Evening Star Newspaper, January 26, 1895, Page 9

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SONDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, no Ivania, Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The soe Star Newspaper Compan: ‘8. H. KAUFFMANN, Prest. bs New York Offos, 49 Potter Building, des ton ‘The Evening Star s served to subscribecs in the 7 by carriers; on their own account, at 10 cents Bre reek, or 446. per month. “Copies at the counter cents each. By matl—anywhere in the United Stace or Canada—postage presild--G0 cents. ber Saturday quintuply Sheet Star, $1. * with vorelgn teste nied, 00, 8100 OF Paes eet aan wi en EZ All sonil” ubacrtptt ome rust be patd in advarce, ites of advertis made known on ication. Part2. Che ay) I's . fn Star. Pipes as! WASHINGTON, D. © SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 1895-TWENTY PAGES. 6 turers’ them at cl Kid Button adilly toes aca $2.45 wale price... Kangaroo Calf with op: Ladies" Button Shoes, toes. Were $3.00. Co: nation sale price....-.+..- Ladies’ Vict Fes Ken: < roo-top Button Shoes, with cork sole $2.70 60 pairs of Ladies’ $3.00 | + “WEAR WELL” Nov ue $1.05 Now... of the very best of mater- fals by the very best of makers—sizes 8%, 4 and 4%3—In all the latest Combination =" $3.90 EDMONSTON : Popular Shoe Store, 1334 F Street N:W. Manufacturer’s Samples Begins Monday [Plorning, Jan. 28. ; ‘e intend to make it a sale you'll always remember as giving you the biggest values in the best Shoes you ever bought. Every Winter Shoe in the house must go before the spring stock arrives every Winter Shoe has had its price cut to a bargain figure. To give the sale even more Interest we've added to it a lot of Manufac- unples—some of the Finest Shoes that caa be bought—and marked ves that only Shoes bought in this way could be sold at. Here’s the First List of Prices: Ladies’ Shoes|Children’s Shoes. "G9S09S9S500 0400900 800080 ede EDMONSTON’S Combination Shoe Sale Of Winter Shoes and BOSOSOOSSSODS 39099008 ks) © ] Child's Kid Button Hand- ie cowed stocrsies 50'S OOC, © Sey nes ane ) & Child's Eremeled Leather Cork-sole Shoes, button and 4 Misses’ Cork-sole, enamel- ed, Ince and button; Cork- sole Shoes. Were $2.15. Combination sale price. . $1.85 : Men’s Shoes.? Stacy, Adema & Co.'s and M. Curtis & © Co.'s famous makes—entire sample lines @& of Calf, Kangaroo, Patent Leather, Cordo- van and Russet goods. Every style ts represented. > $4.00 Grade, - - $2.70 $4.50 Grade, $3.15 $5 and $6 Grades,$3.90 383 pairs of Men's Calf Hand-sewed Razor-toe B: Our regular $2.00 Shoe Combination sale price. 160 pairs Men's Patent Leathers, lace and button. Regular $4.00 Shoes, Com- bination gale price. g 110 pairs Men's Genuine French Caif Patest Leath- ez Shoes, band-sewed, in razor and needle tees. Com- Dination sale price. > OOOOSS00 8905 682 fr. Carl Gutherz’s large ofl painting placed on exhibition in the Corcoran ry a work of more than ordinary in- st is presented to the public, whether artistic qualities or its memorable sub- Jered. It represents the Court in Geneva several y ly brings to view both the piace of and the distinguished partictpants lings. The occa- nt one for both tg were 50 affected by the con ion arrived v therefore, that it should be ted, and Mr. Gut! bas very creditably performed the diflicult task » imposed upon himself when he under- x to portray the scene on canvas. The embers of the court and the eminent sent are easily recognizable, and effects of cole ht and sro and pe ve are sing. It is understood that P as concluded to make his for a while at least, in Washington, tic circle he will make a . oe a in the picture market Is 's morked on the other side of the than in this country. Prices re- tained in London are no more ry than those realized here, and result few sales are occurring, and only when forced by financial pres- wl compels owners to let go at ks of art are so purely y as to be the first to feel ion caused by hard times, and The jone can afford to indulge their ng such periods, and even they giy, and only under great temp- satisf as a . ee ing the inclement 4 which was perhaps on, there were s at oran fact that t a notable those pre jot only a warm and appre- of art, and the pos he ly, to excellent ac- —The exhibition of paintings by Mr. Brooke, which closes at the Fischer gallery ng was a gi! , both and interest from nelal t to its stie point of view, and in its fini anar «sults. About one-third of the number ex- {Lited were sold at catalog prices. Con- sidering general business conditions, this Must be regarded as a highly complimen- "wary outcome. oe At Veerhoft’s has been shown during the week a very attractive display of wa- ter colors, the work of Mr. Charles M. Young, whose studio is for the present at Gaithersburg. The coliection includes land- scapes only, and they bear testimony that Mr. Young is a close and responsive stu- dent of nature. His touch may be styled dainty, rather than strong, but it is thor- oughly pleasing in the results it secures, and faithfully interprets its undertakings, especially im portraying autumnal and winter effects. In these he seems to be ex- ceptionally py. § : . oe —Measures are being taken In South Bend, Ind., for many years his home, to erect a} statue of Schuyler Colfax in that place. 