Evening Star Newspaper, March 9, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Ferrsyivenia Avenne, Cor. 11th 8t., by ene erage oo Wow York Office, 49 Potter Buildinz, ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the eity by errriers, on their Copies at the 3 mail—anywhere in the United States «r Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents per month. ‘Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with post $3.00. tage 00. (Entered at the Pot Office at Washington, D. C.. ‘as second-class ma’l matter.) 7 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicotior. PRESIDENT’S PLANS He is Believed to Have Determined on Intervention. EXPECTS PEACEFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT Spain's Action, However, May Cause a Different Condition. CONFERENCES HELD TODAY President McKinley bélieves today, more strengly ,than yesterday, that the Cannon appropriation has brought . peace—peace that is not likely to be interrupted soon by Spein, at least. Whatever may be the fu- ture plans of the President as to Cuba, they are such as not to immediately derange the Peaceful outicck he now sees. That the President feels more satisfied was testified te in the remarks he made to close friends. Will Have to Intervene. The President, it is now asserted, realizes that this country will have to intervene in Cuba. He has not, it is claimed, formed any definite plans cn this subject. The plans must develop with the future. As they now come to him, they are accom- panied with th2 hope that they may be carried out without war. ‘his hope is what leads the President to look upon peace as apparently assured. Of course, the President has calculated that Spain will not ruffle hers2if so quickly and easily hereafter and that she will have due cau- tion in the face of the readiness of this country to fight if it becomes necessary. This calculation of the Pr2sident, with in- tervention almost decided upon, may, it is said today, go astray. Spain may see this intervention ahead and at the first good op- Pertunity spoil all the calculations of the administration. The Spaniards may come to the conclusion that the intervention is to be in a form not acceptable to them. Not Communicating His Plans. The. President is not directly commu- nicating his intentions to his cabinet ad- visers, but they absorb many things, and tods nothing but intervention as the final outcome. They know nothing as to when or how the President will decide upon intervertion. They simply know that their entire belief has been recently changed. The fact that the administration is going forward in preparing for emergencies is said today by many eminent republicans to mean nothing more nor less than inte ¥ention. If the President sees peace, why is it necessary to continue the work of Preparation? This is asked, and the an- swer is made by a cabinet member th the work to be done has been n fer years; that it does not signify a move- ment of any kind by this country. Apolegy and Indemnity May Be Asked The Presid=nt’s calculations as to peace have been made w a full view that apology and indemnity. may have to be ask- of Spain as a result of the Maine dis- no knowledge trat :nese things will have to be demand2d, but it is argued that if he sees peace aneal, as he has declared to friends today, he has un- doubtediy discounted the probabilities and possibilitizs of the future. A sentiment is unofficially expressed to- that the calculations as to Spain's sub- mission to apology and indemnity may go es astray, for the strong re: has a belief of American interve: ©r later she would rather spend millions in getting ready to meet that than to deprive If of the amount by giving it to this ecuntry. The question of intervention is such a serious one as to have caused the Presi- Gent weeks of study as to the proper time when it should be made. The thought has often occurred to him of the slaughter of American troops in Havana from the rav- ages of disease. Intervention row or within a few weeks would mean the killing off by disease of thousands of brave men. To wait until next fall would find the island in its health- fest conditien, and this country also better Prepared to meet a conflict. Between now and next fall the $50,000,000 appropriated by Ccrgress will be put to good use. The country’s ccast defenses will be greatiy strengthened end the navy increased and far superior to Spain's. Spain and Warships. The administration is known to be keep- ing a sharp watch on Spain’s movements in seeking the purchase of war vessels. S information is so accurate as to per- mit the authoritative announcement to be made that Spain has not purchased any war building fer Brazil in England. Whatever purchases are made abread will assuredly be known here. imate today that Engiand will the sale of vessels building in her forts to Spain. If the English authori- ly prevent English builders mak- se sales that will shut off Spain's Many Congratulations Recelved. igratulations on the patriotic position the President and Congress are being received at the White House and State Department in large numbers, giving pleas- ure to all concerned. Personal congratulations are also being extended the President. Nearly all of to. 4y's callers at the White House made it ir pleasant duty to speak to the Presi- along this Ime. These callers were numerous. The absence of senators representatives was noticeable, being aKen as an indication that the situation materially changed, and is no longer 0 grave. Under ordinary circumstances there are more callers than were on hand of not Four members of the cabinet hed