Evening Star Newspaper, April 11, 1896, Page 1

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THE EVENING -STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, Evening Star {s served to subscribers in the it 10 cents er wecky or dt cents por’ mumth. Gopice at the yy wall—auywbere in the prepald—80 cents per month. ‘Saturday Sheet Star, $1 per year, with eign Dosteee died. oO, at Port Odes at Washingtoa, D.C. the ‘as second-class mail matter.) [All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. Star. No. 13,450. 1896—TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. TWO CENTS. DISMISSED PRINTERS How Givil Service is Administered at the Government Office. SENATE COMMITTEE'S INVESTIGATION Differences Between Mr. Benedict and the Commissioners. THE TESTIMONY TAKEN The matter cf the dismissal from the government printing office of thirty-six em- ployes who were on the temporary roll August J lest, when that office was placed under the operations of the civil service law, was thoroughly ventilated this morn- ing in @ hearing on the question before the Senate committee on civil service and re- trenchment, in accordance with a resolu- tion of the-Senate recently adopted. In the absence of Chairman Pritchard, Senator Lodge presided, and with him sat Senators Walthall, Dubois and Chilton. The first one to be beard was Mr. Theodore Hodes, one of the thirty-six employes, who read a Jong statement of the case, detailing the ¥arious conversations between himself and Mr. Buckland, who was associate with him in the effort to secure reinstatement for these employes, and the civil service commissicn, through which the question of thetr eligibility fer retention in the classi- fied service was submitted before the Ist of August, What Buckland and Hodes Allege. The gist of the statement of Mr. Hodes and that of Mr. Buckland, which followed, Was that the civil service commission ruled that they were entitled to classification if they Mould be employed in the office on the Ist of August and that the public printer erred in not sending their names to the commission in the list submitted by him in accordanee with the law governing the ex- tension of the civil service. The various members of the commission, it appeared, had endeavored to use all means within their power to bring Mr. Benedict around to this way of thinking, but utierly failed to do so, and it was impossible to secure an audience with him. According to Mr. Buckland a member of Congress, after hav- ing first ascertained from President Proc- tor of the commission that, in his opinion, the thirty-six employes were eligible, called on Mr. Benedict and asked for Mr. Buck- E + reinstatement, with the result that Benedict replied: don’t care what wet nurses say; Buckland is not eligible.” Mr. Benedict's Statement. After these statemerts had been read the Public printer addressed the committee at some length, and Stated his side of the case. He took the pesition that the tempo- rary employes are rot eligible for classifi- cation, and to maintain this contention he indicated the various differences in the law and the administration of the office between the regular and the temporary employes, the former having the right of leave of absence, pay on holidays, a place in the biennial blue book, and various other privileges not enjoyed by the tem- yes. He detailed the circum- ading up to the employment in June last of nearly two hundred extras, in- cluding the thirty-six persons under con- sideration. These people were transferred in July to other work, and so were re- tained until the Ist of August. Mr. Benedict disclaimed any personal feeeling against Messrs. Hodes and Buck- land, or others in the same position, and denied that they had been dropped as tem- porary employes because of their corre- spendence with the civil service commis- sion. Senator Lodge's Questions. It was at this peint that Senator Lodge interrupted Mr. Benedict's flow of lan- guege to ask him a most important ques- tion. He read from the President's or- der extending the civil service law to the government printing office this definition of those entitled to classification: “All per- sons employed in the office (on ihe Ist of August), except those appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Sen- aie, and all unskilled laborers.” “These men fail under that classification, do they not?" asked Mr. Lodge. ‘hey do rot,” answered Mr. Benedict. cnder which exception do they fall?” asked Mr. Lodge. Mr. Benedict undertook to answer by re- ferring to the various statutes relating to the leaves of absence and other privileges granted to regular men, but Mr. Lodge was not satisfied with that explanation, and read further from the order in relation to the temporary employment of men after August 1, which, as he sail, seemed io place such employes entirely under the View of the civil service commission. ‘The Ixsue Defined. It was then that the issue was clearly defined. Mr. Benedict took the ground em- phatically that he, and he alone, had the right to decide as to who should fall under the classification rule, and that this was not within the power of the civil service commission. Mr. Lodge did not share this cpinion. There