Evening Star Newspaper, July 20, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ——— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 5. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. fehl New York Office, 49 Potter Building. adbsethties ‘The Evening Star Js served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on thelr own account, at 10 cents Det week, or 44 cents per month, Gopies at the counter 2 cents each. By ‘anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepald—B0 cents r mont PSaturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $3.00. Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. ©, ‘as second-class mail matter.) ©7All mall subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. The Evenin g Star. No. 13,222, WASHINGTON, D. O., SATURDAY, JULY 20, 1895-TWENTY PAGES.° TWO OENTS. the proof of tHe pudding is Stor contained 41 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 625 separate announce: ments, These advertisers fouaht pubficity-not merefp OLNEY’S SENSATION He Suddenly Summons Cabinet Min- isters to a Conference, THE CUBAN INSURRECTION DISCUSSED A Strict Enforcement of the Neu- trality Laws Decided On. THE SPANISH MINISTER HERE Secretary Olney has provided the sensa- tion of the day. He swooped down on this city yesterday without warning and start- ed all sorts of sensational rumors by hasti- ly summoning all the members of the cabi- net in the city to a secret conference at the State Department. The efforts, however, to secure the attendance of Secretaries La- mont and Smith were unsuccessful. Secre- tary Olney saw each of those gentlemen during the day and informed them of the nature of his business in Washington. He saw Secretary Smith during the day and spent a long time in company with Secre- tary Lamont in the evening. A Long Session. Those present at the midsummer cabinet meeting at the State Department were Sec- retaries Olney, Carlisle and Herbert, At- torney General Harmon and Assistant Sec- retary Adee of the State Department. Al- though Mr. Olney arrived here early in the day, the fact of his presence was so well concealed that it only became known when the President's ministers joined him in the diplomatic room of the State Department, shortly after 4 o'clock. The session lasted for two hours, and. during {ts progress M Adee came out frequently in search of 01 cial documents needed for a better under- standing of the subject under discussion. The exact nature of this subject was not disclosed by any of those who took part in the deliberations. Their manner upon separating indicated an agreement to keep the business a close secret from the public, at the present stage of the proceedings at least. Qa the Cuban Insurrection. It was clearly evident, however, that it was of a grave and important matter, and there are excellent reasons for the belief that it relates primarily to the insurrec- tion {n Cuba and fncidentally to the set- tlement of the Mora claim of $1,500,000 by the Spanish government. There are said to be important questions to be immediately settled in fulfillment of our neutrality ob- ligations toward Spain in its present trou- bles in Cuba, and that they are responsible for yesterday’s cabinet meeting. This has some color from the fact that the particular officers gathered at the State Department were just those who would be charged with the execution of the neutrality laws. The Secretary of State would be clothed with general supervision, the Attorney General would look after the enforcement of the law ashore, the Secretary of the ‘Treasury, through the coliectors of cus- toms and revenue cutters, would care for the ports and coasts, and the Secretary cf the Navy would mafntain the sea patrol. In further confirmation of this theory the Spanish minister, Senor Dupuy de Lome, suddenly arrived in Washington from Ma: gachusetts almost simultaneously with Sec- retary Olney. : Watching Cuban Sympathizers. The Spanish officials in this country have Been closely watching the movements and proceedings of the Cuban Sympathizers who have been operating in the United States, and it is believed that the open and questionable operations at the New York meeting lately, when a convention wen! through the forms of electing presidents for Cuba, has given rise to some doubt on the part of our government as to whether this was a proceeding that did not in itself constitute, at least, in spirit, an infraction of that principle of the neutrality laws which forbids the use of the United States as a base of operations against a nation with which the United States Is on terms of peace. If this view was taken of the matter by the cabinet, ft is likely that it will be manifested by additional instruc- tions to the officers of the government that will summarily check any hostile movements against the Spaniards in Cuba from this country. To Enforce Neutrality Laws, It is confidently asserted today that the coincident visit to this city of the Secretary of State and the Spanish minister, who have recently been in personal negotiation at Marton, near the President, is entirel. due to a joint desire for a strict enforce- ment of the neutrality laws. Secretary Ol- ney knows the President's views on this subject and came to Washington to impart them personally to the officials whose duty it Is to enforce them. It is sald that the Sparish minister has called upon the United States government to suppress a proposed expedition to Cuba, which it is clalmed by Its sympathizers Is of greater Magnitude than any party that has yet deft these shores to atd the Cuban insur- gents. Under the circumsta: difficult to secure detail expedition or of the steps which are being taken to prevent it, but it is definitely known that the Spanish minister has in- formation that the American sympathizers are preparing to send a large and well- equipped party to Cuba, and that the friends cf the Cuban cause consider that the effect of this movement, if successful, would be inspiriting to the insurgents, be- cause of the size of the party proposed to be sent out. It is also understood that the instigators of the