Evening Star Newspaper, November 23, 1898, Page 2

—<—SSSSSSSSS THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1898-14 PAGES. THANKSGIVING DAY Its Celebration Will Be General and Significant. AND RENOWN NATIONAL GLORIES ——— = General Observance Full of Patri- otic Inspirations. eae Se PROGRAMS PREPARED ——— ‘The observance of Tha morrow will be significant in than one. The same joyous that always characteriz:s it, reunions, the profusion of creature com- forts, the gaities and the pleasures will, of course, prominent in all parts of the great country, whose people so eagerly welcome the annual recurrence of the da But above and beyond these features the will be I-pervading, all-absorbing fee {og that the occasion wiil be peculiarly ay propriate for the thoughtful and than«ful Consideration of the gicres which hav come the natural heritage of the greatest ef republics during the year preceding. That period has been crowded with events nksgiving day t more Way ceiebrat the far 1 @tupendous in thelr influence, not cnly upon | the American nation, but upon the word at large. Battles have been fought and won for the principles which have made Thanksgiving day and {ts observance pos- pastor of the fckington Presbyterian Church. The quartet of the Church of the United Brethren will render selections dur- ing the service, and other attractive fea- tures of the musical program have been provided. McKendree and Mount Vernon Methodist churches will hold union services Thanks- giving morning at 11 o'clock at McKendree Methodist Episcopal Church, Massachusetts avenue above 9th street. Sermon, “The Christian Nation,” by Rev. H. R. Naylor, D.D. Public invited. The Vermont Avenue Christian and Third Christian and Ninth Street Christian urches will have a reunion s2rvice at the uth Street Church, corner of 9th and D streets northeast. at 11 am. Rev. F. D. Power wiil preach the sermon. Music will be led by combined choirs of the three church=s. Thanksgiving services will be held. at Eighth Street Temple (Washington Hebrew congregation) at ) p.m. “The Family of Nations and the Respec- tive Duties of Its Members” will be con- sidered by Rev. Frank Sewall in his Thanksgiving day sermon at the New Church at 11 o'clock a.m. tomorrow. ‘Thanksgiving Day Malls. The collection and delivery of mails to- morrow will be made as follows: A delivery by carriers from in office will be made at 7:30 a.m. Carriers’ window will be open for delivery of mail to clerks in the departments from 9 to 10:3) a.m. and for the general public from 6 to 7 p.m. Collections will be made at 30 and 9:30 m. and v.m. Deliveries at stations at #” a.m. Collections at stations at 12 and am. and 5 p.m. County collections at 8 m. and 5 p.m. (and 9:30 p.m. Station F). ‘The following stations will be open to the public for the transaction of business: Sta- tion A, 6 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.; Sta- 0 11 a.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m.; Sta- 18 a.m.; Station Db, 6 to 11 a.m. 7 p.m.; Station FP, 6 to 11 a.m. and Mm. mone el The will be order and registry divisions sible. Millions whose limbs have heen fe: tered by the chains of monarchical desp2t- Sam haye been freed from the shackles and their feet turned into the pathway th: leads to freedom and happiness. All the rrarvelous changes, so full of promise for the betterment of the whole world, have been wrought by the American people—the people wno have a Thanksgiving Jay—and wherever the giorious flag waves those people will give thanks for the glories the have achieved and that are to gro brighter and brighter as each coming ‘Thanksgiving day reaches them in its turn. A Colonial Proclamation. ‘The first Thanksgiving day observed on this hemisphere was in the year 1767, when the colonies from which the greatest na- tion of the earth has grown were still in possession of Great Britain and George Lil was king. The first Thanksgiving proclamation. far as records show, was issued in the year Mentioned by Francis Bernard, captain meral, vice admiral and governor-in-chief in and over his majesty’s province of the Massachusetts bay, in New England. I: was headed, proclamation For a Public Thanksgiving.” and read as follows: ‘As the business of the year is now draw ing toward a conclusi we are reminde: according to the laudable usage of the Province, to join together in a grateful ac- knowiedgement of the manifold Mercies of the Divine Providence conferred upon us in the passing year: Wherefore, I have thought fit to appoint, and I do with the ad- Z His Majesty's council, appoint the Third day of December next. to be a day of pubhie Thanksgiving that we may thereupon with one Heart and Voice return our most humble Thanks to Almighty God for the Gracious Dispensations of His Providence since the last religious anni- versary of this kind. and especially for that he has been pleased to preserve and maintain our most Gracious Sovereign, King George, in Health and Wealth. in Peace and Honor and to extend the Bless- ings of his government to the remotest part of his Dominions; that He hath been pleased to Bless and Preserve our gracious Queen Charlot their royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Princess Dowager of Wales and all the Royal family, and by the frequent crease of the Royal issuc to assure us the Continuation of the Bless- h we derive from that filustrious hat He hath been pleased to pro: - whole British Empire the Pres- ervation of Peace, the Encrease of Trade > opening of new Sources of Nation- h: and now particularly that He n pleased to favor ince with heaithy to E th 4 Sufficiency nd of the Sea. do exhort al! Ministers of the Gospel. with their several Congregations, 2 this Province, that they assemble on » said Day in a Solemn manner to return ir most hump! these and all other of His vouchsafed unto us, and to be: not standing our Unworthin to con- tinue His gracious Providence over us. And I command and enjoin all Magistrates and Civil Offi ‘s » see that the said Day