Evening Star Newspaper, December 17, 1896, Page 11

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT TH# STAR BUILDINGS, 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 1th St, by he Evening Star Newspaper Company, S. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres’t. New York Otfice, 49 Potter Building. The Evening Is served to subscribers in the city Dy carriers, on their own account. at 10 cents ber week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the ter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere im the ed —— or Canada—postage prepaid—60 cents per month. Saturday Qcintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $3.00. Entered at the Post Office at Washington. D. C.. as -econd-clasg mail matter.) 7 All mall subseripti must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising le known on application. Every Reader Of The Star! Our Ch as gift to vou Js un- Umited credit. You can buy the Presents 1 pay the bill at Your convenlene—weekly or month- ly. Our credit prices are lower than the lowest casi prices else where. Reception Chairs ae and In Wai ec Banquet Lampe—and Reclining Chairs, Parlor cabinst Parlor Su.tes, Bed Room Suites, Book Cxses, Sidedoarts, Silverware, ‘Those welcome presents—be- ‘use they are beautiful—useful and durable. Select everything you want NOW —while stocks are com- plete. We will store the presents and deliver them any time yon say. All Carpet made, laid and iimed free—no charge for waste in mateb- ing figures. GROGAN’ MAMMOTH CREDIT HOUSE, S17-S19-821-323 Seventh street n.w., Bet. H and I sts. del5-S1d le 50C. Extracts, 35C.- (Handsome bores, containing 2 bottles.) Most extracts are simply alcohol and oils. These are made from the boiled fowers which form a bomade fr ndors are extracted. Others you the foll odor and lose their nt they are exposed to the air. ‘S tts “Xmas’ a special pri tive Leath For leader. Here 1s our tte Boxes, containing 2 ets, never sold under 50c.. 35¢. Box. ected odors of Viol White Lilac, Crab White . Heliotrope and Jockey Ciub. Rubber-bulb Atomizers “that work," est line of Perfumeries In Washington. OGRAM’S, Cor. 13 and Pa. ave., cor. 17th and H sts. deS-3m, Aen A B:oken Lot of Women’s $4, $5 & $6 SHOES, —in fine patent leather, round, comr ra and m sense toe, all widths. Vere $4, $6 © pair. To close out the entire ‘kly we have reduced them 52.65, [7 Our Made-to-Measure Nhoes are a boon to teuder feet. A perfect fit guaranteed. WILSON, ==: 929 F Street N.W. dels od oO Consumption 18 CURABLE. NGLISH, M. D., 1107 G st. nw. powittvely demonstrated that consumption is dse to a form of neurasthenia, or otherwise Dervous proctration, 2 depression of the vital pow- ers. This theory hos been tried and verified as correct by years of experiment. with successful results. The bactllus of Koch discovered in 1884 the result aid not the cause of the disease. I red to fully prove the truth of my theory by curing any and every case in the earlier stages. I will positively guarantee to cure every case of consumption im the primary stages. Letters from Persons are on file at my of- H. 1310 N. Cay : PICK with EP. J. WHEATE, S10 12th at. 6th st. aw Bd aaa tart Right! ‘Those who have just started bouse- keeping should begin right by burning the mont economical, best and cheapest fuel—Coke. Doesnt teke half the tine to get « fire started when Coke is used as it does when you use Coal! 49 bu. Uncrushed Coke. .$2.90 40 bu. Crushed Coke. ....$3.70 Washington Gaslight Co. 413 10th St N. W,, Or WM. J. ZEH. 920 2b st. ‘Phone 476. Qel2 2d eee A Beautiful and Useful Christmas Present. We have received s large assortment of Tialiae and French Tortoise Shell Combs and Pina, IB latest designs, finest stock ever displayed in Washington. We ure also selling a lot of All Long Human Hair pargeins. pe Switches at great EGOS Hettones reduced to 09, Gray and White Hair reduced tm a Time. Siccardi, Privett? tit st pest, to Falele Royal, a vate rooms for rewsing. shamycoing Gyeing. 20d ‘Express Your Xmas ; {Wishes in Leather. A Handsome Leatnar “Grip"—Pocket Card Cusp Dressing Case selected the Select. saeurt. ment we show—will win « lasting re Mamabeanee “foe “the ‘siver, “We're a step. or tw ‘cent tnt we carey the wort of high grade lenther goods’ that “high-grade Saige © appreciate, LUTZ & CO, Seth 497 Pa. Ave! J c018-208 —— Part 2. Che Fy ening Siae. Pages 11-14. WASHINGTON, D. C.. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 1896—F OURTEEN PAGES STREET EXTENSION | History of the Long Fight for a Complete System. CASE IN THE SUPREME COURT Brief Filed by the District and Its Contention. COURT OF APPEALS Probably there has never before been such general interest shown in legal ques- tions by the people of the District than has been and is now shown in the determina- tion of those arising in what are commanly designated as the street extension cases, argued yesterday and today In the United States Supreme Court. This widespread in- terest is found not only among the hun- dreds of those financially concerned, but also, and to a very marked degree, among the thousands of District people who desire that the city shall be extended on the lines laid down by those who originally designed it. Mr. Worthington, for the District, filed a long brief in the case, in which a full history of the affair was given. These cases arose under the act of Congress of March 2, 1893, entitled “An act to provide a perm&nent system of highways in that part of the District of Columbia lying out- side of cities.” The enactment of this stat- ute was due to certain evils growing out of the want of uniformity in the laws respect- ing subdivisions of land and the extension of streets. The plan of the city of Washington, as laid out by President Washington, ex- tended on the north only to the highway which on that plan was named Boundary street. That street extended from a point where now exists the bridge over Rock creek at P street to a point at the eastern end of Maryland avenue, a distance of over four miles. No provision was made for the extension of the pian of the city over the