confer- ences with the President today, ro two with th? chief executive at the same They were Secretaries Sherman, Alger and Gage. The latter dis- ne question of an appointment the President; Secretary Sherman talked on a diplomatic subject, and Messrs. Long and Alger discussed matters per- taining to the all-absorbing topic. Secretary Long’s visit was short. He 1s understood to have conferred with the President relative to the sailing of the Fern, and to have presented several tele- grams from Admiral Sicard. + Secretary Alger went over the work of his department. It can be positively stated that something of an understanding hss been reached as to how much the War De- No. 14,047. partment will do in getting ready for a Possible conflict. No estimate has been made by Secretary Alger as to how much of the Cannon appropriation his dcpart- ment will sperid in this work. An estimate cannot be made at this time, and no neces- sary work will be stopped to figure its ef- fect upon the whole amount. Neither has there been any agreement as to how much shall be spent by the Navy and how much by the War Department. ~ Mounting Heavy Guns. Secretary Alger will order the mounting and placing of heavy guns without delay. He says that not much money will be spent in the purchase of guns, projectiles, etc. They are already owned in large quand- ties by the government. The cost will be in getting them in position for defense. The intention of Gen. Alger is to put the de- fenses of the country in the best possible shape. This will be accomplished by put- ting all available guns where they can do good. Purchase of Warships. No decision has been reached by Presi- dent McKinley and Secretary Long as to what will be done in the purchase of war vessels of any kind. This will have to be determined upon information to be sent the officials by agents of this country in Europe and on their way there. Until this information is received no calculation can be made as to how much money the Navy Department will spend. A good portion of the money will go in the work to be done in this country in refitting and arming ves- sels for coast defense. ——___-e+—____ NOT READY FOR CONSIDERATION. Mr. Bacon’s Amendment Hawnilan Treaty. In accordance with the instructions of the committee on foreign relations, Senator Davis today moved an executive session of the Senate for the purpose of takinz up the Hawaiian annexation treaty. After some nominations,had been considered he moved that the treaty be taken up and that the Senate should proceed to the considera- tion of the amendment offered by Senator Bacon, providing for the submission of the treaty to a vote of the electors of Hawall. This amendment read as follows: “That this act shall not be operative and of binding effect upon either the United States or the republic of Hawaii until the same shall have bcen consented to and ap- proved by the majority of the voters voting at an election to be held in the Hawaiian Islands, at which election all male natives of said islands of the age of 21 years and all naturalized male persons in said is.ands of the age of 21 years shall be duly qu: fied voters. The said election shall be held at a time and in the manner and under regulations to be prescribed by the Presi- dent of the United States.” Senator Bacon objected to immediate con- sideration of his amendment, saying he had received no notice of the intention of the committee to ask to have ft taken up at this time, and that he desired some oppor- tunity to prepare himself for the presen- to the tation asons for submitting the treaty r vote of the Hawaiian Pe He led to say in a general prec y that he thought the Hawatians should ronsulted in a matter which concerned so deeply as the complete change of their government, and to show that they were opposed to annexation, he referred to a petition protesting against annexation, which had been signed by 30,000 natives of the nds, and which, he said, had been presented to the Senate by Senator Ho: He referred to the Massachusetts senator's attitude in reference to the treaty, and said it must pet remark brought his feet with a declarat nothing incensistent betw tion of the petition and h: n. Senator Hoar that there w: he intention of the committee on foreign relations to press the treaty to vote. To this inquiry Mr. Davis replied that he was not prepared to say what cours the committee would pursue with regard to a vote en the treaty, beyond the fact that they did not want to deprive all sena ters who might wish to speak of an op- portunity of doing so. He also said that while he was willing to submit to w appeared to be the popular desire, th: the Senate should adjourn after the pas- sage of the $54,000,000 defense pill, he would again tomorrow, if opportunity offered, move an executive session of the Senaie for the purpose of going on with the treaty, and that he would pursue these tactics from daz to day so far as the business of the Senate in other lines would permit. The Senate then adjourned until tomor- row. TO BE EXAMINED. Pay Director Billings Ordered to Re- port to the Retiring Board. Secretary Long has issued an order de- taching Pay Director L. G. Billings from duty as general inspector of the pay corps ond ordering him to report to the naval re- tiring board at the Washington navy yard today for examination for retirement. Pay Director Billings was recently court-mar- tialed for certain infractions of the regula- tions and sentenced to be dismissed. He has appealed from tie sentence of the court and has asked that it be set aside, or that he be granted a new trial. The Secretary's action today is accepted as an indication of his desire to setile the case by the retire- ment of this officer, in case it should be found that he is not’ capacitated-for active service. o—_____ RECEIVED THE PRINCE. Gen. Merritt's Dispatch Received at the War Department. A telegram has been received at the War Department from Gen. Merritt, command- ing the Department of the East, saying that in obedience to orders he rece!