1t is estimated that it will cost $10,000, and an effort will be made to have a large portion of this sum contributed by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which organiza- ion Mr. Colfax was for a great part of his life an active and prominent member. At present his grave is unmarked, save by a humble slab bearing his initials. * ee —The pertrait by Rembrandt, belonging to Jefferson the actor, which he has recently placed on view In the Corcoran Galler; while not one of the great Dutchman's best efforts, is nevertheless an interesting work of art. The value put upon it by its owner will be understood by the fact that he keeps it insured for twenty thousand dol- lars, even in the secure place where it ts now housed. . oe —Next week will be shown at the Fischer gallery a collection of paintings and water color drawings by Mr. Hobart Nichols that well merits the attention of art patrons, as well as that cf art lovers. The catalog em- braces some forty examples, which range through pretty much all the phases of land- scape effect,from dawn to nightfall and trom spring to winter, each admirably illustrat- ing the artist's poetic temperament and his pacity for interpreting the subticties of nature. A number of the pictures deserve extended mention,” but it can only be said here that the coilection as a whole repre- sents the efforts of an earnest and ambi- tious young man, whose talent has been recognized not only by a wide circle of ad- mirers here, but in New York, where he has frequently exhibited, and whose merit as an artist is entitled to more substantial encouragement than it bas yet received. . oe or Gaetano Trentanove, the talented young Italian sculptor, who was some time ago and is again the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Henry F. Blount, at their charming sub- home, “The Oaks,” will soon sail for oa, taking with him a number of com- missions received during his stay in this country. The most important of these 13 that given by the authorities of Wiscen. for a statue of Pere Marquotte, which is to be one of that state's two contributions to the hall of statuary in the national Capitol. ‘A replica of the figure in bronze has also been ordered by the town in Wisconsin which bears the name of the celebrated misstonary discoverer. Signor Trentanove's “Last of the Spartans,” a fine conception In marble, was bought by Mr. Cramer, the well known journalist of Milwaukee, and presented to the Layton Art Gallery in that city. —The difference between the classic art of ancient Greece and the modern art of COPADESDEDOSS SSSSSSSISTSSssssssssssessssssssssseeece oss oe r] PLAPLASSD. sees 35 Chance rx PERS CESS) COCR CTOCTE NG AOC COORD * APPRAISER'S VALUATION Children’s WERE $4.50. WERE 8.50, APPRAISI WERE 2.00, APPRAISER’S VALI 927-929 7th Fine Clothing H For ° Almost Nothing. E MUST close out our entire stock of Men's, Youths’, Boys’ and Chil- Wes: Clothing—damaged by damaged—othera wholly uninjured—ALL must be sold, regardless of cost or worth—that we may turn the building over to the insurance companies for repairs and renovation, U7 The foliowing cnly conveys a vague idea of the unheard-of bargains to be found IIERB. The store is less crowded in the mornings—and we can better wait oa you then. 9 it TMen’s Suits. WERE $17.50. APPRAISER'S VALUATION APPRAISER’S VALUATIC 5.09 5.00 5.00 ’s O t Men’s Overcoats. APPRAISER’S VALUATION... : . eeeee $7.50 tS VALUATIC 7.50 WERE 13.90. APPRAISER'S VALUATION... seee F.50 > Suit : Boys’ Suits WERE $6.00. APPRAISER'S VALUATION, eevee. WERE 56.50. APPRA ‘3 VALUATION 1 WERE 5.00. APPRAISER'S VALUATION.........000eeeeeeeeee oe 1.50 : i é Children’s Suits. &% WERE $5.50. APPRAISER'S V. $3 i WERE 4.50. APPRA % i WERB 3.87. APPRAIS! es i APPRAISER'S VALUATION Victor E. Adler’s Ten Per Cent Clothing House, Corner Massachusetts Avenue. STRICTLY ONE PRICE. to Buy se SR RBSA onzeaseogees Fo ee ASSESSES Sasaseee smoke and water on December 23—AT Some of the goods are but slightly 4 a4 { be od! aa roavoarenrvsyeares LETS OCSSISES S| Overcoats. seveeee $1.00 ,. 