Evening Star Newspaper, April 21, 1894, Page 17

THE EVENING sTAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 01 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by he Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. EAUFFMANN, Pres't. Bonth. Saturday Quintuple Sheet st: 4 A year, ny ya ra = : fs second-class mail matter)". phe © All mail subscriptions mast be paid in advance. Rates of adverts * made known on application Part3.. Che Fy ening Star. Patsy 30, WASHINGTON, D. O., SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 1894—TWENTY PAGES. TO ADVERTISERS, ‘Advertisers are urgently re quested to hand tn advertisements the Gay prior to publication, tm @rder that insertion may be ss+ sured, Want advertisements will be received up to noon of the day ©f publication, precedence being Given to those first received. ‘THE PYTHIAN HOSTS, The Men Who Are Arranging for the Angust Conclave. ‘GROWTH OF A POPULAR ORGANIZATION The Various Subcommittees and Their Work. THOUSANDS OF VISITORS The conclave of the Knights of Pythias &nd the encampment of the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, are to be held in this eity during the last week in August. The event is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people to Washington, for the Gual purpose of seeing the capital of the Columbian world and sharing in the glories of the Pythian celebration. The order of the Knights of Pythias is stated in {ts con- Btitution to be “founded on naught but the purest and sincerest motives; its aim fs to alleviate the sufferings of a brother, Buccor the unfortunate, zealously watch at the bedside of the sick, soothe the dying Pillow, perform the last sad rites at the Stave of a brother, offering consolation to the afflicted, and caring for the widow and ©rphan. Having these principles in view, they will endeavor to exemplify them by practical tests, and if, by the grace of God, it shall successfully carry out this object, they will feel that their mission has not been im vain.” A Record to Be Proud of. Perhaps no other charitable organization %m the country has labored under greater Gisadvantages and brought forth more ,Deneficial results, Organized during the heat of the late civil strife, when society ‘was in a disrupted state, it has steadily advanced in numbers and importance, and is now in a flourishing and prospe-ous con- dition. The beautiful lesson of friendship between Damon and Pythias is sought to be practically taught by a ritual which, for beauty and perspicuity of language, is highly commended. The strong ties with which the members of the order are bound together, the interesting and attractive ceremonies of the degrees, the unfailing in- tcrest shown for the welfare of the order, end the generous manner in which the membership have ever responded to the appeals for charity, are features which have contributed to the success of the order. \ The Grand Lodge was organized on the Bth of April, 1864, with J. T. K. Plant grand chancellor, and A. Van Der Veer a: grand scribe. and set about forming lodges elsewhere, and succeeded in locating one at the Navy Yard, known as Franklin ize. No. 2, with the following charter members: Robert I. Middleton, Daniel Carrigan, Edward Fox, Clarence M. Barton, James Gill, Nicholas Wayson, Joseph H. Lawrence, Hudson Pettit, Edward Dunn, games W. Kelly, Jasper Scott, George orton, J. H. Wheeler. The lodge was instituted on the 12th of April at the Ana- fostia engine house by the officers of the Grand Lodge. On the 19th of May, 1864, the Grand Lodge organized Columbia Lodge, No. 3, located at. Temperance Hall. On the 2d of June Potomac Lodge, No. 4, was also or- ganized at Temperance Hall,and afterwards lecated at Island Hall, on the tsland. On the Ist of February, 1865, Alexandria Lodge, No. 1, of Virginia, was organized through the efforts of Mr. John H. King of Frank- iin Lodge, then en; ed in the United States naval service near Alexandria. Mr. King was appointed deputy grand chan- cellor of the state of Virginia. On Whom the Work Falls. Since those early days the order in this District has increased in numbers and in influence. As the hosts on the occasion of the great gathering of the Pythian forces, the Washington fraters have undertaken a great task; but they are equal to the emer- The men on whom the bumien of Ing and arranging for the event rests are those of the executive committee. This of men weil fitted for their task. mes of the members are as follo Goodhart, chairman; Geo. W. Heis- e chairman; A. F. Medford, recording