remainder of the District or any part thereof until the act of 1888, referred to below. For many years prior to the date of the act of 1888 the opening of high- ways in that part of the District of Colum- bia outside of the cities of Washington and Georgetown was governed by an act of March 3, 1863, the substance of which was incorporated in sections 252 to 265, both in- clusive, of the Revised Statutes of the United States relating to the District of Columbia. An act of Congress of January 12, 1800, provided in substance that whenever the proprietor of any square or lot in Washing- ton should deem it necessary to subdiviac the same, he might cause a p.at to be made and submit it to the surveyor of the Dis- trict. If the surveyor found the dimensions of the land as subdivided. to correspond with the original lots, he was required to so certify and to record the plat in a book in his office, kept for that purpose. n act of the legislative assembly of the District of August 23, 1871, provided, among other things, “that whenever the proprie- tor of any tract or parcel of land in the District of Columbia shall desire or deem it necessary to subdivide, such subdivision shall be by the surveyor of the District of Columbia, or bis assistant only, and shall be entered in the plat book or books of said surveyor.”” Confined to the City. It will be observed that by its terms the act of 1809 was confined to subdivisions of land in the city of Washingten, but, with- out any express authority of law, owners of land in the District outside of Washing- ton prepared and had recorded in the sur- veyor’s books subdivisions thereof. That part of the act of the legislative assembly of 1871, above referred to, seems to have been Intended to give express authority for what before had been done by sufferance. But, however that may be, soon after the war these subdivisions in the county of Washington began to make their appear- ance in the surveyor’s books, and up to the time of the passage of the act of 188s, a great many such subdivisions in the county had pveen recorded. Each landowner made a subdivision to suit himself. They were laid out in all parts of the District, extend- ing even to the Maryland line. Many of the streets in the subdivisions were narrower than the corresponding city streets. Some of the streets running north and south were lald down as extensfons of the exist- ing streets; some were not; and in hardly any case were the diagonal avenues pro- longed. Cross streets were laid out at vari- cus angles. Adjoining subdivisions differed from each other, so that a street upon one would have no extension upon its neigisbor. ‘There was no harmony or regularity among the different subdivisions in respect of the width or direction of the streets. As the number of subdivisions grew, the difficulties arising from this want of a general plan increased. The proprietor of a tract of land who wished to subdivide it would find him- self surrounded by existing subdivisions each different from the others, so that if he laid out hie streets to connect with one they would not harmonize with any of the others. Conformity Required. Such was the situation August 27, 1883, when Congress directed the Commissioners ot the District to make and publish general orders regulating the platting and subdi- viding of all lands and grounds in thé Dis- trict of Columbia, and provided that no subdivision should be recorded in the sur- veyor’s office until approved by the Com- missioners. This act also provided that “No future subdivision of land in the Dis- trict of Columbia without the limits of the cities of Washington and Georgetown shall be recorded in the surveyor’s office of the said District, unless made in conformity with the general plan of the city of Wash- ington.” But, while the act of 1888 was a great im- Frovement on the previous state of affairs, it had defects which could only be removed by the adoption of one general plan, em- bracing the entire District outside of Wash- ington and Georgetown. For instance, the authorities under the act of 1888 could not change pre-existing subdivisions. Then, too, another difficulty was that subdivisions made in different parts of the District at different times, approved often by different officers, would not harmonize with one an- other. To provide the necessary general plan the statute of 1898 was enacted, which provides among other things that the Dis- trict Commissioners shall and re- ecrd, in sections, from time to time, a map extending the plan of the city of Washing- ton over the trict, and that after the map shall be filed no subdivision not in conformity to it shall be recorded either in the office of the surveyor of the District or in_the office of the recorder of deeds. The act also provides that the Commis- stoners in preparing the map shall conform to existing subdivisions made in compliance with the act of 1888. As to the old subdi- visions, no restrictions are thrown ebout the Commissioners, they being authorized to adopt any of thewe old subdivisions which shall, in their opinion, conform to the general plan of the city of Washington. They were also diractel to keep in view “the necessity of harmonizing, as far as possible, the public conventence with econ- omy of expenditure.” The Long Fight. inder the act of 1998, a map of section 1 of the general map was prepared, embrac- ing all the territory in the District lying north of Boundary street, or Florida avenue, from Rock creek on the west to North Capitol street extsnded on the east. Xn effort was made by certain land owners to enjoin the recording of the map, on the ground that the ling 9f It In the axrvevors office would amount ¢> a teking of their property for public use without compensa- tion. But the injunction was refused by Judge McComas, and no further action was taken in the matter. -Within the limits of the map in question there were forty-seven subdivisions tnen existing, which were more or less changed by the plan laid down on the map, and September 27, 1895, the Commissioners filed in the District Supreme Court, holding a special term as a