Evening Star Newspaper, August 1, 1896, Page 23

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 1896-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. THE NEW 21 THEATER. ANOTHER THEATER The Beautiful New Structure in Sol- diers’ Home Grounds. —_—_+—___ DRAMA FOR THE VETERANS A Permanent Organization for the Home. DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING HOSE WHO ENJOY these delightful sum- even: in drivirg or “biking” through the Soldiers’ Home grounds may have noticed the new marble building in course of con- struction, opposite Seott Hall and next to the library build- ing. This edifice will be known as the Soldiers’ Home ‘Amusement Hall, and will be a fitting ad- dition to the beautiful and costly group of buildings that already ornament the spacious grounds which have been set apart by the United States army for the use of these who have served their coun- try long and faithfully in its ranks. Much credit for its erection should be given to Genersl David Stanley, the pres- ent governor of the home, as it was through his untiring efforts that better accommodations haye been afforded for the amusement of the old soldiers. Upon the death of General Kelton Gen- eral Stanley succeeded to his position, and he has ably managed affairs at the home, devoting his time to increasing the com- fert of those fn his charge. The home was originally only a military asylum, founded through the efforts of General tt, who procured the assign- irents to this purpose of a portion of the ‘The Governor of the Home. money levied by him upon the City of Mexico when he took possession of it. The fund is increased by the forfeitures and against soldiers and by a tax of cents per month on-each enlisted man in the regular United States army. The New Structure. To appreciate the beauty of the new structure one must go to It, and stand first on one side and then upon the other and thus measure with the eye ita pro- portions and form a correct idea of its style of architecture. From front door to rear of stage the building measures 125 feet, with a width of Gis feet. At the base it is constructed ef roughly finished stone, while the rest appyad, fii small, low and not over well lighted, with its window entrance on the left, which no one who has enjoyed its delights, particu- larly on a rainy night, can ever forget. This hall is in the basement of the Sheri- dan building, extending over about one-half its length, and has a wide though very shallow stage, with no scenery whatever that is easy to shift. On this stage many of Washington’s best-known amateurs have played to as attentive and apprecia- tive audiences as can be found anywhere in the universe, and here many of them have gained inspiration for better work on the professional stage. Soldiers’ Home Dramatic Company. It is a party of these humble devotees of the histrionie science who have now, en- couraged by the kind reception always ten- dered them by the old soldiers, and the of- ficers of the temperance society under whose auspices many of the aforemention- ed performances have been given, and warmly seconded in their efforts by Gen. Stanley, undertaken to organize a company to b known as “The Soldiers’ Home Dra- R. W. Test, Manager. "matic Company,” which will! have nominal charge of the new theater and will pro- duce to the inhabitants of the home two each month. Robert W. Test, the manager of the new company, first played before the vet- erans on the meager Sheridan Hall stage in 18%. The play was “A Pair of Luna- The success of the evening's enter- tainment encouraged him to introduce others, and so the following month an- other entertainment was given, still in connection with the temperance society. These were the two sparks from which sprang the flame of enthusiasm which reached its highest pltch when {t prompted him to offer to Gen. Stanley to form a company of players who should work en- tirely, under his, Gen. Stanley's, authority, and produce befcre the soldiers of the home as fine work as the talent of Wash- ington could afford. After several inter- views the affair was settled and the “Sol- diers’ Home Dramatic Company” has since that time been in process of organ- ization. Mr. Test has been a dramatic enthusiast from a very early day in his history, hav- ing many times played for charity and helped along the temperance causes at the arsenal and navy yard, as well as the home. He has always been in some way connected directly with the management of the various dramatic organizations of which he has been a member, so that if experience is a good teacher it has taught him how to pull a dramatic undertaking through with success. The Stage Director. Before attempting to organize it was necessary to procure a man for stage di- rector, one who not only had had expe- rience, but a man who had the necessary executive ability, for the success of all histrionic work Hes directly in the fitness = g players in stage bust- keeping their attention on the play le in rehe: al and inspiring them with vim and push, so that on the final night there may be formance. Mr. C. T. Daly has been selected for the position. He was for some time