Evening Star Newspaper, December 6, 1897, Page 14

"poses for which it is used. Its condition in- wide and outside is a disgrace to the gen- eral government and to the city.” This communication was signed by Thos. Somerville, Geo. Gibson and A. A. Thomas. “4 Health Department. No part of the Commissioners’ report, probably, is of more interest or importance than that of the health officer, relating, as it does, to such matters as affect the com- fort, health and life of every one dwelling in the District of Columbia. The report is full of interest, and its recommendations are concurred in by the Commissioners and the attention of Congress is especial!y in- vited to the same. The degree, to which various discases and the resulting deaths occurred in ‘he Dis- trict during the past year, as shown by the record of vital statistics, affords tne only available index as to the sanitary con- ditions prevailing during that period. It is interesting, therefore, to note that the death rate, 20.71 per thousand, was prac- tically as low as at any time during the past twenty-two years, and It is especiaily gratifying that there has beea a marked diminution during that entire ver!od. The high death rate among the colored race, 238. which makes up practically one-third of the community, tends ‘o raise the rate for the city_as a whole, that for the whites being but 17.03. A Comparative Statement. ‘The entire number of deaths which cc- curred during the year was 5,737, of which 3.216 were whites and 2,521 colored. Dis- tributing the#e deaths by locality for the purpose of determining wher the greatest death rate is to be found, wi a view of ascertaining what local causes, if any, ex- ist there, it is noted that the death rate for the city oper (what was ‘formerly com- prised in the cities of Washington and Georgetown) was 19.39, while that for the porti f the District outside of the city Making a further death rate, we find Eastern branch district to be ‘ which under modern conditions is abso- lutely unjustifiable. Searching for the cavse of this increase in the death rate in that section, the most evident feature which appears likely to have a causative relation is the enormous tract of swamp land known as the East- ern branch flats. The immediate reclama- tion of these flats would seem, therefore, to be demanded. It is not to be expected work alone would reduce the death rate to that of the city proper, but i npanied by an improved system -werage and improved water supply, is no reason why this should not be > case. eath rate, when considered with reference to the varieties of disease, shows nm increase in the number of deaths from mal and developmental diseases and a srease in those from zymotie and local causes and viclence. From a sani- dpoint the chief interest attaches motic diseases and to the tuber- cular diseases, which are charged in the constitutional class. Interest in the deaths from jwlence is from the standpoint of police rather than from a sanitary stand- point. Among the zymotic diseases local interest centers at present chiefly around the major contagious diseases, of which smallpox is the most common, about scarlet fever and diphtheria, relative to which there has been special legislation, and about typhold fever, which is generally considered as one of the best indexes of the sanitary condi- tion of a community. In reference to smail- pox but little need be said, as the city has Leen, as usual, entirely free from this dis- ease. tention is invited, however, to the need of ial fund for the suppression of this ase and others of the same class under the provisions of the law re- cently passed, and for which an appropria- tion has been asked in the estimates which have been submitted. A Gratifying Decrease. is gratifying to note the marked de- in the prevalence of scarlet fever the extremely mild type of the dis- there having been but 160 cases in nmunity during the entire year, and only one of these terminated fatally. Among fourteen principal cities in this country, from which information was col- lected, Washington stands eleventh with respect to the proportionate number of cases of this disease which occurred dur- ing the p. year, and if the number of deaths can be taken as the standard of comparison it is at the end of the list. The showing with reference to diphtheria has not. however, been so favorable when with the previous record of that the District, as the number of cases shows a very considerable increase. The mortality from the disease has been, however, exceptionally low, and despite the number of cases it is as low as it has been since 1889. The number of cases of typhoid fever that occurred during the past year was but Lt as compared with 240 of the year preceding, and in the class known as diar- rhoeal diseases there was a decrease from 468 deaths to 358. The diminution in the typhoid fever death rate is especially sat- isfactory. As the present decrease has corresponded with the closing of a consid- erable number of surface wells, with the improved drainage of a large number of premises, including the replacement of box privies by water closets, and with a closer supervision of the milk supply, we are probably justified in expecting a further decrease of the prevalence of this disease. But the experience of other places indi- cates that it cannot be expected to reach @ very low figure until the general water supply of the city be subjected to a pro- cess of filtration before being distributed through the mains. Deaths From Tuberculosis. The number of deaths from the various forms of tuberculosis remains high, in view of the known preventable nature of these diseases. This is a source of regret. The promulgation of a regulation during the past year forbidding expectorating in pub- lc buildings and vehicles may be consid- ered in the light of a beginning of more ex- tended measures for the restriction of the disease. Among the deaths from violence an un- Tge number have been due to but as the cause