1.00 3 1.00 3. Street N.W. os sSoazoegeatoafeazeeenzmeconseesoaseegensh coasreeasees? France was perhaps never better expressed than by M. Joseph Roux, a distinguished writer, of the last named country. vs M. Roux: “Ancient art clothed the human bedy with chastity and majesty. Modern art unclothes even the nude; it is an_un- chaste, sometimes an impudent, art. Athen poured a soul over the body. Paris spreads a body over the soul. The Greek statue blushed; the French statue calls forth blushes.”” . oe —The Ehrich collection of ninety-three ex- amples by early Dutch and Flemish mas- ters, which was sold in New York on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of this week, produced only $3 of a little less than $400 a piece. this aggregate probably represents pretty nearly, if not entirely, their original cost to Mr. Ehrich, the result was doubtless a disappointment to him, as it must have been a surprise to the public, considering what has been claimed for the artistic merit aad commercial value of some of the canvases included in the collection. The highest price brought by any painting in the lot was $3,000. This was paid for a Rubens, entitled “The Village Dance.” Only five others sold for $1,000 or mo: They were: “Head of a Young Man,” first attributed In the catalog to Frans Hals, and afterward to Rembrandt; “Group Be- fore a Village Inn,” by Teniers the Young- er; “Portrait Head of an Old Man,” by Denner; “Portrait of a Sculptor,” by Helst and “Landscape With Cattle,” by Pi Potter. These brought $2,300, $1,960, $1,300, $1,200 and $1,000, respectively. It is likely that the paintirg which brought $2,800 would have sold fora higher price but for the uncertainty thrown around it by the fact that it was first cataloged and guar- anteed as a Hals and afterward as a Rembrandt. This circumstance could hard- ly fail to weaken confidence as to the uineness of that particular picture, prebably had a more or less damaging in- fluence on the mind of bidders as to the whole collection. In and About Local Studios. Mr. C. C. Cooper, director of art at Drexel Institute, Philadelphia, has established him- self in pleasant quarters, ard expects to make his future residence in this city. At preseat he is engaged on several interest- ing portraits in oil and water colors of people well known in’ Washington. ‘Those interested in the Corcoran Art School are enthusiastic over its constantly increasing number of students. During the past two or three months the average daily attendance has been 125, of-which a large number are young men. Professor Andrews says that the work reaches a higher standard this winter than ever be- fore, particularly fine being that accom- plished in tho life, antique and portrait classes, each of which is uncomfortably crowded. ‘There 1s a provision under the new tariff laws that all foreign paintings may enter free of duty “except such as have been made by stencil or other mechanical means,” the clause opening a wide field for conjecture as to the character of a paintigg which it would be possible to manufacture by such means. Mr, Frank Hamilton Cushing of this city has been engaged to deliver a course of six lectures early in February at the Drexel Institute of Philadelphia upon the ‘“De- velopment of Art.” He has just returned from delivering a similar course at the Brooklyn Academy of Fine Arts. Miss Lillan Cook is preparing for an ex- which she expects to hold later in Nearly all of her studies are verly managed and at- hibition tractive Mr. Thomas Hovenden spent several days in the city last week, the object of his visit being to give a private reading from his MSS. of the book he is preparing upon “Art in America.” Aithough still engaged on several large canvases, the artist is de- voting much of his time to literature, con- tributing to a number of periodicals in ad- dition to the elaborate work spoken of. Miss Juliet Thompson is working on a number of portraits, among which is that of Dr. Hammond’s baby daughter, which promises to be one of the most successful she has ever done. The Society of Washington Artists has made its headquarters at Mr. Dunbar’s pleasant studios on 17th street. Ofticial meetings are held each month, and recent- ly the members have organized a composi- tion class, which meets every two weeks. Simple topics are chosen, but the illustra- tions take a decidedly elaborate form, be- ing frequently painted with as much ‘care as though intended fur other purposes than study alone. Dr. Barbarin, the curator, {s having giass put over several of the finest