Evening Star Newspaper, February 18, 1896, Page 2

THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1896-TWELVE PAGES. IN CONGRESS TODAY The Pacific Railroad Investigation Discussed in the Senate. BAND «ISSUES MR. PEFFER ON THE Effect of Chinese Competition on the Pacific Coast. THE AGRICULTURAL BILL Whea the Senate met at noon today Mr. (Neb.) asked the finance Committee what steps were te be taken toward a con- ference with the House_en the silver bond bill, He called attention to the report re- ceived frem the Heise yesterday disagree- ing with the Senate silver substitute. No action had been taken toward a conference, and Mr. Allen expressed the hope that the entire question weuld not lapse. “We aiting for seme action on the part of the House," responded Mr. Morrill, rman of the firance committee. “If ant-a conference they will ask for express the bopé,”” added 2 t there is na, premeditated at- to drop this measure. Chandlét suggested facetiously that it might be in order for Mr. Allen to move that the Senate recede from its silver iment, The Vice President hadsthe Record read showing that the House in rejecting the Senate amendment did not ask for a con- ference. No further action was taken to- nference. beg to teamboat Inspection Service. Mr. Frye (ie), chairman of the commit- tee on conimerce, stated the results of an inquiry he had made of charges against the steamboat inspection service. It had involved the question of making political appointments to the offices of inspector of bull boilers—appointments based on ice—a thing utterly absurd, said in a service having control of a. Chief Inspector Dumont at the irstance of the Senator, gone the subject thoroughly, and now sub- da vill covering a general plan of re- Mr. F human Mr. Gear, ckairman of the committee on Pacific, rgilroads, called attention to the misapprehension that the committee was hearing only railrcad officers and agents. On the centrary,” he vaid.full and ample notice had been given to all parties who so sired to appear. ‘The vommittee could not undertake to subpoena patrons of these roads. The latter could present their views if they vo desired. Allen (Neb.) insisted that the patrons, traders, ete., along the line had not been invited to the hearing. The only persons heard we-e Mr. C. P. Huntington, Mr. Win- slow ond other interssted parties. The Farmers’ Alliance. There was a sharp three-cornered debate between Messrs. Gear, Allen and Wolcott as to the comnifttee’s-course. Mr. Gear wanted to know who. Mr. Allen desired to have heard. 2 Mr. Allen responded that the Farmers* Alliance in Nebraska’ had a large fund of information.. Why was St, not asked for? We have no official knowledge of the istence of such an organtaation,” respon¢ Mr. Gear. Mr. Allen declared that there was con- Spicuous eviderice the country over of the alliance’s existence. “Why does not the Nebraska Senator in- form Nits AilfncetonstMeents of this hear- ing.” asked Mr. Wolcott, “possibly securing them passes, as they would doubtless de- cline to come at government exper contrary to their principles?” ‘The debate branched off into the charac- ter of the witnesses appearing before the committee. The name of Mr. Coombs we Mr." Allen insisted tha Sa broker. Mr. Frye assert ‘oombs was one of the best law- yers of New England. A sharp and amusing controversy arose as to Mr. Coombs’ residence—whether it was in Boston, Brooklyn’ or Sioux City Mr. Allen continued his criticism of committee at “consideraMe length. Mr. Peffer and the Bond Issues. Mr. Peffer sought tesecure action on hi resolution for the creation of a special com. mitwe of five Senators to inquire into the circumstances of recent bond issues. Mr. Sherman moved to refer the resolution to the finance committee. He said that if such an ing ‘Y was made a regular committee of the Senate sheuld eenduct it, thus aver ing needless expense of a special inquiry. Mr. Sherman said that as a rule he consid- ered it destrable, when charges of im! priety were made againat officials of government, that an ing should made, = MY. Pest followed at considerable } eriticising bond tss®#7*The Senator ¢lared that publi ation alone pre- vented the last h e from going to which » such enormous shond sale. Mr. Peffer iggestions of scan- cluding the late the Stewart followeil in advocacy of an . and in strong criticism of recent ues. Mr. kodge briefly stated that in view of the charges @f-irreRilarify, involving the it of the government, he believed that gation shotfd he made. He mov- «iment to the resolution direc nee Gommittee to make the in- Hill Opposes Inquiry. (X.Y. ‘appearance in opposi- tion to the proposed mquiry was the signal fer a spirited debate. He wes opposed, he said, to any investigation at this time by the finance committee or any othe? com- mittee. He deprecated the custom of fol- lewing up every idle rumor, every indefinite © e that the right thing had not been Senate had heretofore dignified such by serious investigation. It was ring to idle cu ity. The Senator r) who proposed this inquiry did not make personal charges against the Presi- or Secretary of the Treasury. But I make the charge,” exclaimed Mr. Stewart, rising and moving down the mid- dle ai Mr. Hill waived Mr. Stewart back and ined to yield to the interruption. ut let me make the charge,” insisted Stewart. The Senator will charge anything,” sald Mr. Hill, still declining to yield. A Tile With Tillman. Mr. Hill proceeded to argue against Sen- ate Inquiries of ‘rumors, when he was again interrupted, this time by Mr. Tillman (S. ©). The latter raised his right arm, and was about to frame an energetic question when Mr. Hill positively declined to yield a question, saying only a few minutes ve- mained before 2 o'clock, when the expira- tion of the morning hour would cut him off. Mr. Tillman yielded reluctantly, ard as ne took his seat exclaimed: “it is not the first time I have seen the Senator (Hill) do up m by talking on it until 2 o'clock. Hill turned about, facing tie South Carolina Senator, and addressing him per- sonaliy, said: “I’will be the judge of how long and when I will speak.” “Undoubtedly,” interjected Mr. Tillman, ironically. “And,” proceeded Mr. Hill, “I will not be governed in my course by the Senator from South Carolina (Tillman: in the course of the quick passages, back and forth, the Vice President's gavel had