enterprise ate counting very coniidently upon the expedition’s being ble to evade the vigilance of the United States and upon getting off in good shape at no very distant day. Senor De Lome is devoting himself as- siduously to preventing the departure of this party. It appears that he is without definite information as to the proposed Place of departure. He stopped in New York and Philadelphia on his way to Wash- ington to visit the Spanish consuls at those places for the purpose of conferring with them and urging them to renéwed activity in securing information as to the move- ments of insurgents in this country. The best information obtainable would indicate that _the expedition expects to start from the Florida coast, but it is considered prob- able that if it is foiled there it may collect at almost any Atlantic port. Belief That It Will Not Leave. It cannot be learned definitely whether the miaister has recelved any new assur- ances from the administration of special effort to prevent the departure of this or ether expeditions in the future, but there gre some circumstances which would Indl- cate that he has recelved the desired as- surance. It is predicted very confidently that the proposed expedition will never leave the coast of the United Stats. Senor 4 Lome will return tonight to Swamscott, where he has gone for the summer. Secretary Olney spent about an hour at ate Department this morning !n con- ference with Assistant Secratary Adee, and (hen returned to his summer home, at Marion. Before settling down to rest, how- ever, he will visit Gray Gables, in order to pcenntl acquaint the President with the result of his mission to the national capital. Government Receipts. National bank notes received for rede:np- tlou today, $05,776. Government receipts— From internal revenue, $158,721; customs, $442,477; miscellaneous, $27,099. SUGAR BOUNTY The Hearing Postponed by Controller Bow- Jer Until Next Month. This Was Done So That Ex: ator Mandersom, the Chief Counsel, Might Be Present. The hearing of arguments in regard ta claims for svgar bounty by Controller Bow- ler of the Treasury Department has been postponed from the 25th instant until Au- gust 7. The postponement was ordered at the request of counsel for the claimants in the test case in order to permit the at- tendance of ex-Senator Manderson of Ne- braska. He is the principal counsel for the Oxnard Beet Sugar Company of Ne- braska and has engagements which will not permit him to be here before the date mentioned. The Mu Question to Be Considered. The validity of the sugar bounty law is the main question to be considered at this hearing and the payment of claims aggre- gating $5,250,000 will depend upon the de- cision of the controller. Judge Bowler did not raise the question of the constitution- ality of the sugar bounty, that having been done in the first instance by the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia in con- sidering a petition for a mandamus against the“ commissioner of internal revenue to ccmpel the payment of bounty In a certain case, The controller has not disallowed the claim of the Oxnard company, which was only submitted to him a few days ago by Auditor Baldwin, with the recommendation that it be allowed. What the Controller Did Do. What the controller did was to notify the counsel for the Oxnard company that in view of the opinion expressed by the Dis- trict Court of Appeals, h2 would like to hear from them on the legal features of the case before taking final action. Inas- much as there is no appeal from his dec!- sion in the settlement of accounts with the government, Judge Bowler is disposed to act with great deliberation in this case, and he will grant a full hearing to the tes concerned. —_ ————__-o+___ THE ERICSSON ACCIDENT. Caused by the Very Means Adopted to Prevent Such an Oceurrance. Further detatls of the accident to the torpedo boat Ericsson during her prellmi- nary trial run on Long Island sound on the 17th were received at the Navy Depert- ment in an official report from Lieut. U. R. Usher, the naval inspector. He says that the accident was exactly similar to that which occurred last November, ex- cept that it occurred to the starboard in- stead of the port engine. The low pressure piston rod was broken clean off just be- low the piston head; the cylinder head was knocked off, striking and breaking the pipe which supplies the steam to the en- gines from the boilers, andgin the wreck the second intermediate cylinder was de- stroyed. This will involve the construc- tion of two new cylinders, with thelr pis- tons and pistofrods. The steam pressure at the time of the accident was 250 pounds per square inch in the high preseure cyl- inder and 20 pounds in the low pressure. It is believed here that the accident was caused by tho very means adopted to pre- vent such an occurrence. To secure the nut which holds the piston on its rod against unscrewing a small steel pin is passed through it. The accident last No- vember was caused by the misplacement of this pin, which lodged between the pis- ton and the cylinder head and knocked the latter off the cylinder, cracking the flange off as it went. In this last accident it Is supposed that the piston rod was weak- ened by the hole made to receive the steel pin, causing it to break, leaving piston free to knock off the cylinder head and flange. ——___-e—- Personal Mention. Right Rev. C. K. Nelson, bishop of Geor- gia, is in the city, and will officiate tomor- row at ths Church of the Ascension. Lieut. Wm. G. Cutler and Lieut. J. A. Hoogewerfft of the navy are cn a visit fo this city. Mr. Charles H. White of the treasurer's office uas gone to Buffalo, and will attend the reunion of the twenty-first regiment, New York volunteers. Mr. A. H. Shattuck of the office of audi- tor for the Interior Department, who was thrown from a carriage the 4th instant and severely injured, has been removed to Atlantic City for treatment by direction of his_phystcten. Mr. Alfred W. Hopkins of Rensselaer, Ind., is the guest of J. W. Powell and fam- iy of No. 319 E street northeast. Mr. Hop- kins Icft Indiana on his bicycle July 