Evening Star Newspaper, March 10, 1894, Page 1

a eee THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. llth Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, S. H. KAUPFMANN, Pres't. New York Ofice, 88 Potter Building. THE EVENING STAR is served to subseribers in th: city by carriers, on their own account, at 19 cents T week. or 44. ~ Coptes ‘at the coun- T +2 conts each. mail—any where in the United States of Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents ver Sat RDaT 31 S- le! 3 ae rcmeat TUPLE etm Ot. 00 per year; at Washington, D. C., mmatter:) mail subscriptions must be paid {; advertising made known ou applications Che £vening Star. —~— Vor 84, No. 20,829. ee! WASHINGTON, D. C.. SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1894A—TWENTY PAGES. TWO CENTS DISTRICT NEED Further Discussion of the Appropriation Bill. SEVERAL GOOD AMENDMENTS ADOPTED The $43,000 to Be Immediately Available for Suburban Streets. A TALK ON GAS LIGHT a ae The House today resumed consideration 2f the District appropriation bill, with Mr. McRae of Arkansas in the chair. Mr. Cogswell offered an amendment ap- Jropriating $5,000 to replace sidewalks and curbs around public reservations. He said this amendment ts urged by the Comumis- Bioners and there is great necessity for it. He cited as an instance the dilapidated pavement around the reservation in front of the National Theater, which, he said, is @angerous as well as disgraceful ~ Mr. Compton said he thought the state of the surplus would not warrant the appropria- tion at this time. Upon a rising vote the amendment was agreed to, yeas 58, 1ays 43, the republicans and Dr. Everett of Massa- chusetts voting with Mr. Cogswell and the democrats voting against him. Mr. Talbert of South Carolina offered an amendment providing that che cost of im- proving county roads shall be paid one-half by the city and one-half by the owners of abutting property. Mr. Compton opposed the amendment vigorously, on the ground that it changes existing law. It was de- feated by a vote of 29 yeas to 9) naya, the republicans, with two or three democrats, Voting against the amendment. To Be Immediately Available. Mr. Compton then offered an amendment making immediately available the appro- Priation of $43,000 for improving streets on Meridian hill, 12th street, Pennsylvania avenue extended, Sherman and Grant ave- nues and M street. This is the proposition Which it was sought to pass last December. Mr. Kilgore raised the point which he has heretofore made that the improvement of these streets should be in conformity with the street extension law of 1892. This point Was disputed by Mr. Compton and Mr. Williams of Illinois. Mr. Baker of New Hampshire objected to spending $43,000 upon suburban streets at this time. Mr. Compton replied that they are not really suburban streets, and he read the letter from the Commissioners, which has been heretofore published, explaining the status of this proposed improvement. Mr. Talbert asked if Mr. Compton thought it right to improve private property ort- side of the city limits without the owners po the property contributing their pro rata share. questionably not, replied Mr. Comp- ; “but such fs not the case in this !n- stance. These are public highways, already opened to travel, and it is not proposed to open new streets.” Mr. Henderson Urges the Appropria- tion. Mr. Henderson said the Commissioners have asked for $108,000 and the committee has cut the estimate to $43,000. Mr. Hen- | derson explained the act requiring the unt- form extension of streets. This appropria- tion fs not affected by thaf“act. This appro- Priation applies to streets already laid out. It | ‘Would be exceedingly unfair to diseriminate reduction of 20 per cent were made to the consumer it should not be made to the city also. He believed the company would make a fair profit at $18 per lamp. The Company Defended. Mr. Richardson desired to present a few facts, which, he said, had been developed by the recent gas investigation. He said the stock of the company at the present market rate is not such a profitable inv ment as Mr. Outhwaite represented. The present market value of the stock does not earn such large profits. “It is about a 5 per cent dividend paying stock. If a man had invested the same amount of money in real estate in 1849 as in gas stock his profit would have been about the same. Mr. Williams of Illinois said the present cost of gas to the city street lamps ts 65 cents per 1,000, and Mr. Outhwaite’s amend- ment would reduce it to about 88 cents. Mr. Cooper of Florida said he thought the proposed amendment is not a judicious one. He is earnestly in favor of reducing the cost of gas to consumers to $1, but in mak- ing that reduction the District committee ment. Amendments Adopted. ‘After this appropriation the amendment of Mr. Outhwaite reducing the cost of street lamps from $20.50 to $!. per lamp was agreed to by a vote of 61 to 10. Among those who voted against it were Messrs, Richardson, Cogswell, Compton, Cooper of Florida, Williams and Mallory. An amendment was also agreed to reduc- ing the price of electric street lamps from -40 per night to .85 per night. Rock Creek Park Land. After this appropriation Mr. Holman raised a point of order against the proposi- tion authorizing the rental of arable ground in the Rock Creek Park. The point was sustained and the paragraph was stricken out. That action deprived the District of revenues which would arise from that rental. De Armond Sat Down Upon Again. Mr. De Armond moved to require the District to pay three-fourths of the ex- penses of the public schools, and addressed the House upon hts amendment. Mr. Compton opposed it, and sald the House repudiated Mr. De Armond’s plan yesterday, and he thought to continue to offer such amendments is child’s play. The amendment was defeated by a vote of SO nays to 18 yeas. As to School Supplies. Mr. Goldzier secured the unanimous adoption of an amendment providing that no school supplies or books shall be pur- chased in which any school teacher or trustee has a pecuniary interest. Police Statiun Keepers’ Increase De- feated. Mr. Meredith moved to increase the pay of police staticn keepers from $750 to $00, but it was defeated by a point of order by Mr. Dockery. ———_-e-___—_. GOVERNMENT SEEDS IN TEXAS. The Health Officer of El Pase Writes Secretary Morton. The follewing letter has been received by Secretary Morton