Evening Star Newspaper, February 9, 1898, Page 8

8 THE EVENING STAR, McKnew’s, Cleaks, Suits and Furnishings, 933 Penn. Ave. Wednesday, February gth, 1898. We're famous for our High-grade Kid Gloves. Every Glove that en- ters this stock is obliged to pass a veritable “Civil Service” examina- ” For $1 —we offer as good a Kid Glove as can be found elsewhere for $1.25. AM the latest shades. Black and white with self and biack embroidery, pearl with self and black embroidery, and maize, tan, mode, oxblood, self and black embroidered. Fitted to the hand and guaranteed. A special quality of Kid Gloves for $1.50. Genuine soft kid, finely finished and in all the Invest shades—self and black embroid- ered. * “Reynier™ is famed all over the world for his excellent Glove productions. a complete line of these famous bn: in the Dress Kid, Pique style The Castor Gh fs al tion-proef, and can be look new. We've # sph Fine 4 and ¢ ck and colors, 4, 6 and 8-button lengths, the Suede style. and 4-buttoned length in clasp length in the jutely perspira- ned So As to Ine of Ladies’ ‘ashmere Boys’ Heayy Wool Gloves, 25e. and 50c. Wim.H.licKnew,933 Pa.Av. fetid LOOPS “The Quality Store.” We hope you’ve looked around to see how. near you can match these special lots of Bookcases and Parlor Tables we're offering at these great- ly reduced prices. Nothing proves the worthiness of our bargains like comparison. There are a few left for those of you who neglected to re- spond to the first call— Antique Oak Book Case— was $35—new Antique Oak Book Sbelves— now $9 Quarte Varlor Tab large brass si2 Mahogany Have you been able to find a Chamber Suite the equal of cur Antique at any- thing like our pr Rut we can answer for you—you HAVE NOT, we & know t te be bud anywhere else in tewn for much less than a dozen dollars more. i DRAPERIES, - Pa. Ave. and 8th Street.¢ it Speedo etetettpleteeelnletnteteteteeptet : i Pee eee eee ereeseereeereeeeereeeserseseee All the men’s stock in the avenue store is to be sacrificed prior to opening our new store at 1329 F st. As you are aware, we carried only high- class qualities—too fine we have been told for the average run of trade, and this is the reason our prices do not ap- pear as low as they really are when the quality is considered. Small lot of Men's Famous ‘Courve- ster” Evening Gloves, in cream, laven. der and evenirg tints in sizes 7%, 7% and S Were $2. Reduced to 25c. and $1.25 Fine Neglige collars aud cuffs attached, Men's $1 Shirts. with Reduced to 590c. "s $2. $2.50 and $3 Fine French Shirts cvith collars and cuffs at Reduced to M M. tached. Teeecevece ogee . ° . . . . \e ODS8c. Men's Fane; Silk and duced to ‘The connters are Literally crowded with genuine bargains In Men's Fur- nishings. See the reduced Ne 49, 39 ane 79. oe — a atin Suspend od Re- eee TTT wear at peeereeereeeee :Teel’s,935PaAve. . feS-1064 ye We Fit iH Glasses that give | absolute comfort to the eyes. * M‘Allistere Feast | Opticians,“1311” Fst. | | tet-28a HUMORS OF ALL KINDS parvasa Cuticura Soap and the skin made mb15-m,w&t,ly A Column of Cuttings in the Men’s Furnishings. We must ask you to re- member that every item of this stock is of the highest grade of value, because the prices we quote for to- morrow won’t indicate it. This is one of the most important chapters in our Inventory Sale. We be- lieve the re- ductions are greater than we have ever made before. But through them we shall CLEAR this department of EVERY BROKEN LOT AND EV- ERY REMNANT. That’s what WE gain. YOURS is a dollar and cent gain. Neckwear. You may have the choice of every $1.50, $1.25, $1 and 79c. Fancy Silk Scarf in the house—Teck, Four-in-Hand, Puff, Imperial, Band Bow, Club Tie, Ascot—no matter what the shape or the pattern, and we can tell you they’re all handsome effects— Tomorrow==39° 3 for $1. a big lot of Silk . Four-in-Hands, Bows and Clubs, that have been 35¢. and 25¢.—shall go— Tomorrow-==-15¢ for Help yourselves to which want, and as niany of them. This season's Shapes and patterns, Shirts. c B fertentonten seat Soedeegetongecesonzonentongocgetonegeatongegensonregeesencgeatoaecgunsengecsentoategerdbafegenseesenogeatentetoatefeasnesingeegegnagecagees Fancy Percale som % Laundered Shirts, in this sea- $ son’s exclusive patterns, with ¢ cuffs to match. The regular & price has been 65c., and our $ customers thought them ex- $ ceptionally good values at % that price. Your choice— ze: Tomorrow==25¢ Sizes 15 to 1744. Madras Bosom Shirts, with White bodies, and All-over Fancy Shirts, with separate cuffs to match. The regular prices have been $1 and $1.25. Your choice— Tomorrow--=50° Most every size, but not in every pat- tern. SeateisessoshoatostentontreSeoteatoesortosteeteeteatedseesefentoeseesonoat Soeseeseegeagengengeogeogenguagen sondonsoesendonseeseogoatneseesengonseesontoaseecensontoateesooseasbasweseeseosentenseeseegeathey Heavy Flannel Shirts, soft and serviceable, and the price, when we had all sizes, was $1. Temorrow--50° Sizes 14, 15, 16 and 17, Laetitia Seekonge Gloves. All the broken lots of our % $1.75 and $2 English Walk- $ ing Gloves; the prevailing $ $ shades— $ = Ka + Tomorrow--50°: ? & Won't it pay you to bunt for your %& SH size with such ing among the pos % 2 sibilides? = < Broken lot of our regu- 3 = lar $1.50 Dogskin Walking ¢ Gloves; also in the popular shades— Tomorrow-==25°: es G%, 7 and 74. Setedotes Sevtortont oe of Underwear. All the broken lots of our regular 50¢., 75¢., $1 and $1.25 Shirts and Drawers will be in one pile— * Tomorrow--25°- Among them all there 1# most