be observed as a Day set apart for religious Worship, and that no Servile Labour be formed thereon. ven at the Council Chamber in Boston, the Fourth day of November, 1767, in the eighth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King and Defender of the Faith. “FRA. BERNARD. Excellency’s Command. A. OLIVER, Secretary. “God Save the King God save the king has been God i the President up in M Sets. anc m out in Hawai year the same prayerful petition w from gratefi lips in Cuba and Porto Rico and the far-off Philippin Religions Services. vance of the day will be gen- national capita! the people of and kindly s Labs of their of the Produce of Mercies ech Him, “By His re the Aft the First Congregational Church there eral in be patriotic choral service at 1 a.m Program: Organ prelude; invocation; “Hoty, holy, hely.”" hymn by choir and con. gregation: “And the Glory of the Lor¢ Me Handel; “L Will © The Heavens sopr Are lo, elt," astor, Dr Eis Hang Earth," thanks to Almighty God | 1 chorus, Bar solo, Parker; “Elijah.” Mer tenor solo Arise,” new Thanksgiving anthem, Surette; Denedic organ postlude. The choir consists of the following: Or- ganist conductor, Dr. John W. Bischoff; organ! as . Elsie Bond Bis- choff; librarian and secretary, Walter Allen; quartet, soprano, Mrs. Hattie Meads Smith: ¢ontralto, Miss Edna Scott Smith; tenor. Mr. Douglass Gresham Miller; bass, Mr. James Walter Humphrey. Chorus—So- pranos, Mrs. Elsie Bond Bischoff, Miss An- nie E Burlingame, Mrs. Mary ‘Campbell, Miss Mabel Faith Claflin, Miss Margaret B. Crawford. Miss Helen A. Davis, Miss Xarifa ancock, Miss Bessie Jolly, Miss Margaret a Lewis, Miss Adelia Estelle Mathewson, Miss Nannie K. Moffett, Mrs. Elise E. Ray- mond, Miss Grace Isabella Ross, Miss Helen Elizabeth Rowe, Miss Jessie Bancroft Stev- ens, Mrs. Gecrge E. Walker; altos, Mis: ice Atkinson, Mrs. John S. Beach, Mrs. ula G. Burnett, Miss Lizzie Aurilla Cay- Wood, Miss Grace DeRiemer, Miss Minnie throp Doane, Miss Letta B. Fisher, Miss idee W. Gibson, Miss Lydia R. Hughes, Miss Gertrude Maud Johnston, Miss Dor- othy B. Lair, Miss Jessie MacBride, Miss Ellen E. Matthews, Mrs. Georgie I. Myers, Miss Alice H. Peabody, Miss Mabel B. Piatt, Miss Mary E. Pond; tenors, Mr. Bela W. Beebe. Mr. David L. Burnett, Mr. Thos. R, Clift, Mr. Phiitp W. Coleman, Mr. Henry en Hazen, Mr. George C. Johnston, Mr. jomas Howard McGill, Mr. George New- ton, Mr. Henry Player, Mr. David G. Proc- jor, Mr. James 8. Raymond, Mr. William J. eed, Mr. Charles H. Wright; bassos, Mr. Arthur Wilbur Bache, Mr. Jesse C. Brooke, Mr. David H. Clark, Mr. Samuel 8. Gard- her, Mr. Wilmer E. Griffith, Mr. N. Colum- bus Harper, Mr. John Humphrey, Mr. thur H. Howell, Mr. Herbert D. Lawson, r. Orlando M. McPherson, Mr. Frank Ayers Nute. Mr. Jasper E. Snow and Mr. Herbert G. Young. Union Services. There will be a union service tomorrow morning at the Church of the United Breth- ren in Christ, corner of North Capitoi and & streets, when a Thanksgiving service will be celebrated. Besides the Church of the United Brethren, the congregations of the Eckington Presbyterian Church and Gur- HAWAII'S GOVERNMENT Commission Formulating Its Recommenda- tions to Congress, Report Will Be in the Hands of the Presi- dent. The Hawaiian commissioners have been busy since their return to Washington in closing up the work upon which they were engaged, formulating recommendations to Congress for a form of government for Ha- wall. While the work of the commissioners is aitended with secrecy at this stage, it is understood that their labors are nearing con- ciuston, and that their report will be in the hands of the President before the meeting ot Congress, the first Monday in December. The President will submit the report to Congress, which will include the draft of a bill to carry inte effect the recommenda- tons of the commissioners. The Dill will be introduced in the House by one of the administration leaders in that body, and will probably be referred to the commit- tee on territories. It is expected that no time will be lost in consideration of the Measure in committee, and that when it is reported to the House it will be followed by a resolution from the committee on rules fixing a reasonable time limit on debate and providing for a vote. While there will be no disposition on the Part of the administration managers to railroad the measure, it is said to be desir- ie, in view of the shortness of the sesston, to get the bill through the House as soon official congressional circles is that an or; territorial form of government will recommended for Hawaii. and nized be —Peat Wins First Kace. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. BE ING RACE TRACK, D.C., Novem- ber 23.—The cool weather was responsible for a reduced attendance at the Benning track this afternoon, the tenth day of the autumn meeting of the Washington Jockey Club, The track was in good shape, but s further reduced the smail fields, Sailor King and Trillo being in the first race; Wernberg, Champion, Anita, Ben Lodi and Commotsne in the second; Sagacity in the third; Dimin- utive and Roysterer in the fourth, and Charentus and Talisman in the fifth. The first race (one mile) was won by Peat (Maher), 1 to 10; Campania (McCue), to 1, second; Ella Daly (O'Connor), 100 to 1, third. Time, 1.46 2-5. Second rac five furlongs—Dr. Parker (Maher). 1 to 2. first: Specialist (Hamilton), 12 to third second; Tyran (Clawson), Time, 1.4. Entries for Tomorrow. 