Evening Star Newspaper, October 6, 1897, Page 1

PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Fennsylvania Aveaue, Cor. 1ith St., by i Ne C ‘The Eveni f bas pMANS, Fre eee New York Ofice, 49 Potter Building, The Evening Star ts served to guisecihers In the ity by carriers. on their own per week. or a4 counter 2 cents cach. By mail—angwhere United States or Cenada—postage prepaid-50 cents per month, aa Saterday Quintuple Sheet Star, §1 per year, Ww! foreign postage added, $3.00. a (Entered at the Post Oice at Washington, D. C., as secend-clase mail matter. THAN mail sutseriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known op application. THE EVENING STAR. | Che £veni = Siar. —— No. 13,915. ROADS ASK FOR TIME|Witt FicHT For Gono BiLL| AT THE WHITE HOUSE. Petitions Received by the Interstate Commerce Commission. ee BRAKES AND COUPLERS REQUIRED An Important Matter Demanding Consideration. SACRIFICE OF MANY LIVES The interstate commerce commission will hold a full meeting in this city the latter part of next week. This will be the first meeting held here in some months. Chair- man Morrison, who has been taking testi- mony in some cases at Chicago and Kansas City, has returned to Washington. Com- missioners Clements and Youmans are at Philadelphia hearing the case of the ware- housemen against the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia and Reading roads, which, it is alleged, give free storage at depots and yards to certain shippers and thereby in- jure the business of the warehouses. Com- missioner Knapp has gone to Nashville, where he will make an address and also serve on the jury of awards. Commissioner Prouty has just concluded the taking of testimony at Buffalo in several cases, and is expected here in a few days. Brakes and Car Couplers. By far the most important question which will come before the interstate com- merce commission this fall will be that of the extension of the time in which the rail- roads of the country engaged in interstate commerce must equip their trains with train-brake systems and automatic car ccupiers. The act compelling the railroads to so equip their trains v.as passed in the closing hours of the Harrison administra- tion, after a protracted and bitter contest. The act was approved March 2, 1803, and gave the railroads about five years, or until January 1, 1898, to comply with the law. The same act provided that rafiroads should equip their cars with hand rails and draw bars before July 1, 189. ‘The whole purpose of this kegislaticn was to insure greater safety for passengers and to give greater security to brakem2n and ether railroad employes in coupling and un- coupling cars. During the five years prior to the passage of the act the statistics sho ed that each year one employe in every 433 had been killed and one in every thirty-one injured. Before the time for equipping ihe cars with handrails and drawbars had ex- pired, many of the railroads petitioned the commission for an extension. This the commission was empowered to grant, and after an examination, extended the time when the operation ef that portion of the act relating to firails and drawburs should go into effect from July 1, 2895, to February 1, 1896. Reads Want More Time. The commission Is now beginning to re- ceive petitions asking for an extension of the time in which the other sections of the t. providing for automatic couplers and train brakes, shall go into effect, and be- fore January 1, they m decide this im- portant question. The -ailroads ask from one to ten years longer than the law pro- vie The last reports of tne railroads made to the commission upon their equiy ment (April 1, 1896) shows that the pa senger trains were almost entirely equip- ped as required by law, but that only about one-third of the freight trains had been provided with the prop. appliances. on that date showed that of passenger cars owned by railroads of the country, ped with automatic cou with train-brake applianc Of the 1.237,- #40 freight cars, 455,410 were equipped with utomatic couplers and 260,363 with train Of the 36,285 locomotives, freight ssenger, 29,196 were equipped with the driving-wheel brakes provided for by the act. Since this report the work of eq the freight cars has gone steadily on, it is doubtful whether more than per cent are even now supplied safety appliances required by law. Lives Sucrificed. Tre last annual report of the commi S$ that 1,811 railroad employ d@ during the previous year and injured, a decrease of 12 in the number of killed and 4 in the number of injured. The decrease in both killed and wounded is largely attributed to the improvement and mor> general use of safety appliances. Members of the commission feel that in extending the time they jeopardize human life, but they also realize that some of the railroads have not been financially able to comply with the law. Should the commission decide not to grant an extensior, the railroads whose cars are not equipped January 1, 1808, will be Hable to a fine of $100 for each and every effense against the act. By the terms of the law an employe injured by any loco- motive, car or train in use contrary to its provision shall not be deemed to have as- sumed the risk occasioned thereby, al- though continuing in the employment of the road after the unlawful use of such locomotive, car or train has been brought to kis knowledge. ————— LEAGLE OF AMERICAN CITIES. nz but or 6 with the Per ent Organization Effected at the Columbus Meeting. NEW YORK, October 6.