ry; B. T. Doyle, corresponding sec- John Humphrey, treasurer; J. H. ell, W. H. Dohre J. B. Conner, Col. Coggins, J. W. Carter, T. H. Gladmon, N. Bunch, J. C. Yost, Notley .nderson, J. W. Cronie, J. M. Kline, F. B. Crown, F.'W. Helbig, W. T. Mockbee, Ed. Brown and J. =. Smith. H. G. Wagner. Henry G. Wagner, although not a ™member of the executive committee, is the r of the District of Colum- ember of Hermione 13, 1868, and, four was made past chancel- ear he was elected repre- and Lodge, and has con- when th the » low condition of surrender of the » Mr. Wagner, tried and true rt who brought the ty and placed it firm- e most successful of onored with the is and seal, and, in ® grand master-at- sen from a large yy the office of master 1 has occupied that He was the or- thian suc- mione Di- Knights of year the Grand to the chair of . and at the last ses- office of the order | has associated with him C. C. committee, K. of P., was born in Reading, Pa., moved to Cincinnati, Otio, in 1848, and from there to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1861. He entered the army August, 1862, served three years, to the close of the war, and was mustered out of the service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, August, 1865. He then entered the civil service at Wash- ington, D. C., January, 1866, being assigned to duty im the fourth auditor's office. Twenty-eight years ago he became a mem- ber of the order of the Knights of Pythias in this city, its birthplace, when the order numbered less than 300 members. He has been an active member of the order since, and has labored earnestly in promulgating its principles of friendship, charity and benevolence. He has served his subordi- nate and d@ lodges, filling the highest positions of honor with credit to those who elected him to perform the duties pertain- ing to said positicns. fe was instrumental while grand chan- cellor of this grand jurisdiction, in the year 1871, in reuniting the order in this city after a bitter schism that prevailed for over a year and a half, with a dual Grand Lodge and subordinate lodges. After peace and harmony were restored to the subordinate lodges and to the Grand Lodge, and at the close of his term as grand chan- cellor, he was honored with the position of grand keeper of records and seal, which he held for fifteen years, when he declined to serve any longer, on account of being elected supreme representative to represent the grand jurisdiction in the Supreme Lodge, Knights of Pythias of the World, and is now s ing his second term. It was through his untiring zeal at the ses- sion of the Supreme Lodge, Knights of Pythias of the World, at Kansas City, Mo., that the ‘next session of the Supreme Lodge will be held in this city in August next. He is also the author of the paper submitted to the Supreme Lodge relative to erecting a Pythian temple in this city, which was referred to a special committee to consider the matter. The committee re- ported favorably thereon, but «tion was indefinitely postponed. J. H. Mitchell. J. H. Mitchell, chairman of the public comfort committee, is a Washington man, this city being the place of his birth, a little over forty-nine years ago. He received his education in the public schools here, and at the age of sixteen, as an apprentice, learned the trade of blacksmithing. He is now a master horseshoer. Mr. Mitchell be- came a member of Equal Lodge, No. 17, K. P., in Qptober, 1872, and has passed through the various offices of his lodge, and at this time is the master of exchequer of the lodge, in which office he has been hon- ored by his lodge for ten successfu' terms. He has been a representative to the Grand Lodge for the past nine years, and has served on many important committees of that body during that period. He is also @ member of several other orders. He has been a member of Ryland M. E. Church in Southwest Washington since 1869, and is treasurer of two departments of the Sab- bath school, also holding several official positions in the church, Mr. Mitchell was appointed a member of the executive committee soon after the Su- preme Lodge decided to hold its biennial session in this city, by P. G. R. N. Bunch, who was at that time grand chancellor of this jurisdiction. He was selected chair- man of the public comfort committee by the executive committee soon after its or- ganization. He at once called to his as- sistance many citizens and members of the order, and on January 8, 1894, organized the committee of public comfort in the parlors of the Metropolitan Hotel, and the follow- ing