Evening Star Newspaper, March 2, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. *UBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILD! 2¢1 Ferreylvenia Avenne, Cor. 11th 8., by SE kuru hese ew York Oiice, 49 Potter Buildin. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the tity by e:rriers, on their own account, at 10 cents week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at ecunter 2 cects each. By mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents per mouth. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added. $3.00. (Entered at the Pot Office at Washington, D. C., as second-class ma‘l matter.) ©7 All mafl subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. == The Eve g Siar. No. 14,041. WASHINGTON, D. C.,. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7 "y 1898—TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. The Evening Star is the only afternoon paper in Washington that receives the dispatches of the Associated Press. It is therefore the only one in which the reader can find the complete news of the world, directly trans- mitted by telegraph, up to the moment of going to press. ° TWO NEW REGIMENTS Opposition in the House to the Senate Measure. WR. HULL'S EFFORTS IN 11S BEHALF Increase in the Fortifications Ap- propriation Bill. THE LAKE CITY TRAGEDY It is not at all certain that the commit- tee on military affairs will be able to get the Hawley bill creating two additional regiments of artillery before the House, for the present, at least. Mr. Hull, chair- man of the committee, was very anxious to get the bill up last week, and when unanimous consent for its consideration was refused he introduced a resolution set- ting aside a day for its consideration. This resolution went to the committe on rules, but has not yet been acted upon. He has been urging the committe on rules to give Friday for the consideration of the biil, but the Speaker has not yet given his con- sent. Without a special order the bill can- not be considered, as there is a great deal of opposition to the measure on the demo- cratic side. Both Mr. Bailey and Mr. McMillan are strongly opposed to it and are working to consolidate the democratic side in opposi- tion to it. But in this they will not be suc- cessful, as a considerable number of dem: crats, headed by Mr. McClellan of New York, are warmly supporting it. Neverthe- less, unanimous consent for its considera- tion is out of the question, and the hope of the friends of the bill centers in a special rule. Appropriations for Fortifications. ‘The present indicatiors are that the Sen- ate amendment to the fortifications appro- priation bill in regard to ammunition will be retained in the bill when ccmpleted. The conference between the representatives of the two houses has not yet been held, but there have been some informal meetings of the conferees, at which some of the House Tembers indicated a willingness to allow the inerease made by the Senate to siand, and at which the Senate conferees an- nourced their intention to stand firmly fer the increase, because of the strong repre- eentations of General Flagler, chief of ord- nance, for its necessity. There appears to be some pessibility that some of the House conferees may not be willing to accede to the ircrease, but the senators express the opinion that if the bill should go back to the House that body would concede the increase, and so streng- ly are they of the opinicn that the Senate Provision will go into the law that they have advised the War Department to pro- ceed upon that understanding. The amount carried for this purpose by the Senate bill is $950,618, while the House Lill carried on- Ty $391,000. Im the Ways and Means Committee. The House committee on ways and means today made favorable reports cn bills making Sabine Pass, Tex., a port of entry and changing the name of the cus- tors district of Suspension bridge, N. Y., to that of Niagara Falls. The Bromwell internal revenue bill,which has attracted greit attention among dis- tiling interests, was discussed at some length. The general opiniun expressed Was that the matter of outage and allow- ance was inseparably connected with the general internal revenue legislation, and that it was not advisable to take up the matter until the committee should be pre- Pered to enter upon a general revision cf the internal revenue system. No action therefore was taken. The committce fixed a hearing for next ‘Wednesday at 10 o'clock on the matter of the consolidation of customs colleztion districts. Representatives of the treasury will appear to advecate the measure and opponents will also be heard. The Tragedy at Lake City. The Senate committee on post offices and post roads today authorized a favorable report on Serator Mason's joint resolution for an investigation of the recent killing of the colored postmaster at Lake City, S. C. The resolution was amended, and ds re- ported is as follow: “Whereas it is asserted that the United States postmaster at Lake City, S. C., has been murdered and his wife and children shot, his home burned and the United States mail and property therein destroyed, therefore, “Resolved,That a joint committee consist- ing of six members of Congress—three from the Senate and three from the House—he appointed to investigate the alleged crime nd report the facts to Congress, together with their recommendations, and that they