1, and after spending sme eight days at various places of interest, he arrived here Friday morning. Before returning he will visit Niagara Falls and points further east. Mr. Henry B. Pelkinhorn 1s at Wood's Holl, Mass. He will later go to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, and then to New- port, R. I. Judge Hagner is at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York. Gen. Roy Stone is at the Murray Hill Ho- tel, New York. Senator Stewart is in New York. Secretary Hoke Smith left for Georgia lest night, where he will deliver several financial ‘speeches. He goes direct to Athens, and will make his first address at Gainesville Tuesday next. He was accom- panied by his private secretary, Mr. J. S. Cohen. ° Senator Blackburn has notified friends in this city that he will arrive here this afternoon for a short visit. SSS Death of Lieut. Col. Dallas. Lieut. Col. A. J. Dallas, retired, died at the Hamilton House yesterday afternoon. He had been in bad health for some time, and had recently come to Washington from his winter home in the south for medical treatment. Mrs. Dallas, who {s also » na- tive of this city, was with him at the time of his death. Col. Dallas was born in the District, and was the son of Commodore Dallas, United States navy. He entered the army April 27, 1861, as a private in com- pany H, third battalion, District of Colum- bia volunteers. The following month he was made captain of the twelfth infantry, and received rapid promotion thereafter, also obtaining several brevet ranks for conspicuous gallantry in action. He served throughout the war In active service, being engaged in many of the most important bates, and holding various positions of rank and responsibility. Co}. Dallas also has a record in the navy. He entered as a midshipman in. 1846, and served through the latter part of the Mex~ fean war as aid-de-camp to Commodore Perry. He was afterward a leutenant in the marine corps, and finally resigned from that service in 1855. He was engaged In important hydrographic and coast survey work. The arrangements for the funeral have not been made. eae age eee To Be Retired. Major Wm. M. Maynadier, paymaster, has been ordered to examination for re~ tirement by @ board, of which Brigadier General Forsyth is president, to convene at San Francisco. Capt. Frazier A. Boutelle, first cavalry, has been ordered to appear before a retiring loard at Vancouver bar- racks, of which Brigadier General Otis is president. CLAMSIDEFENDER WINS She Leads the Vigilant From the Start to the Finish. PRETTY JOCKEYING FOR ADVANTAGES Heavy Fog Spoils Sight of the Contest. DEFENDER SAILS WELL NEW YORK, July 20.—The Defender crossed the finish line at 2:49, a winner. A large fleet of pleasure craft and excur- sion boats crowded the lne to witness the finish of the race. On each side of the two yachts a great number of steam yachts and launches came steaming along. The Defender was evidently winner by about three minutes. As the finish line is not dis- tinguishable from here in the mist, the ‘time of the finish can “be only approximately stated. The spinnakers of the two boats were pulling like horses and bellying out before the breeze in great quarter circles” The victor was greeted with the usual tooting of steam whistles and the firing of cannons on shore. The Vigilant Is stand- ing up toward the H20k under all sail. The Vigilant passed the finish line at 2:52 3-4. HIGHLANDS, 2:49° p.m.—The second yacht finished at 2:52. The Vigilant was greeted with the same uproarious screaming of whistles on the ex- cursion steamers and yachts and the cheer- ing of the spectators. The boats are now standing up toward the harbor, accompa- nied by the fleet that witnessed the fin- ish. In the light breeze and the haze during the start the two great, white yachts, Defender and Vigilant, with their wide- spreading canvas, moved slowly hither and thither this morning awaiting the signal guns. Even at a distante the difference In sail area was rcticeable, and in the maneu- vering for positions Defender seemed to move more easily than Vigilant. So thick was the haze that the coast Ine seemed lest in the distance. The wind was from the southeas!; a few sails dotted the water, and a great line of pleasure craft drew up about the swinging old Scotland lightship. It was the scene of two years ago over again, when Vigilant and Valkyrie met for the honor of two countries. Today it was the new against the old, and botia for the henor of America. The first gun, the preparatory signal, was to have been fired at 11 o'clock, but at that hour the yachts were still jockeying, for almost to the last moment it was un- decided as to what the course should be. ‘Then from the flaghoat the sigaal “3” was sent up, whica meant that the course was fifteen miles straight and return. About this time, too, the fog lifted somewhat, and both boats were side by side, moving e: in the direction of the Scotland lightship. They were under all lower sils and club topsails. At 11:10 they were ready %e start, but a further delay of a few minutes en- sved, as the breeze seemeil to be freshen- ing, and a clever exhibition by the skippers of two racers was indulged In. The Starting Gun. ‘At 11:20 the first gun was fired and at 11:31 Defender crossed the line. Vigilaat erossed at 11:31:20, both yachts passing Scotland lightship on port tack, standing southeast. At 11:35 Defender came about, standing down on the starboard tack, and Vigilant almost immediately did the same thing, Defender being on the weather bow of the latter. Within the first twelve min- utes Defender had a slight advantage, out- footing the Gould boaf and seemingly out- poiating her. At 11:44 the wind seemed to be growing a little stronger and the fog was going out to sea. Ten minutes later the two yachts were still standing on for the Jersey coast on the starboard tack. The boats were evidently holding off shore on a jong tack for fear of losing the wind. From the Highlands of Navesink and from other points along the coast just a dim glimpse of the yachts could be had through the haze over the first part of the course, but gradually they stew dimmer, until at 12:08 from the Highlands they had disappeared entirely. The wind was then south-southeast, a twelve-mile an hour breeze. From shore, before they were lost in the mist, however, it seemed as though efender was gradually drawing away tom the other. The next Indication that the racers were still winging their lazy way along the coast came to Sandy Hook from the Long Branch life saving station, which reported the yachts off that place, neither outlined distinctly enough to be identified, but one apparently about three- quarters of a mile ahead of the other. They were standing off shore on the starboard tack, and disappeared about 1:15. AN UNCERTAIN START. Both Yachts Jockeyed for Advantage Over the Line. HIGHLANDS OF NAVESINK, July 20, 11 a.m.