Evening Star Newspaper, March 16, 1895, Page 9

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, Fa see ii? — Cor, 11th Street, by the Even: tar Newspaper Com; 8. KAUFMANN’ Preat. as «- New York Office, 49 Potter Building. The Evening Star ts served to subscribers tn the eity hy carriers, on their own account ut conte week, or 44c. month. at the count ‘cents each. By imail—auswhere, in_ the. United matl— Lo or Canadz —postage presild 50 cents per ‘Satar quintupl» Sheet Star, $1.00 per sear; With foreign postaze addet, $2. Entered at the Most Otfice at Washington, D. C., as second-class mail matter.) ‘All mail .abscriptioas must be paid in advarce. ten of advertising made known on spplicative. . Part2. Che Fe q ae Star. Pages 9-24. WASHINGTON, D. O., SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1895-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. Of newspapers terest. SO WITH us. $65.00 5-plece . Brocatelle Suite, sofa, armchair, 2 ladies’ chairs and corner chair for $39.00. 5-piece Cherry $35.00 Fae, eerone, armchair, divan, 2 ladies’ chairs, for $21.00. 5-plece Overstuffed Broca- telle Suite, sofa, armchair, window chair and 2 ladics’ chairs, for $33.00. Sofece = ake Apes Seicee ee Scere oem try, for .00. 3-plece Divan Suite, inlaid cherry frames, for $31.00. 3-plece Divan Cherry HA Suite, In silk, for Frame sofa, $45.00 $65.00 $42.50 $33.00 $16.00 Divan, mahoganized frame and tapestry covering, for eho ecgeatontecentontesieedeteatenteetesonterietrateniestescestonsenboestnatentetostoatont sire toatonieesinatentetretyagedanecnransanonanie sete antaediesnenieteesesbeseesnssoeeteaseeesensenseeecenseneseeteafeectoahasongecgeatonteeecoatogecgoetontontengecetensengegeetensesgesnnseageeeseatengesans escent sse sete eerie nnetnietet KARA KDITIONS generally con- tain special news of great in- THIS AD. It bears news of special inter-= est to you and vital importance to your pocket book if you are considering the purchase of CARPETS FURNITURE. ‘We have the goods and you have the money. things, then, are mecessary to make the sale, first our getting together and then the price. We'll make the price right if you come and get together with Only two tiful bed and Jarge 3-ft. washstand, for $49.00. Oak Suite, 5-ft. princess dresser, 24x40 c!.eval glass, bed neatly carved, $30.00. The cheapest ‘suite on earth. Birch Suite, 30x42 oval French glass, 4-ft. case, 3- ft. washstand, for $49.00. Bireh Suite, Gresser, 28x10 washstand, $75.! $67.50 $75.00 $95.c0 $110.00 $125.00 princess plate, 3-ft. 00. Mahogany Suite for $75.00. Birch Suite, princess dresser, 28x40 shaped. glass. "hand carved bed, $95.00. $37.50 ee 24x30 plate, $65.00 fine Sits: draner tear $20.00 Diva birch frame, in silk oe = $22.50 Apne’ Chance Suto, $145.00 Se a ag es $2 5.00 ie Suite, 24x30 glass, ine wrasatenitenee sutoo. ” si Mahoe: Snite, dres $25.00 Byer pmuet Bie | 9175.00 FAT wid olsen Ded 6 ft. 6 in. high, Reavy French gi: 3 ft. 6 in, $. erie fs ott washstand, bed 6 {t. 10 in, 4O.00 ito, "426.00, eH oarede If you have a room to cover with Carpet come and see us. We have every grade and let no man be lower in price for like quality. W. H. Hoeke, 3 Furniture, Carpets and Drapery, £ Cor. 8th and Pa. Ave. 2 7 BSOCCCB CORO: NeW STORE! NEW GOODS! 41105 F ST. N. W.. JEWEL MAKER. This Jewelry Emporium has in stock every- thing that may be desired for Personal Orna- ment or for Table or Toilet. use, ‘embracing a very fine assortment of rich and rare de- signs -in Diamond and Gold Jeweiry. In the Silver Department will be found exclusive and handsome pieces for table, pre- sentation and other uses, also all the latest novelties and néw designs in Jewelry. Nothing but goods of a high grade -only 14 and 18-karat Gold and Sterling Silver sold. # SHOES OF HIGH DEGREE How Queens and Marchionesses Were Shod. : A Rare Collection of Ancient Foot- wenr of Beautiful Materials, Styles and Workmanship. The passion for collecting has seldom in- tluded anything more interesting than the rare footwear which J. F. Swain of Mas- sachusetts has gotten together, and which is at present in this city, in the custody of Mr. William Hahn, It contains many speci- men shoes, slippers and sandals, illustrat- ing nearly every style known, and the fashions of several centuries. Mr. Hahn shows his collection with a great deal of pride, and displays a fondness for his un- derfoot pets. First among them in his af- fection is a French slipper with a cut Jac- quarde upper of some old olive tone of color, having the sole padded, and a high Louis Quinze heel, but minus a quarter. It bears date of 1700. This pretty little slip- per may some day have adorned the dainty foot of a