for such in- rannot be ascertained, preventive are, of course, + impossible. Among the accidental deaths fifteen re- ed from injuries received from steam ilways and nine from those received from rs, making a total of somewhat 2 10 per cent of all deaths from This number is, however, prob- in excess of the actual number of fatal accidents from these causes which occurred in ‘he District, as not infrequently persons who have been injured in the adjoining states are brought to the District for treatment and die here, while the reverse seldom, if ever, occurs. rns of Marriages. regretted that under the re- enacted law regulating marriages, the returns made by the officiating clergy- men are by no means complete, as approx- imately 39 per cent of the marriages which have been celebrated have not been re- corded in the health office, as required by the previously existing ordinance, and the advisability of amending the law so as t© secure the desired record in all ce: is suggested. In this connection the ad- visability of issuing marriage leenses to specified ministers, instead of to .ny per- son authoriaed to celebrate marriages, as juggested by the health officer, merits con- sideration. The Cemeteries. The passage of a law to regulate the leca- tion of cemeterics and the disposal of dead bodies 1s respectfully recommended. A bill for that purpose, which was prepared by the health department, and which ce both houses of Congress during the Fifty-fourth sessio: before the House of Representatives have ing already passed the Senate. The need for such legislation is apparent when it is remembered that approximately six thousand dead bodies are consigned to the earth of this District every year. Water Supply. Special attention is invited to that part of the report of the health officer relating to the water supply of the District. Some improvement has been made through the an the engiveer department, in the way of closing shallow wells and lacing them by deep ones, but information at hand indicates that the general water su, ply derived from the Potomac river sho It crease and violence. ably somewhat be improved, and for this purpose fitra seems to be the only effective ceneae Unless it be at once to establish desirability of this city as a place of resi- dence, and it they be correct there can be no question as to the need of improve- ment. Abatement of Nuisances. The difficulty incurred by the health de- pariment in securing the abatement of nuisances upon the property of non-resi- dent owners is a serious one and demands remedial legislation. Garbage and Refuse. The collection of garbage and dead ani- mals has been continued under the contract in force during the preceding year. So far as the matter of collection alone has been concerned, the service rendered by the con- tractor has been very good. The delay in the erection of the second crematory re- quired by this contract has been, however, the cause of some complaint, and the un- Satisfactory character of the work of this crematory after erection has been a matter of regret. It is hoped during the coming year that this service will be adjusted upon a satisfactory and permanent basis. In this connection attention is invited to the absence of any provision for the collec- tion or disposal of any form of house refuse other than garbage. The estabiishment of @ general scavenger service for the collec- tion and disposal of ashes, miscellaneous refuse and night soil is recommended. The Pound. The recommendation of the health officer for the erection of a new pound meets with the approval of the Commissioners. In the interests of economy and good administra- tion this establishment should be combined with a stable for such horses and vehicles as are required by the service or the health department. Food Inspection, One of the most important duties of the heaith department is the inspection of food. It is to be noted that this inspection has been performed during the past year not only with reference to the sanitary aspects of the matter, but also from the standpoint of police, viz., with reference to the pre- vention of fgaud by unscrupulous dealers. From a sanitary standpoint, probably the most important work has been in connec- tion with the regulation of the sources of milk supply; for minor importance has been attached to the mere adulteration of this commodity with water, and to the ab- straction of cream, and attention has been given chiefly to the supervision of the con- dition under which it is produced and kept. For it must appear, even to the laity, that milk which is not wholesome in the begin- ping cannot be made a desirable food af- terward, and that even good milk may readily become unwholesome by surround- ings which expose it to contamination by foul gases or even infective matter, or which favor its decomposition, and in pro- portion to the harm which may result from these conditions, that which results from the mere loss of nutritive value by the fraudulent abstraction of cream is of sec- ondary importance. A Chief Difficulty. The chief difficulty which has been met with in the supervision of the bare produc- tion of milk has resulted from the fact that the force and contingent fund of the health department have been insufficient to permit it to exercise its full power in re- gard to the inspection of dairy farms locat- ed in the adjacent states, as authorized by the milk law now in force. The figures given in the report of the health officer in- dicate conclusively the need of an inspec- tion of these places: Of the cattle used for dairy purposes and located within the District, 2.59 per cent were found, upon i spection, to be totally unfit for such us while of those in the adjoining states, where no inspection could be made, but reports as to the condition of the cattle are received from veterinarians employed by the milk producers, only 56 per cent were con- demned. Of the applications for permits for the maintenance of one or more dairy farms within the District, where the premises could be inspected. 