Evening Star Newspaper, January 4, 1896, Page 9

“A —=<——S—S—S—S= THE EVENING STAR —__._— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THN STAR SUILUINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newsvaper Company 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Prest. ee ene New York Oiice, 49 Potter Buildinz, ‘The Evening Star ts serve in the ett be rainy ox this owe accomst, at 10 cents week. or 44c. per month. “opies at the counter Brcents each By mall anywhere in. the Caited Beates or Canadi—postage presiid- 60 crate ver ar quintupt> Sheet Star, $1.00 oer sear: wided, $2 at Wasbington. D. C.. Sut: as 2 CAN mail abscript! as must be paid in advarce. Rates of advertising® made known on application. . Partz. Che Fe Siar. Pages 9=24. WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, JANUARY 4 1896—TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. 7 (brinters’ Inf, fBe fittfe scGoot fer of advertising), snp: JE is cfaimed for te Wasfinsfon Stor, and proBasfp trut3fulle cfoime >, what no offer netyspaper tn fe counfrp goes info 60 tarsz & percentage of aff the Souses wiffin a radius of fwentp mifes from fe office of pubificafion. KNIGHTS TEMPLAR Installation of Officers of the First Grand Commandery. ANEPOCHIN THEHISTCRY CF THE ORDER In Honor of Most Eminent Grand Master Thomas. PROMINENT VISITORS One of the most important events im the kistory of Masonry in the District will occur this month, when the first Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, will be, constituted and the first officers jnstalled. The history of Masonry in this city cov- ers a period of more than seventy-five years, and during that time many of the most prominent men who have been identi- fied with the growth of Washington have been members ef this great order. Up to the present time the different command- eries of the Knights Templar have been Noble D. Larner. working subservient to the Grand Encamp- ment, which meets triennially. In 1889 the encampment met in this city. Last summer it was in Boston. In 1898 it will be held in Pittsburg, and in 1901 it will again be held in this city. There are now something more than 1,600 Knights Templar in Washington, di- vided among five commanderies—Washing- ton, No. 1; Columbia, No. 2; Potomac, No. 3; De Molay, No. 4, and Orient, No. 5. The question of having a Grand Command- ery which should exercise jurisdiction over these different bodies has-been seriously considered, and opinion was about equally divided as to its advisability. Of the first four commanderies two were opposed to it and two favored it.. At the Grand En- campment last summer Orient Command- ery was chartered and this gave a decid- ing vote in favor cf the move. The vote Frank H. Thomas. on the subject was then made unanimous and all worked together with a will to make the new move a success in every way. Two conventions were held a couple of weeks ago, or thereabouts, consisting of the councils of the five commanderies and all past commanders, and the officers to compose the first Grand Commandery were then elected. They are to serve until the second Monday in May, when officers will be elected for the ensuing year. The offi- cers who are to be installed on the even- ing of January 14 are as follows: Noble _D. Larner, grand commander; Frank H. Thomas, deputy grand com- mander; Rezin W. Darby, grand general- fesimo; E. G. Davis, grand captain gen- eral; Alex. W. McKenzie, grand senior warden; Wm. Galliher, grand junior warden; E. H. Chamberlain, grand treas- urer; Isaac L. Johnson, grand recorder; H. K. Simpson, grand prelate; George E. Cor- son, grand standard bearer; Robert E. Con- stant, grand sword bearer; Chas. Brum- mett, grand warder, and a grand sentinel te be appointed by the grand commander. The ceremories in connection with the installation are to take place in the music hall of Mascnic Temple. The event is’ look- ed forward to as the most important in recent years in the history of secret so- eieties. The Grand Commandery will have Robt. Constant. immedicte supervision over the subordinate commanderies, and will in turn be subject to the Grand Encampment. The existence of a Grand Commandery is expected to lend_an imcreased dignity to the order in the District, and will also have certain ad- vantages in controlling the work and met ods of the five commanderies. At present there are some differences in the matter of uriform and ritual, and this defect will be lied by the presence here of a higher , composed of men who are in- d in the matter, and are at the same time in a position to dictate what may and what may not be done. The officers of the first Grand Commandery are all men of Prominence in this city, and are men who ave taken front rank in the Masonic or- der. The irstallation of officers will be quite an impesing ceremony, and elaborate prep- arations are being made for the occasion. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will open with the constitutfon of the com. mendery. This will t= performed by Most Eminent Grand Master Thomas of Mays- ille, Ky., who will come on for that pur- pese, and will be the guest of the Knights Templar in this city for several days. He was elected to this high office last summer during the cor.clave at Boston. The con- stitution of the commandefy will be fol- lowed by the installation of its first off- cers, consgting of the taking of the oath and the other formal rites customary to such an occasion. ““? ceremony will be W. T. Galliher. open to all the Knights Templar of this city and their ladies. Were it open to the public generally the crowd would be alto- gether too great. It is expected that ct least 2,000 knights and ladies will be at the hall at some time during the evening. At 8 o'clock there will be a general receptica to Grand Master and Mrs. Thomas. At the conclusion of tne rece>tion a ban- quet will be held in honor of the most eminent grand commander at Freund’s, on 16th street, at which a large number of the vromiacnt Masons are expected to be Present. At the banquet the following eminent Templars are to be the guests of honor: James H. Hopkins, past grand mas- ter of Templars; Representatives J.H. Cod- ding, Irving P. Wanger, past grand com- manders of Penrsylvani: ator Teller, past grand commander of Colorado; Sena- tor Aldrich, past grand commander of Mas- sachusetts and Rhode Island; Edward B. Spencer, the present grand commander of Pennsylvania; William H. Clark, the pres- ent grand commander of Indiana; Charles F. Buck, the present grand commander of Louisiana; Thomas J. Shryock, grand mas- ter of Masons of Maryland; Commissioner William Lochren, past grand commander of Minnescta; W. B. Mell'sh, past grand commander of Ohio and grand junior war- den of the encampment; Edgar S. Dudley, past grand commander of Nebraska; A. D. Lynch, past grand commander of Indiana; E. E. Downham, past grand commander of Virg:nia, and James P. Corbin, the present grand commander cf Virgin‘a. The Templars of Wash'ngton are plan- ning to entertain the grand master on a lavish scale during his sojourn in this city. Wednesday evening, the evening after the installation of officers, he will be the guest of Potomac Commandery of Georgetown. Thursday a luncheon will be given in his honor in Baliimore by the Grand Comman- dery of Maryland. That evening he will be enterta!ned by Washington Commandery and Friday evening by Columbia Com- mandery. —— AKOLISHING THE CROSSINGS. A Northern Railroad Takes a Sensi- ble View of Modern Conditions. From the New York Times. Now that the city cf Bridgeport and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Rail- road Company have come to an agreement about the clevation of the company’s tracks in that city, the removal of grade crossings on the entire main line from this city to Boston (by way of Providence) will probably be accomplished within the next four years. This settlement of an old and vexatious controversy also clears the way for the completion of a system of four tracks from this city to New Haven. The tracks in Bridgeport, for a distance of three miles, w:ll be elevated upon an open structure »f iron and steel, twelve feet in the clear abo the intersecting streets. The cost will be $3,000,000 and the city will not be required to pay more than $400,000 of it. These improvementg will be completed in about two years from next April, and other similar work of considerable importance now in progress on the New York division will be finished earlier. There will then be no grade crossings between New Haven and this city. Many of those which were formerly to be found on the line, from New Haven to New London have been removed, and the company is now separating grades between Boston and Providence. The abo- lition of all level crossings on the main line not onlv will be of great service to Persons traveling on the country roads and on the streets of the villages and cities, tut will also promote the safety of the railway passengers and enable the com- pany to reduce the schedule of time between the two terminals, it may be, to four and one-half hours. Whii2 the very large sums expended upon the improvements which have involved the separation of grades have, we think, been invested wisely and profitably, fi the stockholders’ point of view, the any deserves commendation frum the public generally for the enlightened and progres- sive policy which blends philanthropy witn considerations of ultimate profit. ——___+e-+—_____ A Mushroom Town. From the Portland Oregonian. c A gentleman who lately returned from a visit to Astoria says that while there he went. over to look at what the Astorian: call the “mushroom town” site of Flavel. He is not interested in the rivalry between the two terminal cities, but he says that in the line of mushrooms he has never seen anything equal the Flavel townsite and vi- cinity. There were acres and acres literally covered with the nutritious and delicious fungus, which are of astonishing size. He secured one, which was nine inches across, as big as a soup plate, and weighed half a pound, the largest mushroom he has ever seen. There were others nearly as large, and any number of good-sized ones. The boys of Flavel, if there are any, might make plenty of spending money by gather- ing mushrooms for the Portland market if they would select nice, fresh ones, cut and pack them carefully, as grapes, ete., are packed. They could be gathered during the day, sent up on the night boat, and be here all nice and fresh’ next morning. Mush- rooms sell here at retail twenty cents per pound, and the dealers probably: pay ten cents and fifteen cents for them. All soris and sizes are gathered, including stale ones, and no care is taken to get them to market in_a presentable condition. The large mushrooms are broken, and they are gathered, stems and all, and the earth from the roots is scattered among them. This makes the demand small to what it would be if the fungus were properly hand- led. Tons of fine mushrooms are to be had in the country, and, besides furnishing a very palatable’ and wholesome dish, they make the finest kimd of catsup. But one variety is in common use, although two or three other kinds are occasionally seen in the market, and at least six or eight whole- some varieties are to be found in the region. ——+es. His Three Faults. From Gelllustreerd Weekblad. ‘The conversation turned upon