Evening Star Newspaper, August 19, 1897, Page 2

LATE NEWS BY WIRE Joseph C. Hendrix Elected President of the Bankers’ Association. HARD WORK AT LAST DAY'S MEETIN Interesting Papers Read by Prom- inent Financiers on Various opics. M. B. VAN SLYKE’S PAPER DETROIT, August 19.—Jos. C. Hendrix of New York city was elected president of the American Bankers’ Association by ac- clamation this morning. Hard, driving work characterized the last session of the convention of the American Bankers’ Association. Promptly at 9 o'clock the gathering was called to order and the reading of papers left over from yesterday taken up. The question, “What Legislation is Need- ed in Respect to the Currency?’ was dis- cussed in an interesting paper by N. B. Van Slyke, president of the First National Bank of Madison, Wis. The speaker thought reforms, to be per- manent, should be gradual rather than radical, and in this direction he suggested the first important step a currency re- form by evolution—the retirement of the troubiesome greenback and the treasury a fleating debt and the practical ness method of funding this debt into three per cent government bonds in denom- ination from fifty to thousands of dol- 1 er cent bonds, if payable in 3 said Mr. Van Slyke, “and ir- redeemable before, would take up the present bonds issued, as (fey mature, and if by permitting banks to issue their cir- ng notes upon the par of such 3 per ponds, in the same proportion only as svernment circulating notes might be rned, redeemed, and ihen torever re- tired, it would keep the volume of ali the currency undisturbed, by the gradual de- se of one class and coresponding in- - of the other.”” Harvey J. Hollister of Grand Rapids, spoke of “Organiaed Capital; Its es and Its Dutie: Bradford Rhodes, president of the Mam- sreneck Bank, Mamaroneck, N.Y., tread ap address on the subjec Are Clearing E ‘s for Country Cnecks Practicable?” Myron T. Herrick of Cleveland, Ohio, @ paper entitled “Savings Banks. Gunby Jordan et Columbus, Ga., 4 the question whether national of less than $50.0) capital would benefit to the country. He answered rmatively. —— CONVENTION OF THE Y. P. C. U. it affi Proceedings at the Opening Session at Indianapolis This Mo = INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., August 19.—An early morning prayer meeting in the capi- tol grounds opened the day’s proceedings of the Young People’s Christian Union of the United Presbyterian Church. The weather was clear and cool and the attend- ance la The subject, “Consecration,” was presented by the Rev. J. D. Rankin, D.D., of Denver. At 9:30 am. the first ssion of the day was begun at Tomlin- on Hall. After devotional exercises the Rev. John A. Duff, general secretary, read annual report. ‘ext came the report of the junior work and award of the junior banner to the presbytery representing the largest ig- ctease in membership of junior societies, i This banner has been heid for the past | year by the Allegheny presbytery. The treasurer reported that the total receipts for the $ear were about $4,000, and the balance on hand August 15 was $859.04. After the i allation of the new officers hort song service was had, after which came the reception of J. S. Moffatt of Ches- ter, C., chairman of the executive com- mittee and synodical delegate associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. The forencon session was concluded by | the Rev. W. T. Meloy, D.D., of Chicago, who »ke on “The Ministry of Sympathy.” 5 the noom hour a gospel meeting evangelist of the spcke. EUGENE SAILS FOR KLONDIKE, Steamer Will Be Used as a Hotel on Her Arrival. PORTLAND, Ore., August 19.—The stern- wheel steamer Eugene, belonging to the Po nd and Alaska Trading and Trans- portation Company, has started down the river on her long trip to Dawson City, which place she expects to reach about ember 11. From Astoria the Eugene Was towed by a tug to Victoria. At the place she will be taken in charge ramer Bristol and towed to St. is and there transfer for Dawson. At Dawson ne will do duty as a hotel this ene City the winter. — PROPOSED ALASKAN RAILROAD. Eastern and Pacific Coast Capitalists In ed in the Scheme. PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., August 19.— Residents of Juneau, Alaska, are very much in earnest over the proposal of the Yukon Mining, Trading and Transportation’ Company to construct a railroad from Tokou Inlet to Lake Taslin, a distance of 130 miles. The company also contemplates a road up the beach from Tokou to Juneau, a distance of twenty-nine miles. At the head of the railroad scheme is P. J. Packard, special ageat of the company, who says his associates include Presion Lea and Willard Saulsbury of Delaware, and interested with them are New York end Philadelphia capitalists. ——.__ BRITISH SEAMEN SENTENCED. Found Guilty of Assaultin: Superior Officers. PORTSMOUTH, August 19.—The court- martial yesterday of two seamen of the British battle ship Royal Sovereign develop- ed the fact that the complaints recently made by seamen were greatly exaggerated. The prisoners tried pleaded guilty of sross insubordination and of striking their officers. One of them was sentenced to a year’s penal servitude and the other was condemned to receive twenty-four lashes and to undergo three months’ penal servi- tude. Both of the seamen were dismissed from the servic ———— Strike in Pingree’s Factory. DETROIT, Mich., August 19.