every size. e All the broken lots of $1.50 All-Wool | Derby — Ribbed Shirts and Drawers are mark- ed to go at exactly half price— Tomorrow==75°¢- can make out with the slzes that ure here. ey Hosiery. Out of hundreds of dozens of that 50c. Natural Wool Half Hose, we've only sizes 9 and 9 left. Those they'll fit can have them Tomorrow-=15°¢- Saks and Company, “Saks’ Corner.” Peele oeteetorte terete tester | of Night Robes. What are Jeft of the regular -65c. quality of Fancy Trim- med Faultless Night Shirts are offered Tomorrow=-43° ‘The Faultless is the best Shirt on the market, and these are very neatly trim- med. We have culled out all the broken lots of $1.25 and $1.50 Pajamas. Take your choice of them Tomorrow--69¢- Dress Suit Cases. Last of a lot of Fiber Dress Suit Cases, full size and most as commodious as a trunk. They have been $2.50— Tomorrow:-=$ 1-25 They're tough as hide. Suspenders. A lot of Silk Suspenders, with elastic ends and patent cast-off, that have been 50c.— Tomorrow-==15¢ Linen Cuffs. 2100 Linen Reversible Cuffs —the broken lots of both the 15c. and 25c. grades— Tomorrow-=9°- 3 pairs for Sizes 9, 914 and 10. Seeteete seSeeseegesgentontontentere aloateetee sae See ogentonsees Saks and Company, “Saks’ Corner.” Seentntntetneontntedeteteeeatetetedetiee adetoetnte COURTS. Court of Appeals—Present, the Chief Jus- tice, Mr. Justice Morris and Mr. Justice Shepard. Albany City National Bank t. Colum- bia Filter Co.; petition for allowance of appeal submitted by John B. Larner in support of petitfon. 768, Douglass agt. Douglass et al.: passed until March. 717, Hume* agt. Riggs: argument continued by W. D. Davidge for appellees and conclud- ed by H. P. Blair for appellant. 516, United States agt. West et al.; motion to recall mandate and correct | judgment granted, judgment in favor of sureties re- versed, with costs and cause remanded. 403, Stewart agt. B. and O. R. R.; judg- ment on mandate of Supreme Court U. 8. entered. Patent appeal No. 77, Glenn et al. agt. Adams; decision of commissioner of patents affirmed, opinion by Chief Justice Alvey. ; Smith agt. Amer. Bonding and Trust Co.; order affirmed with costs, opin- fon by Justice Morris. » Howard agt. Citizens’ Bank and Trust Co.; judgment affirmed with costs, opinion by Justice THE 6 j Shepard. 732, Chisholm et al. agt. Cissel; order reversed with costs and cause re- manded to the end that appellants may have the benefit of an appeal from the de- cree entered by them and which was dis- missed by order of the court below, opin- fon by Chief Justice Alvey. 725, Burke agt. Claughton, admr.; judgment affirmed with costs, opinion by Justice Morris. 724, Fen- ton Metallic Mfg. Co. agt. Office Specialty Mfg. Co., and No. 727, Office Specialty Mfg. Co. agt. Fenton Metallic Mfg. Co.; so much of decree appealed from by defendant be- low affirmed and so much of decree appeal- ed from complainant below reversed and costs on both appeals to be paid by defend- ant, and cause remanded, with directions to reform decree below, ‘etc., opinion by Justice Shepard. Equity Court No. 1—Justice Cox. Davis agt. Loeb; receiver's report ratified and cause referred to auditor. Stewart agt. Stewart et al.; Jno. E. Wagner ap- pointed guardian ad litem. Read agt. Fletcher; leave to amend bill and take testimony granted. Equity Court No. 2—Justice Hagner. Anderson agt. Anderson; order to sur- render horse and wagon. Lee agt. Lee; counsel fees and alimony pendente lite ordered paid. Draley agt. Brown; decree denying petition cf Babbington and Col- lins. Shuster agt. Boardman; motion to amend decree overruled. Hogan agt. Ho- gan; divorce a vin mat granted. Cireuit Court No. 1—Justice Cole. Bradley & Currier Co. agt. Boyd; judg- ment by default. Dodson & Ken do. Robinson agt. District of Columbia; jury respited. Estate of Haralson; on trial. Circuit Court No. 2 —Justice McComas. Mathews agt. Wright; stet calendar. Allsworth agt. Eckington and _ Soldiers’ Home Railway Company; on trial. Criminal Court No. 1—Chief Justice a Bingham. United States agt. Geo. W. Taylor; vio- lating section 8874, Revised Statutes United Siates; given to jury. Criminal Court No. United States agt. murder; on trial. Justice Bradley. Wm. M. Strather; Probate Court—Justice Hagner. In re Clara D. Sullivan, guardian: order to encumber ward's real estate. Estate of John Riggles; will partly proved. Hstate Boutell Frazier; inventory filed. petition for pro- F. administration i H. Hutcherson; bond, $100. Estate of Delia Noonan: inventory’ filed, e of John Stewart; rule returned served. In re Cifddie L. Wright, guardian letters filed. Estate of Marietta L. Wil. Hams; will filed. Estate of Anna North: rule returned ser 4 will filed. Hutcherson; letters granted to Wm. > Leased for Dr. Buck's Daughters. In recognition of the long and valuable services of the late Rev. Dr. Buck, rector of Rock Creek parish, the vestry of that parish has formally executed a lease of the rectory and two acres of ground in Rock Creek cemetery for the use of Miss Sarah A. and Miss Olivia Buck, his sur- viving daughters, for the term’ of their natural lives. The rental is, of course, merely nominal, and the action of the vestry was taken because it was thought it would be a fitting tribute to the life and services of the late rector. — > Britain's Competitors in Iron, From the Engineering Magazine. In a letter which he wrote to Horace Mann, more than a hundred and twenty years ago, Horace Walpole declared that he believed that “England will be con- quered some day in New England or