was some question raised as to just how far the civil service com- mission had called upon Mr. Benedict for names, but the only clear fact that re- mained apparent was that Mr. Benedict had interpreted the law himself; had paid no attention to the protests of the com- mission in the case of these men, believ- ing that the commission had acted on misinformation, and had ignored the com- mission entirely in the matter of its ruling on the eligibility of the temporary em- ployes who were in the office August 1. Mr. Benedict protested that he was an:1'| is anxious to administer the civil service iaw both in spirit and in letter. Commissioner Procter’s Testimony. Civil Service Commissioner Procter was the next witness, who said that the differ- ence between the commission and Mr. Ben- ed'ct was very much a matter of the inter- pretation of language. If the public printer had stated at the outset that he did not Want to appoint any one on the temporary cll without an examination the commission would probably have sustained him, but he made the mistake, belleving that he had the sole power of decision as to eligibility, whereas it is the universal custom to leave such matters to the commission. The commission had held that every per- son employed in the office August 1 should be eligible without ap examination. He and his colleagues felt an interest in the case of these men because they had advised them that they need not take an examination, and they were concerned lest the men should suffer on account of that advice. A Breesy Colloquy. At the conclusion of Mr. Procter’s testi- mony Mr. Benedict stated that the an- nouncement of the commission's power and of its ruling was practically all new to him; he knew of no law to govern the commis- sion, and ffo law had been quoted. There was a breezy colloquy between Mr. Benedict and Mr. Bucklaad on the charge preferred by Mr. Benedict that Buckland and Hodes had tried to persuade the other thirty-four employes not to take an examination subsequently. Some of them did take the examination, and were appointed. vein diavate eae teoee non tena vel ute was in prospect when- = tor Lodge interrupted and restored. order. How the Trouble Could Have Been Avoided. Just before the hearing closed Commis- sioner Harlow of the c‘vil service commis- sion expressed the belief that if Mr. Bene- dict had come. to the office of. the commis- sion when he was invited to do so, the en- tire misunderstanding would have been avoided, and all of this unpleasantness would have been prevented by a mutual understanding. Mr. Benedict retorted that he never had ‘the opportunity to meet the commission, having only been invited once, when he fas entirely too busy to accept. Mr. Proc- ter, however, said, as the meeting broke up, that Mr. Benedict bad been invited sev- eral times. = The committee will now take the matter under consideration, and will report to the Senate it8 conclusions in the premises. THAT WOODEN ROOF What the Supervising Architect Has to : Say About It. While the Plan is Not His, He Heartily Favors What in Now Being Done. Supervising Architect Aiken of the Treas- ury Department said to a Star reporter today that he had no excuses to offer for the character of the roof of the Washing- ton city post office. The building, including the roof, he said, was designed by Mr. Ed- brooke, his predecessor, an architect of experience and ability, and the work is be- ing carried on in strict accordance with the terms of the contract made by that gentle- man. Mr. Aiken expressed the opinion that the roof now under construction Is the best that could have been selected for the pur- Pose, and said he was perfectly willing to submit the question to the unbiased judg- ment of a representative of the Senate, a Representative of the House, a representa- tive of the Star and a representative of the local board of fire underwriters. The same form of roof construction, he said, had been successfully employed in many other large buildings having mansard rcofs, and has always been regarded as safe and proper. Mr. Edward Atkinson, a recognized authority in architecture, has advocated its use over and over again. Consequently Mr. Edbrooke designed it with his eyes open, and Mr. Aiken said that he has never seen any good reason to deviate from the original plans with re- spect thereto. The wood work is protected by heavy felt, metal and slate. The roof of the public building at Charles- ton, S. C., his own home, Mr. Alken ob- served, is of slate and iron construction arfd moves in waves whenever a northeast wind prevails, requiring frequent repairs. Terra cotta could not be used on thé’ Washington building because of its peculiar construc- tion, and even If he could substitute another material Mr. Aiken said he would prefer the existing roof for the reason, that it is more weather proof and not so cold in win- ter nor so warm in summer. The use of terra cotta for the roof would also necessi- tate a strengthening of the fron construc- tion of the building and would add to the expense in other ways. Mr. Aitken said that the contract called for a slate roof, and to his mind it would be a folly to change it. The building was being erected by direction of