have authority to administer oaths, to send for persons and papers and to employ a stenographer to be paid out of the con- tingent funds of the two houses of Con- gress, and the power to act through a sub- committee.” —__-e-+-—______ FIVE CHILDREN BURN TO DEATH. Their Parents Locked Them Up and Went to Church. BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 2—Jules and Joenna Bonner, who resided near Living- ston, went to prayer meeting, leaving five children, moging in age from two to nine years, at home alone. They locked the children in and left a blazing leg fire to keep them warm. Returning home, they saw In the distance their house in flames. ‘They reached the house just a moment be- fore the roof fell in, erd could hear the piteous cries of their children as they beat against the door and cried for help. In an- other moment the roof fell, and when the ficmes could bé subdued the five children were charred corpses. aaa genes CANNOT SPARE THE MODEL. The Min w Secretary Long has refused the applica- tion of the committee in charge of the com- snercial travelers’ fair, to be held in Madi- son Square Garden, New York, for the loan of the model of the battle ship Maine for exibition at the fair. The model is now on exhibition in the corridor of the Navy De- partment, just outside the Secretary's office. In his letter to the fair committee Secretary Long says that the model is too great an object of interest to the people of the country, resident or visiting in Wash- ington, to permit of its removal to any other place just at present. + ______ Cruiser Columbia in Dry Dock. PHILADELPHIA, March 2.—The United { States cruis2r Columbia was placed in the Gry dock at the League Island navy yard today. The big warship’s bottom will be scraped and painted and minor repairs will be made. Government Receipts. Government receipts from customs, $979,- 997; Internal revenue, $369,970; miscella- neous, $7,725. . . —————__-e+_____ Bong Sun Pak Resigns. Mr. Bong Sun Pak, first secretary of the Corean legation, has resigned and his resignation bee! has mn accepted by his gov- | ARRAS) a TR IATA g ISA Sai ONES LIEN ahah Sd ISN he I Te Ea ce eR acc kA ic a a AR a NL ee A a II eh ATE EE en aS aN i Lf MUST PAY BACK TAXES Wieconsin Supreme Court Decision Affeot- ing Insurance Companies, State Insurance Commissioner May Refuse to Grant License if Com- pany Refuses to Pay. MILWAUKEE, Wis., Masch 2.—At Madi- son the supreme court decided an insurance case of great importance not only to the persons directly involved, but to several of the big life and accident companies which do business in Wisconsin. It is that of the Travelers’ Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., against Insurance Commissioner Frick for an injunction restraining him from revoking its license in the state, which he promised to do unless the company pays back taxes amounting, with interest, to about $38,000, which the commissioners claim are due. The supreme court affirmed the decision of the lower court, and the Travelers’ Com- pany will have to pay $34,000 in back li- cense fees. Other companies affected will bring the total sum invclved up to $104,000. HARTFORD, Conn., March 2.—President J. G. Batterson of the Travelers’ Insurance Company was interview2d today regarding the Wisconsin supreme court decision in a case in Wich the ‘ravelers’ Company is in- terested, and said in substance: “We have been informally notified by our attorn2ys of the purport of the decision, and I under- stand that the text of the decision is on it way to Hartford. “We cannot teil until we have examin. the decision what plan w2 shall adopt, fur- ther than to state that we saall appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States if there is any ground for such an appeal. In other words, if there is a federal ques- tion which can be raised we shall raise it and take it to the highest court in the land. “We do not consider the decision a just ene. If any insurance commissioner can go back and undo th? work of his prede- cessors for twenty-five years this decision may be all right, but we do not believe the law will uphold such a course. “Yet, until we receive the full decision w3 cannot reach a decision as to our course.” ed TO TAKE AID TO CUBA. Two Government Vessels to Carry Relief to the Distressed. Secretary Long today telegraphed in- structions to Admiral Sicard, at Key West, cemmanding the North Atlantic squadron, to prepare the cruiser Montgomery ani the gunboat Nashville for a cruis2 to Cu- ban ports, with a view of affording imme- diate relief to the starving inhabitants of that country. It is explained at the Navy Department that this action was taken at the instance of the Cuban Relief Association, organized through the efforts of the State Depart- ment, for the relief of the destitute non- c¢mbatants in Cuba. It was represented to the department that great distress pre- vails among the people in the vicinity of Segua ja Grande and Matanzas, on the nerthern coast of the island, and that con- siderable difficulty is experienced in send- ing supplies there because of the infre- qvent visits of merchant ships. On this account and because of the immediate de- mand for supplies at the points indicated, the offic>rs of the association requested the Secretary of the Navy to authorize the uso of one or more of the warships at Key West in the transportation of food supplies