officers were selected: J. H. Mitchell, chairman; Col. L. P. Wright, vice chair- man, and Percy G. Smith, secretary. Since that time the committee has held its meet- ings at the Ebbitt, National, Willard’s and Wormley’s Hotels with good results. The committee's plans will be so arranged when the knights and their friends arrive here in August next that they will place them in comfortable quarters in the hotels and boarding houses, as they have ait this tyme on the registration books accommodation for a large number of people, and as there will be no doubt a large gathering here the committee will use every effort to make it pleasant and comfortable for all who come. The members of the committee are as fol- lows: T. E. Roessle, George W. Moss, John Knox, R. L. Galt, John B. Scott, Levi Woodbury, James Bell, W. H. Crosby, John M. Young, Wm. Alvey, J. E. Hoadley, A. E. Acker, W. H. Selden, O. G. Staples, E. L. Johnson, F. J. Hart, H. C. Burch, Levi Barnum, L. A. Littlefield, W. W. Danenhower, jr. E. Prail, John G. Sla- ter, John T E. evy, A. J. Clark, Wm. Schwing, C. W. Leannarda, F. B. Noyes, H. L. West, T. R. Turner, R. W. Waters, G. W. Hall, E. W. Yount, J. R. Haskins, J. A. Minor, D. F. Brown, H. F. Halley, R. D. Crupper, J. K. Mangum, Au- gustus Burgdorf, Frank T. Rawlings, B. P. Turner, Charles W. Brown, Charles Dietz, Halvor Nelson, Charles Fleishman, F. H. Pierce, A. E. Lechler, W. G. Lown, Michael Wallace, G. B. Read, H. P. Mar- shal, C. W. Gibbs, H. J. Gasson, J. W. Bradbury, V. J. Matchell, A. D. Bagby, W. D. Henry and F. J. Henning. Notley Anderson. Mr. Notley Anderson is a native of Wash- ington and ts one of the prominent builders of this city. He is a member of Franklin Lodge, No. 2, K. of P., and is also connect- ed with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of De Molay Commandery and Almas Temple, Mystic Shring. He ts chair- man of the committee on camp and camp stounds for the coming encampment and M. Loeffler, D. J. Macarty, W. T. Mockbee, R. Good- hart, James McNabb, jr, and J/ W. Cronie. The committee on camp and camp ground is already at work in earnest. The site for the camp of the Uniform Rank has been chosen; arrangements are on foot for its formal survey and the contract for the tents has been awarded to the firm of Mc- Cauley, Peters & Company of Columbus, Ohio. The camp will form a circle around the monument, but one of the conditions is that the inside line of the circle shall not be nearer than 100 yards to the chaft. Arrangements will be made for the en- campment here of 18,000 members of the Uniform Rank. Three thousand wall tents, 10 by 12; 300 regimental tents, 10 by 14; 20 brigade tents, 16 by 18; one tent, 18 by 24, and one great general comfort canvas, have already been arranged for at a rental of $2.45 per week. As yet it is an unsettled question whether the messes shall be pro- vided by the visitors or by the reception end of the conclave. Several regiments have signified their intention to bring their mess tents and cooking utensils, and will do their own cooking, but, of course, will buy their provisions in the Washiagton market. The camp will be in readiness for the reception of the coming hosts on Set- urday, August 25, and on that day and up to the morning of the 27th the legions wiil be marching in. Mr. Anderson declares that he and his committee are working with both hands. Mr. N. Bunck, chairman of the commit- tee on press, is a North Cf&rolinian, having been born in_ Persimmons county, near Hertford, on February 18, 1855. He came to Washington in 1865. He is a self-made ‘man, well read, and abreast of the times. He is a business man of responsibility, and holds membership in the Masonic and in other secret fraternal organizations. He is full of the conviction that, aside from the these orders make men better and, he puts it, “better hus- bands and better fathers.” He is a mem. ber of Equal Lodge, 17, Knights o: Pythias, of fifteen years’ standing, and has passed through all the chairs. In 1883 he was elected as representative to the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, and was soon after elected grand master of ex- chequer, serving in that capacity four years. In 1891 he was elected, after a N. Bunch, warm contest, grand vice chancellor, and in 1892 succeeded to the high and honor- able position of grand chancellor of the District of Cqlumbia. During his adminis- tration and under his direction the order was placed in the more advanced rank of Pythianism. He is the editor and publisher of the Pythian World, a monthly journal