- 4 Prince Albert of Belgium, who arrived at that port on the steamer Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse yesterday, and that the prince requested him to express his high apprecia- tion of the courtesy of the President in the matter. Gen. Merritt will look out ‘or the prince's entertainment while in New York, and it ts probable that an army officer will be assigned to duty with the royal visitor upon his arrival in this clty next Friday morning. The President and Mrs. McKir- ley will give a state diuner in honor of tho prince and his suite at the White . ouse Friday evening, and the Vice President and Mrs. Hobart will entertain them the fcl- lowing evening. eee RAILWAY CONSOLIDATION, Favorable Report by the House Dis- trict Committee. The House committee on the District of Columbia today favorably reported House pill 8541, defining the rights of the pur- chasers of the Belt railway. The bill will be amerded from its original form in re- spect to the issuance of bonds.” The ameénd-. ments will be drawn up this evening or tomorrow. ae ‘The committee also favorably. reported, tion o: ths Maryland and Washington and the Belt radway companies. ; ‘The committee also fat ly. reported the Senate bill to extend ) charter of ¢ Franklin Insurance Company, eee eee ¥> River and Harbor Bill. The House cesemittee on rivers and har- bo:s voted today not to report a river and harbor appropriation bill. A FLYING SQUADRON Columbia and Minneapolis to Be Put in Condition for Service. DETAILS OF OFFICERS FOR~ THEM Commodore Schley to Be Placed in Entire Command. LESS ACTIVITY NOTICEABLE Arrangements were completed at the Navy Department this morning for putting the cruisers Columbia and Minneapolis into condition for active service immediately. These vessels are the swiftest warships afloat and are mainly designed to interfere with the merchant vessels of any country with which we may be at war. Because of their attributes as commerce destroyers they have become popularly known as the “Pirate” and “Corsair,” respectively. In the consideration of plans of operations in the event of hostilities a tentative arrange- ment was made for using the Columbia and the Minneapolis as the necleus of a fly- ing squadron or an outpost patrol, in con- nection with the fast armored cruiser Brooklyn, now on her way from Venezuela to Hampton Roads, and the ocean grey- hounds, St. Paul and St. Louis, in case it becomes necessary to transform the latter into auxiliary cruisers. The Columbia and Minneapolis are now in reserve at the navy yard, League Island, Pa, When they have been’ put in readiness for active service, which will be within the next few days, they will undoubtedly proceed to Hampton Roads, Va., which is regarded as tne best place for the reported flying squadron to operate from in case it is found desirable to organize such a fleet. Detail of Officers. Enlistments of the crews ‘necessary to man these vessels have been practically completed under rush orders issued by the Navy Department in anticipation of favor- able action by Congress on Secretary Long’s recommendatior. for an increase of 1,500 in the enlisted strength of the navy. The detail of officers to command these two cruisers were issued today as follows: Columbia—Capt. J. H. Sands, to command the vessel, with Lieut. J. H. Moore, de- tached from the navy yard at Washington, as exzcutive officer; Lieut. J. F. Parker, detached as supervisor New York harbor; Lieut. G. H. Stafford, Lieut. W. J. Max- well, Ensign G. W. Williams, Ensign J. R. P. Pringle. Paymaster L. G. Boggs, Passed Assistant Engineers W. 8. Smith and W. H. McGramia, Acting Boatswain A. Ohm- sen and Surgeon C. G. Herndon. Minneapclis—Capt. T. F. Jewell, detach- ed as inspector in charge of the tenth light house district, and ordered to command the vessel March 15; Lieut. G. T. Emmons, Lieut. E. E. Wright, Lieut. W. P. White, ign C. D. Stearns, Ensign J. L. Sticht, aster L. C. Kerr, Passed Assistant Engineers A. Maritz and L. M. Nulton, Acting Boatswain W. Brooks, Surgeon N. H. Drake. Commadore Schley to Command. In case the proposed flying squadron should be organized, there is no doubt that Commodore W. 8. Schley, president of the light house board, would be placed th com- mand of it and that he would use the érviser Brooklyn as his flagship. He is thoroughly interested in the present sit- uation and has been in frequent consulta- tion with the Secretary of the Navy in re- gard to plens of operation. Commodore Schley has had a most distinguished ca- He born at Richfields, near and received his early John’s College and the Frederick Academy. He entered the navy as an active midshipman in September, 1856, and was graduated from the Naval Academy four years later. From 1860 to 1861 he was attached to the frigate Ni- agara on the Asiatic station, and, return- ing to the United States in the latter year, he took the American ship Gen. Parkhill as a prize from Boston to Philadelphia. He afterward served on the frigate Poto- mac, the gunboat Winona, the Mononga- hela and the Richmond in the west gulf squadron, and was with Admiral Farragut at the capture of the fortification at Port Hudson. While attached to the sloop Wa- teree in