a speaker who wes not particularly gifted. “He has only three faults,” said one of the company. First, he reads his speeches; second, he reads them badly; third, they are not worth reading.” FIRST GUNS HEARD In the Event of a War Between This Country and England. ALONG THE CANADIAN FRONTIER Resources Which Are at the Com- mand of This Government. AMERICAN CRUISERS T 18S THE OPINION of military men that if war should occur between England and the United States over the Ven- ezuelan boundary the first guns heard in the northern hemi- sphere would crack across the Canadian frontier. According to such belief hostil- ities would commence Z, Ly quickly, with short warning of the —.._al-breach of friendly re- lations, and the @rst week after the outbreak would be full of event and important result. Fighting would thereafter occur between the two nations in every quarter of the globe except in Venezuela, the location of the real bone of contention. When it became evident that war was imminent the first attention of this govern- ment would be paid to the protection of the great lake cities, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Milwaukee and Toledo, from destruction. Every one knows that under an old treaty neither England nor the United States may float men-of-war on the great lakes. The treaty gives an un- fair advantage to England. While she does not keep warships on the lakes she can fill the Welland canal, on her side of the line, full of light-araft cruisers which could be floated into the great lakes at a moment's notice and in a few hours could be massed in front of Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo and Detroit, and practically wipe them from the face of the earth with shells from the'r batteries. The only thing that could prevent such a calamity would be the presence of American warships to give battle to the invaders before they hove in s.ght of the cities. It is an open secret, however, that the United States does not fear any such har- rowing contingency. There are now on the lakes a number of steel steamships used in transporting ore from Lake Superior to lower lake ports. While they are merchant ships they are modern vessels in every particular and upon. being arméd with suf- ficient battery could cope with the vessels brought by the English through the canal, except in one cafe. The English have only one armored cruiser of a draft permitting Passage through the canal. The impro- vised men of war of the Yankees would have to dodge this terror, although several of them together, with American crews to handle them, might make it pretty lively for even this intruder. It !s safe to say that before hostilities become imminent there will be guns distributed at a number of lake cities in anticipation of arming the big lake vessels. An Important Position. This government would not place its sole dependence upon this plan fer defending the lake cities. A dash for the Welland canal would’he made by the American land force upon the drop of the hat, and strenuous efforts put forth to demolish it, and thus cut off the British means of com- munication between the sea and the lakes. It is not to be expetted that the English would be unaware of the importance of such a move, but that they would defend themselves vigorously, and bloody fighting would certainly occur on the northern bor- der immediately. There is little doubt of the result, however, among authorities on this side of the line. The facilities pos- sessed by the United States for massing an immense militia force from the states of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois upon the frontier within twelve hours in- sure the outnumbering of the enemy by the Americans. The men thus put to the front would be the pick of the American militia, young and enthusiastic fellows, full of pa- triotism and spoiling for a fight, and under the leadership of soldiers who have seen service. When the Welland canal was cap- tured and the possibility of bringing rein- fercements that way put beyond reach, the defense of the border cities would be a comparatively simple matter, and would cause little concern. 4 Meanwhile, the government would also be devoting its attention to the protection cf the seacoast cities. On the Atlantic sea- board there might be some trouble, but the authorities say that this country is not nearly as bad off as some writers would make out. It is true the great English bat- tle ships could remain in deep water be- yond the range of land batteries and with their powerful guns shell New York and Boston; that is, they could do it if nothing were done to prevent them, but it is not likely that they would be left alone all that time. There is an unobtrusive little school of army engineers at Willett’s Point and another one under the Navy Department at Newport that have been providing for this contingency for several years, and while publicity of their progress’ has been studiously avoided, it is said in military cir- cles that they have developed some plans for defense which will enable this govern- ment to spring a few surprises upon over- confident invaders. The double-turreted monitor Puritan of the American navy is claimed to be the equal of any British bat- tleship that could reach these waters, and she would not be idle while the bombarding of at least one of the cities was going on. However, it is believed that the defense of the coast cities would largely consist of submarine and torpedo devices. Some Coast Defenses. On the Pacific coast, Seattle and Tacoma would probably fall an easy prey to the war ships from the British station at Es- quimault, and Portland would also suffer. San Francisco, however, weuld