40 per cent were ¢ jected In the case of apy s for per- mission to ship milk into the District from the adjoining states, which involves the maintenance of one or more dairy farms, where no inspection could be made, but in regard to which the health department had to be guided by the statements of the appli- cants, in no instance were the premises re- ported as being in such a condition as to justify the refusal of the permit. Storage and Delivery. In the matter of storing and delivering milk. a serious defect seems to have been met with in the absence of any provision of law for the regulation of the temperament before sale. The result is that chemical changes begin in the milk before it reaches the consumer, and materially impair its wholesomeness and diminish its keeping properties. Here again the small force at tke command of the health department has seriously limited the amount of work that could be done, and the inspection of dairies has been at the expense of the examination of the milk ir. the laboratory, and of the analysis of other commodities. Inspection of Live Stock. The inspection of live stock has hardly been sufficient to be of much practical value, but it has indicated the need for ex- tending this branch of the food inspection service. As provision is made annually for the inspection of live stock all over the United States, under the direction of the bureau of animal industry, when it is to be used for slaughter and shipment to other states than that of slaughter, argument ap- pears unnecessary to demonstrate the im- portance of work of this kind. The inaug- uration of such a service has met with the | approval of the better class of butchers, as 1 it gives to the meat slaughtered by them a guaranty as to soundness as great as that given under authority of the government to impurted meats; so that it is believed that, in the interests of local industries, provision should be made for the inspe tion of all meat slaughtered in this District. Detection of Frauds. Space will not permit more than a pass- ing comment upon the work of the health department in the analysis of foods, drugs and candy, with the view of detecting frauds in their composition and the pres- ence of harmful ingredients. Work of this kind is in the interest not only of the consumer, but also of the honest~ mer- chant, whe cannot enter into fair compe- tition with unscrupulous dealers in adul- terated foods and other commodities. In view of the showing made in the re- port of the health officer @s to the needs of the food inspection service, as outlined above, it is recommended that the exten- sion of that service be uuthorized by the passage of necessary legislation for that purpose, and by the provision of money sufficient to meet the requirements set ferth. As stated in the report of the health officer, a bill is now pending in Congress to remedy, as far as possible, the nuisance of black smoke and soot coming from the chimneys of manufacturing establishments, flats, office buildings, &c., which is rapidly marring the beauty and cleanliness of the city. It is hoped that this bill will be- come a law and that every citizen who is interested in the observance of the clean- liness of the city will assist in securing its passage. For Minor Contagions. Congress, at its last session, appropriated $30,000 for the erection of two isolating tulldings, to be constructed in the discre- tion of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia on the grounds of two hos- pitals, and to be operated as a part of such hospitals, for minor contagious disea: es. Since the bill became a law the Com- sioners have tommunicated with all the hespitals in the city regarding the loca- tion of these buildings, and received per- mission to erect buildings from only two of them, the Homeopathic and Providence hospitals. Measurement of the grounds of the Homeopathic Hospital developed the fact that there was not sufficient space for the erection of the building and a proper allowance for a neutral zone, which must necessarily be maintained around a con- tagious ward, and the Commissioners were restricted to the erection of one bi THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1897-18 PAGES. its extension both to health and life, and the Commissioners most earnestly desire that the plans proposed may be carried out in the manner indicated. Engineer Commissioner. The Engineer Commissioner's report, which follows the foregoing, was printed in full in a previous issue of The Star. CHESS AND ITS PLAYERS Mr. F, B. Walker has again taken the lead in his match with Capt. Patrick O'Farrell for the championship of the Dis- trict, the present score being 4 to 2 in his favor. The captain resigned the fifth game, mentioned last week as adjourned, without further play. In the sixth game, in which Mr. O'Farrell played the French defense, the captain made a good fight for twenty- two moves, when he unwisely captured a pawn. He lost a piece in consequence. Then he overlooked the fact that his queen was attacked, and allowed it to be cap- tured, whereupon he resigned. The seventh game, a Ruy Lopez, in which the captain had first move, was adjourned after thirty-seven moves, at which point Mr. Walker is a pawn ahead and the cap- tain is playing for a draw. Mr. Walker is working hard to win, but it ts doubtful if he can do so. Thus far the captain has dictated the openings to be played in the games. When he had first move he played the Ruy Lopez game, and when he had second move he adopted the French defense. Of course, his opponent could prevent this, if he saw fit, by changing his moves. Below is the score of the third game of the match. Black’s sixteenth move was imposed as a penalty for touching White's queen’s pawn. It was his intention to play PxKP, and then after White played 17BxKt to follow it with PxQP, but he unintention- aly touched the wrong pawn first. In- stead of sacrificing the bishop on move forty-two, Black could have won a pawn by playing P-QKt4, followed by P-R5, and after PxP, by PxP, and K-R5, winning the rook’s ‘pawn, and giving him’ a chance for a draw. Mr. James Patterson, one of the best analysts of Washington, has point- ed out that by 41P-R3, followed by P-Kti and K-R6, Black would have had a good chance to win. Captain O'Farrell played excellently, and made probably the only move on his forty-fifth turn which would insure him victory. Opening—Ruy Lopez. P.O'Farrell, F.B. Walker. { P.O’ Farrell. F.B. Black. White. 