—The official re- Fort of Secretary Gilkison shows that at the national convention of mayors and councilmen, held at Columbus, Ohio, last week, there were present 418 delegates, representing 101 cities in twenty-three dif- ferent states. Besides these 418 delegates there were about 100 other visitors, includ- ing exhibitors, newspaper representatives and ladies. As this was the first meting of the kind ever held, there was no offcial roll until the permenent organization was effected, at the close of the convention, and this accounts for the erroneous reports pre- Vicusly sent out regarding the attendance. All of the 101 cities represented at the con- Yention and many more will become mem- bers of the Leezue of American Munici- palities, which is the name of the perma- hent organization formed. The success of the Columbus convention was unqualified. 2a BAD CROWD AT ST. MICHAEL: Revenue Stenmers Ready to Suppress my Outbreaks Occurring. PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., October 6— A private letter received from St. Michael's via the cutter Perry from Dutch Harbor explains the story published some time ago about an Alaska treasure ship requir- ing protection by revenue cutters against the possibility of piratical attack. It is not to guard against pirates that the vessels are needed. Ever since the movement toward Klon- dike began, steamers from the seas have been dumping all sorts and conditions of men at St. Michael's. The gathering has been getting worse from month to month, and as a result, the Rush and Corwin are Fow at St. Michael's, ready to land men at @ moment's notice and put a stop to any trouble which might, considering the fierce- ness of the miners, quickly spread into a riot. The marines will remain at St. Mi- chael’s until all possibility of trouble is baseed. WASHIN xTON, D. ©, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1897—FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. One Reason Assigned by Commissioner Black for Limited Estimates, Work of Completing Sewerage System to Be Done on Borrowed Capi- tal—Other Points. In estimating for the support of the Dis- trict government for the next fiscal year the Commissioners have followed a new policy. For the first time in the history ef the present form of government, it is an- nounced, their estimates of the amount re- quired for the proper conduct of the mu- nicipality do not come up to the esti- mated revenues. It is argued that it is bad policy to go to Congress with an esti- mate for appropriations which the Com- missioners, through past experience, are confident they will not get; that it is better to only ask for those thirgs which could reasonably be expected, end for which they can earnestly and conscientiously fight. Under these considerations the estimates for the next fiscal year are some $400,000 less than the estimated revenues would seem to warrant. = Commissioner Black's Statement. There has b«en criticism of this cours by the property owners who have been struggling for some time to have certain streets improved, but Captain Black de- fended it as follows: I have always thought it a mistake to petition Congress fer appropriations which could not reasonably be expected, and in my experience before that body in asking for appropriations for river and harbor work, I have always made it a point to estimate only for the things which were actually necessary and upen which I could make a strong fight. The result has been that few of my reccemmendations were dis- approved. “In my opinion there is ro earthly us® for the Commissioners to load up their estimates with items wh'ch will not be granted. We have a sireet schedule, as yeu know, which is years behind, and which shows the streets which are to be improved in the order of importance as settled by Congress, and new streets are added yearly as necessity requires. This process can be cortinued until every un- improved street in the District is named, but it is useless to ask for more money in any one year than we can reasonably hope to obtain “For instance, last year the Commis- sioners asked for $600,000 for street im- provements, which went inte the amount passed upon by the Secretary of the Treas- ury, but of this sum only $150, propriated by Congress, leaving aw charge against the estimates of $450,000. More Potent Argument. “There is another and more potent argu- ment this year why the Comm should net estimate up to the full amount of the estimated revenues. They confi- dently expect legisiation at the com! session of Congress which will abol grade crossings along the line of the Pen: sylvania railroad, and we do not want to pe in the ion of having it used as an argument against this much-needed i Frovement that the District has not the money to carry out its share of the work in the plans which it has adopted. “You will also notice that we have left small driblets of appropriations mpleting the great system of sewage Gisposal. It 1s absolute folly to go along year after year with the small appropria- tions that Congress give us and do this work piecemeal. The system cannot be used until the whole is completed, and work done long before any benefits can acer , to say the least, a very unwise investment. At the present rate propriations this very necessary would not be completed until about 19% ond Measure. “The Commissioners are impressed with the immediate necessity of completing this system of sewage disposal, and they pro- pose to go to Congress this year and fight with all their might for a bend bill, which will gi us the authority to commer, once this important wor! ding the between the United States and thi tric The Commissioners, of course, € pect criticism from some quarters of thi action, but we believe it is thoroughly sistent, and that our fon before ¢ gress will he materially strengthened. “I would like to iraportant feature of our relates to the schedule of s © , Gi il attention to another It estimates. urban stree und ccunty reads to be improved. Here- tofore these improvements have been commended somewhat at random- 2nd » been appropriated for without regard elions or impcrtance. We have put in our estim: s this year a sug; tien whick we hope Congress will approve, that these roadways be placed upon a schedule in the order of their importance, and im- proved according to that schedule, the same as streets within the city.” SS ee QUEZALTENANGO RECAPTURED. Reported Success of Government Troops in Guatemala. United States Consul Pringle at Guate- mala City cabled the Secretary of State this morning that the government forces recaptured the town of Quezaltenango from the insurgents yesterday. A telegram re- ceived at the Navy Department announced the arrival of the cruiser Alert at San Jose de Guatemala this morning. That versel was sent from San Francisco to protect American interests in Guatemala, reported to be in danger because of the revolutios She has already visited Ocas and Chomperico, and will return to those ports in a few days. Quezaltenango was captured by the in- surgents about two weeks ago. It Hes about forty miles inland and is the capital uf the provirce of that name. The State Department has gone as far as it deems expedient toward the protection of American interests by having the A'ert sent to Guatemala, although it is not ex- pected she can be of much service, inas. mucf as the revolutionury movement is confined to the interior of the country, be- yond the reech of a warship. — c= SCIENCE FUND CONTRIBUTIONS. coy They Have Kanged From a Cent to $14,000, The latest contribution to the “con- science” fund of the treasury fs $1.50 from an unknown perscn, in an envelope with an illegible postmark. The amount of the contribution just before this was § cents. In recent years several coatributions of 1 cent were received. The largest ever re- ceived was $14,000. It was sent to the State Department from London by a rector, and then turned over to the treasury. It was from a penitent American, who had de- frauded this government of that amount in tariff duties. No large contributions to the fund have been received this year. The “conscience” account in the treasury was opened in 1811, and since that time there has been received about $290,000. These moneys go into the treasury like receipts of any other kind, and are expended in the course of business. The impression that the fund ts kept sep- arate from all others ts a mistake. ——__e—_______ Recent Army Transfers. ‘The following transfers have been made in the 8th Infantry: First Lieut. John Adams Perry, from Cael e to gee E; First Lieut. lward N. Jones, jr., from Eto Company H. A Large Number of Presidential} Postmasters Appoizted. CONSIDERING CONSULAR SELECTIONS ee Discussing the New York Political Situation. ee A THRONG OF CALLERS ee The President today appointed Augustus G. Seyfert of Pennsylvania consul of the United States at Stratford, Ont. The Presi- Gent also appointed the following post- masters: Vermont—Bradford, Trescot A. Chase; Pouitney, Paul G. Ross. Maine— Gorham, Edward Harding. Massachusetts —Wainut Hill, Henry A. Hutchinson. Penn- sylvania land, R. B. Clayton; Bennett, Samuel Wallace. Alabama—Tuskegee, Jas. A. Grimmet. Arkansas—Malvern, Enoch H. Vance, jr.; Rogers, Leo K. Fesler. Georgia—Carrollton, George M. Smith. Idaho—De Lamar, Wiliam J. Stoddard. Mlinois—Champaign, Ozias Riley; Forrest, Lucian Bullard. Indiana—Clintor, William H. Bonner. Indian territory—Wynne Wood, Nelson H. Nerman. Iowa—Bonaparte, Jas. P. Davis; Elkader, G. M. Gifford; Onawa, Jas. J. Elliott. Kentucky—Springfield, Wm. A. Waters. Minnesota—Jackson, Herman L. Strom. Mississippi—Magnolia, Sarah K. Travis. Missouri—Breckenridge, L. P. Robinscn; ‘Thomas J. Ulen; Ple: ant Hill, Bernard Zick, sr. South Carolin: uel J.’ Bampfield. Tennes- R. C. Wilcox; Tillahoma, lities in Lane number of years. a member of the House of Representatives Isl, and served continuously up to the present time. He is recognized as one aders in Lancaster county. will in a shott ume Fleming of Cincinnati consul to Edinburgh Scotland. This consulate was forn at the port of Leith. Mr. i jitor of the Cincinnati “tar, and is a personal and political “cf the President. His appointment wil be arnounced in time for him to leave for his post about the 20th of this month. Wants His Father Appointed. James Seldon Cowdon ef Vienna, Va., was at the White Hovse today, and not being able to see the President, left the following open ietter for the chief exec- uliv ouniy, elected side As a recent p the ‘Treasury D politics of Le 1 would you at or york of purifies b, pointing tion man to one pu nd to that ¢ pt. John Cow- ecileetor of € 1 that state, my father, C position of > po: I ree don, mI the for fully, SELDON COWDON.” Muny Callers. The good luck of the call all seeing the President broughi out a large Sathering today in the hope of repetition. The new carpets put down are already showiag the wear of hundreds of feet. The callers who succeeded in having con- Monday in ferences with the President included Sec- reta Alger, Justic arian, Senator Shoup, Kepresentative Sherman of New i Commit n Kercns and S iary Day. The last was with the President for a goed whil They were going over th ular cases. It is underste e ar- msc an equal apportionment of the con- ulules among the states, and that if there is any kicking when all the piaces are given eut a record wili show the facts. The Presi- dent appoinunents to the p ible from now on. already spent some } time Senziger, the ari who is to paint a picture of the Pri nt for Vic Hresid-nt Hobart. Mr. Benziger is goin at the werk with earnestne and detail. He studying the President in life and from pho vhs. He has a fine collection of phoiographs of tie Fresident. These, sith the study he is making, will enabie him to get a portrait which he hopes will rank with any to be painted in the