Evening Star Newspaper, December 5, 1898, Page 18

THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1898-20 PAGES. + . ng ast outbreak, was pre- & ongress several years ago, but osition to erect such a building afaverably received that it has not ted. It may. y ly, be r 1 better at some fut he re ¥ erected hospital for smallpox has I amie, b ention is again i t that r it is « nts, it is without any one to extensive sieam-heating P m disinfecting machinery « ‘ 1 ent tot « " s f injury water | recom f . prop ® ir wer ita ebway gra gs, t Baste flats an pot railroads have engaged the attention of the missioners, the eitizens and Congres ing the past few years to exchision of other considerations. these, how been settled or a fair at ation, so t energies “f all may be cenierd on the arcon object with Pree Public ibrary. Commissicners call especial attention to the public library of the District, which in porsuance of lexisiation and epprepria- tion by Congress, is new in operation. This t ution has been established @ sup- plement of the educational system’ of the Dist 1 it is developi pidly on of ‘ecial value workingmen of its general i library, will make it 1 children and mmunity, in addition t Iness as @ popular circu’ h the capital has long great needed. reation of a tax-sustained libra re merely puts Washington on an equal footing in this respect with the progressive municipalities of the United Scates, includ- 1 inz seores of little New England towns Commissioners heartily approve the mates for the maintenance and «nlarge- nt of the werk of the library. A sight inerease in library ferce and an appro- priation for beeks are asked. The 15,000 Volumes now in the library are all private donations and there will be other additions from sim sources. But in order that the brary may be systematically develop- ed in such manner as to be of the greatest <, ah appropriation for the chase of books is essential. The sta furnished by the trustees that the ' estimates submitted are in all re- si reasonable, and the « in the intere ve that appropriations Rasiness Management Improvement. During the yea Commission sirimg to ase whether the business of the office was being conducted on the best 2 most modern principles, appointed a consisting of auditor of the engine pittee Was further who supe rict accoun United States treasury In order that a wide scope of inquiry might he afforded, this committee was au- ized to proceed to other cities and there stigute the meth n vogue. As a #tU of this investigation important infer- tion has been acquired in cx * systems of tex collection and ot r al transactions. Of « value partments of seme of the largest railro: mmanies in the east. The report of thix committee is expecte s and marked improvements are an- t i believed that by th Inolating Wards. Reference was made in the last report to ? ad equip- two a the appropriation bil shall receive such cases or ¢ axzious diseases a may t nem by the Commiasloners. A condi- is thus met which had become a source considerable anxiety to those charged public health a Cases of diphtheria let fever many new be practical there hav been up to this t where they could be treated @ remodeled stable of Pri The Smoke Nuisance. of soft which has so rapidly promises oal, ng. anection be made items of waste, paper, rags, bot- demonstration of waste it has been it is not without erted into rewith pre tspdsi 5 43 ashes, tin c s In a pract of a city proven nd may be ¢ ision ld also of all ent of the sten NGINEER DEPARTMENT. e engineer departm of the District +f Columbia was onder the charge of Maj. Wiliam M. Black, « of Engineers, U. S. A.,.from July 8. i8e7, until May, 1808. He had as assisients ¢ ‘apt. iward Burr, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., and Capt. Lansing, H. Beach, Corps gineers, U. ®. A. Capt..Burr was relieved from duty With the Distriet of Columbia April 28, ISS, on account of the pri of duties in- ident to the war with Spain, and shortiy etrerward wads ordered to the front. Mai. Black was also detailed to duty at the frouie wd trom June 1, 1898, to the end of the fiscal year the department has been in charge of the present Engineer Commis- sioner. Capt, Lansing H. Beach. “Sireet and Alley Pavements. Sheet asphal’ ahd asphalt block were the only driveway pavements used upon the gity “streets during the year. Vitrified block was used almost entirely for alley paving, —have such a large traffic over them that macadam seems to be irsufficient to stand the wear io which the road is subjected. It is recommended that the policy be in- augurated by Congress of taking granite blocks from the streets within the city end la few alleys being paved with asphalt | block. Fift -five thousand six hundred and sev- wo square vards of new concrete were laid, and 22,682 rquar fa block pavement, and ‘.- rds of old pavement wore re. | Placing them upon the county roads. The _ either by adding a coat of binder | roadway of these highways need not be i surface ma over 30 feet wide, and if the granite block jal to the old material or removing the old material and laying a | Were used to pave the two outside thirds new pte oy Pees beret aoe 48S & | of the roadway—that is, a 10-foot strip on The old tar pavements which were laid a | each side—it Is believed that this portion of {few vears ago quite liberally throuzhout | the road would be practidally remcved from the city are beginning to fail very rapidiy, | the cost of maintenance. A 10-foot strip and their general ment cannot. be | Of asphalt or asphalt bicck laid down the j longer postponed. This pavement answers | Middle third of the road would give a | the purpose well during hot weather, but | Smooth driveway, and the cost of main- the tempe scomes low | taining this third would be no greater per cause the tar to become brittle | S4uare yard than the cost of maintaining it Eoes to pieces wit oMnore ca, {the same amount of macadam roadway. j Reston than so much Ieoes ered ce ieoken | The cost of the construction of a roadway |stone. It will probably he neccetare tor | of this nature is estimated to be $5. per Congress within the Hext’ two oe cnree | linear foot, and the cost of sprinkling irs to make | appropriation fy | Would also ‘be saved. Take the Bladens- repavins: these or Washineton wil | burg road, for example: The cost of re- th: suffer the disgrace of having a gocd | Pairs has been 3.2 