29 Kt(Kt5)— K6ch Psp #1 1K—Q3 \50 P-BG RT Kt6 Resigns. 4 Bx } B-Q2 Q—Qich The second round of the Washington Club championship tourney was played the past week. Mr. Harris, playing in his usual dashing manner, won a piece early in his game with Mr. Allen, and the loss of an- other piece being inevitable, Mr. Allen re- signed on the thirteenth move. Messrs. Thomas and Prender played quite evenly, and neither party being able to get any advantage, they agreed upon a draw. Mr. Prender is very attacking in style, and with more experience will make a strong pl: 3, Mr. Mundelle fought hard in his game with Mr. Woodward, and appeared to have an advantage when the middle game period was reached, but Mr. Woodward outplayed him in the end game, and scored a victory in fifty-four mo Dr. Hodges won easily from Mr. Campbell, who early los his. queen. Mr. Tucker played a Philidor’s de- fense against Mr. Tibbetts, who played steadily and won in forty-eight moves. The following is the present standing of the players: : |. Lost./ 0 | Tucker. [Tibbett Representative Bodine, who played on the American team in the cable match between the American and British legislators, has arrived in the city, ready for his winter's work. Mr. Bodine was one of the strongest players on the American side, and would be good material from which to select a team, should another match be played. He states, however, that he will not play on another cable match team. He has joined the Chess Club, and will take his recrea- tion playing this popular game. Mr. Will H. Lyons of Newport, Ky., has also joined the Chess Club, and will be found there, as occasion permits, so long as Congress remains in session. In the checker tournament at the Wash- ington Chess, Checker and Whist Club Mr. Mundelle continues to lead, with Mr. Far- quhar second, counting percentage. Mr. Farquhar has just started playing. He will undoubtedly come out near the top. The following is the present score: Won. Lost. - At 18 18 Powers..... rot 27% The next great masters’ tournament is to be held in Vienna, and will commence next May. The number of participants will be limited to twenty, composed of prize winners in previous tourneys. Each player will play two games with each other competitor, or thirty-eight- games in all. The tourney will last eight weeks. The prizes will be handsome, and the indica- tions are that the tournament will be one of the most important held in years. The November number of the American Chess Magazine is just to hand. It is, as usual, full of information in regard to the progress of events in the chess world, as well as containing information of a tech- nical kind, alike interesting to the expert aind the novice. Richmond, Va., is said to have a boy player in the person of Jacob Billikoff who promises to be a great player. He is but fifteen years of age, but is said to exhibit wonderful tact and strategy. ——— 1 HIS LIFE ENDANGERED. James Moody Critically I) From Ex- posure to the Elements, As the result of being exposed to the elements during Saturday night, James Moody, twenty-six years of age, is lying seriously ill at his home near Ballston, where he was carried by Officer Gaines of Rosslyn at an early hour this morning. From what can be learned of the unfor- tunate affair, it appears that Moody, who had been in Washington most of the after- noon, returned to Rosslyn about 9 o'clock with the intention, it is believed, of board- ing an electric car for home, but becoming confused from the influence of liquor, he missed the car and determined to spend the night in the road, where he was found at a late hour by Michael Ryan, a watch- man at the electric station. Assisted by a colored man named Evans, the watchman carried Moody to an open car of the Falls Church electric line on a switch nearby, where the unfortunate man plac left to shift for himself as best he could. : When discovered this morning by fficer Gaines, Moody was in a serious condition, and it was at first decided to send him to the Emergency Hospital for treatment. After a brief consultation, however, Gaines secured a light wagon and hurriedly drove the {ll man to his home. At a late hour this afternoon the patient’s condition is VIEWS “OF RUSSIA Observations Made by Prof, Merrill of the National Museum. ee INTERNATIONAL OBOLOGICALOONERES Over a Thousand Delegates at the St. Petersburg Session. STORY OF MOUNT ARARAT Prof. George P. Merrill, head curator of the department of geology, National Mu- seum, has just returned from a trip to Russia, whither he had been to attend the international geological congress, held in St. Petersburg. These congresses are held triennially, one of them having been held in Washington. The one held in St. Peters- burg was the seventh. The next will con- vene in Paris in 1900, the year of the ex- Position. Professor Merrill left here June 30, He has been back but a short time. During his visit to Russia he traveled over a con- siderable portion of the country, under the frank of the czar, and returned to Wash- ington greatly pleased with the result of the trip. One of the excursions in which he tovk part was to the biblical Mt.Ararat, where the ark is said to have landed after the flood. One member of the party on the Ararat expedition met with an untimely death, being frozen. Many features of interest were inspected ly Professor Merrill, including the man- ners and habits of the people, the mode of living, resources of the czar’s dominion