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t« STATE NEWS NOTES K. Catastrophelf Mile-High Edifice Is Built By DANIEL P. WILES (Noted American Architect) Famous Expert Tells Why Magnates Must Not Construct Dizzy Skyscrapers. a BUILDING a .mile high! That was the recent pre- Mmkt diction of New York con- tractors when figuring out possibilities for the. re- sumption of building op­ erations next spring. B«t our geologist friends say no. " TTMty declare that if such a structure slKMtld be raised over the fragile strata -of rock upon which the city is built -'"the whole would give; way to the strain • and a catastrophe would result. Therefore measures nave been taken which will prevent any such ideas be- In the crowded portions of Greater tNTew York the largest lot is about 200 feet square, that being probably the biggest plot of precious ground ob­ tainable in the downtown district of Gotham. Placing a building 2,000 feet high upon this piece of Mother Earth, the cost would be in the neigh­ borhood of 160,000,000. It would weigh 516,000 tons, according to esti­ mates which have been furnished the New York board of aldermen by some of the greatest engineering experts in the world. The tonnage of the American navy i He Warns Them Against Hitherto Untold Perils-- Gives Scientific Reasons * 'Sr/7.Ci' 'SIXTY'TWO otTOXl&S OR TEASCy -A QzmazR or a jwxm/sm. ( *\< • <!ng made of practical use. Desire for < their own safety caused Gotham city fathers to squelch the plan and it is -considered probable that the tallest building which New York will ever :eee will not be more than 2,000 feet in height, and perhaps a limit of 1,000 feet may be put upon the height of the&e gigantic monuments to modern rlndustry. When you stop to consider the whole proftesitlon the truth begins to dawn. An edifice of 2,000 feet possesses •weight of 516,000 tons, and therefore * structure a mile tall would weigh -4,200,000 tons, and under this terrible •-drain Manhattan would collapse, •scientists tell us. There have been no architectual plan:, which will so shift the weight of auy building that the strain upon the strata when erected to the height of one mile will allow it to stand in <he first-conceived position without ®hiftifcg. Therefore the reasons for %.ot liaviug a one-mile-high structure •are both architectual and geological. History gives us no other instance -Where man has been able to test the weight-carrying capacity of Mother JSajrth, but to-day so far have the ideas Of civilisation reached that even the globe is under a strain UD hold the weight which man has dug out of its bowels an 1 placed upon its face. ( New Y&fk, like the city of Chicago, Sm not upon a firm base. Of course, itbfere is the usual strata of thick rock, "Which in some places is far more sub­ stantial thnn in others, but beyond a weight of 516,000 tons it is impossible to rest additional weight upon tfce foundations of the city, f«u- that Is what Ifee strata M>. foundation. is about 250,000 tons. Hence you might place two navies the size of the one possessed by America on top of a 200-foot plot of ground and the weight would be the same as that of a 200-foot building. The strain on the earth's crust is a terrible one, and in time it is declared the crust would give way under the fearful pres­ sure. For that reason the aldermen clamped the ban on buildings a mile high. Then the wind pressure upon large buildings must be taken into consider­ ation by the corps of. experts engaged in operations in New York. On a building 2,000 feet high the wind pressure on each wall is 6,000 tons, which on four walls adds 24,000 tons, and including the roof pressure there is 30,000 tons added weight, which Increases the total number of tons on the whole structure to 546,000 tons. This is an enormons weight, and far out of the conception of the ordinary human mind which does not have to deal with such monstrous pro­ positions. The monstrosity of the entire propo­ sition is made almost impowslble by the physical limitations of the earth, strata and general texture of the coun­ try in the neighborhood of New York. For that reason experts have figured by complicated processes that the big­ gest building which New York will construct in the future will not be over 1,000 feet In height. The work of devising engineering schemes which will lessen the fearful weight exerted upon the earth's crust is now the object of the biggest work­ ers in this line, and millions of dollars would be paid the man, or firm that perhaps more strength than these con­ ventional articles for constructing sky­ scrapers. Perhaps the city of Chicago is in more danger than any other big mart of trade in America. The size of build­ ings is continually growing and just lately limitations