district court of the United States, a separate petition as to each of the forty-seven subdivisions, for the condemnation of a perm-nent right of way for the public over ali the land (nox al- ready owned by the United States or the District of Columbia, or dedicated to ine Public use as a highway) lying within the limits of each of these forty-seven subdi- visions. The first case taken up by the court (Judge Cox) was that of Dennison and Leighton’s subdivision of Mt. Pleasant and Pleasant Plains, and the jury of seven ap- praisers were duly sworn. At the conclu- sion of the case Judge Cox, upon the mo- tion of one of the land owners, February 5, 1896, set aside the verdizt which the jury had rendered and ‘lismissed the petition under which the Proceedings were had, on the ground that the act of Congress, under which the proceeding was institute 1, fs un- constitutional and void. In so deciding, Judge Cox held that the Proper construction of section 11 of the act, providing that where the use of a part only of a tract of land is condemned, the jury in assessing damages therefor shall take into consideration the benefit the purpose for which it is taken may be to the owner cr owners of such tract or parcel by enhanc- ing the value of the remainder of the same and shall give their verdict accordingly, required the jury to take into consideration the benefits which may result from the Subsequent opening and improvement of the street, and that so construed the sec- ne is heat ee further held that because is section is unco: act Pee nstitutional the whole rom the decision of Judge Cox thi = missioners appealed to the Court Gans peals, and while the appellate court held that section 11 of the act ig _unconstitu- tonal, and that section 15, which provides for assessing one-half of the damages upon the land benefited could not be enforced, because, as suggested by Judge Cox, the law did not fix either the taxing district or the rule of apportionment, but left those matters to be determined by the jury under the direction of the court, the court re- versed Judge Cox's order dismissing the petition, and remanded the case to the Supreme Court of the District for further proceedings in conformity to the opinion of the court. That is, the Court of Appeals (Mr. Chief Justice Alvey dissenting) held that it is not competent for Congress, where a part of a tract is taken for a high- way, to deduct from the value of the part taken the benefit to the remainder of the tract, no matter how clear and immediate the benefit may be. The Effect. The effect of the decision of the Court of ,Appeals was to hold the proceedings valid so far as the filing of the map and the ascertainment of the value of the land actually taken and the amount of other damages were concerned, and to hold them invalid so far as concerned both the de- duction and the assessment of benefits. Ac- cordingly, when the cass was remande: to the court below judgment was entered favor of each of the land owners (ex- cept a few who obtained new trials) for his damages, as ascertained by the jury. There were about seventy-five lots, parts only of which were taken, in Dennison and Leighton’s subdivision. There were some twenty other lots which were atf- fected by the abaadonment of existing streets. As to all these lots (except the few who obtained new trials on the ground that the emounts allowed weré insufficient) the cwners were satisfied with the result, except thc owner of lot 61. In his case judgment was entered in his favor for $2,- 073.85—the value as ascertained by the jury of the part of lot 61 which was con- demned disregarding the benefits deducted —$536.40—and the additional assessment of $1,012.90. He appealed to the Court of Ap- peals and the Commissioners thereupon took a cross-appeal. In the Court of Ap- peals the court affirmed the judgment which had been entered in pursuance of ‘ts mandate, whereupon both parties ap- pealed to the United States Supreme Court. The second case tried was that of the In- gleside subdivision, and in that the lower court, following the above noted decision of the Court of Appeals, gave judgment in favor of the several land owners for the value of their land actually taken, as as- certained by the jury, without deduction or assessment’ on account of benefits. Thereupon, all parties appealed to the Court of Appeals, and, when that court de- cided as :n the first case tried, all parties appealed to the United States Supreme Court So far as tht assessments for benefits is conceraed in these two cases, it is agreed on all hands that they cannot stand. ‘The land owners claim that section 15, under which the assessment is made, is wholly void, and on behalf of the Commissioners it is conceded that an erroneous principle was adopted in confining the assessment to land in the particular subdivision in- volved. But if section 15 is valid and should be enforced, then it will be neces- sary to recall the juries in these cases to make a new assessment upon proper prin- ciples. _o——_ PRIZES AWARDED. Artists Pass Upon the Work of Amnateur Photographers. The committee in charge of the midwinter exhibition of the Washington Photographic Club has decided to continue it one day longer. Instead of closing this evening, as was the original plan, the exhibition will be open in the parlors of the Capital Bi- cycle Club, 409 15th street, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the public generally is invited. Messrs. Howard Helmick, U. 8. J. Dunbar and Wells M. Sawyer, judges of the exhibi- tion, have announced the list of prize win- ners, as follows: First portraft prize, Dex- ter Thurber; second, A. J. Houghton. First figure study, James Henry Harper, “The Banjo Artist;” second, Dexter Thurber, “A Virginia Maid.” First genre, Dexter Thur- her, “Ole Virginny;” second, A. J. Henry, “The Evening Meal.” First landscape, J. H. Harper, “Along the Old National Pike;” second, Claudius B. Jewell, “Passing Storm.” First marine, Charles Richards Dodge, “A Heavy Sea;’’ -second, Eugene Lee Ferguson, ‘‘The Lagoon.” First animal subject, A. 8. McCoy, “In the