and other points. He did not go there merely to study the geological fornfation of the country. Ample opportunity was afforded for this, however, especially in the Caucasus mountains. Mt. Ararat is most interesting, Professor Merrill declared,view- ed from a geological standpoint, as well as from others. Speaking to a Star reporter, he said: Prominent Features. “The excursions were prominent features of the congress. The czar could give free passes to all delegates traveling on any Russian railroad, as the roads are under the government. There were about a thou- sand delegates at the St. Petersburg con- gress, who came from all over the world. Three excursions were given before the congress and three after it took place. Those prior to it were in Esthonia, Finland and to the Ural mountains. I was included in the Ural excursion. It was most suc- cessful, and we were most handsomely treated. Those who went on the Ural ex- cursion arrived in Moscow July 28. We passed two or three days there very pleas- antly. The night of July 31 about 150 of us started on the trip. There were two trains, one for the excursionists and the other composed of the cooking and dining and other cars. We were enabled to travel at night and make our investigations in the daytime. Some of these investigations were made in carriages and others on foot. “From Moscow we went southwesterly to the eastern side of the Urals, to a_ place called Tcheliabinsg, in Asia, a portion of Siberia. There we went out on the cele- brated convict road and visited the gold mines. We went indirectly to Perm, where took a boat and went down the river Kama to its junction with the Volga. We went up the Volgd to Nijni Novgorod. At Novgorod we took a train for St. Peters- burg, where we arrived August 28. Delegiwtes Cordially Received. “All through the trip we were received mast cordially by the people, who tendered us a number of public banquets. There seems to be nq limit to the hospitality of the higher class of Russians. They seemed to think nothing in the little towns of set- ting out banquets for 150 people. The vodki is always a prominent drink before cinner, much like the cocktail in this country. It is a colorless liquor, with no aroma, as is possessed by the whisky of America. Before dinner a little lunch, called a szaukouski, is set on a separate table in the dining room. There are dishes of ca- viar, smoked fish and bottles of vodki. The custom is, on going into the dining room, to take a few bites of this and a glass of vodki. The most common bill of fare for the banquets is cabbage soup; then either sturgeon er sturlet fish, followed either by chicken or game bird; then cauliflower and some form of dessert. Of course many of the banquets are much more elaborate than this. There is no stint of wine. We al- ways drank the czar’s health in cham- pagne. “We remained in St. Petersburg till the night of September 5. Our congress was held and many important questions were settled. About 200 of us were most hospi- tably received by the Grand Duke Con- stantine Constantonovitch and his wife at the winter palace in St. Petersburg. We vere also tendered a banquet, given by the municipality of the city, in one of the club houses, where we met the mayor. We were also taken through the grounds of the Pe- terhoff and given a sumptuous luncheon. “After the congress there were three other excursions, all having Vladikavkaz and Tiflis as their destination. I went on an excursion down the Volga to Vladikav- Kaz, . At Vladikavkaz we remained one night, and then took a trip along the Cau- casus mountains by means of the celebrat- ed military road to Tiflis. The trip con- sumed three days, and our party was transported in carriages resembling large practons, four norses abreast. This mili- tary road is one of the finest I ever saw, being macadamized. It puts to shame even our awn Aquedcct road. It runs directly throveh the mountains, but the grade is scmething wonderful, and two carriages om 0 abreast at full speed on any por- fon. Arrive at Tiflis. “We stopped on our way to see Mount Kazbek, the highest of tke range, the alti- ‘tude of which is about 16,000 feet. We ar- rived in Tiflis September 20, and remained three days, until all the excursionists had come in. We were treated most hospitably ‘there, and the city was most attractive to us, as it was the ancient capital of Georgia. We visited the Baku oil fields. We left the party at Baku and went to Axtafan, where we went through Delijan to Erivan. The first day at Erivan we visited the fa- ™mous monastery, which is the head of the Armenian Church. We were given a ban- quet by the Catholikos, who is much the tame to that church as the pope is to the Catholic Church. He sat at the table with us, and the monks waited cn-us. The mon- estery was founded three hundred years after Ohrist. "We were shown interesting relics, among them a piece of wood from the ark, and dn iron head with which the Roman soldiers pierced the side of Christ on the cross. _We returned to Erivan and rode out to a military station on the other side of the Araxes.) We slept on the floor that night. The next day our was strapped on camels ‘and we rode to a Cos- sack camp. The Two Ararats. “We visited'the two Ararats. There are ‘two of them, jby the way, a fact which {s not generally known. One of them is Small Ararat and the other Great Ararat. The smaller One ia about 14,000 feet in height; Great Ararat is about 17,000. ‘The Perpetual snow line is just above the to of Little Ararat. They are connected and form a ee. ough From Little Ararat we went to 2 Cossack camp on th between the two summits. Sipe “A party of nine determined to climb to the top of Great Ararat, which 1s contin- ually covered with ice anti snow. Some of the party returned, and it was discove: that one man was missing, fl E il | of miles below the location of the mill. as a border warfare was being waged con- tinually. Conditions Create Doubts. “The Ararat mountains are most inter- esting