have been put upon the ambition of the brotherhood of architects. This action was taken by the city council for the same reason that the city fathers of the city of New York acted. Chicago is constructed on a strata which, it is declared, is altogether too thin for safety. Chicago's entire loop district was built upon1 what was a marsh only 75 years ago. Many of the oldest residents still tell the story of a traveler on horseback who visited Chicago's downtown district during the time that the Indians occasionally broke loose. A Chicagoan in a boat noticed a hat apparently floating in an exceptionally wet spot. The Chi­ cagoan needed a hat himself and he rowed to the spot, picked up the hat and was surprised to find the travel­ er's head beneath. He was up to his eyebrows in marsh. The scene then shifts to to-day. Big skyscrapers now stand on the spot where the horseman lost his hat. The great marsh dried up somewhat, and where it dicj not great loads of earth from the western districts of the city were piled in until a solid foundation was given the town. Scientists also talk of the cracking of great plate-glass windows used in Chicago's loop district stores for ex­ hibition purposes. The great weight which is put upon the somewhat un- solldifted portions of the marsh causes an occasional settling of the strained portions of strata and as a result spasmodic periods of alarm beset the downtown business men. Scientists, however, have assured the public that there is no ̂ danger ot loss of life, for the settling of the Instances has come during the night or early morning, showing that nature has taken a life-saving course in de­ stroying works from'the hand of man. That the foundations of a large city are elastic after a fashion was proven by a notable instance which came to the attention of the Chicago building commission and the? police a few ̂ years ago. A salvage company was engaged in tearing down a structure adjacent to the Women's Temple. Suddenly one morning when most of the debris from the wrecked structure had been carted away the occupants of offices in the Women's Temple felt the edi­ fice sag to the south--in the direction of the site of the wrecked building. The entire structure on the south side wrinkled in spots. Cracks, some of them two Inches wide, opened, caus­ ing the belief that a disaster was im­ minent. Such was not the case, how­ ever, and when a massive stone edi­ fice was erected on the site of the old building the Women's Temple resumed its natural posture. Experts who were put to work up6n the Incident in the interest of science determined that the stratum of bedrock, being elastic, had recoiled from the strain which the wrecked building put upon it, therefore causing a movement of the foundations of the Temple. When the newly erected building's weight was put'upon the site of the old structure normal conditions were resumed once more. Dozens -of incidents of the same sort have come to the attention of com­ missioners in large cities, but we find them Illustrated nearer home. Ia erecting the smallest kind of a houso or barn there must be allowance for sinking, and If one portion of the handiwork sinks and there is not the same falling of another portion large cracks along the walls tell of tb* trouble. That Is the reason that most builders prefer to sink their founda tions In the spring of the year, thl« being a precautionary meaauj e. For State Capital News Breety Gossip* Notes and Doings of Interest at Springfield. •fl'o'o'so'fl'gj a a a a aa^mnro aaaa arfrnt a arrsirir Springfield.--The Illinois State Jour­ nal Company was the successful bid' der for the class 2 printing work to be done by the state of Illinois during the next two years, under the bids opened by the state contract board. The contract for the work, covering the two years from October 1, 1908, to October 1, 1910, will be let by the board as soon as the regularity of the bids is established. The bids for tfce state coal contract were opened and the contract will in all probability be awarded to the Capital Coal Company, the lowest bidders. \ * •** <? N. ~ '•f " " 'iixm i®* ' -im . IS* * H : *5$ turn.**! 311 lit !