from Dr. W. M. Yan- dell, health officer of El Paso, Texas, in acknowledgment of the receipt of packages of seeds: My Dear Sir: Through the kindness of the Hons. R. Q. Mills and J. V. Cockrell I received lately from ycur department a number of packages of winter vegcta- bles, each bearing a printed request that I report the result of my trial of that va- riety “and return this paper bas with such report.” I enclose the bag which con- tained the only variety so far given a trial, and in this connection I desire to say to you that your strict compliance against these streets by applying that act | to them. Mr.Henderson explained that this appropriation of $43,000 was omitted from | the bill in making it up, because it was car- ried in a bill reported last December, and upen which favorable actton had been | asked. If the House denies this amend- | ment It will prevent any improvements out- | side of the city. Mr. Holman contended that while it was all right for the government to bear its share of the ordinary expenses of the Dis- | trict government, When it came to im- | provements of this sort the District should bear all the expense. Mr. Baker of Kansas opposed the amend- ment. He objected to so much being ap- Propriated for work outside the city limits, | and criticised the apportionment made be- tween the sections of the city of the ap- propriations for improvements. Mr. Williams advocated the appropriation. Jerry Simpson Objects. Mr. Simpson spoke in opposition. He said that it appeared to him that, while the pro- | fessions were made that this work was to | give employment to the unemployed, some | designing persons were trying to take ad- | vantage of it to benefit speculators. He | Was oppoSed to taxing the people to bene- fit. speculators. Mr. De Armond discussed the legal status of the proposition, in connection with the | law for the extension of the streets out- | side the cities of Georgetown and Wash- Imgton. He contended that money could not be spent in the improvement of outside streets until after the adoption of a gen- eral plan for the street extensions. The Amendment Adopted. Mr. Compton said that the work of street extension is to be done under the supervis- fon of three United States officers, named im the act. In reply to a question from Mr. Simpson Mr. Compton said that the Streets proposed to be improved by his dment are not strictly suburban treets. The amendment of Mr. Compton ‘was adopted by a vote of 38 to 30, the re- | ublicans again coming to the rescue of the istrict. More a) Retter Light. Mr. Compton secured the adoption of an amendment providing that street gas lamps shall burn not less than 3,000 hours. It amended by Mr. Outhwaite to the effect | that the light furnished shall not be tess than twenty candle power. This was ac- cepted by Mr. Compton and adopted. Mr. Outhwaite then offered an amend- Ment reducing the price to be paid for street gas lamps from $20.50 per annum to $18 per annum for ch lamp. He said that the District committee has decided that the Price of gas should be reducsd to 31 it os 1,000 feet, and this amendment is to bring the cost of street lamps to this reduction. Mr. Compton said the city ts really getting its street gas for $16 per lamp, for of that $20.50 now paid $4.50 comprises the cost of taking care of the lamps. Mr. Outhwaite said other citiee are fur nished gas at prices from $13 to $17, in- cluding the cost of taking care of the lampe. Mr. Outhwaite said the gas company can rnish gas and make @ profit at $15 per a =swell sat wholesale prices, that when the price jy reduced it fs not fair because the city te ing the Gas ¢ replied that f mental proposition is that the city be not compelled to pay more for its gas than it ought to. Mr. Outhwatte sald this gas company has the most magnificent franchise of any cor- — in the country. It has increased tS capital stock $500,000, every cent of which was out of its earnings; {t has is- Sued $00,000 worth of certificates out of the earnings. The company has paid an- nual dividends of 10 per cent, and now has ® surplus of $251,000 invested in stocks and bonds. Richardson suggested that the $500,- G00 issue extended over a period of years, and that the ber cent dividend was de- clared om the par value of the stock, and Fot the market value. ir. Dockery a i why Mr. Outhwaite { the supply to the city upon the i > game basis as the supply to private con- ers. 4 the gas company fur- | RE Outhwaite saw Be reason why if aj) with the democratic platform demands for more rigid economy in pubiic expendi- tures meets my hearty approval, and to assure you that I shall take great pleasure at any time wher you are short on paper bags in forwarding you a dozen or two on receipt of a prepaid self-iirected en- velope. This request I make not so much to save postage as because I am determined not to be a party to the Post Office Department scheme for working off John Wanamaker's be had at our post office) on an innocent and unsuspecting public. I have also to re- quest that when you send me more dried ored lady who does me the honor to pre- aide over the gastronomical department of my establishment, “don” har'ly hol’ a Candor compels me te report that if I have ever tasted worse peas than the Champion of England, the variety given a trial, I do not recall My first impression was that they were taken from a lot of condemned army stores left over from the late civil war, but after mature delibera- tion | have arrived at the conclusion, from captured with Cornwallis at Yorktown. The suggestion that you are sending your fresh vegetables to the doubtful districts in the northwest and unloading your stale veg- etables on Judge Cockrell’s district, which is safely democratic, and in many parts of which dried apples’ are a luxury, I repel with scorn as a weak invention of the enemy, coming, as it does, from a repub- Mean, iu th I do not subscribe to the asser- com ae by a distinguished Texan in our prohibition campaign that you had as well try to rum the Baptist Church without water as the democratic party without whisky, I want to suggest that if it is pro- posed to cortinue in the republican rut of governmental paternalism it would be a good idea to encourage both the farmer and the distiller, the producer of the raw ma- terial and the manufacturer, by distributing that most valuable product of Indian corn hand-made sour mash, among the demo racy of this