from a geological point of view. We visited a landslide on one of them. It seems incredible how the ark could have Janded on Great Ararat, and that story was Probably not to be taken literally. The whole district about there was called Ara- rat. and the interpretation was that the ark landed on a mountain of Ararat, which probably meant some mountain ip that dis- trict, of which there are a number. It is comparatively of recent date that the story has been attributed to Great Ararat, prob- ably from the fact that it is a prominent peak. We went to Erivan, then to Armi, the old capital of Armenia, which was destroyed by an earthquake, and from which it never recovered. We paid a visit to Alexandropol, where we inspected the new railroad being built, examining the tunnel. We went to Tiflis, then to Batoom, where we took a boat for Constantinople. The Caucasus is a wonderfully interesting region, geologically, and we were immense- ly pleased with what we saw there. “What impressed me most on my visit were the great agricultural resources of Russia. We were there after harvest time, but we saw many evidences that grain had been raised in large quantities, principally of wheat and rye, I believe. Garden truck is also produced largely, especially cab- bages. Peasant Life. “I did not see any suffering among the peasants, any more than I would in this country. The method of living, of course, is not the same as here, but in the matter of animal comfort it is just as far ad- vanced. Most of the peasants live in log houses, specially constructed, which are warm in winter. “My visit took me to only a small part of Siberia. On one of the railroads I saw a few of the convicts, or reported to be such, and did not notice anything of extraordi- narily bad treatment about them. I did not have my eyes focused for them, however, but believed that the accounts of brutality toward them have been greatly exagger- ated. I imagine if a foreigner were to come to our country and write up our criminal system he would find just as much to com- plain about as some writers who have told of Russian convicts. Rallway Service. “The railroads there, considering the ex- tent of country covered, are excelient. They run through thinly populated dis- tricts, and could not have been so excellent- ly well built except under governmental control. The roads are constructed better than through the same class of country in America. Trains do not run fast except the through ones from St. Petersburg to Moscow, and are much like the German . Merrill stated that the impression given him on his visit was that for the greater prosperity of the ezar’s dominions the existence of a middle class is needed. There are aristocrats and peasants, with no link between. a FISH AND GAME PROTECTION. Meeting of Distr! Association Held Saturday Evening. A well-attended meeting of the Fish and Game Protective Association of the District of Columbia was held Saturday evening at the Light Infantry Armory. The president of the association, Commander Robl D. Evans, United States navy, presided, and t secretary-treasurer, Dr. W. P. Young, was in his place. The latter made a report, reviewing the work of the year, and stated that through the efforts of the association the legislature of West Virginia enacted a game law which makes the statutes of that state correspond in that particular with those of the District and Maryland. The report also stated that Capt. Brice, Uni States fish commissioner, had ex- pressed his intention of having the canal seined this month, for the purpose of saving the young bass, in which the assistance of the association is requested. As treasurer, Dr. Young reported receipts of $416 and ex- penditures of $250.50, leaving a balance of $165.50 in the treasury. In the report of the warden of the asso- ciation, Mr Richard Sylvester, it “was stated that fishermen who violated the law against seining were cent to jail, but were released on their promise to discon- tinue violations of the law, and no further difficulties with that class had occurred. One who took the matter Into court on a test case was beaten. No seine fishing is now done in the District. ‘The enforcement of the laws governing the killing of game birds have been so rigidly enforced with the assistance of the association that the illegal shooting of birds has been discon- tinued, and the test of the law, making the possession of quail out of season ar of- fense, had been decided in the assuciation’s favor. This has resulted in closing tne markets of the District to hundreds of dozen of birds killed out of season in many states. With regard to the destruction of fish by the pot dams and pulp mills of the upper Potomac, Mr. Sylvester's report stated that the pulp mills at Cumberland have ruined the waters of the Potomac in that vicinity and for miles below, not only killing and driving off the fish, but working injury to the inhabitents of that section. The mat- ter has been taken into the courts in Mary- land, but it is suggested that the water supply of the city of Washington is within the purview of congressional action, and the association is urged to push the matter before Congress. Thanks of the associa- tion, it was stated, are due to Assistant District Attorney Shillington, Harbormas- ter Sutton and the deputy wardens of the state of Maryland for assistance rendered. A motion was adopted providing a sajary equal to that of the secretary-treasurer for the warden. The pollution of the water of the Potomac by the pulp mills near Cumberland was dis- cussed. Commander Evans stated that he had built « pulp mill and knew that the ef- fects of the albuminoids of wood on fish were deadly; that they were permanent so long as the mill continued in operation and extended their influence to points ae le stated that their effect on the water they entered was to totally unfit it for drinking purposes. A committee will be appointed to present this matter to Congress. The association then discussed the ‘sale of trapped birds in the District, and agreed to urge a measure making their possession an offense at any time. In this matter the aid of the Audubon Society of the District will be requested. The question of setting out Chinese pheasants was ieft over until the cost 9f purchasing a number of pairs of those birds and their transportation to Washington can be determined. The kiil- ing of ducks from steam launches was con- sidered, and Mr. Sylvester said that the po- lice boat looked after violators of the law prohibiting that practice. The association then adjourned to meet February 3. —.