the Pacific in 1864 he landed with a force of sailors and marines on one of the Chincha Islands and routed an oppos- ing force of about four hundred Chinese laborers, who had risen in revolt and mur- dered the guards. He was with the naval battalion which took charge of the custom house at La Union, San Salvador, during the revolutionary movements in the fall of 1865. He was also with Admiral John Rodgers on the sloop Benecia, when the American naval forces attached and destroyed Corean fortifications and routed an army of about 5,000 Corean soldiers. Several years later he commanded the sloop Essex on its voyage to th» west coast of Africa for the adjustment of certain difficulties between the Liberian government and the native tribes. While in command of the same ship in 1878 he rescued the crew of a wrecked American ship near the island of Tristan d’Acunha, and in the following year cruised on an errand of mercy to the South Shet- land Islands, four hundred miles south of Cape Horn. Probably his most memorable service, however, was the command of the Greely relief expedition and the subsequent com- mand of the cruiser Baltimore when that vessel took such a prominent part in the troubles at Valparaiso, Chile. Among his more important shore assignments was as chief of the bureau of equipment and re- cruiting, Navy Department, and his pres- ent duty as chairman of the lighthouse board. He is regarded as one of the beat- equipped officers of the navy. Fewer Signs of Excitement. There “were fewer signs of excitement and haste at the War and Navy Departments tecay, and such preparations as are being made toward putting the army and navy into efficient condition are now going on with n.ore method and less exhibition of the feverish spirit of apprehension that characterized the proceedings of the last few days. There is a general expression of belief that for the time at least there is no prespect of a hosti‘e collision, and that what seemed to be a crisis has been safely passed. Secretary Long paid several short visits to the White House airing the day, and Secretary Alger went over from the War Department to see the P-esident, which led to a surmise that a special cabinet meet- ing was likely to be held, but it turned out that these visits were not prearranged and were connected only with matters of business pending before the respective de- partments represented by the secretaries. At the Spanish legation the view pre- vailed today that the situation was ‘much calmer than it had been at any time since the critical junctvre began. Senor du Bese is ‘pi for the afrival of the new.minister, Senor Polo y ‘Bernabe, who reaches "New York today, and comes. di- rectly to Washington. Mr. Pablo Soler,- first secretary of legation, has’ gone to New York a Dee anol brea. du Bosc’s services as charge pened have .come the most trying period: of the was Sir Julian Pauncefete, the British am- batsador, expressed much surprise today at the reports that his recent visits to the _ WASHINGTON, D. 0., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1898-TWELVE PAGES. Advertising is not an expense, It is a business investment. If you want to invest iT money profitably you will therefore put your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read arly and tho: ly =f everybody worth reaching. ie Star is the recogni household and family journal of the National Capital, and has no rival as an advertising med- tum. White House ‘State Department had some reference to the Spanish situation. The ami rélterates what Judge Day has already stated, that the call had no reference in @ny Bay to Spanish affairs. For some days Gen. Gascoigne, commander of the militia forces of Canada, has been in Washington aa tle guest of the ambas- sador, who accompenied him on a round of offictal calis. &ud the negotiations which have beer for some time tcward a reciproctty t with the Brit- ish West Indi ave given the occasion for the reports, aré dismissed in the most positive Martner ag entirely unwar- ‘There has been move of any charac- ter on the part of the British government in connection with the Spanish crisis, at least so far a5 British embassy is aware. Naval Movements. All naval movements, no matter how insignificant, are new watched with un- usual interest, in yiew of their possible connection with the plans of the govern- ment for the national defense in the event of an outbreak of hostilities. Consequently the arrival of the gunboat Machias at Nor- folk this morning gave rise to all sorts of speculation. As 4 matter of fact, this vessel, which has just concluded a three years’ cruise on the Asiatic station, was ordered home about two months ago, long Lefore the present situation had reached anything like an actte stage. She made the voyage in a most leisurely manner by way of-the Suez canal and the Mediterranean sea, and made an uninter- ripted run from Funchal, M -eira Island, to Hampton Roads, consuming about sev- enteen days on the:trip. She is represented to be in need of & thorough overhauling, and will undoubtedly be docked for that purpose. In case “she should be necded, however, it would not take very lung to put her in condition for active service. In- asmuch as ther? {no apparent necessity for reinforcing the already formidable fleet in the vicinity: of Key West, it is more then likely that the Machias will remain where she is for some tim2 to come, uvniess it should be deemed preferable to have ker take station in thevharbor of New York. The gunboat Castine of the south Atlantic station, which recently went to St. Lucia, in the Windward Islands, for the purpose of recziving slight repairs, left that port yesterday for Berbadoes. The Cincinnati, flagship of the south Atlantic station, is also at the latter port, and it 1s expected that both vessels will remain there for the present, aceuae a decision of the depart- ment as to whether they shall return to the south Atlantic ‘station or come to the United States for such service as may be required of them in the event of an out- break of hostilities. MARTIN IS NOT GUILTY Jury in the Triat at Wilkesbarre Brings in Its Ventict. WILKESBARRE, Pa., March 9.