been keeping up a lively appeal for order. Mr: Hill went on with his opposition to the investigation. He spoke of the ridicu- lous recourse of the Senate in entering upon the random reports that Senators were pur- chasing sugar stock. It gave a distinct status to the vague charges, until the pub- lc was led to believe that all the Senators were doing here at Washington was spec- ulating in sugar stock. Here there was a rap from the chair, with an announcement that 2 o'clock sent the Peffer resoluiion to the calendar. “I am sorry to stop in the midst of such @ sentence,” said Mr. Hill. Stopped at 2 O’Cleck. Mr. Hear asked that the Military Acad- emy bill, which was the order of business after 2 o'clock should be laid aside to allew Mr. Hill to proceed. But Mr. Hill smilingly declined to proceed, as the Peffer resolution had now lost its status .and Sone io the foot of the caleadar. “As that resqlution went to the calendar at 2 o'clock,” said Mr. Hill, “I will. proceed some other day.” : Thereupon a shrill, whistling sound came from Mr. Tillman, indicating that his prophecy as to 2 o'clock had been fulfilled. The shrill sound was like a drawn-out “ah.” Mr. Peffer tried to secure unanimous con- sent to going on with the resolution, but Mr. Hill objected. Then Mr. Peffer moved to set aside all other business and go on with this resolution. He yielded, however, to urgent appeals, and allowed the military academy appropriation bill to be taken up. The debate proceeded on the amendment of Mr. Vilas (Wis.) for an increase of mili- tary cadet appointments by two from each state. THE HOUSE. Some routine business preceded thé re- sumption of the debate on the agricultural appropriation bill in-the House today. Bills were passe! as follows: On motion of Mr. Curtis (Ka .), to permit the Kansas City and Fort Scott Railroad Company to ex- tend its line into the Indian territory; on ion of Mr. Herman (Oreg:), to dispose of the lands in the Fort Klamath hay res- n; on motion of Mr. Otey (Va.), to late of the thirty-fourth New Jer- imteers; on motion of Mr. Hyde ), to grant to the Columbia and Red Mountain Railroad Company a right of through the Colville Indian reserva- . Newlands (Nev.) presented a resolu- Uon instructing the ways and means com- mittee to inquire what effect the difference of exchange between gold vi] silver stand- ard ries has upon manutacturing in- the United States. Mr. New- ated that the chamber of commerce Fraheiseo had called the attentton » country to the invasion of products. oriental countries, especially from trom Japan. Effect on the Pacific Coast. California had already felt the effect of this competition. He recalled the invasions of the Chin and their absorption of every industry which they had attacked, which had led to their exclusion. The Pa- cific coast, he said, was now threatened with the invasion of the products of the che: bor of the oriental countries. He ‘e some information regarding the cheap prices at which Japanese watches, brushes, ebttons, wovlens, ete., were being sold in the San Francisco markets. Even bicycles, he said, were being imported and soid for 312 ay He described how bicycles could be manufactured in Japan for $i2 in silver and sold here for $12 in gold. After the gold was converted into silver it could pay the cost of manufacture, transporta- tion and the duties and leave a profit of four or five dollars in silver. The greatest apprehension existed on the Pacific coast, he said. The increase on the price of silver, he thought, would take from the ortental countries the advantages they now pos- sessed. The resolution was adopted. The Agricultural Appropriation Bil. The House then went into committee of the whole, and resumed the consideration of the agricultural appropriation bill. The pending question was the amendment of Mr. Skinner (N. C.) to make the distribu- tion of seed under the appropriation man- datory upon the Secretary of Agriculture. Several substitutes for the Skiffmér amend- ment were offered with a view to making the provision so iron-clad as to prectudle all possibility of evasior’ on ‘the part of Secretary Morton, Mr. Moody (Mass.) pro- tested against “That he haracterized a long-considered policy of Congress, because the Secretary of Agriculture had not con- formed to the will of Congress. Heretofore the seed purchased had been confined to se that were rare and uncommon. Now = proposed to purchase and distribute seed to the farmer: step in the direction of communism. “Does not the fish commission distribute seed fish?” inquired Mr. Pickle: replied Mr. Moody, “but it-is engaged in cultivating the fish industry, not in the distribution of fish.’ Mr. Moody thought tt a change present policy was made it would to plague Congress in the future. — e+ JEANNETTE RELIC ef the reiurn TH Commodore Melville Pronounces the Story of Their Finding a Fake. Conynodore Melville, one of the survivors of the ill-fated Jeannette expedition, told a Star reporier that the reported finding of relies of the Jeannette on the southwest ceast of Greenland was a “fake,” pure and simple. S 4 The story told of.how they reached Copenhagen and were destroyed by fire in the finders’ garret was, in his opinion, nothing but “an old woman's yarn” with- out the slightest foundation of fact. They said they found a pair of old skin trousers belonging to Noros and with kis name, wher, Noros never wore oil skin trousers, and is on record as saying ‘so.’"Then it was re- | ported that two bodies- from ‘the Jcanette were seen on an ice. floe. > Ss Was easily disprovéd; because all the, Jeannette, dead and survivors, en otherwiss accounted “% done everything,dm my power, id, Commodore Melville, “to have the relic sifted, but have beén utterly unable ain a single reasonable proof of its ty or even its probability. rer heard that the so-called velics were yet adrift as a joke by some of the younger officers of the Yantic on ner cruise along the coast of Greenland in search’ of the Jeannette party, and am not inclined to put any faith in it.” ———__+- e+ DISTRICT 1 Mr. Evans of Kentucky today introduced the following bill in the House, providing the President and Vice President of the United States, House of Representatives, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury, for the time being be and théy are here- by constituted a commission to be known as “the Lincoln