princess or a countess at least, and gone pit-a-pat over the waxed floor of some state ball room in the presence of Louis the Grand. For a Titled Dame. . There is an English slipper of 1740, stemped by the makers, “Thomas Rideout and James Davis, shoemakers, near Hol- gate, London,” which is covered with white brocaded and ribbed silk and white satin, and very finely hand welted. It has a sil- ver buckle on the strap, and the silk cover- ing extends down the heel, which is also a Louis. Some titled dame long since re- solved to Mother Earth once wore this neat little piece of footgear on her trim foot, when Pope was making London interesting with his Dunciad, and Swift was peopling Lilliputia with the mannikin foibles of those about him. Another similar but shorter one, dated 1744, is also a welt shoe, showing exceed- ingly fine stitching. A quaint leather slip- per of 1800 is of oil tanned stock, of the yellowish color of the leather after being simply cured. It has a truly pointed toe, suggestive of the east. The makers war- rant the shoe in a now half-effaced label. This shoe has a spring heel. Next is a huge oriental shoe, with a stout, thick sole of hide, and an upper of elaborately embroidered cloth. The toe curves up in a semicircle, like the old style skate toes, and is bound and welted to the very tip. The embroidery on the upper in- eludes gold and silver threading, and dark green beads wrought upon a scarlet ground. The shoe is very old and evidently Turkish. In the line of English and American shoes there is great variety. Among them is a pair of men’s serge ties, kid trimmed, and with the heels, which are high and shorter than ours, not nailed, but sewed from lift to lift, at the very edge of the heel. Pointed toes are nothing new, for these shces have them, and are well shaped, too. They appear to be machine sewed, proba- bly upon the very earliest of the machines Introduced. A Neat Design. ‘There is a cute little pair of ladies’ kid buskins tied with silk ribbons crossed over the instep, with a quiet little black bow, in which nestles a little brass buckle. The toes are square, but delicately patterned, and there are no heels. Spring heels are nothing newer thdn pointed toes, for even the oriental shoes had them, made of several lifts sewed tight in front and looser behind, but the real article appears in a pair of ladies’ cloth ties foxed with kid, with narrow, square toes. There are also some ladies’ velvet silp- pers, which are much admired. They are embroidered with sprays of silk, and are very shapely. Another pair are of black satin, with wider square toes, and, unlike the former, have stiffening. An all-kid bus- kin shown is kid lined as well, made with the quarter overlapping the vamp, a square toe, and welt, but no heel or stiffening. A novelty is a low-cut shoe, no higher than the tennis shoe of today, but with a droll little side lacing of six eyelets, hand worked. The upper is of black basket cloth, the vamp and heel foxing of kid, bound with silk braid. It was a square toe last, with no heel or stiffening, and a very finely “wheeled” shank. Like this is one with a gray checked cloth upper and a vamp of old-fashioned morocco. A pair of misses’ slippers, very aristo- cratic beyond doubt, are made with quar- ters of rich blue cloth and a bronze mo- rocco vamp stitched with white silk. The sock lining is edged with blue silk feather stitch. It is heelless and has a square toe. A Child’s Slipper. There is also a tiny child's slipper of bronze morocco, quarter lined with silk of a curious figure, also square toed, with neither stiffening nor heel. With the evi- dent purpose of showing the manner of making, the parts on another shoe are left unfinished in the upper. Taken altogether, Mr. Hahn's collection is unique and interesting. It tells a story that must always please us all. a Manufacture of Eyelets. From the Springfield Republican. An interesting business is that of making the little eyelets so necessary in lacing shoes. To one who does not understand their manufacture, the labor of making them is compleated. This firm does not make those which turn yellow and brassy with age, but their specialty is to make the so-called “‘fast-color” eyelets which time does not wear yellow nor old age make brassy. This is accomplished by a patent process by which the eyelets are covered with a preparation of celluloid which never wears off, and the firm have also patented a process by which hooks over the upper holes are made so as not to cut the strings. This celluloid prepara- tion is not expensive, adding only 2% cents to the cost of a pair of shoes. ‘The plant was started in a modest way nearly two