Ben- gal,” and on another occasion he wrote to the Countess of Ossory that “there are many able Englishinen left, but*they hap- pen to be on ‘the other side of the Atlan tic"—referring to the United States. The first statement appears to have been al- most prophetic; the second had some truth if much exaggeration. If we take New England as typleai not only of the eastern states, but of the middle and southern states as well, Walpole’s prediction is with, in measurable distance of fulfillment; at any rate, British supremacy is being chal. lenged. I do not thereby imply that the British are to be vanquished, because they are scarcely mad> that way. By and by. no doubt, it will resolve itself into a tug of war, to which Wellington's remark at Wat- erloo will probgbly apply: “Hard pounding, this, gentlemen; let’s see wh i the longest.” py epound, —————~+ee State Senator James E. Hayes of Charles- town, Mass., died at a Bestcr. hospital terday morning, - ay < WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1898-14 PAGES. PROTECTING MAINS eh ge A Measure Proposed for Avoidance of Electrolysis, ARGUMENTS "MAIE IN 11S FAVOR Reports by Assistant Commissioner Burr and Others. TEXT OF THE ss BILL The District Commissioners this after- noon transmitted to Congress the draft of a bill to provide protection to all metallic underground constructions, such as gas and water mains, service pipes, telephone and telegrapn cables, etc., from destruction by electrolytic action due to the return of electric currents through the earth from the point at which they are applied to the place at which they are generated. “With the large incgease of late years,” explains Capt. Burr, assistant to the En- gineer Commissicner, ‘in the use cf elec- tricity for lighting and power purposes, the damage resulting to underground me- tallic constructions from the use of the ground or uninsuiated returns has greatly increased, and the evils from such an in- complete system of distribution for elec- tricity are beginning to be fully realized. In many cities tne question of the preven- tion of electrolytic action on such construc- tiens 1s being very seriously considered. With the absence of overhead trolley roads in the city of Washington, the question has been an unimportant one until recently. Cenditions have. ‘however, changed so markedly in the last two years that it should have immediate attention. So long as the trolley roads did not enter the city, and while each cne had its independent small power plant, the return of the cur- rent to its point of generation was accom- plished through the ground or otherwése without any material damage to gas and water mains, etc. “Recently a large central power station has been established within the city limits, from which nearly all the trolley roads in the District of Columbia and some in Mary- land and Virginia obtain their power. This station also furnishes current for public and private lighting at various points with- in the District. Current so generated is constantly delivered to many points, some of which are a number of miles distant In many instances this current has to find its way back to the station through the ground and such metallic constructions in it as offer the least resistance, no proper metallic return having been provided. Where a metallic return has been provided it 1s insulated and only partially serves Its purpose. The following summary sta’ concisely the conditicns existing in this District: Potomac Electric Power Company. “In certain portions of their system they have provided an inefficient and bare re- turn. The current is seeking a return through other parts than those provided for it, shown by tke destruction of tele- phone cables and the main and pipes of the gas company. Of the current furnished to the Brightwood Railway Company about one-hundredth part, is found to return through the connection provided , therefor. lt undoubtedly fakes the lead cover of the teléphone cables near 7th street andl Florida avenue and Téaves them at 20th and K streets. At the latter point the telephone company has been opliged, for the protec- tion of their cables, to connect them to the Baltimore and Ohio tracks in Georgetown, to which tracks the Potomeec company’s generator is also borided. Other Electric Currents. “No return circuit being provided for the Washington and Great Falls electric rail~ way, between the end of the tracks and the power station, the current takes the path. through the water mains, a direct ccnnection having been made thereto. orgetown and Terleytown Railroad Company—The current from this road has destroyed several gas service pipes in Gzorgetown. Recent additions to the re- turn circuit have reduced the amount of danger to which the pipes are subjected, but have not by any means entirely re- moved it; has also rendered uszless the magnetic instruments at the naval obser- vatcry. “Brightwood Railway Company—The poor condition of the reture, us noted under the head of the Potomac Electric Power Com- pany, renders the water pipes along this road ‘subject to severe electrolytic action. “Eckington and Soldicrs’ Home railroad (trolicy line)—Service pipes have heen eaten out aleng the line of this road, due to their poor return system. ‘This action Is goi on continuously, as shown by the condition of a pipe put in new at the time of the firet test, and removed during the second test, and found badly damaged. “The mzthod of returning the current from the railways in Virginia terminaung at the Aqueduct bridge to the