monument commission,” with power and authority to cause to be 1 at some suitable place in the city shington, on ground owned by the United States, a monument to Abraham LincoIn that may appropriately and ade- quately express the nation’s gratitude for his illustrious and patriotic services and its exalted appreciation of his fame. The commisssioa is authorized and em- powered to procure, In such manner as it may determine, all needful aid in the selection of a design for such monument. The sum of five hundred thousand dollars is appropriated to be expended under the directions of the commission, for the pur- poses aforesaid, and for the improvement and preparation of a site for such monu- ment. The sum hereby appropriated shall be available at all times until the sald mon- ument {ts completed. The bill was referred to the appropria- tions committ: To Retire Gen. Gordon. ‘The House committee on military affairs ¢ reported a bill for the retirement of Col. Gordon of the sixth cavairy, with the rank of brigadier general, for gallant and conspicuous service. For the Memortal Bridge. The House committee on commerce today favorably reported the Senate bill for the construction of the Memorial bridge across the Potomac river. The committee amended the bill so as to limit the cost to $600,000. To Hear the Board of Trade. The Senate committee on the District of Columbia will give a hearing tomorrow afternoon at © o'clock to representatives of the Washingion board of trade on the Com- missicners’ bill to abolish grade crossings. Plumbing Inspectors’ Bill. When Mr. McMillan reported from the committee on the District of Columbia a bill providing that inspectors of plumb- ing in the District of Columbia should be practical plumbers, he asked for the in- definite postponement of the bill, his re- port on it being an adverse one. Mr. Cul- Jom, who introduced the measure, said that re would ask to have it placed on the calendar instead of being indefinitely pestponed, so that it might receive the at- tention of the Senate. j are the Speaker of the |. UNCLE SAM'S CLERKS Provisions of the Appropriation Bill Reported Today. OVER TEN THOUSAND SALARIES FIXED Estimates, However, Cut Down by the House Committee. CHANGES RECOMMENDED phe LT Representative Bingham of Pennsylvania today reported to the House the legislative, judicial and executive appropriation bill for the next fiscal year. The estimates upon which this bill is based aggregate $22,360,051, of which amount there is recommended in the bill $21,444,195.51. The appropriations for the current fiscal year aggregate $22,060,778.08, being $025,581.57 more than is recommended in this bill. The amount recommended in the bill is $920,855.49 less than the esti- mates submitted. The whole number of salaries provided for in this bill fs 10,017, being 235 less than the rumber estimated for, and 335 less than the number provided in the current law. Changes in the number or grade of officers cr employes of the government, and their rate of compensation, as compared with the current law, are recommended in the Dill as follows Senate. The sum of $500 additional to the assist- ant doorkeeper is omitted. Provision for the clerks to the committees on woman | suffrage and mines and mining, at $2,100 each, is omitted. Otherwise the bill ap- propriates for the officers, clerks and other employes in the seivice of the Senate in the same terms as the law for the current year, except that for session employes the usual reduction in their aggregate compen- sation is made, growing out of the shorter term of employment during the ensuing secsion as compared with the present ses- sicn of Congress. : House of Representatives. Provision is made for two annual clerks to the committees on elections, at $2,000 each, pursuant to the resolution of the House of December 23, 1895, and also for a c.erk to the committee on banking and cur- rency, at $2,000 per annum, instead of at $6 per day during the session. Otherwise the bill appropriates for the officers, clerks and other employes in the service of the House in the same terms as tne law for the current year, except that for session em- ployes the usual reduction is made in their aggregate compensation growing out of the shorter term of employment during the ersuing, session as compared with the pres- ent session of Corgress. Treasury Department. Secretary’s office—In the chief clerk's of- fice provision is made for two additional elevator conductors, at $720 each. In the division of bookkeeping and war- rants two clerks of class 3, at $1,600 each, are omitted. ; Office auditor for the Treasury—A net re- duction of two clerks, at $1,000 each, Is meade. Office auditor for the Interior Depart- ment—Six clerks of class 3, at $1,600 each, and six clerks of class 2, at $1,400 each; in all, twelve clerks, at $18,000, are omitted. fice auditor for the State and other de- partments—An additional clerk of class 2, at $1,400, is provided for, and one clerk of ass 1, at $1,200, is transferred to this of- fice from the office of the steamboat in- spnection service. Office auditor for the Post Office Depart- ment—One clerk of class 3, at $1,000, Is transferred from this office to the office of the steamboat inspection service. Office of the treasurer—Twenty-five addl- tional expert counters, at $720 each, are provided for, and a skilled laborer, at $1,000, instead of a clerk of class 1, at $1,200, Is provided for in the force employed in re- deeming the national currency. Office of the register—One¢lerk of class 3, ai $1,600, and one clerk of class 2, at $1,400, ited. Office commissioner of internal revenue— The twenty-four additional employes, at jes aggregating $30,700, authorized for the fiscal year 1896, on account of collecting the income tax, are omitted. Collecting internal revenue—Provision for salaries and expenses of 30% additional deputy collectors, aggregating $408,600, and for ten additional revenue agents, aggregat- ing $36,000, authorized on account of the income tax, is omitted. Office assistant treasurer at Boston.—An additional stenographer and typewriter, at $1,000, Is authorized. Mint at Carson, Ney.—The salaries of a cashier and a bookkeeper are reduced from 4) and $1,800, respectively, to $1,500 each.” War Department. A clerk of class 2, at $1,400, is transferred to the office of the Secretary from the office of the chief of engineers. Public buildings and grounds.