5 to 1, First race, selling, mile and a sixteenth, fourteen entries—Tankard, Charagrac: 95; Squan, 109; *Nigger Baby, 93; Premier Beau Ideal, Taranto, Banquo TI, *Knight of the Garter, 101; Bardella, James Monroe, Her Own, Endeavor, “Wordsworth, 98. *Apprentice allowances claimed. Second race, maiden, six-eighths of a mile —Judge Magee, E.lerdale, Improvident, An- imus. Marylander, Sheik, 110; Terrorist, Orenburg, Chanler, Savilia, Subject, Gal: lella, 107. ‘The following can start, 3 may be “scratched: Ex‘t, » ; Brahmin, Dr. Vanghan, Ben Lodi, 110. Third race, handicap, stceplechas " d one-half mile Decapod, 1 arters, 140 Ben Bolt, bi —Baby Bul, 162; Tri 8: Floraline, 148; White Bevai, Last Fellow, #8. Also eligible to start, Mar- 140; Rifler, 135. Fourth race, Washington cup, two and one-fourth miles—Maurice, Thomas Cat, Knight of the Garter, 108; Nosey, Jefferson, Warrenton, 1%; Decanter, 95; Very Doubt- ful. Dr. Catlett, 108; Ben Eder, 105. th race, hish-weight handicap, six and palf furlongs—King Barleycorn, 126; Diminutive, 122; Lady Lindsey, 121; Sensa- tional, Bardella, 120; Daigretti, Boney Boy, 119; Roysterer, 116: Sagacity, 114; Tre- margo, 112; Duoro, 110. Se THE SIBERIAN RAILWAY. Facts About It Sent by Consul Gen- eral Holloway. At present the Russian leaving St. Peters- burg can reach Viladivestock on the east- ern border of Siberia by taking passage to America, crossing and taking a steamer across the Pacific in five days less than he can reach the same point in a direct route ty rail and stage across Russia and Siberia. The actual traveling time over the trans- Siberian route {s thirty-five days, and not- withstending the progress in the construc- tion of the Siberian railway 1,151 miles of the route must still be made in partially closed conveyances over rough roads, trav- eling night and day. The construction of the railroad is going on at the rate of 381 miles per year. These facts are set out in a report to the State Department trom U. S. Consul General Holloway at St. Pe- tersburg. He attaches extracts from Rus- sian publications showing that an agitation has begun for the immediate establishment of a Russian steamskip line on the Pacific ocean to establish communication between the terminal of the Siberian railroad and Viadivestock and the United States. It is represented that three such lines have ai- ready been established with Viadivostock as the western terminal. The first ts Amer- ican-Japanese, with its western terminus at Santiago, connecting with the Atchison, ‘Topeka and Santa Fe railroad; the second, English-Canadian, connecting with the Can- ada Pacific railroad at Vancouver, and the third belongs to the Nerth German Lloyd. but bas not yet selected its terminus, the choice lying between San Franciseo and Los Angeles. ——_—_—__—_—_+4——_ Major Sylvester as Gacat. Maj. Sylvester has accepted an inyitation from Commander R. P. Hains of the United States steamer Fern to be his gwest during the race tomorrow between a boat's ley Mission will join in this service, which } crew of the Fern aud one from the Dol- will be conducted by Rev. Geo. W. Duncan, } phin. MEDICINES SCARCE|AT THE WHITE HOUSE Mr. Archibald Tells of His Experience in Cuba. CONDITIONS AT MONTAUK POINT Described by Mrs. Von Wagner-- Improper Prescriptions Given. DOCTORS WERE INDIFFERENT NEW YORK, November 23.—James J. F. Archibald, a San Francisco newspaper man, who was with the ist Regular Infantry from California to Santiago, was the first witness before the war investigating com- mission today. In reply to General Beaver's invitation to tell everything he conld and to make any criticism he considered likely to be useful to the commission, Mr. Archibald said his chief reason for volunizering to appear before the commission was because of the published statements that there was great hardships in Cuba beeatse of a lack of food. “I wish to say,” he said, “that I have had considerable experience campaigning with troops in the west, and there the regular soldiers have had much rougher experi- ences than they did in Cuba. There was plenty of food. The inability of the volun- teers to adapt themse!ves to circumstances was due to their own Inexnerience. If they had known enough to hustie and cook the food that wes there they would have had less cause to complain. Medical Supplies Scarce. “There was a scarcity of medical supplies, of surgeons and of nurses. It appeared to me that Dr. Wood—I believe his initials are M. M.—caused considerable unnecessary suffering by his severe administration of his hospital, near Siboney. He refused to allow any one to visit the sick, and once, when I was trying to find a wounded man of the Ist Infantry, he refused to let me in. He declined to allow Cubans who had offered to build shelter for the sick to do so, and when I tried to reason with him he said, ‘I am running this hospital to suit * which, I suppose, was proper. put in ex-Governor Wood- ‘but it was not proper.” 4 “I mean,” continued the witness, “that I take it that it was quite proper for the doctor in charge to run his hospital irre- spective of the wishes of private individ- uals, but I think his judgment was bad. I mention thut incident as the only matter that came to my notice in which I blaine the authorities.” J. J. Robinson Testifies. John Jay Robinson of New York, who was at Camp Wikoff with the ¥. M. C. A. tent, told of the conditions there as he saw them during the last days of August and September. He did not know of any great lack of food or supplies, and said that he considered, as a whole, that the camp was well conducted. What fault there was in the early days of the camp Mr. Robinson believed was due to the rapidity wiht which troops were arriving from Cuba. “There was,” said Mr. Robinson, “plenty of food while I was in camp. I saw one man eat twelve boiled eggs. j “Did you ever say that men were being starved and drugged to death?” asked Gen. Beaver. ; “I said that the emed to be a feeling on the part of the that the boys were being starved and drugged to death. There was some friction between the ladies and the surgeons. There was a feeling on the part of the surgeons that it was not right to have two persons prescribing at the same time for the same patient, and on the part of the ladies that the surgeons did not ympathize with their mission.” Mrs. Johanna von Wagnfr of Yonker: prefessional nurse, established a diet kitch. en at Camp Wikoff and sepved there for a month from August 20. She corroborated the statements made by other women on the condition of the camp and told of her own