$§ £ ZZfrPZX CMCAGO mmmmm is! ram I'.l III HI , man I!i 111 III iMwiwfc. jm £ Seeks Change of Venue. Joe James, indicted for the murder of Clergy A, Ballard, and whose life was sought by the mob during the re­ cent riots, but who was spirited away in an automobile, was arraigned be- for Judge Creighton. He pleaded not guilty and asked a change of venue on the grounds that race prejudice among the people made a fair trial impossible. The court overruled the motion to quash the indictments against Abe Raymer, Indicted as the mob leader, for the murder of Scott Burton and W. H. Donnegan, who were lynched. Only one of the indictments in the Donnegan murder was quashed. Springfield citizens organized a law and order league, with Rev. J. H. Bos- well president. The purpose is to drive questionable characters, black and white, frcm the city. Begin Trial of James, The trial of Joseph James, a negro, charged with the murder of C. A. Bal­ lard, began. James pleads self-de­ fense, though admitting that he stabbed Ballard to death. The negro crept into the room of Ballard's daughter during the night. When the girl screamed her fathpr grappled with James and was killed. This tragedy, followed closely by the alleged assault upon Mrs. Earl Hallam by a negro, was largely responsible for precipitation of the recent race riots. James was one of, the negroes whose life the mob sought, but who, with George Rich­ ardson, was taken away from the Springfield jail in an automobile. Troops Go to Indiana. Company H, Eighth infantry, I. N. G., composed of 63 men and three*com­ missioned officers, under command of Capt. W. D. Hodge, left over the Wa­ bash for Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind. The company will join national guardsmen from Indiana in an en­ campment of ten days. Beside the local company, three companies from Decatur, Bloomington and Jackson­ ville also left for Indiana. The four companies form the third battalion of the Eighth regiment of colored mi­ litiamen and are under command of Maj. Otis Duncan. Rain Badly Needed. Serious and irreparable damage has been dope in many parts of the state because of the lack of moisture. Rain­ falls of insufficient and unsatisfying amounts are reported from a few sta­ tions, according to a report by Wil­ liam B. Burns, section director. In many districts the drought is beconr ing serious, and unless rainfall co within a short time, the farm produ will be harmed considerably. A wave, followed by a light froet northern localities, overspread t! state during the early part of the month. * Requisitions Issued. Gov. Deneen issued a requisition on the governor of New York for the re­ turn to Chicago of Harold J. Jelenko, who is under arrest In New York and wanted in Chicago on a charge of larceny as bailee. He was employed by the Nathan Sloan Company of Chi­ cago and is alleged to have departed with a trunk of samples belonging to the concern. Charles Ludwig will be returned from Muskegon, Mich., to Chicago to answer a charge of forgery. He is alleged to have passed a worth­ less check purported to have been signed by Kerchooff & Hewbarth of Chicago for 29.50. The governor is­ sued a requisition on the governor of Indiana for the return to McLean county of Joseph Reardon, who is & paroled convict from the Illinois peni­ tentiary, and who is now serving, a term in the Indiana state penitentiary. Illinois Rich In Clay. Missouri changed places with In­ diana and thus became sixth Instead of seventh in rank among the states as a producer of clay products in 1907. Illinois also made an advance, pass­ ing New York and taking fourth place." The output of clay products in Mis­ souri in 1907, as shown the other day, was valued at $6,898,871, and at $6y- 696,275 in 1906; the value of the In­ diana product was $6,858,124 in 1907 and $7,158,234 in 1906. The produc­ tion in Illinois in 1907 amounted to $13,220,489, as compared with $1?,634,- 181 in 1906. The production 111 Illi­ nois last year was 8.32 per cent, of the total production of the country. Every state and territory was a producer in 1907, the values ranging from $40,107, or .37 per cent, of the total, in South Dakota, to $30,340,830 or 1$.09 per cent, of the total, in Ohio. ACCOUNTS OF HAPPENINGS IN ILLINOI8 FOR A WEEK. Riot Indictments to 8tand. Judge Creighton, in the Sangamon circuit court, overruled the motion by counsel for Abe Raymer, indicted on the charge of murder In the lynching of William H. Donnegan (colored), on the night of - August 15, and for riot­ ing, inciting riots, and destruction of property, to have the indictments re­ turned by the special grand jury de­ clared void and illegal. The charge was made by Raymond's counsel that the state's attorney did not show that public justice required the convening of a special grand jury as required by law. As soon as the decision of the court was rendered Raymer appeared in court and entered a plea of "not guilty" to all counts. LOSES LEG UNDEfR TRAIN McLeansboro Boy Victim of Accident While Gathering Data for Essay He Had Been Ordered • to Write. McLeansboro.