—A day watchman at Garfield Park, at $660, is pro- vided for. Poxt Office Department. In the office of the Postmaster General the chief clerk is authorized to act as super- intendent of the Post Office Department building instead of the disbursing clerk, and a@ curator of museum, at $1,000, is provided for. Office second assistant postmaster gen- eral.—A messenger in charge of ma’ 3900, is provided for, in Heu of an assi messenger at $720, omitted. Office fourth assistant postmaster general. One additional clerk of class 2, at $1,400, and one clerk of class 1, at $1,200, are provided for. Department of Justice. The clerk in charge of accounts is given $200 additional, and one additional clerk of cla: 3, at $1,600; one clerk of class 2, at $1,400, and one clerk of class 1, at.$1,200, are authorized. Limitations. Limitations with respect to appropriations made in the bill not heretofore imposed are recommended as follows: In connection with the office of the su- pervising architect of the treasury, the fol- lowing: ‘That any draftsman or other employe en- gaged in the office of the supervising archi- tect under the special appropriation made for the erection of a public building at Chi- cago, lll., may, when not employed on work pertaining to said building, be temporarily detailed by the Secretary of the Treasury to other work in said office, but while so detaifed no part of his compensation shall be paid out of the appropriation for said building. In connection with the appropriation for publication of the Official Postal Guide, the fellowin: nd the Postmaster General may, in his discretion, cause a contract for furnishing the Official Postal Guide to be made for a term of four years. With reference to details of clerks in the several departments, there is recommended, as section 3 of the |. the following: Sec. 3. Section one hundred and sixty-six of the Revised Statutes is amended to read as follo . 166. may, from time ch head of a department to time, alter the distribu- mong the various bureaus and offices department of the clerks and other employes ailowed by law, as he may find it necessary anil proper to do; but all the de- tails hereunder shall be made by written order of the head of the department, and in no case be for a period of time exceeding sixty days: Provided, That details so made may, og expiration, be renewed from time to time by written order of the head of the department in each particular case for periods of not exceeding sixty days. All detatls heretofore made are herepy revoked, but may be renewed as provided herein.’ eee Asks a Divorce. Estelle L. Washingtcn today petitioned for a diverce from Dallas Washington, to whom she wus married here September 18, 1890. her maiden name being Hill. They lived together, she states, until January 17, 1895, when, she charges, ke willfully de- serted and abandened her and their little girl. Mrs. Washington prays for permis- sion to resume her maiden name and that she be given the custody of the child. She ig represented by Attcrney P. J, Bacon. THE MINORITY © REPORT Democrats Dissent From Their Oolleague® on We Dapont Case. ° They Claim bat Gov. Watson Was Entitif¢a ko His Vote as ah Benator. Pg Senator Turpie,‘“from the committee on privileges andfeléptions, today presented the report of héfiminority of that com- mittee, compo: all four of the demo- cratic members of/the committee, on the petition of Henry A. Dupont to be given a seat in the Senate by virtue of the vote cast for him by the Delaware legislature on May 9, 1805. This report takes the po- sition that Mr. Dupont was not elected by that vote. It is set forth that the records show that on the last ballot thirty votes were cast, and that of these Dupont re- ceived only fffteen, cr less than a majority. The vote of Gov. Watson, who had been elected cs a Senator, and had become gov- ernor upon the deaf¥. of Hon. Joshua T. Marvil, was counted in this record. “It 18 not conceived,” the report says, “how fifteen can be a majority of thirty. That a majority of the members of the legislature is necessary to a choice when all are present and voting we think ic clear, not only from the act of July 1866, but from the language of th® con- stitution itself upon this subject, prescrib- ing that ‘two senators from each state shall be chosen by the legislature. Such a choice is made by preference, and 4s only indicated by a number of votes greater than’ that east for all or any others voted fore, Gov. Watson's Right to Vote. Referring to the vote of Mr. Watson, the minority contend that he was still a mem- ber of the senate, notwithstanding he was acting governor, and claim that having been allowed to qualify as senator he could only be deprived of his privilege to act as such through death, resignation or the senate declaring -his seat vacant, neither of which occurred. ‘The opinion is also ex- pressed that it was perfectly compatible for Mr. Watson to exercise the dual of- flees of governor and senator. “We think it clear," the report says, “from the language of the constitution of the. state of Delaware that two functions are expressly made compatible and com- petent by the terms of that instrument.” The Legal Status Explained. ‘The question is, they say, not wnat may be incompatible at common law, but what is the statute in any given case, as many of the states have statutes which are con- travention of the common law. The state constitution is quoted to show that it does not provide that the speaker of the senate, on the death of the governor, shall either be, or become governor, but that he shall only “exercise the office of governor.” It does not provide for a vacancy either’ as senator or as speaker of the senate. Fur- thermore, it 1s claimed that the require- ment of the constitution for the election of a speaker pro tem. in the case of the speak- er being called upon to iill the duties of governor is proof that no permanent va- cancy is contemplated. Three instances in the history of Delaware are cited to show that has been the practice of men who have filled the office of governor by virtue of being speater #f the senate, had re- turned to exercise their duties as senator. The Functions of the Senate. The minority'repért also takes issue with the majority in regard to the function of the Delaware senate in passing upon the qualifications’ of its own members. “We think,” it says, “that the senate of the state of Delaware, whereof he was a member, isthe sole tribunal which couid either hear or’ determine, lawfully, the ob- Jections to the qualifications of’ Senator Watson. It would. be just as reasonable and lawful that the state senate of Delaware should adjudgé and decide a contested case not in this body from that state; as that we should decide here a contested seat in the senate there. : ee REBELIAGN IN COREA, The King Wanted His Sabjects’ Queues Sacrificed. San Franelsco, February, 18—The steam- er Pekin, from YokoRema- arrived this morning. Another rebellionms broken ont in Corea. The governor of the Tan-Yang district has been taken prisoner by the reb- els. The Corean troops defeated the reb- els in two engage nents, but the rebels are not yet subdued. The insurrection was caused by a royal proclamation requiring the Coreans to sac- rifice their queues and wear their hair in western fashion. . Several Japanese papers condemn, the re- lease of Viscount Miura, charged with in- stigating the murder of the Corean queen as a gress miscarriage of justice “Miura was Japanese minister at the Corean court, and after a brief preliminary examination at Hioroshima was allowed to depart. The judge said he was con- vinced Miura incited the murder of the queen, if his cornection with her death Was not even closer, but as the evidence might not convict Miura at a trial the pre- liminary examination did not hold him, ‘The lower house of the Japanese parlta- ment has passed a newspaper bill rescind- ing thé power of the government to sus- pend newspapers. The warlike opposition to Japanese in Formosa has moderated except in the mountain districts. All north Formosa is under military rule. It is expected Japanese reinforcements will procced against the rebel army now in the mountains. — Personal Mention. Mr. John T. Martyn, cashier of the Adams Express Company, Washington office, who has been‘ ill for the past three months, has recovered, and will shortly resume his du- ties. O. V. Tousley, editor of the world’s Co- lumbian exposition reports, is at the Shore- Gov, Coffin of Connecticut and his staff and a number of other distinguished cit- izens of the State are at the Cochran, in attendance upon the convention of ‘the Daughters of the American Revolution. ee Faust of the navy is at the Eb- tt. Mr. Wm. B. Morgan, who has been se+ riously ill with pneumonia, the result of grip, 1s able to be out again, to the grati- fication of his many friends. F. B. Thurber of New York, whose wife founded the American Conservatory of Music, is at the Riggs House. John C. Coombs, the prominent Boston lawyer, is at the Riggs House. Mr. Gasherie De Witt, who has for sev- eral years been manager of the Riggs House, will l¢ave for Portsmouth, N. H., next week, to take. the management of the Rockingham jknd the Wentworth Hotels, which are owhed by, ex-Congressman Frank Jones. bra al Capt. George A. Linn, corps of engineers, is in the city dn leaye of absence. Capt. A. Hy McCormick of the Norfolk navy yard is in the,city. Lieut. C. Hy,Lyman of the navy has re- ported at the Navy,Department for duty. A large delegation of members of the Daughters of’ the,; Revolution is at the Shoreham rym Atlanta, including Mrs. Porter King, Mrs. 8. J. Lowery and maid, Mrs. W. M. Dickson, Miss Julia Clarke, Miss Josephine Turner, Mrs. I. Y. Sage and Mrs. T. J. Simmons. They are the most prominent ladies itt Atlanta society. Dr. James Nydegger of the marine hospital servige is at the Shoreham. Mrs. 8. V, White, wife of “Deacon” White, the oklyn financier and poli- tician, is at the Shoreham. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Discoin and Miss Holdsworth, tourists from Sydney, Aus- tralia, are at the Shoreham. Director General George R. Davis of the world’s Columbian exposition is at the Ar- lington. Mrs. A. Howard Hinkle, wife of the‘editor of the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, and a Daughter of the Revolution of high stand- ing, is at the Arlington, accompanied by her @aughter. Mr. and Mrs. Park Painter and Mrs. J. B. McKnight, prominent in Pittsburg social circles, are at, the Arlington. George H. Bunn, appraiser at the port of New York, is at the Arlington. a Charles F. Kingsley, editor of the Buffalo Inquirer, is at the Raleigh. President G. M. P. King of Wayland Sem- inary has been called to Portland, Me., by the death of his sister, DISTRICT AFFAIRS Authorities Express Convictions Re- garding Lydecker Tunnel. WATER SUPPLY IN GRAVE DANGER Serious Famine Might Occur at Any Time. OTHER LOCAL MATTERS Se eee The completion of the. Lydecker tunnel is absolutely necessary to supply Washing- ton with water. This is the expression of the authorities, and they will urge with all the force at their command the passage of the McMillan bill, which has for its object this very thing. As a matter of fact, the condition of af- fairs regarding the water supply of the city was never as bad as it is today, and there is a deep concern on the part of the Commissioners over the matter. A com- parative statement made today by Capt. Burr demonstrates forcibly the absolute ne- cessity for relief of some sort. Briefly, it shows that the water pressure at the pres- ent time is a great deal less than it was last year during the blizzard, when citiztns kept their water pipes running all the time to prevent freezing. The pressure on the high levels, such, for instance, as the northwest and Capitol Hill, is less than it’ ever was before, and with the constant in- crease in population and the erection of new houses which call fof a water supply, the time is not far off (unless relief comes) when the water of the city will be shut off for certain hours during the day to prevent waste and consumption. Each new row of houses wants a water main, and no matter how low the pressure or meager the supply, a new water main must be laid. New houses are going up all the time, and the water supply is going down. With the completion of the Lydecker tun- nel, it is believed the supply will be ample to serve the citizens for ten years to come. ‘The great trouble has been and is now that while there was a sufficient quantity of water in the reservoirs, it has been im- possible, by reason of the paucity of water mains, to bring it into the city. It is «s- timated that 50,000,000 