experience in treating the sick of the 7th Infantry. She complained of the lack of competent hospital help, the scarcity of ambulances and the inexperience of some of the contract doctors. Saw Improper Prescriptions. On more than one occasion she saw im- proper prescriptions, and on one occasion she complained to Major Corbes that a dose prescribed for a man would kill him. The matter was referred to the surgeons of the general hospital. They were friendly to the offending doctor and nothing was done, but the dose of medicine was not ad- ministered, Mrs. von Wagner declined to give the names of the surgeons she con- sidered negligent and told the commission- ers they could get the names, if they want- e1 them from the records of the 7th Regi- ment. . “What struck me most p the witness in conclusion, indifference of the medican men in the reg’ mental hospital to the suffering of the sick.” bury, HEAVY LOSSES OF STOCK. Late Blizzard in Southwest Kills Many Cattle. DALLAS, Tex., November Reports from the cattle and sheep raising chstricts of northwestern Texas, Oklahoma and the Indian territory show heavy losses becaus> of the blizzard that has preveiled in those sections since last Sunday night. The mercury dropped sixty degrees dur- ing Sunday night, and the country was gen- erally frozen up. Thousands of head of sheep, half-grown calves and cows hav perished. The losses will approximate sey eral hundred thousand dollars. Snow Storm in Engiand. LONDON, November 23.—Severe snow storms, the first of th> season, prevailed to- day over the midlands and north Britain, and heavy gales are sweeping the coasts. Trains ard mail boats have*been delayed. Se DECIDED AGAINST LASAR. New York Diamond Broker Must For- feit $40,000 Worth of Gems. NEW YORK, November 23.—The jury in the cise of the United States against Max J. Lasar, diamond dealer, for the forfeiture of about $40,000 worth of diamonds, which, it was charged, were smuggled into the country by Lasar, returned a verdict today forfeiting the diamonds to the government. Lasar is under indictment on the crim- inal charge of having smuggled the dia- monds, and his attorneys preferred to hold their defense until the trial on the criminal charge comes up, believing, they said, that to bring forward their witnesses now might be to the disadvantage of Lasar. —__- — CABLE CAMPANY’S CLAIM. Damages Wanted for Cutting Wires by American Warships. LONDON, November 23.—At the meeting of the Cuban Submarine Telegraph Com- pany today the chairman, C, W. Parish, referring to the cutting of the cables off the province of Santiago de Cuba by the Americans, said he had requested the as- sistance of the foreign office to obtain com- pensation from the United States. ‘The foreign office, he added, had promisea to do its utmost to assist the company; but it was pointed out it was doubtful if the claim would be admitted. —_——_— UTICA, OHIO, BANK ROBBED. Officials Were Absent at Lunch When Thett Occurred. COLUMBUS, Ohio, November 23.—A spe- cial to the Dispatch from Utica, Ohio, say: The Wilson Bank was robbed while the of- ficials were absent for a period of fifteen minutes at the dinrer hour today, $2,000 in registered bonds, $5,000 in coupon bonds and $5,600 in gold and currency being taken. No clue, but tramps are supposed to have done the work. Entrarce was effected through fa id Secretary Hay Discusses Matters With 2 thé: President, at TABOR LEGISLATION TALKED OVER Several Bills:Brought to the At- tentibn’ of the Executive. SS TODAY’S CALLERS Secretary Hay-remained with the Presi- dent some time today after the departure of the Japanese, minister. The Secretary had dispatches from Paris and he and the President discussed these messages. ‘The Secretary xaid that a message had been re- ceived from Judge Day stating that the Spanish commissioners nad notified the American commission that they would be unable to reply today, as they expected to do Monday. It fs thougnt that a reply will be handed the American commissioners on Friday, although the Spaniards have not definitely specified that day. When the Spaniards announced Monday that they did not need longer than Wednes- day to answer, many officials thought this indicated a Spanish refusal to the ulti- matum propositions. The fact that the Spaniards have now asked for more time is taken to indicate that they wili not refuse the propositions, and that they are waiting to hear from Madrid as to the position of the Sagasta ministry. The outlook is con- sidered more hopeful than on Monday. 1k on Labor Matters. President Gompers and Secretary Morri- son of the American Federation of Labor had a long talk with President McKinley today about labor matters pending in Con- gress. These officiais of the Federation of Labor prasented the views of the organiz: tion on the eight-hour law, now in Con- gress; the seamen's bill, intended to im- prove the condition of seamen; the convict labor bill and the immigration President Gompers expressed ths hope that the President could find it agreeable to aid the federation in its demands. Re- sponding to this hope, the President said that he thought it the duty of every man, in public or private life, to assist in bridg- ing the chasm between employers and Wage earners. President Gompers made no request about the President discussing the various sub- jects in his massage, and does not know whcther this will be done. The President listened with intercst to the statements made to him about the features cf the dif- ferent bills. Some of Today's Callers. Senators Morrill, Thurston and Cattery and Representative Cannon were among the callers who visited President McKinley to- day and talked with him about matters in which they are interest2d. DESIRED. OPTION SECURED Majority Stockholéers in U. 8 Electric Lighting Uompany Sign an Agreement. President Norris’ Views of the Future of the Enterprise—Sale of Bonds. { It can nowsbe stated on the authority of Mr. James H. Nofris, the president of the United States” Electric Lighting Company, that