devoted to the interests of the order. A. F. Medford. Ames Furbee Medford, the secretary of the executive committee, chairman of the committee on reception of the Supreme Lodge, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, February 2, 1841, At the breaking out of the late civil war he was engaged in teach- ing school. On September 21, 1861, he en- listed “for the war” in the fortieth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served as a private in the field until August 24, 1864, when he received a gunshot wound while tn front of Atlanta, Ga., which resulted in the amputa- tion of his right arm. In the fall of 1865 he was the republican candidate for recorder of deeds of Darke county, Ohio, and was elect- ed by a sraall majority, notwithstanding the county had for many years given about 1,000 democratic majority. In August, 1869, he was appointed to a clerkship in the Treasury Department, which position he still holds. In 1879 he was elected grand chancellor of the order in this jurisdiction, and during his term of office the jurisdic- tion made its first gain in membership for more than a decade. He is now one of the representatives to the Supreme Lodge. The committee on the reception of the Supreme Lodge, of which he is chairman, is charged with receiving and extending proper courte- sies to distinguished visitors. A public re- ception by the citizens of the District will be provided for, at which addresses of wel- come will be made by officials of the United States and District. John M. Kline. John M. Kline, chairman of the auditing committee, was born at Milroy, Mifflin county, Pa., July 29, 1847, and received an academic education. He served in the Union army during the war of the rebellion and became a resident of Washington in 1869. He joined Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 5, Knights of Pythias, in 1870, filled the various offices in the lodge and is the pres- ent master of finance, having served for eighteen consecutive years. He was elected representative to the Grand Lodge in 1875, and has served continuously since that time. After filling the various subordinate offices in the Grand Lodge, he was elected grand chancellor of the jurisdiction in 1884. He has served on many important commit- tees of the Grand Lodge, being the present chairman of the committee on law and su- pervision, which position he has held for the last seven years. He is secretary of section No. 6 of the Endowment Rank, K. of P., which office he has held for over five ears. Mr. Kline is a veteran member of it Carson Post, No. 2, G. A. R., and St. John’s Lodge, No. 11, F. A. A. M. G. W. Helsley. Mr. G. W. Helsley, chairman of the transportation committee, is a son of Fred- rich Heisley, and was born October 12, 1850, in Lycoming county, Pa. He re- | mained on the farm until he was sixteen | years old, when he learned the carpenter- jing trade. In the spring of 1868 he went | to Alexandria, Va., and married there Miss | Thompson. He moved to Washington in | 1876 and worked at his trade for Baldwin Bros. In 1882 he went in partnership with | Louis H. Emrnert, under the name of Em- mert & Heisley, as carpenters and builders. In 1872 he joined the Order of Knights of Pythias in Alexandria, and in 1876 took his card and deposited it in Harmony Lodge, No. 21, in this city, of which lodge he is still a member. In 1886 he was elect- ed grand master-at-arms of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. In 1887 he was elected grand vice chancellor, and in 1888 was elected grand chancellor. He has been a very active member ever since. His committee has its work in very good shape. They expect the rate will be about 1 cent a mile for round trip. His committee is composed of the following: hy “el = Col. McKibbon, E. Lockwood, F. A. Reed, J. B. Connor, W. H. Greegor, T. H. Hall, Gen. J. E. Smith, Capt. W. G. Town, P. G. Smith, Dr. Birdsall, George T. Dunlop, C. W. Ridley, Gustave H. Graupp, E. F. Jones, J. R. Quinter and Capt. E. S. Randall. John Humpbrey. John Humphrey, chairman of the com- mittee on decorations, is also treasurer of the executive committee. Mr. Humphrey was born in England in the year 1833, and came to this country in 1851, and settled in this city, where he has resided ever since. He became a member of Syracusian Lodge, No. 10, K, of P., in 1878, has passed all the chairs of said lodge, and was master of exchequer for seven years. Mr. Humphrey was engaged in the bullding business for up- ward of thirty-five years, was successful and Prosperous, and has now