Evening Star Newspaper, December 27, 1897, Page 2

2 —— . THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 27; 1897-12 PAGES. LATE NEWS BY WIRE |BURTFORPRESIDENT OF U.P. Spanish Columns Dislodge Insurgent Force in Santiago de Cuba. LATTER RETIRE WITH HEAVY LOSS Troops Lose Eighteen Killed and ty-four Wounded. CONSPIRATORS ARRESTED —_—_+—_—_- HAVANA, Cuba, December 27.—Three col- umns of Spanish trcops under Gens. Lin- nres and Vara del Rey and Lieut. Col. Chazel, it was officially announced today, have dislodged the insurgents In the prov- ince of Santiago Ge Cuba from strong po- sitions and have destroyed their camp, con- sisting of 200 huts at Juan Varona. The troops, the official report continues, have reconnoitered the entire district around Agua Cate, Arroyo Blanco, Bairi and Marhio, the insurgents being “enabled to retire with numerous loss” and losing “many effects.” these operations In neunced to have lost one officer and eigh- the troops are an- teen soldiers killed and to have had fifty- three men wounded. At the hospital at Cuni, province of Ma- zas there are 124 persons suffering from beri-beri. An apothecary named M. Rubio and thre- former insurgent leaders, who sur- rendered some time ago to the authorities of Pinar del Rio, have been arrested on the charge of trying to induce a large num- ter of armed farmers to join the insur- sents. When the conspi 1s discovered the were aken inte custod and Tney are now imprison- E. GREEN rmer Chairman of Princeton Uni- versity Finance Board Burled Today TRENTON, N.J.. December 27.—The fureral of Dr. Charles ‘een, who was chairman board of Prince- ton Unive place from his late sidence ir. tod The officia’ < clergymen were Rev. Dr. Nixon of this President Patton of Princeton Univer- and Dr. Mackenzie of the Lawrence- chool pallbearers included f Justice Magie of the Gov. Grige: ew Jersey si preme court and United nator George Gray of Delaware. ident eveland was one of those who at- “the funeral. oo \T ITO TO BE PREMIER. The Japanese Premier and Marine Minister Resign. YOKOHAMA, December 27.—Count Mat- seukata, the premier, and Admiral Marquis Saige Tsugumichi, minister of marine, have resigned. it is probable new premier. that Count Ito will be the ae GOLD MINING COMPANY FAILS. City of Topeka Brings the News From Juneau. PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., December <7.—By the steamer City of Topeka, which bas arrived from Juneau, it is learned that the Newell Gold Mining Company and Berner’s Bay Mining and Milling Company have passed into the hands of a recetver. The receiver is E. F. Cassel of Juneau, formerly of Seattle. Thomas I. Newell was president and manager of the companies, which have been in operation since 1888, end which embraced more property than any one corporation in Alaska. Resides the Newell mine and Berner Bay mine, the company owns large interests on the Douglass Island and 16) acres of placer mines in s tow basin. The heav- lest stockholders company are east- nen. pa stimates of habilities and assets has je yet. Forty-eight thovsand dol- om from the Treadmill Mining Cempany wa and trans’ s brought down by the Topeka for San Francisco. > STRIKERS LOSE THEIR FIGHT. Housesmiths’ Union Defeated by J. B. & J. M. Corneil in New York. NEW YORK, December ‘The House- smithy and Bridgemen’s Union made a ccmplete surrender to the firm of J. B. & M. Corneil today. This ts their third re- nt defeat at the hands of the Cornelis. use of the alleged employment of non- Syndicate build- and Ann Be union ironworkers en the ing being erected Park row at Streat, @ strike was ordered ten days ago. het Including the s3 .ap strikers, ¢ ters, hod carriers, brick and tile there were 360 men out ed NICE PLUM FOR MR. KELLER. Newspaper Man Gets a $7,500 Job Under Mayor Van Wyck. NEW YORK, December Mayor-elect Van Wyck has selected John W. Keller for commissioner of the department of chari- lies. The place is worth $7,500 a year. Mr. Keller was ditor of Truth at the time of the appes of the famous Morey let- ter in the Garfield campaign. Later he be- came the managing editor of the Recorder, aper suspended he went on staff of the Journal and Advertiser, writing the colurmn signed “Cholly Knick- rhocker.” —-+> TO CHAN THE UNIFORMS. A Proposition Being Considered by the War Department. A proposition is under consideration at ne War Department for a change in the niforms of the army. which involves giv- the uniform of hussars stmi of European armies and giving ry uniforms resembling cavalry lar to those familiar buff and blue uniforms of onlinental army. Inasmuch the es would © a great expenditure is of question- is not at all likely of ment. audy Sf f tight blue t set of by gorgeous riding trousers r boots. The continental _uni- would aiso be very showy, but is not warded by many officials as suitable to military requirements. The hus- niform would be practically a dupli- of some of the rich uniforms worn and its introduction would un- ly be opposed. The reports state that the proposed new uniform “will excel even the smartest of the German, French and British uniforms, and will make, at east. the American cavarly the prettiest- dressed in the world. think favorably of the change, but well- informed officials of the War Department scout the idea of the United States cavalry being uniformed after the style prevailing in Europe. ee eS ‘avor the Memorial Bridge. The Commissioners today. in returning to Representative Babecck, chairman of the House District committee, House bill 2527, Providing for the constricticn of a me- moria! bridge across tre Potcmac river to Fert Myer and Arlington cgnetery, suggest that it is one which should Fe referred to the Secretary of War. The measure, they say, has bee.. favorably reported upon be- fere by the Secretary, and they also say that personally they ‘are in favor of its enactment, believing that the bridge would be both « great ornament and convenience. — A trolley car on the Schuylkill Valley road was held up by tramps near Morris- town, Pa.. last night. shot dead and robbed. General Miles may | Official Announcement of the New Owners of the Road. Official is Now Third Vice President of the Chicago and Northwest- crn—Other Officials. NEW YORK, December 27.