—Pingree & Smith's shoe factory, the only unton shop in the city, was tied up at noon loday by a strike of the bottomers. About 70 hands are affected. The firm is willing to arbitrate the differences, but the men claim they have always got the worst of arbitration and demand an increase in the price of certain grades of shoes. Their shoe ——— es ‘To Raise Price of Window Glass. CHICAGO, August 19.—Members of the Jobbers’ Window Glass Association of the West Came together at the Auditorium An- Bex for the purpose of holding a mecting to consider the question of making a 5 joe cent raise in the price of glass. It as deemed unadvisable to take action un- Ul after the meeting of the manufacturers next week, and postponement was taken until Wednesday. The tone of the meet- ing was favorable to a raise. ———_— WASHINGTON ASYLUM. intendant Stoute timates for The annual estimates of Intendant-Stout- enburg of the Washington Asylum was submitted to the Commissioners today, and called for an appropriation of $113,043. The Gaily average of persons supported by the Ss men was held in the Y. M. C. j , at which the Rev. T. C. McKelvey, | synod of New York, | | institution last year was 528, at a cost of | $100 each per annum. The estimates contained an item of $4,- 500 for the erection of a buliding for a nurses’ home; $1,000 is asked fer furni- ture for this building. The most important recommendation in these estimates is an item of $25,000 for the erection of a a for the dis- posal of the pauper 5 An appropriation of $2,500 is asked for neral repairs. "The intendant urges the erection of a separate building for care of dependent col- ored women who are now housed on the fourth floor of the alms house, the cost to be $7,000. ——— Steamship Arrivals. At New York—Servia, from Liverpool. At Liverpool—Germanic, from New York. At Hamburg—Persia, from New York. JEON ‘Trade at San Diego, Cal. SAN DIEGO, Cal., August 19.—The four- masted ship Metropolis, from Newcastle, N. . W.. has arrived here. The ship City of Athens sailed for Liverpool with 1,800 tons of wheat. Ss King of Siam Geing Home. LONDON, August 19.—The King of Siam, Chulalongkorn I, will not visit the United States, as at first proposed. After his con- tinental visits, his majesty will re-embark on his yacht at Marseilies and will sail for home. THE BUSINESS REVIVAL in Pennsylvania Cities. Manufacturing Establishments Mak- ing Ready to Share in Profits— The Farmers Are Hopeful. Special Correspendence of The Evening Star. HARRISBURG, Pa., August 18, 1897. Having faith in the promises of good times to follow the new tariff, Philadelphia business men have been active and prompt in availing themselves of the opportunities of getting a share of the profits. They have made money by their foresight and energy. The old city is wide awake, and as a result of speciag excursions from the scuth and west, the wholesale establish- ments have been doing a good -business and securing customers who have hereto- fore gone to Baltimore and New York. Kensington, which is Philadelphia's chief manufacturing suburb, is having her mills reopened, and operatives and retail mer- chants, whose prosperity depends on the | disbursements of the mills and factories, look more hopeful and cheerful than for some time. Grass and weeds which have flourished in the yards of many of these establishments will soon be destroyed by the feet of busy men and boys. I do not mean to report that all the mills and factories have resumed operations, or to intimate that prosperity is to take the place of adversity at one jump, but the improvement has begun, and is certain to Progress under prevailing conditions. Along the line of the Reading railroad, between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, the signs of renewed activity are numerous. Pottstown, having about 15,000 population, and situated forty miles from Philadelphia, and a sufferer from the stagnation in the iron trade, has begun to feel the impulse of better times and the mills have received orders which will necessitate the starting of the furnaces. The fron Workers. The Reading iron works have started up, and, while not ‘working their full force, expect to have employment for all of their men before winter. In addition to being a prominent railroad center, Reading has a great diversity of industries, very few of | Which have been entirely shut down, | though most of them running small forces. | Though a city of only 70,000 inhabitants, its eighty odd industries employ a capital | of $15,000,000, with a product of over $20,- 000,000. Over $6,000,000 is annually paid out | for laber when times are good. The work- men of Reading have had a hard practical | lesson in economic problems from tariff | and free trade standpoints, and, together with the farmers of Berks county, who are almost exclusively of German descent, they will hereafter be found solidly in line for | protection. : Reading, by the way, is one of the most beautifully located cities in this coun- try. It is on the banks of the Schuylkill, with Neversink mountain to the south and Penn’s Mount on the east.