fetired from act- ive business life. Mr. Humphrey's commit- tee is not yet organized, but will be by the 1st of May, the duties of the same being to see to the proper decorations of the build- ings on the streets along the line of pa- rade. J. C. Yost. J. C. Yost, chairman of the reception com- mittee, was born in Maryland in the year 1849, was educated in Prince George's county, same state, and has been a resident of this city for twenty-three years. Mr. Yost has been engaged in building and con- tracting for the past-eighteen years, and has been successful in all his business transactions, handling some of the largest contracts.in the city. Mr. Yost was made a member of Union Lodge, No. 22, K. of P., in 1871, has passed all the chairs tn his ledge, and served as chancellor commander for two successive years, and made the largest record of any lodge in the District. Mr. Yost’s committee has been organized and is ready for work, their duties being to receive the divisions of the order at the several depots, and escort them to their quarters. F. W. Helbig. Fred. Wm. Helbig, chairman of the music committee, is a native of Rhine, Bavaria. He came to this country in 1868, and be- came a citizen in 1869 of this city, where he established a piano business. He joined the Knights of Pythias fifteen years ago, and is a hard-working member, He is P. C. of Occasia Lodge, No, 18, and holds the office of treasurer in that lodge. He is also a charter member and first HMeutenant in the Arlington Mounted Division, John E. Smith. John EB. Smith of the entertainment com- mittee and secretary of the committee on transportation is a Washingtonian, and a veteran in the order of Knights of Pythias. He is past chancellor of Harmony Lodge, and for several years was a representative to the Grand Lodge of this jurisdiction. Dur- ing his residence in Omaha, Neb., he was deputy grand chancellor, and one of the most active in organizing the first regi- ment of the Uniform Rank in Omaha, and on the organization of the first brigade served as adjutant general of the rank for the state of Nebraska. He was also active in other organizations in Nebraska. He was a member of the bar of the supreme court of Nebraska, and practiced in the federal and other courts. He assisted in organizing Columbia Division, No. 8, Uni- form Rank, of this city, and became its first commander, being re-elected a second term, and receiving the “jewel of honor.” At the breaking out of the war Mr. Smith entered the U. 8S. army as a medical officer, serving first as assistant surgeon from Louisville till after the battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing. At Camp Andy John- son, near Nashville, Tenn., he was assigned to duty as assistant surgeon with battery H, fifth artillery, U. 8. A., commanded by Capt. Wm. Terrell. After the battle of Shiloh he was ordered east and to Warren- ton, Va., and put on duty in the military hospital From here he was ordered to establish a hospital encampment at Falls Church, of which he was made medical provost marshal. Driven out of here by the confederates, he, with others, safely conducted the sick and disabled to Wash- ington. Here he was put on duty at Hare- wood Hospital, now & part of the Soldiers’ Home grounds. From here he was orderc4 to report to Gen. Geo. B. McClelland at| tenant colonel of the tenth regiment. He Sharpsburg, and second battalion, twelfth U. S. infantzy, with which he served until after the battle | ordinate lodge and represented his of Fredericksburg, when he was ordered to assigned to duty with the | became a Knight of Pythias in Towsontown, Md., passed through the grades of the sub- in the Grand Lodge of Maryland. In i872 he Washington with transport load of sick | moved to this city, and became a member and disabled soldiers. At Washington he} of Excelsior Lodge, No. 14, and is still a was assigned to duty at Douglas Hospital, | member of said lodge. He joined Washing- and made president of the medical examin- | ton ing board. Division, No.1,Uniformed Rank, Knights ot District of Columbia, and was Mr. Frank B. Crown, vice chairman of | its captain from 1885 to 1891, when he was committee on badges, is one of the voungest | elected lieutenant colonel of the first regi- members of the executive committee, hav- | ment, and subsequently, in 1893, he was ing been born in this city May 8, 1366, ard | elected colonel of the same regiment, which is a printer by trade. Mr. Bg member of Anacostia He Pythianism, and his lodge appreciating this fact,on January 7,1892, it unanimously elect- ed