Evening Star Newspaper, September 30, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Perrsylvaria Averve, Cor, 11th &t., by 0 Wew York ion, 40 Potter Building, ci bg elon th tha oa a-toun. ne 10 cone Fecntar i cinis each "Sy all~anvebers tn the ‘United Btates or Cenada—postage prepald—00 cents (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., | as secend-clase mail matter.) 7 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. a ———— Che Lvening Star. No. 13,910. WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 380 1897—SIXTEEN PAGES. TWO CENT Ti SITUATION IS HAZY Tammany’s Action Tonight Will Clear the Political Atmosphere. - MAY CAUSE LOWS WITHDRAWAL Then aStraight Party Fight Would Probably Be the Result. THE LEADERS a ee VIEWS OF Special From a Staff Correspondent. WwW YORK, ‘ptember —The action of the Tammany convention tonight may have me influence upon the course of Mr. Low. If a very bad ticket is put up by Tammany, one that the Citizens’ Union think car not be elected by any possibility, it will tend to strengthen the purpose of Mr. Low to remain in the race, with the belief that he may be elected. Tammany puts up a reasonably zood ore which will tend to unify the ocratie forces, the assumption will be they will win, if both Low and Tracy y in the field. The tendency of such @ course on the part of Tammany would be to force unity among the factions of the opposition. The sentiment of the people of Greater New York is against turning the city gov- ernment over to a set of men who would be nothing but the creatures of Croker #nd who would do his bidding without re- et, suld defy this sentii ible, and have the ticket made up of men as nearly under his control as he thinks be elected. To this end guing that Tammany can't be be; they can elect any ticket they nominate, and should, thereft consult only their own wishes in making the nominations. Senator Murphy's View The failure of the Platt and the Citizens’ Union forces to harmonize at present strengthens his position. Senator Murphy, on the other hand, contends that there is ne such sure thing for Tammany as to warrant them in being reckless about making up the ticket. He insists that they should go into the canvass as if it were the fight of their lives, should put up the . » and do everything pos- democratic fore possible satistying both the German formers and Henry G John C. Sheehan, the head of Tammany, inclines toward Senator Murphy's position. The character of the no: ons tonight will depend upon how strong a hold on Tammany Mr. Croker still mi as. This dices not mean that there will nt be- Sheehan, but simply that s his ‘point if he does $ still the boss of Tam- ween Croke id Croker will rot p not know that h ator Murphy s trying to Impress upon ieaders that they cannot upon Mr. Low’s stay hat they must not recken out the result. The fact is that if Mr. Piatt knew that Mr. Low was going to retire he would not the announcement made until after mmany convention. The republic ~ ‘ammany to make up their tic t want with the idea that they have a sure thing of it. It will be easier to beat such a ticket when the anti-Tammany forces harmonize, if they do harmonize. Sheehan Agrees With Murphy. Senator Murphy thi: ved that Mr. Sheehan doe: hard, though, the old Tammany workers sath “p aside for better men when they do not feel that the sacri- fice is necessary to success. Therefore Mr. Croker’s contention is more in accord with the wishes of the lesser bosses. There good deal of plunder in sight. Tammany’s chance of success depends much upon its degree of self-control. The anti-Tammany forces have time enough in which to effect their compromise after the Tammany nominations are made, if they can agree at all. Under the new election law a candidate and it is be- It is pretty may retire any time up to twenty days be the election, and not after that. This gives Mr. Low wu October 13—thir- teen days after the Tammany ticket is nominated—to get out, if he decides to re- . Tracy. But if a new ose US a Compromis y reuring, there are ow and 1 d pine Candidate. Mr. hroeder 1s now the most omise candidate if a compromise can be effected. The Plazt leaders insist that retusal of tne Git- st jon to talk comprom. now does arily mear that they will not be iy to go in for harmony after the Tam- many neminations are made. It is understood «mong the democratic leaders that Tammany can keep Henry George out of the feld, without making a very great sacritice, if they w to de If they wer candidate little could elect him, ng to make George their doubt is expressed but it would oniy au feeling of desperation th we th to accept him If George runs 1¢ Tammany idate, it is believed that he will get