--Carter Daniel, IS years old, a pupil in the high school, lost his left leg while gathering data for an essay his teacher told him to write. Young Daniel was assigned to prepare a descriptive composition on the arrival and departure of a fast passenger train. With several com­ panions, he awaited the arrival of a train on the railroad several blocks from the station. They watched the approach of the flyer and he noted its slackening speed as it drew nearer the depot. As it neared him he de­ cided to board it and ride to the sta­ tion, there to see it pull out As he attempted to board the first coach his foot slipped and he was thrown under th£ wheels. ARRANGE A'TEST CASE. "v ; A# to Whether Brewery Has Right to Sell Beer in Dry Township. Decatur.--A test of one phase of the local option law is to be made in this county. There will be filed in the county court an information charg­ ing the Decatur Brewing Company with a violation of the law in pelling beer at wholesale in a dry township. The delivery was made beyond the ilmits of Decatur township, but to a customer in a township which has been voted anti-saloon territory. The contention of the prosecution Hi that the sale is a violation of the law. The brewing company contends that the law distinctly provides that sales • of beer at wholesale beyond the limits of the township in which the brewery is located, even though that township has become anti-saloon territory, is not illegal. The point is not upon any question of constitutionality, but an interpreta­ tion of one of the legal phases in­ volved. MAY BUILD BIG LEVEE. Hid in Ambush for Troops. While a company of colored troops was preparing to leave the Wabash station for Indianapolis a man was discovered lying in the shadows near­ by ready to assault the soldiers with bricks. The man had at least a half bushel of bricks broken down to handy throwing size and ready for use, the minute the train started to pull out. His intentions were discovered in time and the fellow was chased away before he had an opportunity to start a race war all his own. Beardstown Plans Protectkm from Disastrous Spring Floods. Beardstown.--A movement toward the prevention of the spring floods, which inundated the western part of this city and the surrounding country in 1908, and for several years past, was taken at a joint meeting of the city council and citizens of Beards* town and the county, held in the city hall. A levee which will protect the city as well as the rich farm land border­ ing on the river has been talked. As planned, it will begin at the-western limits of the city and will extend near the river bank and follow the course of the stream southward a mile and a quarter to high ground. Will Open an Office. Sergt. Holman, who t is in charge of the local Marine corps recruiting of­ fice, received authority from the head­ quarters to open up a permanent office in room 303 Odd Fellows' building. The local office will serve as the head­ quarters of central Illinois and Sergt. Holman will establish an office this week in Danville. Branch offices in Decatur, Champaign and Jacksonville, as tributaries to the local office, are also contemplated. State Cases Are Continued. The suits of the people against state treasurers and auditors who have re­ tained moneys paid into them for reg­ istering bonds of municipalities, were continued for service in the court* Those that were continued are the peo­ ple against Moses Williamson and others, Charles S. Deneen, governor, against Lydia Williams, and the peo­ ple against Sarah E. Tracey. James Porter Returned. James Porter, a negro, indicted by the special grand jury for alleged com­ plicity in the assault on William Bo we during the race riot, was returned from Hannibal, Mo., by Deputy Sheriff Clendenin. Porter fled the city and was apprehended at Hannibal by the authorities there. Name Waterway Body. Under a joint resolution adopted by the last general assembly, Gov. De­ neen appointed five members of the deep waterway committee, as follows: Isham Randolph, Chicago; Lyman E. Cooley, Chicago; R. R. McCormick, Chicago; Walter Reeves, Stre^tor; R. R. Bourland, Peoria. The purpose of the commission, which Includes in its membership five members each from the house and senate, is to investigate and determine the state's rights in rivers and other bodies of water with­ in and bordering the state. Portor Is Arrested. Sheriff Werner has received infor­ mation from Hannibal, Mo., that Jim Porter, a negro, indicted by the special grand jury for complicity In the mur­ derous assault upon William Bowe, was under arrest. Porter will be re­ turned to Springfield for trial within a few days, according to information received by the police authorities. Requisition papers have been for­ warded to Gov. Folk of Missouri and as soon as they are honored a deputy will be sent after Porter. Deep Waterway Body Named. nder a joint resolution adopted by last general assembly Gov. Deneen pointed the following committee: m Randolph, Lyman E. Cooley R. R. McCormick of Chicago; Walter Reeves of Streator, R. R. Bour­ land of Peoria. The purpose of the commission, which includes in its membership five members each from the house &nd senate, is to investigate and determine the state's rights In rivers and other bodies of water with­ in and bordering the state. Governor Names Board. Gov. Deneen announced the ap­ pointment of members of the state board of registered nurses in com­ pliance with an act effective July 1, 1908. The members are: Helen Scott May, Bena Henderson, Anna Hanra- han, Chicago; Mary C. Wheeler, Quin- cy, and {Catherine Matthews, Spring- Cousins in Deadly Fight. Havana.