Congress, and if that body desires any changes made, of course its wishes will be respected. He re- gretted, however, that he had not heen call- ed upon for information on the subject be- fore a @etermination was . reached to change the plans. Mr. Aitken said that it was not altogether business-like, howeve! to stop the work now in progcess, and or- der a change of plans without makipg any provision whatever to meet the additional expenses that would be entailed by the exe- cutiva of the resolution pending in Con- gress. The adoption of the resolution, he said, would, of course, add to the time and expense of completing the building, and the contractor would undouptedly have to be paid for the work already performed. The workmen engaged on the roof also would be thrown out of employment urtil new plans are made and arrangéments concluded for a renewal of the work. Work to Be Suspended. Mr. Aitken said he had no personal interest in the matter, and he was entirely willing to miake the roof of any character Congress desired. Inasmuch as it seemed that a ckange is to be made he did not consider it wise to continue work on the present structure any longer. He had therefore recommended a suspension of work on the roof pending the aciion of Congress, and he expected that Secre-ary Carlisle would so order Monday morning. —— —————-e. SPEAKER REED'S ACTION. Going Outside the Unwritten Law as to the Free Library Conferees. “The criticism in The Star in respect of the very extraordinary action of Speaker Reed in going outside of the District com- mittee in selecting conferees on the free library bill, is fully justified, and is, as The Star says, ‘an unusual procedure,’ ” said a prominent republican Serator of long service in the House to a Star re- porter. “There are no rules governing the mat- ter—Congreas being without joint rules—but the ‘unwritten law,’ which governs in such cases as fully as though it were a specific Tule, required the appointment of members of the District committee. “Mr. Powers of Vermont had no such parliamentary or legislative connection with the bill as justified his selection as conferee, and his appointment is construed by some as the indication of a purpose of Speaker Reed to defeat the bill unless the House amendment be retained, that is denied by other friends of the bill, who insist that the Speaker really favors the Senate bill. The established practice of the House is to Instruct its conferees on particular items and not to slight the committee In charge of the measure.” It is pointed out that a majority of House conferees favoring the House amendment could have been secured without slighting the District committee by appointing upon the confererce committee Messrs. Babcock an¢ Milnes, republiéans, and Mr. Abbott, democrat. This appointment would also.| have given the democrats, who voted five to one against the Senate proposition, - representation upon the conference commit- tee. The present committee is made up entirely of republicans, though the republi- cans of the House who voted favored by a large majority the Senate Dill, and reces- sion by the House from its amendment. ———_—-o+____ Secretary Herbert's Return. cretary Herbert returned to Washing- k on this morning from Fort. Monroe, where he has spent the past week inspecting the vessels of the North Atlantic squadron. The Secretary visited every vessel of the fleet, watehed the drills of the sailors, and reviewed. the blue jackets and marines when parties came ashore on the reservation. He found that the greatest benefit had been derived from ‘the assem- bling of the vessels in the squadron, and the spirit of emulation growitig out of the competitive drills that have been going on. « ‘The Doilphin’s Return. Hampton Roads last evening from_a sur- veying cruise to Honduras. She‘ will- be ordered to the Norfolk navy yard overhauled for her summer cruise mestic_waters. 2 constantly |- MISREPRESENTATIVE POWERS of Vermont (addressing workingmen, school teachers and school petitioning for a free library): principled jobbers!” “Go away! Gei out of my presence instantly! THE SOUTH A FACTOR That Section to Play an Important Part in Both Conventions. PLAN OF THE ANTI-WRINLEY MEN The Condition of the Democrats Wiil Be Reversed. THE SOUTH’3 PROPOSITION The south seems likely to be a most in- teresting factor both at St. Louis and at Chicago. Her votes are being counted on to control both presidential nominations. But there will be a fight made on the pro- gram in both conventions. To Stampede the Soathern Support. At St. Louis the anti-McKinley men will endeavor to stampede the Ohio cardidate’s southern support. They think this possi- ble, and will bend all their energies to ac- complish it. Mr. Sherman when a candi- date was twice seriously crippled in that Way, and the opponents of Mr. McKinley think the maneuver can again be success- fully executed. If they can secure a num- ber of delegates in that way, and add them to their number in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere, a pro- tracted fight in the convention, which is their hope of defeating Mr. McKinley, may be inaugurated. What the McKinley Men Will Do. But in that event the McKinley men will demand an