power sta- tien of the Potomac Electric Power Cu: pany renders the bridge Mable to c portion of this current. Evils Pointed Out. are stroyed, water mains and service pipe corroded and caused to leak, thereby in- creasing the waste of water, and putting the District to the expense necessary for repairs. Gas mains and servic:s sutfer in a similar manner, but with this difference, that the leakage of gas dces not so soon become evident upon the surface, and in many cases continues to such an extent as to destroy asphalt pavements and _ kill shade trees. The observations of magnetic force carried on regularly at the United States naval observatory for many y-ars past have been rendered practically useless of late, as stated in a letter of October 26, 1807, addressed to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia by Commander C. H. Davis, superintendent of the naval observatory. ‘ eee following are quotations from this etter: * I further understand that it is contem- plated to Insist on a return wire for electric railways, preventing the grounding of these powerful currents. Should such an inten- tion be carried into effect it would probably remove the causes of disturbances affecting our instruments, and its results would be directly beneficial to science. “The present slte of the naval observa- tory was chosen, only about fifteen years 2R0, because it w&s believed that the loca- tion itself and the extent of the ground were a perpetual guaranty against the dis- turbances of commerce and traffic. The electric railway ‘had not then been perfect- ed, nor could the pérnicious effects of its close proximity 'thenbe foreseen. As these railways are now managed, it would prob- ably be necessary t6' remove our magnetic instruments toa distance of at least two miles before the effects of local disturb- ances would cease to be felt. This would retire the observatory from the national capital, which, in view of the amount of money already spent here and the beauty and fitness of the site in all other respects, is not to be tholightvof. The only other al- ternative is totdis¢ontinue magnetic ob- servations here: This would be a loss to science, becausé: there are only two mag- netic observatories'on the continent of North America; the ‘other one, situated at Toronto, being “unfortunately in the same predicament as ourselves, owing to the close proximity-of @ trolley road: so that the accumulation ofmaccurate magnetic ob- servations, which are of incalculable valuo for the future solution of one of the great problems of nature, has practically ceased in North America.’ What is Necessary, “To reduce to the smallest practicable mit the damage to underground construc- tions by the large and increasing use of electricity all parts of the feed and re- turn circuits for the distribution of elec- tricity should be required to be insulated from the ground. The proposed bill will accomplish this purpose by prohibiting the use of a circuit any portion of which is uningulated or grounded, or of a generator any pole of which is connected to the ground. “For further information more in detail relating to local electrical conditions, at- tention is invited to the report on elec- trolysis in the District, printed October 29. 1807, for the use of the Senate com- mittee on the District of Columbia. This report contains several reports on investi- gations made by Mr. W. C. Allen, inspec- tor of electric lighting, and a letter from the superintendent of the naval observa- tory relating to the effect of the ground return of electric currents upon the mag- netic observations which have been car- Tied on at that observatory. Attention is also invited to the supplemental report made by Mr. Allen under date of February 1, 1898, and to ‘a further statement from the superintendent of the observatory upon the conditions existing at that time. Copies .of these reports are appended hereto.” The Additional Tests. The report of additional tests made in the District in relation to the electrolysis of underground pipes and cables by Mr. Allen is as follows: “The Washington Gas Light Company have a three-inch pipe running from the Standard Oil Company’s works at the corner of Half and K streets southeast, through a pump and receiving tank at the corner of Ist and L streets southwest, to receiving and overflow tenks at the inter- section of New Hampshire and Virginia avenues northwest, following the route shown by red line cn the accompanying plat. This pipe line is used to convey naphtha from the Standard Oil Company's tanks to the works of the gas company at New Hampshire and Virginia avenues, when the river is so blocked with ice that barges cannot be brought up to the com- pany’s wharf. In December, 1897, while sttempting to pump naphtha through the line, lecks were developed at 4% street and Virginia avenue southwest, and on Virginia avenue between 3d and 4% streets. So great wus the leak at the latter point that considerable naphtha flowed through the ground and became ignited by a match carelessly thrown by a boy. A fire re- sulted, burning up several panels of the fence inclosing the tracks of the Balti- more and Potomac Railroad Company; the latter company sent_a bill for damages to the amount of $45.00 to the gas com- pany, which bill has been paid. “Upon excavating, the gas company found two lengths of pipe eaten out, both of which have been rsplaced. Figure 1 fs a photograph of a section of the pipe taken from the northwest corner of 4% street and Virginia avenue, showing the hole