there. These supplies have been contributed by the charitable people of the United States in response to the appeals of President Mc- Kinsley and Secretary Sherman, and will be forwarded to Key West at once. ‘eeretary Long conferred with the Presi- G nt on the subject, and it was decided to comply with the request. The Montgomery and the Nashville were selected as the ves- sels most suitable for the service, and the necessary orders were dispatched to Ad- miral Sicard. The Montgomery will go to Matanzas and the Nashville to Sagua la Grande, with the understanding that they will remain in those ports only long enough to deliver the supplies to the agents of the association for distribution where they wiil do the most good. Alihough the mission as- signed to the warships will take them both within a short distance of Havana—esti- mated at from two to four hours—it is stat- ed that neither of them will visit the Cuban capital. THE HAWAIIAN TREATY. Best Course to Pursue Will Be Con- sidered in Committee. At today’s meeting of the Senate commit- tee on foreign relations it was decided that 2 special meeting of the committee should be held Saturday for the purpose of consid- ering the best course to be pursued in the future with relation to the annexation of Hawaii. The decision to hold the special neeting grew out of a suggestion that the treaty of annexaticn should be abandoned and the question taken up in the Senate on the basis of a bill providing for the same end. All members of the committee vere not present at today’s meeting, and it was agreed that the questien should be considered by a meeting to be devoted wholly to this question. Saturday was selected as the day for the meeting, be- cause it was the general opinion that more time could be given to it then than on any other day of the week. ——$_<_—_o——_____ GOVERNMENT EXHIBITS ARRIVE. Work on Trans-Mississippl Exposi- tion Buildings Heing Pushed. OMAHA, Neb., March 2—Twenty car loads of exhibits consigned to the United States government commissioners of the trans-Mississippi exposition have arrived in Omaha from Washington and Nashville. Fully fifty car leads of exhibits now lie on the side tracks and in storage warehouses. ‘The main buildings are nearly ready to re- ceive them. The government building is making the most remarkable progress. It is under con- tract to be completed by April 1, and En- gineer Furnan, the government engineer in charge of the construction, says the build- ing will be ready before that time. He has already notified the several departments which are to make exhibits in the building that the same may be shipped at once, as the building will be ready to receive them by the time they arrive. ‘The staff for the building is being put in place as fast as possible, and already the government building is one of the land- marks on the grounds. A statue of “Liberty Enlightening the World” will surmount the dome, the pedes- tal on which the figure will stand being 150 feet from the ground. : ——.+——_ WILL RETIRE TRUST BONDS. Miss ; > Will Carry Out Frances Willard’s Pinns. CHICAGO, March 2.—The general om- cers of the National W. C. T. U. announced yesterday that it is their purpose to carry out the plan of their late leader, FEELING LESS TENSE Noticeable Relief in Official Circles Today. —— COMMENT ON MR. LONG'S REMARK Contracts Awarded for Furnishing Projectiles. DEPARTMENT HAMPERED a The tension over the Maine affair is no- ticeably relieved in all official quarters to- day, partly because of the absence of dis- patches to the State or Navy Department bearing on the subject, and also because o? the conservatism inspired by Secretary Leng’s utterance yesterday that the ele- rent of Spanish participation in the dis- aster has been eliminated, in his judgment Although the Navy Department hed no reporis from Havana or Key West, a dis: patch announcing the departure of the cruiser Brooklyn from Santa Lucia for Ha Guayra, Venezuela, had some indirect sig- nificance in further removing one of the larger vessels of the navy from w thus far been a comn:on center of naval activity, at Key West. The Brooklyn will make a short stop at La Guayra. and will then probably proceed further southward. Visitors to the White House ted2v com- menied freely on the remark of Sec: Leng yesterday that Spain's official! par- ticipation in the Maine disaster was elim- inated. In the main, there was regret that Secretary Long had said as much as this, but some had a feeling that what the Sec- retary had said was interpreted too freely as representing th2 opinion of the admin- istration. Newspaper men and others who know the frankness of Sccretary Long in nearly all matters relating to the govern- ment are willing to admit that what ho said was what is claimed, the opinion of a private citizen. The Secretary has never been one of the cabinet members to at tempt to preserve a mysterious air when asked for news of cabinet sessions an] pertaining to his department. As a ruls the present cabliet is fr in this way, but Mr. Lorg is, as a rule, exceedingly trank. articipation and Responsibility. Secretary Long’s statement continues to be the subject of general discussion. Per- scns occupying the closest relations with the Secretary said that the opinion ex- pressed was such as any one might give with the fa now at hand. It was not in any sense, 1t was explained, a conclusion drawn from new