connected with the management of the Carroll Insti- tute Club, and has long been a memter of the Shakespeare Club of Washington. As a 10 hitch or break in the per- OLD SHERIDAN HALL. _ of the building 1s faced with Vermont white marble. The entrance will be one of the most artistic features of the edifice, the « n being an ornamental archway or portico of Guiana marble. From the portico steps a stairway leads to the first landing, on the left of which be the ticket office. Then on both d left-hand sides a door opens ous rooms, which will eventually up for reception or dressing The lobby runs the whole wiath rocm of the building and ts about 15 feet wide. ‘Three docrs open into the auditorium. It is well lighted by five large windows on each side and the large window that opens mech seating capacity. This audi- torium is 56 feet wide and 68 long, and is to be finished in a tan fresco. The most important feature of any play house is the stage, and here the public, it is claimed, will see a perfect working wodel. It is 66 feet wide and 25 feet deep, with a prescenium opening of 32 feet, thus allowing plenty of room in the wings for stege apparatus and a large space for un- easy actors to walk while waiting for their cue On the right-hand side of the proscenium on the stage will be placed the electric light switchboard, and from this one place all the house lights as well as those on the stage will be managed. Every effort Will be made to have the scenery of the Very latest construction and “up-to-date” in every way. Beneath the stage, where they can be reached conveniently from the stage en- trance at the rear of the building, or with eqral facility from the long corridors run- ning under the auditorium from the main entrance, are six good-sized dressing rooms, which will be fitted up, contrary to the usual custom, with an eye to the com- fort and convenience of the performers. Old Sheridan Hall. From the above description one can readily see that this building is a vast im- Provement over the old Sheridan Hall, comedy man he Is inimitable, and as a gen- tleman villain he always makes a decided hit. The Seeretary. The company is fortunate in having se- | cured the tervices of Miss Grace Ross as secretary of the organization, for her ex- perience in dramatic circles has especially fitted her for this work. She began her dramatic career when in the Central High School, playing the part of Touchstone in @ production of “As You Like It,” given entirely by the young ladies of the school. In the High School Dramatic Company, among other things, she played Nerissa in scenes from “Merchant of Venice.” Since her first appearance she has been connect- ed with some of Washington's best-known companies, having been a charter member of the Washington Amateur Dramatic Company, having played prominent roles with the Capital City Dramatic Company, and having been the organizer and leading spirit of the C. T. M. Dramatic Club of Co- lumbian University. In the summer of 1893 she first appeared on the Sheridan Hall stage in “A Pair of Lunatics,” and sinca then has played there many times, as well as at the arsenal and navy yard. Sho has always received a warm reception from the old soldiers, who have enjoyed many plays which she enlivened by her ease, gtace and vivacity. She will, In addition to her other duties, fill the leading roles in the coming” productions, which is enough to assure everyone that the standard ulmed at by the management Is high. Other Members of the Company. Great cfre has been taken in selecting from the talent of the District those who are more than mere amateurs, those who will enter into the work and push it with their best energies. Only a few names have been so far placed upon the company’s reg- ister. They are Miss Helen R. Biddis, Mr. W. P. Hay, Mr. Harry English, Mr. Louls Anderson, Dr. F. C. Test and Mr. Guy 8. Meloy. When the company will make its debut 1s not known, since the theater is still in the hands of the workmen and it is uncertain mee they will turn it over to be christ- ened. The Soldiers’ Home Band, which gives such enjoyable concerts in the home grounds during the summer, will serve as orchestra for the company. ————— A BICYCLE ROMANCE. “When the Blooms Are on the Lassie and the Lassic’s on a Bike.” CHAP. I. ‘ A silvery moon, a full moon, a moon as full as a tire bearing an internal pressure of one hundred and five pounds to the Square inch, floated in a clear blue sky, as deeply blue as a newly enameled frame; the leafy boughs o’erhead swayed tremu- lovsly in the breeze like a novice taking bis first lesson. Evelina and Albert were riding along a rough road, but they did not think of the jolts, for he was speaking on a theme wich caused them to forget all else. CHAP. Il. has “Evelina,” said he, “the time must and when I ask a qfestion your an- whe- swer will decide ther life shall be a long shall run of bliss or whether I header into a ditch of woe.” A nightingale sang softly in the wood and a speckled pig got out of the road. “Albert—I mean Mr. Smith,” she began, sud- if “this is so den, but it’s all right, you can fix it with Pa.” CHAP. III. Evelina’s father was a