paintings in the Cocoran Gallery. Besides protection from possible injuries, the pictures seem to gain richness and softness from such treat- ment. B.V.K a TWELVE HUNPRED DEAD. Mortality Caused by the “Kuchan Eurthquake. The London Times correspondent in Teheran reports the mortality in the recent carthquake as far beyond, the former esti- mates. He says: i “The mortality in Kuchan was very great. Some six hundred persons were entombed in a mosque and 6) perished in various baths. Many were burned to death. The survivors have suffered terribly from cold and want, as neither focd nor water was obtainable for three days. Not a_ single building in the city is standing. There is simply a mass of bricks and earth. hocks have come daily since Jan- ‘one on the 22d being equal in se- verity to the first one. It Is pitiful to sce the terrified families huddled together with- out shelter from the intense cold. There are no doctors in Kuchan, but Russian surgeons are hastening to the city from Askabad.” ———-+0+—. Tammany Tigers Yet Alive. Mayer Streng of New York yesterday afternoon received the members of the Republican State Editorial Association in the governor’s room of the City Hall, and in the course of his remarks sai “The Tammany.tigers have only been re- moved from the streets of New York. They are still in every other department of the city government, and they will remain there until the le lature gives the mayor a power of removal till. You editors have much influence through your papers on the legislature, and perhaps you can hasten the passage of this measure. I must say that the friends of the tigers remaining in office have been very docile to me. But I want you, gentlemen, when you go home, to bear in mind what I have said. The Tammany tigers are still in every depart- ment except one, and until I get a power of removal bill from the legislature, they will stay there,” THE NATIONAL GUARD Regular Army Troops at the Coming Brigade Encampment. NEW RIFLES FOR THE DISTRICT An Interesting Exhibition in New York of Signaling. OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST $25 The encampment of the National Guard of the District of Columbia, to be held at Fert Washington during the early part of next June, will be unusually interesting in many respects, and particularly so be- cavse of the presence and rarticipation of a detachment of troops from the r army. Unless things go urexpec amiss between now and early summer General Schofield will probably order into camp with the National Guard two or three troops ef the sixth cavalry, sia- tiored at Fort Myer, four battories of the fourth artillery, acting as infantry, and one battery of light artillery, quartered at the Washington barracks. Colonel Hey- wcod, commanding the United States rine corps, will probably do the same with two companies of marines, located at the marine barracks. 1n addition to these one, or perhaps two, companies of marines from Norfoik may be ordered to Fort Washington, the marine corps thus having a battalion ent. Although a joint en- campment of troops of the regular army and the National Guard is a novelty in this locality the practice has developed into an annua! custom in almost every other section of tne United State: dally so in New Yerk, Ohio, Ilinoi in, Minnesota and California; ry ‘instance has proved beneficial and esstul. The officer in command at Fort Myer is Colonel David S. Gordon, the batteries at the Washington barracks are under Cel- cnel Henry W. Closson, and the marines at the marine acks are commanded Ly Colonel Ch rles Heywood. If the of cers named personally attend the encamp- ment at Fort Washingtoa and do not send a junior in charge of their detachments, the army officer cf highest rank present will be a colonel, and therefore General Ordway, on of his rank as briga- dier general, will act as post commander. Tha army officers would, however, be pleced in command tempcrarily and thus pr ctice in maneuvering a com- rge body of troops, an oppor- tunity which is not often available. The duties to be performed by the regu- lars and the guardsmen will be identica and as though all were in the paid service of the United States. The troops will drill side by side and in like rT appear for guard mount and other ceremonies. In such company General Ordway’s men must he spry and unusually agile As far as possible the details of the en- campment have already been considered. The grounds are in fairly good condition and may be put in proper shape with but little worl Each battalion will control its own commissary department, and for that purpose is to be supplied with a field oven and