more votes than Low will get af he remz Hidate. But, as things stand, George is a much ¢ man to «1 with than is Low, ny eS are not e a@ much more dan » to amany than will Low be to the republi- ns J. P.M. COAST. whe The artillery board which is considering redistributfon of artillery forces along the seaboard, made necessary by the ed fortification 3, left here to ty the requir we iner in pro- 2 to Pacifie coast. The beard 1s cox of Col. John I. vdgers, 5th Artillery; Lieut. Col. H. C. Hasbrouck, 4th Artillery; Capt. ©. P. Ner, assistant quart P. Townsley, 4th Artil in session at the War Depariment since the Ist instant, and h: completed the compila- tion of the data relating to the defenses on Atlantic coast. It is acting under au- ity of a provision of the last fortifica- ms act, which requires that the report be submitted at the coming session of Con- gress. Among !ts duties is the preparation of s of cost of additional barracks, water supply, wharves, ete., for > of the artillery troops required for the care, preservation and operation of the new Seaccast armament. The board is also to report on the question as to the location und distribution of the force of the artillery arm as at present organized or as increased by the necessities of the service. Col. Hodgers and his colleagues are expected to return from San Francisco in time to sub. mit their report to Secretary Alger on the 35th proximo. r, and Lieut. y. It has been HIGHWAYS OF THE DISTRICT Protest Against Ohanges in the Eastern Section. The Commission Arra zing for the Resumption of Its Hearings—Few Objections to Extensions. The District highway commission is mak- ing arrangements for the resumption of its sessions at the War Department for the final consideration of the proposed system of highways within the area bounded by orth Capitol street, Florida avenue, the Eastern branch of the Potomac and the District line, being that part of the sub- urbs east of the Soldiers’ Home. The map and plats showing in detail how each lot and tract is affected by the proposed sy tem of street extensions have been on ex- hibition at the District government build- ing since early in July. The highway cemmisstoa, which was cre- ated by act of Congress, has final jurisdic- tion in the matter. It is composed of Sec- retary Alger of the War Department, Sec- Bliss of the Interior “Department and Gen. Wilson, chief of engineers, U. S. A., all of whom are members ex officio. rly in July they gave public notice that they would consider “any suggestion cr protest concerning the locati of any highway or portion of a highwey as shown on the map.” It was also preseribed that the suggestions and protests must be in writing and must set forth clearly the rea- sons for the changes, and show the prop- erty owned or controlled by the objector. The time for the filing of these protes expired today. There are less than a dozen of them, and they are all in the hands of Gen. Wilson. Some of them are of a most pathetic character, representing that the proposed opening of streets through cer- tain farm and orchard lands means ruin to the owners, who claim that it will de- stroy their only means of sub tence. These protests will all receive thorough ccnsideration, including a personal inspec- tion of the property involved. On the 15th proximo the commission w hold a public meeting at the War Deos ment to finally dispose of all objections, and will then hear orally from those who desire in that way to supplement their written objections. Tees JUDGE KILGORE'S SUCCESSOR. Ex-Representative Townsend of Colo- rado Selecte: The following appointments re nounced from the White House ay: Hosea Townsend of Colorado, judge of the United States court for the southern district of Indian territory. Charles A. Wilson, Rhode Island, attor- ney of the United States for the listrict of Rhode Island. w an- Benjamin F. Stone, Ohio, consul at Hud- dersfield, England. Thomas Marron, quartermaster, with rank of captain, Ist Infantry. Ex-Representative Townsend, i the late Juc rin fre tout repub appointed Kilgore, though coinage of silver, is a an, and supported Mr. inley and the republican ticket in the presidential election, notwiths:anding bolt of Senator Teller and other lead- ing silver republicans. — TO MARCH TO ALDIE. Trip of Light Battery E of the First Artillery. By direction of Gen. Merritt, command- ing the department of the east, Light Bat- tery E, Ist Artillery, station-d at the Wash- ington barracks, will mak practice March to Aldie, Loudoun county, Va., and there remain in camp for ten or fifteen days, as may be necessary to complete target _prac- and then return by march to Wash- ington barracks. The estimate for the ex- penses of this march submitted by the bat- amounting to. $1,02 ADRIFT. Parted From Tow Tug H lyoke in a Storm September 21. PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., September ».