cents per square yard, {many disteputably paved strevis withia its | aM the cost of sprinkling 2 vents per j limits. | No resurfacing was dyne during | are yard. If the roadway were con- | the year over any other than tar pave. | StTucted in the manner described, the cost ment. : ; of repairs would be nothing for five years, is found upon further investiention | after which it would be about 3.2 cents per square yard per year; or, reducing it to a atement in the last annual re port of the engineer department. -ha total for the road, the cost of repairs may | phalt laid over granite block had nat given | be. estimated to amount to $1,452.90 per | Setisfaction in this city is an erroneous | ¥¢at: sprinkling, $908 per year; total, The an le z | $2260.80 per year; while the cost of main- nnexed table Hows the work tenance under the construction proposed 24s been Cone in paving cver concrete cobble and other pavements, and the | after the guarantee period of five years S obtained. “The one pavemenn ote | expired would probably be #bout $484.27 He blocx which has been unsatisfac- | Pee Year. z | tory was of an experimental nature. no |. The ersanic act providing for the present binder being used, and the wearing surfa form of government of the District of Co- with an e lumbia states that all work costing over ra amount of sand, being laid ly upon the blocks . “12 | $1,000 shall be done by contract, and it inches thick. ‘This has worn Cade, yg’ | has been the Interpretation of the office astruction of this kind will not’ be re- | that the macadamizing of streets or county ted. The annexed tables show the cost of re roads, if the cost of doing the work exceed- ed that amount, must be done by contract pairs per uare d for ‘shect-aspha instead of by hired labor. The result has pavements upon Ginch and Linch eat | been far from satisfactory. None of the No expense for repairs has been incurred | COMtTactors who have done work for the for streets paved with asphalt block, al- | District in recent years upon the county though some will have to be re > | roads has possessed a road roller, so that ing te eae errata the Toads as constructed by them have The present season has been parti , | lacked a proper degree of compaction for hot, without any intervening Reol rang, | best construction. Furthermore, work done such as generally occur during the surnmeg | under contract requires under the law a at this latitude. The result has been that | five-year guarantee from the contractor, the sheet asphalt has become thoroughly | it being impossible during the guarantee heated and softened; endthas- not had an | Period for the District to spend any money portunity for weeks ata time of harden. | for repairs. ‘The proper naintenance of a ing. Another inequality in the asphalt | ™acadamized road is a matter of constant Pavement is accentuated when the pave- | attention and repair. This it has been ment becomes soft, and as a result of the | found impossible to obtain from the con- extreme heat of the present summer {he | tractors, with the result that the roads pavements of the city have become bumpy | frequently get in bad condition before the to a degree, it is believed, that has neve: | Contractor can be brought to do enything ecemmednarece. upon them, and sometim2s it is Impossible Tit tlie wepaeOor laces acs to secure the results desired, the amoun was made that asphale Mock lntitdaning | retained under the contract being insufti- hot weather gave better results than when | Clent to do the work. Connecticut avenue laid during cold weather, as the block, be. | eXtended is a notable example of this. ; Owing to these circumstances the policy ing somewhat softened, the edges would ‘ mat, whereas, when laid in cold weather, | has been Spee! lor Wine Chae CRE the asphalt being brittle, the edges are | the past year‘of doing the grading and purchasing the material under contract, the stone being laid by District employ-s and compacted by the District road roller. Much better results have been secured in this manner, and us the cost of labor sel- dom runs to a thousand dollars, even upon the larger works, it is believed that the law is fully carried out. This feature Is re- ferred to in the report of Mr. C. B. Hunt, computing engineer. Bridges. The appropriation for the ordinary con- struction and repairs of bridges has been for the past year and is for the coming year $15,000, which is too small to serve the liable to break or hecome rounded, and thus cause a somewhat noisier pavement. The manufacturer of the blocks admits that this occurred with the blocks as formerly made with limestone, but claims that by the use of granite or trap rock that breaking of the corners and edges is not so apt to oc- cur. There has not been sufficient time to prove these claims, although experience to date seems to indicate that it ts correct. The prices for asphalt and asphalt block luring the past 3 : Sheet asphalt, $1.D4 to $1.75 per s asphalt block, 31.77 per square the coming year the prices will b per rd. Fe Sheet asphalt, $1. square yard; asphalt block, $1.77 per square é ; .,. | purposes for which it is Intended. uch complaint is made in the city | ‘the Navy Yard bridge is entirely inade- against the grantte-block pavement, and | quate to properly serve the travel which is with very good r cribed required to pass over it. It should be re- last placed at an early date by a modern slippe Estimates for this work have structure. exe ‘ submitted to Congress for several questioning the s . but so far no results haye been ob- are injuriously affected by this class of | tained. nt A residence facing a street of Street Railways. this character cannot be rented for an| , a5 re mount equal to that freely given for a | The Brown underground clecttic em milar house upon a more smoothly paved | upon the Capital Railway Company's line street. The same can be said with regard | on 11th and M streets southeast is still in to stores, with the additional fact that | an experimental stage, the company hav- Bech a atheke Dha cester ts Gan cite eon | ing changed: the details icf athe icontaat stacekeeners Bid ptporte Geticcs brn boxes, but the last form adopted has been out the city-is g al and it is b so recently introduced that its permanency ir is time action should be take yee ae otee ed before to chai the character af | tion of the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home4 