—The jury in the case of Sheriff Martin and his deputies, charged with the killing of the Strikers at Lattimer om September 16 last, this morning returned a verdict of not guilty. When the jury ‘retired last evening they took only one ballot, and it was unani- mous for acquittal. It is sald the jury was” prepared to rendér a verdict before leav- ing the box. The ballot was taken only for form sake. eo After the jury-had been thanked and dis- charged by Judgé Woodward, District At- torney Martin asked that the defendants be required to contmue their bajl bond, as there are still seventeen indictments for murder hanging over them and thirty-eight for feloniously wounding. The boud was continued as requested. District Attorney Martin says he has not decided what to do With these other cases, but will confer with the proseenting com- mittee. This committee, it 1s said, will in- siel upon further pro: ‘The trial of Sheriff Martin and his dep- uties began on Tuesday, February J, and centinued for five weeks, about 150’ wit- hesses being called*by the commonwealth and the defense: Phe case was bitterly fovght by both sides, and has excited interest than any case ever tried in section of the state, THE COST 19 LUZERNE COUNTY. Trial of Sheriff Martin Has Proved Very Expensive, Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. WILKESBARRR, Pa., March 8, 1898. When the closing arguments began in the Sheriff Martin trial the court room was dersely crowded, Mr. Searlett made his closing plea for thé commonwealth. His address to the jury Jacked all fire, and was temperate, and gave an impression of a cool and collected man. He spoke about an hour, and was followed by Mr. John T. Lenahan, who is the best-known criminal lawyer in this vicinity. Mr. Lenahan con- sumed four and a half hours in his speech, end spoke with much energy and effect. He displayed mych-adrvitness in his ap- peal. He made much of-the mob of strik- ers, lea by Mehulto, carrying the Amer- ican flag; “‘that_fag that was drenched in the blood of patriots,” he said; “that flag Was lo be the cover of the brigand who had put himself beyond the pale of the law. It is for that flag you bared your breasts to rebel bullets. They would dese- crate it. Shall {t be? Oh, no! Oh, no! This was not without its effect on the jury, three of whom’are G. A. R. men. It is interesting: to know what will be the cost of the trial to those concerned. I have it from good duthority that the cost of the trial to both“the county and to the defendants will reacti nearly $60,000. There have been one. hundred and sixty-four wit- nesses exaniined,who had been subpoenaed by the commonwealth, and these are to be paid by the county. 7 Outside of the district attorney, the coun- eel for the prosecutign are paid by private subecription, made of amounts received from the various Slav societies in the Ha- zleton region. 4 Polish priest, Father Aust, has been ‘umental in securing the necessary funds, The almost universat opinion now ex- Pressed is that the @eputies will be ac- quitted of the chargé. - ——_.— LIEUT. ZALINSKE APPOINTED. N i ; jew Assistant) @anrtermaster of the " Aviiay Ulspsen. The President eday appointed First Licut. Moses -G,.-Z@tinski of the 2d- Ar- tilery to be assistemt quartermaster, with the rank of captain; thus filling the last vacancy in that @epartment. Capt. Zalin- ski is a nativé of Mew’ Yorg, and entered the army as a private. He was promoted a commissioned from the ranks and was graduated, t&e Artillery School in . He 4 the grade of first Meutenant of artillery in August, AID TO THE WOUNDED. PUBLIC SATISFACTIO Telephone Subscribers Gratified at the Action of Congress. A RATIFICATION MEETING CALLED The National Legislature to Be Thanked for Lowering the Rates. A . EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION es Ps General and profound gratification on the Part of business men and others who use telephones in the transaction of their daily affairs was expressed today over the ac- tion of the Senate yesterday in adopting the clause in the District appropriation bill providing that no more than $0 per annum should be charged for the use of a telephone in the District of Columbia. Among the members and officials of the ‘Telephone Subscribers’ Association, which has been so active in providing the public and Congress with instructive information upon the general subject of telephone op- erations and the charges therefor in the other cities of the country, the sentiment of thankfulness was psrticularly strong. President O. G. Staples of the association could not find words strong enough to ex- Fress his satisfaction at the emphatic de- cision of Congress. He said, however, that it was a significant act of justice, which every good citizen would appreciate. Secretary Henry F. Woodard of the asso- ciation, who has been so active and ener- getic in its behalf since the organization was formed, was lly pleased. “The action of Corzress,” sail he, “must certainly meet with the hearty approval of the citizens of Washingicn. It manifests a disposition cn the pert