—The tug Holyoke arrived last night frcm St. Michaei’s, having left on Septem- 11 with the schooner J. Bryant in tow. eptember 21, while off Kodiak Island, a storm came up, during which the r parted and the schooner went irift. The Bryant carried a crew of seven men and two passengers. She is one of the lest sea boats in the North Pacific waters. urement, and for a pilot boat off attery and the Columbia river ba Clinger of Says the Bryant may be exp sail up the straits at any time. ‘The Holyoke people say that the report that there are three tons of gold at St. Mich. awaiting shipment on the sound on the steamer Portland is untrue. ‘rave! from St. Michael’s up the Yukon was still going on when the Holyoke left, but the river was not expected to remain eyen longer than from October 1 to Oc- tober 10, PRICE OF Has Advanced One-Third in ’Frisco and is Going Higher. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., September 20— The price of beef has gone up fully one- third within the last few weks and butch- ers say that before the holiday it will have vanced 50 per cent over last year. Beef been steadily advancing for the last few months and is now from 1% to 2 cents a pound higher than it was at this time last year. : Australia but recently recovered from one of her periodical droughts, and as an exporter of cattle and sheep is practically out of the foreign competition. California cattle are practically exhausted, and Ore- gon has had a short crop. ST ge SHOWS HIGH PER CENT OF SUGAR. Analysis of Beets Raised in Santa Fe Valley. SANTA FE, N. M., September 30.—Super- intendent S. H. Day of the Santa Fe Wa ter Company has received from the agri- cultural college at Las Cruces the first analysis of sugar beets produced in Santa Fe valley, showing 16% per cent saccharine, or over 3% per cent higher than the sugar in the Nebraska product. He finds by ac- tual weights and measurements that fifteen tons of sugar beets per acre can be pro- cuced here with intense fertilization, while the average was ten tons per acre. Exten- sive experiments in beet culture are also being made in Espanola valley. ——— MOHMANDS MUST PAY FINES. First Rebell is Tribesme: Have Whipped Out by the British. SIMLA, September 30.—The campaign against the Mohmends has been success- fully concluded and nothing now remains but to collect the fines. The upper Moh- mands have been severely punished and the lower- Mohmands, cowed by the success of the Britigh troops, are accepting the terms of _the British commanders, Raiders are looting in the vicinity of Hangu. Insurgent tribesmen attacked Sadda yes- terday, but were easily repulsed. All the English women bave been re- reoved to places of safety in the Kurrum | valley. Been THE SPANISH CRISIS Great Interest Manifested in Official Circles, CONFERRING WITH THE PRESIDENT Minister Woodford Has Sent No Advices. PREVAILING SENTIMENT ———— Possibly because of an assumption on the part of United States Minister Woodford that the State Department had been in- formed through the public press, of the cabinet’s resignation in Madrid yesterday, he did not cable the Secretary of State last night or this morning of the change there, so that the department was officially ignorant up to a late hour this afternoon of yesterday’s happenings at Madrid. It is realized here, however, that the main point of interest at present is the composition of the new cabinet, and it is expected that Minister Woodford will not neglect to ob- tain and cable to his government the earii- est information possible on that point. In official circles today opinions are fairly di- vided as to the outcome, whether the new cabinet will be liberal or conservative, and as that is, after all, the matter of gravest importance to our government. as influenc- ing the line of policy to be followed a= to Cuba, there is the greatest anxiety to ob- tain early information as to the prospects. Interest in Official Circles. The President had scarcely reached the White House this morning before Secretary Sherman called to see him. He was close- ly followed by Assistant Secretary Day and, although it is possible that the latter's visit had to do with State Department ap- pointments, it is not doubted that there was a discussion of the last Madrid develop- mer ar reporter saw in succession Secre- tary Sherman, Assistant Secretary Day and Senor ‘Sagasta. Third Assistant Secretary Cridler—the first two named after their conference with the President—and had the same _ experience with each. Each of them said that no word of