- The river makes a horseshoe bend here, and from either of the mountains a view of thirty Iniles of valley, traversed by the beauti- ful river, with its sinuous course, can be had. Lebanon is another of the smaller cities of Pennsylvania which is feeling the re- newed pulsations in the agteries of trade. Its factories and shops. turn out nuts and bolts, steam engines, railroad cars and farm implements; besides, other products | come from many smaller industries. They | are not all running on full time, but orders “re coming in and preparations being made for work this fall and winter. The farm- ers around Lebanon appreciate the effect of | @ nearby home market. They have come through the hard times in good shape and are able to hold their wheat until it goes to a dollar, as most of them believe it will do before snow flies. The raising of fruit | and vegetables for Philadelphia markets forms an important part of the farming in- dustries of this section. » Stone Quarries, Also. The stone quarrymen of Hummelstown report business as better than it has been for two years, indicating that building: operations are being pushed. Inquiry among the building associations shows that deposits and payments on loans are being renewed by parties who had fallen behind. The town and county banks are loosening their purse strings again, and time loans can be had on good security at 5 per cent. In short, there are many signs of a re- turn to a better and more healthy condition all along the line in this section of Pennsyl- yania. This state was one of the first to feel the effects of industrial depression, and naturally it is the first to revive under the improved conditions. The improve- ment between now and a year ago is ap- parent, even to the skeptic, who is unwill- ing to believe that the tariff has anything to do with it. «Very few stop to consider the causes, but all are glad to profit by the results. ——— Sir Wilfrid Laurier Starts Home. LONDONDERRY, August 19.—Sir Wil- frid Laurier, the Canadian premier, sailed for Canada today. He visited Galway yes- terday in order to learn the views of the people there with reference to the Canadian mail ship line and to judge of its suitability as a port of call SS specting Pacific Coast Waterways. SAN FRANCISCO, August 19.—C. - man’ Warren B. Hooker, chairman of the House committee on rivers and harbors, has arrived here from the north on a tour | of inspection of the coast waterways. * SEATTLE, Wash., August 19.—Active work on the tunnel of the Great Northern j Fallroad in the Cascade mountains will | commence Friday. The tunnel will be two and one-half miles long, sixteen feet wide and twenty-three feet high. It will cost $2,000,000 and require two years in build- | ing. It will reduce the ascent by 1,000 feet. Semester Pineville Bank Robber Caught. NOEL, Mo., August 19.—Word reached here at an early hour this morning that the leader of the Pineville Bank robbers was captured in the woods thirty miles southwest of here Ports are in circulation at Valencia to effect that the Carliste in the district Chelva are preparing to rise. ———> af? in an If you want enything, Star. If anybody has will get an answer. TRADE WITH FRANCE|MARYLAND POLITICS|STREET CLE Propositions For Reciprocity With Interesting Review of Conditions in| Estimates of the Superintendent for That Country. GREAT INCREASE IN THE DUTIES) REPUBLICAN Not Much of a Reduction Per- mitted by the Law. M. PATENOTRE’S OFFER Secretary Sherman has acknowledged the recent overture of the French government, through Aimbassador Patenotre, for né- gotiating a reciprocity treaty between the United States and France under the reci- procity clause of the new tariff law, and the Secretary adds an assurance that he hopes to take up this important subject at an early day. It will be the first effort toward practical application of the reci- procity clause of the new law, and to some extent it will shape the future;action of the government on the troaties to be nego- tiated. In view of this, careful investiga- tion is being made of the status of trade between France and the United States, as @ preliminary to negotiation. This has developed that the reciprocity clause will not permit an offer to France of much reduction of duties. The data pre- pared in the connection shows that imports from France for the year 1805-6 amounted to $67,000,000. It is estimated that the duties under the rew tariff law on im- Ports of this amount, would ba $32,400,000, or 48.35 per cent of the value of the goods, if, however, the reciprocity clause is grant- to France the duties on French im- Ports are estimated at $31,500,000, or 47 per cent of the value of the goods. ‘Thus the zeciprocity clause would reduce the French duties less than $1,000,000 on a year’s im- ports. Another estimate shows that the dutics on French imports are $32,400,000 under the Dingley law, as against $21,000,000 under the Wilson law, an increase of $11,400,000 in duties on French goods. As against this it shows that on the ex- Ports of the United States to France, amounting to $62,800,000, the duties would be $14,000,000, or 22.28 per cent of the value of the American goods sent to France. From the standpoint of the French govern- ment, there is much margin for reciprocity | between the French rate of about 22 per cent against American goods and the American rate of about 48 per cent against French goods. ’ The present negotiations will be a sequel to the arrangement effected by Ambassa~- dor Whitelaw Reid, March 15, 1892. France eentinues to give the minimum rates es- tablished at that time, although the United States long since withdrew the reciprocal reductions on sugar, molasses, hides and skins. When the arrangement was first made France granted the minimum rate on the following American goods: Meats, fruit, dried fruit, woods, wood blocks for pavement, staves, hops, pre- pared. pears and apples. Petroleum also secured certain advant- ages in reduced rates, but it is under sep- arate provisions. These minimum rates are still in force, ‘hough the French govern- ment has felt free to restore the maximum rates since the United States ceased to give reciprocity on sugar, molasses, hides and skins. Ambassador Patenotre’s proposition con- templates that the French minimum rates shall be continued if the United States grants reductions under the reciprocity clause of the new law. Otherwise the French government is likely to restore her maximum rates against meats, fruit, dried fruit, woods, wood blocks for pavement, staves, hops, prepared pears and apples, and possibly petroleum. The French authorities feel that they are entitled to the reciprocity reductions, which at most will not exceed $1,000,000, as heretofore shown, because of the lower percentage of duty levied by France on American goods, compared with the per- centage of duty levied by the United States on French goods. A o—_____ J. N. STUBRS DEFEATED. Virginin State Senator Who Voted Againxt His Instructions. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va. August 19.—Senator James N. Stubbs was defeated today for the nomination of the state senate and Judge T. E. Blakely of Essex county was nominated in his place by the democrats. Stubbs’ defeat Is attributed to the fact that he voted for Themas S. Martin for United States senator, when his constit- uents instructed Kim to vote for Fitzhugh Lee. The convention that nominated Jvdge Blakely was heid in Saluda, Middle- sex county. a Pensions Recently Granted. Pensions have been granted as follows: District of Cclumbia—George S. Warner, United States Soldiers’ Home; Jeremiah E. Kane, Anacostia; George W. Hance, United States Soldiers’ Home; James A. O'Brien, Julia E. Sullivan, George M. Ormes, James McTwiggan. Maryland — George Marsden, Emmits- burg; Joseph Simpson, Baltimore; Henry Grove, Pylesville; Sarah F. Devine, Elk- ten; Rachel A. Conyer, Centerville; Wil- liam T. Dunn, Chestertown; George Carter, Eckhart Mines. Virginia—Robert L. Zirkle, Cave Spring; Ecward McDade, National Soldiers’ Home, Elizabeth City; ‘Candis West, Cherribon: minor of Ahio L. Palmer, Salem; Nancy A. Catharine Hewlett, moth- Henry Johnson, Suffolk; Samuel Miller, National Soldiers’ Home, Ellzabeth City; Ann J, McDowree, Rich- moi i ———__-o+____ Iron Felt. From New York Architecture and Building. The consular reports give an account of the following new invention from Chim- nitz. It is made of the very best woolen materials, impregnated with the inven- tor’s patented preparation, which gives it 2,220 pounds’ power of resistance to every square centimeter (0.3987 inch). The arti- cle is most useful for railroads of all kinds. Placed between rails and sleepers, it dead- ens sounds and prevents shocks. The first experiments with the new material were made by the Berlin City Street Railway, over which three hundred and sixty trains pass daily. The results surpassed the com- Pany’s most Bapguine expectation. Not only was the noise brought down to a mini- mum, but the wear and tear was materi- ally diminished. It is to be tried on the rew roads in Leipsic. Old buildings, and Particularly buildings of stone and iron, suffer most from the shocks and noise of passing trains. Such- an insulating ma- ————+e+____ Blinded by a Horse's Tail. From the Montclair, N. J., Item. Edward M. Jackson of Caldwell was hitching up his horse this morning when the aoe switched its tail around and struck - Jackson in the face. Some of the hair entered Mr. Jackson's right eye and the blow was so severe that the of that eye was destroyed. esi Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, M4., 19.—Flour strong and higher—western supcr, $8 85a§3; do. extn Bice ma gees gies teat te Feealgit,. $1°800$4.95-" reek barrels: ex: ports, 85 5 wales, Wheat strong and" bigher—spot’ and ng OTRO = 4 bushels ‘o6,0b0 bates Suthern wheat do. on g-ade,, 95006." Corn month, *38%0 83%; ge 30%a31— mora ates ‘bushels: bushels south. Gite “hassly “sesede Se ra 113,181’ vashela se ‘vey gull . ial fem, unctmaged. Sees the (Oriole State. + Three Factio: Working With En- thusiasm for her Favorites. GORMAN Not ¥o WITHDRAW Special Dispatch to The Evening Star, BALTIMORE, Md.,. August 19.—The three-cornered republican mayoralty fight in the city ts being brought to a conclusion this week. which is entirély in keeping with the vehement character of the campaign for the control ‘of ‘the - les. All three of the factions are putting forth their ut- termost efforts in these concluding days, and the culmination is not only indicative of the enthusiasm of the partisans of Messrs. Malster, Marburg and Supplee, but is so fierce as to o¢casion those who have the success of the party and not of any in- dividual at heart, some anxiety lest the wounds which are bound to follow, the out- come of Monday's primaries may still be open at the election. ‘The greatest demonstrations of the week are, as has been the case all along, those of the Malster men. The recent meetings held by this faction have never been equal- ed here in point of enthusiasm, unless an exception is made of the great Bryan demonstration last September. The Man of the People. The rank and file of the party and the people generally seem to look upon Mr. Malster as their representative, and the appearance of the shipbuilder at recent gatherings has been the subject of persoual ovations that are génuinely remarkable. In fact, the people—in the literal sense of the word—seem to have arrayed them- selves against the machine leaders, and appear to believe that they are undertaking to deprive them of their rights by con- spiring against Mr. Malster's candidacy. This feeling is most bitter, and if Mar- ‘burg is nominated, judging from present