York State. eneral Burnett declkied, however, to state the nature of the investigatior, to be made by him, or when It would be commenced. Further than to statE that such an investigation had bee: ordered, he wuldt not talk. OUR WONDEMRUL CRUS Productes of the Farms This Breaks All Records. The country's grain yield this year will' not only break all previous e cords, but it also bids fair to estab lish a figure that it will be difficult for any future year to equal. The various, crops have now reached a stage where they are practically safe from the vagaries of the weather, and where the reports of acreage and conditions may be accepted as accurateY indi cating the actual harvest. The corn crop will, of course, sur pass' all others in Its volume' and value. The most conservative esti mate places the yield at 2,495,081,000 bushels, or practically 1,000,000,000 bushels larger than last year. The first year In which the corn crop reached a total of 1,000,000,000 bushels was 1870. In 'only. six of. the 32 years. since than has the actual corn har vest been in excess of 2,000,000,000 bushels. The present corn crop' will surpass all of these record-breaking years by something like a quarter of# a billion bushels. So much attention has been given to the enormous corn crop that the great yield of other cereals has been largely overlooked. Only one crop will show a yield smaller than that of last year. The wheat crop is estimated at 610,611,000 bushels, as against 748, 460,000 bushels harvested last year.. The wheat crop of 1901,.however, Was a record-breaker. The crop this is largely in excess of the ave% yield. The estimate of 610,611,000 bushels compares with 522,230,000 bushels in 1900, 547,304,000 busbels In 1899, 530,149,000 bushels in 1896. The indications are that the other important cereal crops-oats, rye, bar ley and -buckwheat-will all be in ex cess of last year's figures. The esti mated yield of oats Is 686,277,000 bush els, as compared with 736,809,000 bushels in 1901; the estimated yield of rye is 31,S46,000 bushels, as against 30,345,000 bushels in 1901; in barley the estimate is 120,720,000 bushels, as against 109,933,000 bushelg last-year* while in buckwheat it is 15,376,0O0 bushels, as against 15,125,000 bushels in 1901. When the figures for all six of these crops are added together a most im pressive total is shown. The toth'es timated yield for the six is no less than 4,141,911,000 bushels. The. high est total ever shown before was 3, 572,610,000 bushels. It Is difficult to overestimate, as a prominent financier stated a few days ago, what these enormous crops mean as affecting the prosperity of. this co-intry. They are the most solid of the foundations beneath the super structure of prosperity that the Uni ted States Is now enjoying. Every channel of trade will receive its share'. of the enormous increase in purchas ing power that has been added to, this country through these immense jP3. Government C-op Report. Washington, Special.-The monthly report of the statistician of the De partment of Agriculture shows the av arage condition of corn on October 1 to have been 79.6 as compared with 52.1 a year ago. The preliminary esti mate of the average yield of wheat is 14.4 bushels. The preliminary esti mate of the average yJp14.9f corn per acre is 34.5 bushels as compiit 25.1 bushels a year ago. The prel~ nary estimate per acre of rye is 17. -" bushels as compared wIth 15.5- a year ago. The average condition of buckwheat Is 85 compared wIth 86.7 last year.. The Improvement amounts to 4 poInts In Kentucky, 5 In Virginia. In tobacco, as compared with their respective 10 year average North Carolina' is'T anid Virgina 9, and Ohio 2 poInts above, Tennesse 3- points below. The average condition of potatoes on October 1 was 81.5,;'agalbst W :a year ago. As to the condition of sweet potatoes, Tennessee reports 1. point and' South Carolina and Vir gInia 5 points above their respective 10-year averages. While Georgia re ports 3 points,; Texas 4, New Jersy 6, Florida 7, LouIsiana 11, Mississipji 15 and Alabama 19 poInts belows average. All of the important sugar cane pro ducing States except Texas, report conditions below their respective 10 year ave:-'ages. This reduction amounts to 2 points In Georgia, 5 In South Car olina, 17 in Florida, 15 In Mississippi, and 15 In Alabama, while Texas is 2 points above such average. As to the condition of rice, Texas reports 11 points above and South Carolina, North Carolina 9 point sand Louisiana 2 points below their respective aver ages for the last 10 years, while the condition in Georgia is the same as such average. As to the condition of apples North Carolina reports 8 points, Illinois 9, Missourla 10, Pennsylvania 11, Maine 11, New York 15, Iowa 16,.and Michi gan 27 points above and Ohio 2, In-. diana 3, Virginia 9,- Tennessee 11, Ken tucky 19 and Kansas 21 points below the mean of their averages for the, last 7 years.' Trust of Wholesale (Irocers. . St. Louis, Special.-The Inter-State Grocery, of St. Louis will say that a combine, to Include every wholesaler of groceries in the United States, Is in the cour'se of formation. That paper gives the following outline of the plan: "It is proposed to take over the business of the entire line of wholesale grocers In the United States. One great corpora tion will be formed, which will buy outright the business and good will ofJ all the firms. A central office for the accommodation of the officers of the company will be maintained, probably in New York.( Discards Invalid Chair. ' Washington, Special.-President an. Mrs. Roosevelt went out for a drive n open landau. For the first time singe his illness, the President reached liis carriage unassisted. Instead of being carried down stairs in an Invalid ehair, he came down upon crutches. He de scended the steps in front of thie'house without assistance and crossed to the garriage. A large crowd in front of the :ouse applauded as he took his seat is .he carriage. He acknowledged the ree~in g by raising him hat..