him chancellor commander. He is at pens keeper of records and seal of his lodge. He was elected a representative to the Grand Lodge in 1893, and re-ele 1894; he has served on various committees in the Grand Lodge, and at present is a member of the committee on appeals and grievances, Lodge, No. % y \S ‘Wm. H. Doherty. Mr. Wm. H. Doherty, past chancellor of Decatur Lodge, K. of P., and a represen- tative from that lodge on the executive Crown is a/ position he now holds. He is chairman of the committee of entertainment of the Su- which was instituted August 15, 1889. | preme Lodge in August next. He is held in at once exhibited a deep interest in | high esteem for his many good qualities and hard work in the order. Other Members. S. H. Gladmon was born in the city cf Washington and became a member of the ted in | Knights of Pythias December, 1874, and has represented Hermione Lodge, No. 12, for . ten years in the Grand Lodge of the Dis- trict of Columbia. Mr. W. T. Mockbee is another of those members of this committee distin, for business and other sterling qualities. Mr. Edward Brown is also one of the Py- committee, is a charter member of the | thian workers, whose shoulders are bearing lodge and therein. Mr. Doherty is a builder and con- tractor, and came from Philadelphia to this city in 1856. He served in the late war, being one of the first to enter the service oe the District of Columbia, in April, Burton T. Doyle. Burton T. Doyle, corresponding secretary of the executive committee, is a native- born citizen of Tennessee, who has been the only one now remaining | much of the burden of this great work. Mr. J. B. Connor is regular at the meet- ings of the committee, and is doing what he can to promote the interests of the cause. Last night Mr. Julian J. Murray was elected by Myrtle Lodge, No. 25, K. of P., to —— that lodge on the executive com- — LAND IN DISPUTE. The Complications Arising From Al- lowing Subdivisions in Certain Cases. When the protest of Mary J. Wilcox against any new subdivision of square ¥13 was received at the Commissioners’ office it was an innocent-looking document. Since that time, however, it has increased in im- portance, until it has developed into one of the most peculiar cases ever brought before them. The story is best told in the opinion of the attorney to whom the matter was referred for report. He says: “It appears from an examination of the records that at the foundation of this city square 913 to one George Walker. It is matter of common knowledge among title examiners that Walker, who was a british alien, left America shortly afterward, never returning, and is supposed to have died in 1813. The YY propert; on the tax books of the late corporation of Washington was very generally sold for employed in the Treasury Department here | taxes a great many years ago, and the title since March 11, 1886. He is now attached to square 913 passed under such sales long to the office of the Secretary of the Treas- | ago to the late William Gunton, since which ury. J. W. Carter. James W. Carter, chairman of the print- ing committee, was born at Malvern Hill, Va., November 23, 1855, and resided there until 1863, when, with his parents, he moved to Georgia. He learned the printing business at Macon, having worked on the Macon Telegraph, Atlanta Constitution and Eastman Times. He hi ington since 1876, being employed in the specification room, government printing of- fice. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order Mechanics, Golden Cross, National Union and Columbia Typographical Union, No. 101. Harry Coggins. Col. Harry Coggins, first regiment, Uni- formed Rank, Knights of Pythias, District of Columbia, was born April 20, aS841. He attended the common schools of Baltimore, and was engaged in various employments till 1861, when he became active in raising troops for the Union army. In 1862, un- solicited, he received from the governor of the state a commission as second Neutenant in company F, sixth Maryland regiment, with which he served until January 12, 1865, when, on account of wounds received in action, he was honorably mustered out of service. While in the service he received promotions as lieutenant and captain of the same company. He participated in nearly all the battles of the Army of the Poto- mac, was wounded at Opequon creek, W. Va., at the battle of the Wilderness, Va., ai Cold Harbor and Cedar creek. After re- covering from the wounds, he connected himself with the militia of the state of Maryland, in which he received three