examination of the poll, to show what their favorite’s electcral-vote sirength is as compared with that of the opposition. They will insist that his support comes in the main from states giving repubiican ma- jorities at the polls, and hence with every right to be heard in the convention as to the candidate. They will take the ground that a nomination made by the casting votes of states reliably democratic and al- most certain to reject the ticket at the polls would not only be bad policy, but perilous policy. Put up the man, they will irsist, on whom the good republican strong- holds look with the most pronounced favor, and for whose nomination they are record- ing themeelves in the convention. The Reverse Condition at Chicago. At Chicago the boot will be on the other leg. The south will appear there as the section having the best right to speak. She will point to her record, and to the fact that democratic success without her would not be possible in any circumstances. In the circumstances which will then exist she wil! claim to be the only section where democracy may be said to be surely alive. ‘The ticket and the platform therefore must be made acceptable to her. She will not urge any candidate from her own borders. The man may come from elsewhere; but he must be such ap one, and placed upon such a platform, as will insure him the hearty support of the section to which he will have to look for so large a portion of any support he may get. _ The Southern Proposition. The southern men consider this an alto- gether fair proposition founded’ upon an unanswerable argument. Why, they ask, should a ticket and a platform be made to suit the wishes of the Young Men's Democratic Club of Boston, or the cham- ber of commerce of New York, when both Massachusetts and New York—the former certainly—will cut no figure in- the demo- cratic column next November? On_ the other hand, why ehould not the candidate and the platform be made to meet the wishes of. those. states which for years bs borne the heat. and burden of the day,” and which hold out at present the only hope to an almost demoralized or- ganization? Their Proposition Will Be Resisted. But, fair as the southern men think it is, their proposition will be resisted. The sound money democrats of the east know what. it means, and they are preparing to defeat it if they can. They will endeavor both to write the platform and to name the candidate, and in order to do so they will put without hesitation the-whole republican east against the whole democratic south and take the consequences at the ‘polls. They feel assured that the south will-not- bolt, and, so belleving, théy will press flieir: program as far as they may find them- selves with the power to press it, COL. MARTIN SELECTED. ‘Will Be Sergennt-at-Arms of the Chi- cago Convention. CHICAGO, April 11.—Col. J. Martin of St. Louis will be the sergeant-at-arms of the democratic national convention. His selec- tion was made this morning by Chairman Harrity and his colleagues of the democratic national committee. = Col. Martin ts a well-known politician, and. very popular in St. Louis democratic cir- : —— Swimming Contests ut Athens. ATHENS, April 11.—In the swimming con- tests of the Olympic games today the 100 meters race was easily won by Hajos of Buda Pesth, who defeated over twenty com- petitors. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT| TURKEY BROKE FAITH Congress Expacts to Close Up Its Busi- ness Eatly in May. Plans ax to the Dixposition of the Ap- propriation Billy—An Understand- ing Between Manngers. An early adjournment of Congress is re~ warded by tte repubijtan managers as of considerable political, importance. Their expectation is that the adjournment will occur at even an earlier date than that commonly suggested. There is believel to be an understanding hetween the managers of the House and the Benate appropriations committees that as sdon as matters get in shape so that it mey-be done the business shall be closed out suddenly “and an ad- journment be had. They think this may be brought abont before the 34th of May, since both Mr. Allison, who is chairman of the Senate appropriations committee, and Speaker Reed desire “it. ‘The ways and means committee is ready to bring an ad- jourament resolutfon, whenever the signal is received from the appropriation commit- tees. Some Apprehension. There is some apprehersion that too great a display of eagerness to this end might lead to scme obstructicns being thrown in the way by the Gemocrats and by a num- Ler of others who are disappointed in not securing certain legislation in which they are interested. There is a general belief that the flood of conference reports on ap- propriation bills returning front the Sen- ate would follow immediately on the heels ef the last hill to pass the House, without allowing any intervening time for other matters, and thus might result in delays through the Insistence’upon the considera- tion of other measures before the remain- ing appropriation biils are taken up. For this reason it is vaguely suggested that they may be able to get away by the first of June, and mearwhile the appropriation bills are Leing piléd in, one after the gther, in rapid