Evening Star Newspaper, March 23, 1895, Page 9

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor, 11th Street, by The Byening Star Mewsneper Company, New York Offco, 49 Potter Building, ————e ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents F week, or 44c. per month. Copies at the counter cents ‘each. By mall—anywhere in the United oe or Canada—postage presild--G0 cents per menth. Saturday quintupls Sheet Star, $1.00 per year; with foreign postaze added, $2.00. Entered at the Post Oifice at Washington, D. C., Part 2. Che Fen K Slav. Pages 9-20. as second-class mail mattec.) pan mail .ubscriptioas must be paid in advarce. ‘tes of advertising wade known on applicatica. WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 1895-TWENTY PAGES. master of advertising), saps: JE is cfaimed for the Washington Star, and proBaGfp frufffufte cfoimed, wBat no offer newspaper in f§e countre goes info 80 farge a percenfage of aff fhe Souses tiffin a radius of fwenfp mifes from Be office of puffication. ABOUT YOUR INCOME How the New Tax is to Be Collected _ Here. THE DEPUTY COLLECTOR AND HIS OFFICE The Number of Blanks Sent Out to Citizens. FACTS ABOUT THE LAW F YOU HAVE AN income of more than $3,500 per year you'd better send to Dep- uty Collector Clagett, 648 Louisiana avenue northwest, right away and get a blank, to be filled out and returned to him. If you don't do this before April 15 and you are found out, which is very likely to happen, the dep- uty collector will fill out a blank for you, to the best of his knowledge and belief, and add fifty per cent to the tax which you are to*pay. Having filled out .the blank and answered the questions under oath, if it is found that during the year from January 1, 1894, to December 31, 1894, you were in possession of an income exceeding $4,000 you will pay to the United States government a tax of 2 per cent upon the amount of the excess. If you don’t pay the tax before July 1 next you The Entrance. will be Hable to an addition thereto of 5 per cent on the amount of taxes unpaid and interest at the rate of 1 per cent per month from the time the tax becomes due. If you fill out your blank and take it to the deputy collector's office it will be acknowledged without fee, whereas a no- tary public will charge for the service. If there is anything in the regulations which you don’t understand, just go down to Mr. Clagett's office and he will make the matter plain as day. The deputy collector of internal reve- nue has been busy for some time sending out blanks to persons whom it was thought might come under the provisions of the income tax law. Of course, it is likely that some people who are subject to the tax have been overlooked, but the fact of their not having received notification will not exempt them from the operation of the law. They will not be allowed to plead ignorance of the law, and will have to pay a heavy penalty for non-compliance. Sending Out Blanks. The task of making up the list of per- sons to whom blanks should be sent has been an arduous one. In doing this work the di ty collector has been compelled to proceed pretty much upon hearsay. The only thing that might be called official evidence has keen the city tax lst. Tak- ing this as a basis, it has been possible to arrive at an estimate of a person's weaith, property holdings and rentals, thereby gauging in a rough meesure the size of his income. The blue book has furnished the salaries of officials, who fail an easy prey to the tax collector. Between 3,000 and 4,000 blanks have already been sent out. The law provides that the following sources of income shail be taken into con- sideration: Gross receipts, credits, earnings and gains from any business, or any in- terest therein, wherever carried on; from rent received or accrued during the year; trom profits realized on sales of real estate purchased since December 31, 1892; from farming operations, including proceeds from sales of live stock and proceeds from sales of agricultural products; money, and the value of all personal property acquired by gift or inheritance; premium on bonds, stocks, notes or coupons; income from profession, trade, or other employment, except stated salary or pay; from salary, compensation, or pay for particular serv- ices, and not including salary, or compen- sation recelved from the United States; frem salary, or compensation received for services in the civil, military, naval, or other service of the United States, includ- ing salary of Senator, Representative or Delegate in Congre: from gains and prof- its, divided or undivided, of any partner- ship; from interest received or accrued within the year upon all notes, bonds, mort- gages, or other forms of indebtedness bear- ing interest, whether paid or not, if collectible; from interest or coupons paid or rued on any bonds, or other evi- dences of indebtedness, of any corporation, company or association; from dividends or interest paid or accrued on the stock, cap- ital or deposits of any corporation, com- pany or associaticn; Income of wife or i children computed on the same as this return, and from all sources not above enumerated. The Deductions Allowed. The following deductions are permitted by law In addition to the primary exemp- tion of $4,000: Interest which has become due or which has been paid during the year; national, state, county, school or mu- nicipal taxes paid within the year, not in- cluding taxes assessed against local bene- fits; amount expended in the purchas production of live stock, or produce within the year; necessary expenses ally incurred in carrying on any busine occupation or profession, and not elsewhere deduc in this return; losses actually sus- tained during the year, incurred in trade or ipwreck, and nee or other- ated | already deducted in ascertain- | ing p al loss sales of real es- | tate purchase! since December 31, 1802; | debts ascertained within the year to be| worthless, and not elsewhere deducted in this return; cost price of material pur- chased for. manufacture or resale, not in creasing stock on hand December 31, 1891 dividends heretofore included in the state- ment of profits received from corporations, compantes or associations, on which the tax of two per centum has once been paid by such corporation. ‘After