district, who are sadly lacking in enthusiasm since witnessing ihe spec- tacle of senatorial courtesy in the silver debate, and democrats in the House voting against democratic platform demands em- bodied in the Wilson bill. Should you de- cide to adopt my suggestion, I shall take pleasure in acting as agent for your depart- ment in distributing as many barrels as you can spare, of a real good article, and can assure you that I shail put them where they will do the most good. | As the south is now doing its full share toward maintaining the government, and [those of us who served in the southern | army are prohibited from refreshments at | the pension pie counter (even under the very liberal ruling of the late pension com- missioner, which, as I understand it, was |that it was not necessary to have been | merely to have been haif-shot when en- listed), it might strike you that you ought to give us rather the best of it in the dis- | tribution of pie by your department. Per- sonally, having as a first-course medical | student served in the hospitals of the con- federacy, I have no doubt that I, unin- | tentionally, did our cause as much harm as any defender of the Uuion who draws his pension today. If you feel that my services deserve rec- ognition, you can borrow an empty two- bushel sack from my friend, W. G. Sterctt, fill it with fresh vegetables, attach the frank of a Member of Congress (which I see by the report of the chief of the seed division under your predecessor, he some times himself wrote for members), so that I may return the sack promptly, and for ward to me at your earliest convenien Trusting that you may decide to act promptly ard favorably on my suggestion | for renewing the waning enthusiasm of the democracy of this district, and that you will convey to Cols. Mills and Cockrell the ne- newed assurances of my most distinguished consideration for their kind remembraaces in the way of garden seeds and anci-: history (reports of departments and silver speeches), the latter of which I have unloaded on the helpless inmates of the poor farm and the county jail, my dear sir, 1 remain, Yours for seed, M. Ww. YAUDELL, of division in Nn nom'nated republicans of the Cong an | first Tennessee district. has taken into consideration the revenues | derived by the company from the govern-- chest protectors (the only stamps now to | vegetables you enlarge the paper bags, as | | those received, in the language of the col- their name and condition, that they were | shot in the war to secure a pension, but | for } MR. HERBERT’S REPLY To the Boutelle Resolution as to the Navy at Honolulu. WHY MR. BLOUNT CONTROLLED I? By Authority of the President of the United States. PRECEDENTS CITED Secretary Herbert today sent a communi- cation to the House of Representatives in answer to the Boutelle resolution in regard | to the use of the naval forces at Honolulu. The letter quotes the orders given to Ad- miral Skerrett March 11, 1893, to obey the instructions of Mr. Blount, heretofore trans- mitted to the House by the President, and then recites at length the instructions given \by the Secretary of State to Mr. Blount to show Mr. Blount’s paramount authority from the President. “It is also to be borne in mind,” continues the letter, “as matter of fact, that at the |time the order of March 11, referred to in the resolution, was issued, this department | Was advised that armed naval forces of the | United States had been landed upon the | |territory of Hawaii, a country with which |the United States were at peace, and that |the flag of the United States had been rai: jed over the public buildings in the capital |of that country, Under these circumstances and in view of the remoteness of the Ha- |waiian Islands from telegraphic communi- cation, it was essential not only that no [conflict of authority should arise with ref- jerence to the disposition of the United States naval forces at Hawaii, but that |such forces should be employed in entire |harmony with and in support of the policy of the diplomatic branch of the govern- | ment. For these reasons, and in order that the special commissioner appointed by the President might, in the discharge of the important duties intrusted to him, be aided by the fullest co-operation on the part of the naval branch of the government, it was deemed proper to direct that Rear Admiral Skerrett should consult freely with Mr. Blount, and should carry out any instruc- tions given him in regard to the course to be pursued by the United States naval forces at the Hawalian Islands. I deem it to be at all times the duty of the giaval forces of the United States, in matters affecting our foreign relatious, to act in subordination to and in the fullest co-operation with, the policy of the civil branch of the government, and not to take the initlative in such matters, unless in ac- cordance with the letter and spirit of such general or special orders as may be issued to them by the Secretary of the Navy, or when required to do so in cases of special exigency by circumstances of such gravity and urgency as to admit of no delay. If the observance of this general principle is incumbent upon the naval forces of the United States in their relations with our diplomatic representatives in foreign coun- tries under ordinary circumstances, it be- comes particularly important upon ovca- sions when a direct representative of the President charged with duties of a com- prehensive, delicate and confidential char- acter is sent abroad. By Authority of the Presi@ent. Believing that hapras Fe yy the department in its order of March ‘Ti, 1803, | Was not only proper and necessary in or- der to preclude the possibility of any mis- understanding or conflict of authority which jmight have resulted in serious embarrass- |ments to American interests, and, further, | that such action was in harmony with estab- ilished precedent, I have to state in re- Sponse to the direct inquiry contained in jthe resolution of the House, as to my au- thority for issuing the order in question, that said order was issued by authority of the President, who, by constitutional pro- vision is made commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States. In this connection attention is invited to the inclosed copies of orders issued by Secretaries of the Navy, my predecessors, relevant to the matters herein discussed. |i. Letter dated April 8, 1823, from the |Secretary of the Navy to John Gallagher, commanding United States brig Enterprise, directing him to proceed to the Island of |Porto Rico, to protect all American ves- seis and the persons and property of Amer- \ican citizens “from illegal seizure by Span- ish or other cruisers, under whatever flag.” |In this letter the commander of the Enter- prise was directed to regulate his opeva- tions by the advice of Thomas Randall, esq., agent of the government, who was to be taken on board the Knterprise at New | York and landed at Porto Rico. 2. Letter dated April 24, 1823, from the |Secretary of the Navy to John’ Gallagher, commanding United States brig Enterprise, instructing him “under the advice and ap- probation of Mr. Randall, special agent of the United States" to “carry Into effect the views expressed” by Honorable John | Quincy Adams, Secretary of State, in cer- |tain communications, copies of which were | forwarded to Capt. Gallagher. 3. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy t# Commodore M. C. Perry, commanding |the hore squadron, advising him that the | President had “directed Nicholas T. Trist, jesq., of the State Department to proceed | to the headquarters of the army, or to the as he should deem most con- that Mr. Trist w ‘clothed with such diplomatic power as to authorize him | to enter into arrangements with the Mext- |can government for the mutual suspension |of hostilities;” and adding, “you will not relax the vigor |he may remain tn Mexico, rects you to sispend them.’ 4. Letter dated May 8, 1847, from Com- medore Perry reporting recetpt of and com- |pliance with the above order. Recent Precedents. | 5. Letter dated November 6, 1869, from the | Secretary of the Navy to Capt. G. B. | Balch, commanding U. 8. S. Albany, di- recting him to receive on board the Albany \Gen. Babstock, who would “have certain jorders from the President of the United States; to conform to all Gea. Babcock's wishes and orders, and to convey him to {such points as he might desire to visit, }and when he had accomplished the duty |on which he was sent, to return with bim |to the United States, if he so desired. 6. Letter dated January 11, 1870, from the | Secretary of the Navy to Lieut. Commander |¥. M. Bunce, on the same subject. | wetter dated December 2, 1881, from the Secretary of the Nevy to Rear Admiral |G. B, Balch, commanding the United States naval force, Pacific station, advising him of the appointment of Mr. William Henry Trescott of the Department of State as special envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, with instructions to proceed to Chile, and directing Rear Admiral Balch |to be governed, as far as practicable, by his wishes. “With reference to the direction contained in the latter clause of the resolution, I have to state that copies of all orders, dire jons and instructions issued by the Secretary of the Navy, or by any officer of this depart ment, or of the navy, so far as such orders, directions and Instructions are to be found upon the files and records of the depart- ment, from March 4, 1889, to December 1 1503, "were transmitted to the House by the President on the date last named, and were printed a8 a part of House executive docu ment No, 48 of the present session, a copy of which is inclosed. Copies of all papers In the possession of the department relating | to the subject matter of the resolution, which have been | ed or received since | December 18, 1493, are also inclosed.” unless he di- e+ sak Mr. Wilson Better. Secretary Gresham received a tele- | gram from United States Consul General Crittenden, at Mexico, saying that Rep: entative Wilson is gradually improving nd that he was sitting up dressed at last report, \ of your operations while | THE PROBABLE DEFICIT It Will Wot Be as Great as Was An- ticipated, Careful Estimates Presented Show the Amount Will Not Be Over $70,000,000. There are good reasons for the belief that the deficiency in the revenues of the government for the present fiscal year will fall considerably below Mr. Carlisle's esti- mates. In his statement before the House judiciary committee on January 25 last the Secretary expressed th2 opinion that the deficit for the year would be $78,000,000 or $79,000,000, But the conditions have changed some- what since then, and it is now the opinion | of experts, who base their estimates upon the best data obtainable, that the deficiency jat the close of the present fiscal year will |be found not to exceed $70,000,000. This conclusion is arrived at independent of any increase in the receipts from internal reve- rue, incident to a probable increase in the duties in the Uquor, tobacco and other Schedules of the pending tariff bill. ‘stimates of Receipts. The closest and most careful estimates of the receipts from customs places the amount at the close of the year at $135,- | 000,000, of which $92,637,422 had already {been realized on March 1. It is expected that until the new tariff bill becomes a law there will not be any considerable inaporta- tions, except to meet current needs and an | active market. Merchants during the last | year and particularly during the last six | Months, it is argued, have been pursuing a | very cautious policy as to purchases abroad, | and as a consequence their stocks of goods | have been reduced to a very low point. As- | Suming that this conservative policy will be | continued and that the customs receipts | will continue to slowly decrease for the re- |Maining months of the year, the aggre- | Bate would still reach $135,000,000. The re- | celpts from internal revenue are closely es- timated at $14,000,000, if unintluenced by pending legislation, and the receipts from miscellaneous sources, $13,000,000, making the total receipts $203,000,000, Expenditure Estimates, The civil and miscelianeous disburse ments will probably reach $98,000,000, of which the bounty on sugar will take $10,- 000,000 and possibly a little more. The disbursements through the War Depart- ment, it is thought, will aggregate about $54,000,000, and of this amount about $15,- 000,000 have already been paid on account of river and harbor appropriation: The cost of the Navy Departmen: , includ- ing payments for the construction of war vessels and premiums on the same, it is estimated, will amount to about $33,000,000, The Indian service is expected to cost approximately $10,000,000. Last year the payments on, this account were abnormally large in consequence of $3,000,000 pald to the Choctaws for ceded lands, Decrease in Pension Payments. A material decreese is anticipated in the emcunt of pension payments, and it is not believed that the aggregate for the year Will exceed $140,000,000. This expectation seems to be justified by the fact that dur- ing the first eight months of the present fiscal year the payments on ‘count of pensions amounted to only $0%,778,000, as against $106,965,515 during the same period of last year, which is a decrease in the eight months of more than $13,200,000, ‘The interest account will probably not ex- ceed $27,400,000. ‘The items which go to make up this amount, stated in round numbers, are: Interest on 4 per cent 1907 bonds, $22,400,000; interest on Pacific rail- road vonds already >aid, $3,840,000; interst on 41-2 per cents contiaued at 2 per cent; $500,000; quarterly payment of interest on the new 1004 loan, $650,000. These figures make a total of $362,400,000 of expendi- tures, or a deficiency of $69,400,000, A Still Further Reduction. This estimated deficit, however, is very likely to be materially reduced by the with- drawals from bonded warehouses of whisky and alcohol before the pending tariff bill becomes a law and is put imto effect. There are now in bond about 143,- 000,000 gallons of high grade spirits, of Which about 48,000,000 gallons are rye and Bourbon whiskies, and about J5,.00,000 gallons of alcohol and low graJe whisky, It is argued that as alcohol does not in- crease in value with age, but rather deteri- orates, nearly the whole amount now in bond will be withdrawn to avoid the pay- ment of increased duties, and it is believed that of the best des of whisky now in bond a large percentage would be with- drawn for the same reason. It is therefore confidently expected that the effect of the increases made by the Senate and House in the whisky tax will reduce the deficit for the year by from $10,000,000 to $20,000,000. o-——___ D THE DEBATE. Arrangements to Vote on the Bland I Next Week, It was with great difficulty that the re- Publicans and democrats of the Senate came to an agreement yesterday afternoon as to the time for taking a vote on the Bland seigniorage bill. Senator Harris de- scended from the chair, which he was oc- cupying in the absence of the Vice Presi- dent, for the purpose of perfecting ap) whereby the bill could be put upon its p age without causing too much dissatisfac- tion on the part of the opponents of the measure. In view of the fact that the senior Senator from Tennessee held the situation in his own hands and could have shut off debate in a moment by moving to |table Senator Allison's motion to recon- | sider, the attitude of the republicans was |very curious. They were as a rule disposed |to accept the terms proposed by Senator | Harris, but when he, weary of suggesting plan after plan, stipulated that the debate should close on Tuesday, Senator Quay in- dignantly objected and the whole pan of fat sent sizzling into the fire. Then Sen- ator Quay interrupted Senator Vilas, who had begun to speak, by moving to adjourn until Monday, and this was lost, 16 to This roll call, however, gave an opporiun- ity for the leaders on both sides to get together, and when the vote had been |announced Senator Harris made what, he said, was his last proposition, wh in- | cluded a vote on the motion to reconsider at 2 o'clock on Wednesday, and then, should that motion be defeated, for debate to von- tinue, undey the five-minute rule, until 2 o'clock on Thursday, when the vote on the | bill shall be taken. There were no objec- tions raised and so the matter was ar- |ranged. Senator Vilas then went on with | his speech. —-o-— THE HANCOCK STATUB. Mr. Henry J. Ellicott’s Design Accept- ed by the Commission. The Hancock monument commission has jaccepted the design of Mr. Henry J. Elll- lectt of this city for a statue of Gen. W. 8. | Hancock, and will make a contract with \him for its construction. It calls for a | bronze equestrian statue of “the superb” jand a granite pedestal nearly 20 feet in | height, and very similar in its general out- lines to the pedestal of the Scott statue. As Stated In yesterday's Star, the Hancock statue will be erected in the triangle at | the northwest coraer of Pennsylvania ave- {nue and 7th street. — -° To Raine the Kearsarge. Lieut. Fred. T. Brainard, the hero of the | Kearsarge disaster, has been ordered to ac- company the expedition for the recovery of the vessel and to superintend tions of the wrecking contractors. He had an interview with Secretary Herbert at the Navy Department on the subject today. He will start for Roncador reef at once, the opera- | | passed | ments. LOCAL ASSESSMENTS Hearing Today on the Several Bills | Before Congress. BOARD OF TRADE BILL APPROVED Mr.Hemingway Criticises the Meth- ods of Assessing Taxes. NO ACTION TAKEN Assessments ard methods of assessing District property were the subjects discuss- ed at the morning session of the board of Commissioners today. The hearing was a public one, and a number of prominent | business men and real estate owners were present, including W. C. Dodge, Gen. Wm. Birney, W. J. Frizzell, Evan Tucker, B. H. Warner, J. Harrison Johnson, O. T. Thomp- son, Daniel Murray, Archibald Greenlees, J. B. Ballantyne, C, B. Hemingway,, As- Four pending agsessment bills were dis- cussed, viz: The board of trade bill; House bill 4926, otherwise known as the Simpson bill; Senate bill 1660, the McMillan bill, and Senate bill 1499, known as the Hunton bill. With the exception of the Simpson bill the bills were introduced in Congress Ly re- quest. President Ross of the board of Commis- sioners called the hearing <o orier. He thought it would expedite matters consider- ably if the board of trade bill were first taken up. Board of Trade Plan. There being no objection the secretary Was directed to read the bill in full. Representatives of the board of trade were present in the persons of Messrs. B. H. Warner, O. T. Thompson and J. Harrison Johnson, and they were called upon to explain the bill. Mr. Warner said the matter was fully discussed in quite a large gathering of the beard of trade. “In the first place, the bill Was discussed in the committee of which Mr. Gurley is acting chairman—the com- mittee on taxation and assessments. In the next place, it was reported to the board of directors and fully discussed there, and then reported to the meeting of | the board. I do not know what more can be said on the matter by way of arg.