of our legislators to protect the pecp'e from corporate oppres- sion. It is seldom the people rise up en masse to ask relief, but when they do they meet sympathetic response. We snould not, however, beccme content with the first show of success, but persistently press on urtil adequate and fair telephone rates are secured, just alike to the people and the teiephone company. ‘The members of our association are heartily thankful to The Evening Star for its active support of the movement since its inception. The Star has done nobly.” A Response to Public Demand. Chairman A. A. Birney ef the committee delegated to represent the association be- fore the epecial investigating committee of Congress was on his way to the Capitol, to appear befcre the House committee, when The Star reporter met him. “The action of Congress in fixing the tates to be charged for telephones in the District,” said Mr. Birney, “was a prompt and ready response to an almost universai demand of the citizens. It clearly shows that when our people stand together in be- half of any just and salutary object and impress this fact of community unanimi- ty upon the House and Senate, those bodies are quick to grant the demand.” Chairman James M. Hoge of the commit- te on ways and means of the association was naturally much pleased with the vote in the Senate. He praised The Evening Star in unmeasured terms for its suppor: of the popular demand for fair telephone rates, declaring that The Star had been the most potent agency in bringing about the result. Conversation with numerous mem- bers of the association developed senti- ments similar to those expressed by the gentlemen quoted. A Mass Meeting Called. It was decided by the ex2cutive commit- tee of the association to hold a mass meet- ing next Monday night, March 14, at Wil- lard Hall. to ratify the action of Congress, and Secretary Woodward prepared notices to this effect. Th2y announce that Con- gress will be thanked for its: prompt action in telephone legislation and that ten-min- ute speeches will be delivered by prominent g2ntlemen. Invitations to make such ad- dresses will be extended to Speaker Reed, Senator Hale, Senator Pettigrew, Represen- tatives Dock2ry, Bailey of Texas and James Hamilton Lewis, District Commis- sioner Ross Gcorge E. Emmons, B. H. Warner, Dr. H. L. EB. Johnston and others. The action of the Senate will not cause the Telephone Subscribers’ Association to less2n its vigor and energy in collecting facts bearing upon the general subject of telephone rates and other phases of the question. All available information will be gathered and the association will be con- tinued as before. Mr. Bryan. Mr. 8. M. Bryan, the president of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com- pany, was asked this morning by a Star re- porter what the compeny proposed to do in view of this legislation. Mr. Bryan gaid: “I knew nothing beyond the fact that the Senate has agreed to the House amend- ment. I have not conferred with the other directors of the company in regard to the maiter, and it has not been discussed.” Saving to District. Superintendent Miles of the District po- lice and fire alarm system: “I am very glad that Congress has settled this matter in the way it has. -I believe that the reduc- tion of rates will Increase the business of the local telephone company to a very wonderful extent. It will decrease the ex- penses of the District for telephone service.~| At present the District has 267 telephones, for which it pays the Chesapeake and Po- tomac Telephone Company $3,448.50 a year. For one of these the District pays $56 a year, $65 for another, $57.50 for a third and 3125 apiece for two more, $458.50 a year for the five. Supposing that the company will hereafter charge the maximum rate, $30, for each of these, the amount saved each year will be just $208.50 on these ‘phones. At the rates the District 1s now paying for the 267 telepnones it uses, the average is just $12.91, and from my knowledge of such matters I am justified in saying that that average allows the company a very considerable profit, especially wfen it is remembered that 238 of these telephones are on. District wires, the company being at practically no expense in operating them. Under the reduced rates it is rea- sonabie to look for ten telephones here- after where there was but one before, and, as it is a rule that increase of business -brings increase in profits, I believe the company will have no just ground for com- plaint.”” x _ >. Are Pleased. Many merchants, business men and others using telephones in their establish- ments and residences were outspoken in their approval of the action of Congress. Seome of those conversed with spoke as follows: Mr. A. M. Lothrop of Woodward & Loth- Top: or less.” } Druggist E. P. Mertz: ! ‘It is a piece of justice, nothing more chants who use telephones will be very much gratified at the establishment of fair rates for the service.” District Commissioners. Beyond stating that they were desirous that some equitable adjustment of rates should be made, the Disirict Commission- ers begged to be excused today from ex- Frersing any opipicn upon the action uf the Senate yesterday in adopting the House Provision in the District appropriation bill relative to telephone rates in the District. To Be Congratulated. Mr. Leon Tobriner, who, in conjunction With Mr. E. H. Thomas, appeared as coun- se: for Mr. W. W. Denenhower in the pro- ceedings at law recently instituted by the latter against the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, expressed himself as being greatly pleased today with the sit- vation. “The