indications, there will be a wholesale de- fection of Malster men on election day. Not only those in: charge of the Malster campaign, but the voters themselves—many of them who rarely. interest themselves in politics—are watching the machine with a narrowness and anxiety which is sighifi- cant of the sincerity of their attachment and prophetic of the indignation which will be visited upon those whom they may sus- pect of defrauding their idol of a just nom- ination. Should the outcome of this party fight pe unsatisfactory to them the Malster men intend to take the matter before the state convention at Ocean City, and will en- deavor to win from that body an official recognition of Mr. Malster as tne real aoe of the republican party in the = p Loyal - to. Marburg. The Marburg men are working no less earnestly, and tHé biftér feeling entertained for them by the Malsterites is returned with interest. They have entered the fight, and arezprepared to win at all hazards. The Marburg meetings have lat- terly uttained ome ‘semblance of enthu- siasm, but the »spirit:3which animates the machine is not qustatyed by any particular regard for the ogndidate, but is fed by the most cordial hatred ‘of the Malster men, who they fear?” ma¥- supplant’ them in party control. ‘The ‘Situation is one that interests both republicans and democrats alike, but the ,datter are more than in- terested—they are delighted. The meeting of the demotratfc state cen- tral committee ‘this "week ‘afforded consid- erable encouragement to:-those who at- tended it. While, not as large a crowd was on hand as usual, fhe: sathering was fairly representative, and thé reports exchanged, taken at their face vale, would indicate a .speedy Testaraition. to harmony~ among the democracy. Some disappointment, and at the same time some rellef, was felt that no commu- nication wes Pectived from Senator Gor- man. It.was, confidently expected that a letter would,,be received gnd_read from him, stating what his position in the cam- paign wold ‘be, and its failure,to mate- rialize has strengthened the — tmpression that the semutor ‘has as little idea of re- tiring from politics as his colleague, Mr. Wellington. Gorman Will Not Withdraw. Local democrats who have visited Mr. Gorman at Saratoga ridicule “the suppo- sition that he has ever entertained the idea of withdrawing, and the fact that politicians like I, Hreeman Rasin, Chair- man Harry Welles Rusk ofthe city com- mittee and Thomas M. Lanahaa have had occasion to goto the springs since Mr. Gor- man’s arrival there is significant, that Mr. Gorman has go intention of deserting the “106,000.” ef A noticeable feature of the meeting of the committee was the entire absence of free silver sentiment. The. party leaders say that little, trouble need be anticipated from the free coinage shouters of a year ago, and the very slight dissent that thc cold-shouldering of Bryanism encountered at the hards of Mr. Gorman’s platform has occasioned discloses the trifling hold the theories of the silverites took upon the democracy of Maryland. Contests for Maryland Offices. Republican Yederal office seekers are awaiting the return of President McKinley with great impatience, as it is suppose? that it will’ speedity decide the contests over the several.desirable places. The resignation of Mr. Murray Vandiver from the collectorsbip of internal revenue will necessitate an appointment to that place, and both Mr. B, F. Parlett and Dr. Wash- ington G. Tuck are ready to again present their claims. Senator Wellington, who has been back- ing Tuck all aionz, is said to be ready to support ex-State Senaior Thomas Parran of Calvert county a8 a compromise. He is @ warm personal friend of Mr. Parran, and the selection of the latter would not be dis- tasteful to Congressman Mudd. The four Parlett supporters—Congressmen Barker, Baker, McIntire and McDonald—have no idea of agreeing to such an arrangement, however, and the appointment of Mr. Par- ran will rot be less unsatisfactory to them than Dr. Tuck's. 3 s It is thought that Mr. Martin M. Higgins of Easton will be named for surveyor. of the port econ after the President's return. Mr. Higgins claims, with some justice, the tftle of the ‘iprigingl McKinley man of Maryland,” as he fried to persuade the first district rébnbli convention to in- struct its delegites Yo the St. Louis con- vention to vote for!McKinley. In this he was unsuccessiyl, owing to the opposition of Governor ndgs, Mr. Wellington and Controller G1 m, “but the President is said to apprectate tfe intention. and Mr. Higgins’ appoirtment’ is expected. = dis- Controller Griisus As "booked for a trict att iP. ,- accor e is slated t iceeed ‘him. 2 Factional Fight 19 Baltimore County. The situation Baltimore county has at- tracted a of attention in the ce np have just concluded a sharp factignal fight there, which re- Year 1899, IN BALTIMORE | SLIGHT ADVANCES ARE ASKED FOR The Reasons Assigned for the Increase in Expenditures. REPORT IN DETAIL Superintendent McKenzie of the street and blley cleaning department has sub- mitted to the Commissioners an estimate of the amount required for the support of his department for the next fiscal year, which calls for an appropriation of $265,126. The estimates in full are as follows: For hand and machine cleaning, streets and avenues, $51,000; for cleaning improved alleys, $15,000; for cleaning unimproved streets and alleys, $30,000; for laborers on public dumps, twelve men in all, $424 for inspectors horses, four in all, $1,25: for livery superintendents horses, $240; for