making these deductions, if it is found that the income is still in excess of $4,000 per year, and if the United States Supreme Court does not declare the income tax unconstitutional in the meantime, noth- ing’will remain but to ‘“‘waik up to the c: p= tain’s desk and settle. It is suggested, however, that persons fortunate enough to be liable to the tax need not be in a hurry to make final payment before April 15. In addition to the statement required to be made, the citizen is called upon to an- swer the following questions: “Had your wife, or any minor child or children of yours, any income last year? Have you included such income or incomes in this re- turn? Have you kept books of account? Is your income herein estimated, or taken from your books? What are the partic- ular items of ‘losses’ set forth by you op- posite paragraph 6 of ‘deductions,’and when ‘ did each occur? Are you a citizen of the United States, and what is your occupa- tion? How did you determine that debts returned by you as ‘worthless’ could not be collected? What were the ‘necessary ex- penses,’ and the amount of each class, in- cluded in the amount set opposite para- graph 5 of ‘deductions?’ ” A Retnrn Required. ‘The law gives the deputy collector power to increase the amount of the income as re- turned If he believes that it is understated. Persons having an annual income of less than three thousand five hundred dollars are not required to make and render an an- nual return, but in all cases where the an- nual income of any person exceeds the sum of three thousand five hundred dollars, whether it reaches the taxable limit of four thousand dollars or not, the list or re- turn should be made by such person, duly verified and forwarded to the collector. If a willfuily false or fraudulent return is made the collector can add 100 per cent to it as a penalty. It is provided that any non-resident may receive the benefit of exemption provided for in the act by filing with the deputy col- lector of any district a true list of all his property and sources of income in the United States, and otherwise complying with the provisions of this act, as if a resi- dent. In computing income such non-resi- dent shall include all income from every source, but unless he be a citizen of the United States he shall only pay on that part of the income which is derived from any source in the United States. In case such non-resident fails to file such state- ment, the collector shall collect the tax on the Income derived from the property of such non-resident situated in his district, subject to income tax, making no allow- ance for exemption, and all property be- longing to such non-resident shall be liable to distraint for the tax. As to Family Expenses. > Expenses for medical attendance, store accounts, family supplies, wages of domes- tic servants, cost of board, room or house rent for family or personal use, are not expenses that can be deducted from the gross profits or income in making annual returns. It was manifestly the legislative intention, the treasury authorities main- tain, that the four thousand dollars ekempt from the payment of the income tax should be applied to the above enumerated expenses, and all personal expenses for the maintenance of the family and household of the taxpayer receiving the benefit of the exemption. The national, state, county, school and municipal taxes deductible from incomes ecmprise such internal revenue taxes as have not been included in the expenses of the business, and all such state, county, school and municipal taxes as are assessed ratably upon all persons liable to such as- sessment; but assessments made upon the real estate of a particular locality on ac- count of street improvements, sewerage, street grade or other improvements intend- ed to benefit the particular property in- cluded in said locality are not considered as taxes which may be deducted from in- comes. For Losses Incurred. In estimating the amount of taxable in- come, only such losses as shall have been actually suffered, and the amount of which hes been definitely ascertained during the year covered by the return, can be de- ducted from the gross profits for that year. No deduction will be allowed for any losses rot specifically described and set forth in the annual return of the person or cor- poration claiming the deduction. Persons recelving fees or emoluments for profes- sional or other services, as in the case of physicians or lawyers, ‘should include ail actual receipts for services rendered in the year for which return is made, together with all unpaid accounts, charges for serv- ices, or other income due for that year, if gccd and collectible. The annual return of merchants and manufacturers of their gains, profits, or ircome, should cover the business of the year, the regulations provide, from the Ist day of January to the 3ist day of Decem- rw | s& SS Where You Puy. ber in the year for which return is made; and their books of account, stock records and inventories should be kept and taken at such time, and in such manner, as to cleerly show the gross profits, business expenses, net profits er income for the year ending at the close of business hours on the 31st day of December. The interest accrued during the year on notes, bonds or otber evidences of indebtedness, if good and collectible at the end of the year, should be returned as income, whether actually collected or not. Dividends pay- able in 184 should be returned as income for that year, no matter when declared. In the Case of Debts. Debts which were contracted during the year 1894, but found in said year to be ab- solutely worthless, may be deducted from the income of the creditor in his annual return for said year, but such debts can- rot be considered or returned as worthiess until after legal proceedings to recover the same have proved fruitless, or it clearly appears that the debtor is insolvent, and that proceedings to collect the debt would avail nothing. In making the deduction fer worthless debts, the person claiming the same must state in his return that one of the facts above set forth exists in connection W the debt returned as worthless. The government proposes to make sure of collecting the tax from its own officers, so each disbursing officer of the