future. White House Guests. W. B. Plunkett of Massachusetts, with whom the President recently spent some time, ate breakfast with the President this morning. Mr. Plunkett is on his way to New York. Mr. and Mrs. John N. Taylor of East Liverpool, Ohio, are guests at the White House, and will be there two or three days or a week. Mr. Taylor is a large manufacturer, and was a member of the staff of the President when he was governor of Ohio. Rumors continue plentiful that changes are on the tapis for the coast and geodetic survey. Major Crumbaugh of Kentucky believes that he will succeed General Duf- field as chief of the bureau. The New York Situation. Although intensely interested in the New Yerk situation, the adminisiration is still keeping hands off, aud will not interfere in any way it is said. The story that a final effort Is to be made to have Tracy and Low retire in favor of Secretary Bliss was talked about among visiting politicians to- day. A New York man who is a foliower of Low was with Secretary Bliss today. It is not known that he represents any New York organization tn an official capacity. He strongly urged Secretary Bhss to re- consider his determination not to enter the fight, but the Secretary refused to change. It is alleged, however, that Secretary Bliss would like to see Mayor Strong made the compromise nominee of the republicans, aud bas advised Senator Platt to that ef- fect. It is felt here that something must be done within forty-eight hours in the way of agreeing upon a compromise candi- date. The Low representative who talked with Secretary Bliss this morning declares the fight is between Low and Henry+*George. oe Personal Mention. Lieut. Frank B. McKenna, 15th Infantry, is at 2127 California avenue. Lieut. Johnson Hagood, Ist Artillery, is im the city on leave of absence. Thomas Ryan, first assistant secretary of interior, will reach Washington this evening, after a three wecks’ absence, re- suming his official duties at once. Glenn Brown of Washington was elected a director of the American Institute of Architects at the convention held in De- troit, Mich., October 1. Mr. George W. Vanderbilt left Washing- ton in his private car, “Swannanoa,” over the Southern railway last night for his home at Biltmore, N. C. —_—___-e-+—-—___ Awarded Medals of Honor. A medal of honor has been presented to Ferdinand F. Rohm of Harrisburg, Pa., formerly chief bugler, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry, for distinguished gallantry at the battle of Reams station, August 25, 1864. A medal of honor has also been present- ed to Eugene W. Ferris of Albany, Ind., formertly first lieutenant and adjutant, 30th Massachusetts Volunteers, for distinguish- ed gallantry near Berryville, Va., April 1, CONDITIONS Controller Eckels’ Impressions on His West- ern Trip. The Improvement Began With the Farmer and Extended to the Other Classes, Mr. James H. Eckels, the controller of the currency, who has been ‘absent from the city several weeks upon an extensive trip through the west, has returned to Washington. “I visited Montana, Colorado, Utah and Nebraska,” said Mr. Eckels to a Star re- porter today. ‘There is no doubt that the condition of all classes of people in those States has materially improved. The im- provemer.t has come rapidly, and perme- ates all lines of industry. It began with the agricultural class. The farmers have large crops and are getting good prices for them. The cattle raisers are benefited by a substantial increase in the price of cat- tle, and the same is true with the sheep raisers. The improvement in agricultural interests has had its effect upon the rail- reads by increasing their earnings. It has put money into circulation, and has en- abled people to discharge their debts, and thereby berefited the merchants. “In the course of my journey I saw a great many bankers, and they all reported a good business. Bank clearings have in- creased very materially, and bank deposits » larger. polorado there are actually more men a? work in the mines than ever before in the history of the state, notwithstand- ing the fact that many silver mines have been compelled to close. Some of the sil- ver mines, however, are running, and are dcing well by getting out the lead deposits. The price of lead has advanced very sharp. ly, and as a great many of the silver mines iso lead-bearing properties their own- ers are werking them at a profit. “It would be foolish to attempt to deny the fact that the people of that section are attached to siiver, and to any policy which would seem to be in its interest. They are heping that something may be done to reise the price of silver, but In the mean- time they are not sitting down ‘dly and holding their hards, “They are developing every resource of the state, and Colorado 1s one of the rich- st in the Union. I believe it will be po sible for the state to produce within its borders every aple that its people need. Manufacturing enterprises are springing up on every hand, and with wool at their very doors, woolen mills are running at a profit. “The gold mining regio” of Cripple Creek 1 believe to be the richest section the globe. Cripple Creek is sending million doilars a month du gold taken its mines. ‘The tewn is building up y, and I was struck by the fact th: nee ns public schoels of a high ord ence agricultural inter 1g repidly developed by the aid of n the president cf the Dei Grande railroad told me that four dears ago he endeavered to bring to Dea- ver one car lcad ef Colorado fruit, and could not get it. Now the road transports hundreds of cars of the tinest fruits, as it has been found that they cam be raised in Colorado. “Coming back by way of Nebraska, 1 found ihe same gratifying conditions’ of Lusiness ia that section. kansas, Nebras- ka and Uklahoma have. sold 130,000,000 hels of wheat this year at an advance Fortunately the producer has bc ted by the advance, as the wheat was in bis hands when the rise in price came. ‘That is w great section, that western coun- try, and I think that the government offi- ought to visit Uhese states more fre- quently and get in closer toucn with these pecple.” 