gallons of water flows into the reservoirs a day. The work of raising the dam, which is now in prog- Tess, and which it is believed will be com- pleted by next summer, will increase the supply from the river ‘at least 25,000,000 gallons; but the effect of that will scarcely be appreciated by the water takers of Washington. The water mains which bring the water into the city have not been in- creased, and at the present time the mains are taxed to their utmost capacity. And this suggests another danger. A danger that is easily within. the line of possibilities. A danger, which if it ever oc- curs under the present conditions, will make a water famine. The water which supplies Washington is carried from the Great Falls through a single aqueduc Should this waterway be damaged, the sup- ply would be at once cut off, and it would require at least ten days to repair the smallest damage. Meanwhile the tnrde days’ supply, which is all the reservoirs will hold, gives out, and the city is left without water. Such a condition is fearc n the completion of the Lydecker tun- nel will not materially help matters. ‘True, it will increase the storage capacity of the reservoirs by bringing’a new reservoir into service, but even then the supply wouid only be sufficient to last the city a¢week at the farthest. So it would seem to be the imperative duty of the government, the local authorities think, to build another aqueduct The grave importance of this matter was fully demonstrated several days ago, the facts being just made public. A suddea drop in pressure was noticed at thé pump house. It was so great that it caused a flurry in the water department, and sent a corps: of inspectors post haste along ,the Une of the aqueduct to learn the cause of the trouble. It was soon found. A_ big break was found in the conduit which surrounds the Dalecaria reservofr. Forta- nately, the conditions at this place are such that by turning the water into the eservoi ‘one end and taking it out at the other, no break in the water supply would be noticed. Gen. Meigs when he constructed the Dalecaria reservoir had this object. The supply was taken in at one end and drawn from the other, the water in the meantime having a chance to settle. Shortly after the reservoir was compleved, the Secretary of the Interior had built under his direction, in order that the reser- voir might be cleaned, a branch conduit running around the reservoir, which, by opening a valve would divert the water from the reservoir, around the same, keep- ing up the regular flow. It was while the reservoir was empty that the break cc- curred. ‘The banks relieved of the pressure of water, gave way, and the branch cov.- duit broke under the heavy strain. As soon as the inspectors saw the state of affairs they promptly turned off the water chroagh the conduit and filled the reservoir. Wash- ington was saved a water famine. Had this break occurred 100 feet away the story would have been different. New Bridge. The engineer department is about to begh the construction of a small iron girder bridge, to take the place of the small wood- en structure a short distance off the Ben- | ning road on the way to the Benning race track. A contract was awarded today to the Youngstown Bridge Company to fur- nish and deliver the superstructure of such a bridge, and the authorities are making every effort to have the bridge completed before the spring meeting of the Jockey Club. i Platting Land. The Commissioners today amended the orders regulating the platting and subdivision of land by inserting in Neu of paragraph 6 the following: “No land shall be subdivided into lots less than sixteen feet’ in width; provided that if after laying off a tract of land into lots it shall appear that there is a surplus of not less than twelve feet in width, such surplus may be given a number and included in the subdivision; provided further, that any ex- isting lot not less than twenty-four feet in width may be subdivided into two lots of equal width. “No land shall be subdivided into lots of less than fifty feet in depth, except when such lots abut on two public streets or upon a street and an alley. The building regulations were also amend- ed to agree with this paragraph. — cD THE BOOKS BUR) A Difference of Opinion Between Senator Morgan and Mr. Huntington. The hearing on the refunding of the Pa- cific railroad’s debt by the Senate commit- tee on Pacific raflroads continued today. Senator Morgan continued his inquiries concerning the destruction of the papers of the finance and contract company, the ex- amination resulting in some very sharp passages between Mr. Morgan and Mr. Huntington. Senator Morgan intimated that he believed the papers were burned for the purpose of destroying the proof of the individual liability of the stockholders, but Mr. Huntington insisted that tney had been destroyed for the purpose of cleaning out a room and because the business for which the company was organized was closed. The examiration was then turned into an inquiry as to the payment of the Contract and Finarce Company in the construction cf the Central Pacific and of the organiza- tion and cperation of the Weststn Develop- ment Company and the Pacific Improve- ment Company, composed largely by Cen- tral Pacific men, engaged in building other roads in Cslifornia. The questioning in this connection devel- oped that the Centrai Pacific organizers had built three other rcads in California connected with the Central Pacific, and had bought about twelve which had failed. Mr. Huntington said that the roads built had cost about $40,000 per mile, and the con- struction companies had been paid with bonds at this rate, which were issued by the Central Pacific Company —sa_— Gen. S. S. Yoder, Col. A. M. Clarke, Dr. J. R. Nevitt, Dr.'N. P. Barnes and Dr. Lewis J. Battle leave this afternoon for Southern Pines, N. £. AFFAIRS IN GEORGETOWN Dropped Dead From Heart Disease Caused by Fright. Row on the Strects—Local and Per- sonal Notes of General and Especial Interest. Mrs. Mary Boarman, the wife of Wm. Bearman, died lest evening about 12:30 o’clock of what is supposei to be heart disease. The true cause of her death is, however, attributed to fright over the an- ties of her son-in-law, Charles Burke, who was drunk and in a state bordering on delirium tremens. Burke lives in the north- east section, and his wife came