—It is offl- cially announced that Horace G. Burt, third vice president of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company, has been selected for the presidency of the Union Pacific Railway Company. Mr. Burt's election as president is ex- pected to carry into effect the policy de- termined upon by the reorganization com- mittee when it was supposed that Mr. Clark would be able to continue in the management of the property, but which is impossibie, owing to Mr. Clark’s inability because of ill-health to accept the duties and responsibilities of active service. The board of directors is to include the follewing: Winslow S. Pierce, chairman; James Stillman, Marvin Hughitt, Roswell Miller, E. H. Harriman, Louis Fitzgerald, Henry B. Hyde, John W. Doane, Otto H. Kahn, T. Jefferson Coolidge, jr., George J. Gould, Oliver Ames, George Q. Cannon and Jacob H. Schiff. Oliver W. Mink is to be vice president, in charge of the New York office. Personnel of the Directory. The opinion in New York today, so far as it can be gathered thus early, is that the new dire 'y has been very carefully made up. All the great roads seem to be repre- sented directly or indirectly in the new di- rectory. Winslow S. Pierce is a well-known lawyer and has had much to do with the Gculd interests in Missouri Pacific. James Sullmar of the firm of Stillman & Hub- bard. large holders of Scuthein Pacific se- curities; Marvin Hushett is president of the Chicago and Northwestern and Roswell ler of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, while E. H. Harviman is one of the managing directors of the Illinois Central. Louis Fitzgerald is president of the Mer- ntile Trust Company of this city, and Henry Hyde president of the Equitable Life Assurance Company. John W. Doane is a w-ll-known capitalist of Chicago and railway organizer. Otto H. Kuhn is of the financial firm of Kuhn, Loeb & Company, while T. Jefferson Coolidge represents, with Oliver Ames, the Ames and many of the New England holdings. George J. Gould is resident of the ‘annon, Missouri Pacific, George United States senator from d with much work in the lan, while Jacob H. Schiff was one of the reorganizaticn committee, and is in touch with Morgan & Com- Oliver W. Mink was one of the re- before the reorganization and sub- sequent sale of tac road to the syndicate. PLEASED AT BURT": Mis Many Friends in Omaha Rejoice at His Appointment. OMAHA, Neb., December 27—When the news of the appointment of Horace G. Burt to be prosident of the new company was re- PROMOTION. force he pre Was a general expr sion of satisfaction and “I told you so” from all. At the Elkhern offic e general where Mr. Burt was manag: there was great ‘The northwestern people are also well pleased. In Union Pacifie circles there is much uneasiness concerning the changes the new president will make in the oper- ating force of the road. While no notice of | terations has been given, there is a general impression that some sweeping changes will be made. ceived by the Union Pacific heafquarters’ eral Manager Dickinson said: “I con- sider it a most excellent appointment, and have ali along looked for it. Mr. Burt is an accomplished railroad man.” Other heads of departments expressed similar senti- ments. At the offices of other lines there were none but good word: for the new president. i if SECOND UNION Reorganization Committee Pays §8,- 500,000 the Treasury. EW YORK, December 27.—The second payment of $8,500,000 by the Union Pacific reorganization committee were reflected in teday’s large subtreasury debit balance of $4,357,933. The checks sent by the Treas- vry Department at Wasaington in payment for currency cixes were deposited in the local banks today and pessed in due course through the clearing house. It f& estimated that the aggregate of these checks is about $10,000,000, A third payment of $8,000,000 will be made early in January next. See ees ARBITRATION BOARD READY TO ACT Good Offices May Be Invoked by C ton Mill Operatives. BOSTON, December 27.—It is expected by those interested in the cotton manufac- turing sitvation that the state board of arbitration and conciliation will be called upon to take action upon the matter of the cut In wages which goes into effect the first of the year in many places, but up to today no intimation that the services of the officials are desired has been received from either manufacturers or operatives in Massachusetts. The board, however, has had the matter under discussion several times and is fully prepared to act in case it is asked to do so. > ICIDE OF P. BOWEN. Son of Former United States Senator Found Dead in Montana. HELPNA, Mont., December 27.-L. P. Bowen, a son of former United States Sen- ator Thomas Bowen of Denver, Col., com- mitted suicide at Sappington, on the Butte- Logan h ich of the Northern Pacific yes- terday. His body was found near the track where an express train had thrown it, and near it an empty bottle labeled “Poison.” Bowen was on his way from Sheridan to Miles City, where he expected to take a position on the Yellowstone Journal. He was suffering from alcohol- ism, and remarked Saiurday night that he had not been sober since June last. Bowen was for years mining editor of the Helena Journal, Russeil B. Harrison’s pa- per in Helena. He was once editor and pro- prietor of the Deer Lodge New Northwest, | but left Deer Lodge and went to Sheridan, in Madison county, where he started the Sheridan. He was net married. His mother lives in Deer Lodge, Mont. MAY COMPROMISE WITH ARMOUR. Suits Brought by State of New York Likely to Fail. ALBANY, N. Y., December 27—The state department of agriculture, the attorney weneral’s office and the special counsel en- gaged in the prosecution of the Armours of Chicago for damages amounting to $1,700,- 000 for violations of the dairy laws in the distribution of oleomargarine throughout the state, find