be a harder nut to crack. There are land batteries at the harbor entrance that are regarded as practically impregnable, and if’a war ship should slip in she would meet the Mianto- nomoh, who would give her an exceedingly warm reception. New Orleans and Mobile, on the gulf coast, would be protected by impeding the channel, and any land force that the invaders could land would be met by a superior army on shore. It is pointed out that there are many popular errors about the formidability of the British navy. While it looks over- formidable upon paper, it must be remem- bered that Great Britain could not send all of her vessels into these waters. She could not withdraw the Mediterranean fleet, for instance, and leave her vast interests in that locality unprotected. She would have to keep ships in various quarters of the globe, while this covntry would use every vessel she has either in coast defense or in waging the warfare upon British com- merce that would be such an important feature of the tactics pursued by this coun- try. There is practically no American com- merce upon the high seas for England to attack, while the flags of her merchant- men float upon every sea. The swift cruis- ers of the Yankee nation would scour the waters of the richly laden bottoms of the Britisher and inflict incalculable damage upon his commerce. Ample revenge for the injuries inflicted upon the smaller coast cities of the United States would be wreaked by the American cruisers upon the cclonial ports of ‘Englata throughout the world, There would be little, if any, fighting in Venezuela between this government and the British, although England might make it warm for the Veneguelans. The bound- ary question and the literal occupation of the territory would be settled by the final treaty of peace between the two leading naticns at issue. . |” The loss to England and America would be appalling, but it is believed England would suffer the mest. She would lose her foothold upon this cantinent, for after the treaty of peace there would be no British Possessions in North“America, but from Hudson bay to the Rio Grande, and from northwestern Alaska to Florida, and Van- cou er to Newfoundland, the stars and stripes would float. oo | “BLACKMAILERS IN JOURNALISM What Some Papers Are Started For and How They Are Carried On. From the Burlington Hawkéye. There is one blot upon journalism which deserves and demands public attention. There has arisen a class of alleged news- pepers, which are not conducted for legiti- mate journalistic purposes. Their prime and only object is to make money. Of itself that is fundamental with every newspaper. Every business must be rock-rooted on sound business principles or it is doomed to failure, not only financially, but in any be- neficent influence upon public thought. But the class of papers to which we refer goes farther even than thé maxim of the citizen who is alleged to have given his son the ad- vice, “Make money, my gon! Honestly, if you can, but make money.” For the man- agers of the guerrilla, newspapers are not content to make money honestly, even if they had the opportunity to do so. They propose to make it honestly and dishonestly, and in any and every way possible, and to achieve their ends they do not hesitate to resort to what is populprly known as black- mailing methods. ¢ A man of this character will procure a Press, type and outfit, and under the guise ef advocating some pubile measure, or more likely posing as a “reformer,” or promot- ing some interest which commends itself to public favor, begins his operation of prey- ing upon the business conimanity. To can- vass for subscriptions and advertising is a perfectly legitimate business transaction, but it ought to be conducted like any other canvass. Solicitations should be made upon the merits of the publication and returning @ quid pro quo, giving as Valuable goods as are received. The meréharg who would un- dertake to sell his goods to his customers against their wishes, they not needing the goods or not desiring that kind and quality which he offers, who wonld then resort to intimations that unless thé customer bought his goods it might be the Worse for him in the future, that he would see to it that it was made unpleasant for him in his busi- ness relations in the contmrunity, would at once be met with overwhelming public op- Frobrium. There is no. possible circum- stance under which a newspaper publisher is entitled to,depart from the same rules of commercial integrity that govern the mer- chant, the manufacturer, the banker: and the professional man. Becayse a newspaper publisher has {t within his power to worry and annoy business men, and ‘oftentimes successfully extorts from them, business be- cause they fear what he niay say in retalia- tion in his paper if they-do not, is unworthy of recognition among hofest men. Yet, strange to say, that sort,of journalism finds more or less of a footing not_only in the larger citles, but often fn the sinatier cities and towns. It is a shame and a disgrace to journelism that suéh things should be, and yet the legitimate newspaper ought not to’ suffer because of such rascalities any more than the legitimate mérchaht, or attorney, or doctor should suffer becayge of the fakirs, shysters and quacks whe impose upon a suf- fering public. The only reniedy for this evil is courage and a resolution not to be in- timidated; when the blackmailer threatens the business man his recourse is to bid him prompt defiance and forbid his presence on his premises. Furthermore. he ought not to hesitate to publicly expose agd denounce the blackmailing scheme, and, ifecessary, ap- peal fo the courts for pfotection. ———_—_+0#_____ DANGERS OF THE VEGETARIANS. Articles of Food Which Sometimes Carry Disease Germs. From the Fortnightly Review. Vegetarians are apt to ignore the fact that vegetable food not infrequently loses its wholesome character, and prodiices more or less serious symptoms ‘in ‘those who con- sume it. Thus, flour sometimes contains parasites of various kiwis; it may also un- dergo fermentation ofan abnormal kind and cause much discomfort when consumed. Bread sometimes becomes very sour and sets up diarrhea an4’ other unpleasant symptoms, Epidemics of disease of. a very serious character are Hable to occur in countries where -rye bread-is in common use. Rye grain is subject to attacks of a fun- gus, the presence of which in the bread is the cause of the symptems. Wheat is rare- ly thus affected, but wholesome flour is often rendered injurious by the addition of alum in bread making. Moreover, there is good reason for belleving that, notwith- standing the vigilance of inspectors, bake houses are often in a very insanitary con- dition. and sometimes owing to circum- stances beyond the control of the proprie- tors.. Only last year a miedical officer of health reported that he had found a cellar used as a bakery flooded with sewage, the THE POULTRY SHOW The International’ Exposition of Fowls, Pigeons and Pets. NOTED BREEDERS 10 BE PRESENT Over Six Thousand Entries and Some High Priced Ones. SOME $500 BIRDS Preparations for the international poultry exhibition wihch is to be held from Febru- ary 14 to 18, inclusive, in Center Market Hall, under the auspices of the National Poultry and Pigeon Association of Wash- ington, are going forward on a large scale. The exhibition has struck the poultrymen of the whole country favorably, and exhibits will be sent here from all the leading poul- try sections in the United States. The main exhibition room, embracing 18,000 square feet of space, will be in the drill hall of the old National Guard Armory on the 9th Street side of the Center Market building. This spacious room has been entirely re- modeled and frescoed for the purposes of ‘an exhibition hall. The Christian Endeavor As- sociation will open this hall with its meet- ing there in January, and the Poultry Asso- ciation will be the next to occupy it. The main hall will be devoted to exhibits of fowls of ali classes, pigeons and pets. There will be 118 standard varieties of poultry. Adjoining rooms will be given up to spe- cial exhibits of poultry appliances. The Prairie State Incuba- tor Co. has leased space for fifteen in- cubators, and will hatch out 3,000 chick- * ens during the exhi- bitions. The Homer City Company has also. taken a large space, and will haten {7/7 out 2,000. Numerous / other incubator con- cerns will be repre- ¢ sented and will illus- / trate the interesting business of hatching chickens with hot water, steam, electric and hot air devices. D. M. Owen. How Chicks Are Handled. All the various phases of the poultry industry will be illustrated during the ex- hibition. ‘There will be a class showing the broiler business in every stage of de- velopment, from the egg to the eight and ten-weeks’ chick, which, at a pound to a pound and a quar- ter weight, is quick- ly snapped up by the hotels and _ restau- rants and hospitals at prices ranging from $% to $8 per dozen. The various rapid and satisfac- tory growth, the whole process of iny cubation, the brcod- il. ers used, the various kinds of feed, grit and all the necessary appliances Will be on exhibition. A special ‘exhibit also will be made in the department of oology. There a large proportion of the 118 standard varieties of fowls will be represented by their re- spective eggs. It will be possible to judge of color, weight to the dozen, size, firm- ness of shell, shape and general pro- ductiveness. Some exhibits will be made by large so- cieties rather than by individual exhib- ftors, as, for instance, the Canadian Poul- try Association intends to send here about 000 birds, among them some famous prift winners, which have soid at large prices. There will be several birds shown that have sold for $500. The Buff Cochin and Light Brahma Associations will make gen- eral exhibits. There have been made so far about 5,000 entries. T. Farrar Rack- ham, the general agent of the exhibitio: has ‘traveled all over the south and the west and will, in the next fortnight, make the tour of England, which the great raising section of 77 the United States, 777 arranging entries. ZZ Large entries have//Z been made from 7Z Towa, Kansas, Utah, o@ the state of Wash- ington, from Texas, Kentucky, _Tennes- see, Mississippi, North Carolina, Georgia and Ala- bama. The number of entries from theSharpe Butterfield. District of Columbia, Maryland and Vir- ginia will probably amount altogether to ever 2,000. Within the last year or two a great deal of interest has been develop2d locally in the poultry industry, and there is a great deal of fine stock to be seen in system of main drainage having proved in- adequate to carry off the storm water. The master and his journeyman were actually working as best they could in a flood of sew- age. The flour sacks were standing on a slightly raised platform; sewage had risen above this level and had fouled the under surface of the sacks. It was admitted that flour from those particular*sacks had been made inte bread. As illustrating the difficulty of eliminating all sources of danger from our food, an epi- demic of lead poisoning, reported by Dr. Alford of Taunton, is deserving of notice. In most cases of lead ‘poisoning, either the water supply has become contaminated or the sufferer’s occupation .has brought him into close contact with the metal. In the