the effort recgntly made, as noted in The Star, to secure an option from a ma- jority of the stockholders tn regard to the control of the Gompany, has been entirely successful. “Mr, Noryis states that already the signatures of stockholders owning near- ly 6,000 shares, of stock in. the company have been secured to such an agreement, and it is expected that 6,400.shares will finally be represented on this paper. A total of 5,4%5 shares gives control in the company. Terms of the Agreement. ‘The articles of agreement attached to the paper signed by the stockholders are as follows “It having come to the knowledge of the eight gentlemen to whom ycu gave your proxies and whom you voted for and eleet- ed at the last annval election (November 9, 1898) to conduct the affairs of the U. 8. Electric Lighting Company of We D. C., on an honest and business basis, that an attempt is being made for the pur- pose of certain parties ob aining and con- trolling a majority of stock of said com- pany and thereby jeopa:d z ng our interest as stockholders of said company, the fol- lowing agreement is made this Iéth day of November, A.D. 1898, by and between the undcrsigned owning the number of shares of the capital stock of the United States Electric Lighting Company set epyosite io their respective names. “Witnesseth, That the undersigned, for and in’ consideration of the sum of $1, cur- rent moncy of the United States, to’ each in hand mutually paid at and before the signing of this agreement, receipt whereof is hereby acknowicdged and of divers other Valuable considerations them and each of them thereunto: moving. have covenanted, promised and agreed, and do, hereby, cov- enant, promise and agree, to and with each , cach for himself and not one for an- follows: . That they wili, severally, with- hold their respective shares of said capital stock from sale until such ime as shall be mutually determined upon. “Second. ‘That no shares of said capital stock sianding of record in their names or controlled by them, Ml be sold for a price jess than one hundred and seventy- five Collars ($175) per share. “This agreement to hold good for a period not exceeding one year, and we further agree not to give Our proxy to any person other than the person now holding same. “In testimony whereof the undersigned have hereuntc set their hands and affixed their seals, respectively, on the day and year first hereinbefore: written.” Statement by President Norris, Mr. Norris, in conversation with a Star reporter this morning, said the stockholders who had entered into this agreement had confidence inthe-Company and its future. They were salisfied’ with {t as an invest- ment for theim)money, and in a large num- ber of cases the staek holdings represented the entire sayjngs,.of citizens. The com- pany, he said, was organized by Washing- ton men, whd! haf put their money into the enterprises? Sugh mea, he added, as W. E. Clark, Samuel Norment, Dr. Daniel B. Clark and others-#ad started the company under discouraging circumstances, but by their persistence-and enérgy it had devel- oped into the tmportant enterprise of today. It was not the integtion, he said, to allow the interests of small stockholders, nor of the large, to he imperiled by stock manip- ulations and the schemes of speculators. For this reagén” the agreement had been entered into. Ee Mr. Norris furthen said that he did not believe a majgfity.gf the stockholders de- Sired to seil their hdldinzs, but that*it was the wish to continue the business of suppty- ing the city with-a first-class electric light- ing service. He said that since the recent company election he had been able to piace practically the entire issue of $359,000 in bonds of the company, which-had been used up to thatvtime as arco‘lateral for a loan. it having been inpossible to find a market for them. [bis money was put into the new plant of the company,’ which has just been completed: “ Death of John H. Seiffert. Mr._John,H. Seifert, well known in mu- sical cireles, a director of the Choral So- clety and fér.a number of years in charge of the music at Guther Place Memorial Church, died this afternoon shortiy before 2 o’clock. He was also a vrominent, Odd Fellow, being for many years scribe of Co- tumbia yews ttre pte a pee One a an lerwen - eration’ which at first was thought wascems: back wincow. out ful. The cause of death was an abscess on a back wincow. Posses are Bay oo) th HOTEL A FIRE TRAP Baldwin House at 'Frisco Goes Up in Flames. TWO GUESTS LOSE THEIR LIVES About 300 Others Escape Almost by a Miracle. A NOTED HOSTELRY SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., November 23.— At 3:25 o'clock this morning the Baldwin Hotel caught fire and it has been entirely destroyed. There” were 300 people, guests and employes, in the hotel when the fire broke out, and a number cf these people are thought to have lost their lives A. J. White is one of the victims, but be- fore he gave up his life the gallant fellow saved the lives of three women. The fire is said to have started in the kitchen, located in the basement of the Ellis street side. The fire worked its way up through the flue to the sixth floor, and before the first alarm was sent in the fire had gained great headway. The first alarm was followed by others in rapid succession, until five calls had been sent ing summon- ing every piece of apparatus at the com- mand of the department. Thousands * ple were attracted by the succession of Bare . and the glare from the burning building, and before the police stretched ropes almost blockaded Market, Eddy, Powell and Ellis streets. Regarded as a Fire Trap. For years the Baldwin has been regarded by the fire department as the most danger- ous fire trap in San Francisco. Built of wood, six stories high,“ with narrow and tortuous hallways, it is a wonder that half of the peop'e in the hovel this morning es- caped. They were slow to waken. Many were dazed and stupefied by smoke when the police, the firemen and hotel employes, hurrying through