succession, The Manngers’ The intention is ta take up the fortifica- tion bill, which wag reported today, at once, and to have the general deficiency ready for consideration as soon as that is dis- Posed of. Then will come the backward flow of conference reports. An effort is being made to secure consideration of the Pacific railroad funding bill between times, but that measure will provoke a lively dis- cussion when considered, and there are political reasons for postponing it until next session. The bankruptcy bill is in about the same situation, except that the reasons for letting. it go over are not quite so strong. Both the $peaker and Senator Al- lison, who more thaf& any others have it in their power to bring:@bout an adjournment, want. the: -work of Congress closed up as speedily as possible. They want to make a record for rapid- disposition of-routine busi- ness, to cut off the pogsibility of indiscrimi- nate legislation, an@-to get their friends out into the canvass. Mr. Reed Hampered. Mr. Reeds friends feel that he has been greatly hampered in his canvass ‘for the presidential nomination by reason of his having to accept! responsibility “for the House during thd present Congress, and that this handicap will be lifted to a con- siderable exten$-@s\s0on as Congress ‘ail- journs, particulk if they can point to the session as thé sHortest in the present generation. zt ‘ The time mentioné@ amcng the leaders to be atmed at fcr adjquenment is between the 2d and 10th of May, If obstructions are not thrown in their way, they can probably make it within tat-dime. Intention. The Katahdih Suecessful Trial. ! The Secretary of the Navy today received the report of the rd “of inspection upon thé result of the tat bad of the ram Ka- tahdin this week. jA¢pokding to the report the engines, ‘boildré and auxiliary machin- ery performed $atisfastorily throughout the run, and the guns, gin mounts, fittings, etc.; worked prop&ly. *The total average speed for the fo¥re hours of the run was 12.75 knots. Forced:@raft was’ used for one Hour in each direetion, and the Eighest run- ning speed for one hour was 14.15 knots. During the trial the ship was very steady, her pitching and régjing Being scarcely per- ceptible. She steered wildly at times, due to a great extent t#tke Inexperience of the helmsman. She carried a heavy bow wave when steamiihg at“any considerable speed, necessitating the closing of the battle hatches. With the wind ahead or on the bow a heavy spray was thrown on the bridge. In the opinion of the board, with the exception of several minor defects. in construction, whick can be éasily remedied, Sthe ship ifs well -built and sufictently strong, and. the,hull, fittings, equipment, ines, bolfers igid Apparatus have hotvexs e re or breaking ‘than that due SALISBURY, Matabeleland, April 11—Mr. Cecil Rhodes, formerly premier of Cape Colony, who has been: suffering from fever here for some days past, ts now much better. He proposes to march to Buluwayo with the column of troopg intended for the rélief of that place. 5 es ‘i Ny | i children, who are You are a set of miserable lobbyists and un- + - —_ Her Promises Not Kept in Mission- ary Knapp’s Case. + BRNTISH VICE CONSUL INTERFERES Prevented the American’s Expul- sion Some Time Ago. ee ee eee MOVES DIRECTED BY RUSSIA CONSTANTINOPLE, April 11.—Although the Turkish government has officialiy an- nounced that the missionaries in Asia Min- cr will rot be expelled so long as they “comply with the laws,” it becomes more and more apparent, as facts leak out, that the Rev. George P. Knapp, one of the American missicraries at Bitlis, has been expelled, in spite of the understanding in his case arrived at tetween United States Minister Terrell nd the Turkish govern- ment, after it had proposed to try Mr. Knapp on the charge of inciting Armenians to revolt against the government. - Almost dally negotiations on the subject take place between the United States charge d'affaires, Mr. Riddle, and the Turk- ish minister for foreign affairs, but the matter fs still unsettled and seems to be as- suming a graver aspect as time passes. The Turkish government, however, has not made any official statement regarding the part taken in the affair by the local au- thorities of Bitlis, although the official note has een issued denying that Mr. Knapp is imprisoned at Diarbekir. Verbal cxplanations, hcwever, have been forthcoming from the porte, but the friends of the missionaries do not consider these explanations to be in any way satisfactory. Besides, it is stated today on good au- thority that the local officials of Bitlis re- celved an order some time ago from a high quarter to expel Mr. Knapp, and it is add- ed that it is highly probable that an order would have been carried out long before the missionary was compelled to leave nis post had it rot be2n for the arrival at Moosh of the British vice consul, Mr. Hamson. The latter interested himself in the case of the missionary, examined into the charges brought against him, pronounced them to he entirely groundless, and so in- formed the United States minister, who thereupcn insisted that Mr. Knapp should be tried in his presence at Constantinople. Eventually it was agreed between the