Pasture;” second, Charles H. Schaaff, “In Summer.” First_interior, J.H . Harper; second, B. Lee Furguson. First flower study, Dexter Thurber, “The Flower of the Family;” sec- ond, A. 8. McCoy, “Night Blooming Cer- eus.” First scientific class, J. H. Harper; second, A. J Henry, “Clouds.” Special prize for best collection of snap shots, W. C. Allen; best platinum print, A. J. Hough- ton; best sliver print, J. H. Harper. oe Nothing Like Electricity. Frem the Portland Oregonian, New uses for glectricity are constantly being discovered. A fish dealer runs a wire up through his counter and shoves it into @ huge block of fish, and then labels it ‘electric fish.” Any one curious enough to touch the fish with his fingers receives a very perceptible shock, which convinces him that the fish is correctly labeled. Yesterday a local dealer in com who has a dozen varieties on display in pars set on top of the different had a wire run along with a little braach of ccp- per wire running into each pan. This charged the p'ckles so that any one puttirg finger in to le one received ee tended to le from sampling the peop! ickles or ae joke on those who intended do so, is not known, but after putting a finger near one Ro one attempted to touch another. If one-took up the pan or put his hand on the pickles he receives no noticeable shock, but the sensitive end of a finger ago’ @ pichle recetved a rather | CHRISTMAS FANCIES How the Big Stores Anticipate the Holiday Trade, ATTRACTIVE DISPLAYS: OF G00D8 What Some MerchantsHave Made the Features of the: Week. POINTS FOR SHOPPERS The big department store, when it comes to Christmas preparations, is very much like a big magazine or other periodical, so far as the prelimirary arrangements are concerned. As Christmas stories are fre- quently written by authors who sit coatless beneath the refreshing artificial breezes of an electric fan, so are the Christmas things that are to charm the eld and delight the young when displayed on the shelves and in the windows es the holidays approach created when the mercury is climbing heav- erward with almost pious energy. As early as the Ist of October the astute individuals who are known to the mercantile world as “buyers,” are out in quest of the latest novelties which the factories that manu- facture such thirgs can present. The whole world is scoured in this search. There are agents everywhere, who are on the lookout for the latest and the most attractive novelties, because in these ad- vanced days the demand is for Christmas gifts out of the former common run of such things. Mechanical toys from France, almost human dolls from Germany and a vast variety of other ingenious playthings for the little ones are secured. Then there are the thousand and one other articles that will always be considered appropriate as holiday presents, which are selected in quantities long before even the most san- guine child is beginning to so much as think about Christmas. The great work at the stores comes in the arrangement of the Christmas tnings so that they may present the most_attractive advantages to the crowds that throng the sidewalks where the show windows display their riches, or the aisles within flanked by shelves and counters borné down with the beautiful and useful things that accentuate the arrival of the holiday season. No iess active in the exerc.se of this fore- sight are the proprietors of the establish- ments which ere devoted to special lines of business. The wide-awake and progressive, who keep abreast of modern methods and are aware that competition, next to well- directed advertising, is the life of trade, are early in the market, zealous in their pur- suit of latest things in their particular oranches. Each merchant ts anxious to se- cure the exclusive supply of some particu- jar articles for his immediate territory, ana the competition that arises from this spirit is keen and eager. Jewelers seek out -the daintiest and most beautiful creations in their line; booksellers endeavor to find the best authors in the best bindings, and so it goes all through the list in the business world. Washington 1s happily possessed of mer- chants of enterprise and wisdom, who are well aware of the cosmopolitan character of the population they have to cater to and who prepare themselves accordingly. A stroll through the business sections of the city, in and out of the department and special etores, will illustrate to a superla- lve degree the fact that any taste and any purse car be abundantly satisned in a holi- day way at the national capital as easily as the same thing could be accomplished in New York, Chicago or any of the other big cities. It was an astute observer who said re- cently that there were three universally recognized institutions in the city of Wasnington, and upon asked to enumerate them, replied: “The United States government, The Evening Star and the Boston Store.” It is probable that nearly every person resident in the Dis- trict or vicinity will admit the truth of this original remark, aud certainly a stran- ger visitirg the latter “institution” would be forced to the conclusion that Woodward & Lothrop’s was apparently the Mecca of ajl the holiday purchasers at the na- tlona! capital. From the stationery de- partment in the basement, sphere the latest books and the handsomest /hindings, the most delicate papeterie and kindred things are found in apparently endless profusion, up thrcvgh the bewildering contents of the varicus departments the crowds surge and push in a persistent endeavor to buy, buy, buy. The toy department attracts the ford mothers and proud papas and they are nonplussed at what they find. Every- thing, it would seem, from a tin horn to a miniature express train, with Pullman sleepers and observation car attached, ap- pears to be contained in the articles dis- played here. But everywhere one turns in the entire building attractive and novel articles hold the vision, and send the hand involuntarily toward the pocket book. It would reed a volume to describe the Christmas things at the Boston store, and even if it were a big book there would still be not