- ment. The present bill itself is approved by the board of trade and I express wil- lingress to answer any questions or ob- jections which may be made to the bill.” Mr. Hemingway asked if the present | law did not provide for a board of three | assessors? Mr. Trimble said: “No, sir, The act of 1983 is the only law which is now in force | for assessments.”” Mr. Hemingway replied: “The act of March %, 1883, but that was changed by an amendment, by a provision in the appt priation bill providing that there should be three assistant assessors, and, as far as I can see, that is the only material difference between this and the present law. And, furthermore, it seems to me that this bill is merely a re-enactment of the present | law in most of its terms, and, therefore, I | do not see any use in recommending its passage. “In the provisions of the law of March 8, | 1883, it provides that property shall be as-| sessed at its true value. I am willing to| State that the elimination of that word ‘true’ does not make a particle of differ ence, because that word true means true statement of value—means nothing less defi- nite—value is value. I furthermore call at- tention to the fact that the board of equali-/| zation, in equalizing, were required to re. turn it at its assessed value, and that is practically meaningless, Mr. Murray's Statement. Mr. Murray stated that in 1883 there was @ law passed under which an assessment was made providing for twelve assistant assessors. There was a provision contain ing this clause: ‘That there shall be thre: assistant assessors, who shall within the | year 1892, under the direction of the as- sessor of the District of Columbia, make assessments of real property in said Dis- trict for the triennial period beginning with the fiscal year 1893, and perform such other duties and have all the power and authority to do the things required of the twelve assessors under the provisions of the act of March 3, 1883." Another pro- vision in a subsequent bill provided for a discontinuance of the three assessors for- merly appointed and the appcintment of a board of review, which should review the assessment made by the three assessors. No appropriation was made for the three assessors then, and they were discontinued by reason of the repeal of that provision of the act. Now no other law is in force, except the law of 1883, which provides for three assessors. The board of trade bill, as he understood it, provides for three as- sessors. Now the powers of the assessors as stated in the bill under discussion is not detined at all. They have no authority, ex- cept what is contained in the bill, and un- less authority is expressly conferred upon them, and they were to act, their action would be subject to a review by the courts, | and would be probably thrown out. No Amendments Needed. Mr. Warner thought that the bill did not need amendment, for the reason that the bill already defined the duties of the assist- ant asse: Section 14 provides, he said, for the repeal of all laws inconsistent with it. The bill is a very simple one, and if|{ ould enable the assessors to make | a speedy correction in all parts of the city | where errors have crept into the assess- | ment, and which should be corrected, There 18 no power now reposed in the] > Commissioners to do that, or to modify the sessments. One of the principal points is enable the next assessment to be made | ‘ompily, and this does not contemplate a Teassessment for that purpose, but it does contemplate a revision to be made on or be- fore the first of August of this year. Of course that revision will be largely, if not entirely, based upon complaints presented, and upon the statement of facts and such } exemination as the board of assessors con | give. Archibald Greenlees stated in reply to| Of the French republic; the act authorizing | Fi @ question that the bill was prepared by | @ bridge over the Arkansas river near Van | representatives of the board of trade, and! Buren, Ark., and the act appropriating he would hardly care to defend it until cb- | $45,000 for the Jections had bee: Referring to the word “value” in connection with the as-| sessment of property, he said he would have | preferred a different’ expression | It is not right to tax property at its true value—market value. There is ; able value and a value He did not want to appea thought that three wise and lisinterested men would recognize the true meaning ct the word value when applied to taxati The board of trade, he went on, falt justi- fied in believing that when three men were appointed by the Commissioners they would be intelligent men, understanding the object of taxation, the meaning of the we “value” as applied. He believed that three assessors would be ample to do the work of assessment, made to it. Mr. Hemingway Opposes. | Mr. Hemingway caused a ripple of excite- | ment when he arose and stated men, I am most positively oppos bill. If you care to hear me, I mig! these gentlemen something to talk a I think I have the very best reasons for | opposing it, and in the statement of these | reasons will probably give you some in-| formation on the subject. There is a great | inequality in the assessments in the Dis- | trict of Columbia.” “This is not a condition that exists mere} y | a to y, but it is a condition that had exi: | ever Since I have been familiar with taxa- | tion in the District of Columbia—for the! past ten years. There has been cor complaint ail the time about unjust It is proposed to get a law that will correct the sources of these complaints, and ‘ tant | | Was a sweet morsel to turn over in one’s | preme Court is that Associate Justice White An index to advertise- ments will be found on Page 3. I have prepared a bill which I think will remedy the evils all along the line.” Mr. Warner asked if the bill he referred | to was not the Simpson bill, and if be was / not the author of it. “I am,” replied Mr. Hemmingway, I believe that the bill will cure the and make equal assessments, state some reasons why. I provide for an annual assessment in my bill instead of a triennial assessment. That is necessary on account of the rapid changing of values in the District of Columbia. Annual dssess- ments will make provision for any errors that may occur. There has been a great deal of complaint against over assessment of property. I very much doubt that there is a