any kind had been received from Minister Woodford on the subject of the ministerial crisis in Spain, and each ot them declined positively to discuss the situation in any of its phases. Judge Day went to the extent of saying that even if any official information hac been received it would be manifestiy im- proper for the officials of the State De- partment to make any comment on it one Way or the othe-. He was with the Presi- dent a lag time this morning and pre- sumably Informed him of the recent im- portant developments in the Cuban and Hawaiian matters as disclosed by the re- ports received at the State Department during the President's absence in New England. A Makeshift Cabinet. It cannot be said that the Madrid crisis caused surprise among the officials of the State Department, or among the members of the diplomatic corps in Washington. A careful inspection of the cable news for the past few weeks has left the general im- pression that the cabinet erected in haste after the assassination of Premier Canovas could not be expected to survive long. There were several reasons for this expec. tation, but perhaps the principal one was the belief that the dissensions among the supporters of the government, caused by the personal encounter between the Duke of Tetuan, the minister of foreign affairs, and one of the leaders of the dissident con- servatives, had not been healed, but had only been bridged over temporarily. The dissident conservatives at the time insisted upon the resignation of the duke, as a condition of their further support of the government. As the government oe ed, not only upon a homogeneous parry, but rather upon a union of various éle- ments generally opposed to Mberal ideas for its existence, that was a threatening condition, and a crisis was averted only through ‘strenuous efforts of conservative leaders. Secretary Sherman's View. As to what is to follow the resignation of the cabinet, officials here are completely in the dark. Secretary Sherman does not be- lieve that it will materially affect the rela- tions of Spain either to the United States or to Cuba, which seems to indicate an ex- pectation on his part that when the cab- inet Is reorganized it will be found to be still of a conservative tendency. On the other hand high officials in the administration expect that a liberal cabinet under the leadership of the veteran Sa- gasta will be erected on the ruins of the Azcarragea cabinet. If this should be the case the future ts held to be full of prom- ise for Cuba, for it is recalled that the lib- erals have not hesitated to express their opposition to the great expenditure of hu- man life and vast treasure in the cffort to carry out the repressive conservative pro- gram for the conduct of the war. It is not believed that the liberals are prepared to go to the length of promising freedom to Cuba, but from the expressions of the lead- ers of the party it is hoped that they are willing to grant so liberal a measure of home rule and autonomy to the island that of Spanish sovereignty nothing would re- main save a shred in the way of a few preferential duties, and perhaps the power of appointing some officials corresponding to the governor general of Canada, named by the British crown. An incident to the selection of a liberal cabine* it is expected would be the restora- tion of Gen. Martinez Campos to a posi- tion where he would be in position to carry out the program of the reformed govern- ment in its Cuban policy. Diplomats Look for Sagan: A strong impression prevailed in diplo- matic circles that Senor Sagasta, the em- inent Hberal leader, would be called to form ‘a cabinet. The conservatives have a ma- jority in the cortes at this time, so that the formation of a Sagasta cabinet would necessitate a dissolution of the corter and an appeal to the country. There is said to be little doubt that this would result in the return of a heavy liberal majority, owing to the strong feeling said to exist through- out the country against the conservative ministry which has just laid down its com- missiun. But whether it be Sagasta or an- other, the change is felt to entail impo tant ‘considerations on the Cuban potic; The present ministry has been an axgres- sive one, supporting General Weyler and refusing to accept his resignation, although a strong element at Madrid has urged a more lenient policy. The choice of Sagasta would undoubtedly, it is said, lead to the recall of General Weyler, and a material modification of the aggressive policy in Cuba. In the event of the formation of a liberal ministry, Minister Dupuy de Lome would undoubtedly submit his resignation as the Spanish representative at Washington, as is usual on a change of political