agitation of the telephone question imaugurated by Mr. Danenhower was aestined at the outset to meet with suc- cess,” said Mr. Tobriner to a Star reporter. “The citizens of Washington are to be con- gratulated cn the action of Congress fixing ihe maximum rate for telephone rental at $50 per annum. That figure is reasonabie and in keeping with the rates charged in the majority of the cities of the country.” Mr. William F. Roberts, whose engravii and printing establishment is at No. 1421 G street northwest, threw some interest- ing light on the methods of the Chesapeake and Poterrac Telephone Company. After expressing his great pleasure at the de- cisive action taken yesterday by the Sei ate, he said it was eminently fair treat- rent after the subscribers here had in £0 many instances suffered from the nar- row policy of the company. “I have a private telephone, which I cwn, in my establishment,” said Mr. Rob- erts. “It connects my office with my vcrkshop. I am also a subscriber to the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com- pany, ang use one of their instruments in my business. The president of that com- rany called cn me and notified me that I must take my private telephone out. I Peremptorily declined, whereupon he told me that 1 would have to do so, as it was the right of the company to have it taken cut, and this right fad been upheld in sev- ersi states. “I still declined to do any such thing and my private telephone is still in use as well as the other. The official in ques- tion did 10t make any threats about tak- ing out the company’s "phone for which I subscribe in case I Gid not meet his de- mand, but the facts are as I have stated, and maybe somebody who was not aware of his own rights might have been scared into compliance with such a notification. I just tell this to show how ‘picayunish’ a policy the company has pursued.” ———— THE RIVER BATTERIES. Pushing Work on the Defenses of Washington. The government has just closed a con- tract with Littlefield, Alvord & Co. of this cigy to mount three eight-ineh guns at Sheridan Point, opposite Fort Washington. ‘These are all of th> guns that are at the place, and they were receatly shipped down to the point. The haulizg was done by the seme firm. The work of mounting the guns will begin tomorrow, and be pushed for- ward as rapidly as possible. The placing of the heavy guns and carriages in posi- tion will take some time. The government was anxicus to have the work completed in ten days, but it is said that it wiil take fully twenty days to complete the work. ‘The guns are of the latest pattern, and weigh about twenty-eight tons each. With th2>m are the modern gun carriages, of the disappearing type, the carriages weighing in the vicinity of twenty-seven tons, After being landed at Sheridan Point, the heavy guns and carriages will have to be skidded for a distance of 1,300 feet to the fort, and then mounted. As large a force of mea as can be couveniently used will be em- ploy2d on the work, and the position se- jected for the engines of death will be 50 advantageous as to give a clean sweep of the river. The guns were manufactured by th> Bethlehem iron works of Pennsylvania, and shipped to this city. This firm has the contract for manufacturing nearly all of the cannon used by the army. The gun shops at the navy yard in this city turn out guns for use in the navy cnly. As fast as th> cannon were completed at the works of the company in Pennsylvania they were sent to this city, thence hauled to the river and carried by boat to the final des- tiation. At Fort Washington the work of placing the guns in position has been actively pushed forward. Ten ten-inch guns, with the disappearing carriage, have been sent to that place. These guns, before bing mounted, had to be carried a distance of fully a mile, which took some time. Out of the ten guns which have been sent to th fort, eight have been mounted, and two are rtill in process of completion. The mounting was not done by outside parties, but by the soldiers of the government, de- tailed for the purpose. The gun carriages us2d at Fort Washington are the same as those which will be put in place at Sheri- dan Point, and represent the best ideas on the subject that have as yet been devised. —_—_——_-2-_ NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED. The Alexandria Collector of Custom Among the Fortunate Ones. ‘Vhe Senate today confirmed these nom- inations: J. B. Holland of Pennsylvania, to be na- val officer at Philadelphia; W. L. Avery of Mentana, consul at Belize, British Hon- duras. To be registers of the land office— W. A. Merrill, at Lamar, Col.; C. N. Val- entine of Lamoure, N. D., at Fargo, N.D. L. Stover, at Watertown, 8. D. To be re- ceiver of public moneys, J. C. Martin, at Prescott, Ariz. To be collector of customs, W. W. Bowers, San Diego, Cal. To be sur- veyor of customs, W. L. Beuchle, St. Jo- seph, Mo. To be assistant appraiser of merchandise, O. C. Blaney of Massachu- setts, district of Boston and Charlestown, Mass. To be United States attorney—E. «.. Rosier, eastern district of Missourl. To '¢ United States marshals—L. C. Bohle, east- ern district of Missouri; T. H. Baker of Tennessee, western district of Tennessee; J. W. Overall, for the middle district of Tennessee. Also a long list of postmasters. ae District Boys Selected for A: polis. The President today appointed Richard Wainwright, jr., of the District of Colum- bla, a cadet at large at the naval academy, and Rufus Saxton Thompson, also of the District, as his alternate. Mr. Wainwright is the son of Lieut. Commander Wain- wright of the navy, who