contingent expenses, $2,000. For snow and ice work, under act of March 2, 1805-97, $30,000; sprinkling unim- Broved city streets and suburban roads, $7,000; total, $240,326. . Salaries. For superintendent, $1,800; for chief clerk, $1,600; for one chief clerk, $1.200; for three inspectors, $1,200 each, $3,600; for eleven inspectors, $1,100 each, $12,100; for three inspectors, $1,000 each, $3,000; for one fore- man of public dumps, $900; for one messen- ger and driver, $600; total, $24,800; grand total, $265,126. In submitting the foregoing estimate f. this department for ensuing fiscal ye: it is proper that I give as briefly as possi- ble some of the reasons which seem to me to justify the increasing of the total amount of that appropriation for preseut fiscal year. Total asked for 1899, including salaries, $265,126;° amount appropriated for present fiscal year, $105,126. “1, The amount available for cleaning paved streets the present year is about $99,000; for fiscal year 1899 I ask for $151,- 000, an increase of $52,000. “I deem this is reasonable, in view of the fact that the improved’ streets and avenues of the city should be cleaned more frequently than we are now able to do with the means at our command; thai the system of daily hand cleaning should be extended. My estimate doubles the area now daily cleaned under that system. At present we clean 400,000 square yards. I Propose to clean in 1899 800,000 square yards. $164,000; increase asked for, Hand-Cleaning Syatem. “I do not think it is necessary to present to you any argument in favor of the hand- cleaning system, as it 1s so apparent that none is needed, for the reason that the Streets so cleaned are in a much better con- dition than they have ever been hereto- fore. “Again, the hand-cleaning system af- fords more work to the laboring class of people. The increased cost over machine cleaning seems justifiable in view of re- sults. Increase the area swept by ma- chine from about 1,000,000 square yards per day, as at present, to 1,175,000 square yards per day. This increase would per- mit us to sweep about every street in the city, outside the daily hand-cleaned streets, about three times per week, which, in my opinion, should be done, as I believe that the better streets are paved the more rea- son exists for keeping them clean and at- tractive, to say nothing of considerations of health and comfort. “The cost of cleaning the additional area proposed will veiy closely reach the addi- tional sum of $52,000, as estimated for. “The amount available for sprinkling and sweeping the unimproved alleys for 1808 is about $12,000. For 1899 I ask for $15,000, an increase of $3,000. This seems to be ab- solutely necessary, when the fact is borne in mind that new alleys are being con- stantly added to the unimproved alley schedule; also, that there are a number of improved alleys that should be cleaned oft- ener than once per week, as now. “The amount set apart for work on unim- Proved streets and alleys and such cobt and rubble paved streets ‘too rough for’ machine sweeping, for the year 18¥8, is ebout $18,000. For 1899 T ask for $30,000, an increase of $12,000. This class of work, if done properly, absolutely requires that the force of men, horses and carts (fifty- two men and twelve horses and carts now used), should be increased about 60 per cent. “The area now covered by the present force is far in excess of their ability to do it properly; that is, the various gangs should be strengthened sufficiently to en. reund trip once in three weeks. “Without a personal knowledge of the time and labor required to clean gutters filled with grass, weeds and dtrt, to say ncthing of the necessary work on the roadway itself, one is unable to fairly judge of the labor ard cost attaching to some. “In regard to the unimproved alleys, if proper attention is not daily given and the grass and weeds kept down they become but inviting places in which to conceal all manner of filth. After heavy rains washes from embankments fall into the streets and alleys, and must be removed. Sewer traps and outlets are often choked and covered up, and if not immediately attended to much damage results. I therefore believe that true economy and a proper regard for public health necessitate the increase as estimated for. “For laborers on public dumps there was set aside, for 1§98, $4,225, but it soon be- came necessary to increase the same, and it now requires an annual outlay of $5,634, and will, for 1899, amount to the same, an increase of about $1,400. “Estimates for inspectors’ -horses have been reduced one-half, being for 1899 $1,252, bicycles having been substituted. “Livery of superintendent's horse and con- tingent expenses are left at same figures— $240 and $200, respectively. Snow and Ice. The act of March 2, 1895, amended March 2, 1897, for removing snow, ice, etc., from the streets and avenues of the city of Washington, virtually requires the Comi- missioners to keep the 450 miles of gutters open, free of snow and ice, during the win- ter season, for a width of one foot. It also requires that all street crossings shall. be kept open and free from snow and ice at least ten feet in width. Reflection will show that if the law is to be carried out in spirit or letter the appropriation of $1,000 for that work is out of all propor- tion to the requirements as set forth ip the act, and for which the Commissioners are held responsible. “Even though tke winter of 1898 and 1899 should be moderately mild, with but little sn¢w or freezing weather, the estimate I have