the haliways. kicked open doors and notified the people of their great danger. " When they managed to reach the windows and fire escapes there were no ladders. Many attempted to jump from the windows to the streets, but were warned not to do so by the crowds below. Then the firemen got up their ladders and commenced taking people to the grou_d, rescuing many in this manner. In the interior of the hotel an explosion in the theater caused that portion of the building to cave in. This explosion also ex- tinguished the electric lights throughout the building. There were many people in the upper halls and corridors at that time, and firemen and policemen were trying to lead them to the Market and Powell street windows. Top of Buildings in Flames. The entire top of the hotel was a blazing mass. Those in the street below could see through the rifts in the smoke along the attic cornices forms of men and women crouching and clinging to the woodwork, which was already beginning to smoulder. Streams from thirty engines were being poured upon the blazing building from every point of vantage, but without any apparent effect. Explosion followed explo- sicn. The roof of the building collapsed, taking with it back into the building a number of those who had been clinging for life to the attic gables. : he death of White was most dramatic. nree women appeared on the cornice of the fifth floor on the Market street side of the hotel. The firemen could not reach them with ladders and they stood helples: screaming with terror. Suddenly Whit came out of a window carrying a small rope. With this he lowered the women in- to the arms of the firemen who were wait- at the windows of the next floor. Then he started down the rope hand over hand. Half way down the rope parted and th man who had just saved three liv was dashed to the pavement, 10 feet below. Proprietor’s Narrow Escape. “Lucky” Baldwin had a narrow escape from perishing in his firetrap. Amid all the din he slept peacefully until his room was broken into, and he was dragged from his bed. H. I. Kowalsky, a well-known attorney, was also dragged unconscious from his bed. He will recover. One of the most thrilling incidents of the fire was the rescue of A. H. Christie by Fireman Keough. For a few minutes Christie ran to and fro on the cornice of the fifth floor, secking in vain for some way to escape the rapidly approaching flames. Fireman Keough, after many efforts, managed to reach Christie and bring him down in safety. E. J. Baldwin stated today ried $100,000 insurance, put remember in what company. ‘The Baldwin Theater was completely de- molished by the falling of the fifth floor. The entire effects of the “Secret Serv:ce” Company, which was filling an engage: rent at that theater, were destroyed. Nothing whatever was saved. The scen- ery and stage s2ttings were very valuable. A great deal of jeweiry and money belong- ing to metabers of the company were lost. In addition, the contracts were burned. ‘The wall‘on the south side app2ars to be strong, but the west wall, which appears to 1 he car- could not ih be very weak, leans toward the interior of the ruins. The Columbia Theater and places of business opposite the Baldwin were dam- aged by water to the extent of $15,000, E. J. Baldwin, owner of the hotel, is pros- trated and unable to tell much about his affairs. He says he will not be able to es- timate his loss for several days. H. W. Lake, manager of the hotel, barely man- aged to get out with his wife and child. He says there were 302 guests in the bulld- ing. ‘The number of lives lost is not yet known. Only two are definitely known, A. J. White and Louis Meyer, a cigar dealer of Skag- way. Meyer dropped dead from heart dis- ease caused by the excitement. He was a guest of the hotel. The hotel is a complete loss. —_-_—_ BURNED HERSELF TO DEATH. Miss Swarts Set Fire to Her Oil-Soak- ed Bed Clothes, Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. HAGERSTOWN, Md., November 23.— Miss Clarinet Swartz, eldest daugtter of ex-Mayor John D, Swartz, died here th's morning from injuries inflicted with sui- cidal intent. Last night when she retired she wrapped herself in bed clothes sat- urated with coal oil and then applied # match. Smoke aroused the members of iffe family, who, aided by the neighbors, broke in the door. Miss Swartz was found lying on the floor, with the burning bed clothes about her. The flames were speedily extinguished, and after the young lady had regained con- sciousness she told her physician that she commiited the deed herself, as she feared she would be sent from home. She passed away four hours afterward. Miss Swartz evidently committed the act while temporarily insane, as she had been despondent and in ill-health for some time. She was a vivacious young lady, of fine personal appearance, and had a large circle of friends and acquaintances. ———__— THE ISLAND OF SOCOTRA, Denial of the Story of Negotiati for Its Parchase. - An official denial is given to the story coming from Vienna, via London, to the effect that the United States government has been negotiating with the British gov- ernment for the lease of the Island of Seco- tra, off the eastern extremity of Africa, and near the southern entrance of the Red sea. So far as can be gathered, not only has our government made no overtures in that direction, but it has never even given con- sideration to the advisability of acquiring a coaling station In that quarter of the world. Still, now that the suggestion has been carried by the publication from Vien- na, officers are not wanting ward im advocacy of some i ticular case the publication is really a feel- er, intended to convey to the United States in an indirect manner the disposition on the part of the British government to let us have the Island of Socotra on the condi- tions named, not only as an evidence of good will, but perhaps from the more selfish motive of strengthening a nation that might be a most valuable ally in op- erations in the east. Naval officers who