com- J. W.'Cronie. missions, namely, captain, major and Mev- time, as an examination of the tax books will doubtless show, it has been @ssessed in the name of William Gunton and his heirs until this controversy arose, and the taxes a by him and them accordingly. Mr. alter appears to have procured convey- ances in 1889 from certain persons in Great Britain, claiming to be the heirs of the above named George Walker, which he placed on record in the proper office. He seems to have recognized the fact that the devisees and heirs of William Gunton were in adverse occupancy of the property, since he instituted suits in ejectment against them for its recovery, which suits are still pending in the courts of this District. Mr. Walter’s Subdivision, “In April, 1892, Mr. Walter submitted to the Commissioners a subdivision he pro- posed to make of said square, and having signed the necessary affidavit as to owner- ship, required as a conditian precedent to the approval of his subdivision, it wes ap- proved by the Commissioners and adraitted to record in the office of the surveyor. This affidavit did- not disclose the fact that the title to the property was in dispute or that it was in the adverse occupancy of other parties, facts which, I think, should be stated in such an affidavit. An examina- tion of the books of the assessor's office shows that Walter's subdivision has never ‘been recognized nor entered upon the tax books by the assessor, and the property still stands listed in the names of the heirs and devisees of William Gunton. “It appears that in the water department assessments for laying a water main were levied against the lots in said square a: cording to the Walter subdivision, but this action of the water department, not being based upon the records of the assessor's of- fice, was a mistake, which it is within the jurisdiction of the Commissioners to cor- rect. While the subdivision of Mr. Walter may be a nullity because of want of au- thority in him to make it, still, it having been made and approved by the Commis- sioners and recorded in the office of the sur- veyor, I doubt the power of the Commis- sioners to revoke it. The Commissioners have the power, however, to revoke the sessments for the laying of water mains ac- cording to the Walter subdivision, and or- der it made according to the records of the assessor's office, and I recommend that the order of the Commissioners, if they issued one, that the lots in square 913 be assessed for the laying of water mains in accord- ance with the Walter subdivision be re- scinded, and that the property continue to be listed and in the same manner as prior to that subdivision, at least until the courts shall determine the disputed ownership. “This case fitly illustrates the propriety, I think, of amending the rule in regard to proof of ownership in the matter of the subdivision of land. The affidavit of the owner in support of an application for a subdivision should, in addition to stating that he is the owner, state that he is in oc- cupation and that there are no suits and actions pending affecting the title to the property. _ THE BABYS FUTURE From the Detroit Free Press. A woman left a baby carriage and a sleeping child outside of a store on Grand River avenue the other day while she went in to make a purchase. On coming out she walked off up the avenue, forgetting all about the child, and it was twenty minutes before she came running back to find a ragged urchin in full charge. “My blessed bab; gasped the woman as sprang forward. Yes’m,” replied the boy. “Purty cute young’un he is. Me’n him's bin gittin’ along together like two brothers. “Why, bless his heart, he’s wide awake.” “Yes'm—bin awake fur ten minutes. When he awoke up he sniveled a little, but I yelled at him and he shut up. I purtended I was goin’ to put a head on him, but of course I wouldn’t punch a kid like him.” “Dear me, but how absent-minded I was!" exclaimed the woman. “Yes, you was,” replied the boy, “but wimin is most all that way. Say, this kid is goin’ to be purty sassy when he grows ‘up. “Why, what do you mean?” “He stuck up his nose at me, and when I put my fist down and told him to smeil of it and go to the hospital fur three months he jist said: ‘Humph! and stuck it up higher ‘n ever. Yes, he’s goin’ to make a fighter, he is.” “Well, you can run along,” said the wo- man, as she handed him a nickel. “Thanky, ma'am. ¥ see a kid in a keer- idge on the next block below and i'll go down and make up faces and square off at him and see if he’s got any sand. Your kid is O. K.