evidence, not made public, either from the court of inquiry or any efficer now concerned in the inquiry. Neith- er facts nor intimations have come from such sources, it is raid at the deparime::t, which would serve as the basis for an opinion. The cfficial declaration of Senor Du Bose, the Spanish charge d'affaires, that no mines or submarine defenses exist in the harbor of Havana had come to the atiention of Secretary Lorg, and this statement from the authorized representative of the Span- ish government was felt to have been given its due weight in the opinion expressed by the Secretary. It was pointed out that the language used was “official participation on the part of the Spanish government.” This, it was said, had no bearing on the ques- tion of Spain’s responsibility. ‘The “official participation” of Spain wes one thing, while the responsibility of Spain, in case th2 disaster proved to be of external origin, was quite another thing. The Secretary's statement was restricted, it was explained, to exculpating Spain from direct, official knowledge and participation in the affair. In cas? it was shown that the act was due to some fanatic or person unconnected with the government, then the question of Spain's responsibility would be still open. Mr. Lorg was much sur- prised that so much attention had be2n given to his passing allusion. If Seeretary Long’s opinion represented the administration the fact is not made apparent in any official or semi-official an- neuncement today. The President has not talked on the subject to his callers and has expressed no opinion upon the remark of Secretary Long. Since the Maine disaster he has talked little except to his cabinet advisers. He has ignored the Havana and Cuban question entirely in his intercourse with many of his best friends in Congress. He can never be accused of being a talk- ative President. He realizes the import- arce of silence at a time like the present. To talk with a large number of congress- men would be equivalent to putting in cir- culation a hundred more stories than have already been sent out. ‘There is reason to believe that Secretary Long will not be indirectly or directly blamed by anybody connected with the ad- ministration for what he seid, for it has really been the opinion of practically every member of the cabinet since the Maine dis- aster was announced. Other cabinet mem- bers hold identically the same views, and newspapers have printed that fact. Be- cause they have not permitted themselves to be quoted is no reason that they do not have these opinions. Consalar Reports on Cuban Affairs. Good authority today says thet the Presi- dent has too full a conception of the effect of sending to Congress the consular reports on Cuba called for to change the plan an- nounced a week ago in The Star of holding them back until after the report of the court of inquiry. These reports are ex- pected to show a condition of affairs so startling as to again greatly stir the Ameri- can people. It is claimed that the reports will show that the island today has a popu- lation of a little over 900,000, against 1,900,- 000 at the outbreak of the war, less than three years ago. War, starvation and dis- ease have killed off 50 per cent of the popu- lation. The same reports, it is claimed, will show to Congress and the country that the insurgents control four-fifths of the isl- and, Spanish authority being recognized only in the seaport towns. The Spanish army will be shown to be poorly equipped and afraid to venture into the inland. The reports will show that the commerce of the United States is sustaining a loss of §100,- barrassed in its efforts te put the navy on a proper footing by the failure of Congress to act upon its recommendation for an in- cr2ase of 1,4 in the entisted strength of the navy. 1t is even ‘put to the necessity of reducing the complement in the crews of scme of the ships, in order to keep all of them in readiness for active service. It 1s Pessible, too, that in order to fully man the principal fighting engines ef the navy it may become necessary. to: put out of commission some of the smalier gunboats, a course which the naval authorities are very loath to take, and which will only be resorted to in the case Of absdlnte neces- sity. By utilizing the entire reserve force of men, it will be possible to put the mon!- tor Miantonomoh into commission and to fill the compl2ment of men on the monitor Amphitrite. ‘The latter vessel is now in the vicinity of Port- Royal in use as a practice vessel for the instruction of gun ceptains and seamen gunners. In order to strengthen the home fleet on the gulf and Atlantic coasts it is possible that the department may be compelled to cgraw upon some of the ships in foreign waters. A plan is undev consideration for retiring som? of the smaller shiss in commission in erder to utilize their crews on larger and mcre effective warships. The department has been considering theyadvisabitity of or- dering hom> with as little delay as possi- ble the cruiser Olympia, flagship of the Asiatic station, and the cruiser San Fran- cixeo, flagship of the Huropean station. els are firsi-class craft ef their ally augment the strength of th> fleet now rendez- i near Key West. Although there is ote possibility of the issue of such it is said at the department today y are not at all Hkely unless th> situation should assume a much warlike aspect