accessories. The encampment will undoubtedly sur- anything of the kind ever attempted by the District National Guard, and is ex- pected to result in much needed improve- ment in every branch of the brigade. New Rifles for the District. The National Guard of the® District of Columbia, or a portion of it at ie: will certainly be armed with the new Spring- field, model 1892, or, as it ts known to many, the Krag-Jorgenson rifle, before the close of the coming summer. The di. tion of the rifle to the army is progre finely, and there Is no doubt in the m of ordnance officials that all the infantry regiments will have received it by May i. The last of these pieces to be issued was on January 3, when they were sent to the fourteenth, eighteenth and nineteenth reg- iments. There are ten regiments yet to be supplied. The ordnance department of the army has approved the sample of carbine submitted, and the work of assembling this arm is now in progress at the Spring- fleld ermory, and by May 1 it is ¢ ted that a sufficient number will be on hand to begin the issue. There is no departure in this arm from that supplied to the in- fantry, nor is there any de in the size of the bore or of the magazine. The ordnance department has received reports on the several styles of intrenching tools which have just been tested. The reports are voluminous and are now being con- sidered by the ordnance officials. The tools tested comprise those of the Zalinski, Bab- cock and other types. The rifles are being manufactured at the will hi rate of about eighty per day, which amounts. to between 21,000 and 25,000 yearly. So far as the National Guard of the several states is concerned, it 15 thought that the supply of arms, after the army has beer equipped, will more than equal the demand. There is an annual appropriation of $400,000 for the National Guard of the country, and supplies to that amount may be drawn from the War De- partment. Of this annual approp: the District of Columbia Nattonal G is allewed about $6,000, and the brigade during the coming summer will be allowed as many of the new rifles as its credit at the War Department will permit. Discharges of Various Sorts. The following named enlisted men have been discharged from the National Guard on their own applications: James E.Thomp- son, private, company B, engineer bat- talion; I. 8. Goldsmith, private, company B, third battalion; William W. Maxwell, pri- vate, company D, third battalion, and O. H. private, company D, third batta’ Because of removal from the Distric John A. Wolf, private, company D, fifth battalion, has been granted a discharg: Charles B. Green, private, company A, 4 battalion, and James, R. Ford, Thomas Kirk, Orson F. Putnam, Stephen D. Rollins and Charles W. Tenley, all privates in the third separate company, have been dis- charged in the interest of the service, and Roktert!P. Barker, private, company A, fifth battalion, has been dishonorably dis- charged. Engineers Now Being Reorganized. As predicted in The Star on Monday last, company B of the engineer battalion is now being reorganized. Capt. Ireland has ten- dered his resignation, and Lieut. Drury, the senior lieutenant, is in command. Major Thompson is personally attending to the details of such changes in the membership as may be required, and particularly the recruiting of suitable men possessing quali- fications essential to an engineer soldier. Aside from those who are specially skilled in construction, there will be an opportunity for bright men to enlist In this organiza- tion, who take an interest in signaling by various methods, as it 1s the intention of Major Thompson to take up active practice in that branch of military work by com- pany B as soon as the battalion is settled in the new armory. An Interesting Exhibition. The signal corps of the first brigade, National Guard of the state of New York, gave an interesting exhibition a few even- ings ago before several thousand of specta- tors. The result of target firing in progress on a lower floor was made visible to the audience in the armory above by means of duplicate targets with electric connections. A signal tower was erected and its pur- poses demonstrated, and then a pretty paper balloon, carefully made captive, was sent up with telegraph and electric light 4| wires attached, the latter being the me- dium through which fash-light signals were sent, to operators in the further corner. This was a very effective exhibit and was well applauded. Signaling with Coston night signals, red, white and green and changing lights*being used, ended the sig- nalipg part. Life of Guardsmen in Camp. Rev. Henry H. Kelsey, chaplain