control of the cabinet, and the minister is, more- over, a conservative in politics. At th Spanish Legation. In the absence of the Spanish minister, Mr. Du Bosc is the senior official here, but he has not called at the State Department, und has not, so far as can be learned, re- ceived official advices from Madrid. Dip- icmats familiar with Spanish» affairs say the conditions point to one of two results, y, the complete collapse of the con- servitive regime, which has been respon: ble for the Cuban policy, and its succession by a liberal cabinet, with pacific and con- tory tendencies toward Cuba, or else a transition ministry with Azcarraga again at the head as a temporary expedient to tide over affairs until the cortes can meet and a permament and stable ministry be formed. Officials believe that a complete change of ministry and political parties, with Sa- as the new leader, is the more prob- able. in that case, it is sald Sencr Moret prob- ly would become minister of foreign af- rs. Moret is best remembered in the United States from the fact that he was the first to recognize the Mora claim pre- sented by the United Statés. It made him 4 target for criticism in Spain, but he was ultimately justified by his political op- ponents when they paid the claim after the eLergetic demands made by Secretary Ol- ney. The name of Senor Gamazo has been mentioned in the Madrid cables as likely to take the foreign portfolio in a Sagasta cabinet, but this is believed to be erro- neous, as Gamazo has never been promi- nent in state affairs, but is noted as a fir ancier, and was a financial minister in a former liberal cabinet. He has a strong following, and it is believed by officials that Gamazo would take the treasury portfolio in a liberal cabinet. What Caused the Crisis. It is stated with positiveness that Ameri- can affairs did not bring em the crisis, but that it was due entirely to interna) poli- tics, of which the excommunication of Senor Navarro Reverter, minister of finance in the fallen cabinet, formed a part. This fact has been briefly mentioned in the cable dispatches, but the circumstances of the ex- communication are more fully explained nere. It 2ppears that the minister of fin insisted u at the churel property in ar interior diocese should pay taxes as other property. was opposed by the bishop, who clzimed a church exemption. ‘The minister thereupon resorted to the usual legal procedure of levying on the chu fault in tax payments. responded by a decree of .excom- jon asainst the minister of finance. latter appealed +to~ the Metropolitan of the see, who ruled against the bishop. The latter wes insistent on his preroga- at a bishop was supreme ting an’ excommunication. ¢ has now been appeaied to Rome for final determination. In the meantime the excommunication of the minister stands and to some extent has its influence against the entire cabinet, owing to the strong church sentiment in Spain, and the official union between church and state. It ts not doubted that the queen regent wouid be ssuided in such a question affecting tne cabinet by the wishes of Rome. The feeling that Sagasta is to be the mier, either at once or after leads to his ability A coming p the transition ministry many favorable comments on by those who know him personally. leading American diploma been consp‘cuous in Spa ican at- fairs—said today that Sagasta’ ump- tion of office undoubtedly would have an important and beneficial effect on the Cuban question and the relations between the United States and Spain. Sagasta is now past seventy, but still retains the vigor t made him a natural leader of the liberals in earlier days. Of all the Spanish sta’ men he is regarded as the one most friendly to this country. Not Likely to Continue Long. Thos? conversant with the Spanish sys tem say the crisis is not likely to continue beyond five or six days, as Spain cannot afford to be without a cabinet for any great length of time at this juncture. The sum- moning of Sagista to Madrid will not, it is id, show positively that he is to form a capinet. The procedure is for the queen regent te summon the leaders of all ele- ments, to the number of 100 or more. not to get their political views, but to learn from them the state of vublic opinion. From these consultations the queen abled to determine what form of ministry and what leaders will be most acceptable to the people. Her summoning of a leader to form a cabinet is also conditional, and it remains for him to learn, afte conferring with his party associates, whether he can present a ministry acceptable to the crown and capable of commanding public sup- port. For the present the crisis has had the effect of postponing action on questions Letween the United States and Spain, as ng can be done by either country & permanent ministry is formed. —_—__\_-e._____ MRS. HANNA ANNOYED. retires, Disturbed Over Rumors of Her Sister- iu-Law’s Engagement. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CLEVELAND, Ohio, September 30.—Mrs. M. A. Hanna ts somewhat disturbed over the rumored engagement of Miss Lillian Hanna, the senator’s sister, to Mr. Pren- tiss Baldwin, son of the late Judge Bald- win. The senator's wife says the matter is unsettled and the report entirely un- authorized. She adds that she can readily see why the public should be Interested in her husband’s affairs, but she cannot un- derstand why interest should éenter in the affairs of the senator's sister. Miss Hanna is forty-five and Mr. Baldwin Is thirty. ——— RENOUNCES ALLEGIANCE TO KUSSIA. Prof. Von Holst, the, Historian, Be- comes an Ameridhn Citizen. CHICAGO, September 39.—Prof. Herman Edmund Von Holst is now an American citizen. The famous historian and pro- fessor at the University’ of Chicago went before Judge Neely and renounced all al- legiance to the Czar of Russié’ in particu- lar and to every foreig#i prifice and po- tentate in general. Prof; Voy Holst is a native of the province of Lith Rus- sia. ps ——-—-— WILL OUST OLD DEPUTIEs. Inspector Parlett Will Appoint His Own Choice of Ausistants. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star,” BALTIMORE, Md., September 80,—It is understood that when Mr. Benjamin F. Parlett, the newly appointed inspestor of internal revenue, assumes his offfee to- morrow he will follow the pi ent of Collector Brady of the Richmond ict. and refuse to reappoint certain @f the democratic deputies, « the ground that their terms have expir. with ex-Collector Vandiver’s. Mr. Parlett's installation is exciting wide- ie prospect ‘ousting the democrats is viewed with emotions, Some fear its effect upon the incependent vote, but the majority of republicans will look upon it as one of the few crumbs of com- fort they have received. OVER A MILLION oe ‘Proverty of Great Extent Goes Up in Smoke, A RAILWAY POWER HOUSE, Railroad, Tenants and Surrounding Property Owners All Suffer. INSURANCE GREATLY SCATTERED <a Greatest Fire Spectacle Ever Wit- nessed in This City. ORIGIN IS A MYSTERY Washington was visited last night by the most destructive fire in its history, and to- day the vast power house of the Capital Traction Railway Company, which oecu- pied the entire square bounded by 13% and lith and D and E streets northwest, is a mass of debris composed of twisted and misshaped steel beams, melted machinery and broken masonry. The loss of the struc- ture and its contents was complete. The origin of the disaster will probably never be definitely determined. William Getting. a printer, who occupied rooms on the third flcor of the building, over the bofler rooms on the D street side, was at work with a small force of employes up to 11 o'clock last night. Mr. Gettinger and a young man named Samuel Moore closed the printing office about that time.” Ten minutes later John Schofield, a ichman employed at the power house, went out through the boiler room on D street and discovered flames issuing from the windows of Get- tinger’s establishment. He ran back into the building and upstairs to turn on the hose on the various floors, but was driven back by the smoke and heat of the fire, which had already rapidly spread. Wher an alarm was :urned in at 11:15 o'clock by Peliceman Hollinberger, the fire had reg ed the lith street side of the power house and was extending thence rapidly through the building toward lth street. The en- tire fire department was called to the scene, but it was evident from the very first that the great building was doomed to destrvc- tion, and the efforts of the department were centered on saving the surrounding property. The spectacle when the con- flagration was at its height was one of stupendous magnificence. The long tongues of ame leaped from every window, while the columns of fire that rushed through the roof seemed to reach the very zenith itself. The heat was something tremendous, ani there was litte need of the reserve police- men to keep the crowds back. The light of the flames illuminated the city and the country for miles around, and the popula- tion poured out of its homes to view the spectacle. = By 1 o'clock the destruction of the sufid- ing and its contents was complete, and the estimated loss of over a million dollars had been suffered by the traction company and the tenants of its building and the own- ers of surrounding property. During the progress of the fire the residents and prop- erty holders in the immediate vicinity were panic stricken. Huge embers were