than prevails at this In case Congress authorizes the en- more time. listment of 1,500 more men, the fast cruis- 2rs Columbia and Minneapolis wiil be put in active service at once. reserve at League Island. Contracts for Projectiles Awarded. General Flagler, chief of ordnance of the ammy, has taken acticn which undoubtedly indicates the serious view taken of the Spanish situation by some ofticlals of the War Department. Although they express the bglief that there is no possibility of hostilities between ihe United States and any ciher power they do not believe it wise or prudent to neglect amything that would make the military arm ef the government Letter prepared for sueh an emergency. They are proceeding on the theory that a complete readiness for war is the best of preserving the peace, and that no y is likely to commit an overt act nother country’known to be able und ready to resent it by foree of arm: ‘The action taken by General }lagler was the award of contracts for $1,000,000 worth of projectiles for the new nigh-power guns of the coast defenses, conditioned upen tne granting of the necessary authority by act of Congress. This..actigm is considered an emergency step taken stmply as a precau- tion. it is understood @iat the War De- partment has been assured ‘of favorabie action by Congress im the passage of the necesssary appropriations "whould develop- ments in the near future justify it. The appropriation committees of both kouzes haye practically egreed to Imerease the items in the pending fortifications bill to cover the contracts entered into by the War Department. The contracts are mado with the Midvale Steel Works of Philadel- phia, the First Sterling Company of Pitts- burg and the Carpenter Steel Company of Reading, Pa. Representatives of these companies came to this city last night in response to tele- graphic requests from the chief of ordnance and were in conference with him for sev- «ral hours, with the result as already indi- cated. The agreements call for about 5,000 shells of 8, 10 and 12-{nch caliber, and are to be delivered within six months. ‘The steel companies have agreed to begin work on these projectiles without delay. ‘The ordnance depsrtment of the army has also made similar contracts, it 1s understood, for a large supply of powder, in anticipa- tion of liberal appropriations by Congress. The Case of the Dauntless. Beth the State Department and the De- partment of Justice have received consid- erable detailed information relative to the alleged filibustering steamer Dauntless. This is accompanied by the suggestion that the vessel is amenable to libel under the navigation laws for concealing her name, and under the neutrality iaws for carrying war material to the Cubans. The corre- spondence began on January 7 last, and covers much data on the past record of the Dauntless. 1t shows that at the time the Dauntless was plying between Florida and Georgia ports for the evident purpose of eluding detection so as to get away with a filibustering party for Cuba. The inti- mation was conveyed to the Department of Justice that this purpose was so clear that it would be a wise précaution to place a deputy United States marshal or deputy collector of customs on‘ board the ship. This material, already in the hands of the authorities here, will be supplemented by additional information bearing on the recent movements of ‘the Dauntless, al- though it is said that the showing already made suifices for action against the Daunt- less. They are now in At the Spanish Legation. At the Spanish.jégation the Maine in- quiry is not.the subject af official corre- spondence, and beyond @having in the gen- eral interest that ie felt‘in tle subjest the |. legation officials have. me dcoBsion to con- sider officially: any of ‘he pllases of affair. Mr. Du Bosc foals, sitisfied, nities to the ‘divers in making their investigations of five. wreck, and that Captain Sigsbee has 5! te same con- sideration fo the Spanig& offidiuls and their divers. i tablishing the acciden: GRADE CROSSINGS|NEW BELT LINE BILL|THE HIGHWAY ACT Important Action by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. - -_— AGREEMENT WITH COMMISSIONERS Elevated Tracks. and Change of Route in Northeast. BUT ONE SET OF TRACKS ee What appears to be one great step toward dcing away with grade crossings in the city has been taken by the Bakimore and Ohio Railroad Company. As has been re- ; perted from time to time in The Star, this company and the District Commissioners, and also the Baltimore and Potomac Rail- road Company, have held a nuinber of con- fereaces on the subject of grade crossings, and while the Baltimore and Ohio com- pany is the only cne which has so far sub- miited its plans as agreed upon by the company and the Commissioncrs to the public, it can be stated that the Baltimore and Potema: company and the Commis- sioners have reached a conclusion, and that the plans of the company are expected to be shortly submitied to the public through the cffice of C nissioners. reached between the Com- 3 the Baltimore and Ohio des fur but one set of tracks inside the city mits. Te accomplish that the Washingion branch tracks are diverted at the Monteclio ion, just beyond the Ivy City station, and carried in a souin- westerly direction through the old Ivy Ci rece track grou parallel with New York avenue extended, to Eckingion, where they join the tracks of the