Turk- ish government and Mr. Terrell that Mr. Knapp should leave Bitlis “when the state of the roads permitted, or about the end of April.” The missionary, however, the authorities of Bitlis to leave his post kefore April 1, when the roads were so bad that his family were unable to accom- pany him. He is now reported to be at or near Alexandretta, and it is further ted that the United States minister was rt informed, as it was agreed that he should be, of the expulsion of the Ameri- can missionary from Bitlis. The missionaries place little faith in the assurances of the porte that it is not in- tended to expel them from Asia Minor. Some pretext for their expulsion, they be- lieve, will be found whenever ‘the porte deems it necessary. Such a charge as con- spiring against the government is easily nade and can be established to the satis- faction of a Turkish official looking for an opportunity to condemn a Christian. The future of the missionaries depends upon Russia, and {it is upon that govern- ment, not the Turkish, that influence should be brought to bear in order to pro- tect the lives and property of the mission- aries. The sultan is little more than a Puppet in the hands of the czar, and it is to the latter that the governments of the missionaries must turn in this emergency. But will the czar renounce his intention to Russlanize Asia Minor? That is a question which the missionaries are now. anxiously asking themselve: was forced by : ———___ BURNED BY THE. CUBANS. Machinery Houses and Sugar Cane Worth Thousands, HAVANA, April 11.—The insurgents have burned the splendid machinery houses of the central plantations of Diana and Bar- ber, near Moralito, the approximate loss being $1,200,000. * The insurgents have also burned 90,000 tons of cane on the plantation of Sania Gertrudis belonging to Antonio Gonzalez Mendoza. eee A CONTEST IN LOUISVILLE. Two Sets of Delegates to the st. Loufis Convention, LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 11.—There will be two sets of delegates from Louisville and Jefferson county to the state republi- n convention, which meets here April 15, @ tO sets of delegates claiming to repre- sent the fifth congre. onal district will de- mand admittance to the national conyen- tion at St. Louis. This is the result of the attempt to hold the district convention in this city last night. The fight began when the report of the committee on. credentials was submit- ted. The Bradley men protested that the anti-Bradley majority which appeared on the face of the returns from Monday's primaries was obtained by counting figures from wards in which no primaries were beld. The anti-Bradley men, under the leader- ship of.Mayor Todd, who is avowedly for McKinley, had the organization, and the outcome of the.dispute was the withdrawal of the Bradley men, who went in a body to a hall in another part of the city and pro- ceeded to. hold a convention of their own. Both conventions were in session until long after midnight. The Todd convention elected Mayor Todd and C. E. Sapp, .state president of the A. P. A. as delegates to the St. Louw con- vention. It also renominated Congressman Walter Evans. There is said to be some doubt as to whether or not Sapp will ac- cept, as’ he was not present in the con- vention, and many of his friends were among the bolters.. These delegates were instructed for McKinley. The bolting delegates held their conven- tion at Beck's Hall. ‘They elected E. J. Knoefel and J. W. Reeder as 4elegates to St. Louis, without instructions. Resolu- tions indorsing Governor Bradley were adopted. ———_———___ IN THE HOUSE TODAY Only One Branch of the National Legisla- ture in Session. The Time Occupied in a Discussion of the Bill as to Filled Cheese. The House was the only branch of Con- gress In sesston today. Before the debate on the filled cheese bill was resumed a resolution was adopted directing the Sec- retary of War to furnish a plan and esti- mate for the improvement of the Nebraska side of the Missouri river opposite Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Cannon’s Amenément. When the filled cheese bill was taken up for amendment under the five-minute rule Mr. Cannon (IL) offered an amendment to reduce the annual license to be paid by the manufacturer of filled cheese from $100 to $100. Mr. Grosvenor, in charge of the measure, although appealed to, refused to accept the amendment. He thought the manufacturer could easily pay $4”). With regard to the tax to be paid by the retail dealer (4), he admitted that perhaps some concession should be made. Mr. Cannon, in support of his amen ment, said that while this was ostensibly a bill to raise revenue, its real purpose was to prevent the sale of a bogus cheese in competition with the genuine dairy product. Mr. Terry’s Substitute. Mr. Terry (Ark.) offered as a substitute for the whole measure a iil providing that every manufacturer of articles intended for interstate commerce who shall cell cr ship low-grade goods, pretending by their brands to be a higher grade, shall be guilty of a fraud and liable to a fine of $1,000. Mr. Terry said that the ostensible object of the pending bill was to prevent fraudulent practices. Complaints were constantly made