—At the hour when the race was announced to start the two big sloops were seen, when the fog lifted momentarily, to be side by side on the starboard tack head- ing for Scotland lghtship. They were under all lower satls and club topsails. The fog lifts and shuts down continually, giving the observer only momentary glimpses of the two yachts. 11:15 a.m.—The fog has hfted again and both boats are headed back on the port tack toward the Hook. It is impossible to tell from here whether the race has been started or not. From the position of the yachts it would seem not. 11:16 a.m.—The Vigilan: is still standing off shore. ‘The Defender has tacked and is ‘ack down toward the lightship. The Vig’ tis hauling up into the wind and beth boats are now head- ing directly for the lightship. The De- fender just wore around and fibed over. They are evidently jockeying for positions for the start. 11:20 a.m.—Both boats are standing away from the lightship on the port tack, the Vigilant being farther to the leeward. 11:26 a.m.—The Defender went about and crossed tha bow of the Vigilant, standing on the starboard tack toward the light- ship. The Vigilant immediately tacked and went after the Defender. The contrast in the sail area of the two sloops is noticea- ble, even at this great distance. 11:30 a.m.—The boats are indulging in a Uttle luffing match. The Defender has fallen away and has allowed the Vigilant to pass her, and then going astern of her went to windward of the Vigilant very clev- erly. The Defender seems to be able to work around the Vigilant as she pleases. 11:35 a.m.—The Defender has come about and is standing down on the starboard tack, while the Vigilant out in the fog is apparently standing in the same direction. No alterations have been made in the sails of the boats. They are still under plain lower sails and club topsalls. The Defender Gains. 11:30 a.m.—The boats appear to be racing, although the start could not be seen from this point. They tacked together and are now standing down the Jersey coast, the Defender teing on the weather bow of the Vigilant. 11:41 a.ma.—The Defender is slowly and steadily widening the gap between herself ard the Vigilant. She 1s‘ outfooting her rapidly and seems to be outpointing her. They are now heading in toward Long Branch. 11:44 a.m.—The wind seems to be growing a little stronger and the fog is blowing out to sea. SANDY HOOK, July 20—The Vigilant passed the line at 11:31:20. \®vithin the first 12 minutes the Defender had a slight ad- vantage. 11:47 a.m.—The Defender keeps drawing away from the Vigilant by very slow de- grees. The race is a very e one. 11:55 a.m.—The two yachts are still stand- ing off the coast on the starboard tack. ‘The Vigilant seems to be gradually point- ing up in the wake of the Defender and seems clearly to be outpointing her. The boats are evidently holding off shore on a long tack for’fear of losing the w'nd un- der the Jersey coast. They are now out of sight in the fog. The Yachts Of Long Branch, SANDY HOOK, July 20.—Long Branch Ufe-saving station reports; the yachts abreast of that station, One about three- quarters of a mile ahead Of the other. It is impossible to distinguish them apart. A Southerly Breeze. SPRING LAKE, N. J., July 20, 1:20 p.m. —At this hour the wind is from southward direction and quite brisk. Heavy haze-like smoke is upon the water, and powerful glasses are not strong enough to discern objects over three miles off shore, Noth- ing can be seen of the yachts at this hour. HIGHLANDS LIGHT TOWER, July 20— 1:50 p.m.— Wind is now southwest, about twelve knots an hour, and as steady as a church. Unless the fog lifts it will be im- possible to see the boats until about 2:40 o'clock. 2:10 p.m.—The breeze has gradually in- creased in force until it ts, now blowing abcut fourteen knots an hour, and all the small sloops off the Highlands, beating, about to witness the arrivel of the De- fender and Vigilant, are reefed down. The seas are crested with white caps before the southwest wind, which still holds steady and true. Down to the southward and cut to sea in the direction of the lightships the haze is still very thick. 2:15 p.m.—The wind ts now south, twenty miles an hour. Weather thick. No signs of the yachts returning. A Lively Pace. 2:24 p.m.—The two sloops. are coming up the coast about two miles off shore. The Defender is evidéntly in the lead, being ahead of the Vigilant by a mile. They are running before the wind with mainsail and club topsail to starboard and ‘spinnaker to pert. A large fleet of steam. yachts and excursion steamers svrround fhe craft. The wind ts apparently much stronger off shore than along the beach, and the two beats are coming along lively, By timing the difference between the boats over a mark on shore about three, miles from the finish, the Defend»r is leading ithe Vigilant by abeut three ninutes. " THE DAY For THE RicE. It Promised I at Daybredk, With Haze and Calms NEW YORK, July 20.