over to spend a short time with her mother, bring- ing her children with her. The husband wanted her to return home yesterday, but she was afraid to bring the children out in the cold night air. Angered at this the husband, who has been drinking rather heavily of late, got on a jag, and came over to the home of his mother-in-law, at 3215 Prospect avenue. As soon as he en- tered the house he began to show the ef- fects of his drinking, and frightened all the inmates. Mr. Boarman and several friends, attracted to the house by the noise, attempted to eject the drunken man, and while ths struggle was on Mrs. Boarman fell to the floor. The struggle continued, while the ladies of the house endeavored to resuscitate. Mrs. Boarman. Policeman Sam Burrows responded to @ distress call and carried Burke to the sta- tion. AN the way up the street Burke shouted and shrieked and struggled, awak- ening residents all along the locality. At the station he endeavored to bite every- body, and it was seen that he was suffering from a bad attack of the jim-jams. Ali night tong he howled in the cell, until his vocal cords Were exhausted. Dr. A. B. Shekell was immediately sum- moned to the house, but by the time he ar- rived Mrs. Boarman was beyond all help. Dr. Shekell refused to give a certificate of death, though it was evident that heart trouble was the cause. The coroner was notified and will view the remains this evening. Mrs. Boarman was fifty-three years of age and leaves a large family of children. Her husband is employed at Oak Hill cemetery. Burke's condition was such this morning that he could not be sent to court to an- swer to the charge of drunk and disorderly. During the night he tore his clothes off and at daylight presented a pitiable sight. He was sent to the Washington Asylum for treatment. An Altercation. Last evening shertly after midnight a party of young men who had been to a masked dance at a private house got into an altercation at the corner of 33d and P streets over some trifling incident that oc- curred at the dance. One or two peovle were knocked down in attempting to at- tack Harry Baker. David A. Collins, jr., a bricklayer, one of the attacking party, drew a knife and cut Baker badly on the head, at the same time making a lunge at Charles Wills, who was with him. Col- lins was arrested about an hour later by Policeman Steinbraker, and two charges of assault placed against him. ‘Had a Razor. .. Thomas Burdick, a white man, was ar- rested near the Aqueduct bridge yesterday cn a simple charge of drunkenness, but when searched at the station a razor was found on him, giving room for an additional charge of carrying concealed weapons. When sober he claimed to be a resident of Northeast Washington, and that he brought the razor over to this section of the city to pe honed. He met several friends and drank a little too much. In the Police Court Judge. Miller believed his story and released the man on his personal bonds, at the same tine’ ordering the destruction of the razor. —— WORK FOR HUMANITY. The Washington Congregational Con- fere e Meets Todny. The regular meeting of the Washington eonference of Congregational churches was begun this morning in the First Congrega- tonal Church, 10th and G streets north- west. John B. Hess of Baltimore presided as moderator and Rev. Adam Reoch, the pas- ‘tbr of thé Tifth Church, this city, was the seribe. The roll call showed the following dele- gates to Rev. be present E. T. Root and § T. M. Bladenkoff. Second Baltimore, C. Hill; Canton, Rev. Augustus trict of Columbia—First Church, Rev. S. M. Newman, Prof. A. M. Skinner. Mrs. Wilbur Hawshurst: Piymouth, Miss 1 Joice; Rirth,,,Rev. Adam Reoch, L. Chap: People’s, Geo. E. Brown, Mrs. Laura A. Griffith, Chas. S. Piper. Falls. Church, Va.—Rey. J. UW. Jenkins. vy. W. Kinsley, A. C. Rorebeck, Mrs. W. W. Kinsley., + Herndon—Rev. J. K. Mason, D.D... W. D. Sweetser, H. R. Blanchard, Mrs. Ride- out. A committee to sclect a place for the next meeting was named by the moderator as follows: Rev. J. K. Mason, Mr. Hili and Rev. T. M. Beadenkoff. At 11 o'clock a home missionary meting as held, conducted by the Ladies’ Hom. Missionary Society of the First Church of this city. The moderator surrendered to Mrs. Piatt, the president of the society, the chair, Upon the adjournment of the m meeting, at 12 o'clock, the confers resumed its session, and Rev. Dr. made some announcements. The confer- ence adjourned for luncheon, which was served in one of the upper rooms of the church building. a jonary nee again ewman — BECOMES A PRINCESS. Marringe of Amelie Rives Chanier at Castle Hill. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Fébruary 18. —Amelie Rives Chanler and Prince Plerre Troubetzkoy, a Russian nobleman, were married at 3 o'clock this afternoon at “Castle Hill,” the home of Col. Alfred Rives, her father. Paul L. Menzel, D.D., of Richmond, a southern clergyman, per- formed the ceremony. It was witnessed only by members of the family, Miss Julia Magruder, the authoress, and Allen Potts of Richmond. The couple remain here for some time, and afterward will take a trip abroad. They will live in London, the home of Prince Troubetzkoy. The bride was divorced last Octol from John Armstrong Chanler of New York, to whom she was married in 1888, while at the height of her Nterary fame. ee Grain and Cotton Markets. Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., 1421 F street, members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. Ladenburg, Thal- mann & Co., New York. GRAD Wheat—May Corto: Open. High. a + Baltimore Markets. RALTIMORE, February _18.—Flour changed—receipts, 12,499 Larrels barrels, Wh 73% bid: May, 72i4a72%,—reccipts, 700 bushels: 5 141,504 bushels—scuthern wheat by sample, T5a7G; do. on grade, 71%4u74%s. Corn stend and month, 331,a33%; March, S3'4938% Sia Mag uous stcamer “ming, ipts, 102292 bushels; shipments, 224,151 (eck, 1,556,839 bushels—southern ‘white and yellow ee ae shipments, 51,729 it duit and firm—spot and ‘month, un- corn, 33834. Oats steady—No. 2 white western, . 2 mixed do., 264a27—receipts, 18,491 3 shipments, 200 bushels; stock, 46,968 bush- e steady—No. 2, 44a45 nearby; 47u48 west- ipts, 750 bushels; stock, 8,585 bushels. steady—choice timothy, $16.00 asked. Grain hts very flat, unchanged. ern—rec Hi changed. Butter steady, unchanged. fresh, 13%; cold ‘storage and Thad, 10° Checoe Steady, unchanged. Whisky unchanged. FINANCE AND TRADE Modetate Buying of Stocks for Lon- don Account. DULLNESS «MARKS = SPECULATION Good Effect of the Reports of Railway Earnings. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The’ Evening Star. W YORK, February 18.—Moderate buy- ing for London account and higher prices at that center for the more active inter- national issues resulted in a strong open- ing level on this side this morning. There was no evidence of any increase in pub- lic interest, however, and dullness was, at times, unusually pronounced. The aggres- siveness of the believers in higher prices is less ,marked Utan heretofore, but beyond a well-distributed desire for a reaction thera is no change in speculative sentiment. The tendency of the market, in spite of 1ts narrowness, 1s almost uniformly admit- ted to be in the direction of improvement. In view of the unanimity of this belief, it is possible that a slight set-back in values jrould resutt in establishing @ broader rar- et. The various reports of earnings submitted during the day were in the main encourag- ing, and inspired moderate purchases of the properties to which they were applicable. St. Paul's latest weekly increase swells the toial since last July to upward of $4,000,000, and adds color to the increased dividend rumors now in circulation. The foreign buy- ing-of the stock was fairly good, and traders added moderately to present holdings. The fact that large blocks of the stock were accumulated at much lower prices hfs at times inspired caution among room opera- tors, as indications of a partial liquidation of such holdings were thought to have been detected on several occasions. These sales were readily absorbed by in- terests equally as- strong and have noi since been offered. Northwest is making pid improvement in its earnings and Bur- Ungton fs believed to be upon the verge of increased prosperity. The Granger group is consequently most likely to attract pur- chases at any material concessions from the present level. Miesour! Pacific sold down ‘under further sales similar in character to those noted last week, and on the same vague intima- tions of inside disagreements. Sugar opened strong, but was unable to retain the subsequent fractional improve- ment over 116, the fnitial price. An ad- vance in raw sugars was relied upon co feree a similar advance in the refined product, but for some reason was post- poned, posstbly until tomorrow. The be.ief in ultimately higher prices for this property has pot abated in the slizht- est degree, but some sales of tong stock have been made in the belief that a reac. tion Is clearly due. The manipulative in- terest may permit such re-purchases or it may not, consequently cautious trading is likely to mark the transactions cf the next few days, The market for foreign exchange was dull and void of feature. Bankers report only a Imited ingujry,and a supply of accom- n:odations fully equal to the demand. Call meney rates are rot materially chang=d4 irom yesterday, and are marked by the same indications of working closer. —____ AL AND COMMERICIAL, FIN. The following are the opening, the highest and the lowest and the closing prices of tie New York stock market today, as reported by Corson & Macartney, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broadway. Low. Last. m5 Open, American Sugar. 6 American Su American T: 00. American Cotton Oi. Atchison. Canada Southern. Canada Pacific. Chesapeake & c..C., C. & § 115K co Den. & R. Grande, Pfd. Dis. & Caitle Feeding General Electric. Alinois Central. Lake Shore. Erie. Louikvilie & Nashvilie Long Island Traction. Metropolitan Traction Manhattan Elevated. Michigan Central. Missouri Pactfic. National Lead Go. National Lead Co U. 8. Leather, Pt New Jersey Gent New York Centra NY.& Northera Pacific, North American. Ont. & Western. Pacific Mail Phila. & Reading. Pullman al. Car Go. Southern Railway, Pfd. ‘Traction, ‘exas Pacific. denn. Coai & Iron. Luion Pacitic Watash Wabash, Pra Wheeling & L. Erie Wheeling & L- Erie, Pid Western Union Tel. Wisconsin Stiver..... —12 o'clock m.—Colambia Rail- Mw) at 113%: $1000 at 118! $2,000 at 11346-81000 at 1131 $1,000 at 11: $1,000 atl13 $1,500 at 1 American 4 5 Sat 145. Capiial Traction, 17 at 26 at 73%; 30 at Chesapeake an Telephone, 20 at 53; 20 at Tq; 10 at Electric Light, 10 at 125; 2 "at 10 at 125%; 10 at 125%, Riges Fire Insurance, raphophone, 100 at 4%: 100 at 200 at 4%. Mergenthaler Lino- 10 at 110; 10 at 110. Lanston Mouo- 50 at’ Tq: 100 at Government Bonds.—U. 110 asked. U. 1925, “Ts 4s, registered, 109 bid, S. 48, coupon, 109% bid, 111 asked. U. 8. bs, bid, 117 asked. asked. ir fund Gs, gold, 108 bid. , 1901, currency, 110 currency, 113 Iga, registered, 2 iscellancous Bonds.—Metropolitan Railroad 5 vid. Metropolitan Railroad conv. 113% asked. Belt Railroad sked.. | Eokington Railzoad 6s, 08 olumbia Railroad 6s, 11 a. Washington Gas Company 11249 asked. We Chesapeake and rho, 10 asked. American Se: rust ‘Ss, id A., 100 Lid, 104 asked. An Security and Trust’ Ss, A. ‘and O., 100 bid, asked.“ Washington Market Company Ist @s, ‘1 Vid. “Washington Market Company ‘imp. 6s, Did. Washington Market Company Wid. Masonic Hall Association i ry Ist is, 99 1 N Bank md. Bank of th letropolitan, 281 bid, E Farmers and Mechanics’, 1 ond, 185 Did, 129° ask 130 "bid, 13 pital, 116 ad, 106% bid, 10714 bid. Traders’, 99 LV 2 asked. Lincoln, 95 bid, 109 asked. ‘Ohio, fe Deposit and Trust Compantes.—National Safe osit and Trust, 127 asked. Washington Loa. ‘Trust, 1 % asked. Americzn Deposit Railroad bid, 7356 a Belt, Georgetor Franklin, 39 bid, i Corcoran, 52 bid. Potomac, 65 bid. Arlin 142 bid, asked. German-American, 145, National Union, 10% bid, 13 asked. Columbia, bid, Jt asked.” Riggs, 8 bid, 84 asked. People's, 5M Ba, 5% asked. “Lincoln, 7% bid, 8% asked. Commercial, 4% bid. Title Insurance Stocks.—Real Estate Title, 107 bid, 114 asked. Columbia Title. 6% bid, 74 asked, District Title, 7% bid, 12 asked. Metropolitan, ‘Telephone Stocks.—1 Ivania. 40 bil. 50 asked. Chesapeake and Potomac, 53 bid, 58% apd. Amer- 4% bid, 4% asked. Pueumatic Gun ag 20 bid, .25 ‘asked. Miscellaneous | Stocks.—Mergenthaler Linotype fold), 220 bid, 250 asked. Mergenthaler Linotype tnew), 109 bid, 115 asked. Lanston Monotype, 7 bid, & asked. ashiogton Market, 18% bid. Great eee pe asked. ‘Lincoln Hall, 90