have cruised in the neighborhood of Socotra say that the island is not maturally adapted for use as a coal- ing station. Its shores are high bluffs, and its beaches rock-bound and dangerous, and in the whole extent of the istand there is no good port for large vessels. Still, it is held by a number of officers that if the Philippines are to be retained by the United States some provision must be made for maintaining an independent route via the Suez canal from the eastern coast of the United States aside from the objectionable one via Cape Horn. While the distance from San Francisco to Manila across the Pacific is much shorter than the route from New York to Manila via Suez, still with an insufficient fleet on the Pacific coast it will very probably be necessary at times to send ships from the Atlantic coast to our proposed eastern archipelago, and this can best be accomplished by the Suez route. In time of peace coal van be secured in suf- fitient quantities by our war vessels along this route, but in the event of war, even a war in which we were not directly con- cerned, it might be difficult or impossible to secure coal except from our own well- equipped coaling stations on the route, and this consideration may influence the Navy Department hereafter, though it has not up to this moment taken shape. No Cession of Socotr: LONDON, November 23.—Inqul:y at the foreign office here shows there !s no foun- dation for the report, emanating from Vienna, that negotiations are proceeding between the United States and Great Britain with the view of the cession to the former of the Island of Socotra, in the Indian ocean, for a coaling station for American warships. STUMP SPEECH OVER 'PHONE Piea of Governor Tyler of Virginia to Seore- tary Alger. He Wants the Virginia Regiment in Cuba Reeruited to Its Full Quota. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va., November 23—As a long-distance stump speaker Governor Ty- ler demonstrated today his ability to melt the heart even of the War Department. He made an eloquent appeal over the long-distance ‘phone to S»cretary Alger in Washington not to allow Virginia, the mother of states and Presidents, to be rep- resented in Havana by a regiment with ranks dwindled down to the minimum num- ber, and the marble heart of the Secretary was melted promptly into granting the re- quest. E Since Gen. Lee's telegram from Savan- nah to Governor Tyler, stating that he had received orders from S>cretary Alger that men mustered from the 2d and 3d Virginia regiments could not be recruited into the 4th to fill the many vacancies, Governor Tyler has besn in a peck of trouble. The men who are still in the 2d Regiment, but are about to be mustered out, expressed their unwillingness to be transferred into the 4th Regiment, according to Secretary Alger’s plan, and Col. Taylor of the 4th, as well as the recruiting officers recently sent here, were much disappointed over the new order. Tyler called up Secretary Alger to- y and explained that Gen. Lee, Col. Tay- the governor himself and the whole of ‘inia would feel deeply humiliated to hav> Virginia represented by such a strag- gling, scattered r2giment In Cuba. He begged that the Secretary would revoke his order. “Governor, I can’t do it,” said Sec- retary Alger. Then Gov. Tyler procezded to make a stump speech with gestures over the ‘phone. “It would be humiliating to Virginia, the old commonwealth,” said he eloquently, “to be rspresented by half a regiment in Cuba. It is our only regiment. Major General Lee is from Virginia, and he would feel mortified that the only Vir- sinia regiment made no creditabl> appear- ance. Mr. Secretary, the whole state of Virginia would feel humiliated without a properly recruited regiment In Cuba. You must remember that this is grand did Vir- ginia, the mother of states, the mother o: your own state.” “All right, governor,” came the Secretary’s prompt reply, “I will revoke the order and grant your request at onc>."” And then Gov. Tyler expressed his thanks and rang off. ——— TRIP OVER LUZON ISLAND. Two of Our Naval Officers Inspect the Intertor. MANILA, Philippine Islands, November Paymaster W. B. Wileok and Naval Cadet L. R. Sargent of the United States monitor Monadnock have returned here after a six-w2eks’ tour of the interior. They were well received everywhere. Traveling, however, was most difficult. They crossed the provinces of Pang-Asinan and Nueva Ecija, and then traveled over the moun- tains, The scenery was magnificent, but the roads were execrable. The officers next visited the watershed of the Rio Grande ard Cazayaa. They szy its fertility is mar- velous. Not a yard of barren land was seen, the towns were quiet and prosperous, the plains were highly cultivated and the mountains were splendidly timbered. The rivers were mostly without bridges and are almost impassable during the rainy season. A pack horse was drowned and the travelers had several narrow escapes. Hearing the Testimony. TWe introduction of testimony on behalf of the government was continued today in Criminal Court No. 1 fn the case of George H. Boston, charged with violating the pen- sion laws by drawing the pay of a pen- sioner after the death of the latter. The hearing now on is the second trial of the case. aoe RS Grain, Provisions and Cotton Markets. Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., bankers and brokers, 1419 F st., members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. La- denburg, Thalmann & Co., New York. OHICAGO, November 23.—Grain: Wheut—Dec 12 iT Jap. 75 NEW YORK, November 23. ‘Open. December...... 5.24 January. 29 Ma: May Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, November 23.—Flour dull, unchang- ed—receipts, 11,190 barrels; exports, 3,821 barrels; sales, 300 barrels, Wheat ‘firmer—spot and_month. 