instances referred to the water was analyz- ed, but no lead was found, and then it was noticed that the persons’ attacked—fifteen to twenty in number—all) obtained their flour from the same mill. ‘On making in- quiries it was discovered® that the mill- stones used had (from the nature of the stone) large spaces in them, which had been filled up with lead. Information was given that lead was not usually employed in that way, and that what was generally used was red lead and burax or alum and borax, both highly objectionable. Another example, teaching the same lesson,oceurred not many months ago. Reports of several cases of typhoid fever appeared in the daily papers, and it was shown that the disease was traceable to the consumption of water cresses grown in contaminated water. ———_+e+ A Man of Nerv From the Chicago Post. He looked admiringly at the tall who was deep in a game of billiards. “There's a man who has the most superb nerve of any one I ever saw,” he said. “Really?” returned his cvmpanion, guiringly. “There is no possible chance for a mis- take.” “Sid you ever see it tested?” “Weil, rather. I saw him at.a_ private theatrical entertainment one night last week.” “Sometimes it does require nerve to sit through one."” The man who was telling the story seem- ed provoked at the interruption, but -he kept his temper. ? “His fiancee was in the cast,” he went on, “‘and he gat there and watched another man embrace her and never so much as gritted his teeth. I tell you it was as fine an exhibition of nerve as I ever saw any- where, either before or siuce.” man in- this neighborhood. Among some of the exhibits that will be sent here will be_a large collection of turkeys from the Fisher's Island ‘farm in Rhode Island, which is the largest in the world. This farm will send a gobbler weighing forty-six pounds and a bunch of hen turkeys averaging thirty-six pounds. In the exhibit of turkeys there will be not only the ordinary bronze domestic turkey, but the wild turkey, the buff, the slate and the white Holland. A. J. Haliock of Spe- onk, Long Island, the largest producer of ducks in the world, and who raises annu- ally 15,000 ducklings, will exhibit twenty- BAD, varieties of wild and domestic water ‘owl. It is expected that Secretary Morton will open the exhibition with an address. The first premium in all of the 118 standard classes will be $3 in gold. The second will be $1 in silver. The first premiums will be presented by some prominent advocate of the single standard and the second pre- miums by some leading silver man. Some Special Prizes, A number of special prizes have been of- fered and a large number of cups and tro- phies will be competed for. James For- syth, president of the American Poultry Association, has given a beautiful sil- ver cup to the Na- tional Poultry Asso- ciation, to be hung up by the board of . directors in any com- mA.’ petition which in their discretion seems advisable. Mrs. Gar- rett, who is a famous poultry woman, and Mr. Charles E. Ford of Ford's Theater, Baltimore, have also given cups for prizes. In addition to these Henry S. Ball. there are many prizes in the way of poultry appliances given by various manu- facturers and poultry connoisseurs. Who the Judges Are. The National Poultry Association has selected as judges for the exposition J. Y. Bicknell, Theo. Hewes, Newton Adams, Sharpe Butterfield, F. J. Marshall, Henry S. Ball, D. M. Owen, George O. Brown, T. Farrar Rackham, John H. Kuhn, J. C. Long, W. J. Stanton and R. G. Buffington. In addition to these names may be added that of Mr. Philander Williams, the vet- eran breeder and judge, of Taunton, M: These gentlemen are all well-known breeders and men of the highest standins. Mr. Bicknell is grand secretary of the Royal Arcanum, Mr. Marshall was a judge at the ger ure Memphis tof and railway, the Charleston Mr. Butterfield took eighteen poultry prizes at the centen- nial in Pnailadciphia, Mr. Hewes is secre- tary ani treasurer of the American Poultry Association, Mr. Kuhn is a noted authority on pizcons, Mr. Ball has been a breeder since 186) Theodore Hewes. ena @ poultry judge for twenty-nine years. American Poultry Association. In connection with the international ex- hibition there will be held the regular an- nual meeting of the American Poultry As- sociation, embracing a membership of about 600 leading poultry raisers in this country and Cana‘a. These are people who produce the pnre- blooded var'eties of fowls for the most part. Through the in strumentality of t assgiation the De- partment of Agricul- ture and all the ex- periment stations in the country have been led to give spe- elal attention to the poultry industry Some of the experi- John H. Kuhn. ment stations, as, for instance, those at Kingston, R. 1; Geneva, New Brunswick, N. J. have given years of carefyl, scientific ex- periment to the business of breeding, com- bining and developing various breeds and accomplished remarkable results for the benefit of the poultrymen. The officers of the National Association are: President, H. A. Munson; vice presi- dents, Dr. H. W. Dorsey, Richard Smith secretary, George E, Howard; treasurer, Dr. R. H. Evans: superintendent, T. Farrar Rackham; board of directors, H. A. Munson, Geo. E. Howard, Dr. R. H. Evans, ex-Commis- sioner John W. Doug- Chaz. B. Thomas, Dr (\\\\\ W. J. Bistun, Samuel‘! Stinemetz and John E. Bardrof. Thes gentlemen are giving their: time almos without stint to the I organization of the FY comin g-exhibitton; : and all are confident J. ¥, Bieknell. of a great success and a good time. For two weeks in January Mr. Howard will have an office for" the exposition in the-Washington and Georgetown power building, and for the two weeks just preceding the opening of the exposition in the Center Market Hall. setromrename, THREE TIMES THREE. 