themselves in a predicament that seems to foreshadow failure to con- vict. - When a receat court order was promul- gated giving the state counsel the right to examine the books of the various railroad companies for evidence as to shipment, it was believed that the conviction of the Ar- mours would be easily accomplished. It is found, however, that the same court or- der refuses the state a change of venue and compels the commissioners of agriculture and the state counsel to prosecute the sults, of which there are a score, in the counties in which the violation is said to have occurred. This would mean endless litigation with- out much prospect of result. Some time ago the Armour people sought to make an agreement with the state au- thorities” whereby, if the suits were dropped, they would agree to pay a cer- tain amount and promise not to deliver any more unmarked oleomargarine in the state.. The proposition has been submitted to the governor, and while he, believes that the prosecution should go on if there is any chance to convict, as a lawyer he i3 inclined to the idea that the acceptance The conductor was| of the proposition will be in the end the more advantageous to the state. Detectives Investigating an Affair at George H. Whitmore’s Residence, Flames Broke Out While the Family w © Away, Loss ind Search Discloses of -Jewels, Detectives Muller and Parham were call- ed to the house of Mr. George H. Whit- more, No. 934 K street northwest, today, to investigate a case of robbery and arson. Mr. Fred. Freund, jr., who also lives in the house, complained that he, too, was a victim of the firebug and burglar. Three families live in the house, and Saturday Mr. Whitmore'’s family went to Baltimore to spend Christmas with relatives. About 8:30 o'clock Saturday night there was a fire in the dining room in the basement. Mr. Whitmore occupies this part of the house, which he had fastened before he left. There was no fire left in the house, and the police felt certain that the conflagration was the work of an incendiary. — ~ Because of Mr. Whitmore’s absence from the building, Policeman McDaniel was left in charge. Last night when Mr. Whitmore returned home he was surprised to tind that there had been a fire in the house-and that considerable damage had resulted. Going up stairs, he made a hasty investigation and discovered that robbery had been add- ed to the crime of arson. Before going to Baltimore he had secreted a number of ar- ticles of jewelry between the mattresses of his child’s bed. These ineluded, he says, a ruby ring, two large pearl studs, three small pearl studs, a small diamond stud, a lady's turquoise ring, three small gold rings and a silver-mounted compass. This property. which he valued at about $200, had all disappeared. Mr. Freund had been robbed of a sum of money, a little more than $10, and a gold ring. At the time the fine was discovered there Was nobedy in the house. The Whitmores were Baltimore, Mr. Freund and his wife were at his mother’s and Miss Col- lier, who also lives there, was out visit- ing. The flames were discovered by a citizen, who notified a policeman. As the blaze threatened the destruction of the house, the policeman to whom com- plaint was made turned in an alarm from box 137. The fire department responded promptly and extinguished the flames before they had reached the upper floors. It is thought that $200 will cover the amount of damage done by the fire. The opinion is given that the robbery was com- mitted before the fire was discovered. When the firemen reached the house they roticed that one of the front basement windows had been smashed, and this, it is thought, was done by the burglar to gain entrance to the house. It seemed to be pos- sible that the house was fired and that the robbery was committed during the ex- citement. Last week there was a robbery committed at a fire on S street northwest. This fire occurred in the daytime. An alarm was sounded, and during the time the firemen were at work $75 disappeared from the house. This afterncon the detectives made a careful investigation of Saturday night's affair, and they hope to find the perpe- traters of the double crime. _ ATTACHE MILITARY AT LONDON, Col. Bates W111 Succe Carter . It was announced at the War Department today that Lieut. Col. Alfred E. Bates of the pay department of the army had been assigned to duty as military attache of the United States embassy at London in place o2 Capt. O. M. Carter, Corps of Engineer: relieved. The latter officer is nédw und technical arrest pending trial by court- martial on charges of irregularities in con- nection with the river and harbor improve- ments at Savannah, Ga. Although not in the line of the army from which such appointments are usually made, Col. Bates is said to be particularly well equipped by education and general military knowledge for the important duties which will devolve upon him in his new sphere of usefulness. He is a native of Michigan, and was graduated from the Military Academy in June, 1865. He served with great credit in the cavalry branch of service for ten years, or until March 3, . when he was transferred to the pay corps of the army, with the rank of major, which he held until a few months ago, when he was promoted to the grade of dep- uty paymaster general, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is now on duty at San Francisco. Having served in this vi- cinity for many months, he is well known to the residents of the District. The Secretary of War has aiso selected Capt. Alexander Rodgers,-4th Cavalry, for duty as military attache of the United States embassy at Paris, and the orders will be issued in a few days. Capt. Rodg- ers, who is stationed at San Francisco, has been notified to make preparations for a sojourn in France. Lieut. DISTRICT LAND TITLES. Suggestions of the Commissioners Re- garding the Pending Sennte Bil In a communication to Senator McMillan, chairman of the Senate District coinmittee, the Commissioners today, in referring to Senate bill 2296, “Concerning land titles in the