—__ PASTOR ORDAINED. Services in Charge of Ecclesiastical Council. ‘The ecclesiistical-ccuncil, embracing the several colored Baptist churches of the District and vicinity, met at the Metropoli- tan Baptist Church last Thursday even- ing for the purpose of ordaining to the ministry Rey. Edward B. Gordon, and to install him as pastor of Walker Memorial Church. The meeting was opened by Rev. Shelton : i i 8 e if i HY Hi i ‘ - e fc new members were formal- ly elected: Col. M. Emmett Urell, Dr. A. ad |, M. Emory and L. 8. Morti- 3 REPORT OF THE CONTROLLER | CONGRESSMEN Why Bank Paper is Better Than Govern- ment Notes. Issue Equal to the Par Value of Bonds Deposited Should, He Claims, Be Allowed. ‘The annual report of James H. Eckcls, controller of the currency, for the year end- €d October 31, 1897, opens with a brief re- view of the history of the legislation which constitutes the present national bank act, and invites the attention of Congress to amendments to the law recommended in fcrmer reports without specifically repeat- ing them. On the subject of bank note circulation the controller says: “It is noticeable that In all the changes which have been wrought in the national currency act from its inception to the pres- ent time the feature subject to criticism, but which was intended should constitute the principal benefit to be conferred, has remained comparatively unchanged, name- ly, the ncte-issuing function. Whatever justification there was in the first instance for restricting the issuing of notes against the bonds of the government, deposited with the treasurer of the United States, to 90 per cent of the par value thereof long since ceased. In the report of every con- troller of the currency during the past twenty years the wisdom of changing the existing law so that the banks, and through them the communities in| which located, might have the additional benefit of an added loanable capital has been urged. Despite all this the law remains without amendment. Not only should the bank act be amended in this particular, Lut Corgress should seriousiy consider such a change in method of bank-note issues as will enable the banks of the country to more adequately meet the demands of trade and commerce in all sections of the country. “The business of banking, like every other form of investment, must be made attrac- tive to capital. Ifit is placed upon a footing different from other undertakings, embar- rassed through unnecessary restrictions, and deprived of proper sources of profit, the result cannot be otherwise than that capital will seek other means yment, and to such extent deprive ple of the benefits of the ncy most requisite to commercial activity. Government or Bank Paper. “It is considered by every great com- mercial government, except the United States, to be the sole province of the banks to issue the paper which circulates as cur- ren The belief in a bank note currency as being better ané safer than a govern- ment paper currency prevailed unquestion- ed in this country until, under the apparent exigencies of the war, the government un- dertook to issue paper currency. Even under such circumstances the promise was given, however, that it should be at the earliest practicable moment and the admission freely made that it was neither a wise measure nor a safe form of currency. . “Between the competition of the govern- ment rote on the one hand, and the unnece: restrictions imposed by law upon the other, together with the in- creasing price of bonds required to be deposited as security, the note-ssuing fune- ticn of the banks has been permitted to become merely an in-ident to the conduct of the national banking associations of the country. It has been seriously suggest more than once that the bank-note be done away with and all paper be iss by the government instead. The dan: such a course is not to be overestimated. The experience of every government has been that governmental currency paper is a source of weakness and canger. In the United States, where there has been the nearest approach to success, with thr vol- ume of the federal paper comparatively limited in amount, the credit of the govern- ment has been more than once put In jecpardy through it and the business in- terests of the country subjected to unnec- essary loss and confusion. The argument that the government, better than the banks, can provide for the redemption of paper note issucs will not stand the test of a careful analysis. The government has no means of caring for its demand liabilities except through borrow- ing and through the levying of taxes. Upon the other hand, the banks have as- sets which can be promptly converted into cash to meet their outstanding notes when presented. Their ability to command gold has always been beyond that of the gov- ernment, for in each financial exigency which has confronted the government the banks have furnished to it the amounts necessary to maintain its solvency. It is impossible to believe that with a system of bank-note issues, based in part upon se- curities and in part upon bank assets, the country cannot be provided with a sound, safe, and elastic bank-note issue, always commensurate with and responsive to the demands of trade. The Bank of England, the Bank of Scotland and the Bank of Ireland have been found to be ample in their resources to provide the note issues for use in the trade of the United King- dom. The