stern old man, who stuck to an opinion with the adhesive- ness of the most approved puncture plas- ter. To him Albert came with his tale of love, but the parent's bicycle face wore a frown. “Young man,” he roared, “you know we carnot agree about pedals. A man who denies that the rat-trap pedal !s the best ever invented is not worthy of iny daugh- ter’s hand. Get out of here, and don’t delay about it, but scorch.” It was true. Albert preferred the other brand of pedals. CHAP. Iv. Albert left the mansion with a heart bowed down with weight of woe; it had a hump like a scorcher, but though par- tially collapsed for the moment he soon pumped himself up with a determination to win out or die. He had a tried and trusted friend, Mr. Jones (centuries had not divided them), who proposed a plan to circumvent the aged wheelman, and Eve- lina being willing it was to be carried out that night. “Now by the brightest headlight that ever blazed,” they swore, “we shall elope!” CHAP. Vv. A soft gray cloud floating dreamily across the azure sea enveloped the moon like a sweater; all was still. Two men and three bikes stood beneath Evelina’s window. “Wait just one moment, please,” she said as they placed the ladder in position. “I will be down as soon as I put on my cap.” She then gracefully descended the ladder. No skirts interfered with ber mevements. She wore bloomers. Quickly springing to their wheels the trio dashed down the graveled path. The dog crossed their way, and though he was repulsed with the ki-k'-gun in Albert's steady hand the dastard brute gave the alarm and Eve- lina’s father demanded their return in a harsh tone of voice. CHAP. VI. We are pursued!” gasped Evelina. “Don’t lose heart,” shouted Albert; “we may eseepe.”” But the old man had been put out of the L. A. W. for professionalism, and he rode like Zimmerman. He gained rapidly. The moonlight disclosed to him the party a short distence ahead, but of the three bifurcated riders he was at a loss to know which was his daughter. A spurt brought him up with the elopers and darting toward one he gasped in his rag come take a Ah, here she is. Stop! Evelina, stop!” He grasped the arm of the fugitive and they both came to the ground. CHAP. VII. “I ain't Evelina,” remonstrated Mr. Bud Jones, peevishly, as he climbed on top cf the irate parent's chest, with both bands full of neckwear. “Blame those bloomers!” was the only response. ——_———_ ONE OF NAPOLEON'S WARRIORS. There Are Still Survivors of the Mos- cow Ca ign. From Harper's Round Ts Most of us nowadays, when thinking of the Napoleonic wars, consider them as a part of the remote past, and it is difficult to realize that there may be people still living who took part in the battles of Mar- engo, Jena and Waterloo. But all of Na- poleon’s soldiers are not yet dead, and one man who fought under the great French general 1s said to be living now near Cleve- land, Ohio. Whether that is true or not, it is a fact that only recently one of Napo- leon’s old warriors died at the Soldiers’ Home, Kearney, N. J. His name was Henry Mueller, and he was born in Germany in 17, and when the French armies invaded Prussia Mueller was fifteen years old. With many of his compatriots he was drafted into the grand army and marched off to Russia to fight the Cossacks and the cold. He was at Mcscow, and tramped all the way back in the disastrous retreat, suffering untold tor- tures, and seeing his fellow-soldiers fall in the snow almost at every step. But Muel- ler kept up, and lived to get back to Ger- many, and to fight at the battles of Baut- zen, Leipsic, and finally in the great bat- tle of Waterloo. After Napoleon had been captured by the British and sent to the lonely island of St. Helena, and the great armies of Europe had been disbanded, Mueller took ship and came to the United States. Not long after his arrival in this country the Seminole and Mexican wars broke out, and the old spirit of the soldier was réeawakened in Mueller.and he went again to the front, this time wearing the American uniform and fighting for the American flag. So muck warfare had now made a confirmed soldier of the German, and so when the war of the rebellion broke out in 1861 he again took up his musket and fought through the entire war. One of the most wonderful things of all these experiences is that Mueller was never seriously wounded, and managed to keep himself in such good health that he lived ple. to be over 1¢0 years old, and spent his last days in peace and comfort in the Sol- diers’ Home, smoking his long German Pipe on the lawn under the trees, and telling of his own personal experiences, which, to oat of us, are part of a very remote his- ‘ory. ——+e+____ Adapted by Nature. . “I am afraid that Jimmy will never learn to spell.” Mr. Bunting—‘“Nature evidently intended him to be a sign painter.” ———-2-_____ No Power. From Puck. She sobbed violently. “Villain!” she hissed, “I am in your pow- err” ‘My child,” he answered, sadly, “I haven’t got any. I am Vice President of the United States.” ithe mining done was placer mining. A MINING KING —_—_ss__ ATalk With orado’s vid H. Moffat, Col- ionaire. EW GOLD AND’ SILVER REGIONS The