carried up from the raging furnace and scattered in all directions. Roofs of nearby bulid- ings were thronged with people, equipped with buckets and anything that would hold water, putting out the sparks that threat- ened to carry widespread devastation wher- ever they fell. Despite the terrible heat, the members of the fire department worked lke salamanders at saving the surrounding Property, aud to their efforts is due the gratifying fact that the flames were con- fined to the power house and its immediate vicinity. Origin a Mymery. Jvst how the fire originated no one will THE probably ever know, but the general im- pression is that it started in William G tinger’s printing office, which was on the buildi The floor of tae poii report states that this was where the fi actuaily started. About the scene of the policemen and 5 » quesiion of the a information could t learned question will likcly remain one of the many unsolved mysteries of the . RO: m- a i sorts of theories were ad- ‘ s there Was not even a plank plece of a printing press left to tell ory, nothing cs 1 be done by the Police or firemen toward making an in- tigation, .G r, who owned the office, had big job on hand y hurried job it ¥v, erday, and US Necessary for his employ to work last night. it | Was between 10 and 11 o'clock when was topped for the and fire start- that the office In a print- ing office there &: . more or less combustible mat and the poli firemen are inclined to the belief eous combustion was the shal Drew will make a the well tion fire, a: and his few information than of the as footing i “ch port, ch de in more definite will be scme authorities were able ic obtain today. Doomed Frem First. The first alarm from the building was ed in through the Instant Fire rm Company, and other alarms follow at time the flames had sp: ty from Gettinger’s printing of- whole south side of the build- oa the third floor seemed one mass of flame. It did not require a second thought for the firemen to realize that a general A Side Fire. and that the build- ing could not be sa They knew the ding too well, and understood that it not fire-proof, and that the oil-soaked timber in it was enough to spread the flames from the cellar to the roof in a short time. Still, they were willing to ven- ture inside and remain at work until driven out by the fire. The printing office, in | Which the fire originated, was two floors above the boiler rooms, and it was feared that the reaching of the boiler rooms by the flames would in all probability cause an explosion, but this danger was soon averted by Engineer Davis, who rushed into the boiler room and opened valves. Still another danger was in the quantity of oil that was stored in the building, and from this source a series of 1 fol- These explosions came, but not until t alarm was necessar explosiens the firemen thought wou! low. Saw the Flames. John Schofield, the watchman, was on duty at the time the fire broke out, and he saw from a window of the power house the reflections of a light on the windows of the shops on the opposite side of 14th street. Not understanding what there was in the big building to cause so much light, hastened to the sidewalk and looking up he saw what was the matter. Then he shout- ed “fire” at the top of his voice and re- turned to the building to turn on the wa- ter. This he found was almost useless, for the flames were then eating their way cress the third floor from the printing of- fice, and he was compelled to descend the steps, and he assisted in removing books and records of vaiue to the company from the mam office. To save anything on the upper floors was simply an impossibility, and the flames finally crowded the faithful watchman out of the building. One engine after another arrived upon the scene in response to the several alarms scunded, and the hook and ladder com- panies were also promptly on hand, but their work was confined to the saving of preperty in the vicinity of the big fire, for there was not much to do on the power horse while the heat was so intense. It seemed but a few seconds from the time the fire was discovered to the time the bu‘iding was a solid mass of flames. In all directions the flames spread until every wirdow was aglow. The cracking of glass was soon followed by the falling of bricks and timbers, and all the firemen could do was to turn on the water. The big driving wheels of the engine continued running un- BURNING BUILDING. ed rapidiy. No. 2 engine con ache} the burning building only minutes | ter the first alarm was s ail the | he | Advertising is not an expense. It is a business wivestment. If you want to invest your money, profitably you wal therefore put your advertisements in such a paper