made of the ccst of this work—$30,- 00U—is a very mocerate one, ard if made a special appropriation it could only be ex- pended, or so much thereof might necessary, for the purpcses expressed in the act. The remaining balance could be covered into the treasury. I ask that the sum of $7,000 be appro- priated specially to sprinkle unimproved city streets and county coads for the fiscal year 1898. The Commi have set apart $2,000 to and cooling the heated atmosphere, add- largely to their comfort and health to this clase, proper daily sprinkling would be an_imestimable boon. The amount appropriated for salaries for 1898 was $24,000, for 1899 I ask for $25,000, being an increase of $1,000. “I respectfully submit that the salary of the superintendent should be increased $200, accruing him $2.000 per annum. In view of the responsibilities of the position and work attached, any man who fills the position acceptably earns it. The pay of the assistant clerk should be increased $300, as Present salary allowed, $00, is not in keeping with the class of work he is engaged on. I therefore recommend that it be made $1,200, Number of ipectors. For 1898 the appropriation was made for one chief inspector at $1,200 and three in- ‘Spectors at $1,200 each. I suggest a change here, reducing this class of inspectors from $4 to $8, as shown for 1899. I also further recommend that the ten inspectors provided for 1898 be increased to eleven, at $1,100 each, as shown. In relation to the assistant inspectors, whose salaries were fixed by appropria- tion for 1898 at $800, each should be in creased to $1,00) each, as they are now engaged in same class of work as the other inspectors and are held responsible for the proper performanec of the duties, being no longer as a matter of fact assistants. In ny opinion the work being so appor- ticned that there wil be no further need for an officer of that class. All should be hereafter classed as inspectors. TROUBLES OF THE KLONDIKE Gold Weather Not the Only Obstacle Encoun- tered by the Miners. Snow Blindness and Mosquitoes Seri- ous Afflictions—Some Experi- ences at Yukon. It will be well for would-be prospectors to the Yukon and Klondike gold fields io remember that the cold is not the only ob- stacle or trouble to be encountered in those regions. There is one pest and one afflic- tion which is nearly insupportable, as far as the pest goes, and almost incurable, in regard to the affliction. The latter is snow blindness, which has been known to drive people to madness. In one case related to The Star reporter by a gentleman who spent two years in the Yukon neighborhood the victim of the snow blindness became a raving maniac, and prompt measures had to be taken to effect a cure. As it was, the Patient was in a terrible state for two or three days. ‘The continued glare of the fields of ice and snow on the naked eye has an almost indescribable -effeci, say those who have experienced it. The vast expanse of gleam- ing white, the siJence, the awful sense of isolation, nothing but white, white, white, With no welcome sprig of green on whica to rest the eyes, all combined, produce a madness of itself alone. First the eye be- comes pained, waving lines pass up and down and in front of the eyebalis. Mirage: appe2> to th evision. For brief intervals, instead of the awfal bmmached waste, fields of waving grain, forests of thick foliage, gardens of beautiful green stuff mock the miner and prospector. The eyeballs burn, the mind wanders, the brain seems on fire. and finally blackness sets in—the darkness of lunacy. Patient Must Rest. Perfect rest and the freedom from any- thing which may be calculated to strain the vision are essential for a cure. J. T. Dyer, whose office is at 1410 G street northwest, spent two years in Alaska, and experienced the snow blindness. Speaking of it, and the plague of mosquitoes which jinfest the northern regions, and are per- ee more voracious there than elsewhere, he said: 2 snow blindness is an awful thing. I was afflicted slightly once with it in the left eye saw a terrible example of it in a mem- ber of our party, who was suddenly afflict- ed with the trouble. He became Violently j insane from’ not preperly shading his eyes « I never witnessed a mere marked case of mania. We had great trouble in getting the yoang man back to camp. He got hold of a hatchet in some manner and came pear splitting my head open with it. He had no realization of what he was doing. Ii was some time before he recovered from the attack. Z “It is absolutely necessary to protect the eyes in some way. I wore a black slouch hat, pulled down over them. In _ad- dition we donned goggles, manufactured by the Indiars, which fulfill the purposes for which they are intended. These were made of bits of wood, oval-shaped, like the giasses of spectacles. They have small slits in them, so that one can see; but the eye is shaded and not affected. Mosquitoes Voracious. “I never saw anything tike the mosquitoes inthe Yukon region, aloag the river. We used to set up an A tent, and by the time it was fixed for occupancy a hand pla anywhere on the outside would cover scores of tae pests. They Were worse than any I have ever seen in Jersey, being particu- larly voracious. We had to wear mo: quito nets over our heads, arranged es- pecially for the purpose, for our protection, and I used to sleep in this headgear at night. The tent flaps were also kept tight- ly closed. “The indians did not mosquitoes particularly, about in scant attire.” Occasionally tl would carry brushes in the shape of branches