Changes in ‘Getting Out the Precioys Metals. = THE RICHEST STATE (Copyrighted, 1896, by Frank G. Carpenter.) DENVER, Col., July 28, 1896. HAVE HAD AN interview here with the mining king of the United States. His name is David H. Moffat. He is said to be worth twenty millions of dollars. He has made fortunes out of gold and silver mining, and he Ras today »80ome of the most valuable _ properties of the west. He sold a gold mine last month to parties in France which netted himself and his partners a ccol million in cash. His silver mines at Leadville have miles of underground tun- nels, and he is the largest owner of stock in the big cyanide mill at Florence, whicn turns out for him every month a gold brick worth $40,000. He ts developing valu- able mines today in different parts of Colo- rado, and among his great works at Cripple Creek is an immense tunnel, which he is forcing through a mountain, in which vast quantities of gold are supposed to He. Mr. Moffat was for years president of the Den- ver and Rio Grande-rallroad. He built the Denver Pacific from Cheyenne to Denver. He now practically owns the Florence and Cripple Creek road, which does an enor- mous business, and he is also the president of one of the biggest banks of the west. This is the First National Bank of Denver, which has a capital of only $500,000, but whose deposits amount to more than $8,- 000,000, It is now thirty years since Mr. Moffat entered the bank as cashier, and today, I venture, he considers himself more of a banker than a miner. He began D. A. Moffat;. Mining King. his business career inva bank. He was fit- teen years old at the:time, and started life as a messenger boy, in the New York Ex- change Bank of New York, A year later he went to Iowa toraet as a. bank clerk in Des Moines, and_at.twenty: he was cashier of the Bank of Nebraska, at Omaha. This was just about the time of the Pike's Peak gold fever, and Dave Moffat got a wagon and a mule and came out here to find his fcrtune. Denver was then too small for bankers, and Moffat started a book and stationery store, selling, as an old miner told me the other day, an envelope, a sheet of paper and a stamp for a nickel. A few years later the First National Bank was founded, and Moffat was made its cashier. He soon became president, and It is through him that the business of the bank has so increased that it now amounts to more than nine millions a year. It_was at the bank that I met Mr. Moffat, who knows perhaps as much about mines as-eny man in the west. He is a miner, not in the sense of being a prospector or of going out into the mines and working them. He is a mine owner rather than a mine digger. He has the shrewdest of experts connected with him. His prospectors are always on the march, and he relies upon their judgment as to his properties. With all the millions that he has In works below ground, he seldom goes into a mine. He buys mines and develops them on the judgment of his experts, and his credit is such among the capitalists of the world that he can command any amount of money at any time for almost any enterprise which he wishes to under- take. Colorado's New Mines. During our chat T asked some questions as to the new mines of Colorado. He replied: “We have never had so many miners at work here as we have today. More mines are now teing developed than ever before, and the prospect is that there will be a steady increase in our gold output. In 1889 we produted less than $4,000,000 worth of gold. Last year our output was more than $18,000,000, and I believe that we will run the figures up to at least $25,000,000 this year. This gold comes from all over Colorado. There are good mines in twen- ty different counties, and we are by no meens dependent upon any one region, such as Cripple Creek, for our output.” The Cripple Creek Mines. “How about the Cripple Creek gold? Will it last?” “I dcn't Hke to predict as to the future of any gold-mining region,” replied Mr. Moffat. “One is apt to give either too high or too low an estimate, but the in- dications are that there are enormous quantities of gold about Cripple Creek. The properties in which I am interested and with which I am famillar show that the camp has a great future. The fact that the Cripple Creek mines produced something like $8,000,000 worth of gold last year Js a strong argument as to their rich- ness. Many prospects are being opened which promise well: and profitable mining will be done in that!camp for years to come.” “There has been a, great change in min- ing in recent years, ‘has there not?” “Yes,” replied Mr. Moffat. “I came out here in 1860, when the motto of every one was ‘Pike’s Peak or. bust.’ Denver was then a gold camp, ang the greater Bart of jold was first discovered near Pike’s Peak, end every one was crazy for gold. Silver was not much thought of. That came later. Now we aré having, another great gold era. This era, however, 1s not one of placer mining. It js almost entirely a smelting and a milling proposition. It comes to some extent through the fall of silver, but more from the new methods of the reduction of “ores. Until lately it hardly paid to mine gold that was worth less than $16 a ton. . Now we could reduce gold that runs $5 a ton and still pay a slight profit to the miner. The result is that vast quantities of gold-bearing rock which were formerly considered valueless are now being reworked. ‘here are hun- dreds of dumps in different parts of Colo- rado containing values which will some day be extracted and which will add vastly to our wealth. Abandoned mines are now being reopened and prospecting is being done on a new basis,” Lots of Gold in the Rockies. “What will be the effect of these new Processes upon the gold supply of the world, Mr. Moffat?” “They will increase it immensely,” re- Plied the mining millionaire. “They are al- ready increasing it and there is no telling how much gold we will eventually have. Why, Colorado is just at the beginning of its mineral development! Only the small- est part of the state has been carefully Prospected and the few spots where the rich veins have been uncovered only go to prove that the mineral wealth of the state is scattered over its entire surface. I be- Neve that the time will come when all of our mountainous counties will contribute to the output of gold and silver. And then the African and Australian mines will still turn out great quantities of gold. All over this Rocky mountain region there are good &old prospects, and the new processes will surely make a revolution in mining. I don’t know what will be the outcome. I have thought a good deal about it. It may equalize the value of gold and silver.” Colorado for Free Silver. “I understand that the most of you people out here are for the free coinage of sil- ver?” “Yes,” replied Mr. Moffat, “we believe here that it is best for the people of the United States to adopt the silver standard. ‘We do not believe that it is possible for this great nation to do business on the gold standard alone, aud in my judgment 90 per cent of the vote of the state of Colorado will go for the silver ticket. This is so, notwithstanding Colorado produces more gold than any other state of the Unio: “How does Senator Teller stand here?” “We regard him as the ablest man we have in the state, and perfectly sincere and henesc in his silver belief.” Colorado Has Good Times. “This gold production ought to make times good in Colorado,” said I. “Yes, it helps matters,” replied Mr. Mof- fat. “We are better off than any other state of the Union. Many of you people look upon us as having nothing but a lot of rocks and deserts. The truth is, Colo- rado is the richest state of the Union in its natural resources. If a Chinese wall could be built about us, and we could be shut off from the rest of the world for a hundred years, we would be able to raise everything ourselves, and in the end we would hays here a nation more rich, more progressive and better equipped than any other nation on earth. We have all kinds of minerals, and our iron and coal will make us a great manufacturing state. We have immense silver mines, which will be developed when silver comes up again. At sent we have about 400,000 people in the state, and there are 100,000 men now at work in the mines. At four to the family that means that we have enough work in the mines alone to give the head of each family employment. It takes an immense amount of food for the miners, and the result is that our agricul- tural products are marketed here at high prices. And then our wealth comes from natural resources and not from speculation or trading. We add more than $10,000,000 every year to the wealth of the world by our precious metals. Think of that. That is $100 for each man, woman and chiid in the state, or about $500 for every family. This docs not include our other important products, which are large.” Rich Men vs. Poor Men as Miners. “But how is this money distributed, Mr. Moffat? It goes nearly all to the big capi- talists, does it not?’ “Some of it does, but a great deal of it ces to the people. I know scores of men who were poor and have gotten mech through mining. There are more than a score of such instances at Cripple Creek. Take Stratton, the owner of the Independ. ence mine. He is worth his millions toda He was a carpenter working by the day five years ago.” “How about mining, Mr. Moffat; is there rea'ly much chance for the smail fry in the mines today?” “Yes, 1 think there is,” was Mr. Moffat’s reply, “but success in mining is just like success in any other business. If you pro- posed to be a lawyer, you would work for years at it before you made much money, and at the end you might possibly fail. If you went into mercantile business vou would have to associate yourself with some one who was thoroughly posted in it, and you still might fail. I doubt whether the percentage of loss in mining ts greater than that of other businesses, and the profits are often enormous. The trouble is that too many men go about their mining as a man goes about playing policy. They apply no more knowledge than a person se: lecting three lucky numbers at a drawing.” Mining as a Legitimate Business. “Then success in mining is not a matter of luck?” “Nol altogether, by any means,” replied Mr. Moffat, “thcugh there is a large ele- ment of chance in