Metropolitan branch. Not, however, the tracks of the Metropolitan branch, as the ‘s of the Meiropol! exist, will be ai streeis int in a south- ng Delaware , and thence he terminal of ware avenue to Location of Depot. This terminal, by the way, has not yet been definitely decided upon by the com- Pany, and@ fer ihat reason the location of the depot is still a matter of conjecture. ‘The new tracks ar2 shown by a heavy biack ne on the map submitted to the Commissioners. It is proposed to form a Y” north of Florida avenue, instead of aving it within the city limits, as it is at Fresent. Hence the tracks of ‘the Wash- ington branch join thos2 of the Metroj tan_brancl vicinity of New rc. 3 en 3d and 4th streets and from that point to the terminal of the road in the city there will, as above cxplained, bs but one set of tracks, the tracks of the Metropolitan branch now on 1st street, as weil as these of the Washing- ten branch south of Montello, as they now exist, being abandoned. All the tracks within the city limits, vnder the agre2ment reached with the Baltimore and Ohio company, will be ele- vated, the streets passing under them. The arches over the cross streets will b2 of masonry whenever practicable, and when the span is too great to admit of that, it will be of steel, filled in with ballast, so as to reduce the nois2 of passing trains to a minimum. A Solid Viaduct. The elevation of the tracks out Delaware avenue will be by means of a solid viaduct, with masonry retaining walls. The work will be of the very highest charact>r, al- lowing great speed, and there will be cle- vated sidings on Delaware avenue. There will b2 a roadway, of course, retained on either side of the viaduct on Delaware avenue, and the abandonment of the tracks in the city limits will, it is expected, enable the District to obtain the right of way on th3 east side of the Columbian Instivition for the Deaf and Dumb, at Kendall Green, for a much-needed diagonal avenue. The streets north of Florida avenue wili be carried over the tracks by substantial and handsome bridges, the tracks being, of course, somewhat depressed. There will be no interference with New York avenue whatever, as that thoroughfare will pass under the tracks at Eckington, and run parallel with the tracks of the Washing- ton branch beyond. The revised plans for the second section of the proposed plan of street extension, now that this agree- ment has been reached with the Baltimore and Ohio company, will probably be ready for the inspection of those interested in a few days, they having been held back until after the agreement had been concluded. Part of Land Purchased. It is understood the Baltimore and Ohio company has already purchased some of the land over which it proposes to pass, but that there will be the necessity for condemnation proceedings in order to se- cure.other land it is now apparent, and Congress will be asked to grant such au- thority. Permission will also have to be obtained for the proposed change of route, and for the change of the present terminal of the company, should that be deter- mined upon; but it is understood the com- pany will be unable to. ask Congress for al! this authority at this session, because of the great amount of preliminary work yet remaining to be done in the matter. Early next session, however, it is said, the company will have all its plans in such shape that they can be at once laid before Congress, and the required authority will ‘be asked for in a measure to be meantime prepared by the company. —_———_ SPAIN’S HAVANA ADVICES. Governsient Told That Maine Blew Up From Within. MADRID, March 2.—The Spanish govern- ment, on Monday, received @ report from the Spanish authorities at Havana saying that the explosion which wrecked the Maine was due to internal causes, adding that it was believed that the United States experts “will admit this without ressrva- tion of any kind.” POWDER OUTPUT INCREASED. It Was Considered by the House District Committee Today. Opposition to the Twenty-Five-Year Limit Cinuse—The Text of the Measure. The House District committee today fa- vorably reported the Senate bill (1081) au- thorizing and directing the Secretary of the Interior to quit claim and release to Fran- eis Hall and Juriah Hall and their heirs and assigns ali the right, title and interest of the United States in and to the east twenty feet front by the full depth of one hundred feet of lot 2, in square 498, as laid down on the original pian or plat of tue city. The committee also favorably reported House bill 8602, providing that all real estate lying in the District of Columbia heretofore purchased by and conveyed to Charlotte J. Gottwals, prior to the passage of this act, be relieved and exempted from the operation of an act entitled “An act to restrict the ownership of real estate in the territories to American citizens,” approved March 3, 1887, and all forfeitures incurred by force of that act are in respect 01 such real estate remitted. The New Belt Line Bill. The committee considered the new Belt line bill, but reached no conclusion. Attor- ney Brown appeared in behalf of the Belt bondholders to urge a favorable report upon the bill’ He said the road would be sold by order of the court within two months and the purchasers would equip the entire sixteen miles of the line with underground electricity for a motor power. There was discussion in the committee