—The morning broke with summer hase in the alr and with a Nght wind moving straight off the ocean from the southwest, Te yachtsmen the outlook was not dispiriting, because they well appreciate the possibilities of weather change between daybreak and 11 o'clock, which was the hour fixed for the start. Down at Sandy. Hook the old de- fender of the cup, Vigilant, was at anchor. Close astern lay the steam yacht Alma and several small sailing craft. In the sail down the harbor last night the Vigilant’s spinnaker boom showed some weakness, end early today it was adjusted at the ma- caine shop of the ordnance department at Sandy Hook. There was not ‘the slightest swell on the water, ‘the wind traveling only about six miles an hour. There was early activity down at Bay Ridge, where the De- fender lay last night. At 7:45 this morning the “big ocean tug Luckenbach took the sloop in tow. On board and astir were Mr. C. Oliver Iselin, Woodbury Kane, Newbury Thorn, Latham Fish and Herbert Leeds. These are the only amateur sailors aboard today. The yacht Defender in tow passed cutside the Hook at 9 a.m, She had her rainsail set and her club topsall hoisted. The lightest p@&sible air was blowing at 9 o'clock from the southwestward, while over the sea hung a thick mist that ob- scured the two lightships from the view of the observer in the tower of the Navesink lights. The breeze held steadily from the one direction, but seemed to gain no weight as the morning advanced. A fleet of work- ing craft was anchored a short distance off shore, unable to work down the coast. —————__ A WITNESS AGAINST DURANT. Said to Explain the Bloodless Condi- tion of His Clothes. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, July 20.—The police have found a woman who will prove a strong witness in the trial of Theodore Durant for the Emanuel Church murders, which will begin Monday. The mystery in the case was to explain the absence of bloody clothes, if Durant was guilty. The condition of the body of the murdered girl made reasonable the inference that her murderer had spattered his clothing with blood. Blood spurted on the walls indi- cated a struggle. Every nook and corner of the church was searched for trace of the clothing, but none was found. In a singular way, it is said, the link has been secured. If Durant be the murderer, and acted with Minnle Williams-as he did with other members of Emanuel Church, there would be no blood marks on his clothes. The prosecution has secured a witness who will swear to the actions of Durant on another occasion than of the murder. Her story will posseks the utmost significance in the case. — HOW IT Was. Fennell, the Cornell Oarsman, Caught a Crab. NEW YORK, July 20.—Among ‘the pas- sengers arriving on the steamer New York from Southampton was Charles E. Court- ney, trainer of the Cornell-Henley crew. Mr. Courtney sald to a reporter; “I cannot offer any excuse for our defeat: We were squarely beaten. Fennell ought not to have caught a crab, that’s all. His oar struck him in the stomach and knocked the wind out of him, and of course threw us out of the race. Our crew have heen sub- jected to a good deal cf criticism regard- irg the walkover in the first race, but there did not seem to be anything else to do under the circumstances.” Se Train Derail Spscial Dispatch to The Evening Star, PETERSBURG, July 20.—A freight train on the Petersburg and Weldon railroad was derailed last night about 11:30 o'clock: near Pleasant Hill, N. C., and nine cars were wrecked. No one was injured. The track is badly blockaded and all trains are de- layed. The northbound passenger train due here this morning at 2:40 o'clock, had not arrived up to 12:30 o'clock this after- noon. = —>_— The Star Out of Town. THE EVENING STAR will be sent by mail to any address in the United States or Canada for such period as may be desired at the rate of fifty cents per month. =7 But all such orders must be ac- companied by the money, or the paper cannot be sent, as mo ac- counts are kept with mail subscrip- tions. “ QUEER, IF CORRECT|'N JAPAN AND CHINA\CAPITOL REFORM Commissioners Said to Be Afraid to Remove the Trolley Nuisance, REASONS FOR There Are Liable to Be Trolley Men on Congressional Committees. THIS SENTIMENT >——_— INVESTIGATION MAY FOLLOW There is a dearth of trolley news“at the Commirsioners’ office these days, and every ona seems to be waiting for the judge of the Police Court to dispose of the metion of the Eckington Railroad Com- pany to quash the indictment brought against it for maintaining an obstruction to the streets in the shape of trolley poles and overhead wires. While on the surface of affairs everything appears tranquil, the undercurrent, which represents the trolley interests, is doing wonderful things. No matter what may be the outcome of the case now before-the Police Court, it is stated on an authority that cannot be questicned that the Commissioners have determined not to resort to force and pull down the poles and wires. They prefer to move carefully in the matter and not offend the trolley interests. which will be represented on several important com- mittees in Congress.at its next sessio1 A gentleman who is close to the Commis- sioners and who understands all about the ae question said to a Star reporter to- “Stropg Influences” as an Excuse. “The Commissioners are certainly to be pitied in this matter. On one hand public sentiment demands the removal of the overhead trolley, and the law is with them. On the other hand they are beset with strong influences, which it is almost impos- sibie to combat. These influeiices are far- reaching and may seriously affect the Dis- trict’s interests, when it comes to future appropriations. I would not attribute im- proper motives to the Commissioners. On the contrary, I am convinced they are hon- est in their intentions to do what is just but they certainly show a lamentable weal ress when it comes to enfcrcing law. It was stated to me several days ngo that the Commissioners were afraid of being brought up before Congress for an explanation of their action, if they tore down the wires and removed the poles, on the ground that while the case was pending they had no right to interfere. How about the inverse of this proposition? Why will not they be equally liable to be called up for not erforcing a law of Congress? There is no doubt that Congress knew what it was about when it enacted that law. The trol- ley interests in and out of Congress did their utmost to prevent such legislation, but Congress