it. Mining has, however, become a legitimate business. It requires intelligence, experience, economy and capi- tal. There are some prospectors who make fortunes by finding gold mines. If you can uncover a good vein or body of ore you cen easily find the capital to develop it. Bona fide mining is not a gambling propo- sition. The prospects of a mine after a short time can be easily estimated, and the probable returns can be almost surely counted upon. To get the gold out of the ground requires costly machinery, and the men who go into mine developing with capital and experience usually mak. money. Those who come out here, how ever, expecting to strike a fortune by chance often lose it. A man, for instance, who has all his fe been measuring cloth in a dry goods store comes to the moun- tains. He looks abcut for a few days and then buys a mine. Is it strange that he often loses or that the properties into which he gets his friends to invest fail to make mon) You would not expect to succeed by such methods in any other busi- ness. You can't do it in mining.” “Then, only expert miners can money in mines? Is that so?” “No, I don't mean to say that,” replied the mining king. “But the men who come out here should be men of 004 business judgment. They should wait and look into matters themselves before investing. If they have not the knowledge themselves, they should get the judgment of men of experience. ‘There are plenty of reliable men here. If such investors are men of ordinary business ability they can easily learn enough to prevent them from being taken in. Why, all that I know about min- ing any man could learn in less than a year. Mining is not an intricate matter. It has certain fixed laws which can be easily learned, and after that investment is a matter of judgment and business man- agement.” “Is it true, Mr. Moffat, that every dollar Colorado has turned out’ in gold and silver has cost a dollar in wages or losses?” “Yes, I believe it is,” replied Mr. Moffat. “There have been, many large strikes, but there have been many losses that no one has ever heard of. Where one man makes a big fortune many fail. But that is the story of all kinds of business. It is said that 9) per cent of the merchants fail. I think the percentage of success among miners is far greater than that of men in other businesses.” Dave Moffat’s Best Mining Speculation “How about yourself, Mr. Moffat; you have made a great deal of money in mines?” “Yes,” replied Mr. Moffat, rather mod- estly, “I have made something, but I have lost a great deal, too. Still, I am pretty well ahead of the game.” “What is the best mining enterprise you heve ever engaged in?” “I think that my best mine on the whole has been the ‘Maid of Erin,’” replied Mr. Moffat. “This is a silver mine. I went into it in partnership with Senator Jerome B. Chaffee. The mine cost us all told about $100,000 to purchase and develop. We have already taken out of it about $5,000,000." “How about the silver mines of Colorado? Are they still being worked?” “Yes, some of them, though many have been dropped for the time. The silver is all there, however, and we will get it out when the price rises, as I am sure that it will do sooner or later.” Foreign Capital Coming In. “Is there much foreign investment now in the Colcrado mines?” “Yes, the English are putting quite a lot of capital in at Cripple Creek and other parts of Colorado. I happen to know this because much of the money goes through our bank. The English are very shrewd investors. They usually know beforehand just what they are buying, and they de- velop their properties on business prin- ciples. There are some Frenchmen who are opening mines here, but no Germans. The Germans seem to run to mercantile busi- presses rather than to mining.” “What is the condition of Denver finan- cially?” think it Is a very gcod condition.” “How are your banks doing here?" “They are, I believe, making money. Our deposits here have increased more than a million dollars within a skort time. We carry more than two million dollars in gold in our vaults as a part of our reserve. ‘The other banks carry seme, and I venture that there is today more than $4,000,000 worth of gold in the Denver banks.” “What is money worth out here, Mr. Moffat?” “The banks gct 10 per cent,” was the reply. “Tea per cent is the current rate with vs, but loans on good real estate can be secured for about 6 per cent.” FRANK G. CARPENTER. make HAWKS OF THE FLEET Torpedo Boat Destroyers to Be Added to Our Navy. TO SINK GREAT SHIPS OR SMALL A Novel Experiment in American Nautical Construction. WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE NCLE SAM IS PRE- paring to add to his progressive little navy the most unique and interesting style of water craft which has ever flown the stars and stripes. On the 18th of Septem- ber, four days after the opening of bids for the new battle ships, he will begin to receive bids for three = new vessels, to be known as “torpedo boat destroyer: They will comprise a distinctive class in our ficet. As indicated by the name, they will be powerful hawks whose work will be to prey upon hostile torpedo boats. Foreign powers are