govern. ment is required to ‘‘dock” the salaries of employes in excess of $4,000 a year. Exempt From the Tax. The following exemptions are made to the income tex law: States, counties or municipalities; corporations, companies or associations organized and conducted solely for charitable, religious or educational pur- poses, including fraternal beneficiary so- cieties, orders or associations operating upon the lodge system and providing for payment of life, sick and other benefits to the members of such societies, orders or tions, and dependents of such mem- ocks, shares, funds or securities a th held by any fiduciary or trustee for chari- table or religious and educational pur- poses; building or loan associations or com- panies which make loans only to their shareholders; savings banks and certain classes of mutual insurance companies. ee gee UNIVERSITY NOTES. Howard University. The course of lectures on Palestine which are being delivered by Prof. Ewell are in- teresting and instructive and well at- tended. The law students are arranging foy an entertainment in the interest of the gradu- ating class, which is to be held next month. There is to be competitive speak- ing and a program of musical selections. Mrs. Harper of Philadelphia addressed the students on Tuesday. The lecture was arranged for by the Young Ladies’ Social Improvement Association. President Rankin has been invited to de- liver the anniversary address at the next commencement of the Avery Normal in- stitute, Charleston, S. C. The base ball nine gives promise of ex- citing contests for the spring campaign. Catholic University. Rev. Dr. ©. W. Waldron and Father Stu- dincka, who received the orders of deacon- ship and priesthood, respectively, on Tues- day, returned to the university. Dr. Wal- dron has resumed his studies, but Father Studincka left for his home in Milwaukee, where he will say his first mass, and will return to the university after the Easter holidays. Rev. W. C. Kerby of the diocese of Du- buque, who has been chosen for the chair of social science in the philosophical course, is now at the university, hav- ing permanently left his diocese to be- gin immediate preparation for his new of- fice. The probabilities are that he will go immediately to Europe and begin his stud- ies in one of the universities. A large and valuable collection of books have been presented to the library by Bishop Micx of Kentucky. On Thursday in the chapel of the Paulist Fathers’ house, the house better known as the old Middleton mansion, Bishop Keane conferred Tonsure, the first step toward priesthood, upon Mr. Clapp and minor or- ders upon Mr. Conway, both Paulist stu- dents. Columbian University. A meeting will be held in the graduating room on Tuesday next, at which all the students are requested to be present, to cuss a proposition tendered to publish a weekly or bi-weekly university paper. Though the paper would not be published this year the students are desirous of mak- ing preliminary arrangements before the end of this session. The committees on athletics and amuse- ments are working to get necessary funds; far more than usual interest is manifested by the students. The base ball team is Go- ing excellent work, and Is practicing regu- larly at Mt. Pleasant. A southern trip he Geen planned, during which the nine will play the University of Virginia, Richmond College, Washington and Lee, Virgiria Military Institute, Wakefield and Univer- sity of North Carolina, The new edition of Johnson's Cyclcpedia, which will soon be issued, will contain con- tributions from the members of the facul- ties of the Columbian University. Every Monday at 2:15 o'clock a meeting ef the singing club is held in the univer- sity. These meetings are well attended, and the music is excellent, and friends of the institution who wish to drop in are welcome. Dr. Montague has begun a series of lec- tures on “Pedagogies,” to the junior class cf Latin. The lectures are given every two weeks, and will eventually ke published. Prof. Gore will have in the new catalogue, which will be out about the middle of April, an interesting outline of a course to be given rext session on “Books and Book- making,” in which he will give a practical illustration cf tte preparation of books— of proof reading, research, and of the gen- eral techrique of authorship. Drs. Ster- ritt and Lodge will present in the same catalogue greatly enlarged and interesting 3 in moral and political philosophy, ical ecorcmy and in constitutional laws. Mr. Gler Brown's lecture on Wednes- day night, on plumbing and internal san- itary arrangements, was extensively illu: trated by a series of large colored dra’ ings of the plumbing system in the hevse ef the English embzssy in this city. Georgetown University. The observatory will soon publish a pamphlet of 150 pages, entitled “Photo- graphic Transit of One Hundred and Sixty- One Stars.” The observations noted in this pamphlet have extended over two years and number some 2,500, while the number of microscopic measurements of the plates are no less than 75,000. e late Mrs. Maria Coleman's legacy of $4,000 to the observatory has just been paid by the executor of her will. ‘The recent one hundred and seventh an- niversary of Georgetown was celebrated in the rooms of the University Club, Philadel- phia, by the establishment of a local alum- ni association. The officers are: President, Anthony A. Hirst; vice president, Charles H. A. Esling; secretary and treasurer, Will- iam V. McGrath; executive committee, J. Perey Keating, Dr. Ernest La Place and Charles Harper Walsh. Joseph F. Magale, B. A., ’91, has been appointed president of the Columbia Coun- ty Bank of Magnclia, Ark. For the coming base ball season the Georgetown team is scheduled to play Yale one game, Princeton two, Pennsylva- nia two and University of Virginia two. Negotiations are also pending with the Washington league team for a series of two games. Rev. Robert Fullon, S. J., ex-provincial of Maryland and New York province, has been appointed to the chair of English lit- erature in the university. Rev. Edward Devitt, S. J., professor of philosophy, lectured on last Wednesday night before the Catholic Historical Soci- ety of Philadelphia. Prof. Frank Baker will deliver a lecture on “Advantages