73a73%4; December, 73\ga734; J Th steamer No. 2 red, ‘€9a69" feceipts, 168,571 cls: exports a4 00 Dustels; ‘stock. i,010/700 els; 40,000 bushels—southern wheai Pie; GBaTi; do. on grade, GuaT334, Corn month, 3 nin HORNE ‘FINANCE AND TRADE Stocks Generally Neglected Take a Boom on Change. MANHATTAN AND COAL SHARRS The Industrials Were More Irreg- ular Than Usual. GENERAL MARKEKT REPORT Special 1 to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, November 23.—Tomorrow’s holiday and the postponement of the joint sesston of the peace commissioners had a tendency: to restrict the volume of new business in today’s stock market. London bought and sold in moderate volume, the buying on the whole being a trifle in excess of the sales. The general speculative at- tnosphere in London, as disclosed in beth public and private telegrams, reflects ospr- cial optimism as to the future of American issues. Profit taking and not a mistrust of values is the real incentive to foreign sales. Locally there were some evidences of an effort to force a few fractions off the more active issues. Moderate and irregular r2- actions were the features of the morning business, but nothing significant was ac- complished. Manhattan and the anthracite coal stocke Were noticeable at all times by rsason of especial strength. In the former the a pointment of a thoroughly competent rali- Way man to the active management of the property was »specially encouraging. The mere empioyment of a skilled ex- ecutive head would have been a significant and progressive step on the part of the Manhattan management, but in this par- ticular instance there are said to have been other considerations which were annexed as conditions precedent to the new con- tract. The most important condition hinted at in this connection is one looking to the electrical equipment of the property as well as other modern ideas for the good of the company. As the result of the improved outlook the stock was advanced for a sub- stantial gain. The rumor that Delaware and Hudson would declare ite usual 5 per cent dividend for next year forced a covering movement in all parts of the coal group. The buying of Reading pr2ferred by London was some- thing of # feature during the activity In this class of issues. The stocks which are noted in today's market for their superior strength are the ches which heretofore have been constantly referred to as the exceptions in all argu- ments favorable to improvement. The attitude of the Morgan interests is worthy of passing notice at this time. The best buying and the most stubborn resist- ance to pressure have been incidents to the recent trading in the shares supposed, in popular opinion, to be under the direct per- sonal supervision of the interest named Today's meeting of Northwestern railroad representatives was called by this interest. and Northern Pacific, in thus taking the initiative, can do much toward meeting a isastrous ending to the territorial dispute. The activity in Southern securities is pointed out as another example of active interest in a series of stock and bond issues for which Mr. Morgan ts considered to be personally solicitous. Even the better posi tion of Reading may be included, to say nothing of the better established investment properties which rerit has made less active by increasing the precentage of strong-box holdings. The industrials were strong and weak by turns, American Tobacco moving about erratically under varying rumors as to the purposes of the new Union company. The declaration of dividends on International Paper, common and prepared, explains the recent improvement in those shares. The undercurrent of prices is unmistaka- bly upward, and harmonious action at Paris is relied upon to completely develop the movement. >: FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. New York Stock Market. High. Low. Close. American Spirits........ 9% NX 18 American Spirits, pfd T BB; American Sugar. 128 BRS Bag American Tobacco. 38 13645 1874 Atchison . . iT 16, Atchison, pid. 5 Atchison Adjustments. . Baltimore & Onio.. Brooklyn Rapid Trai Canada Southern .. Chesapeaxe & Ohio. C., C. C. & 8t. Louis . Chicago, B &Q........, Chicago& Northwestern Chicago Gas... : C. M. & St. Paai_. z Chicago, R. L. & Pacific. Chic st. nig. Cousol Del., 3 Delaware & Hudson... Den. & Rio Grande, pfd Ene. General Electris Iuinois Central Lake Snore........1.. Louisville & Nashville... Metropolitan ‘I raction. Manbattan Elevatea , w Jersey Central ew York Central jorthern Pacitic Northern Pacific, pid. *Pacitic Mail, Phila. & Keading. Southern Kailway. Southern Ry., pta 7. S. Leather, pid U 8. Rubber. Federal Steel... . Federal Steel, ptd. A. 8. Wire..... Am. Stee! and W American Cotton *EXediv. 136. Washington Stock Exchange. 8. Ba, cou- Pou, b., $700 at 105% 8. b. Na onal Safe Deposit aud ‘Trust, 14 at 110. Gapital Traction, 6 at oti 5 at Si, 20 at 84, 10 at 84, 20 At 83%, 10 at 88%, 10 at 54, 20 at 2%, 5 at ‘Ss. Metropolitan Railroad, 10 at = U. B. Electric Light, 10 at 119%, 9 at 1108 fergenthaler Lino- type, 1 at 185%. Lanston Monotype, 100 at 14%. American Graphophone, 50 at 13%, 100 at 13% 100 at 13%. American Graphopbone preferred, 50 at 14%. District of Columbia Bonds.—Ss, 20-year funding, 100 bid. Gs, 30-year fun 105 bid. Tx, 1001. Water stock, 108% bid. 7s, 1908, water stock, 110 bid. 3.658, funding, 116% bid. Miscellaneous Bonds.—Metropolitan Railroad Se, 120% bid, J21% asked. | Metropolitan Railroad con Ge, 130 bid. Metropolitan Railroad cert. indebt., A, 117 bid. Metropolitan Rallroad cert. “indeb' i i 132 bid.” Columbia Ratirosd Gs, 120 bid, 125 asked! Belt Ratiroad 5s, 40% bid, 50'asked. “Washington Company series A, 05, 116 bid. Washington Bae Tas DrMa He ta": Ree t deb. {mp., ‘ and Pot ‘Peleghone Gs, 108% bid. ican Se- curity and Trust 100 bid. Washington Market Company Ist Gs, 115 bid. Washi Market Com- pany imp. 65, 115 bid. W: Market Com- ny extn. Gs, 115 bid. Masonic Hall Association Fe ios vid. "American Graphophooe deb Sa 'I00 bi. Nations! Bank Stocks. Bank of Warhington, 295 bid. Metropolitan, 825 bid. Central, 146 bid. Farmers and Mechanica’, 185 bid. Second, 145 bid. Oltizens’, 145 bid. Columbia, 138 bid. Capital, 125 acked. jers’, 102 bid. ‘Lin-