enitnts Kas tat no use was | Railway Company and certain of its con- me dhe’ ‘gba “locks re. | Becting lines, with the proviso that the por- ie i Taree tion in the city shall be converted into an Mee ee ne TBe eX! | underground system similar to that In ust ue iy a ena eae Where | 02 the Metropolitan railroad. It is hoped feels 7 eee ithe cite | That this work will be promptly commenced Sie Gee ne ae =f he section of the cliy which pends pavement this argument ha: 2 this line for transit facilities is now he senna Diack: a Hise ring greatly for proper means of ¢ t oi in a czcastr agli une | veyance to and from the center of the c' s Vibes The power house which op d the c: n pat head | ye of the Pennsylvi and 14th street lines of the ( tion Com- mmmended that the pol- | pany was destroyed by tire September 29 of removing such 2M | iee7, and advantage was taken of this mis- ck pavement from | fortune to change the method of propul- may | sion from cable to underground ele rie, similar to the system in use on the Metro- remo politan railroad. Hor were used to draw © provided wi It the cars during the period of changing the ck pave manner s to co! rm to the new system. made in city r this work was done the 7th street ca- aul at a very | ble line, which was operated from another ofa pa power house, was changed to the under] i ground electric system without interfering Sidewalks. with the operation of the cars, no tempor- ater amount of cement sidewalks | ary tracks whatever being used while the $s laid during the past y than ever be- | Change was being made. im the history of the city, the numbe Sewers: are yards being 62,796. The low pri ‘The details of work done by the sewer de- RARE RE 1are yard—was taken ad-| Partment are shown in the report of the vantage of by many citizens, and as the | Superintendent of sewers, Mr. D. E. Mc- cost but little exceed of brick, a ve Comb. small amount of the r pavement was | Good progress has been rade on the Tiber laid. creek and New Jersey avenue intercepting sidewalks yeen laid in the and appropriations have been made city in thick and without frost which fully enable the Com- base. On account of the proximity of trees to make contract for building to the sidewalk, believed to be inad- sewer to the point where it will inter- le to use of cinders, and | cept the present Tiber creek sewer. Ap- er material f 1g a frost base be- | propriation has also been made for prepar- nes expensive. ience has not shown | ing plans for the pumping station, and it is that a frost base is necessary at this to-] hoped that rapid progress ean ‘hencefor- 1 s the ground generall of such | ward be made on the sewage-disposal sys- that the water does not remain im-| tem. The necessity for the early comple- ely under the sidewalk, and spells of | Hon of this system has been so fully told in low temperature are not prolonged or se- | former reports that it is belleved unneces- vere. Only one instance is known within | $4ry to repeat here the statements there the past Uwo years of a walk being thrown | made. ; by frost, and that one was provided with a F he yee See of doing: cen oa gee ne ‘ost base, local conditions oce! . under | James Creek canal has been agitated by ihe walle fercHcce etic Ton oe waten | the citizens of Southeast Washington. ‘This a, aaetace ’ {is a measure which should be carried out Instances Nave occurred where | 8 the earliest possible moment. ‘The only BABES BYOKET: Uereceaeto economical way of doing it, however, is Dee penitent expansion dur | believed to be in the prompt execution of heat appears to] the Sewage disposal works. Any other fe to the coment walks | Metnod of attempted relief would be only naw: iceineat? alaawrane | temwe nd would be unnecessary if the ssloual LAbrary bolldine tem is to be completed. ae tok to WHER Cuape aso ee oe nate has be © of the cost of ision ihat 4 couple of blocks were thrown | Constructing so much of the sewage dis- inte (he ale ip a Hetehe ot coven teste stem as will permit of the abolish- & noise Tike the report of a gum which | MENE of this canal, which estimate is ap- brought people from the library ana stares | Bonded hereto. Sa ae le {paid etait Het The recommendation is again made that pcteueril gtrorsidlggs pth dere nis is the | authority be secured, if possible, in cases expansion, but, as above stated, several ing | W7ete Work is done ‘under the continuous ances ate kiown of the men iia hei ins | contract system, to accept a bond from the Up of the walk from this Coca ere aking | contractor equal to each season's work ee ie Me ee er instead of a bond equal to the against this trouble has not ene de. | htire*amount of the contract. It is_be- termined. “Flagstone costs uch meen Je- | Heved that considerable saving to the Dis- comedian aoe * puch more than | trict would result if this were done, as Somont and does not appear to retain 28 | contractors will thus not be compelled. to sensive, uniess Tall Mnenthy ets more ex: | carry a heavy bond for several years when when laid in this, mene pon Saud, and) only small appropriations are made for its smooth surface during periods of alter= | faci cay the at oe costrict Invariably has to pay the cost of carrying the bond. Plumbing. The manner in which the work of this de- partment is appreciated by the public is shown in the increased demand by citizens for the services of the office. This 1s dis- tinctly shown in the report of the inspector of plumbing, to which attention {s invited. The act recently passed by Congress es- tablishing a plumbing board and making it unlawful for any person not a licensed plumber to engage in the plumbing busi- ness will do much toward preventing im- proper and careless work being done by ir- responsible parties and will operate as a strong safeguard for the protection of oc- cupants of dwellings throughout the city. Asphalt and Cements. The details of the work done in this de- partment are set forth in the report of Mr. A. W. Dow, inspector of asphalt and ce- ments, to which attention is invited. Property. This office was under the charge of Mr. nate freezing and thawing: furthermore, it s rapidly unless a class of brick is pd which brings the cost above that of cement. The price of brick walk is from 75 to SO cents per square yard, depending upon the distance which the bricks have to hauled. The price for cement walk dur- ing the coming year