that inferior merchandise of all kinds was being palmed off on the public. If the other side was sincere, he said, and did rot desire to crush a single industry, this sub- stjtute would be adopted. The substitute was declared pending, the vote to be taken at the ‘conclusion of the consideration of the original bill. Mr. Dingley Favored the Bill. Mr. Dingley, chairman of the ways and means committee, speaking to the aménd- ment, made an argument in favor of the bill, This proposed legislation, like the @eomergarine law, he said, was excep- tional. It proposed to invoke the taxing power to accomplish an object that proper- ly came within the police. powers of the states. It could only be justified on ex- ceptional grounds. owing interest—the farming interest—was being seriously interfered with by an ille- gitimate product. Were it possible to se- cure uniform state legislation he would not favor this legislation, but in view of the great interest involved in the overshadow- ing neceseity of protecting the property rights of the farmers, he believed it should be passed. Mr. Dingley, hcwever, favored a reduc- tion of the proposed tax on retail dealers. Mr. McMillin (Tern.) argued as a practi- cal question that such a law as this could be rore easily and completely enforced with lower taxes. He recalled that state- ment cf the commissioner of internal reve- nue before the ways and means committee that the special es of the oleomargarine law were too high. Amendment Voted Down. Mr. Tawney (Minn.) said the pending amendment came very properly from Illi- nois, which test year produced 15,000,000 pounds of “filled cheese.” After some fur- ther remarks by Mr. Northway against and Mr. Hopkins in favor, the Cannon amend- ment was voted down; 38—76. Mr. Cannon then moved to reduce the tax on wholesale dealers from $250 to $0. This amendment was also lest on a viva voce vote. Compromise as to Retail Dealers. Mr. Grosvenor offered an amendment to reduce the tax on retail dealers from $10 to $24. Mr, Cannon moved to reduce the tax to $10. He maintained that every purpose sought would be subserved by a $10 tax. Mr. Grosvenor finally agreed to a cum- promise of $12, which was adopted. os EX-CONSUL WALLER COMES. He Snys His Treatment While a Pris- ener Was Inhum: NEW YORK, April 11.—John L. Wailer, late United States consul at Tamatave, Madagascar, was a passenger by the steamer New York, which arrived today from Southamptcn. He stated to a re- porter at quarantine that he was re- leased fran prison in France February 20, exactly eleven months from the time he was sentenced at Madagascar. Mr. Waller declined to discuss his case at length, but said that he felt confident of ultimate justification. He inquired anxious- ly as to the health of, his wife and family, who have been at Baltimore for the past tv.o months. Mr. Waller said that while on the guardship at Madagascar and dur- ing the passage to France his treatment was simply inhuman, but that at the prisons where he was confined in France his lot was no worse than that of the or- cinary prisoners. The food served lacked nutriment, and he was cbliged to purchase supplies outside, a concession granted by the prison authorities, and for which he was very grateful. —_—.—_ OPPOSITION TO HUNTINGTON. The Stanford Southern Pactfi Stock Voted Against Him. SAN FRANCISCO, April 11.—The annual election of officers by the directors of the Southern Pacitic Company showed a divi- sion of opinion as to the fitness of C. P. Huntington for the presidency of the com- pany, vbich is looked upon as the begin- ning of a fight against the magnate. At the direction of Mrs. Leland Stanford the two directors who represent the Stan- ferd estate voted for Gen. Thomas H. Hub- tard of New York for president. Wm. Crocker also refused to vote for Hunting- ton. Gen. Hubbard admits that he was urged by Mrs, Stanford to become a can- didate for the presidency, but he refused. Mrs. Stanford is said to have expressed the belief that If the Stanford, Crocker and Searles interests could have united on Gen. ‘Hubbard he would have been elected. A greet and overshad- j GRADE CROSSINGS Their Abolishment to Bp Becom- mended by the Commissioners, THE PLAN 10 BE PURSUED Gas B ls Are Too Large at the District Building. WATER MAIN ASSESSMENTS It is understood the Commissioners are ready to report upon the bill to abolish grade crossings along the line of the Penn- sylvania railroad, and as scon as there is a full mecting of the board the report will be sent to Congress. The report will favor 4 depressed system for the road within the District of Columbia, and the construc- tion of bridges across intersecting streets. The Engineer Commissioner has held sev- eral conferences with the committee of the board of trade and the engineer of the railroad, and a compromise has been reached whereby the tracks will be de- pressed pretty much in accordance with the plan of the railroad company, as de- tailed in The Star several weeks ago. No More Gan in Daytime. Retrenchment is the cry at the District building these days. The condition of the appropriation for contingent expenses is low, and notices have been sent to every office in the building to economize as much as