in unmistakable terms put its foot down on the trolley. A Very Pertinent Question. “Suppose the Ccmmissioners are asked why it was that this law was not enforced, what defense will they have? Surely they cannot claim that the appeal which the raflroad compary tcok from the decision of the court dissolving the injunction which the company had brought against the Com- missioners acted as a stay. The attorney for the District, I understand, has settled that Iong ago, when he stated that there was nothing in that appeal which acted as a stay. It is my opinion that the Com- missioners should act at once and forcibly in this matter. They should remember that the trolley has not very many friends in Congress, and some of the friends of good gcvernment might want an inquiry made as to why the Commissioners failed to en- force the law.” ————— POSSIBLY A SUICIDE. Unknown White Man Found in Grace- land Cemetery. A white man about thirty years of age was found this morning in the territory that was once known as Graceland ceme- tery, at the eastern end of H street north. He was lying on the ground in an un- conscious condition ard was taken in 2 police ambulerce to the Emergency Hos- pital. There were no means of identifici tion except that the name “Hassan” ap- peared on the shirt. ‘The man was suffering from intoxication, but after’ examination the physicians agreed that there were signs of poisoning, although it could not then be ascertained what agent had been used. Dr. Smith and his assistants worked for over an hour on the patient endeavoring to re- store consciousness, but at 12:30 they had not succeeded. Dr. Smith said he feared the man had taken poison with suicidal in- tent. There was no money in the pockets, but a pawn ticket told its melancholy tale of poverty and may be a clew to the man’s motive for taking his life if it should prove to haye been the case. At the Emergency Hospital this afternoon {t was reported that the man was being brought around and would probably recover. —_——__ FIRE ON THE POLICE BOAT. ‘The Joe Blackburn Disabled by Fierce Flames. Early this morning the police boat Joe Blackburn went up in flames. Luckily it was not a total loss, and the beat can be repaired, which will be done at once. The damage amounted to $1,500, fully covered by an insurance of $3,000 in the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company. The flames were discovered by a watchman on the steamer Macalester, and he roused Officer Deane, a member of the police toat, who immediately turned in an alarm. ‘The police boat had been in use for eight years, It was purchased during the term of Messrs. Wheatley, Webb and Raymond as Commissioners, and named in honor of the Kentycky statesman, who was recog- nized as & stanch friend of the District. whe harbormaster is undecided what he will do for a boat during the time the po- lee boat is being repaired. It is under- stood application will be made to the Sec- retary of the Navy for permission to use the government tug Triton a short time cach day. —_——. SEARCHING FOR A SCOUNDREL. Anacos: Policemen and Maryland Authorities Scouring the Country. Sergt. W. T. Anderson, who is in charge of the Anacostia substation, with a squad of officers, today began a systematic search of Pencote woods, a large, wild tract of land near Congress Heights, in which, it is reported, tie colored man who is thought to have assaulted Mrs. Lucy Hali so brutale ly Saturday of last week is hiding. Dur- ing the last few days several colored wo- men have reported at the Anacostia sub- station that while picking berries in the woods they have been frightened by a vicious-looking colored“ man rushing at them, but from whom, fortunately, they made their escape. Yesterday Officers Al- len and Branson made a partial search of the woods, but were unable to find any person such as had been described. There is a report that the negro wanted was seen near Silver Hill, Md., this week, and the sheriff of Prince George's county, with some deputies, Is scouring the neighbor- hood for him, Free Speech Denied to Those Who Oriti- cise Count Ito. Cruisers Husten to Protect Missionar- ies in China and the Viceroy : Fears Trouble. VICTORIA, B. C., July 20,—Adavices from Tokio, July 2, by the steamship Eskadale, are as follows: “A large mass meeting convened in Tokio June 30, at which more than twenty prominent leaders of parties opposed to Count Ito's ministry were expected to make speeches. From the beginning, how- ever, it wis evident that no expression of opinion adverse to the goverrfment would be tolerated. No speaker was allowed to touch upen the subject of the recent ne- gotiations with Russia, Germany and France. Thirteen orators in succession were silenced by the police before they had occupied the platform for five minutes. Some of them endeavored to accomplish the desired effect by giving extracts from works on igternational law, the application of which was obvious, but this device was summarily checked as soon as detected. The audience became impatient at this ex- treme meseure of repression, and presently broke into denunciations of police tyranny. The danger had been foreseen, and, at the most critical moment, a large body of gendarmes entered and subdued the agita- tion. It was thtn decided to dissolve the meeting, as nothing could be gained by further persistence. “The determination of the authorities to Prevent public criticism of every descrip- ticn is causing deep anxiety among law- abiding classes of the community. Since the addition of the constitutional form of government no administration has ever pe- fore gone to such extremes in preventing speeches. Count Matusgata has withdrawn his resignation as Japanese minister of france, and will continue to co-operate with the present cabinet. “Representatives of France, America and England at Pekin are demanding repara- ie aera of missionaries and = ion of foreign p: ‘ty In the province of Sze Chuan with a= 4 which startles the Chimese government. Liberal offers of pecuniary compensation are ten- dered, but these will not be considered un- til after the instigators of the outrages