District of Columbia,” transmitted an opinion of the attorney for the District to the effect that he is unable to advise that the bill in its present shape is one :he Com- missioners ought to favorably recommend. The bill involves the principal features of the Torrens’ system for the registra- tion of land titles, to set in motion the statute of limitations’ so as to perfect land titles, and facilitate the transfer of land. The attorney for the District agrees that the bill has many desirabe features, and says that if they alone were embodied in it the measure would be of benefit to the community. The Commissioners suggest that the sub- ject of the bill more nearly pertains to the jurisdiction of the District judiciary than te that of the municipal executive, and they further suggest that the advice of the chief justice of the District Supreme Court might aid the committee in arriving at the merits of the proposed legislation. CAPT HORACE T. DRAPER DEAD. Was Possibly on the Hartford Under Admiral Farragut. PHILADELPHIA, December 27.—Capt. Horace T. Draper died yesterday of paraly- sis at his home in Lansdown, a suburi of this city, aged seventy-three years. Cap- tain Draper was born July 4, 1825, at Brookfield, Mass., and at an early age en- tered the merchant marine, working his way upward from before the mast to a @ptain’s berth. Throughout the war he was commander of the Hartford, Admiral Farragut’s flagship. Captain Draper was a nephew of Simeon Draper, collector of the port of New York under President Lin- coln Horace T. Draper was an ensign in the navy in 1862, having been appointed from the volunteers. He may have been on the Hartford in the engagement in Mobile bay, but he certainly did not command the vessel, that duty devolving on Capt. Per- cival Drayton, deceased. ——————— RUSSIA SEIZES ANOTHER PORT. Kin-Chau, North of Port Arthur, Oc- cupied by Czar'’s Forces. ST. PETERSBURG, December 27.—The Russians have occupied Kin-Chau, north of Port Arthur. “3S eS RIVERA REACHES CADIZ, Iusargent Captive Chief Says Caba Will Fight to the End, MADRIID, December 27.—The insurgent chief Rivera has arrived at Cadiz from Cuba. He will be incarcerated in a for- tress. In the course of an interview Rivera said he believed nothing would induce the Cubans to cease fighting before they at- tained independence. He justified the kil: ing of Lieutenant Colonel Ruiz, the, Span- ish peace emissary, as means of arriving at this end. National Coming Conference With Two Cana- dian Ofcials. Secretaty Alger bas received word that two Canadian Officials will arrive in Wash- ington towight’ to confer with him respect- ing the relief Work for the Klondike coun- try. are-Mr. Clifford Sifton, minister of the inferior, and Mr. J. A. McKenna of the sam@; department, and they come to Washington by} invitation cf Secretary Al- ger, ‘becafse the latter, who originally in- tended to go Ottawa to consult with the officials been suffering from an attack of grip which confines him closely to his home, and so has been compelled to abandon: the trip. It is hoped that by a personal tonference with the Canadian offi- cials the Secretary will be able to arrange for the issue of a permit from the Cana- dian government for United States troops, to the number of fifty in all, who will serve as guards for the relief expeditions, to pass through Canadian territory with their arms. Another object is to adjust some” customs questions that are involved Inthe sending of the expeditions, such, for in- stance, as the remission of duties on the food supplies that are to be sent In, “and still another object is to secure the co- operation of the Canadian mounted police, which, it is not doubted, will be cheerfully extended, and will be of the greatest value throngh the thorough familiarity of these harcy men with the country through which the expedition must pass. A cablegram was recelyed today by the Secretary from Mr. Kjellmann, the govern- ment reindeer herder, who is now in the town of Alten, Norway. He reports, in an- Swer to Secretary Alger’s direction, that he is busy collecting the reindeer needed for the transportation of the supplies to the Klondike. The inquiries made by the War Depart- ment In regard to the feasibility of secur- ing promptly an adequate supply of con- densed food is already bearing fruit, and samples are beginning to arrive at the de- partment of all kinds of dessicated vege- table preparations, many of them put up in compact and attractive forms, which are guaranteed to contain in the smallest pos- sible compass and weight all of the com- penent parts of beets, spinach, turnips, parsnips and almost all of the kitchen vege- tables which are supposed to be so much desire¢ by the miners in the Klondike. ——— VETERANS GIFT APPRECIATED. The President Surprised by Present From an Old Soldier. Probably no one had a happier Christmas than one of the battle-scarred veterans at the Soldie Home, and certainly no one was prouder than he of his gifts. He has a great personal admiration for the soldier-President now occupying the White Hcuse, and as a token of his esteem he sent him a rustic flower stand which he had rudely fashioned with his rheumatic fingers out of some rough pine boughs he had gathered in the Soldiers’ Home rounds. He finished the stand a few days age and sert it to the White House with his compliments early Christmas morning Major and Mrs. McKinley were much touched by the spirit of the gift, and promptly acknowledged its receipt with a personal note of thanks to the old soldier, at the same time sending him by special messenger a large basket of beautiful flowers. The hero of this incident is one of the oldest of the inmates of the home, and on aecount of his age and infirmiti he is allowed a room in the detached cot- lage occupied at one time by President Arthur as a summer residence. In fact, he occupies the bed room once sacred to the usé of the President of the United States. SE CUBA'S NEW GOVERNMENT. The Firat Cabinet Will Be Announced . This Week. The rew Cuban cabinet, which, with the