increasing their navies with to: pedo boats at such a rapid rate that our meager flotilla would afford but weak pro- tection against even the most insignificant of our possible European enemies unless equipped with some means of reducing the strength of Its fleet of busy little war wasps. The new destroyers are to cost, in all, not more than $800,000. No premiums are to be offered, and <ontractors will not receive a cent of money unless they keep up to speci- fications. The main specification is that the speed of the Lew boats must not, on triai, fall short of thirty knots an hour. Few laymen comprehend how enormous such a speed must be. The fast cruiser Minneapo- | lis, which now holds the record for of her class, has sailed but a little twenty-three knots at the very greatest. The new destroyers will be seagoing v sels. At thirty knots continuous speed with sufficient coal they could reach Live pool from New York in less than four days over the great circle line. This wou be a trifle less than thirty-five miles a hour on land—about the speed of the av age accommodation train. To Shoot Torpedoes an Well. In addition to their hawking functions the destroyers will be equipped as power!n! torpedo boats. lowed to submit their own plans, which wili be altered or approved by the Navy Depart- ment. This is for the reason that the new boats will require unusual sclentific stud. They are entirely untried weapons. T! chief problem which they will present to their makers is closely akin to that which is bothering acrodynamists—how to get th ost power out of the smallest possible space and how to build the vessels of m terial of the minimum of lightness and maximum of consistent strength. Th e of the hulls will count a great dea ch boat will have an odd ram w h ch it will plough through as many tor- w pedo boats as it can strike. Thes be sharp chisel-like edges con the fronts of the bows. A not lo: as will the ram Katahdin. Torpedo boats have no armor at the sides, and it will be an eas matter to cut them in halves when caug Such warfare will be very novel to sa The crew of a destroyer will by rams will have a “picnic” during an engagement. They will have to consiantly dodge ir craft around, in and out of hiding, in the daytime, and must depend upon s at nightmIf seen they will receive little mercy from the muzzle of a 4uick-fire gun. One of these, even a one-pounder, could her. Each terpedo boat is armed w eral quick-firers, which may the destroyer’s slight Enormous Horse Power. The destroyers,will be longer than any of our torpedo boats proper. They will prob- ably measure from 20) to 215 feet in length and from 17 to 18 feet in beam. This would be about half the length of the cruisers Columbia and Minneapolis, but less than a third of their beam. With these approxi- mate dimensions they would draw about tof water. They must be able to go in hiding in very shallow water, as up small streams, into small harbors’ or be- hind smail islands or points of land. The horse power to drive them must be enor- mous, perhaps as high as six thou attain this they will doubil multi-tubular boilers and two quadruple-ex; mn engines. the exception of the forecastle and th conning towers—pilot_houses—one the other aft, each destroy a very bare appearance above wate The decks will be of the turtle-back desi curved and sloping downward at the e From four to six rapid-fire guns will be tributed on deck. In addition, there will be two torpedo tubes, one at either side. Bow torpedo tubes are now considered to be fail- y our naval engineers. They unavoic ably fill with the water which the bow plows up before it. Inasmuch as it must be a shrewd detec- tive, a fleet dodger and a sly slugger, all combined, the destroyer must minimum of conspicuousness. Every part visible above the water will be painted a dark olive green, as near the color of the sea as possible. Clouds of black smoke issuing from the stacks would betray the presence of a de- stroyer more than anything else by day How to avoid this has become a great proh- lem before engineers of torpedo vessels of all kinds. In actual warfare, under the present circumstances, a quick run would have to be made from a hiding piace, a hasty blow made, and then an equally quick retreat, all under a forced draught. Experl- ments have been made with hard coal,which makes very little smoke. With this. how- ever, a quick fire cannot be kindled. In this new warfare everything will depend upon promptness. It will not be long, however, before liquid fuel will replace coal on such light vessels as these. To Work at Night. In time of hostility the destroyer will do its bravest and most valuable work under cover of darkness. It will be practically impossible to see her outside of a sea mile at night. It would be difficult to hit her at that distance even were she discovered. Suppore a hostile battleship, at anchor, were the objective point and that one of cur destroyers were approaching, head on, to torpedo her. Suppose also’ that the destroyer were discovered while crossing the limit a mile away. The baitleship would have to absolutely disable her with- in 1% minutes after the discovery or