eaten out by thé current. Figure 2 is a photo- graph of a section of the pipe taken out from the other location between 34 and 4% Streets, where the fire occurred, showing two holes which wer> directly under two small water service pipes crossing the oil Pipe at right angles. Readings From Pipe Line. “The afternoon of Janvary 4, 1898, the pipe line at 4% street and Virginia avenue Was uncover2d and readings taken. Before unjointing, the oil main was found to be from % to 1 volt positive to the water main; % to 1 volt positive to the negativa return of ‘the Potomac Electric Power Company; 1-3 to % volt positive to the rails of the Metropolitan Railroad Com- pany; 1-3 volt positive to the lead cover of the cables of the latter company. After unjointing, the difference of potential be- tween two ends of the pipe was steadily 1 volt toward the west. An ammet2r serted in series with the pipe line showed a flow cf 4 amperes toward the west. The water main was 1% volt positive to the r2- turn of the Potomac Electric Power Com- pany. At night the conditions changed considerably, owing to the current from the latter company’s cables. The oil main changed to 2 2-3 to 3% volts negative to the r2turn of the latter company. With a difference of potential between the two ends of the pipe of from 3% to 4 voits in the same direction as before, and with an increase of curr2nt to 6 amperes. “Two days after (January 6, 1898) the oil main was uncovered on Virginia ave- nue between 8d and 4% streets and similar tests made, this time the presence of the superintendent of the Potomac Elec- tric Pewer Company. In the day time the oli main was found 1-8 to 1-2 volts positive to the return of the Potomac Electric Power Company; 1-3 to 1-2 volts positive to the tracks of both the Metropolitan railroad and the Valtimore and Potomac railroad, and 11-2 to 2 volts positive to the water service pipes. The difference of potential between the two ends of the pipe was 11-2 volts toward the west, with a ficw of 21-2 to 3 amperes. At night the readings were: Oil main, 1 yolt positive to water service, 4 to 41-3 volts negative to the return of the Potomac Electric Power mpany, with a difference of 1 volt ie- tween ends of the pipe and a current of 6 emperes through it. Experiments at Receiving Tank. “On the same afternoon tests were made at the receiving tank of the naphtha at the intersection of New Hampshire and Virginia avenues. The pipe where it en- ters the pipe was disconnected and a dif- ference of 31-3 volts found between it and the tank. On inserting an ammeter a cur- rent of 4 amperes was obtained. The work- men at this place refused at first to dis- cornect the pipe, as they had noticed sparking there a few weeks before when making other connections and were afraid to work above the tank, which is ten feet in diameter and ten feet high, and was full of naphtha. The joint was bridged around, however, before breaking it so as to prevent any sparking. “On the afternoon of January 20, 1898, the pipe ne was uncovered at Ist street and Delaware avenue southw and the pipe cut. It was found to be 2-3 volt positive to the water main, with 11-6 volts be- tween the ends and a current of 2 amperes toward the north. The pipe was also un- jointed at the pump at the corner of Ist and L streets southwest, where a difference of potendal of 1 volt and a current of 2 amperes were found. No tests were made at these two points at night. Conditions Vary. “As tho investigation of this case has not been completed, no positive theory can be advanced concerning it. It can be stated, however, that during the night when the arc lamps maintained by the Potomac Elec- tric Power Company are burning, and con- siderable current is being sent through their cables in 41% street, that the conditions in the pipe line are materially changed, a great amount of current being present. The receiving tank at the corner of Ist and L streets southwest is 20 fect in diameter and 12 feet high. The tanks present a large surface area in contact with the ground, and, being cornected by a pipe line, the joints of which are screw joints, and there- fore well connected electrically, form an easy path for any current seeking a return through other paths than those provided for it. The larger amount of current at New Hampshire and Virginia avenues and its flow in a westerly direction toward the station of the Potomac Electric Power Company, terd to show that the current found in the pipe line was generated there. “Other evidence of electrolytic action has recently been brought to light by the de- struction of the lead-covered cables of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com- pany at 22d and G streets northwest. That portion of the conduit system of this com- pany west of 15th street is shown on the accompanying map in solid green lines, the G street portion having recently been put in. At 20th and K streets, where one set of cables ends, the company kave bonded the lead covers to the tracks of the Balti- more and Ohio railroad, to which the Po- tomac Electric Power Company have also connected the negative pole of their gen- erators. The telephone cable recently drawn into the G street conduit to the cor- ner of 22d street has8 been badly eaten up, and to protect it the company has just run a heavy copper wire from the latter cor- ner to 29th and K streets, and have con- nected ft to the lead cables and the Balti- more and Ohio tracks. I have not seen the results of the tests made at 22d and G streets by Mr. Crandall, electrician