years ago in the basement of the building. The basement of the build- ing is uscd to make the eyelets, and they turn them out by the millions during the year. In the next floor are the skilled machinists, who are engaged in cutting the dies which cut out the eyelets from the copper. These are cut and counter- sunk to a great degree of nicety. In an- other room there are the dozen or more young women who patiently and with great care pick over and sort the little eyelets and throw out all imperfect ones. This requires bright eyes and more patience than the average mortal possesses, as the eyelets are assorted one by one and the slightest imperfection in any one of them condemns it. The eyelets are made in several colors, black for the most sedate go-to-meeting shoes and brown to match the gaudy russet, UNIVERSITY NOTES. Columbian University. ‘The new court of appeals was inaugurat- ed on Tuesday evening. It was presided over by William T. Mattingly, Henry E. Davis and Charles W. Needham. The first case will be heard next Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock. Prof. Butterworth inaugurated his course of lectures on patent law Thursday even- ing. At the meeting of the board of trustees it was decided that all departments of the school should be closed Monday night, so the students and faculty could attend the joint debate between Columbian and Gecrgetown universities. All students of the law school will meet at the university and march to the hall in procession; the Columbians will be seated on the right of the hall and the Georgetowns on the left. President Greene is spending a few days at Fortress Monroe for the benefit of his health. Candidates for the base ball nine in the preparatory school are: Copeland, for catcher; Beard and Farnham, pitcher; Cummings and Weaver, first base; Fugett, second base; Beatty, third base; Ward, shortstop; Mitchell, left; Owens, center, and Raybold and Perkins, right. Preparations are now being made for the summer school, which is designed for teachers and students in the universities who desire to make up or anticipate their regular studies. Prof. Sonatus is well advanced in making a model for the memorial in honor of the late President Welling. A large class has been formed in assay- ing. Furnaces are being regularly lighted, and the students manifest a lively interest in the work. The students of the Latin school are much interested in the entertainment which they will shortly ‘give. The program will consist of a Latin address by Dr. Mon- tague, recitation of odes from Horace and Catullus and an original Latin thesis from @ member of the senior class, a Latin solo, a Latin chorus and part of a Latin play. The date will probably be April 19. The university lecture course was closed by Prof. Gore on Monday. A mass meeting of the college students was recently held to elect editors for the “Columbiad.” G. R. Davis of the senior class, E. A. Playter of the junior, Miss Ross of the freshman and Miss Chapin of the sophomore were chosen. Each department of the university will be requested to select an editor. All will report at the next meeting, when final ar- rangements for the publication will be made. Catholic University. Rev. Mr. C. W. Waldron, from the dio- cese of Davenport, and Rev. Mr. Stud- ineka of the diocese of Jamestown, stu- dents of the university, left on Thursday for Baltimore, where they entered in re- treat, previous to receiving holy orders next week. ¢ There will be as many as twenty degrees conferred at the university on the next graduating day, in June. Of these five will receive the degree of licentiate in the- ology, and two doctorate of divinity, the first time the latter grade has been con- ferred by the university. The recipients of this will be Rev. Dr. Lucas of Scranton and Father Dublanchy, superior of the Marist Fathers, in Brookland. Howard University. Prof. Ewell began a series of lectures on “Palestine” in the university course Wed- nesday evening. They will be continued on Wednesdays, and are delivered in the Rankin Memorial Chapel. President Rankin has been invited to de- liver a eulogy on Frederick Dougiass in the St. Mark’s Church, New Yerk city, on Sunday, March 24. His remarks at the obsequies of Mr. Douglass will appear in the next number of “Our Day.” —~— Dogs in a Glove Fight. From the Chicago Herald. . In spite of the prohibitidn of sparring matches by the police a rough and tumble fight with the gloves took place in the down-town district recently. It occurred in a well-lighted amphitheater, ‘moreover, and in the presence of more than 1,000 per- sons. The only reason that ean be assign- ed for the non-interference of the