's of Colorado NEW +. SURY CHIEFS. E. Messrs. Allen and Bishop of the Sixth Auditor's Office Prumoted. Two more chiefs of divisions in the sixth auditor's office nave been reduced and clerks promoted to their places, Wm. E. Dougherty of Pernsylvania and D. W. Gall of Arkanszs are the chiefs who have now been reduced to clerks of class 3, at $1,600 a year. ‘Their places will be filled by B. A. Allen of Kansas and J. Mct ishop of ‘Tennessee, iormerly “class E Clerks. Me Alien and Bishop re- cently passed with credit an examination to test their litness tur chietsnips. aAuditur Casile has reeummended other changes. ‘These are under consideration by Assislant Secretary Wanderlip. it is un- derstood that te recommendations do not myCive any more chiets, frank N. Wicker of New Orleans has been reinstated by the ‘fre. ment as a Chinese inspector at a salary of $4 per day. Mr. Wicker has for many years heen a Louisiana repubiican. tte is a warm friend of Capt. Wimberly, candi- date for collector cf tue port of New Ur- Jears. sury Depart- SHOWING AN INCREASE. Customs Receipts of the Government. The customs receipts are daily showing an Increase, the consequence of which is that the treasury officials are dally grow- ing more pleased. ‘The total receipts today Were $558,105, against $561,546 for the same day last year. Yesterday. the receipts were $501,839, against $316,162, a large increase over the same day of the previous year, but when the increase shows for two days in succession, it is considered a good indi- cation. Up to this time, if any one day's eceipts in a week ran up to that of the The Daily sum® day last yeur the showing was thought to be a good one, Hach day, how- ever, is beginning to show a gain. Considerable change in the situation is Yockcd for within a moati, and it is be- Meved the receipts will be runaing ahead of expenditures before the Ist of January. NICARAGUA. TO GO Engineer Officers Show an Unwilling- ness to Take Capt. Carter's Pince. The President is having considerable ditli- culty in filling the vacancy en the Nica- ragua canzl commission, caused by the voluntary retirement of Capt. O. M. Car- ter, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. Three officers of the Engineer Corps were in- vited to serve on tne commission, but each in turn declined, one on account of his heaiih and the other: two on agcount of the importance of the werks now in their charge. These were Major & S. Leach, stationed at New York; Major J. W- Pow- ell, stationed at Pittsburg; amd Major W. T. Rossel, stationed at Moblie. Another reasop which it is said inspires the off- cers of the corps to object to the assign- ment is the unpleasant experience that Col, Ludlow had with the Senate commit- tee when he was before it in explanation cf the conclusions in regard to the canal project reached by the board of which he was president. In view of the apparent general disincli- nation to membership om the commission the Secretary of War concluded to exercise his. prerogative {n the matter by selecting some competent officer for the duty and ordering him gardiess of his own? nat wishes or convenience in the matter. It is unusual to take this course in time of peace, but it is considered almost pecessary under the circumstances, It is reported that Major C. W. Raymond, stationed at Phil- adelphia, has expressed his willingness to serve 01 the commission, and if that is so it is likely that he will be selected, perform it re- MUCH BETTER/CQL, HAY NOTIFIED England Formally Withdraws From Coming Sealing Conference. DUE T0 CANADA'S INSISTENCE Latter Fears Being Outvoted by Russia and Japan. FACTGENERALLY REGRETTED LONDON, October 6.—The officiais cf the British foreign office have communicated to the United States ambassador, Col. John Hay, the final decision that the gevern- ment of Great Britain must refuse to take part in any sealing conference with repre- sentatives of Russia and Japan. The Brit- ish government, however, asserts its will- ingness to confer_with the United States alcne, but it insists that Russia and Japan are not interested in the Bering sea seals to a degree entitling them to representa- tion at the conference. The British government does not suggest any date for a conference with the United States, and it is thought probable in Lon- den that Great Britain’s withdrawal will result in two meetings, one between the Unifed States, Russia and Japan and the other between the United States, Great Britain end Canada. Due to Canada’s Attitude. It cannot be too strongly reiterated that the withdrawal of Great Britain from the Washington conference is due to Canada’s insistence, und that until the Canadian of- ficials informed the foreign office here of Canada’s cbjections to meeting Russia and Japan, cut of fear of being outvoted, Great Britain fully intended to enter the confer- ence. But for Col. Hay’s representations the first announcement of Great Britain’s un- willingness to take part in the conference would have been final, but the United States ambassador so plainly pointed out the unusual character of Great Britain's change of mind at so late a day, that some of the foreign office officials decided to re- epen the question, and have been endeavor- ing, but unsuccessfully, to secure Canada’s acquiescence. Sir Julian’s Friendly Efforts. Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambas- sador to the United States, also used his influence in a spirit of friendliness to the United States, in efforts to secure the ad- herence of Great Britain to the original program. The diplomats here consider that Great Britain's course Was not courteous to Rus- siz, and Japan. perts who have been investigating the seal skins in London, in order to E: sales of obiain evidence for the use of the United States at the conference, have proof that SO per cent of the skins sold by the Ca- nadian companies ere those of female seals, and that most of the ammals were shot. No Advices From Ambassador Hay. Secretary Sherman said this afternoon that nothing had been received from Am- bassader Hay to show that Great Britain had finally refused to e::ter a conference with the United States, Japan and Russia on the scal fisheries. Although not officially contirmed, the officials of the State Depart- ment give full credence to the report, in much as the recent negotiations between Ambassador Hay and the London foreign oifice all tended in that direction. The British contention is that the proposed con- ference was to consider the seal question on the basis of the regulations adopted by the Paris arbitration tribunal, and that there were properly enly two parties to it— the United States and Great Britain. it is also pointed out that although the United States gested the participation of Rus- sia and Japan, the suggestion was never approved by Great Britain. On the contrary it is alleged that Great Britain has always argued that the United States and Great Britain could adjust the matter in a manner to the best interests of all without outside assistance. Conferences Likely. Great Britain’s declination to take part in a general conference will probably re- sul: in two conferences on the seal question —one between the United States and Great Britain, as originally arranged, and the other in which the United States, Russia and Japan will take part. In case this course is deemed best it is probable that the Anglo-American conference will be held first, in order that whatever agreement ia reached may be submitted for the approval of Russia and Japan. The situation is embarrassing to the offi- cers of this government, and it will require considerable tact and diplomacy to explain it to the delegates of Russia and Japan, now on their way to Washington on the in- vitation of the United States. Mr. Botkine, the Russian delegate, is expected at New York in a few days. The Japanese dele- gates will arrive at San Francisco tomor- row on the Pacific Mail steamer. ¥ THOUSANDS INVOLVED. Cincinnati Distillers Object to Certain Appraisements, Assistant Secretary Howell today gave a hearing to counsel for Mthalovitch, Fletch- er & Co., distillers of Cincinnati, on the questions involved in a seizure of a large invoice of red and white cherries imported by them in spirits as a non-enumerated article, subject to a duty of 20 per cent ad valorem. The customs officers reappraisei the goods and assessed a duty on the basis of the alcoholic strength of the spirits, which in most cases increased the duty 10 $1.89 per gallon. ‘The defense asked that all proceedings urder the seizcre be suspended pending a final determination of the ques- tions by the board of general appraisers. About $165,000 in duties are involved. As- sistant Secretary Howell took the matter under advisement. Bea a SS THE SPANISH LEGATION. Uncertainty Regarding the Stay of Minister Dupuy de Lome. Minister Dupuy De Lome has not return- ed from Lenox, and his representative, Senor Du Bosc, who has been here of late, has left the city, so that the Spanish au- thorities are practically unrepresented. The legation, on Connecticut avenue, which has been closed for the summer, was to be given up October 1, and a new official resi- dence and legation established on Massa- chusetts avenue and P street. = This plan is likely to be changed, how- ever, owing to the probability of the min- ister’s early retirement. He has stated to officials here that he would submit his resignation when a change of ministry oc- curred. It may be that he will be request- ed to continue at his post, and there also is some mention of Senor Muruaga, who was minister to the United States prior to Senor De Lome, returning to Washington row that the liberal party is in power nce more. A New Maryland Postmaster. John J. Kolb has been appointed fourth- class postmaster at Galloways, Apne Arun- Gel county, Md. BROOM AT THE MASTHEAD New German Liner Breaks Plymouth and Southampton Records. Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse Beats Previous Records by Over Half a Day. NEW YORK, October 6.—A cablegram received from London today announce that the new North German Lloyd st) er Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse was sighted passing Scilly Islands light at 10:35 o'clock this forenoon. This announcement makes it quite certain that the leviathan steamer has broken all previous records held to Plymouth and Southampton, and brought the time of passage across the Atlantic to the English channel very close to the much-talked-of five days. The Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse sailed from New York for Plymouth and Bremen on September 30, clearing the bar at 6:02 p.m., and the lightship twenty minutes later. Allowing four hours for the run from Scilly to Plymouth, she is due there about 2:35 o'clock p.m. This will make the time of passage about 5 days 15 hours and 13 minutes. This is better by 18 hours and 11 minutes than the time of the Hamburg liner Fuerst Bismarck, which has held the Plymouth record of 6 days 9 hours and 24 minutes since August, 1896, and the rate beats the Southampton record held by the American liner St. Louis of 6 days 10 hours and 14 minutes, made last month, by about thirteen hours, for had she been going to Southampton, she