enough room to enumerate all the beauties or half the usefulness that ig shown on the shelves and counters of the famous establishment. ‘There is everything to tempt the fancy of man or maiden at the Bon Marche on 7th street, from candy up through the whole gamut of bodily needs. The jewelry cases are filled with the brightest and prettiest novelties in the way of bracelets, hat pins, earrings, cuff buttons, &c. Along the lines essentially feminine are the hats trimmed and untrimmed, pretty aprons, a great assortment of neck garniture, in feathers, Jace and chiffon, dress trimmings, flowers and ribbons, in bewildering assortment of styles and colors. King’s Palace is making a specialty for the holiday trade in a magnificent display of toys. There are dolis as tall as a child seven -years old, and they range down to the smallest in size and price. There are slelghs, games, wagons, bicycles, etc., euit- able for either boys or girls. All the prepa- rations are, however, not for the little folks, Fancy goods. in the latest novelties and a large department for jackets and wraps, as well as trimmed and untrimmed millinery, are seasonable indications that ae best styles and lowest prices will pre- vail. W. H. Hoeke, 8th and Market space, is Cevoting the entire first and the mam- moth show windows of his qonventently lo- cated establishment ~ an: exhfbit that ghould not be overlooked, ‘especially by those in doubt as to what-to purchase as Christmas gifts. A feature is made of Narius Martin goods, of gold leaf, .hand- painted. Other handsome presents may be easily selected from a complete assortment of odd parlor pieces, inlaid mahogany fur- niture, music .cabinets, ladies’ desks and toilet tables, to say nothing of carpets at pricea in keeping with the times. In a remodeled store, and with a complete stock, Clark & Co., 811 rt .are better prepared than ever before fo meet, and satisfy, the demands of op pers. A feature is made-of hiefs, which never fail to prove le as Christmas remembrances. Tbe virm claims to be thoroughly ited the hand- Pegi eg at line no’ uyers. the counters are shown: chiefs, and linen, for men, and bo} ‘Unsprel are popular gifts, and thoge'that may be obtained at Clark & Co.'s gre@f the very best make, while Ly 8 prices.are- reasonable. ‘The foregoing are but two: features of a thoroughly equipped’ establishment. The holiday Spirit is manifest: throughout Co., 7th and Market space. Evergreen in profusion bedecks the interior and adds a Christmas color to the attractive display. | The line of goods shown in the succession of windows is especially pretty, and has Proved a magnet for the ever-flowing -stream of shoppers that pass that way. A trio of features entirely new meet the eye this year. These are an athletic depart- ment, a ladies’ cloak department, and a department devoted to silver novelties of the latest and most exquisite and exclusive designs. The firm claims to be better pre- than ever before to meet the holiday rush, especially in the furnishing line. Be- cause of the hard time, overcoats, shoes, hats and like articles of a substantial char- acter will constitute a large proportion of the gifts presented next week, and such may be found, at reasonable prices, at Saks’, which will probably be a mecca for Christmas shoppers until after the holiday season. When the firm of W. B. Moses & Sons erected their big building, at the corner of lth and F streets, some years ago, it seemed as though they were planning for more business than a town of the size of Washington could furnish. That they made no mistake in their plans, however, has been more than proved by the success that has attended their venture. It is their claim that they can afford to sell the very same article of goods for from 6 to 10 per cent below New York prices. Their stock this year is unprecedentedly large, and par- ticularly strong in articles that make the most attractive of holiday gifts, odd and pretty pieces of furniture, desks, card tables and the like, and the supply of ori- ental rugs is reaily bewildering. For the better display of their goods on dark days and in the early evening, they have just had the entire building supplied with elec- tric lights, and next week the store will be kept open until a late hour to accommo- date the crowds of Christmas shoppers. Wash. B. Williams Is one of the oldest in- habitants of Washington, and during the greater portion of his life he has been in the furniture and carpet business at 7th and D streets. The approach of every holi- day season during his business career has been accompanied by an offer that never failed to attract notice. For Christmas buyers Mr. Williams’ stores at present are well fillled with practically irresistible at- tractions. An article of furniture or a car- pet constitutes a solid, sensible present, and one that cannot fall to be appreciated. The lowest prices for the best goods is a rule that has no exception at this house. [8 mammoth establishment of Saks and An extra force of clerks is on duty at the Family Shoe Store, 210 7th street, supply- ing the wants of a never ceasing throng of buyers. The holiday trade is marked by a demand for bicycle boots, although a fea- ture of the stock of the establisament is the Dr, Janon’s hygienic shoe, with felt 1n- ner soles, soft, pliable and water proof. The proprietor states that business is good, and that those in search of footwear, of ali kinds and all makes, are sure to find what they are looking for on the shelves of his acious double stores. Johnston’s big grocery store, 720-31 7th street, Is ready for the holiday rush, with a fine stock of staple and fancy ‘goods suited exactly to the Christmas table. Everything in the way of canned gocds is kept, along with all the delicacies of the season, nuts, raisins, candies and the like, the ingredients of home-made mince meat and plum pudding, and those holiday ne- cessities already compounded. Adjoining the grocery store is an up-to-date meat market, Both have been recently fitted with an overhead system of cash carriers, which has proved a great saving of time to the