as The Everang Star, that is read regularly and thoroughly, by everybody worth reaching. The Star is the recognized household and family journal of the National Caprtal, and has no rival as an advertising med- | ium. OF nk senate” St} |)! i ita il about 11: when some of the r > and Ohio falling iron in the machinery, nd then ey car on the bine ween the | navy yard and. Georgetown and from | Mount Pleasant to t dtpot came to a su Narr Chief Parris, fant Chief Belt and Fire Mar were on the ground j Soon after t i 2 Was sounded, and while the chief had charge of all com- joa s the t and marshal were of ySreat assistance directing the men who | were saving verty. When the roof | began fal 5 nything j Nas abandon bief Parris had to } | careful al handling his men in order to ; Prevent. the & of the walls upou them. WI men constantly warned _E too r the outer walls some of ve lose in and were ex; t ome of the heavy f tk had tale some distance more ventu ea near being ailing bricks and stone early in the night the c nen attempted to way of the main enwrance, “Y We ced to retire. aw but me, them me of his by tiding but each tim When the fire reached boiler and en- gine room and then the oil room t tire- men poured all th water the i in this part of th t event ex- plosions, but <« occurred, althougia there was no that could be done, | be the fire already comple | wrecked the structure When the fir | first spread they went along D street on |the south side of Ue building, and thea | made their w rth to street. j The central part of the rear wall was | first to give w the falling of xtone, | brick and mortar on D street made an } Opening in the big structy which | the flames cz nd di firemen, Spectators and Merson eed in the | rescne werk at the 1 houses j around the corner. rem time to time other j Sections of the wail fell and finally the big flag staff on the tcp of the building took s and telegraph | charred wood ard pieces of wered upon the Streets for s “y. The overhead and there were perfect networks of nem, got in men many ay of the f eonside time le uneasiness for fecr cf 1 from “live wire When the building had been burning less than two hours there was not much of the wall left with ex four corners, jandt red ch above the burn- ing did t < siroke-stack near the midi the bth 5 With those four t lumns as ue danger ine | n Shorily 2 f Belt left the et a little rest. He re- ; tkfast time and relieved | any of the pr had to re- ater, but haar hen seve com- ome re ork s done the men a e1 to Dynamite Needed. All this forencon several streams of wa- ter were kept on the smoldering and at Jtmes blazing ruins, but sti! the firemen {realized to the fullest extent the danger Jin which they were working because of the is condition must ot done the to we That something thr these walls they i so did Buildin ie be | conferenm and it was dete mined to use . the southwest c ner of the wall beir sole 4 for the first attack. Contractor O. P. Allen, who hes ‘had considerable experience in quarry | work, was sent for he soon hac a | force of laborers sin the stone buse. These labo for fulty two hour: drilling and while they were so enga w pow ing water about mn to prevent the blazing of the debris and to keep down the 5 It was intended that the blast should be made at noon, but it was slow work mak- the preparations because of thi position in which the men The holes were finally drilled and tric wire attachment put tn posi- tion, Then the laborers pited heavy tim- bere ag the base of the wall to pre- ver. sibility of pleces of stone flying in all directions and perhaps doing some harm. When the preparations were all compieied persons about all sides cf the ruins were warned to get out of the way. This was done because it was feared that hock might weaken other parts of the When everything was in readiness, and the police had moved the crowd Gown 14th street almost to the corner of Onto avenue, John Collins, who is Contractor Alien’s su- perintendent and electrician, made a con- nection with the underground wire of the Washington, Alexandria and Mount Ver- non clectric road. “Get back,” shouted the police and the workmen. There was a rue! for a place of safety. Heels over head son of them went, and, as it turned out, the “dead line” marked by the police proved to be the proper distance from the wa'!, for follow- ing the last explosion the wail feil, and the bricks and mortar went across 14th street, some of the debris landing at the feet of those who were in the front line of the crowd, Several cartridges were explodea which caused the falting of bricks from the top of the wall, but the last one had the intended effect, and there was a graceful (Continued on Fiftcenth Page)