would have been due there about 8:30 o’clock this evening. The average rate of speed made on the passage would be about 21.60 knots per hour, wit her arrival at Plymouth at the time rec Poned. The time here given for. the arrival of the big steamer 1s, of course, approxi- mate, and when she does arrive she may make a still better showing than this. The Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse, on her arrival here on September 26 on her maiden trip, made the passage from Southampton in 5 days 22 hours and 35 minutes, at an average speed of 21.39 knots, lowering the westward Southampton record held by the St. Paul 1 hour and 56 minutes. By smash- ing the records both eastward and west- ward, she is now queen of the Southamp- ten course. ——— WILL VISIT ELIZABETHTON. Southern Tour ‘of the Naval Armor Factory Board. A committee of gentlemen composed of Senator Hansbrough, ex-Secretary Car- lisle, Commissioner of Patents Butterworth, Charles P. Toncray, James T. DuBois and Henry W. Coffin, appeared before the Sec- retary of the Navy today to urge the de- sirability of instructing the naval board, which has the invest‘gation of the armor plant matter in hand, to visit Elizabethton, Carter ccunty, Tenn., for the purpose of examining the advantages of that location for the site of the government armor plant. It was stated by the committee that every one of the localities in the south that the naval board is instructed to visit obtains its Bessemer ore from Carter coun- ty, Tenn., in which Elizabethton is located, or the adjoining county of Mitchel in North rolina. It was also stated by the com- mittee that there is a less percentage of phosphorus in these ores than in any Bessemer ores found in the United States. Colonel Toncray brought with him from Tennessee an invitation from the board of trade of Elizabethton to visit that section and make a thorough investigation at the expense fothe board of trade. Secretary lung has instructed the board to arrange its itinerary, so as to include Elizabethton. The board w'll start south on the 16th instant. ——+- + —___ NAVAL NOTES. Commodore Wallace’s Retirement— Recent Orders. Commodore Rush R. Wallace, command- ing the naval station at Newport, R. L, wili be retired tomorrow by operation of law on account of age. Medical Director C. H. White, president of the naval medical examining board, at New York, has been ordered to this city, October 9, for duty in charge of the naval museum of hygiene to succeed Medical Di- rector N. L. Bates, who has been appoint- ed surgeon general of the navy. Medical Inspector H. J. Badin, now on waiting or- ders, has been ordered to New York for duty as president of the naval medical ex- anuning board. A telegram was received at the Navy De- partment this morning saying that the tor- pedo boat Porter arrived at Newport News r yesterday. The other vessels of the flotil- la are still at Delaware breakwater, where they sought shelter Monday from the storm outside. It is supposed the Porter will await them in Hampton Roads. ‘The gupboat Machias arrived at Newchang, China, this moraing. Chief Engineer A. B. Willits has been detached from the Marblehead, October 14, and ordered té Thurlow, Pa., as inspector of steel. Chief Engineer G. S. Willits has been de- tached as inspector of steel at Thurlow, Pa., October 11, and ordered to the Marble- head, October 18. Sailmaker T. B. White has been detached from the New York navy yard and ordered to examination by the board of medical survey. October 7, and then wait orders. Ee CHANGES IN STATION. Orders Affecting Officers at the Sol- dicrs’ Home and Fort Myer. Changes have been made in the etations of officers of the medical department of the army as follows: Lieut. L. A. Fuller, from Fort Meade, Scuth Dakota, to Fort Assinniboine, Mon- tana; Lieut. E. L. Munson, from Fort A: smniboine to Fort Adams, Rhode Islan Capt. George McCreery, from the Seldiers’ Heme, Washingten, D.C., to Fort Myer, Virginia; Capt. E. A. Mearns, from Fort Myer to Fort Clark, Texas; Capt. J. D. Glennan, from Fort ‘Clark to Fort Myer; Capt. Charles F. Kieffer, to Fert Mead South Dakota. The orders of Capt. Nor- ten Strong to Fort Myer, Virginia, have been revoked. —-————__+-e--_— —_-_ WILL REFER -DISPUTES. Reassuring News From the Indian Territory. Indian Agent Wisdom, at Tuskahoma, In- dian territory, where the Choctaw Indian council is now in session, wired another reassuring message to the Indian bureau today. He says the lower house of the Choctaw counctl had concluded to vote to refer all matters of dispute to the attor- rey for the Choctaw nation, and to abide by his decision. This action will enable the lower house to organize permanently and begin its regular business. Before the Medical Boards. About fifty applicants appeared before the medical boards which are in session at the Army Medical Museum, making exam- inations for the ‘surgeop general's depart- ment. There are many vacancies in the department at present. ioe Government Receipts. Government receipts from internal reve- nue today, $396,045; customs, $588,103; mis- cellaneous, $32,089, The Evening Star is the only afternoon paper in Washington that receives the dispatches of the Associated Press. It is therefore the only one in which the reader can find the complete news of the world, directly trans- mitted by telegraph, up to the moment of going to press. SCHOLEY UNDER FIRE See nens eg Prosecution in Luetgert Case Tries to Impeach His Testimony, EIGHTY MORE WITNESSES 10 TESTIFY Defendant Wants Good Pay for Talking in Phonograph. KENOSHA WOMAN ee, FOUND CHICAGO, October 6.