customers. Christmas novelties are a special feature of the display at McKnew’s. They embrace not only the usual articles found to be ready sellers at this season as gifts, but a veriety of fancy things, in leather, cellu- loid, silver and other metals for every pos- sible use and in an incredible number of styles. In the ready-made departments up- stairs all the latest styles in dresses, wraps, long and short coats, are attractively dis- played. The very latest novelties in out- ing, bicycling and golf costumes are shown in the best materials and most practical models, —_——__ B. AND 0. CHANGES, Retirement of Mr. Anderson, Who Was Garrett's Private Secretary. That there should have been a meeting yesterday in Baltimore of the board of di- rectors of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company for the purpose of electing a president of the corporation, when the road is in the hands of receivers, was an enigma to many persons, but the action was neces- sary in order to comply with the terms of the charter, and to keep up the organiza- ton of the company. The occasion marked also the close of the official life of Mr. Andrew Anderson, who was for many years the secretary of the company, and for a greater number of years previous to his acceptance of that place was the private secretary of the late John W. Garrett during nearly the entire time the latter was the president of the Baltimore and Ohio. With the retiring of Mr. Anderson to pri- vate life it may be considered that the last link, so far as men are concerned, that con- nected the administration of President John W. Garrett, with the present time has been severed. Mr. C. W. Woolford, who was elected to succeed Mr. Anderson as secretary, {s prob- ably the youngest man in the country to Occupy so responsible a position. He brings to its duties an experience in railroad mat- ters covering the entire period since he left college. Three years ago, when it became neces- sary for Secretary Anderson to have an as- sistant, Mr. Woolford was advanced to the place, and since that time he has per- formed most of the duties appertaining to the office. it is reported that steps will probably be taken before very long to determine as closely as possible the physical condition of the Baltimore and Ohio road, with spe- cial reference to the necessity for the ex- Penditure of money upon the property. It is announced that, in accordance with the wishes of Receiver Murray, General Manager Greene has directed the placing ef a large number of sidings to encourage industries along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio, and other sidings already in use are to be lengthened. It is stated that when Mr. Murray was in the Big Four he advocated such improvements, and today the most prolific source of revenue of the Big Four is from the business carried over these tracks. 1t is understood that in the last sixty days the Baltimore and Ohio has promoted thirty-three firemen to be engineers. The company has employed but two engineers who came_to it from other roads, as it is stated the company prefers to fill vacancies by promoting its men when they are com- petent. ———E Personal Bonds. Undertaker James H. Winslow, for whose arrest two warrants were issued Monday, appeared in the Police Court yesterday, plead guilty, and his personal bonds were taken. This course was followed at the request of the health office officials. One warrant charged that Winslow, be- ing in charge of Payne's cemetery, neglect- ed to register his name in a book kept at the health office for that purpose. The other set forth that Winslow interred in yne’s cemet body of a human be- ing without securing a permit from the as eee Club Incorporated. ‘The Catholic Club has been incorporated by articles filed by Francis A. W. Van Reuth, Wm. T. Sullivan and Michael A, Keane. The object of the association is the cultivation of social, moi id Siesta Seema TE” iMererz ant among Catholic men, THE PUBLIC PRINTER Mr, Benedict's Report on the Condi- tion of His Office. BETTER EQUIPPED THAN EVER BEFORE Large Increase in the Amount of Work Done. A NEW BUILDING — NEEDED A very favorable report on the condition of the government printing office was laid before the Senate late yesterday afternoon. The report was by Public Printer Benedict, who sald that never before had a public printer been able to make so favorable re- port on the condition of the office and its work as was his good fortune to do this year. Mr. Benedict spoke of strengthening the building, printing material said: “Besides these a number of new machines have been purchased and erected in the of- fice, which has greatly added to its pro- ductive capacity, new type and other print- ing material has been freely supplied where needed, and reserve material accumulated sufficient In amount tu meet the extraor- dinary demands for hurried work to which at times the office ts peculiarly subject. Fully 120,000 square feet of floor space has been added to the office by the recent ad- ditions and leases.” Its Present Equipment. Again he says: “In view of the data at my command I feel justified in assuring Congress that at the present time the gov- ernment printing office is fully equal in its equipment and organization to performing all the government printing as promptly and economically as is possible until com- plete new and modern office buildings are erected. While its floor space as now oc- cupied is much divided and in some cases inconvenient, yet it is abundant, is largely equipped with the best modern machinery, current work is promptly executed, delayed work has been brought up to date, and the umulation of reserve work has been largely reduced. “I consider that the office is now in a position to meet all probable demands upon it for a considerable period of time, at least ent period to enable Congress intel- ligently and systematically to take up the work of providing an entire new office, with the purpose of making it a model olishment. While the saving in money and time as a result of enlarging and improving the office is an interesting and important con- sideration, and