over the proposition which was made in the House on the last District day to incor- porate in the bill a clause putting a twenty- five-year limit on the life of the new char- ter. Mr. Brown insisted that the proposed new plans could not be put through with this restriction in the bill. Scme members of the committee held the view that the time limit was really an ad- vantage, as it was in the nature of a con- tract preventing congressional interference with the road for twenty-five years. The new bill, which, Mr. Brown said, had received the approbation of two-fifths of the bendnolders, the other three-fifths be- ing inaccessible, is as follows: Text of the Measure. “That any corporation operating a street railroad within the District of Columbia be authorized to purchase the property and franchises of the Belt Railway Company under any sale thereof by decree of court or otherwise; end such corporation so pur- chasing may operate the property and franchises so purchased as a part of its system, subject to all rights and obligations imposed by existing legislation or by this act, so far us the same shall be applicable; and in case the property and franchises of the Belt railway be purchased by any per- son or persons at any sale thereof under decree of court or otherwise, such person or persons, and his or their associates and assigns, shall possess and enjoy all the corporate rights, privileges and franchises heretofore corferred on the said Belt Rail- way Company by act of Congress approved March 3, 1875, and the acts amendatory thereof and supplemental thereto, as weil as the right to be a corporation under this act, and the right to acquire by purchase or lease the property and franchises of any other corporation operating a street rajl- road within the District of Columbia. “The incorporation as hereby provided ehall, be completed and become effective whenever the said purchaser or purchasers and his or their associates or assigns shall file for record with the recorder of deeds for the District of Columbia a certificate of incorporation hereunder, duly acknowi- edged, specifying the name of such new corporation, its officers and the names of its directors for the first year, and the amount of its proposed capital ‘stock and bonds. “The capital stock of the corporation herein authorized shail be divided into shares each of the pat value of $100; and any corporation so created and organized hereunder is authorized to Issue its bonds and capital stock either for cash or in ex- change for the stock, bonds, property or franchises of the said Belt Railroad Com- pany: Provided, however, That the total sue of said bonds and stock shall not in the aggregate exceed the amount necessary for effecting any such purchase, and for the construction, reconstruction and equipment of said Belt railway. “No stock shall be issued until a judge of the Supreme Court of the District of Co- lumbia shall approve its issue and certity that it Is issued in conformity to the pro- visions of this act: and within one year from the ratification by the court of such sale the existing railroad company purchas- ing the said Belt railway, or the corpora- tion created and operating hereunder, shal, under the supervision of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, construct and put into full operation on the entire [ne of said railway as now constructed an under- ground electric system similar to the ore now in use by the Metropolitan Railroad Company. upon plans to he submitted to and approved by the said Commissioners. “Congress reserves the right to alter, amend or repeal this act.” ——_—--+e- NOTES OF THE ARMY. Retiring Bonrd Ordered to Meet at Vancouver Barracks. An army retiring board has been ordered to meet at Vancouver Barracks for the ex- amination of such officers as may be or- dered before it: The detail for the board is: Colonel Charles E. Compton, 4th Cav- alry; Major John Van R. Hoff, surgeon; Major Joshua W. Jacobs, quartermaster; | Major Thomas H. Barry, assistant adju- | tant general; Captain Frank R. Keefer, as- sistant surgeon; Captain Hugh J. McGrath, 4th Cavalry, recorder. Lieutenant Colonel George B. Russell, 14th Infantry, is ordered to report to the board for examination. Captain B. K. West, recently appointed commissary of subsistence, has been or- dered to duty at New Oricans, relieving Colenel Jas. W. Scully, assistant quarter- master general, of his duties as acting pur- chasing commissary. A board of officers has been appointed to meet at Fort Monroe for the examina- tion of Second Lieutenant James A. Ship- ton, Ist Artillery, and such other officers as may be ordered before it to determine | wi the board: Colonel Royal T. Frank, ist Artillery; Major Calvin De Witt, surgeon; James M. Ingalls, ist Major Charles Richard, Wants Clemency for Billings. Ex-Secretary Herbert made another ar- Argument in Favor of Its Amend- ment. GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHARE EXPENSE Hearing Before Part of the Senate District Committee. i = VIEWS OF THE SPEAKERS ae aes The subcommittee on the highway act of the Senate committee on the District of Columbia gave a hearing this morning to citizens of the District in relation to high- way extension. Members of the subcom- mittee present were Senators McMillan, Faulkner and Bacon. There was a very large assemblage of citizens of the District, mostly represent- ing the