is 98 cents per square ‘d without frost base and $1.18 per square yards with frost base. Suburban Streets and County Rouds. The District purchased a couple of steam road rollers during the’year, and their use has given much satisfaction, as well as produced a general improvement in the roads upon which they were employed. The District suffers greatly from the lack of good materia: for a wearing surface for macadamigzed roads. ‘The gravel obtained from the river, when mixed with a little binder, gives ait excellent result for a short while, but the material is not sufficiently hard to have good wearing qualities, and it is necessary to renew the surface very frequentty if thé road is-kept in proper con- dition. Negotiations are now under way to secure a proper quality of trap rock, and it is hoped that if this material can be se- cured thé work done upon the county roads will be more durabje,.and that con- siderable saving in gost of maintenance will result. = was The appropriation for the coming fiscal year has been increased by Congress from $40,000 to $50,000, but even this larger sum is Inadequate to seeure resujts.which should be obtained. There are 207 miles of subur- ban streets and county roads to be cared for from this appropriation, leaving the amount only $242.54 permite of road. Several of the county roads—7th street, Benning road, Bladensburg. road, Nichois avenue, fiscal year until June 16, 1898, when he left to enter the army for service at the front as an officer of the Ist District of Colum-. bia Volunteers. Since that date it has been in charge of Mr. C. T. Shoemaker. Water Department. as will be seen from the report of the su- perintendent, Mr. W. A. McFarland, is much the same as It was during the pre- ceding year. The supply system still suf- fers greatly from waste, and attention is invited to the report of Mr. McFarland and the report of Mr. Green concerning the de- a. bpm tet6s, s8temt, Canal road | tection of thiy waste by, means of a Deacon “3 +o ayeu* L. T. Boiseau from the beginning of the] The condition of the water department, | meter, and the amount of water wasted in the few instances mentioned. The case can- not be better stated than has already been done by Captain Burr in his report of last year, and by Mr. McFarland in his report for this year. Attention is respectfully in- vited to them, and the statements therein are fully approved by the Commissioners. Street Lighting. The details of street lighting are stated in the accompanying report of Mr. W. C. Allen, inspector of electric lighting. ‘The streets of Washington are extremely difficult to light satisfactorily during months when the trees are in leaf on ac- count of the dense foliage, which prevents the light being thrown to any considerable distante. The electric lights are atl pro- vided with long arms reaching out into the street as far as consistent with safety, but even this is not satisfactory. The lights are of a thousand candlepower, which give a strong illumination, so strong in faci that it is the cause of constant complaint from the occupants of houses.in close proximity, while at points between lamps the light is frequently so intercepted by the foliage as to render the lighting of the entire street very unsatisfactory?) While the require- ment of lamps of .a thousand candlepower has heretofore been insisted on by Con- gress, it is helieved that lights of less power placed ‘tloset “together Would give a much more satisfactory service, and as the cost of each individyal light would be iess than that of those now maintain :d, it is be- lieved that no. greater cost to the District would ensue. = The present? law ‘does not require the lamps to be lighted: until forty-five minutes after sunset. ..This is believed to be too great an interyal. Electric lights have been, until recently, used almost entirely upon the business streets, and the lights from stores have provided some illumination un- til the street lamps were lighted. With the increase in the number of electric lights and their establishment upon _ residence streets provided with heavy shade trees, it has been found that this service is entirely inadequate. The stzeets become inconven- iently dark long before forty-five minutes after sunset, and upon cloudy evenings many of them well provided with shade trees become almost dangerous from the dense darkness. A schedule causing the lights to be started at fifteen minutes after sunset could, it is believed, be adopted without increased expense and to the great advantage of the public. Congress has made an appropriation for experimental lighting, and experiments in this line will be conducted during the com- ing year to see whether it will be possible to provide a light between the gas lamp and the intensity of the electric light which will do away with many of the incony iences now existit g. Building and Building Inspection. Details of the work done in the «ffice of the inspector of buildings will be found in the report of Mr. John B. Brady. In this connection it should be stated that a toarked improvement in the appearance ot District buildings has been obtained by the employment of private architects to prepare the plans and specifications instead of having them drawn in the office of the inspector of buildings. That oficial and his assistants have been and ure so over- crowded with work that it is absolutely im- possible for them to give the necessary time and attention to the preparation of detail plans to secure the best architectural features, the Commissioners would renew their recommendation that appropriations be made for a definite number of school houses, engine houses, or other municipal buildings, in an aggregate sum, leaving the amount to be allotted for each site and building to the discretion of the Commissioners. It is believed that in this way more favorable results can be secured. Surveyor. The work of this office is detailed in the appended report of Mr. W. P. Richards, surveyor. The office was until May 18, 1898, under the charge of Mr. H. B. Looker, who resigned his position to enter the army, commancing a company in the Ist District of Columbia Volunteers. Parking Commission. The work done by the parking commis siou is. shawn, in the report, appended here- to, of Mr. Trueman Laifaiii, superintend* ent of parking. @ appropriations for seve ave been insufficient to keep ‘in. proper condition