and Abuses of Athletics From a Medical Standpoint. — Cruel Use of the Electric Light. Sir Herbert Maxwell, writing to the Lon- don Times, draws attention to a form of cruelty, which, he claims, should be sternly discouraged. On a recent occasion he at- tended a most elaborately appointed dinner. The center of the table was occupied by a crystal bowl, in which were half a dozen gold fish. Among these an electric lamp had been introduced, and its strong light beat on the fish with an effect that must have been excruciating. Fish are ex- tremely sensitive to light, not only in their eyes but (some of them) over the whole surface of their bodies, as is shown by the faculty possessed by trout of altering thelr color according to that of the ground over which they swim. The peculiarity which renders exposure to strong light intolerable to fish is that they have no eyelids. Sir Herbert asks: “How would the guests have enjoyed their feast if’ the center of the table had been occupied by a pillar of in- tense light, six feet high, that being the proportion to their stature which the burner bore to the size of the gold fish?” He believes that this Is one of the thought- less uses of the electric light, which will be abandoned as soon as those who have adopted it realize its cruelty. a Got There. From the Detroit Free Press. “Why don’t you ever write any poetry, Scribe?” “I did write a poem once—an ‘Ode to Oblivion.’ ” Indezd! What became of it?” “It reached its destination.” Quite Alike. From the Detroit ‘Tribune. “Do the twin sisters look much alike?” “Alike? Why, each of them. can tell if her hat fs on straight by just looking at the other.” e ‘mon in all centers of REAL ESTATE GOSSIP The Outlook for the Building Season a Promising One. FOUR LARGE APARTMENT HOUSES Sewer and Water Systems for Sub- urban Towns. IMPROVEMENTS —————— SOME In the opinion of Building Inspector Brady, the coming season promises to be one of building activity such as has not been seen here for several years past. Some time ago The Star printed an esti- mate which showed that the number of bulldirgs which would be put up in the fiscal year ending June 30 next would be very ccnsiderably greater than the number for the preceding year. This was based on a comparison of the number of building permits issued up to January 1 with the number of the entire twelve months before, leaving out of consideration the last six months of the present fiscal year, which, it was but fair to assume, would far out- strip the first half year, ‘That this estimate was under rather than over the true condition of affairs is now beginning to be evident as the winter is passing away and the time for the begin- ning of the building season is a€@ hand. From all sides comes talk of buildings which are either soon to be begun or for which plans are being prepared. One no- ticeable feature is the fact that these buildings are of the better class, and that there seems to be a failing off in the erec- tion, as a speculation merely, of rows of small houses, which are to be rented or sold, as the opportunity presents. Houses of the handsomer and more expensive sort are contemplated, and there is good rea- son for thinking that a number of resi- dences will be put up during the coming summer which will be a credit to the city. Proposed Apartment Houses. Another matter has | come before the building inspector which {s certain to in- terest the building world and the people of Washington generally. Within the past few weeks the plans for four large apart- ment houses have been, presented to the inspector for his appro * Working plans have been made, and Mr. Brady was as- sured by the architects that the buildings were to be put up this summer beyond a doubt, as the different people who are back of these enterprises have expressed them- selves as satisfied with the plans~and the situation generally. Arrangements have not yet reached a point where the names of the builders and the proposed locations can be made public, but it can be stated that while the build- ings will be larg@;>they will not be of the sky-scraping order. They wilt be seven and eight stories ‘in height,’and it is said that they will be of the very best description in every respect. It is not known who are putting up the money for, these improve- ments, but thé very fact that buildings of this sort are tb be erected Shows tha®there are plenty of people who helfeve that prop- erty in this city, when properly situated and improved so as to meet the needs of the community, ylelds a return, Looking for Building Sites. The last District appropriation bill car- ried provision for the erection of a truck house for the fire department, to be put up in the neighborhood of New Jersey ave- nue and M street, and for a new house for engine company No. 2, which is now lo- cated on government property on. D street between 12th and 13th. The Commission- ers have under advisement several sites for the truck house, any of which would be satisfactory, and as goon as they have fixed upon one the building inspector will get to work without delay in putting up the new building, A good deal more difficulty, however, is being found in the matter of getting a site for the engine house, which must be situated between B and E streets and 9th and 1th. The appropriation for site and building both was but $25,000, and of this it would take at least half for the building alone. The lot must not contain less than 3,000 feet. Only two bidg were received in answer to the Commissioners’ advertise- ment calling for proposals for sites. Evi- dently the bidders thought the District was rich enough to pay a steep price, for both bids were in the neighborhood of $8 a square foot. This would leave only $1,900 for the building itself, a rather awkward condition of affairs. Unless the Commis- sioners can get a site for $4 or $4.25 a foot it would seem as though the whole matter would have to be deferred until the next session of Congress. The present build- ing is altogether too small for an engine house, and otherwise not well adapted for the purpose to which it has been put, and a further delay in securing a new structure is extremely undesirable. Water and Sewer Systems. The discussion which is going on among the residents of the suburban