of trees, with which they would sweep the insects off their legs. “Lake Labarge, of which mention has been made frequently since the Klondike craze began, was named after an old French-Canadian voyager who went with our party.” ° Agent Hamilton's Experience. Assistant Agent of Alaskan Education Hamilton has also experienced the mos- quito vest. He has been as far north on the Alaskan west coast as Point Barrow. He says that the mosquitoes appear in clouds, and are especially troublesome. The vegetation on the northwest coast of Alaska in the two summer months is very rank in the salt marshes. The grass, Mr. Hamilton says, is similar to that growing in the Jersey salt marshes—the spots most favorable for the breeding of the mos- quitoes. Mr. Hamilton says that everybody up there wears mosquito nets on the head to keep the pests off, and gloves on the. hands, They come in swarms of hundreds, and make different objects black, so thickly do they settle. Nothing will apparently drive them away. SS Dr. Fowler Better. Dr. William C. Fowler, the health de- partment clerk who was injured in a bi- cycle accident yesterday, was much better today. His injuries are not so was at first si It is jupposed. it he =. be able to return to work in a few ays. seem to mind the though they w by W. B. Hibbs &.Co., bankers okers, 1427 members New York FINANCE AND TRADE London Unloads American Securities to Buy Wheat. PROCESS MAKES PRICES DECLINE American Suger, However, Re- corded a New High Level. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, August 19.—London prices again reflected concessions varying from % to % per cent, and some selling for for- ©gn account was noted among the feat- ures of the first hour. Foreign houses oon- tinue to send back securities in exchange for wheat and breadstuffs, but this ts onJy a temporary expedient for prevent- ing a depletion of the gold supply. Ultd- mately Europe, England and France, in particular, must submit to the natural laws of commerce and return us gold in liberal volume. Foreign newspapers and bankers have practically exhausted all arguments look- ing to an artificial prevention of such a movement. The public interest in Ameri- can securities is said to have increased noticeably of late, the delay in participa- tion being wholly due to the advice of influential banking interests on that side. The advance in posted rates of exchange in this market undoubtedly prevented an increase in the Bank of England's mini- mum rate of discount. This advance will follow speedily upon the prospect of an actual engagement of coin. ith the lower foreign mar- es on this side were irreg- rand frequently lower. Reports of un- favorable crop conditions in the northwest encouraged some realizing and a revival of efforts to depress prices in the interest of the short account. . The granger shares were sold off sub- stantially on these reports, but the buying at the decline was superior to the selling From nearty all lines in that territory large increases in earnings are expected, and good authorities consider the reports of damage as being overestimated. The crops are large enough to insure a good seaboard traffic and the foreign demand is almost certain to make the prices suffi- ciently attractive to the farmer to insure liLeral shipme:.ts. The southern and southwestern roads re- ported material gains in earnings, and are expected to continue along similar lines, This latter group is given excellent sup- port during periods of depression else- where, the lower prices making the shares particularly attractive. The coal were the features of the day’s trading, the demand in this group springing into es- pecial prominence during the late af- ternoon. Reading is estimated to have added largely to its earnings for this period one year ago, and is therefore relied upon to lead the advancing move- ment in the anthracite group. The buying cf the several issues of the company named wes more than usually confident. The Gould shares were well sustained, Missouri Pacific cor.tinuing in favor as the result of yesterday's reported increase in earnings. American Sugar was active and suc- ceeded in reaching 150, the price predicted for it during the conference debate on the tariff bill. At the price quoted the stock was for sale in considerable quantity, and, upon the discovery of the fact, traders forced a sharp recession of 14 per cent. New buy- ing was encountered at the decline, how- ever, and, notwithstanding that the prices recorded today excel any in the history of the company, there is no indication that the climax has been reached. An ideal tariff schedule, an unbroken ree- ord for 12 per cent dividends and the pros- rect of an increased rate. continue to | hwart ell efforts at significant depression. Final prices were irregular, but the un- Gertone of the market discloses no indica- tions of actual weakness. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL, The following are the opening, the high- est and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- ported by Corson & Macartney, | New York stock exchange. Corr Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Open. High. American Spirits.. My My American Spirits, pfd... 22. eaieg American Sugar.....- M49i¢ 150 American Sugar, pfd... ..... oebtt American Tobacco. ey 9RK American Cotton Oil 1 19 Atchison........-.. - BY 15% Baltimore & Omo. yy 145g Bay State Gas... 14x 148g canada Southern ri Canada Pacific Fag Chesapeake & Ohio 4 C.C. & St. Lous, ©. M. & St Paul, pfd.. cago, R.1. & Pacific... cago, St. P L. M.