citizens’ associations central com- mittee. Among those present were George H. Harries, secretary of the board of trade; A. S. Worthington of the board of trade, William G. Henderson, Stilson Hutchins, Evan H. Tucker, Louis P. Shoe- moker, William C. Dodge, W. L. Cole, Ed- ward T. Bates, General Ellis Speare, L. M. Saunders, James Somerville, W. Riley Dee- ble, William V. Cox, Thomas Biagden, E. B. Townsend, Loring Chappel, M. A. Bal- linger and Donald McPherson. On behalf of the citizens’ associations central committee ex-Senator Henderson, chairman of the executive committee of that body, presented a statement, approv- ed iby the executive committee, in relation to highway legislation. This statement Mr. Henderson read as follows: Mr. Henderson’s Statement. “We find. upon examination that all the various resolutions, except those offered by Mr. Ballinger, which were adopted by the committee on the 16th instant and sub- mitted herewith, are burdened with cer- tain details as to how this act should be executed, which we are of the opinion should not be considered at this time. We believe the act as it now stands is imprac- ticable, If not impossible, of execution. If the United States government will not pay half the cost of executing the highway act then we are of the opinion that the same should be repealed and all proceedings un- der it be deciared void at this session. “If, however, the United States will pay one-half of such cost, the suggest that the Commissioners’ modified plan to extend streets as far as Piney branch be approved, and that certain lead- ing and necessary streets in different sec: tions of the District be at once opened wu that is, the land condemned and the streets or avenues graded and regulated, and a further provision that any future subdi- vision made by property owners shall be subject to the approval of the District Com- missioners, thereby preventing any irregu- lar plan, such as now exists in all sub- divisions, and remove the terrible cloud caused by filing maps years in advance of the necessity to establish streets, which maps operate as a confiscation of private property. The land necessary for such streets shouid be paid for when condemned, and there should be no assessment of sup- posed ben except possibly of those special or peculiar benefits which attach to certain holdings and are not such as are common by the other land own- , and we are of the opinion ment should be made by rea- son of or on account of the mere transfer of the ownership of land from the individu- al to the government, but that the assess- ment of be if made, should fMiow grading and regulating the streets and after something substantial has been done in the nature of an improvement. “We do not believe that the mere trans- fer of title, ipso facto, creates a benefit which should or can be the sub of assessment. We are also of th that s Should not be filed or pl record exccpt at the request of the land showing any streets or plans of n, unless the authorities pared to at once condemn the land the awards, and that a map now showing land not be condemned and paid fo declared void and effaced from Position of the Central Committee. Mr. Herderson also laid before the sub- committee the following resolutions, adopt- ea at a meeting of the citizens’ a e t is central committee: “Resolved, That this committee favors such amendments to the highway act as will provide: “First. That the general govern bear one-half of the expenses of exe such act. “Second. That provision shall be made tn the act itself for the payment of ali prop- erty condemned thereunder. we respectfully fits x “Third. That failing in either of the above amendments, the act should be ut once unqualifiedly repealed, and ali pro- ceedings thereunder, whether by the Com- missioners in filing maps, by the couris or otherwise, should be declared void.” Mr. Henderson continued to enlarge upon this statement of the citizens’ associations central committee, and in doing so took occasion to say that he favored having the District cf Columbia represented in Con- gress, if in no other way than by ao dele- gute who might not have the power to vote, but who would have the right to talk, an n that way lay before Congress in an urgent mauner the needs of the Dis- trict of Columbia. He said United States senators could not be expected to know ali about matters affecting the Dis- trict, but that if the District bad a dele- gste in Congress its interests wi be served. Government to Bene Half the Ex- pensc. At the conclusion of Mr. HenJcrscn’s ad- @ress to the subcommittee, M. A. Rallin- ger said that he indorsed al! that Mr. Henderson had said, and said that the citizens’ associations central commitice represented all the territory which woull be affected by street cxtension, exce] that portion of the District repreren the Mt. Ple and the Washington Heights’ asscc ts. He sald that this central committee represen‘ed 2,900 men with property interest that would be affeci- ec by the highway ac:. He said that the hole proposition had settled down to one thing, and that was that the general gov- ernment should beer one-half the expense of street extension, and if that cou'd not be done the whole act should be rope: Senator Faulknc- remarked that th policy of a majority of congressmen at present was to keep down expenditures, and -in order to do that had ‘ing down expenditures a is ed by