have been duly punished. “The lesson taught by Japan is bearing fruit, and Chinese rulers will find hereaf- ter that the delays and evasions of past years must be discarded. Ships-of-war of the three nations corcerned are hurrying to the districts where their protection is needed, and a squadron of French vessels is charged with the duty of exacting atone- ment by the severest methods in case the demands of the envoys are rot immediately complied with. The central goy ment is bewlldered and frightened, bit shows that it recognizes the emergency by dispatching a new viceroy in haste to take the place of the official who provoked the riot. No direct intelligence from members-of the. missions at Cheng Tu have been re- ceived. The Americans, however, are be- Meved to be safe, @nd there is no evidence that any lives have been lost. The usual monthly change of administra- tion in Corea took place June 27. The prime minister, with several colleagues, having quarreled with the king on some ‘petty matter, resigned. ————— DAMAGING TO GRAIN. Valuable Advice on the Prevention of Smut and Its Ravagen. The ravages of the grain smuts are re- viewed and the means of prevention out- lined in a report of the Agricultural Depart- ment. The oat smut, which is found throughout the United States, and {s known on every continent, probably has the widest distribution of any of the species. The of- ficial estimate of the direct loss from it is 8 per cent of the crop, or about $18,000,000 annually. Stinking smuts in wheat field: cost the country many millions of dollar? annually. Sometimes 50, or even 75 per cent, of the heads are smutted, and the sound grain is so contaminated with the fetid spores as to be nearly worthless for flour and worse than useless for seed. The disease is often spread from farm to farm by threshing machines. When once intro- duced, if left unchecked, it increases year by year, until a large percentage of the crop is destroyed. The loose smut usually causes a loss of 10 per cent or more of the wheat crop, and has even. been reported as destroying cver 50 per cent of a crop in Michigan. It is very difficult to prevent, and ordinary treatment has little effect. Wheat growers are urged to try to secure seed wheat from fields known by careful examination at flowering time to be free from loose smut. It can, however, be combated by treating enough wheat to furnish seed for the following year. Both the common and hidden forms of smut can be eradicated with equal ease, and by treating seed oats oat growers can save many millions of dollars annually. Oat smut can be completely prevented by two newly discovered treatments of the seed, by use of potassium sulphide and hot water. Hot water is also advocated for eradicating loose smut of wheat and barley smut, and copper sulphate for wheat smut. The hot water and potassium sulphide seed treatment result in an increase in the yield, averaging double or treble what would re- sult from suppressing the visible smut. + e+ ______ THE NEW BATTLESHIPS. A Decision Kespecting the Plans Ex- pected Soon, The decision of the Navy Department re- specting the new battleships 1s expected very soon. A meeting of the board of bu- reau chiefs was held today, at which the reports of the naval officers who have sub- mitted their views to the Secretary, to- gether with the report of Chief Constructor Hichborn, will be considered. It is stated at the department that all of the officers asked by Secretary Herbert to submit their views on the new ships, with the single ex- ception of Constructor Bowles, have re- ported in favor of the plan indorsed by the ureau chiefs as against that prepared by the construction bureau. The bureau chiefs’ plan provides for higher armor belt, the double-storied turrets and thir- teen-inch guns, It is thought by the offi- cers of the construction bureau that while the Secretary may decide tn favor of the thirteen-inch guns, that he will not favor the raised armor belt or the double-storied turret. —_—_—_—_-e-—__ Yhe Philadelphia Post Office. Superintendent A. W. Machen of the free delivery system has returned from his ex- amination int> the abuses among the car- tiers in the Philadelphia post office. As a result of his visit forty-four repri- mands have been issued and eighty sus- pensions without pay ordered for loafing. ‘There are thirty-nine cases noted for re- moval, but several of these.carriers pro- duced evidence rebutting charges against them, and their punishment may be at least modified. The others will be consid- ered next week, + Fourth-Class Postmasters. Thirty-four fourth-class postmasters were appointed today, twenty-eight s whom Were to fill vacancies caused by deaths or resignations. ————-—-2—___. Whe Latest Associated Press Recruit. NEW YORK, July 20.—The Daily Mirror and American of Manchester, N. H., one of the oldest and strongest papers in New England, has joined the Associated Press, abandoning the service of the United Press. Changes and Improvements in the Senate Wing. A NEW ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANT New Upholstery and New Carpets for the Senators’ Comfort. CHAIRS WITH A HISTORY ——_.—___. Daring the night sessions of the next Congress they will legislate by electric Ught. They will have all modern con- veniences and the comforts of home at the Capitol. Lots of things have been done and are being done during the recess to show how much better than has been ts possible. The new Congress, especially the Senate, will have better lght, better air, better furniture and altogether more attractive surroundings than had its predecessor. Leaving out the cost of the entirely new electric Nght plant for both houses, there has beea no very great expenditure of money. It is a reform and renovation rather than a renewal of equipment. From the subcellar to the skylight everything about the building is being gone over. About 800,000 volumes of official documents have been removed from the vaulted rooms of the subbasement, where many of them have been decomposing for years and spreading the!r musty, oppressive odor’ through the chamber and lobbies of