town of Ken- sington in regard to supplying that place with a sewer system is of interest to the people of this city outside entirely of any corsideration from the standpoint of pub- lic health, which the proposition to empty the proposed sewer into Rock creek in- volves. As this suburban community, as well as the many others which now thick- ly dot the country contiguous to the na- tion’s capital, is closely connected with this city, it goes without saying that anything which promotes their advantages as places of residence is in line with urban mater- ial prosperity. As a rule the residents of these places are engaged in business here and draw their supplies mainly from this city. The relation between the city and the outlying settlement is therefore a close and intimate one. The question of sewers for Kensington is not merely a local one, nor js it, indeed, one that Kensington aloue is called upon to solve. The growth of these guburban places has heen so rapid that thé need for pro- viding the usual municipal! facilities com- ulation is de- manling more or less attention. As long as the population is sparsely located, each household can be conductéd independent- ly of its neighbor, but after awhile, when the houses get closer together, then there are certain common interests, as well as common dangers, which are recognized. The well that furnished a sufficient sup- ply of water for one family and would continue to do so, perhaps for years, is Hable to be rendered useless by contamina- tion which comes from adjoining property. At this point is experienced first of all one of the inconveniences, as well as perils, of a neighborhood that is beginning to draw to it any considerable number of residents. People who have been accustomed to live in the city generally provide some form of sewage disposal when they build houses in the country, and for th¢ individual fam- fly that is usually accomplished by surface drainage or by the building of cesspools. Then the purity of the water supply is threatened. Water Supply the First Need. The solution of the problem, as shown in the recent case of the Kensington people, is generally believed to be in a general sewer system. As evéry ont knows, the installation of such @ system involves a heavy expense, especigily for a small com- munity. Those who have given the matter considerable thought, however, are of the opinion that the construction of sewers is not the best and most economical solution of the problem. As is conceded, the dan- ger which threatens a community of this character is the pollution of the water sup- ply. Why not, then, it is asked, approach the problem directly by securing a water sup- ply which is free from all danger of local contamination? If, for example, such a place as Kensington and the neighboring suburban settlements which are in a simi- lar position should unite their forces and build an aqueduct at some point where a supply of pure water could be secured and have it piped into the various places, then it is claimed that it would make very little difference what disposal of the sewage matter was made in the settlements them- selves. Cesspools could be built or surface drain- age could be employed and the ground could be saturated with sewage matter, and unless the places became compactly bu! up this condition %f affairs would consti- tute no danger to the public health. Not until these scattered centers of population become compactly built-up towns would it be necessary to provide a system of sew- erage. When that time is reached the cost of such an improvement would be divided up among a larger number of people and the burden to the individual taxpayer would be considerably less. If it would not be possible to secure a water supply from any other source, a reservoir could be built, and the water could be pumped from the Potomac. It would be a great gain to all suburban set- tlements if water could be obtained free from all the perils that threaten a merely local supply. Cultivating the Parking. One of the features of city life at this time of year is the furbishing up, so to speak, of the parking which forms a gen- erous and attractive expanse of green in front of a large majority of the residences. Although this section of green sward is a part of the street, the expense of caring for it is borne by the individual house- holder, and, as a rule, as much pride is taken in its appearance as if it were pri- vate property. Wherever a sidewalk has been laid down by the District government under the new system of reserving a strip between the sidewalk and the curb for grass, a prac- tical addision has been made to the lawn of the householder. The city authorities do not undertake to cover this strip with grass, but it is expected that each house- holder will give it the same care as he has been accustomed to take wth the parking. if this expectation is realized, the beauty of the streets of the city will be materialiy enbanced. There is another advantage of this new system, which probably led to its adoption, and that is by reducing the area of the sidewalks to be laid it is possible to use better material and to put down a superior sidewalk. It is believed that when the cus- tem of having a strip of green grass on the outside border of the sidewalk, as well as on the inside, becomes pretty gen- eral, citizens will be careful about en- croaching on the green sward. With a little attention, both on the part of the hcuseholders and the citizens generally, it is believed that the new system of laying sidewalks will add materially to the at- tractiveness of the city. Some Improvements. W. E. Chandler has taken out a permit for the erection of a building on 14th street which is expected to be quite an addition to that business thoroughfare. It is to be at 1310 14th street, three stories and base- ment, and is to be used as a store. The front is 20 feet and is to have a rectangular show window. Brick is to be used in the construction, which is all to be first-class in quality. Joseph C. Johnson has prepared the plans for the building. Another Improvement of considerable in- terest comes in the form of a row of dwell- janes whieh are to be erected on Willard street, 1717 to 1727. In all six houses are to be built, at an estimated cost of $33,000, and the accepted plans by N. T. Haller, the owner, give an idea of what they are to be. Stone and brick both are to be used in the fronts, which are to be relieved by bay windows. The roofs will be mansard style with tiling and tin, and the buildings are to have all modern improvements. They are to be three stories in height, on a con- crete foundation, 17 feet front. Hot water is to be used for heating. The Brightwood Railway Company has taken out a permit for the erection of its new, car house, which is to be built on Brightwood avenue near the Military road. The structure is to be of brick, one story in height, and with iron roof. It is to be 62 by 150 feet’ in size, and is to be set back 45 feet from the present line of the road. W. B. Wood is the architect, and the estimated cost of the improvement is $9,000. —_—_—_—_—_+e+—____ Baby in a Ten-Inch Well. From’ the Galveston Daily News. ‘The eighteen-months-old child of Bill Gee, a farmer living near Tigertown, had a terrible experience on Tuesday evening. A ten-inch bored well had just reached a depth of twenty-nine feet, being near the house, when the little one went out alone to investigate. Somehow he managed to fall in feet first, and was impaled upon the end of the boring machinery, a part of which was yet in the well. ‘The frantic mother was a witness to ihe horror, and immediately gave the alarm. The child could not be gotten out of the hole, so the neighbors were all summoned, and some eighty of them went to work digging a great square hole near the well. This be- ing completed to a depth on a level with the child, a tunnel was made from the hole to the well, and the chili rescued, after being in its perilous condition for twenty-three hours. Its plaintive cries, “Mamma! mamma, come take me out!” were heartrending. The child will recover. Chinese Gentlemen and Virtuosos, From Temple Bar. : You must know that the Chinese is far more commonly virtuoso than we; and a Chinese collector is a real connoisseur. He has no idea of beauty, except to eye it sus- piciously, as ;robably of Japanese or other foreign origin; all he worships js age; and— mark this most curious trait—antiques of his own country only. What a consery- atism to boast of this! The Chinese s:holar and virtuoso has the profoundest adiira- tion for his own country’s ancient litera- ture and art. He will not deign to have anything foreign or new on his shelves. I think this is something of a rebuke to us, hunting for relics of every country but our own. It puts us on the stand of nouveaux riches. Don’t think that a Chinaman spends nothing on his collection. He will outbid the vulgarest millionaire in tne world for a genuine old bronze or porcelain. His col- lection is not built up in a day by whole- sale commissions given to dealers. His is bought piece by piece as opportunity’ and finances allow. The collection made by a single man’s lifetime is nothing. You will see pieces in his catalogue bought by father and grandfather and remote ancestors. They are heirlooms. They are passed down from father to son. They are the mark of education and noble birth, because the only nobility there is education and official rank, and noble birth is being the descendants of ancestors who have held office and taken degrees. An heirloom of a choice bit of porcelain proves education and wealth in the purchaser. Does this not make you feel rather new with your twopenny fans and plates on the wall? —_—— e+ _____ Gift of a Park. Springfield, Ohio, is to have what the people there have long wanted—a fine park —thrcugh the generosity of Messrs. John and Dr. L. Snyder, the millionaire land owners ving just west of the city, who have aonated 215 acres of land in the West End for the purpose. The only condition imposed on the city is that enough money be spent annually to improve it and make it attractive. The tract is now being sur- veyed, and as soon as it is completed the land will be deeded to the city. This is the most magnificent donation in the history of the city, the only thing at all approaching it being the Warder Free Library, donated by Benj. Warder, now de- ceased. The value of the land is placed at $250,000. > THE NATIONAL GUARD >—_—_. Some Needs in the Armory Building to Be Supplied. CURRENT GOSSIP ABOUT THE DRILL The Plans of Troop A and Instruc- tion in Guard Duty. NOTES OF INTEREST A suggestion made at a recent meeting of company C, se-ond battalion, by a member in all seriousness, that the organization purchase several knotted ropes so that in case of fire at the new armory building of the District of Columbia National Guard persons on the upper floors might have a chance for their lives, is but evidence of the general fecling on the subject. There !s no question but the structure would make most willing fuel shculd flames once take hold. Despite this fact not a fire escape or a standpipe has been provided. However, there will be a change for the better in the course of a few weeks. Shortly before Congress adjourned the Commis- sioners had prepared an amendment to the present fire escape law. The amendment passed both houses and will go into effect April 2. The new law will necessitate the erection of fire escapes and standpipes at the armory building. The failure or neglect after thirty days’ notice, of the owner, to provide fire escapes as required shall render him hable to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $100 for each day he shall fail to provide the same. In cases of default the Commissioners are empowered to erect fire escapes and assess the cost thereof as a tax against the buildirg. The law also provides thac the owner of the building is liable to an action for damages in case of death or personal injury resulting from fire in a building not provided with fire escapes as required by law. Had it not been for a number of candles procured by individuals the armory build- ing would have been in total darkness for @ goodly portion of Saturday evening last. The electric light was not turned on until nearly 9 o'clock. Companies B and D, who were scheduled to occupy the rifle gallery on that date, owing to the absence of light until the hour mentioned, did not finish the ordered practice until after midnight. During the past week, however, there has been a marked