police is that the pugilists were;dogs; very smart boxers, it is true, but plain, everyday dogs, nevertheless. They were the star perform- ers of Prof. Burke’s troupe at the Royal English’ circus. They wore gloves a trifle under the usual size, and they fought under a free-and-easy mixture of the Marquis of Queensberry and London prize ring rules. It is doubtful if any of the aristocratic barkers at the Mascoutah Kennel Club's dog show could stand up with Mr. Burke’s pets for a single round. This unique exhi- bition of canine sparring is one of the fun- niest features of the dog circus. The dogs, too, are accomplished in many other di- rections, and dance, jump and cut all sorts of queer capers. —_—__+e+ Horse Power of a Bicyclist. A French scientist has recently made some experiments which show the amount of force developed by seme of our bicycle cracks during a hard race.” American cyclists have maintained for two minutes a speed to-eontinue'which re- quired the expenditure of energy repre- senting two-thirds of one horse power. For six seconds they.'were able to exert the astonishing force of*one an@ a fourth horse power. This is equivalent ‘to raising a weight of 188 pounds-one yard high in one second. Experiments are also“being m&de to de- termine the force exerted by” different sports. These results will be of*great use for training and hygienie data. One of the discoveries made during the calculation of the force exerted by bicy- clists is that at high speeds the work of a bicyclist in covering a specified distance is as great as that of a man running the same distance. 2 At a moderate speed a runner undergoes three times the labor of a bicyclist, but the higher the speed the nearer are their ex- ertions equalized. Society in New York. From the Canton (N. ¥.) Advertiser. A new game that is said to be very pop- ular in Potsdam society circles this sea- son is called the “‘onjon social,” and is played as follows: Théyoung Isdies stand in a row; one of thempbitess@ plece out of an onion. and the fell6ws pey 10 cents to guess who bit it. The he ungucnretul kiss the other girls, while the urguccessful kiss the girl who bit the onion. Whe game evi- dently has its strong points.: ———<e-_.___ Wants _ Change. From the Rogersville (Tenn.) Review. “I think Jack is tired of being my slave. He is getting so anxious that I should marry him.” $ THE NATIONAL GUARD| The Supply of Light and Heat in the New Armory, COMPANIES PREPARING FOR THE DRILL The Representation From This City at Memphis. NOTES OF Among the troops of the District of Co- lumbia National Guard quartered in the new armory building the feeling of discon- tent has been steadily on the increase dur- ing fhe past week. Lack of heat and ab- sence of proper light is the cause of com- plaint, and the members of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and the engineer battalions, the light battery, the cavalry troop. and the second separate company, are practically unanimous in complaining. On several eccasions the new and damp building has been entirely without heat, and the light supplied has been woefully inadequate, in one company room at least it being necessary to press candles into service. The light is not turned on at the build- ing each day until 6:30 p.m., so for a rather lengthy period of twilight the armory is unavailable for work of any nature cr rifle Indeed, notwithstanding that an ideal gallery has been provided, voluntary practice is almost at a standstill, as the most convenient time for such shooting is between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., and that is the period cf the day when the gallery is dark- est. The superinteniient of the gallery, Lieut. T. S. King, will earnestly urge, upon the return of Gen. Ordway, that a separate plant be established for lighting the gal- The dim light afforded in Conven- tion Hall on drill nights is, to say the least, trying to the eves of those who are forced practice. lery. to spend an hour or more therein. ‘The bridge connecting the armory build- ing with Convention Hall lacks railings, is remedied the No effort has been made to lay proper approaches to the main en- trance of the building, and during rainy weather a wide stretch of mud must be before the doorway is reached. Wainsccting in the hallways is now being placed in position, neat signs have been hung over the doorway of each room desig- nating the occupants, and the rooms on the ground floor are now carpeted with cocoa and unti! the deficiency span is useless. eros! matting. Admission to the Armory. By a late order the colonel temporarily in command of the brigade has directed the superintendent of the armory to admit