the trees in the various seetions of the city, and which form one of the prin- al beauties of the national capital. The of shade trees to the extent developed re, and the judicious care and contro! over them, is believed mot to be equaled in any other city of the country, and the re- THE MESSAGE (Continued From First Page.) the insular parliament was expected to set about the “preparation” of peace did not appear. If it were to be by negotiation with the insurgents, the issue seemed to rest on the one side with a body chosen by ;a fraction of the electors in the districts under Spanish control, and on the other with the insurgent population holding the interior country, unrepresented in the so- called parliament, and defiant at the sug- gestion of suing for peace. Formal Declaration of War. Grieved and disappointed at this barren outcome of my sincere endeavors to reach a practicable solution, I felt it my duty to remit the whole question to the Congress. in the message of April 11, 1808, I an- nounced that with this last overture in the direction of immediate peace in Cuba, and its disappointing reception by Spain, the effort of the Executive was brought to an end. I again reviewed the alterna courses of action which had been proposed, concluding that the only one consonant with international policy and compatible with our firm-set historical traditions was intervention as a neutral to stop the war and check the hopeless sacrifice of life, even though that resort involved “hostile constraint upon both the parties to the contest, as well to enforce a truce as to guide the eventual settlement.” The grounds justifying that step were, the in- terests of humanity; the duty to protect the life and property of our citizens in Cuba; the right to check injury to our commerce and people through the devastation’ of the Island, and, most important, the need of removing at once and forever the constant menace and the burdens entailed upon our government by the uncertainties and perils of the situation caused by the unendurabie disturbance in Cuba. I said: The long trial has proved that the object for which Spain has waged the war can- not be attained. The fire of insurrection may flame or may smolder with varying seasons, but it has not been, and it is plain that it cannot be, extinguished by present methods. The only hope of relief and re- pose from a condition which can no longer be endured is the enforced pacification «f Cuba. In the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endanger- ed American interests which give us the right and the duty to speak and to act, the war in Cuba must stop. In view of all this, the Congress was asked to authorize and empower the Presi- dent to take measures to secure a full and final termination of hostilities between Spain and the people of Cuba and to se- cure in the Island the establishment of stable government, capable of maintainin: order and observing its international obli- gations, insuring peace and tranquillity, and the security of its citizens as well as our own, and for the accomplishment of ends to use the military and naval forces of the United States as might be necessary with added authority to continue generous relief to the starving people of Cuba. The response of the Congress, after nine days of earnest deliberation, during which the almost unanimous sentiment of your body was developed on every point save os to the expediency of coupung the proposed action with a formal recognition of th: t public of Cuba as the true and lawful Loy- ernment of that Island—a propositior which failed of adoption—the Congress, af- ter conference, on the 19th of April, by a vote of 42 to 35 in the Senate and 311 to & in the House of Representatives, passea the memorable joint resolution declaring— First. That the people of the Island Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free and independent. ond. That it is the duty of the Tnzted ates to demand, and the Government ct ihe United States does hereby deman], that the Government of Spain at once ‘elinquis its authority and government in the Island al years past suits are most gratifying. Many of the | of Cuba and withdraw its land and. naval pla of the 1400 trees destroyed in the | forces from Cuba and Cuban waters storm of September 2), isi, still remain | hird. That the President of the United cant, leaving ugly in the rows, Pere States be, and he hereby is, dire sed ‘urd which Should be filled at as early a date as y possible in order to secure good results, It | empowered to use the entire land and navai is earnestly hoped that an increased appro- | forces of the United States, and vo cali priation for this purpose can I ined at | into the actual service of the United States the next sessi6n of Congress. the militia of the several States, to such sary to carry these Highway work done stated in détafl in € Mr, W. P. Richards, en: The highway act of 18 amended by Congres: as to authorize a change in the’plan of streets in the section between Roek Creek and the Soldiers’ Home, and removing most of the features of the original act which were the cause of complaint of 50° many citizens of the District. It i& believed that street exten- sions under the amended act will be gener- ly Gry. s In conelusion, it ts deemed only fitting to ‘knowledge the good work of the a: ants and of the clerical force of the various tension Plans. nh this vartment Appchtied "reps eer in charge. has recently been stent as may be nec resolutions into effect. 