4 California Woman Who Has Had Triplets Three Times, From the Sam Francisco PS en In an almost inaccessible mountain fast- ness in Mendocino county, eighteen miles northeast -of Ukiah; ts tie home of nine children, all triplets. The mother of this remarkable family is Mrs. George Walters. All the children are well and happy, and the last trio are as healthy a set of young- sters as can be found anywhere. « The Walters home is in an out-of-the- way part of the Mendocino forest district. Two of the sets of triplets were by Mrs. Walters’ first husband, Orville Orrin Oates, a Missourian. Three years elapsed between the birth of the first-and second tripiets, and twelve years between the birth of the second and third sets. Mrs. Walters’ maiden name was Ellen Elaine Emmery. She was born in Quebec about 1855. She met her first husband during the centennial exposition at Phila- delphia. After their marriage they moved to Alton, Mo., It was at Alton in 1879 the first triplets were born. They were named | Wheeler Henry,James Rutherford and Mar- tha Christine, being two boys and one girl. The family moved to California in the fall of 1880, and settled at first in Inyo county. From there they moved to the Little Bear valley, San Bernardino county. There, in October, 1882, the second triplets were born. They were all girls, and were named Mati!- da Ann, Rebecca Elizabeth and Marie Louise. While out on a prospecting tour, secking a fortune for his fast-growing fam- ily, Mr, Oates became lost in the vast des- erts of western Arizona, and was never again heard from. The widow then determined to move to the upper part of the state with her six children. They traveled north by casy stages, and on the way she met Mr. Wal- ters. He helped her and her children along the way, proposed marriage and was ac- cepted. They kept on their journey north, seeking for some far-away valley, where they could set up their home. They found it in the location already described. There a June, 1894, ae ~ triplets were born. ey were nam rover Ed Jasper Otis and Ruth Ellen. see xs The children of the first two sets of trip- lets do not resemble one another at all, but the last, the babies, look so much alike that they cannot be told apart. The only way to distinguish them is to dress them differently, and when put to bed they wear different kinds of night dresses, so that the arin in the morning can tell which is whic! ———_—~-e2-___ THOUSANDS FOR A BOOK. Only Eight Pages, but a Very Rare Literary Curiosity. From the New York World. On the steamship Spree, which arrived a few days ago; there was imported a thin little volume of only eight pages, the ap- praised value of which was $2,000. This is a Latin translation of a letter written by Christopher Columbus, giving a report of his discovery of what he supposed to have been only some islands off the coast of India. Stephen Plannock, a printer of Rome, struck off a few copies of the translation in 1493. Not all of these are now to be found. In the Barlow sale of Americana, at the American Art Galleries in 1889, a copy of the Plannock edition, identical with the one that came on the Spree, was sold to Brayton Ives for $2,200. There is a dispute among the authorities as to whether or no the edition of the Co- lumbian letter is the first printed reproduc- tion. Mr. Eames of the Lenox library says that no two authorities agree as to the pri- crity of date of the publication of Columbus’ report. Harrisse stoutly maintains that this Plan- neck edition is the third appearance of the letter, while R. H. Major of the British Mu- seum advances arguments, said to be both logical and weighty, to show that it is the first. Ellis, in the Huth catalogue, claims that Major has proved his impression to be the first. John Russell Bartlett also placed this particular edition first in the John Car- ter Brown library. But, however much the antiquarians may disagree cmong themselves, there is no doubt as to the great value of the book, which is printed in clear type on heavy paper. The dimensions of the pages are 7 1-16 inches “full” by 5 3-16. Some of the leaves have a water mark, the device being a pair of scales. If printed in the World the letter would occupy about a column and two-thirds. ———-—+00_____— The Missionary’s Power. From the Detroit Tribnne. “Did the missionary bring tears to the eyes of the ratives?” “No; but he made their mouths water.’ REAL ESTATE GOSSIP An Era of Activity Predicted for the Near Future. SOME OF THE ELEMENTS CF THE MARKET Increase in the Water Supply a Timely Improvement. INTEREST IN ARCHITECTURE There is a very general impression among real estate dealers and those who are in the habit of observing the tendencies of the realty market that there is to be a decided improvennt in busimges before very long. There are various reascns assigned for such a belief, but these, perhaps, are not of as much in.portamce as is the unanimity of opinion which prevails as to the future. Opinions may differ as to the carses which may bring about a change, but there seems to be no variance as to the final outcome. It is also beliéved that the conditions here are extremely favorable for the in- avguration of an era of activity, and it is thought that when such a movement be- gins it will go with a rush that will stir into the liveliest activity the entire real es- tate market. It is natural to expect that in this revival, as it might be termed, of the public interest in realty holding there will be something of a speculative spirit. Suburban Development. To what extent this latter will prevail, of