no one but commissioned officers and per- sons bearing a pass from Col. Clay before After that hour none but members of the brigade are to be allowed within; thus guardsmen are not permitted to entertain friends in their respective To properly obey this the superintendent, must be on duty at the main entrance con- stantly, know personally every member of the brigade and also keep track of the re- 4 p.m. daily. company rooms. order, Capt. Walsh, cruiting of men. Company C, second battalion, has direct- ed a committee made up of its comiis- stoned officers, to urge Gen. Ordway to open the armory all day Sundays and holi- days. Acccrding to a cablegram received at -headquarters Gen. Ordway will reach this city on the 30th instant. ‘To Compete for Prizes. Three organizations of the brigade at least, unless something unexpected turns up to prevent, will represent the District Guard at the interstate -drill and encamp- ment, to be held in Memphis May 8 to 21, inclusive, next. from the Branch Guards of St. Louis to drill for the Galveston semi-centennial championship cup at the drill which that organization contemplates giving from July 1 to 7. The Fencibles, rever, will meet tomorrow afternoon and le to go to Memphis. Should the Branch Guards claim the cup for their drill the adjutant general of Texas will be called upon to make a decision in regard to the matter, and, as heretofore stated, he will un- doubtedly rule in favor of Memphis, as that city was the first in the field. Capt. Domer, in a recent communication to the Memphis Drill Association, made some pertinent remarks regarding the require- ment that all companies must report to the commandant not later than May §, while the drill does not begin until May 11. The Fencibles will drill every night except Sundays in order to get into proper shape to defend the cup. ‘The Morton Cadets, a company of young- ters, who have always borne an excellent reputation, but who have not been heard from to any great extent for several months past, have contracted the drill fever in its worst form. They declare they are going to Memphis, and, if enthusiasm counts, the boys will certainly make a showing to be proud of in the Tennessee city. As stated in The Star Thursday, a big benefit is being arranged to raise funds to defray the expenses of the drill team. The affair is in the hands of a competent committee of experienced newspaper men, and is sure to be a gratifying success. Capt. Shilling next week will begin active work, and the company is sure it will re- sult in glory and prizes on the drill field. The third certainty at present, as far as attendance at the drill is concerned, is the organization now known as the Hibernian Rifles, but_which, until a few days ago, was the Columbian Zouaves. This com- pany comprises a large number of the Em- met Guard, which took first prize in the maiden contest at Little, Rock last July. Capt. J. M. Walsh has already begun work with his team, and the progress made has been entirely satisfactory. It is claimed that the money question is all right, and the Hibernian Rifles intend to do or die. A section from the light battery is a possibility, but the Corcoran Cadet Corps and the Ordway Rifles will not make the trip. In a letter to The Star General Manager Peters states that a great many companies have indicated that they will visit Memphis. Col. Peters has visited a number of southern companies, and will be in Washington about the 19th instant. What is Military Discipline? In a prize essay on discipline, Capt. Eugene A. Ellis, eighth United States cav- alry, states that military discipline con- sists in training the minds, bodies and tempers of officers and men so that each unit of the army shall, in peace or war, be of the greatest use and credit to the country. “If we take the veriest novice in military affairs,” he says, “and place him among strangers he will be able at once to tell whether he be in the midst of an orderly body of soldiers, or of a mob, even if the latter be in uniform. He will recog- nize the fact that something whose pres- ence he can feel, and whose effects he can perceive, distinguishes the former from the latter. “He may not be able to give this dis- tinguishing quality its proper name, but he will be keenly alive to all that gives superiority to the one, inferiority to the other. He wiil see in the first, order, regu- larity, subordination, respect for law and regulations and devotion to established gov- ernment; while in the second all these qual- ities, will be wanting, and in their place will appear disorder, license, insubordination, disrespect for leaders and contempt for law. , in other words, he will see