for the telephone company, but they wilt undoubt- edly be furnished to the Commissioners, if asked for. It would be well, 1 think, to have them on record, since this depart- ment has not yet had an opportunity to make any at that point. ‘The Proposed Bill. The bill transmitted by the Commission- ers is as follows: “Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives’ of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That each and every street railway company in the District of Columbia using the single overhead trolley system for the propul- sion of its cars or using any other elec- trical system, employing an uninsulated, a grounded, or a rail return or feeding circuit for the current, shall equip its lines with the double trolley system, or other equally good insulated metallic-circuit system, subject to the approval of the Commissioners of the District of Colum- bia. It shall be the duty of each and every such railway company within ixty days after the passage of this act, or before beginning the reconstruction of its lines, or the construction of any new branch or road or line, to submit to the Commission- ers of the District of Columbia a plan, in duplicate, of the system proposed to’ be used for every part of its lines. “One copy of this plan, with such modifi- cations as the Commissioners may deem Proper, shall be returned to the railway company, which shall within three months after the approval of the plan by the Com- missioners of the District of Columbia fully carry out its requirements. Any failure to submit such plan or carry it into execu- tion shall render the offending ratiway company subject to a fine of $25 a day for each day of non-compliance with any of the requirements of this act. to be recov- ered in the Police Court of the District of Columbia as other fines are recovered, and a failure to pay such fine within sixty days shall act as a forfeiture of its charter and all rights and privileges thereunder. Thorough io “Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, that after the passage of this act {t shall be un- lawful for any person, company or cor- poration in the District of Columbia to furnish current for electric light, heat or power on a circuit or system any portion of which is grounded or connected to any grounded construction or which is not thor- oughly insulated from the ground. It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation in the District of Columbia to use any dynamo, generator, motor or transforming device, or any lighting or heating apparatus for the production or utilization of electric current, any pole or terminal of which is grounded or connect- ed to the earth or any grounded construc- tion. “Each and every person, company or cor- poration employing any such grounded system shall submit to the Commissioners ef the District of Columbia within thirty days after the passage of this act a plan in duplicate, showing the changes pro- posed to be made in its system. One copy of this plan, with such modifications as the Commissioners may deem proper, shall be returned to the party, company or corporation submitting the same, which shall within sixty days thereafter begin to carry out its requirements, and shall complete such changes within six months from the date of the approval thereof by the Commissioners. Any failure to submit such plan or to carry it into execution shall render the offending person, com- pany or corporation subject to a fine of twenty-five dollars a day, for each day of nen-compliance with any of the terms of this act, to be recovered in the Police Court of the District of Columbia, as other fines are recovered, and a failure to pay such fine within sixty days shall act as a forfeiture of its charter and all rights and privileges thereunder, or any permits, licenses or privileges that may be enjoyed under existing law. “Section 3. That all acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed.” CHEAP TELEPHONES Action Taken by the District Pharmaceuti- cal Association. Amendment for Lower Rates Ap- proved—Res: of an Interview With Mr, Bryan. At a recent meeting of the District of Co- lumbia Pharmaceutical Association, which is composed of those engaged in the drug business in this city, the legislative com- mittee was authorized to urge upon the Senate District appropriation committee the adoption of the amendment put in the bill by the House fixing the rental of tele- phones in this District at $50 per year. The position of the druggists fs simply this, that next March or April when the for the telephone services are to they have been notified b; Bryan, the president of the com- that the old contract would not be ewed. Under the contracts be renewed Mr. terms of that contract the druggists are allowed to use the ‘phon free of charge for calls of physicians, ho: pitals, druggists and the fire and police de- partment. But next year they are ii formed that under the new contract th must guarantee $10 per month as a revenue to the com from the slot machines or that it will not be put in, and the only calls allowed free of charge will be what is known as hospital emergency calls. Interview With Mr. Bryan. In addition to this they can have the privilege of taking what is known as the measured service, and when the calls are as many as 3,000 during the year then the rate will be 5 cents, but as that amount of business is done by very few of the drug- gists it will not be possible for many to have the use of the telephone at such a rate. A committee representing