was executive officer of the battle ship Maine at the time of her destruction in the harbor of Havana. Mr. Thompson is the nephew of Gen. Rufus Saxton, a distinguished officer of the army on the retired list. . Personal Mention. Commissioner of Patents Duell has gone to Syracuse for a few days, to close his home and remove his family to this city, where he will make his home. SEVENTY-SIX FOR IT SenateUnanimous for the $50,000,000 Defense Bill. WAS PASSED WITHOUT DEBATE Accomplished in Twenty-six Mine utes After Assembling. TAKEN TO THE WHITE HOUSE — In anticipation of a discussion of the $30,< 00,000 emergency appropriation bill, peo- ple rapidly filled the galieriss of the Senate today. Two hours before the Senate con- vened spectators began to appear in the galleries to secure d>sirabie 8: and long tefore 12 o'clock the public and reserved galleries were filled. In the corridors out- side were long lines of surging people anx- icus to secure admission to witness a ses- sion of the Senate that in its consequences, if not in its actual proceedings, gave prom- ise of being momentous. In fact, it was thought that th> Senate's action today might mark the beginning of a new epoch in the country’s history, and the public in- terest was fully proportionate to the action the Senate was to take. Among the spectators in the galleries were scores of ladies, whose interest in current matters is quite as keen as that of their fathers, husbands and brothers. On the floor of the Senate the attendance was unusually large when the Vice Presi- dent's gavel fell calling the body to order. Nearly ali of the members of the appro- Priations committee, including the chair- man, Mr. Allison (lowa), and of the foreign relations committee, including the chair- man, Mr. Davis (Minn.), were in their’ seats. in addition several members and officers of the House were in the chamber. Passed Without Diasent. At the conclusion of morning business Mr. Hale (Me.), of the appropriations com-‘ mittee, quietly rose and said: “I report from the committee on appropriations, without amendment, an act to supply urgent deficiencies for the current year and for other purposes, and I ask that it be placed on its passage. The bill, which was the measure appro- Priating $50,183,000, $50,000,000 of which was placed at the disposal of the President for the national defense, was then, amid an infense silence, read in fuil. At the conclusion of the reading, there being no amendment to the bill, it was placed on its passage. Mr. Hale asked that the yeas and nays be called. Such unanimity as the roll call developed was as unusual as it wax sig- Nificant. Pairs were broken on boih sides of the chamber, in order that all those present might evince their pxtriotism and Gesire to uphold the hands of the President in this time of emergency by voting direct- ly for the measure. Within twenty-six minutes after the Sen- ate had convened the roii call Had been completed, and the Vice President had an- nounced that the bill was passed, seventy- six senators voting in the affirmative and not one in the negative. As the Vice President made his announce- ment a slight ripple of «pplause ran through the galleries, but the members of the Senate remained calm and dignified, repressing all enthusiasm, which, it was evident from their smiling faces and in- tense interest manifested in every look and gesture, a great majority of them felt. During the roll call 4t was aut oriiatively announced for every absent scnetor that if he were present he would vote ay: Mr. Allen (Neb.), in making this an- nouncement for Mr. Thurston \Neb.), said: “My colleague is unavoidably detained from the Senate, but if he were present he would vote aye. Mr. Vest suggested, sotto voce, that Mr. Thurston might vote in Havana (where Mr. Thurston now is), and the sally created a laugh among those near by. When Mr. Perkins (Cal.) made a similar announcement for Mr. White (Cal.), he said: “My senior partner, if he were here—” and then, catching himself, joined go0d-naturedly in the general laugh which followed. The Congressional Maine Inquiry. Mr. Chandler (N. H.) presented the fol- lowing resolution, which indicates that the disaster to the battle ship Maine is to have @ thorough investigation by the Sen« ate: “That in conducting the inguiry into the cause of the destruction of the battle ship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898, under resolution of the Senate of Feb- ruary 21, the committee on naval affairs is hereby authorized to send for persons and papers, to employ a stenographer and to make the investigation by the full com- mittee or by subcommittees thereof, the expense of such investigation to be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate.” The resolution was referred to the com- mittee on contingent expenses. At 12:40 p.m., on motion of Mr. Davis (Minn.), chairman of the committee on for- eign relations, the Senate went into exe- cutive session. The Senate at 1:25 adjournec. Vill Go to the President Mr. McKinney, the enrolling clerk of the House of Representatives, in antictpation of the passoge of the bill by the Senate today had the bill printed on parchment yesterday, ready for formal enrollment, but it was rot expected that it would be arsed by the Senate without debate. The parchment copy, therefore, was still at the governmént printing cffice whon the bill passed the Senate and was returned to the House. Mr. McKinney, as soon as he learned of the action of the Senate, tele- compared the printe¢ copy with the bill as it pessed the two houses. 1:40 the Speaker took the cheir and ‘to the bill,