improvement in the light and heat supplied, and if it continues com- plaint will soon cease. i. ‘The Memphis Drill. The visit in this city of Col. I. F. Peters, general manager of the interstate drill and encampment to be held at Memphis, May 11 to 21 next, has enlightened the Wash- ington companies on several matters per- taining to the competition, regarding which they have heretofore been in the dark, Companies will not be required to report in Memphis until the morning of Satur- day, May 11, and any company may be excused by the commandant prior to May 21, although the announcement. of the win- ners is not to be made until that date. ;Companies that have never drfled in inter- State competitions will, according to Col. Peters, be eligible to entry in the interstate class, the maiden class, and the class for companies that have never taken a prize at an interstate drill. This applies to the Morton Cadets and the Hibernian Rifles. The drill and encampment wiil be held in Montgomery Park, which is distant about five miles from the city of Memphis. The drill ground proper will include a portion of the race track, which is to be rolled to billiard table smoothne: Electric cars af- ford rapid transit between the city and Montgomery Park. The Secretary of. War has been requested to detail three prom- inent army officers who are thoroughiy fa- miliar with the present drill regulations, with Upton’s tactics and with the zouav drill, whose duty it will be to act as judge: The Secretary of War has also been re- quested to detail a military band to at- tend the drill and encampment, as it is the expressed purpose of the drill association rot only to illustrate the highest attain- ments in evolutionary art, but to present all of the ceremonies usual to such occa- sions with the proper musical accompani- ments. The Fencibles Popular. According to the list furnished, many companies will compete at Memphis who were not seen at Little Rock last summer. Among the more prominent of these are the Omaha Guards, the Savannah Cadets, the Montgomery Grays and the Pugh Vi- dettes, ali of which Capt. Domer thinks will make a very strong showing in the fight for the cup. The Fencibles are highly regarded in Tennessee, and Col. Peters says “their appearance in Memphis will be hailed with delight by military enthusiasts who are aware that the company is com- posed of many of the best young men in Washington, and are, without exception, handsome soldiers.” Word comes from Little Rock that the McCarthy Light Guard of Little Rock, which stood fourth in the competition last July in that city, have been drilling every night for several weeks past for the Mem- phis drill, and the Chickasaw Guards state that they are sure they can wrest the cup from the often-victorious Fencibles. First Lieutenant Mosher of the Fencibles, who is engaged in business in New York, has notified the company that he will be able to accompany the team, which has brightened the prospects of the champions very materially. The Morton Cadets are bubbling over with enthusiasm, and are going ahead at a great rate with preparations for the drill and for their bencfit entertainment. Drills are being held several times a week by the Hibernian Rifles, who intend to make a first-class showing at Memphis, and who also propose to give a benefit entertain- ment. The utmost good nature and friendly feel- ing exists among the local companies who irtend going to Memphis, which is in direct contrast to the state of affairs last sum- mer. It is proposed that the drill in 1896 shall be held in Jacksonville, Fla. Troop A’s Proposed March. As heretofore announced in The Star the members of troop A are considerably wrought up over a proposed practice march in July next in conjunction with the famous troop A of New York city. The local troop, in company with troop A, went during the summer of 1892 on a prac- tice march to Winchester, which resulted in much good to both organizations. The proposed trip in July next will consume about fifteen days, and is expected to be the biggest thing of its kind attempted in this part of the country by national guardsmen. The plans for the outing, as it is being discussed, provide that the local trocp and troop A of New York shall each guarantee fifty men for the trip. The hersemen will march by way of Frederick, Mt. St. Mary and Hanover to Gettysburg, where they will camp for three days. Then the march will be continued over the mountains to Chambersburg for another three days’ camp. After an inspection of the battlefield the march home will be made by way of Hagerstown, down the Cumberland valley to Frederick. Of course the troopers intend to go pre- pared to lead the lives of real soldiers, and therefore will do their own cooking and other work attendant upon life in the field. The brigade encampment of the District of Columbia National Guard will begin at Fort Washington about June 10, and the, cavalrymen will be unable to participate in both outings. Therefore, Gen. Ordway will be earnestly requested to excuse the troop from camp on the ground that the prac- tice march, as outlined, will prove of great- er benefit than a stay of eight days at Fort Washington. As Gen. Ordway has made arrangements to have several troops of regular cavalry at the brigade camp, chief- ly in order that Capt. Barbour’s men may profit by association with army troopers, it is not at all likely that troop A will be exe cused for the contemplated march. Guard Duty Instruction. The fifth battalion Monday last devote@ three hours to the preliminary instructions in guard duty. The guard was mounted promptly at 8 o'clock, with the National Guard Drum Corps in attendance, and with the exception of two minor errors was cor= rectly formed. Seven posts were put on and a guard house established. Tattoo was sounded at 9:35 and taps at 9:45, at which all the lights except one were extinguished. The sentinels began to challenge immediately after taps. At 10:15 the commanding offie cer, accompanied by Capt. Jenkins, Capt, Mattingly, Lieut. Swigart and Lieut. Mele lach, made the rounds of the chain of sen tinels, and while a great deal of instruce tion will yet be required in this important duty, found the men fairly well posted. Each relief was inspected and quizzed