of the first regiment, Connecticut National Guard, in a recent interview, denounces in plain language the life led by national guards- men while in camp. Rev. Mr. Kelsey says: “The state pays the members of the na- tional guard to go into a military school at camp orce a year and not to go on a week’s bum.” He declares that he has seen the debauchery cf camp life and the orgies, and has noted their effect upon the men, and that the state camps as they have been conducted are an abomination and a disgrace to the state. On the subject of reforming the guard he says that he would begin at the top with the governor's staff and not have them in carap at all. He ts in favor of ntal encampments. The colonels then have more direct control over their men. He would have officers set the men an example by reducing their con- sumption of liquor, which, he says, is now encrmous. He thinks that most of the in- efficiency in camp is due to the familiarity between oflicers and men. He would abolish all excursions of citi- zens to camp, which make it a scene of revelry and give it the appearance of a fair instead of a military camp. Mr. Kel- sey favors a legisiative investigation, and says that ail assertions regarding drinking, revelry and dissipation at camps of the National Guard can be fully proyed by in- disputabie testimony.’ The Guard Are Natural Soldiers. ut. E. S. Benton, U. 8. A., in an inter- esting article on the National Guard, pub- lished in the Army Magazine, says: ; “Let the sympathy of the people be more with the Natio: al Guard, and let the peo- ple be more free in expressing that sym- pathy and the legislature more free in awarding them support, and no one will have any fault to find with the militia, Let for example, those mobs which ady occurred and against which the militia acted. In almost every case their hands have been tied, as it were, by those above them; ordered not to fire; sub- jected to showers of missiles and even shots and kept away from their legitimate posts. This is a mistake; the National Guard are men who are natural soldiers, and the bravest class of our men can be found among them. These men fully understand the effect of the trifling methods pursued by them against a mob. As a general rule, in these cases, a display of weakness or hesitation on the part of the troops will proportionally augment the courage and violence of the mob. Bold and resolute ac- tion, when action is necessary, will in the end save much bloodshed and much de- struction of property, Let it be remem- Lered in the history of mobs that there was never one yet that was dispersed by the fir- ing of blank cartridges, and there never will be one so dispersed. These trifling methods are equally unjust to the mob as well as the soldiers. “In no case has the tional Guard been mes, even saowers of missiles, they have their uniforms on aud than it does to The great question of the future as respects the National Guard ts the question of mob fighting, or street fighting, and it is by far too little studicd by many of the militia in some of the large cities. Every large city should have its plans for defense complete, arranged be- forehand fer any emergency which may arise.”” nen their guns in their hand: load and fire. Notes. At a mecting held last evening the mem- bers of company A, fifth battalion, elected | William Mellach second lieutenant of that organization, The new officer is at pres- ent attached to the cepartment of rifle practice, and is detailed as inspector of rifle practice for troop A, and for the sec- ond separate company, With the rank of actirg first lieutenant.’ He is also an en- listed man in troop A. Lieut. Mellach is a capable officer. The members of troop A will be the uests of Lieut.-elect Pillsbury at an oyster d at the Hotel Belford en Monday evening. The atfair is to be con- jucted on an elaborate scale, and it is expected that several trumpeters and per- haps the entire band of the sixth cavalry from Fort Myer will be in attendance. The members of company B, first bat- talion, have been ordered to meet on the evening of the 2ist instant to elect a cap- tain and a second lieutenant. On the 2ist instant company A, first battalion, will elect a first lieutenant. The proposed benefit entertainment of company A, second battalion, which was to have been held on February 22, has been abandoned. The second regiment has been ordered to assemble in the Center Market Armory drill hall on Wedne: ing, January 30, for parade. nent will be form- in line of ma: acing east, at 8:10 o'clock, and battalions must in close col- umn at least five minutes before that time. Battalion commanders