that the first body acts under military discipline, each part subordinated to the will of the leader, and all united into one harmonious INTEREST The “Champion National Fencibles have received a formal challenge whole, while the mob acts individually, each person according to his own whim. A mob may have, to be sure, so-called leaders, but even when they try to bolster up their popularity by absurd appeals to the preju- dices or passions of the hour, they find obedience and respect only a matter of the moment, to be thrown off with the same levity that characterized their assumption. “Concert of action comes only with dis- cipline, but, since the success of military operations depends more on concert of action than on any other-thing, we see the great importance of discipline to an armed force engaged in military operations. The measure of an organization’s efficiency is the measure of its discipline. If the stom- ach be deprived of food the corporeal body will get weak, fade away, and die; when deprived of discipline, the military body will perish in the same way.” In every scheme of discipline, according to Capt. Ellis, there must be a system of rewards to encourage those that submit themselves to its requirements, and a sys- tem of punishments to deter those inclined to disregard the same. An officer’s efforts, however, should not be limited to the pun- ishment, through methods sanctioned by law, of infractions of discipline; but they should, at all times, be directed toward the prevention, rather than the punishment of crime, The soldier should be taught, it is urged, as a part of his moral education, that his oath of enlistment, which, perhaps, he con- siders only a preliminary to entry into service, has a higher meaning—that he should obey and be a good soldier because he has taken an oath to do so. Resignations, Discharges and Trans- fers, The President has accepted the resigna- tion of Second Lieut. Howard E. Wilson, company D, third battalion, and that of Second Lieut. George W. Edwards, com- pany D, first separate battalion. Commis- sary Sergt. James M. Stewart of the gen- eral non-commissioned staff has been transferred as a private to company A, engineer battalion. Because of removal from the District, Private Alfred A. Boaz of the second separate company has been discharged, while the following have been discharged on their own applications: Pri- vates George B. Holliston, J. C. Barnes, Newton M. Minnix, and William H. Single- ton, ali of the second separate company: Private Alfred C. Fickelis, baitery A, light artillery; Private Charles L. Ciatz, bat- tery A, light artillery; Private George L Ness, company B, fourth battalion; Pri- vate Hindman Duxey, company C, fourth battalion; Private Harry Fletcher, company D, fifth battalion; Private Richard E. Hill, company D, fifth battalion, and Sergt. Maj. Patrick O'Hare, fifth battalion. Those named below have been discharged in the interests of the service: Private John T. O’Brien, company D, fourth bat- talion; John C. Bennett, Frank J, Henning, William M. Jones, Edwin T. Mayhew, Ewald Gier and Frank R. Riley, all pri- vates in company C, fourth battalion. Capt. Loefier Has Resigned. Capt. Charles C. M. Loeffler of company A, first battalion, has tendered his resig- nation, This action was necessary because Capt. Loeffler will leave Washington to en- gage in business in Detroit, Mich., where he expects to reside permanently. It is a source of regret to the members of his company, which has just reached the top notch as regards membership, and to the in general that tHe captain must ‘eave just at this time. The members of company A will give a farewell smoker this evening at 8 o'clock at the armory of the Washington Light Infantry Corps in honor of Capt. Loeffler. REAL ESTATE GOSSIP Various Rumors About Some of the Suburban Railroads. TALK” OF A GREAT COMBINATION A Reviving Interest in Property in the Country. — SOME IMPROVEMENTS Suburban railroads play such an import- ant part in the development of the suburbs and have such a large Influence on the value of property that more than ordinary interest is attached to the rumors that have been flying around the past week rel- ative to the future of several of the sub- urban electric roads. Much of the talk is due to the apparent mystery which sur- rounds the purposes of those who recently purchased the controlling interest in the Georgetown and Tenleytown railroad. It is generally understood that the purchase was made in the interest of a large elec- | trical concern, and the general theory. that seems to be held by the gossips is that this investment is only the prelude, as it were, to a series of investments