the association has been to se> Mr. Bryan, but find that they are unable to obtain any more f&vor- able rates than these indicated above, and for this reason it has been decided to ask Congress to enact th> proposed legislation. Representative men of the association, in talking about this matter, say that they need the telephone in their business just as they do a city directory, more for the a commodatior of the public than for their own use. They say that if they have a message to deliver that they have porters employed and they also have wagons and other facilitizs for rapid communication. They say, however, that the public expects to find such convenfences in the drug stores as telephones and directories, and fer this reason they fel obliged to furnish trem. A Pablic Accommodation. One prominent member of the associa- tion, in talking with a Star reporter to- ay, said he, for one, and he knew of others of the same mind, were perfectly willing to ray $50 a year for the purpose of having a telephone in their places of business for th> use of their customers and public gener- ally, but that they could not afford to pay excessive rates. The refusal on the part of the company, he said, to permit tele- phones in drug stores to be used by the public unless a charge is made for the priv- i'ege made it necessary for some action to be taken. It ia stated that at the meeting of the association in March the members will agree not to renew contracts with the tele- phone company unless the rates are re- duced. > INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL, Senate Committee Increases the House Measure $143,000. The Senate committee on appropriations reported the Indian appropriation Dill to- day. The increase made is $143,000 over the House bill. A proviso is made in relation to detailing army officers for Indian agents only at such agencies as in the opinion of the President may require the presence of an officer. The number of Indien inspect- ors is increased from five to eight, and one must be competent in the location, con- struction and maintenance of irrigation works. The Dawes commission is increas- ed from three to four, and provision is made for the commission to make up the rolls of the five civilized tribes, ahd it is declared that when the rolls are made up and approved by the Secretary of the In- terior they shall be final. The time fixed for opening the Uncom- pahgre lands in Utah 1s extended six months. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to contract for a water supply for the southern Ute reservation in Colo- rado. Representation of the Indian tribes at the trans-Mississippi international expo- sition at Omaha"in 1898 is authorized. The legislation of the House bill regarding the Pottowattomies and Kickapoos in Kansas is stricken out. The increase of appropriations are in smal] amounts, and are for schools, sur- veys and miscellaneous matters at differ- ent agencies. —_--¢<—_______ To Contract for Armor Plate. Senator Hale today gave notice of an amendment to be proposed by him to the naval appropriation bill authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to contract for ar- mor plate for the three battle ships Ala- bama, Illinois and Wisconsin at the rate of $400 per ton. The amendment is the line authorized yesterday by the committee on nayal affairs. + Mrs. James O. West of New York, while visiting in St. Louis, suffered the loss of $7,000 worth of diamonds and jewelry, which was taken by sneak thieves while —— | GILDING LIBERTY'S STATUE An Occasion for the Display of Senatorial Humor, ir. Stewart Suggests Substir Calf for = + the Goddess—Mr. Morrilg Dislikes the Levity. The United States Senate discussed @®@ question of gilding the statue of Liberty on the dome cf the Capitol today, and for nearly half an hour that august body was highly entertained by the humor of varie cus senators who commented on the pros Ject. Mr. Morrill called up the bill appropriate ing “I think all recognize, r. Morrill, “that the statue on the dome of the Capi» tol is a work of art, and yet in its present condition it ts impossible to tell even thay it is a statue. It is no better than a lump of coal. The only possible remedy for tt id to have it gilded The senator from Vermont continu Say that the Joint resolution authorizing this work to be done had been reporte unanimously from the committee on pub buildings and grounds, and that to have the statue properly gilded, including the cost of the scaffolding, would be about $5,000. At this point Mr. Stewart arose. “Under ordinary conditions,” said Mr. Stewart, “It would be quite appropriate to gild the Gods dess of Liberty with gold. But under pres- ent conditions it is peculiarly appropriate, inasmuch as the American people—that is, A portion of them—have become fetish worshipers of gold, and tt te according to the usual cuttom of fetish worshipers, both ancient and medern. They exhibit the god they worship in every possible form. If you will read mythology you will find that nearly all the gods that have been wor- shiped are emblazoned on the monuments the ancients reared and engraved on the works of art which they have left. Inas- much as we have no other god now bu gold, let it be emblazoned on the dome of the Capitol, where all can see whom w@ worship and understand thet we worship nothing else.” Mr. Stewart resumed his chair amid laughter from the democratic side of the chamber, and was followed by Mr. Chandler of New Hampshire. “I should much rather that this declara<« tion should be gold striped with silver, about half and half,” sald Mr. Chandler, amid laughter, “but in deference to my friend, the Senator from Verm« wha has always taken a great interest in every question corcerning the proper aspect ol the pitol, and considering that m) friend, the senator from Nevada, acquiesced in the present proposition, I will vote fot the measure as it is, although I shoul prefer to Fave it a bimetallic declaration.”