legis- lation. Books that have never been read have been inbaled by our statesmen, and the infection seems only to have bred more books. Some of the Improvements. These have been removed and put into a warehouse in company with about a mil- lion of their kind, which never could be got into the Capitol. The great basement cham- bers thus vacated have been swept and scrubbed and whitewashed until they are as clean as a New England kitchen. Thus ene very important branch of the scheme of proper ventilation has been disposed of. There has to be very substantial uphol- stery on the furniture in the Senate re- ception room. It must be leather, not so much because leather is more elegant than other forms of furniture covering, but for the reason that nothing else could be count- ed on to stand through a season. It Is in this room that more sitting and waiting is done than in any other in the country, end restless waiters of both sexes are fidgety and hard on upholstery. The brown leather furniture of this room, ich was mashed and marred from holding the great American public in its arms during the past twelve years, has come out in & new suit of dark red leather, almost as substantial as a saddle seat. The furniture of the famous marble room, where Senators receive thoee whom they particularly want to see, is going to be of a rich dark olive leather, also selected for durability as well as for elegance. The Serate lobby is going to have a new red carpet and the walls are going to be “done” in cream and gold. The great old- fashioned mahogany bookcases, which have for yeurs stood in this lobby, serving noth- ing but for lobbyists to lean their elbows on, are to be retired to the cloak rooms and to have books put in them. There will be new rugs and other additions to com- fort put in these cloak rooms, which, like the smoking rooms of a club, are the s0- ciable and most frequented apartments cf the Senate. There is where the real sena- terial club life is thoroughly enjoyed, and ease, rather than elegance, is considered in the furnishings. The Senate Chamber Proper. A handsome new grass-green carpet has been made for the Senate chamber proper, and the walls are going to be entirely re- decorated, The chairs and desks whic! were In the old Senate chamber, and whi have been occupled by the great statesmen of the early days, are still in use. ‘They have been added to from time to time, as the number of Senators has increased, the new desks being made of the same sort of material and on the same pattern as the old, until the identity of the old has been lost, except to the official secret recor In anticipation of the election of two new Senators from the contemplated new state of Utah the additional desks have been pro- Vv All the desks of this chamber are made of a high-grade mahogany. At the time when the first of them were built it was the custom to cover this beauttful wood with a heavy coat of black varnish, which makes about all dark woods look alike. In order to preserve the uniformity, the black ' varnish has been adhered to through all time, and the method of cleaning has been to put another coat over the old. All this 1s now being taken off. The black varni and with jt the finger prints of the great statesmen venerated and vanished, is to be all scraped away, and the natural wood is to be made to show with a high polish, through an oll finish. While the old sena- torial desk hss been preserved, the new conforming to the old, some plebeian and undignifiedly comfortable chairs, which turn around and tilt back, permitting feet to be clevated to desks, have found their way into the chamber. These are to be banished, and a senatorial chair has been provided for every senatorial desk. The senatorial chair is a very proper and com- forteble article of furniture, which stands squarely on its four legs and preserves the dignity of the Senate. It is of massive mahogany, with arms and a broad seat. The back and seat should be of hair-cloth, but leather has practically superseded that very old-fashioned covering. A man would have to be an acrobat or have a block and tackic te tilt one back on its hind legs, and no Senator has ever been known to at- tempt it. If the senatorial chair had been enforced during the past few years Mr. Call would have been saved from the con- troversy over his putting his shoeless feet upon his desk. Chairs Have a History. ‘There may not be an effort to compel the use of thé more decorous chairs in the future, but the odd chairs will all be re- moved and the uniformity be restored, not to be broken unless Senators insist upon it. The old-time, genuinely “senatorial” Sena- tors would ngt think of disputing the hon- orable prerogative of the square built and ample mahogany chair, but some of the younger men may demand the revolving seat. To any of these younger men it may be necessary only to suggest that the chair he would abandon may have belonged to Webster, Benton or Clay. The chairs and desks of all those great men of the past are in constant use during the session. Upon scme theory it has been thought desirable that these should not be known, either to the public or to the Sena- tora themselves. Their location is recorded, with the history of each, but this record {i secret, and no one outside two or three olf and trusted officials has access to it. Ol man Bassett is probably the only one who could stand in the chamber and point out all the furniture that has a history or per- sonal associations of value. Of all the old desks of this sort the only one that serves its public identity 1s that of Jeff gon Davis, which is occupied by Cock: of Missouri. ‘The new electric plant i have a pacity of six thousand lights, three gand for each wing. About twenty-five = dred Ughts for each wing will be put ig, The use of electricity for lighting the ate chamber is a thing heretofore un "The avoidance of heavy shadows bel: from the skylight screen behind whic! gaslight Is now arranged Lege a rious difficulty in the way of the use electricity for this purpose. This has been arranged, however, and twenty-four large lights are to be adjusted to the screen.