2 Fourth, That the United States hereby disclaims any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said Island except for the pacification thereof, and asserts its determination when that is accomplished to leave the govern- ment and control of the Island to its peo- ple. Passports to Spanish Minister. The This’ resolution was approved by the Ex- ecutive on the next aay, April 20tn. A copy was at once communicated to the Spanish Ministér at this capital, who forthwith an- Se eo erelyen cin reac out thelr [noundeo-dlagt his continuance in” Washiig- Quties to tie best of their ability. ton had thereby become impossible, and Very respectfully, : asked for his passports, which were given gon ee him, He thereupon withdrew from Wash- LANSING H. BEACH, ington, leaving the protection of Spanish interests in the United States to che French Ambassador and the Austro-Hungarian Minister. Simultaneously with its com- munication to the Spanish Minister here, General Woodford, the American Minister at Madrid, was telegraphed confirmation of the text of the joint resolution and directed to communicate it to the Government of Spain with the formal demand that it at once relinquish its authority and govern- ment in the Island of Cuba and withdraw its forces therefrom, coupling this demand with announcement of the intentions of this Government as to the future of the Island, in conformity with the fourth clause of the resolution, and giving Spain -intit noon of April 284 to reply. That demand, although, as above shown, officially made known to the Spanish envoy here, was not delivered at Madrid. After the instruction reached General Woodford on the morning of April 2Ist, but before he could present it, the Spanish Minister of State notified him that upon the Presi- dent’s approval of the joint resolution the Madrid Government, regarding the act as “equivalent to an evident declaration of war,” had ordered its Minister in Wash- ington to withdraw, thereby breaking off diplomatic relations between the two coun- tries and, ceasing all official communica- tions between their respective representa- tives. General Woodford thereupon de- manded his passports and’ quitted Madrid the same day. Spain having thus denied the demand of the United States and initiated that com- plete form of rupture of relatio: which attends a state of war, the Executive pow- ers authorized by the resolution were at once used by me to meet the enlarged con- tingency of actual war between sovereign states. On April 22d I proclaimed a block- ade of the north coast of Cuba, including ports on said coast between Cardenas end Bahia Honda and the port of Cienfuegos on the south coast of Cuba; and on the "28d I called for volunteers to execute the purpose of the resolution. By my message of April 25th the Congress was informed of the situation, and I recommended formal declaration of the existence of a state of war between the United States and Spain. The Congress accordingly voted on the same day the act approved April 25, 1898, declaring the existence of such wer from and including the 2st day of April, and re- Commissioners of the District of Columbia. DISEASE AMONG HORSES. Statement by Veterinarian Buckley— Other Hyattsville News. Speclal Correspondence of The Evening Star. HYATTSVILLE, Md., December 3, 1898 On account of the prevalence of the new horse disease in this and other sections of the state Dr. Samuel S. Buckley, veterinar- ian of the Maryland Agricultural College. gives the following information of interest to horse owners: “The disease, cerebro-spinal meningitis, which is at present killing such a number of horses in this state, has somewhat been briefly described by me in a bulletin No. 53 of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station. At that time, October, 1897, no canse couid be intelligently assigned for it, as my observations were made upon the asi five cases reported in that outbreak, and could not therefore receive sufficient study. “Since the first appearance of this disease in the present outbreak I have been giving it careful attention, and up to this time can simply reaffirm my recommendations of that ume, to reject all moldy grain or fodder, and where possible to make a complete change in diet, allowing wheat bran to form part of the ration. For the benefit of those who are compelled to use corn or fodder I would suggest shelling or breaking off the damaged portion of the ear and throwing out the damaged fodder. In such cases food should be salted and a powder made up as follows could be judiciously used in the feed: Mix powdered nux vomica 1 ounce, gentain 4 ounces, caraway seeds 4 ounces and bicarbonate of soda 4 ounces. Divide into twelve powders and give one twice a day in the feed.” Justice Arthur Carr of this place, through his attorney, James C. Rogers, was granted a judgment by;eonfession in the Supreme Court of the- District of Columbia of $2,000 against.the Washington Times for defamation of character through a publiga. tion in that paper about one year ago.. aa ea -* ‘Western*Union Removal. The branch office of the Western Union Telegraph Company fn the city post office has been transferred*to the new building and is located in the northwest covner of. the 12th street hallway. . ———— ss niger = Engineerp.Elect Officers, At a regulay,meating of the Marine En- gineers’ -Benevolgpt Association, No. 93, held at Maringrs’:Temple, Friday, Decem- ber 2, the folowing officers were elected Pluss cee phealdene Roe went Es] enacted the provision of the resolution of cording secretdrys’ R: E. 8. Grigsby: finan- | April 20th, directing the President to use cial secretary, Geo. F.\Lowe; treasurer, W. = pene: trea all the armed forces of the nation to carry S wh, ‘con- duct We Sa delest ‘that: act into effect. Due notification of the existence of war as aforesaid was given ‘Keeper, Jas. Neal: te t tional conv. : A Robinson. «2! awetdon, OW, “April 25th: by telegraph to all the govern- Saree ry ae ~ fare aja} ments with which the United Siates main- If you want work reud-the want columns:| tain relations, in order that their neutrality of The Stared doch. + - +4 se Pmight ‘be assured during the war. The yari- Bevan Se i ios Pewee oy oe : ae errs ous governments responded with procla- mations of neutrality, each after its own methods. It is not among the least gratify- ing incidents of the struggle that the obli- gations of neutrality were impartially dis- charged by all, often under delicate and difficult cireumstances, In further fulfillment of international duty I issued, April 26, 188, a proclama- tion announcing the treatment proposed to be accorded to vessels and their cargoes as to blockade, contraband, the exercise of the right of search, and the immunity of neutral flags and neutral goods under enemy's flag. A similar proclamation was made by the Spanish Government. In the conduct of hostilities the rules of the Decla- ration of Paris, including abstention from resort to privateering, have accordingly been observed by both Delligerents, al- though neither was a party to that declara- tion, Preparing for Hostilities. Our country thus, after an interval of half a century of peace with ali nations, found itself engaged in deadly conflict with a foreign enemy, Every nerve was strained to meet the emergency. The