must inevitably, within a short period of time, reimburse the national treasury for the full cost of the same, and afford a continuing profit upon the. work of the future, it is but a trifle compared to the advantages conferred upon the em- ioyes by the conveniences and comforts with which they have been surrounded. One Apprehension Removed. “As a result of the many improvements that have been made to the office during the past two years, I am happy to say that all apprehension as to the loss of life from insecure buildings is removed. “The full occupancy of the new west wing and of the floors of the new fifth story of the south wing has rendered pos- sible the removal of the overweight of ma- chinery and material from the H street side of the office. The extensive applica- tion 8f directly connected electric motor power to the many machines upon the floors of the H street and North Capito! street wings has permitted the removal of much weight of shafting and connections and largely reduced the vibrations attend- ing the old method of power supply. “The erection of the new boiler house and boilers at a safe distance from the working divisions permits the abandoning of the old boiler plant in the court except for the moderate use of supplying extra heat in extremely cold weather. “The new electric power and lighting sys- tem, which has been pronounced a model of insulation by all electrical engineers who have examined it, has largely reduced the probability from fire and accident which attended the cruder methods of the past, made possible better light and cleanliness in the various divisions, and, taken in con nection with the new toilet and filterin, system and other sanitary provisions, re- moved discomforts and inconveniences that menaced the health of employes. A New Building Needed. “It is not intended to convey the impres- sion by anything previously stated in re- gard to improvements that they affect in any way the argument in favor of provid- ing a new government printing office at as early a date as possible. Unless Congress Proposes to eventually abolish this office and return to the contract system it is its unmistakable duty to provide at once for a fully equipped model establishment, in which the government's printing can be ex- ecuted at the minimum of cost and of which every American printer and book- binder may be pa The amount of money expended for this wise provision would be speedily saved to the government in small- er appropriations that would otherwise be required, while its necessity is apparent in view of the inevitable growth of public printing, in keeping with the rapid growth and progress of the country. “In my judgment no step should now be taken by Congress toward erecting a gov- ernment printing office that is not based upon the most careful plans and expert knowledge. A proper commission should be first appointed to procure and present the fullest information in regard to the larger private printing offices of the coun- try. Every detail of the modern progress of the art should be mastered. The build- ing architecturally should be designed for a printing office, and for no other purpose whatever. The question of a site is of minor importance. A printing office is a workshop, and this is true in a more par- ticular sense of the government printing office than of many private concerns, which ofttimes are mere adjuncts to publishing houses engaged in advancing the interests of liferature and art. The bnilding should be perfectly adapted in light and floor space, in ventilation and heating, in sani- tary conditions, and in its mechanical plant to the most perfect execution of the cov- the work of and of the .ernment printing at the minimum of cost. It might, with the highest advantage to the shee! be ideal in its appoint- ments and appliancee—an exhibit of the progress of the highest humanity and in- telligence in building construction, as well as of the highest economy and efficiency in the printing trade. “The increase in the amount of printing done by the office during the past fiscal year was much in excess of the average yearly growth of the past. The use of paper was the largest in its history, reach- ing a total of 5,457 151-2000 tons of book, writing, ledger, plate and —_ printing papers, being 910 tons more was used the year Preceding and 634 tons more than was ever heretofore used in a single year. The number of form over the Binders’ Siva ploces of book cloth, bi 4,300. di skina, besides other leather, bound and delivered 1,285,454 oc- Printers’ Ink «the fittfe schoo? master of adverf:sing), saps: Jf is cla m=d for fe Washing ‘on Stor, and profaffp tru::uffp cfoim:d, -Bat no ofser netosraper in tBe countre gore mfo 60 farge a vercentag: of aff fBe Bouses tiffin a radius of fwenfp mifes from te office of pufification. leather, net including blank books and ledgers, and brought up the reserve binding of Congress nearly complete to the Fifty- fourth Congress, a gain of #220 bound books in this much delayed work. There Was printed and delivered 6,461,063 bound and unbound pamphiets and speeches, and of the House and Senate bills, resolutions, amendments, 11,175,105 copi printed and delivered, being 5,405,255 Copies in ex cess of the number printed and delivered at the previous long session of Congress. All this increase of work was met pramptly and to the satisfaciion of the public service. The Working Force Satisfactory. “The working force of the office during the year has been conducted most satisfac- terily within the classified civil service. The new appointees selected from the cer- tified lists have averaged as well as those who were selected heretofore at the will of the appointing power. “The annual leaves of absence, with pay, to employes, afforded an opportunity to provide work during the congressional re- cess to the surplus force, and the usual reduction was avoided. The average daily pember of employes during the year ha been 2,828, an increase of 151 over the year previous. The changes in the force luring the year were as follows: Twenty-seven died, 115 resigned, 15 were