—The taking of tes- timony in the Luetgert trial moved with refreshing rapidity today. The mystifying technical scientific dissertations of osteo- logical experts gave place to short, crisp impeaching testimony Sesamoids, femurs, temporals and other bones were stored away in the judicial cupboard and scandal was dragged forth to destroy, if possible, the reputation for truth and veracity of the witnesses who hed testified for the cefense. This sort of thing interested the crowd in the court room vastly more than the exposition of prefound learning by the eminent oppos- ing experts. Luetgert came into court smiling. He had swallowed his disappointment at not being allowed to testify in his own behalf, Apparently the desire of the big sausage maker to go upon the witness stand was genuine, but there are those who profess to know that Luetgert really never intended to tell his story to the jury, and that his show of anxiety to do so was only a ruse to gain public sentiment. Scholey's Reputation Attacked. The reputation of Matt Scholey, who tes- tified that he saw Mrs. Luetgert in Keno- sha on May 3 and 4, was attacked today, and witnesses followed eac the witness stand rapidly to not betieve Scholey under oath. Several of the witnesses were not of @ high order of intelligence. a “ve ty” floored one of them completely. This witness would not lieve Scholey under oath, because, he said, the latter had been his partner in a saleon venture and they had quar ‘ solved the co-partnership. fel, Andrew Lurson, Peter Ba Wagner, and other neighbors of th who was so positive in identific @ photograph of Mrs. Luctgert as ture of the woman he said he saw Kenosha two days after Mrs. Lue: appeared, asserted with . they would not believe S Sharp and sarcastic cros Alterney Phe: usually other upon they would hh br fact that at one time or anc the im- peaching Witnesses had experi i trouble at the hands of Seholey. Wi S were called to impeach other witnesses whé had testified on webalf of the defandan Gordon ected wita che m whom barrel of potash, used to destroy J that he once which be is suid have the body of his wife, te. explained to Lacigert there Was na aiffere between U ands of Hunyadi . This was intro- duced in rebuttal of t that on the night of May 1 Li the watchman at U i sent Frank Lialk, Sausage factory, to a drug store twice to get Huasadi water be- cause up9: i trip ik nad se- cured the wrong brand. Eighty Witnesses to Testify. State's Attorney Dencen announced to day that he would have eighty-five rebuttal witnesses and that ten or fifteen of these would come from Kenosha, Wis. It is ex- pected that the prosecution will spring a surprise upon the defense by producing the woman who was seen in Kenosha and ineans of a photograph as was identified by Mrs. Luetgert. This woman to Joliet by Detective Decelle. to be in Chicago now. She a traveling evangelist of somewhat eccen- tric disposition. The phonograph men are ha’ the Luetgert case. Yester the big sausage maker refused to talk into a phonographic recetver until a contract Was made that would assure him 59 per cent of the receipts. It had been agreed by Arnold Luetgert, son of the prisoner, that the Columbia ‘Phor.ograph Comp should have an option upon the “talk two weeks at $3.00, and if the company declined to buy at that time the 50 per cent contract should remain in force. But Luet- gert upset all negotiations by refusing to talk. traced ng fun with afternoon Nis Talk is Valuabiec. “Talk is cheap, as a general thing,” said he. “But my talk costs money today.” Courtland Shaw, manager of the phono- graph company, made the following an- nouncement in the phonographic machine, which had been carried to Luetgert’s cell: “Adolph L. Luetgert’s denial of his gutit taken in the Cook county jail October 5, Ther Luetgert was urged to make his statement In a ten minutes’ talk. “Not on your life,” quota the sausage maker. “I want the contract made and signed before I say a word in thet funnel. I take no man’s word for anything. I ave been lied to and lied about ever since e been here.” Luetgert's son tried to persuade his father to taf& to the machi The prisoner turn- ed upon tim with: “I'll do nothing of the sort. You are liberty. I am locked up. I need money, and you bet I'll get it be- fore I speak in the tube. So the machine was carried away. Late this afternoon matters were patched up and Luetgert was to have told the story he did not tell upon the witness stand. The phonograph men have a spicy telk among physicians, reporters and cthers taken at the Luetgert factory last Sunday during an experiment which was conducted by Dr. Riese. —$—___ WEALTH OF THE YUKON, Expert Bratnober Says There is Mach Gold in the Regio TACOMA, Wash., October 6—Henry Bratnober, the celebrated mining eapert for the Rothschilds of London, has reached Tacoma direct from Dawson City. He came over the Dalton trail, and made nearly the whole trip alone. When within a hundred miles of Lynn canal he tound the mail carrier, who was lost, and (hey came the balance of the distance together. Mr. Bratnober left today for San Fri cisco. He refused to talk about hi, o: business, but said that the amount soid on the tributaries of the Yukon was not exaggerated, BS Sarr ES HARVARD IN WINNING STREAK, w wersity’s Men Making «a Great Record in Tennis Tourney. NEW HAVEN, Conn., October 6.--itar- vard men kept-on winning their matches in the intercollegiate termis tournament this morning. The play consisted of a single match in the semi-finals of the doubles, and several in the third round ot the singles. In the doubles Ward and Davis, Harvard, defeated casily Noyes anc Sackett, Yale, the score standing 6—2, 6-4. In the singles Richard Hooker, Yale, wor from D. H. Fuller, Cornell, ¢—3, 8—6. L. E. Ware and M. D. Whitman, tw. strong players, came together, and \Wh man won, 6-3, 6%. Mr. Whitman took the championship in the singles at !ast year's tournament. Ware made a hard effort to pull out the second set, but failed.