captain general of Cuba, will form the ex- ecutive organization under the new au- tonomous regime, will be announced dur- ing the present week, according to the ex- pectation of Spanish officials here. There is no ccubt that Senor Galvez will be the first Cuban premier. He has been long promirent as the leader of the autono- mist party in the island. He is described as a man of wide influence amoung the micst substantial Cuban elements and pop- ular with the people at large. Senor Amb- lard will be another name in the cabinet list if he will consent to take a place. He has been in Washington for several days in conference with the Spanish minister, and left here last night for Cuba. It possible that Senor Amblard may prefer to con- tinue in parliamentary life, in which case it is believed he will become the leader of the Cuban party in the cortes. ——_—__-« ATE HOOPER’S COMPLAINT. Attacked by Pirates and Iyy Treated by an American Consul. First Mate Hooper of the American bark Marion S. Harris, wrecked off Cape St. Roque, on the extreme northeast coast of Brazil in November last,is in this city as the guest of his nephew, Mr. Edward Barrett; at 1241 B street southeast. He will lodge information with the Brazilian minister of an alleged attack on the ship-wrecked crew by pirates near Cape St. Roque, and he! will also file complaint at the State Depart- ment against United States Consul Nelsen Lyle at Natal for his harsh treatment of the crew when they applied tu him for as- sistan in getting home. According to Hooper's story the American consul at Per- nambuco took good care of them for eight days and then sent them to New York on the Belgium ship Hevelius. — OPPOSES A LUMP PAYMENT. Commissioner Evans’ Opinion of a New Pension Plan. The commissioner of pensions is opposed to the proposed plan of appropriating a lump sum equal to the pensions of twenty years and paying It in bulk to the worthy soldiers, who draw pensions from the gov- ernment. To a reporter of The Star to- day he said such a plan would not be ad- vantageous to the soldier. The pensions are given for the support of the soldier who helped save this Union. Many of them do not appreciate the value of money and were the twenty-year plan adopted, it would not be long before they would be- come dependents again. The commissioner referred incidentally to the discussion now going on concerning the printing of a list of all pensioners. It was not his intention, he said, to have these ists spread broadcast, but to have them for the use of his examiners, who daily felt the need of such a compilation. He cited the instance of an examiner in a strange lecality whe did not know who the pension- crs were, and had no means of finding out. Such a list, would assist them in their work materially. The commissioner's attention was called tc the published statement of the frauds which exjsted. specially in the cases of deserters. He said that while he was fa- miliar with the figures which placed tne number of deserticns during the war at scme 200,900, he was convinced that there were really but half that number who actually deserted. The difference ~was made up of bounty jumpers. For instance a man would get a thousand dollars, say for enlisting in one state, and shortly after- vard desert and re-enlist in another part of the country, taking care all of the time to get his‘bounty. In this way the number of actual desertions was augmented. : —$—<—<——+e——___ Lieut. Blanchard’s Death. Acting Adjutant General Corbin received a telegram this morning saying that. Sec- ond Lieutenant Sawyer Blanchard, 1st Ar- tillery, died at noon Christm: day at Whipple Barracks, Ariz., of consumption. He was a native of New Hampshire and was graduated from the Military Academy September 1, 1888. " G ‘Trip. General Wilson, chief of engineers, has gone south on:a tour of inspection of river and harbor works. During his absence Colonel Mackenzie is acting chief of engi- neers. ee z National Bauk Dividends. The controller of the currency has de- clared dividends in favor of the creditors of insolvent national banks as foilows: Ten pe cent, the German National Bank of bank of ase” ee CHARGED WITH MURDER Three Oolored Men Now in Jail Awaiting The District Attorney Taking Active Steps to Have the Casex Heard Active steps ere in progress in the office of the district attorney toward the prép- aration of the cases against three alleged murderers, all colored, now confined tn the District jail. It is the intention to dispose of all these cases during January. The first case will be called for trial soon after the Criminal Court resumes its ses- sions at the close of the holidays. The prisoners who are charged with cap- ital crimes are Edward Smith, William M. Strothers and Frank Johnson. Hatchets Used im Two Killings. Smith is accused of murdering Edmonia Jackson the 15th of November. A hatchet was the weapon used. The woman had been dead several days prior to the discov- ery of the horrible crime, and witnesses have come to the front who say that Smith slept in the room with the body between the date of the crime and the finding of the remains. A hatchet was also the weapun used by Strothers, it is charged, in ending the life of Rosa Talbot, in a house in the second police precinct the morning of the 15th of October. This crime was. particularly ghestly, and the case is thought to be eee from the standpoint of the prosecu- ion. M: ery Surrounds This Marder. Rather weird and mysterious were the circumstances surrounding the arrest and incarceration of Johnson. A farmer named John D. Marshall, on his way to market early on the morning of August 23, cross- ed tho Pennsylvania avenue bridge. He had just reached the city, when a voice called out from the darkness: “Give me a match.” Before Marshali had time to com- ply with the demand there was a flash from a revolver and a bullet entered his left leg near the knee. He was taken to Providence Hospital, where he died some hours later. A post-mortem examination showed that the bullet had passed up through the leg to the