take the risk of being sent to the bottom. The destroyer would be within a quarter of a mile of the warrior within that time. At this distance the destroyer would launch her first torpedo. She would continue to Contractcrs are to be al- | ak work | "| make him ay offer the | travel straight ahead, all the while putting forth automobiles, one after the other, un- ‘til she should have been assured that the vessel was destroyed. A minute and a half would be little time in which to totally de- stroy a boat with such great narrowness of beam. Each destroyer will be equipped with an Incandescent electric lighting plant, but lights will glow only in the engine and tire recms. There will be no windows opening from these rooms. They will be ventilated throvgk funnels which on account of their engie cannot conduct light. The cabins Will be fitted with round windows, but in- side these apartments almost total dark- ness will reign at night. For reading the compass either a small bull's-eye or a small lamp with a casing, emitting light culy through a minute hole, will be used. To prevent even the small glimmer of one of these lamps from being seen, circular steel plates, like lens shutters, may be drawn over the windows. In the Engine Room. The engine room will present an interest= ing spectacle. The twin screws must be driven at an enormous speed, and yet the tubings and parts of the machinery must be exceedingly delicate in order to decrease weight. The heating surfaces of the st multi-tubular boilers must be very in proportion to their water spac 1 boilers can be made to may is ¢ engines ai independently, and om from the rest in case it armor will protect the v Considerable prow forded by the around in th exterior. The new boats the wettest vessels in the navy en va of thelr monstrous speed and low deck jevel. of the boat. will be af- arranged oa tk compa e last torpedo gunboats were used tng battle ships against torpedo The gunboats and pro to be gre h immed ately to stroyer which were um thirty-one ain ordered twenty-ci t destroyers of at Several of the twent already launched by greatly exceeded the e: a minim imated Other Torpedo Bout ¥ The st foreign nayal statistics received at the Navy Department show that tweive other foreign powers the lead of nched or are still building swift boats of this class, bu ed. pllowin: in, who now da | ly of lower sp r| frown upon us, has or d four of tha | same class, two of which will make at least twerty-e They much heav= jer than kKnotter than cox four :0-kn the Englis will doul with them. ¢ boats, and ow to tely ordered r to the ul t@ ot against im pd the speed of the destroyer. Unofficial repor she made a small fraction over AT n torper to have lately ma dest i least 2 | speed have to make to hold th ugh they will th use every e boats in the be thus gainc Iuable than the at world’s not re- j the faste: tions to | more v. ever j highest premiums > tomania Curing Kic Paris Correspondence of the Experiments made | proved that kleptc by hypnotic | recent statement | physician, the mo: of the disease in ci ton-like way they s | when ques’ by Pall stio by the rik is the 1, and the joned as to why tl know | variably the reply is: “I couldu’t help it.” It ay it power of will to resist the npulse wv totally absent, and for this reason coe cive measur are rly lways w the impuise ret as soon as t ercion is remove j recent. patients belcnging to an sto, | Was in the habit of ste le Gecasion. arly difficult 0: gan by render | hypnotism) so hold of the e of ior. § youth was of fami objects he to j Sul the usual se of 8 | tion v jcure w | attended the t Wz kleptomani loved is lent in a of Dr. Ber with child sufficient physi llon’s most who steal hims z. under the hy roach a of money tala ing a pi n?” Tsay. ‘You want to t u, | take it if you lik Ip n your pock- et.” He does so, Then I add: ‘That is what you always d ou shall put back th coin where ycu shall alway pens that you give all feel asham ou shall put nd in futur If it ha tic empt ving st | Afte eymna: cf t P SUREES! is cured forever of his bad ha Dr. Bertillon’s method can | od api other unconscious or hereditary h with equal ess, am them bei that of biting the nails predisposes to consumption a serse of touch. Hyp» m, applied to further desirable « frequently and ngly objecte Beriillon, mainte entific deductions ar have other that hi than vious good re when the Infuence ts applied rationally, with patience and kind- ness. Beer a Women Coloncis, From Harper's Bazar. The czarina has been made a colonel in the army. Her regiment is the Second Dragoon Guard of the Empress Alexandra. There are six other women colonels in Eu- 2 Queen Victoria, the German Empress, Empres » the Duchess of ght and the Princesses Friedrich “He is a wonderful artist,” said the young woman enthusiastically, “a wonderful art- ist.” ‘Indeed?” “He certainly is. Fame will come to him yet. Why, that man painted a snowstorm so realistically that his 1 coldly of it.” t critics spoke WHENE IGNORANCE IS BLISS, *TIS FOLLY TO BE WISE, Frem Harper's Bazar. Young Nobby has been wondering why ev: ery one he has extreme good humor. met seemed to be in such