until first call for reveille, 10:45, followed. by reveille five minutes later, when the lights were again turned on and the guard relieved until Monday, April 1, when they will again be posted until properly relieved by the next guard. This system of instruction is original with Maj. Suess, who has given a great deal of attention to guard duty. The major claims that much valuable time is iost at the annual encampments in instruction as to duties that can and should be given in the armories. ~ Notes. A competitive examination of applicants for the vacant inspectorship of rifle prac- tice for the first and second separate come panies will be held in the near futures Commissary Sergeant Van Norsdall of the second regiment has been granted sixty days’ leave of absence. The officcrs’ association of the second regiment will meet on Thursday evening next, when arrangements are to be come pleted for the annual banquet cf the or- ganization, which is to take place during the last week of April. Company A, second battalion, will hold a donation party in its quarters on Wed nesday evening next. Refreshments will be served and a musical program rendered. Troop A was scheduled to shoot in the rifle gallery Saturday, March 9. Not a man put in an appearance, however, and the inspector general of rifle practice has re- ported the matter to the adjutant gen- eral, who will call upon the commanding officer of the troop for an explanation. Headquarters of the brigade will be moved Monday and Tuesday next from 702 17th street to the new armory. Gates are to be placed at the stairways on the ground floor and no one except those entitled to the privilese will be permitted upstairs. Ordway is expected to return from Europe about Aprii 10, The third battalion will this evening hold a_ special drill in Couvention Hall. The Mt. Pleasant Drum Corps, seventy pieces, is to be in attendance, and the friends of the battalion have been invited to be pres- ent. The major and his staff will inspect the drum corps at 7:30 o'clock, and come panies have been ordered to report on the floor promptly at 8 o'clock. Then will fole low battalion parade and drill. Many of the commands are to be given by bugle, Major Wilson intends that the driils of his battalion shall be the feature of Cone vention Hall, and in grder to encow lance of menibers and their frie proposed te inaugurate a series 0! dances to fojlow the drills. = Talk of Ants. From Popular Science. That ants are capable of producing sounds intelligible to their fellows and even audible to our ears seems to be proved by the exe periments of Sir John Lubbock, Landois, Robert Wraughton of Bombay, C. Janety Forel, E. Warsmann and others. It als@ seems to be determined that the sound¢ are produced by the rubbing together of superficial portions of the body. A simple yet ingenious contrivance is dee scribed for enabling an observer to heat and study these sounds. A glass tunnel is set, small end down, in the middle of @ square of window glass of five or six inch- es wide, fitting closely enough to prevent the insects crawling out under it. A bunch of ants about as large as a cheste nut and free from any foreign substance is dropped through the tunnel, and that is lifted up at once. While the ants are still confused, and before any of them can reach the edge of the glass, it is covered with another square like it, which has been surrounded, a short distance from its edge, by a-pad of putty. This confines the ants and prevents their being crushed. The two plates of glass are pressed together to within about the thickness of an ant’ body, but closer on one side than on thi other, so as to hold some tight and leave others free to take such positions as please them. On applying this box of ants to the ear as one would a watch, a regular buzzing may be heard like that of water boiling in an open vessel, and with it some very clear stridulations. The ants may be kept alive several hours, and even days, in this prison if it is not air-tight; and whenever the ants are excited the stridulations may be heard very numerous and intense. The stridulations are supposed to be produced by rubbing the rough scaly surface of the chitinous covering, which is described as looking, when seen in one direction under the microscope, like the teeth of a saw. —_—_—_+2+—___—_ Commodore Gerry and Josef Hofmann From the Philadelphia Press. Bight years ago New York city went wild over little Hofmann. He created an excitement the like of which we did not see until Paderewski appeared here in 1802, He was such a little fellow that it seemed almost as though he “ould be carried away in the pocket of a greatcoat. He was only ten years of age, but he played the piano marvelously. Gerry tried to stop his playe ing in public, claiming that it was injuring the boy’s health. The father said: “But what am I to do. I am poor, and I ani earning this money t6 complete little Josef’s education.” Commodore Gerry then sald: “Will you take him off the stage for six years If you receive money enough to support yourself, fis mother, and him, and to give him the best instruction for that length of tine?’ The father replied that he would gladly do so, and Commodore Gerry within @ week raised a sum of money sufficient to yield a yearly income of $5,000. This he placed in the hands of truste2s, who were bound to remit to Mr. Mofmanua in quare terly sums Tor sx yea The lad was taken back to Europe, became the faverite pupil of Rubinstein, and only a few ago appeared again in public, jus by his playing the hi boyhood days. William H. Walters of E G. A. R., of Germantown, old ex-prisoner of war, has placed on exe hibition a perfect model of old Libby pris? on. The model ts made from wood takea from the famous original, and the cobble= stone walk and brick pavement are als@ formed of material from the old prison, The miniature flagstaff on top of th@ building is a stick from the genuine pol@ that bore the stars and bars over the old historic tobacco house. The model is come plete in every detail, and is backed by scenery painted on canvas, The model is admired by many old veterans who were imprisoned in the old prison, who at onc@ begin to tell their tales of woe and fille treatment at the hands of the rebels dure ing their confinement there,