or combinations. One of the stories is to the effect that an effort will be made to erect a large power- house which will furnish the motive power for the Georgetown and Tenleytown, the Rock Creek and the Brightwood railroad companies. It is said that by such an ar- rangement the operating expenses of all the roads would be much lessened. In this connection reference is made to the bill passed at the .ast session of Congress which authorized the Rock Creek Railroad Company to purchase or lease connecting and intersecting lines. Authority was given the company to increase the capital stock to secure the necessary money, and also to change the name of the company to the Capital Traction Company. While there has been no definite state- ment as to the steps to be taken which will enable the company to utilize the privileges conferred by this law, the current gossip of the street rather broadly intimates that the Philadelphia Traction Company, which is regarded as the owner of the Belt line railroad, may to part with its holding in that road. In support of this theory it is -pointed out that the acquisition of the Belt line would give a desired city connection. Combinatten of Suburban Roads. ‘The other railroad holding in this city of the Philadelphia capitalists is the Kcking- ton road, but, according to the same @u- thority, this property will be retained, as it will afford the city connection for the Baltimore and Washington electric road if that road should ever be built. claimed that this latter project will be car- tied through, and in addition, thy will be a road built necting this city with Baltimore via Ellicott City. Whatever developments the future may have it is quite certain that just at pres- ent there is very general impression among those who are su, to keep posted that events are working toward a combination of the suburban roads. There are several indications which are cited as pointing to that end. In the first place, it is claimed that such a move will result in a more profitable operation of the roads, and in the second pl there would follow a unity of action, which would be of great advantage in bringing about. more favor- le relations with the city roads. Owing to the difficulty in securing from Congress the right of way over city streets, the suburban roads terminate as a rule at the boundary of the city. Until quite re- cently they have been unable to make, or at least have made no transportation ar- rangements with the city roads: they have been obliged to leave their patrons at the bounds of the city, to pay another fare in order to reach the business center. A few weeks ago the representatives of the city and suburban roads got tegether and agreed upon a transfer arrangement, but a= yet the new system has not gone into effect. It seems highly probable to- those fa- miliar with railroad matters ‘hat there will be some attempt to make a change in present conditions. Exactly what form it will take, as indicated above, is still un- certain. It has not heen developed as yet exactly what influence the change in the management in the Georgetown and Ten- leytown road will have on the general sit- uation. When the policy of the new owners is more fully known it will perhaps be pos- sible to predict with more certainty what will be the outcome of the present rather complicated situation. As to Suburban Property. As is always the case at the opening of the spring season, there is more or less in- terest displayed in suburban property. The spring is recognized as the proper season for such holdings to be prominent in the market. There is more interest taken in the country by the public at this time of the year than at any other. People like to visit the suburbs, and whether they have any more serious purpose in view than merely the recreation of the day, it is nevertheless true that the tide of travel toward the country increases. Those who have property to sell, therefore, find peo- ple willing to listen and also to personally inspect. Various improvements are also begun at this season, and while there is none of any magnitude contemplated just at this time still there are a number of what may be regarded as minor enter- prises, which form altogether quite a chain of activity. In this way the suburbs, both in point of attractiveness and of comfort, gain cach year additional advantages as a place of residence. The Building Record. The building Inspector's record for the past week, ending yesterday, shows that fourteen permits were taken out for the erection of new buildings, aggregating in cost $66,466. For structures in the north- west section six permits were issued, call- ing for an outlay of $44,200, and in the county eight permits, to cost $22,166. Some Improvements. Henry Schneider intends to erect three two-story and basement dwellings at 1629 to 1633 4th street northwest, each 17.6x33 feet. They will cost $12,000. A permit has been granted F. B. Pyle to construct five dwellings at 1314 1-2 to. 1322 Wallach street northwest. They will be of brick, three stories in height, 14.5x34 feet, and are to cost $17,500. :: At an outlay of $7,500 E. J. Newton will build a three-story and basement brick dweiling, 35x22.8 feet, at 1820 K street northwest. N. T. Haller is the architect and George W. Newton the builder. J. B. Wilson has planned to put up a three-story brick dwelling at 2145 Leroy place, Connecticut Avenue Heights, to cost $18,000. The structure, which is to be 43x54 feet, will be heated by steam or hot air. The architect is James G. Hill and the builder Charies Edmonston. Meaning of Railroad Colors. From the Philadelphia Times. When boys and girls travel they are al- ways interested in the flags which are waved at the crossings and switch boxes along the lines of the railroads. Three colors are most seen—white, green and red—and a little couplet waich railroad men all know will fix the meaning of these sig- nals in your minds: - “White's for right, and red’s for wrong, And green’s for gently go along.” The fifth battalion will devote Monday evening to guard mount in Convention Hall. The National Guard Drum Corps is to be in attendance, and’ after the cere- mony considerable time will be taken up with instructions of sentries. In order to make the latter as realistic as possible, the already dim light supplied in Convention Hall on drill nights will be decreased. Company A, third battalion, at a meet- ing last evening elected Second Lieut. G. E. Tralies first HMeutenant and Private C. M. Robinson, jr., second lieutenant. The company will entertain its friends at a stag party this evening. Corp. Maurice Appleby of company B, fifth battalion, has been detailed on the non-commissioned staff of the command mentioned as assistant to the inspector of rifle practice. As is its custom, company A, fourth bat- talion, will honor the memory of St. Pat- rick by holding a military bail in National Rifles’ Armory Monday evening. The dishonorable discharge of Private Felix S. Malone, company A, third bat- talion, has been revoked and a discharge in ane interest of the service issued in its stead. Privates James A. Norris, George B. Squires and John S. White of company B, third battalion, and Private George J. Howell of company C, third battalion, have been promoted to corporals. eee Not of the Mi lary Profession. From the Kansas City Times. Two old negroes, one of whom wore a Grand Army of Republic uniform, while the other was attired in the conventional black Prince Albert coat which is ever part and parcel of the colored “pahson,” met on the corner of 9th and Walnut streets yesterday afternoon. Both’ were waiting for a car. The wait turned out to be-a long one, ‘and the men, though evi- dently strangers, began chatting pleasantly on the condition of the weather and other stock subjects. Finally the “pahson,” with a compre- hersive glance over the uniform which the other wore, asked: “Was yo’ in the wah, sah?” oo "deed I wuz. "Deed I’se in de wah.” “Den yo’ had a taste of de late unpleas- antness?” “Yas, co’se I did. Fact is, pahson, I had mo’ dan a taste. I done went and bit off mo’ dan I cud chaw up fine.” ‘Did yo’ run when day commence shoot- ing?” asked the “pahson” suspiciously. “Dat I did, sah, dat I did—an’ I'd a run befo’ ef I'd knowed it wuz comin’. “Den yo’ isn’t much on fightin’? queried the expounder of the gospel. “No, sah, I’se not. I'll leab dat for people what ain’t got nuffin’ else to do. Cookin’ is my perfeshun.” And just then the car came. ———+e-___ Napoleon’s Reliance. From the Chicago Tribune. “But, sire,” urged Marshal Murat, “if you take this step, and it turns out disas- trously for France, what can you say in vindication of yourself?” “My vindication,” said Napoleon, sternly, “can safely be left with the American newspapers of T804-95.”” - Enjcyed the Book. From an Exchange. “Do you really mean that you lke Flinks’ last book?” “Yes; I enjoyed it more than any of the others.” ‘How could you?” “I didn’t read it.” Conjugal Prudence, From 1 Carlino. Wife—“Do you really love me, my pet?” Husband—“I adore you, my sweet, and am prepared to give ycu any proof of the fact not exceeding a hundred francs!” About Antiquities. From ‘Household Words.” Traveler (inquiring at famous castle)— “Can I see the antiquities today?” : Servant—“I am afraid not, sir. My lad: and her daughters have gone to town.”