--James Mibbs, aged 38 years, Is in a Berious condition as a result of knife wounds he alleges he received in a fight with his ' cousin, Henry Mibbs, at the station at Sai- dora. The men had been out of the village and when they returned home James Mibbs took a bottle of whisky from his.pocket and demanded that his cousin drink. The latter refused, and James struck him in the face with his fist, Henry, it is alleged, drew his pocket knife and began slashing James. The men were parted and James Mibbs was carried to bis home. He wa^ slashed promiscuously on the body and his recovery is doubt? ful. Car Hits Buggy; One Dead, Two Hurt. Rockford.--A Rockford and Interur- ban car crashed into a buggy contain­ ing three men at Mulfords Crossing, killing Nels Nelson, while his compan­ ions, Charles Ryberg and N. J. Rehn, were terribly Injured. The party was returning from a nutting trip. 8eeks Description of Sparks. Sheriff Werner has wired to Cin­ cinnati authorities for a description of Edward Sparks, the negro arrested there and believed to be wanted here j for connection with the recent riots. J It is not^known here who the negro is and until his description is secured it will be impossible to tell whether he is wanted. Coffee Pot Explodes; Woman Burned. Hillsboi:o.--Mrs. John Frieseland was badly burned by the explosion of a coffee pot. The lid was on too tight and when the coffee steam had gained sufficient force the liquid was thrusts into her face. It is believed that her sight can be saved. -o 8tate Equalizers Hold 8ession. A short session of the state board Of equalization was held in this city. Owing to the fact that only a few re­ ports from the various counties have been received, an adjournmonift)f two weeks was taken. Man Eighty-Six, Held a« Thief. Pitts field.--Caught in the act of taking chickens from the coop of-M. D. King, Harry Moore, colored, at the point of a shotgun, was marched to, the county jail by King. Moore is 86 .years old and a well-known character about town. Geologists Visit Capital. A party of 20 geologists, including members of the United States geo­ logical survey, two members of for­ eign geological societies, and mem­ bers of the state organization, were' in Springfield for a brief visit. The party came from the south on a special in­ ter urban car and were met by mem­ bers of the chamber of commerce with autos and given a ride about the city. Dinner was served at the Illini Coun­ try club for the visitors and soeial en­ tertainment will be provided for tho party. Now Railroad Is Incorporated. Articles of incorporation for the Galesburg, Aledo & Northwestern Railroad Company were filed in the offices Of Secretary of State Rose. The capital stock is $10,000 and the principal office is located at Gales­ burg. The proposed line is to be con­ structed from Galesburg in a west and north direction through the counties of Knox, Warren and Mercer to the city of Aledo, and from there through the county of Rock Island to the cities of Rock Island and Muscatine, Is- Auto Frightens Horses; Killed. • Mount Vernon.--Mrs. Annie Banes was killed here in a runaway. The team became frightened at an automo­ bile. She leaves seven children. Believe Richardson Is Insane. Springfield.--James Richardson, a brother of George Richardson, the ne­ gro first accused in the Hallam case, was locked up in the county jail. It is thought James Richardson will have to be sent to an asylum as he has shown signs of mental derangement Pana Pastor Resigns Charge. Pana.--Rev. Charles O. McMullen has resigned as pastor of the Chris­ tian church of this city. Mr. McMul­ len came here from TaylorvtUe a short time ago. Jail Breakers Caught. Mt. Sterling.--A telegram receded her* from Tecumseh. Neb., tells ot the capture in that city of Edward Orr and Fred Clark who escaped from the county jail here. Both men wero held for assault with intent to MIL Wabash Kills a Wan. Jacksonville.--Edward Kennody oi Ivesdale, 111., was run down by a WIV" bash train here and killed instantly. The accident had no witnesses. The remains wore sont to Ivoodale Cor bur­ ial.