* Mr. Allen of Nebraska asked Mr. Mors rill if he did not think it would be appros priate while the Senate was providing for the gilding of the dome to replace the God dess of Liberty with a statue of the elder Rothschild. Mr. Stewart Suggests a Calf. Mr. Stewart interjected a suggestion that if any change were to be made of the kin@ indicated that he thought a calf should be put there to represent the “original rangement.” Mr. Pettus objected to making the subs ject under discussion a matter of jest an@ ridicule. Mr. Hawley said that while he might be ignorant on the subject of gilding statu he wanted to be informed whether a iybody had ever heard of taking a splendid bronze statue and covering it with gold. He satd that bronze was the appropriate metal for a statue. He said he would be very sorry a to are to see a glaring gold statue up there. Me thought it would show very bad taste. Mr. Spooner entered into the humor of the debate and inquired whether the gilding of this statue with gold or even silver would make it look any the less like an Indian than it does now. Mr. Morrill did not appear to enjoy the humor injected into the debate on his propositio: “I merely desire,” said Mr. Morrill, “to that the bronze of which this statue composed has turned entirely black, so arance of nze than if it were a piece of black coal.” He said there was no opportunity to show the lines of the statue as they would !be shown if it were properly gilded. He said that the proposition left no doubt about its propriety if the Senate wished to show that the statue was a statue instead of a chunk of coal. What the Statue Represen. Mr. Gray said he wished to inquire fn alt seriousness what the statue really repree sents. Mr. Morrill said it was intended to repree sent a statue of liberty. Mr. Gray—“Some have thought over herg that {t was an Indian chief or an Indian squ I did not know what it did repres sent.” The joint resolution was then reported from the committee of the whole to the Senate by the Vice President, but Mr. Al- len said he wished to offer an amendment to it. Mr. Allen then amended the resolu- tion, striking out the words “gild with gold leaf” and inserting in their place the word “rebronze.”” There was some discussion about the pros pricty of Mr. Allen's amendment, and Mr. Morrill called the attention of the Senata to the fact that the statue is now of bronzé and if the amendment were to prev would be covered with the same mate: Mr. Hawley said he did not see bronze should be put on bronze. “Why do you not take some soap an@ sand,” said Mr. Hawley, “and scour tha statue? Why does not the senator propos@ a liberal dose of soap and sand to restora the orginal bronze? Mr. Allen said he woud be glad to accept that amendment to his amendment, but Mr. Hawley said he did not wish to make it an amendment, but wanted to vote the whole thing down, whereupon Mr. Allen withdrew his amendment. The joint resolution was then passed by @ Vote of 30 to 22. ———— ASSESSMENT AND TAXATION. An Investigation to Be Made by the, House Committee. The House District committee adopted the following resolution: “That a special committee of three be ap- @ointed by the chairman, with full power to investigate the offices of the assessor and the collector of taxes for the purpose of determining the system of assessments, valuations, taxes paid and compiling the tax laws governing the District of Colum- bia, and such especial committee is hereby directed to report its findings to this com. mitteo for such action as may be deemed wise in the premises.” The resolution was adopted after a spirite ed discuesion and by a majority of one vote, The chairman thereupon appointed Mr, Odell of New York, Mr. White of Ilinoig. and Mr. Cowherd of Missouri as the special committee. Mr. Odell, who was the author of the ress olution, said to a Star reporter this aftere noon: ‘It is my purpose to have the tax assess sor and the collector bring their books be- fcre the special committee so that we may learn all there is in reference to the pres- ent system of assessment and taxation in the District. “We will ascertain, if possible, whether there is anything in the claims so persist- ently put forward that assessment and taxation in this District is not equitable. “I have received ae from 5008. many people claiming that the prevailing system of tanation in the District does not apply with equal fairness to all classes. I want to fird out if this is true. ‘Furthers more, the committee will consider whether it is wise to change the law so as to make it more binding and less Mable to miscon- struction on the part of the officials who administer it. The committee will probably hold its first meeting early next week and will continue until the subject is thoroughly investigated.’ —_————_-2-______ Fourth-Class Virginia Postmasters. The following fourth-class Virginia poste masters have been appointed: Alton, Chas, T. Arrington; Edmunfi's Store, Wilbur T, Elmore; Fairview, Isaac T. Jennings: Lent, Mrs. Ida L. Henshaw; Sayersville, J. Ws today the family and their guest were at dinner. ° Witten.