possible aiorg certain lines of expendi- ture. In some cases the orders are per- emptory, as in the case of burning gas in the daytime. Some of the offices id sheds his beneficent rays. There was a good deal of ussion over the order, and some wag served a notice on_an official, purporung to come from the Commissioners, ordering him to stop the clock, to keep it from wearing out. Secretary Tindall explained the reason for the issuance of the order. He said the Commissioners found their contingent fund dwindling away, and, to prevent a de- ficiency, had ‘esued the order to retrench wherever possible. Water Main Taxes. The Commissioncrs have under considera- tion another bill providing for the reas- sessment of property for water main taxes where the assessments have been canceled vnder the Burgdorf decision. Nor is this all, They will take occasion to insert in the bill_a clause excluding agricultural lands from assessments for water mains laid along such property for the purpose of supplying outlying subdivisions with water. For instance, there is a subdivision outside of the city, and between it and the city proper there is a farm. Heretotore when a Water main was laid to supply this subdi- vision, the farm land had to bear its share of the expense of the main. According to . -@ recent report assessments to the amount af $210,000 were affected by the Burgdorf decision, of which amount about $150,400 has beer canceled, because the assessin were not levied by the water registrar. a eareipeces THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. An Important Contribut! to the Cane Expected From Venczuela. The Venezuelan authorities expect to pre- sent to the Venezuelan commission at an early day translations of the public records of. Spain and the Netherlands, taken from the archives of those countries, relating to the Venezuelan boundary. It is expected that this will prove an important contri- bution to the case. Heretofore these Spanish and Datch rec- ords have been referred to in a general Way, and the recent British blue book made extracts from them. It has been felt, how- ever, that the records in their entirety ‘would be of much service, and the Ven- ezuelan officials have undertaken this large task. Minister Andrade has three trans- lators at work, and the transcribing into English is well u:der way. GETTING ALONG NICELY. The Cleveland Children Who Have the Measles Improving. All of the Cleveland children are reported to be coming along nicely today, and the measles has claimed ne new victims in the family. Mr. Thurber's children are also re- ported to be doing as well as could be ex- pected. ——— Changes in the Interlor Department. The Yoltlowing official changes have been made in the Department of the Interior: Patent office—Appointment: John H. Ruckman of Michigar, fourth assistant examiner, $1,200. Promotions: Cornelius C. Billings of Vermont, third to second assistant examiner, $1,400 to $1,600; Nathan Heard of Massachusetts, fourth to third assistant examiner. Resignation: Emmet P. Bunyea of Michigan, second assistant examiner. 5 Pension office—Appointment: Beverly F. Rogers of Iowa, messenger boy, $400, on certification of civil service commission. Promotions: Walter H. Klopfer of District of Columbia, clerk, $1,800, to principal ex- aminer, $2,000; Aaron E. McLaughlin of Ohio and John W. Hall of Georgia, $1,600 to $1,800; James H. Horah of North Caro- lina and Jacob J. Noah of Minnesota, $1,400 to $1,000; James C. Sperry of Illinois and Wm. H. Thorne of New York and Miss Marcia T. Staples of Minnesota, $1,200 to $1,400; Mrs. Lucy J. Bingham’ of New Hampshire and John C. Cole of Delaware, $1,C00 to $1,200, John W. Le Barnes cf the District of Columbia, $100 to $1,200; Forrest E, McLaughlin of Vermont, Mrs. Kate Walker of California and James Hill of Wyoming, $800 to $1,000. itesig: Jaccb R. Van Mater of New Jerse: cipal examiner, $2,000; Wm. F. New York, $1,400. General land office—Promotions:*John D. Yelverton of Alabama and —Matthe Hendges of. the District of Columbia, $1,400 to $1,800; Daniel P. O'Hare of the District of Columbia, $1,400 to $1,000; Miss Julia E. Slesson of Arkansas, $1,200 to $1,400; Frederick P. Metzger of Kansas, $1,000 to $1,200; Richard M. Towson of Virginia ani Miss Annabel Rose of Georgia, 810 to $1,000, Appointments of appraisers of abandoned military reservations: Fort Randall, South Dakota—Alfred I. Burkholder, Fred H. Meyer and Frank P. Saterlee of Chamberlain. Fort Seldon, New Mexico—Wm. R. Fall and Robert C. Hatton of Las Cruces. Fort Craig, New Mexfco—Chas, G. shank and Wm. W. Jones of San Ma Fort Cummings, New Mexico—Burrage Y¥. MeKeyes and John L. Burnside ef Dem- ing. Fort Stanton, New Mexico—Oscar G. Rob- ertson and John Y. Thornton of Roswell. Personal Mention . Paymaster W. W. Berry of the Ports- mouth (N. H.) navy yard is at the Raleizh. Civil Engineer A. G. Menocal of the New York navy yard is in the city on tempor- ary duty with the House committee on commerce. Judge W. R. er of the United States court of Oklahoma Is in the city on business before the ne vad Justice. Lieut. Hasbrouck, jr, fourteenth infantry is in the city on leave of ab- a >

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