will forward a morning report to headquarters immedi- ately after the parade is dismissed. Organ izations having the dress uniform will wear it. Col. Clay of the second regiment has called a meeting of his battalion command- ers for next Tuesday evening to arrange the details for turning out the regiment for drill and instruction on February 22. The details will be announced in future orders. The members of company B, fourth bat: talion, have elected Private John XM Walsh captain. Until recently the new officer was a member of company A, fourth battalion, and he has served In the Na- tional Guard for a number of years. It is the intention of the company to be repre- sented by a drill team in the next inter- state competition, and as Capt.-elect Walsh has had considerable experience in such affairs, both at Omaha and Little Rock, it is thought by his friends that he will lead the company to victor BLIZZARD IN THE SOUTHWEST. Heavy Snow Fall and Iniense Cold Prevailing. A severe blizzard prevails all over the southwest, with no sign of abatement. An average of three feet of snow had failen at 10 o'clock last night end a strong northerly wind was drifting it badly, blocking all kinds of traffic and causing great hard- ship to farmers. It is very cold, and with the thermometer still on the drop much suffering must ensue. The storm fs so- verest through central and western Kan- eas and the territories. From the territories reports of many cattle freezing to death have already been received, and as the settlers are none too well providea with food and shelter, prob- ably many fatalities will be recorded when the transportation and telegraphic facili- ties are again opened up. On the other hand, the snow will prove immensely bene- ficial’ to wheat. The blizzard came up from Arkansas and Louisiana, and in many places was preceded by rain and sleet, making the conditions more disagreeable At Perry, O. T., the thcrmometer last night registered five below, and a like co1- dition prevails elsewhere in the territories. At Atchison, Wichita and other Kansas cities street car tratlic is suspended, and at most points the trains are late and a gen- eral blockade is feared. oe Chicago gas dividends are being paid and the war of the rival _New York and Chi- cago factions is probably a thing of the past. The Fidelity Trust Company of Phil- adelphia yesterday sent out its check for the quarterly dividend of 11-2 per cent on its certificates of equitable interest in gas stocks. REAL ESTATE GOSSIP The Depreciation Caused by a Poor Class of Buildings. SOME IMPROVEMENTS It was thcught that the location of the pro- posed new theater was finally settled when the lease for the Blaine property on Lafay- ette Square was made. The old house has been removed and those who have secured the control of the property are apparently getting ready to begin active work on the proposed new theater building. In the meantime an amendment is offered to the appropriation bill in the Senate providing for the purchase of this property by, the government. If this amendment becomes a law the projectors of the theater enter- prise will be obliged to look elsewhere for a building site and the entire question which has excited more or less interest in real estate circles for a year or so past will be revived. There are, no doubt, other locations which would be as suitable for theater purposes as the one selected. It is not probable that those who are interested in this uncertak- ing will be deterred from going on with it simply because they may be compelied to make a change in the location. On the other hand, if the government secures this addition to its present holdings in that vicinity, it may result in bringing to a bead the plan of erecting a large public building there, ich has been talked about more or less for a number of years past. It would not be a bad idea, it is thought, if the scope of the present amendment was extended so as to authorize the purchase of additional ground in what square on both sides of the property now owned by the United States. In fact, as it seems de- sirable to have the public buildings in rather close proximity, it is suggested that the government should secure at this time the entire square, and erect there a large building of medium height which would supply a portion of the accommodations for the executive departments, which are now greatly needed. : The Profit in Sight. As every one knows, property values are strongly affected by the character of the locality. There are many instances in this city that will illustrate the truth of this statement. It sometimes happens that property on one