—bound to lick Corbett if noth- in’ don’t stop him from erowin’ upwards” USING THE POWER Of the Great Falls for Eleotrio Lighting Purposes. AN INQUIRY NOW BEING MADE Work Being Done by a Board of Army Engineers. THE EXOLUSIVE RIGAT egeite ui and what steps should lation or otherwise, power and the i E E ; lh HH | i fl ik E f 2 $ § r i E i #2 ii B29s2 Hite j g 2 § a = it aE te 2 i i a3 i ' A Ae He pose. With a view of matter I submit « resolution, and it now be considered by Danger for the Capitol. The resolution was adopted by As stated in The Star at the the outcome of a@ careful investigation the subject instituted about a year the committee on rules. Sena’ burn and Manderson were aut make a thorough inquiry into of the butidings, and though their j been interrupted there they have it steadily until they have arrived conclusion expressed in the resoh troduced by Senator Manderson. sulted a number of electric experts, pointed out to them that the existing in the Capitol building are overworked and liable to cause trouble al any time. They consulted also with Casey with respect to the lighting of Ubrary building and he has ith them in their investigations. The resolution is very range scope, and calls for a great information, scientife as well as Secretary Lamont ts thoroughly the importance of the question, taken steps to investigate it to the It has been found necessary to df investigation into two parts, tions of engineering and questions While the chief of engineers ably tell whether the water po sufficient for the purpose indi would hardly be able to tell teps are necessary to secure vse it. Consequently, all that portion the resolution relating to the method by which the right to use the water shall be acquired was referred to Lie- ber, the acting judge advocate general of the army, for The main question, however, as to the utility of the Great Falls of the Potomac in the electric illumination of the District, end all the collateral questions, were re- tea ot See He has deb ew a com| of Col. G. H. Elliot and Capt. J. G. D. Knight, officers of the engineer corps, specially qualified for the duty. Col. Elliot is in charge of the Washington aqueduct, and Capt. Knight is Gen. Casey's right- hand man in the department. Effect on the Water Supply. They will make a thorough personal in- vestigation of the matter, and Gen. Casey will undoubtedly accept their report as con- clusive. An important question for their consider- ation will be the possible effect on the wa- ter supply of the District of the diversion ? Fr Ht de tatate H eerie Haat plant, both with regard to present to future needs of the service. ‘ has had considerable to do with improving and increasing the water supply system of the District, and he is determined that it shall not be impaired if he can prevent it. ‘The Great Falls of the Potomac are twelve miles above Georgetown, and are also above the receiving reservoir of the Washington aqueduct. Consequently, any project for the use of the water at the falls, either by the government or by individuals, ts neces- sarily associated with the water service of the District. Although the government has no jurisdiction over the Potomac river at | that point, it being far above the navigable limit of the stream, it is inconceivable that it would permit any use of the stream that would interfere with the natural supply of water for the seat of the government, re gardiess of the contention of the owners of contiguous territory. It is said at the War a. that ne nger of this character fs to app “y under existing conditions, notwithstan@- ing the fact that the Maryland legislature has authorized a private company to utilise the water power of me falls for the opera- an electric plant. wt mare reporter was informed by a law officer of the War Department today that the government can acquire the exclusive rizht to the water power in question for any purpose whatsoever, either by purchase with the consent of the owners or by con- demnation proceedings at law, and in case it is determined to establish an electric light | plant at the Great Falls, it will devolve upon Congress to say which of these meth- ods shall be followed. ee Smallest Book in the Worid. From the Chicago Times. The smallest book in the world is said to be a New Testament. It was printed with type of very small size, which could be used but once, as it was found to be impossible | fo aistribute them after the impression had been printed. The page fs an inch long by three-quarters of an inch wide, and the volume, includt covers, exactly # quarter of an inch thick.