response to the initial call for 125,000 volunteers was instant and complete, as was also the re- sult of the second call of May 25th for 75,000 additional volunteers. The ranks of the Regular Army were increased to th limits provided by the act of April 26, 189s. The enlisted force of the Navy on the 15th day of August, when it reached its maximum, numbered 24,123 men and ap prentices. One hundred and three vessel were added to the Navy by purchase, 1 was presented to the Government, 1 leased, and the 4 vessels of the International Naviga- tion Company, the St. Paul, St. Louis, New York, and Parts, were chartered. In addi- tion to these the revenue cutters and light- house tenders were turned over to the Navy Department and became temporarily a part of the auxiliary na’ The maximum fighting force of the Navy during the war, separated into classes, was as follows: Four battle ships of the first class; 1 bat- tle ship of the second elass; 2 armored cruisers; 6 coast-defense monitors; 1 ar- mored ram; 12 protected cruisers; 3 un- protected cruisers; 18 gunboats; 1 dyna- mite cruiser; 11 torpedo boats; vessels of the old Navy, including monitors, 14. Aux- iliary Navy: 11 auxiliary cruisers; 28 con- verted yachts; 27 converted tugs; 19 con- verted colliers; 15 revenue cutters; 4 light- house tenders, and 19 miscellaneous vessels. Much alarm was felt along our entire At- lantic seaboard lest some attack might be made by the enemy. Every precaution was taken to prevent possible injury to our great cities lying along the coast. Tem- porary garrisons were provided, drawn from the State militia; infantry and light batteries were drawn from the voluntecr force. About 12,000 troops were thus em- ployed. The coast signal service was es- ablished for observing the approach of an enemy's ships to the coast of the United Mates, and the Life-Saving and Light- House Services co-operated, which enabled she Navy Department to have all por- lions of the Atlantic Coast, from Maine to Texas, under observation, The auxiliary navy was created she authority of Congress and was office> and manned by the Naval Militia of the several States. This organization patrollea she coast, and performed the duty of a econd line of defense. Under the direction of the Chief of In- gineers submarine mines were placed at she most exposed points. Before the out- vreak of the war permanent mining case- nates and ‘cablé galleries ‘had been structed at under a cou: nearly all important harbors. fost of the torpedo material was not i ve found in the market, and had to b. specially manufactured. Under date of April 19, district officers were directed UW -ake all preliminary measures, short she actual attaching of the loaded mine: she cables, and on April 22 telegraphi Jers were issued to pla n position. The aggregate number of min 16 or- 2 the loaded mine s placed was 1,535, at the principal harbors from Maine to California. Preparations wer also made for the planting of mines at cer ‘ain other harbors, but owing to the early destruction of the Spanish fleet these mines were not placed, The Signal Corps, was, promptly organ- ized, and performed service of the mos difficult and important character. Its oper- ations during the war covered the electri- cal connection of all coast fortifications the establishment of telephonic and tele- graphic facilities for the camps at Manila, Santiago, and in Porto Rico. constructed 300 miles of line at ten great camps, thus facilitating military move- ments from those points in a manner here- tofore unknown in military administra- tion. Feld telegraph lines were established and maintained under the enemy’s fire at Manila, and later the Manila-Hongkong caple was reopened. In Porto Rico cable communications were opened over a discontinued route, and on land the headquarters of the commanding officer was kept in telegraphic or telephonic communication with the division command- ers on four different lines of operations. There was placed in Cuban waters a com- pletely outfitted cable ship, with war cables and cable gear, suitable both for the di struction of communications belonging to the enemy and the establishment of our own. Two ocean cables were destroyed un- der the enemy's batteries at Santiago. The day previous to the landing of General Shafter’s corps at Caimanera, within 20 miles of the landing place, cable communi- cations were established and a cable sta- tion opened giving direct commupication with the government at Washington. This service was invaluable to the executive in directing the operations of the army and navy. With a total force of over 1,300 the loss was by disease in camp and field, offi- cers and men included, only five. The National Defense Fund of $50,000,000 was expended in iarge part by the Army and Navy, and the objects for which it was used are fully shown in the reports of the several Secretaries. It was a most timely appropriation, enabling the Government to strengthen its defenses and make prepara- tions greatly needed ih case of war. This fund being inadequate to the require- ments of equipment and for the conduct of the war, ‘the patriotism of ‘the Congress provided the means in the war revenue act of June 13th by authorizing a three per cent popular loan’ not to exceed four hundred million dollars and by levying additional imposts and taxes. Of the authorized loan, two hundred millions were offered and promptly taken, the subscriptions so far exceeding the eafi'as to cover it many times over, while, préfétence being given to the smaller bids, no single allotment exceeded five thousand dollars. “This was a most en- couraging and Significant result, showing the vast resources of the nation and the determination of the people to uphold their country’s honor. ; It is not within the province of this mes- sage to rdrrate’ te history of the extraor- dinary war thft followed the Spanish decia- ration of Aprii-2ist, but a brief recital of {ts more salient, features 5s appropriate. ‘The first,encounter. of. the war in point of ate took place April 27th, when a detach- ment of the blockading squadron made a recon nce im force at Matanzas, shell- ed the harbor foris, and demolished several nev works in construction. Dewey's Remarkable Victory. ‘The next engagement was destined to mark a memorable‘epoch in maritime war- fare. Tho Paéifie "Meet, under Commodore George Dewey, had lalw for 'séme weeks at