square is worth twice as much as that on the adjoining square. With the single exception ef the character of the surroundings the properties on the two squares are precisely similar. As the depressing conditions depend mainly on the character of the improvements, it has been suggested as a good business enter- prise that oue er mure of such squares ee es outright,and the exist- ing build entirely removell. The property, it is thought, would then appreciate in value and would be worth fully as much as the higher priced hold- ings in the same locality. Such an enter- prise might require considerable capital, but it is maintained that where the profits ean be seen so plainly, there would be no difficulty about obtaining the money. Values at Auction. One of the auctioneers of the city, who is specially well posted on real estate val- ues, in talking about the present condi- tion of the auction market for real estate, said that he found that there was a ready. sale at good prices for all property in what he called the central part of the city. For properties outside of that sec- tion he said that good prices could also be obtained, but they were not up to the standard to which the speculative move- ment had forced values a year or two ago. He said that cf course property that was worth a dollar a foot would sell for only a dollar foot in spite of the fact that it had been held at one time at two dollars a foot, which was way above the market price. In the central section, he said, where prices have not been influenced so much by the speculative movement, he found that there was a good demand at the mar- ket rates, and these rates could be ob- tained at auction sale. In the case of property lying outside of what mizht be called the central portion of the city which was offered at auction the contrast be- tween the speculative price at which the property had been held and the price of- fered or obtained at auction led some to suppose that property was being sacrificed, On the contrary, he said that he believed that fair values had been obtained at sales recently held, and he thought that this fact was a pretty good indication of the sta- bility of the market. A Promixing Outlook. There is a demand, although not a very pronounced one, for building sites, and there is considerable inquiry in this di- rection by persons who contemplate having homes of their own in this city. Real es- tate dealers and others who are supposed to be familiar with the situation predict that the volume of business will be con- siderably increased at the opening of the spring season. It is expected that quite a good deal of building will be done. New enterprises of some magnitude in the build- ing line are being talked about, and alto- gether it seems likely that the market will take on a good deal of its old-time activity. The opportunities now offered for secur- ing desirable investments are appreciated by those who have money to invest, and no doubt the number would be much larger if the character of the opportunities refer- red to was more generally realized. Building Record. The b ‘ing inspector’s record for the past week ending yesterday, shows that thirty-eight permits were taken out for the erection of new buildings, aggregating in cost $126,885. This was divided among the several secticns of the city eas follows: Northwest, one permit, $1,500; northeast, twenty-four permits, $47,000, and county, tbirteen permits, $88,335. Some Improvements. Mrs. Ella Tollifero has planned the erec- tion of a frame dwelling on Nicholas ave- nue between Howard and Sumner avenues, Anacostia. It will be two stories in height, 17 by 40 feet, and will be built by Albert les B. Osborn is erecting a frame dwelling and store at the corner of Irving road and Genesee place, Mt. Pleasant. It will be 80 by 30 feet, with pitch shingle roof. W. A. Fry is the architect and builder. David Courier is buliding a two-story and attic frame dwelling on Newark street, Cleveland Park. It is to be 20 by 30 feet, h steep shingle roof. Messrs. Pei Carlyle are the architects, and McNulty and Hunt the builders. ward J. Hannon has obtained a permit the inspector of buildings for the of eight brick dwellings ac num: are feet, bers 205 to 219 F street northeast. The: to be two stories in height, 16.3 by T. Haller is the architect. wton has planned the erection of t dwellings at numbers 1333 to 1351 Emerson street northeast. They will be two stories high, 16 by 45 feet end will be bullt by G. P. Newton. C. B. F. Haller is the architect. D. B. Gottwalls ts erecting six brick dwellings at numbers 624 to Gi4 7th street northeast. They will be 16 by 48 feet.