abdomen. Johnson was arrested on suspicion, and the evidence presented be- fore the coroner's jury was sufficient to warrant holding him for the action of the gtand jury. There apnears to have been absolutely no cause for the shooting. + CLAIMS FOR INCREASED PENSION. They Will Not Be Heard Within a Year After Action on Case. One of the greatest causes for complaint against the pension office is the delay in acting upon applications for pensions. Many causes have been assigned for this condition of affatrs. Inadequate appro- priations and corresponding inadequacy of force is one {mportant factor. Another and cne which the commissioner of pensions is doing his utmost to overcome, is the appli- cations for review of cases shortly after they have been acted upon. For instance, a pensioner makes an application for an in- crease. His representative or senator, if he is influential enough to have one, calls the case up for review. This is always to the detriment of the applications waiting for first action. While it is true that the department, after a review of a case, some- times reverses itself, yet in the majority of cases the action stands. The experience of the office is that applications for review are almost as numerous as applications for criginal pension. Commissioner Evans to- day promulgated an order to relieve the situation as far as the latter cases are con- cerned. The order is as follows: “That hereafter claims for increase of pension will be considered within twelve months of the last action, allowance or re- Jection.” This order was issued to promote the cf- ficiency of the office and give the examiners an opportunity to adjudicate cases, rather than spend their time reviewing cases al- ready thoroughly examined. “The necessity for the new order,” said an official of the pension bureau today, “grows largely out of the calls made on ihe office for a statement of the status of pend- ing cases by members of Congress. These calls have to be answered to the exclusion of the other claims pending, which should be taken up in their order. It is only fair to those cases which have not had any con- sideration, that they should be taken up as promptly as possible. “The office does not think that any injus- tice or hardship will result to claimants by refusing to reconsider their case after it has once been acted on for a period of twelve months. If a pension is allowed a new disability of such character as to bring about serious results is not Nkely to develop within that period, while if the ciaim is rejected because of lack of dis- ability, the claimant in all probability will not become so disabled within the twelve months as to make a postponement of the case a hardship. The order is absolutely necessary for the prompt prosecution of the work of the bureau, and its enforce- ment will aid materially in bringing this about.” Commissioner Evans has in preparation an order to be addressed to members of Congress, asking them to desist from mak- ing special calls concerning the status, etc., of cases, in order that the business of the office may not be delayed unduly by the time required in answering them. —————_-e.____ MUST WAIT ON CONGRESS. Moncy Lacking to Complete tae Clty Post Office. The office of the supervising architect of the treasury will be unable to do anything about pushing work on the new city post office until Congress meets and acts upon the recommendation of Secretary Gage that an aditional appropriation of $175,000 be made to complete the building. Chairman Cannon of the appropriations committee has had several tonfererces with treasury Officials on the subject, and will, it is be- lieved, rush the appropriation shortly after the reassembling of Congress. The treasury has returned the certified checks of all the bidders for the interior work, except that of Hess & Co., the low- est bidders. Hess & Co. have been notified of the condition of affairs, and have not ex- pressed any desire to lower their bid. It is not thought that new bids will have to be advertised for. The contract, when finally | let, will be awarded to Hess & Co. ee ITS COMING REPORT. President Procter on the Civil Ser- vice Commission’s Scope and Work. President Procter of the civil service commission, in discussing with a reporter of The Star this afternoon the forthcoming report of the civil service commission, said: “We will call attention and emphasize the scope of the civil service law. From time to time I have seen it stated that it was not the intention of Congress to extend the civil service to positions outside of the city of Washington. This is the veriest non- sense. The law was plain, very plain, on that very point, and the law extended to all places in the civil service, with the ex- ception of thoge places filled by the Prest- dent and coufirmed by the Senate, and la- borers. Our report will bring this out very ciearly and will contain extracts from the speeches delivered in both houses of Con- grese during the debate on the bill.” “A dispatch, purporting to have been sent out from this city, is to the effect that the President was about to take some 5,000 places from the classified service. Has the commission any knowledge of this?” - “No,.we bave heard nothing, although, pereonally, I believe he has the subject be- fore him.” Horns for a Battle Ship. A fine pair of horns from a gigantic Texas steer wag received at the Navy De- partment this rning from Mr. James O. Lubey of San Diego, Tex., for presentation to the battle ship Texas. Mr. Lul the horns are from the ranch of ward Corkill, in Starr county, and longest horns that is fast disappearing from our prairies. % ARSON ADDED TO ROBBERY} "8tiEF vor THE KLoxpixe. THE 14TH STREET LINE FINANCE AND TRADE A Portion of the Road to Be Operated by Hlestrcity. New Cars te Be Running, “It is Ex- pected, by Next Week North- ward From U Street. If the weather continues to be favoraile for out-door work it is expected that cars cperated by the underground electric - tem will be running by the first part of next week on the 14th street line