same is true of the Bank of France. The Deutsche Reichbank, or Ger- man Imperial Bank, has for more than twenty-two years issued bank-note paper against assets, which has maintained its value and has been so controlled as to successfully meet the commercial needs of the empire. The Controller calls attention to the method of organization of this bank, and publishes some interesting statistics in con- nection therewith. . National Bank Circulation. The total number of national banks or- ganized since the date the first certificate of authority was issued, on June 20, 1863, to the close of the year just ended was 5,095, making an average for each_year of 150. On October 31 last there were in act- ive operation 3,617 banks, having an au- thorized capital stock of $620,230,295. The total outstanding circulation of the banks then in operation was $229,199,880, of which $202,994,555 was secured by bonds of the United States, and the balance by lawful money deposited with the treasurer of the United States. The total circulation outstanding of all national banks on Octo- ber 31 was $230,131,005, of which amount $1,558,800 was secured by bonds held for account of insolvent and liquidating banks, and $26,205,325 by lawful money deposited for their account and by active banks re- ducing circulation. The net decrease in the amount of circulation secured by bonds during the year was $12,584,334, and the ra] ae in the total circulation was ————-.—____. GRAND ARMY CLUB. Campfire Addresses and : Personal ces at Recent Meeting. The Grand Army Club was entertained at its meeting at Willard’s Hotel Saturday evening, with campfire addresses by Past Department Commander Burke of ‘Texas, Dr. J. R. Hayes, Dr. L. Wilson, Com- mander T. 8. Hopkins of Potomac Depart- ment, G. A. R., Capt. C. 8. Vaughan and others, and Dr. J. H. Beidier of silinois read selections trom his Tecollec- tions of President Lincolil, which aroused much enthusiasm. IN| TOWN Semators. The nanies of senators who have reached the city are given below, with their ad- dresses: Allison, W. B., Iowa, 1124 Vermont ave, Bacon, A. O., Ga., 1757 Oregon avenue. Berry, J. H..’ Ark, Metropolitan, Burrow: Julius C., Mich., 1404 Mass ave. Caffery, Donelson, La., 2110 © st. Carter, Thos. H., Mont., 1 Chandler, W. E., N. H. 21 pees cap! Cockrell, 'F. M. . 118 K st. Elkias, 8. B., W Fairbanks, € ~ A. Kan., 1016 13th st. Hawley, Jos. R., Conn., 1741 G Heitfeld, H. nN 4 M st. 216 North Capitol st. ran. 1765 Mass. ave. E., 1. Mitchell, Jno. 1 nw, Morrill, Justin S., Vt... 1 Thomas circle, Proctor, Redfield, 1535 L st. Roach, Wm. N., N. D., 1317 Yale st. Stewart, Wm. M. : Teller, H. MM. Fos 1 tee ee Wilson, Jno. L., Wash., the Cai Wolcott, E. O., Col., 1221 Conn, a’ Representatives, Representatives have arrived and are lo- cated as follows: Reed, T. B. Acheson, E. F., Pa. Adams, Robert Adamson, W. C., 5 Riggs. Baird, S. T., La., Wellington Hotel. Barham, J. A., C » the Ebbitt Barney, 8. 8., the Wellington, | Barrett, W. Bartholdt, Bell, Jno. ¢. A st. ne. Bland, 'R. P., Mo., Papitol st. Botkin, J.D, Kan., 508 © “"apitol st. Brenne Jno. » Ohio, 24 Capitol st, Bromwell, J. H., Ohio, U7 © » nw. Brown, Seth W., Ohio, the V ™. Brownlow, W. P., Tenn., 310 Bao (Atal st. Boutelle, H. the Arlington. Burke, R. Texas, 116 Md. ave. ne? Butler, Thos. S., Pa., 1628 H st. nw. Cannon, J. G., TIL, the Cochran. al., the V i rnum. Normandie. the Hamilton, Q st. nw. Hamilton. Cockran, A. V. Cochran, C. F. Dalzell, Jno., Pa Davidson, J. H., * Davis, R. W., Fla., the DeVries, M., Cal., I Dinsmore, H. 4., Ark Dolliver, J. F Dorr, Chas. F Driggs, E. H., N. Y., Eddy, F. M., Minn., 1322 Eliott, Wm., S. Ermentrout, Faris, Geo. W., Ferguson, H. B., N. Fenton, L. J., Ohio, the Fleming, W. H., Ga., the € Foss, Geo, E U1, 1623 H st Fowier, C. N., N Fox, A. F., Miss. « Isl K st Towa, the Ha W. Va., 22 Gre nor, Grow, Galusha A., Hamilton. Edward L., Pa., 1239 Vermont ave. . Mont Hitt, Robt. R., Hull, J. A. 7. Hurley, D. M. Jenkins, Jno. Johnson, 'B Johnson, M. b Jones, W Kelle: Klee Kulp, Knowles, Freeman, Landis, Chas. B., Ind Littauer, L. N., N. Little, J. S.. Ark. the Varnum. Livingston, L. F., Ga.. 2021 O st. n.w. Lloyd, Jno., T., Mo. Loud, E. F., Cal., the Lovering. W. C., Mass., 1711 17th st. now. Loudensleger, H. C., N. J., Willard’s. Mahon, T. M., Pa., the Oxford. McCleary, J. T., Minn., th McClelland, Ge . Martin, C. H., N E. Capitol st, Everett. c.. McCall, S. W., dlass., 1225 Vermont av. now. McRea, T. C., Ark., the Metropolitan. Marshall, Geo. A., Ohio, 247 N. Capitol st. Meekison, D., Ohio, N st. nw. Mercer, David H., Neb., 1503 Roanoke st. Meyer, Adolph, La., 1700 Q st. nw. Miers, R. W. the Congressional, Miller, W the Varnum. 49 D st. se. . 96 1th st. nw. Morris, Page 704 14th st. nw, Norton, J. A., Odell, B. B., jr. 1426 K st. now. Otey, Peter J., the Oxford. Overstreet, Jesse, Ind., —. Otjen, T., Wis., 250 Del. ave. ne. Parker, R. W., N. J., 1 N st. nw Q st. nw. the Hamilton, 1013 G st. nw. 25 A st. se. the Riggs House. , 1300 Columbia road. Peters, Mason S., Kan. Plowman, T. 5. Ray, Geo. W., ¥ Reeves, Walter, TIL Rhea, Jno. S., K; 2 Towa Circle. 6th st. nw, . Re. Robinson, J. 5 Russell, Chas. Shattuc, W. B. Ihio, the Cochran. Settle, E. E., Ky., the Wellington. Simpkins, John, Mass., the Sims, T. W., Tenn., the V: Slayden, J. L., Tex. 1743_Q st. nw. , the Buckingham. Sprague, F., Mass., 1500 R.I. ave. n Steele, Goo. W., Ind., the Portland. Stewart, Jos. F., N. J., the Normandie, Stone, C. W., Penn., 46 B st. n.e. Sulloway, C. A., N. H., the Varnum. Strade, J. B., Neb., 924 14th st. n Talbert, W. J., 8. C., 716 9th st. nw. Taylor, R. W., Ohio, —. Tawney, J. A., Minn., 704 14th st. nw, Updegraff, T., Iowa, the Ebbitt. Underwood, O. W., Ala., 103 Md. ave. n.e. Vehslage, J. H., N. Y., Congressional Hotel. Va., the Normandie. Henry., Mass., the Shoreham, Ky., the Wellington. Trained Nurses for the Poor. To the Editor of The Evening Star: g jtlise nal i E i i a t aff j ll ak | of tle if l il i it i : I t