Hong-Kong. ~Upon the colonial preciama- tion of Weulfality’ befrig tsstied and the cus- tomary “twenty-four hours’ notice being” given, it repaired to Mirs Bay, near Hong- There were Kong, whence it proceeded to the Philip: Islands under telegraphed orders to « ture or destroy the formidable Spanish fleet then assembled at Manila. At daybreak on the Ist of May the American force entered Manila Bay and after a few hours’ engn ment effected the total destruc nish fleet, consisting of ten warships and of the a transport, besides capturing the naval station and forts at Cavite, thus annihtlat- ing panish naval power in the Pacitte Ocean and comp troilin Bay of Manila, with t to take ehty at will, Not a life was } - the wounded only number! % not a vessel was materially injured. F this gallant achievement the my ommendat fitly the actors preferment and ward The effect of the spirit of ou tubes of the war was A fnvincib: he y a , which ued throughout th Reinforcements were hurried under the command of M r tie ritt and firmly established w r the capital, which lay heiples guns. On the h day of M th e was advised officially > ¥ Manila, @nd at once inquiged of the mander of our fleet what troops w required. The Information was rec the 15th of y firs Fedition sailed May 1 Manila June 30th. Other exped followed, the total force ing of officers and 15,058 enlisted men Only reluctance to cause needless loss of life and property prevented ing and capture of the « the absolute military whole group. The insurgents m had resumed the active flitfes suspe ed by the uncompleted truce of Decem y storm- ty, and with occupancy hos' 1897, Their forces invested Manila the northern and eastern side, but were con- strained by Admiral Dewey and Gen Merritt from attempting an assault. It fitting that whatever was to be done way of decisive operations in that should be accomplished by the s int quarter ng arm of the United States al oO = the stern precept of war Which enjoins the ov coming of the adversary and the extinction of his power wherever assailable as the speedy and sure means to win a peace, di- vided victory was not permissible, for no partition of the righis and responsibi attending the enforcement of a just and ad- vantageous peace could be thought of. Following the comprehensive scheme of general attack, powerful forces were as- sembled at various points on our coa invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhi aaval demonstrations were made at several exposed points. On May With the cruiser Wilmington and torpedo boat Winslow wer nsuccessful in an attempt to silence th verie Cardenas, a gallant cnsix Worth Bagley, and four seamen faili These grievous fatalities were strange enough among the very few which oc- vrred during our naval operations in this extraordinary conflict. Meanwhile the Spanish naval preparations had been pushed with great viget Ay, erful squadron under Admiral Cer which had assembled at the Cape Verde sslands re the outbreak of hostilities aad crossed the ocean, and by Its er movements in the Carlbbean Sea delayed our military plans while baffling p suit of our fleets, For a time fears were f est the Oregon and Marietta, then ne home after their long voyage from $ ancisco of over wt) miles, might bb prised by Admiral Cervera’s 1 ir fortunate arrival ¢ ap »rehensions orceme k refuge in harbor « sbout May 1¥th, was it systematic naval od “ upon the Antillean posse veral demonstrations coasts of Cuba and Por ion for %0ch Commo. indispen: ed advantag Lieut, Hobson's Heroism, The next act in the war, thrilled not « the hearts of our countrymen but the world by its exceptional he On the nigh enant Hobson, aided by se oted volunteers, blocks let from Santiag» harbor by collier ac in the chan’ ce five Irom the shore batte ing with their lives us by a falling into the hands of the is a most gratifying dent of ar the bravery of this little heroes was cordially appre: phish admiral, who sent a Admiral Sampson o! compliment them on t were subsequently exchang By June 7th the c cable tsolated the invasion was v June 10th, under a heavy pr ¥ landing of 600 marines from reg Marbiehead and Yankee Guantanamo Bay, r termined to establish a n This important and taken from the enemy Isle orously pi was effected * by the marin who were ne ore ized force of the Unite States t jand Cuba The position so won was held despite perate attempts to a bur forces June 16 additional forces were landed «nd strongly intrenched. On J ye ad- vance of the invading army under Mat Gen. Shafter landed at Daiquiri " teen miles east of Santiago. TH complished under great difficulties but with marvel¢ On June 23 the mov ment ntlago wes begun. On tt 24th the first serious engageme: ee, in which the First and Tent s Vol ae y and the First United Stat Cavalry, General Young's brii eral Wheeler's division, par’ heavily. By nightfall, however, ground within 5 miles of Santiago was won. The advantage was steadily increased. On July Ist a severe battle took place, our forces gaining the outworks of Santiago; on the 2d El Caney and San Juan were taken after a desperate charge, and the investment of the city was completed. The navy co-oper- ated by shelling the town and the coast forts. Destruction of Cervera’s Fleet. On the day following this br!™ant achievement of our land forces, the 24 of July, occurred the decisive naval combat cf the war. The Spanish fleet, attempting to leave the harbor, was met by the American squadron under command of Commodore Sampson. In less tham three hours all the Spanish ships were destroyed, the two tor. pedo boats being sunk, and the Maria Te- resa, Almirante Oquendo, Vizcaya, and Cristobal Colon driven ashore. The Spar- ish admiral and over 1,300 men were taken prisoners, while the enemy's loss of life was deplorably large, some 600 perishing. On our side but one man.was killed, on the Brooklyn, and one man seriously wounded. Although our ships were repeatedly struck, not one was seriously injureg.. Where ai! 80 conspicuously distinguished themselves, from the commanders to the gunners and the, unnamed heroes. {n the bojler rooms, each and all contfibuting “toward tho achievement of this astounding victory, for which neither ancient nor mogern tistory affords a parallel in the Sa Se a the event and the marvelous disproportion of casualties, it would"be invidious to sin. ‘Delrvea"* gle out apy for espétia! holidn” eee