from U street to the rorthern end of the line. The purpose of the manegement of the Capital Traction Company is to get the horse cars off that section of the lin at as early a date as possible, and thus avoid the neces- sity of dragging the cars up the 14th street hill by that means. A force. of men are now engaged in supplying what is know &s the electrical equipment, and while this is being done the horse cars are passing mst caveat tracks, which extend us ‘ar south as Thomas . ye~ made in the slot rail, where the insulators will be ST aS conductor bars in and the drip bar it be the slot. The joints of the rails are to be welded, a pomtincpen led, 80 as to make the rails The feed wires ar ducts, which are air. sometime ago. These at the ends, From the U Street Line. As soon as the conductor bars are in place connections will be made so as to transmit a current from the U street power house northward along the 14th street conduits. Then the new cars will be put on the road and that section of the line will be operated by the new system. The work of equip- ping the balance of the 14th street line is to be pushed on as rapidiy as the Weather will permit, and as soon as it ‘s completed to Ith street arrangements have been made to lease a current from the United States Electric Lighting Company, und then the new cars, operated by eleciricity, will be run over the entire Lith street line. The gangs of ‘workmen will continue up the avenue to Georgetown, and when that section of the road is finished to the latter point it will be operated in she same way. For the present the electric cars running from the northern ternunus the 14th street line as far south as U street, will leave the passengers ai that point,’ who will take tra’ ers to the horse cars, and in that way finish their journcy How the Work is Done. The work that is now being done is char- acterized by the seme system which has marked the insta ion of the underground system on this road from the beginning. One gang of men follows the other, so that from the beginning to the end of the sev- eral sections the various phases of the en- tire work may be seen. The first gang of men simply cut the asphalt pavement. Then comes another set of men, who dig away the concrete underlying the pavement. Fol- Jowing these are men who are engaged 'n cutting out holes, so as to get the insula- tors in the conduits. Then what are called the slot hatches are made, which are openings for putting in the conductor bars. Following these come @ set of men, who drill holes in the slot rails, where the insulatois are fastened. Another set of workmen rivet the drip bar to the slot rail, and then comes the men who cast-weld the joints of the rails. This completes the equinment, with the exception of putting in the insulators and the conductor bars. and the procession of busy toilers is ended by men who fill up the holes which were dug a short time be- fore, and restore the pavement to its former condition. o1 > Pay Corps Vacancies. Paymaster E. N. Whitehouse, now abroad on sick leave, and Paymaster Theodore S. Thompson, recently detached from the Massachusetts on acount of sickness, will probably be retired shortly on account of. disability. Pay Director A. J. Pritchard, in charge of the navy pay office, Baitimorc, vill be regularly retired for age February These retirements will make three va- cancics in the lowest grade of the naval pay coprs to be filled from the list of over a hundred young men to be examined at the Washington navy yard early next month. = ee Secretary Gage’s New York Trip. Secretary Gage left here for New York this morning. Tomorrow he will inspect the new revenue cutter McCulloch at Bal- timore, and in the evening will return to Washington. Policeman Hartman of the first precinct arrested a young colored man named Jo- seph Brown this afternoon and locked him up on a charge of larceny from the person. He was arrested on complaint of @ boy named Percy Stevens, who charges that Brown took some money from him on the Long bridge. Brown denies the charge. ——— es Able-Bodied Men Wanted. Chief Parris of the fire department says that some strong, able-bodied men are wanted for positions in the department. There are to be twenty appointments made this week, and there are not enough candi- dates who are qualified to fill the places. They mus: be between twenty-three and thirty-five years ol. >—— Prince Henry Arrives at Gibraltar. GIBRALTAR, December 27.—The German warships Deutschland and Gefion, under the command of Prince Henry of Prussia, have arrived here, on their way to China. ——— Must Awnit Grand Jury's Action. Burley Gillam, colored, charged with at- tempting to shoot Isaac J. Cook, also col- ored, with a pistol on Saturcay, was to- day held by Judge KimbalP in $500 bail for the action of the grand jury. Cook al- leged that John W. Davis was with Gillam at the time of the affair, but was unable to positively identify him, and Judge Kim- ball dismissed D: 5 Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, December 27,—Flour unchznged— receipts, 502 17, w arrels; exports, none; sales, God juiet + 5% ipts, 62,641 bust stock, 1,365 bushels: sali southern wheat by sample, do. on grade, 944280. Corn firm—spot mouth, 23034; December, new or old, 33% January, 354,a38%: February, 3348334: mixed, '31%4a31%—recetpis, 170,251. bushels; ports,” 165.646 bushels; stock, 894,161 bushel: sales, 14.000 bushels—southern’ white and yellow corn,” 214034%%. Oats firm—No. 2 white, 29329) No. 2 mixed, 27a274%—recelpts, 19.655 bushels; ex- orts, none; stock, 451,393 bushels. No. 2 nearby, 52%; No. 2 western, 79 bushels; exports, none; stock. els. Hay steady—choice timothy, $13.00. Grain freights quiet, rates barely steady—steam to Liv- erpool per ny 1, 4d. Janna Cork for orders quarter, 4 ; Rogar strong—granulated, Butter quiet— fancy creamery, 23; do. luitation, 18219; do Indie, 17; ‘do. good ladle, 15216; store packed. 