course, cannot be predicted, but it is al- ways an element of greater or less import- ance at a time when the market is lively. It is probable that the continuance of the work of developing the suburbs will prove attractive fields for the investment of mon- ey. It may be said that only a beginning bas been made toward the creation of the greater Washington, which gives promise of a giant maturity. But, however that may be, the fact re- mains that the work of transforming the country fields into city building sites has only beer fairly started. What form the impetus to the improvements, which have already been begun, will take, of course, it is impossible to say. There are some. di- rections in which this object can be pro- moted, that is, according to the judgment of men who are familiar with the subject. One is the perfection, as well as the expan- sion, of the system of street railways, 80 as to afford to the outlying sections cheap, rapid ana easy communication with the center of business. Much has been doze in the direction of building street railways and suburban lines in the past, but much remains to be done, and no doubt, with the improved appliances now uvailable and the adaptability of elec- tricity for propulsion purposes, both under ground and overhead, the will be both rapid and satisfactery. - Improvement of the Avenue. As the walls of the new city post office buitding receive the finishing touches, some idea of the architectural effect when com- pleted can be obtained. It is evident from the remarks which are élicited on this sub- ject Wat there is a livelier interest in the appearance of public buildings than was the case a few years ’ Now the princi- pal thing seems to be in regard to the ap- pearance of the building, whercas formerly only utilitarian consideraticns would be mentioned, such as the size of the struc ture or the number of rooms which it con+ tained. It is not expected that the highest type of architecture would be shown in thé new building, mainly because it was erect- ed by the government, and, therefore, there is not much disappointment expressed that the new structure is not of a higher grade than it is. The building, however, serves to call at+ tention to the fact, perhaps, more strongly than ever before, that the improvements on the south side of the avenue are not, as a rule, of the character which is creditable to the finest avenue in the world, In the same line the thought might also be sug- gested that the available building sites along the avenue might be utilized for the location of public buildings, especially as the latter are sorely needed for the use of ihe executive departments of the govern- ment. Incrensed Water Supply. In addition to the satisfaction which the average citizen naturally feels in the in- vestigation now being made by the govern- ment with the view of making use of the abandoned aqueduct tunnel, half of the cast of which was defrayed by the District, there is another important consideration, and that is the increase in the water sup- ply which would be the result. Not only is the city within the old bounds outgrowing the present facihties for supplying water, but there is that large region lying outside these limits, which is rapidly being built up by the overflowing population of a great city. In suburban communities the water sup- ply is a vital question, and, unless it comes from some source not local, disease and death are apt to follow in the wake of any growth in population. It is, of course, impossible to supply water from the or- dinary city mains, and hence the value of this new aqueduct. A large section of the suburbs has been greatly benefited by the establishment of a reservoir at Fort Reno, near Tenleytown. From that point pipes have been laid that carry the water to Brightwood, Takoma and intermedite points. An Apartment House. Work has been begun on a six-story apart- ment house to be erected on the northwest corner of Pennsylvania avenue and 23th street, which is owned and designed by N. T. Haller, architect. The building will have a frontage on Pennsylvania avenue of fifty feet, and on 25th street one hundred feet. The material used will be buff brick and In- diana limestone, each front being orna- mented with bay windows. There will also be a large tower on the corner. The roof will be covered with Spanish tile. The cen- ter portion of the building will be support- ed by a steel frame. The building will be provided with an electric elevator, and hot water heat and electric lights. Some Improvements. Two brick and frame dwellings will be erected by J. H. Lane on S street north- east, Eckington. They are to be two stories high, eighteen feet front and a depth of forty-six feet. The fronts will be of brick and wood, pitched shingle roof and dormer windows. A. B. Morgan, architect, has prepared plans for a double cottage to be erected at Langdon. It will be two stories in height, 38x42 feet, with attic and basement. The steep roof will be shingled, and wide piaz- zas will be built around the sides. Chilton Brothers will erect,from plans pre- pared by A. B, Morgan, a two-story brick cawelling on 9th street southeast, south of Pennsylvania avenue. The width is to be nineteen feet, with a depth of fifty feet, and in the construction of the front buff trick and stone trimmings will be used. The interior finish is to be white pine. ai A Sure Test. From Wegweiser. A miser had died very suddenly. The doctor who was called in to certify to his death appeared to have his doubts about the case. “Place a ten-mark piece in his hand,” said the old housekeeper of the deceaxed; “if he doesn’t grasp it you may safely make out the order for his burial.