single case of over assessment in the District of Columbia. There is the grossest inequality. There is property which is as- sessed at 5 per cent of its market value, and there is other property which ts assessed at 100 per cent of its market value. One owner would pay twenty times as much taxes as another person. I think the funda- mental defect in the present law is its in- definiteness in stating what shall be as- sessed. As to the question of true value, the word true is superfluous. Value means a true statement of value. I believe it would be better to get a more definite term, and, af- ter long consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the proper phrase ld be “the highest crrent market value.” Cur- | rent at the time the assessment was made, and market, the price which it would bring in the market.” “How about ascertaining the value of property as returned &t the highest ma ket value?” asked Mr. Truesdell. “An a: sessment of 1 1-2 per cent would produce an excessive revenue. That is not desira- ble.” Taxation Rates. Mr, Hemingway replied that the Commis- sioners should be empowered annually to fix the tax and not setting 11-2 per cent as the unchaaging rate. In my Dill I have fixed several minimums below which as- fessments should not be made and if the asseisments produce too much revenue they could easily be corrected by changing the rate. Real estate should be assessed at ten times its rental value, and I believe this would be acceptable, for there were few instances where any property is not worth considerable more than ten times what it’s renting for. Wants an Increase. Mr. Weller was the next speaker. He said in the main he believed in a permanent board of assessors. The people did not want to return to the olf plan of picking up assessors at $ per day, and getting a different set of men each time. He did not believe that three assessors were sufficient to do the work required of them. He had the word of the assistant assessor that the number was insufficient, and he believed at least five men were necessary. If five were appointed, he would not change the method of making the assessment, but would certainly change the method of ap- peal It was a departure from the demo- cratic principles of representation to choose the assessors from one section. He thought the rights of the different sections of the city shculd be preserved and each section allowed to appoint its own as- sessor. Mr. Warner stated that the subject Mr. Weller referred to was thoroughly discu’s- ed by the board of trade, but it was thought that all questions of sectionalism should be left out of the bill. He believed, however, that five assessors, or even seven, would be acceptable, but it was not thought that Congress would sufficiently appropriate for this many. Question of Sections. Mr. Weller said the term “sectionalism” mouth, He believed in the welfare of the whole city, but thought it should be pre- sumed that a man who lives in a particular section is more familiar with the property values in that locality than one who lives in another of the city. If a just as- #essment is wanted, he believed the geo- graphical distribution of the assessors should not be lost sight of. He did not believe the Commissioners should have the right to appolat the as. sessors from one section. It would be a afeguard to the Commissioners if it were previded in the bill that only one assessor should be chosen from one section. Then. again, their tenure of office should be made specific. He would appoint them for five years. Then they could act fearlessly, and not being afraid of being kicked out of office. He was opposed to an annual as- sessment, for the reason that it would have the effect of turning prices upside jown. A triennial assesment was the proper A Colloquy. Yes, the proper thing for the spsculator,” interposed Mr. Hemingway. “Weil, sir; put it that way ‘f you please, retorted Mr. Weller, “but don’t lose sight of the fact that it is owing io the specu- lator more than any one else that we have such a fine city.” Continuing, Mr. Weller said he was op- posed to the provision in the bill regarding appeals. The appellate court was not prop- erly constituted. It should not certain‘y be composed of the very men against whose assessment the people were appealing. Mr. Greenlees said there were twe cbjec- tions to a board of five assessors. ‘The first was the cost and the second was the et7- tional feeling the appointments would stir up. Just as soon as it is made mandatory that each section shall be represented jast so soon will there be causes of compl: int Each man would take care of his par-icou- lar section, and after doing this would think his duty over. When anything is put into legislation that smacks of sectionalism, it ts time to call a halt. He disagreed with Mr. Weller as to the incompetency of three assessors to do the work. If the number were increased to five there would be no advantage gained. A body of three men w property equally as fast as five. -€. Dodge said that the board ot trade in drawing the bill had failed to make provisions for the terms of office of the assessors. It would be poor policy, indeed, to turn them all out together. He thought they should be appointed for one, two and three years respectively, so that the Dis- trict would reap the advantage of the ex- peri ence of the men. He believed in a per- nent board of assessors and a separate of appeals. For the past fifteen years ict has been subjected to the most us assessments. He gave seyeral examples from the last returns, showing how property had been undervalued. The meeting then adjourned. > Acts Approved. The President has approved the joint reso- lution authorizing n. O. O. Howard, United States army, to accept the decoration of the Legion of Honor from the President scue of the armament and . 8. Kearsarge, and the | port of delivery at Bon-| ——________ Justice White and Senator Blancha’ The present understanding at the Su- of Louisiana be sworn in next Mon the opering of the court. cials day at The court offi- ave not been advised of Mr. White's sires in the matter, but base their be- | f on the fact that his resignation as a | Senater from Louisiana will take effect on “SPORT” AT CHICAGO Fatal Boxing Contest Before the Athletic Olub. A YOUNG MAN PUMMELED 0 DEATR Plucky, But No Match for His Opponent. A DISTRESSING SPECTACLE CHICAGO, March 10.