12a14 Eggs steady—fresh, 19. Cheese steady—tancy IN York, 60 large, 94010; do. 37 medium, 10ai ao. 23 small, 104a10%. Whisky—$1.25a$1.26 for finished goods in cgr Poads; $1.27$1.28 for jobbing lots, steamer by W. B. Hibbs & Co.. bankers ge a stock Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co., New York. Stocks Opened Strong, Sold Off, But Subsequently Recovered, a aalp cena GRANGERS WERE THE FAVORITES Metropolitan and Manhattan Active —Sugar Was Weak. eae GBNERAL MARKET REPORT: eh pniotieees Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. y YORK, December 27.—The accumu- lation of buying orders over the holidays, mspired by the strong closing of Friday and the optimism of yesterday’s weekly re- views, resulted in higher prices and an ex- ceptionally strong undertone this morning Here and there some speculative selling was reflected, but the interests engaged in this effort were not important enough to attract any considerable following Aiged by a momentary advance in nu money rates and the cessation of commis- sion buying, prices were forced down for a considerable decline during the first half of the session. Rumors that one of the larger trust companies would call a liberal volume of loans was utilized to depress prices, but the superiority of the buying at the decline soon became apparent, and e covering movement ensued. The funds required for Union Pacific financing very naturally made an impres- sion on the loan market, and this demand Was cited in justification of the decline An advance of % per cent in steriing ex- change rates during the period of the great- est weakness caused some uneasines time, but there was no noticeabl of the sales. Later in the day se newhat easier rates for money forced a sharp re- every in prices, in which the entire list represented. The earnings from all sources were decid edly encouraging, the net increases for Nevember being espially gratifying. There is no reason for antic ipating any diminution in these return and confi- dence in the securities of the better man. aged roads is unabated. The Granger properties, particularly Bur- lngton, continues to find excellent ort, and there are mdications of a desire to begin purchases on a large scale, as was the case during the summer advanc of the smaller properties, which have neglected since the collapse of the sym- pathetic advance, which culminated around the middle of September, are being taken up by large speculative interests in the hope of duplicating previous profits. Manhattan and Metropolitan were active up to new high levels on a volume of busi- ness quite above the average. The buying of the former up to 112 was said to be for interes:s identitied with the record-making advance of a few y bilities for manipul: being gr the last named property, there 1s a consid- erable following which relies upon it to make the greater headway. * American Sugar was a disturbing factor tor a time, owing to a sharp decline of 2» per cent, occasioned by selling on Washing- ton advices relating to the probable re- peal of certain export bounties on Euro- pean sugars. The failure to confirm these reports invited covering, under the influ- ence of which the greater part of the de- cline was recovered. Tennessee Coal and Iron was strong and for a time a feature of the market, as the result of brightening trade prospects and old-time manipula- tion. All things considered the market is an exceptionally strong one for this season of the year. FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The following are the opening, the high- est and the lowest and the closing prices off the New York stock market today, as re- ported by Corson & Macariney, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents, Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 8) Broadway. low Close. American Spirit American Spirits, pfd. American Sugar... | American Sug Ainerican Tobac American Cotton O1 Atchison ...... Baitimore Bay State Gas. Canada Southern Canada Pacific z Chesapeake & O8iO.. 2. ‘. C. C. & St. Lous... Chicago, R.I. & Pacific. Chicago, St. Paul, M.&0 Consolidated Gas. Del. Lack & W Delaware & flu Minets Centra: Lake Saore. ‘ Louisville & Nashville. Metropolitan ‘Traction. Manhattan Elevated Michigan Central. Missouri Pacith National Lead Nationa! Leau Co.. pta New Jersey Ceutrai.. New York Centrat Northern Pacitic Northern Pacitte, Ont. & Western Facitie Mau. Phila. & Keading’ Pullman P. C. Co. Southern Ky., pfa Phiia. Traction . ‘Texas Pacific...... Tenn. Goa: & iron. Cnion Paciti Leather, pra. Wabash, pid... Western Union Tel. . Sliver...... Washington Sales—rerular call—12 American Graphophone, 100 at 10%; 50 at 10%; 50 wt 10%; o'clock m. 15 at 10% “American Graphopbone, preferred, 10 at 11. Pheumatic Gun Carriage, 160 at 45 cents; 100 at 45 certs; 100 at 44 cents; 100 at 43 cent 100 at 44 cents; 100 at 45 cents: 100 at 44 cents: 100 at 45 cer After call, Electric Light, 2 at 101. Washington Gas, 4 District of Columbia Bonds.—20-year fund Se, 102 bid. 30-year fund 6s, gold, 111 bid. 3.18, fund- ing, curreney, 114 bid. Aliscedaneuus Bonds. 500 at 45 cent ee Metropolitan Railroad fa, 116 bid. Metropolitan fs, 124 bid! 126 asked. Metropol Railroad certit indebiedness, A, 125 bid. Metropolitan EB certificates of indebtedness, 1, 115 bid. Bel road 5x, 50 bid. Eckington ‘Rallrond 6s. 100 asfed. Columbia Railroad 6s, 121 bid. ington Gas Company 6s, series A, 113 ington Gas Company 6s, series B. 114 . Electric Light debenture imp., 104 bid. peake and Potomac Telephone 5s, 103 bid, can Security und Trust 5s, F. Ameri- 100 bid, ington Washington Market Masonic Hall Association Light Infantry Ist 65, 90 National Bank Stocks.— ington, 275 bid, 300 asked. Metropolitan, 310 bid. Central, 260 bid. Farmers and Mechanies’, 180 bid. Se>- ond, 140 bid. Citizens’, 135 bid. Columbia, 139 did! Capital, 120 bid. West End, 102 bid. ‘trad. ers’, 95 biu. ’ Lincoln, x106 bid. Safe Deposit and Trust Com — ional Safe Deposit and rust, 115 bid, 118 asked. Wash- ington Loan and Trust, 121 bid, 125 asked. Amer- — er rust, 147 bid. Washington Safe posit, 50. bid, % jocks.—Capital Traction, 6 2bid, 2% aked "hietr $20 bide Columbia, 63 ide ¢ it Stocks. —Wr