dropped from the service on account of absence, 25 were discharged because of reduction of force ard 19 were discharged for cause; 15 bationary appointments were cancele 10 probationary appointments absolutely refused; there were 161 persons reinstated to the service, and 163 probationar pointmenis made, of which 138 were perma. nently appointed. All appointments and reinstatements were made from names cer- tified by the civil service commission, and in all discharges and appointments made spirit of the merit system was ob- MR. GANNON’S APPOINT: win v. Act as General Manager of the Southern Ro: Mr. Frank 8. Gannon, whose appointment as general manager of the Southern Rail- way Company was announced in The Ster of Tuesday, will also, it is understood, be third vice president. It is expected that Mr. Gannon will enter upon his new duties about January 1, at which time he will, it is understood, be relieved by bis successor of his present duties as general manager of the Staten Island Rapid Transit Company and general superintendent of the New York division of the Baltimcre and Ohio Railway Company. The name of the offt- cial who is to take Mr. Gannon’s place in the Baltimore and Ohio service ha becn divulged, and it was stated ing at the general offices of th Baltimore that Receiver Murray and al Manager Gre had any ne not reached conclusion in the matter further than that the individual who will receive the promo- tion is already in the Baltimore and Ohio employ. The letter containing Mr. Gannon’s re: ignation of his present positions was re- ceived yesterday by Receiver M his successor will, it is expected, during the present week. Third Vice President and General He entered railway since which time he tive- ly to April, 1 telegraph operator in the Delaware division of from April, 1870, t9 April en the y Midland railr known as the New York, Susquchan Western railroad, as clerk In the president's ofics terminal agent, supe clerk and train dispatcher; from to January, 1881, he was in th railroad as train dispatcher, trainmaster and master of trans 2 and from January, 1881, to April, ISSI, he was Supervisor of trains on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad; from April, 1881, to Augus 1886, he was general superintendent of t New York City and jorthern from August, 1886, to November, 1, 184, he Was general superintendent of the Staten Island Rapid Transit railroad: since No- vember 1, 1894, be has been general mane ager of the same road: from March, 1590, he has also been general superintendent of the New York division of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and from November, I8ua, to the present, also president of the Staten Is- land Railroad Company. His Successor. It is generally understood among railroad men that Mr. J. Van Smith, general super- intendent of the Baltimore and Ohio lines west of the Ohio river, will succeed Mr. Gannon as general manager of the New York Givision of the Baltimore and Ohio and of the Compary. Mr. Smith was born at Baltimore, and was educated at the Universi Maryland. He entered railway servic 1871 as a freight clerk of the Northern ( tral railway at Baltimore, Md. nee whic he has been consecutively, March, 187%, October, 1873, clerk in car record offic Baltimore and Ohio railroad, at Cumbe land, Md.; October, 1873, to Novem» chief clerk in same Staten Island Rapid Transit to office; November, 1876, to November, 1878, traveling car agent, with headquarters at Cincinnati, Ohio; No- vember, 1878, to January, 1882, in otlice of master of transportation at Baltimore; Jan- uary, 1882, to January, 1887, gener gage agent, Baltimore and Ohio January, 1887, to August, 1887, superintendent and general agent at more; August, 1887, to February, 1 periniendent Philadelphia division, same road; February 1, 1893, to February, 1s, also general agent, same road, at Phila- delphia, representing the executive depart- nent; February, 1894, to date, general 5: perintendent Trans-Ohio division, same road. ee eS Health of the City. The mortality of the city during the past week was 16 per cent less than that of the week before. The number of deaths re- ported to the health department was 8, of which 51 were white and 29 colored. The death rate, accordingly, was 15.8 for the whites, 17.0 for the colored, and 14.8 for the total population. The deaths among in- fants under five years old were 24, as against 30 by the last report, and those under one year old aecreased from 22 to 16. Of typhoid fever four fatal cases occurred, and of diphtheria two. Otherwise, the pathological conditions of the week varied but slightly from those of the past week. As to the meteorological conditions, the mean temperature of the air was warmer by 18 degrees, the mean for the week being 47 degrees, with a mean relative humidity of 70, and a mean (actual barometer) of 20.93. There were four clear and three cloudy days, accompanied by only a trace of rainfall. The thermometer fell from 61 Gegrees on the 10th to 30 degrees on the 1th, ranging 31 degrees in two days, with southerly winds, averaging six miles per hour. During the week there were 27 new ses of diphtheria reported (by last report 43), cards removed from 51 houses (by last report 8), and 70 still isolated (last report 102). Of scarlet fever, five new cases, four cards removed, and twelve placards up. Marriages reported, 32—white, 21; colore?, <3 Births reported, 91—white, colored, ——__ Thanks to Mr. Morse. Mr. James L, win, president of the Anti-Saloon League of the District of Co- Ivmbla, has written a letter to Representa- tive Morse of Massachusetts thanking him in the name of that organization for his support of the bill amending the liquor laws ot the District which passed the House Monday, and expressing thanks to the other members of the committee on aicoholic liqucr traffic, and others who co- operated with him, on behalf of the re- ligious and temperance people of the com- runity. —_——— The schedules in the assignment of & Co., bankers and brokers, at 35 W: street, New York, show liabilities $204,500; nominal assets, $344,502; actual assets, $10.