—At the Chicago Athletic Club last night A. W. Crane a local boxing celebrity, engaged in a friend- ly bout with Mike Sullivan, a young rail- road clerk, and a8 a result of the contest Sullivan, an hour later, lay dying im the operating chair in a West Side physician's office, The trial bouts of the first amateur champion boxing contest of the west were in progress at the athletic club. The men are heavy weights, but when they entered the ring Crane, who is an old hand at the business, being master of ceremonies at Harry Gilmore's arena, looked as if he were at least ten pounds heavier than his opponent. He went at Sullivan furiously, and landed a heavy body blow low down with his right, following it with a vicious uppercut with his left. Sullivan fell Uke an ox beneath the ax of a@ butcher. _— F. Brennan, his second, rushed into the ring, picked up the prostrate man and dragged Fim to his corner. He re- gained consciousness in a moment, and in reply to a questién of Referee Cornish as to how he felt sald he was all right. “You'd better not go on again,” Brennan. Sullivan, however, insisted that he want- ed to continue the fight, and the remainder of the first round was taken up with light sparring. When time was called for second Sullivan did the best he Crane simply hit him when and pleased, playing a perfect tatoo of over the unfortunate man’s heart. stood it for a little more than a minute,and then Crane, catching him in the ribs his left, and on the point of the jaw ene right, Sullivan fell insensible in Ing. Brennan again carried him to his corner, and Crane was announced the winner. It took nearly two minutes’ hard work to revive Sullivan. Then he was taken down stairs, given a bath in tepid water, down and dressed. He and Brennan ed for home, but had gone only a short dis- tance when Sullivan complained of not feel- ing exacuy mght. recran invited him to go in and have a drink, and just as Sullivan started to cross the street he threw up both hands, uttered a sound, partiy a groan and partly 4 shriek, and fell into the gutter. - nan was by his side in an instant and car- ried him into a drug store. Simple remedies failed to revive the un- fortunate man and he finally was carried upstairs into a physician's office, There he was laid out in an operating chair and all was done that could relieve his agony. With a face as pale as that of a man he rolled from side to side, feebly, and it was said that he could but @ short time. ges ti ton channel under the contract with the San Francisco Dredge Company was con- tinued during the month and excellent prog- ress was made. The total amount of dredg- ing during the month was 107,471 cubie yards, which is in excess of any previous work under this contract. The material is dredged by a hydraulic dredge and de- posited on section 111 by means of pipes im the usual manner. The navigation channel has now been widened to 400 feet and deep- ened to twenty feet at low tide from the turn in the channel off the upper end of the arsenal grounds to a point near the foot of 12th street southwest, a distance of about 8,000 feet. The amount of dredging to March 1 was 462,08 cubic yards, leaving a balance of 387,917 cubic yards to be dredged under the contract to make @ total of 800,- 000 cuble yards, The construction of the sea wall on the Washington channel front of section III was continued during the month. There was built 465 linear feet, completing the wall at this section. For this work 491 cubic yards of building stone were pyr- chased during the month. The force was ment and on the lower part of section IT was cut off and burned. Of the 12,000,000 cubic yards estimated to fill the flats to the required height above the overfiow at ordi- nary high tide, 9,806,470 cubic yards have been deposited. The probable operations for March contemplate the completion of the dredging in the Washington Washington channel of the Po! have been notified that the contract annulled unless the work is prosecuted diligently. ———__-e-_______ Civil Service Inspection in the West. at San Francisco and other cities. The principal cities included in the tour of of- ficial inspection are Kansas City, Mo.; Sa- line and Colby, Kan.; Denver and Trini- dod, Col.; Las Vergas and All ue, N. M.; El Pago, Texas; Tescon, Aka? Bet neisco and Los Angeles, Cal; Reno, ev.; Portland amd Roseburg, Oregon. Seattle, Spokane and Walla Walla, Wash. Helena and Miles Clty, Mont.; Bismark and Fargo, N. D.; St. Paul and Duluth, Minn., and Stevens Point, Wis. The tour commences in Kansas City, the beginning of next week, and ends at Stevens Point on May 23. Paymaster Simpson's Condition. A cablegram was received by Secretary Herbert last night from Admiral Benham at Rio, touching the condition of Paymaster Simpson, who was accidentally wounded by the discharge of a pistol on board the Detroit, when that vessel was preparing for Morday. Representative Bl ex- pects his comm: nator today, and f it is received, will enter upon his new duties Monday. | | rs’ Commissions Expire. The commissions of 111 presidential post- masters expire during this month. About 130 more will expire in April. E y sg expired during the last three as follows: December, 4 anuary and | February, 1 f these cases 00 have not yet been acted on, aith« - tically all have been taken under considera- | neral, anuary, no r Vacancies have been sent to the President. -e-- The Newark Fre. 3 A cablegram received at the partment states that the last vestige of yellow fever has red from the ewark and that the vessel has been re- leased from quarantine at Montevideo. action on the occasion of the opening of Rio to American commerce. The dispatch reads as follows: “The paymaster of the Detroit js improv- ing. There is no danger. Amputation not necessary. Knee-joint probably will be very stiff. He is in fit condition for transporia- tion now. Condemned by medical survey. Is ordered home by steamer of May 17.” master A. K. Michier, It is said that on duty att ceed Paymaster 5 aia Pian Abam The plan of sending the revenue steamer Perry to San Francisco for service with the Bering sea fleet has been abandoned for the present year, because it has been found able to get her there in time for She will go early next spring rry was formerly on duty on Lake and was brought to the seaboard to tted out for her proposed long cruise around the Horn to the Pacific, She will be attached to the New York station until Pay \ahe leaves for the west.