Evening Star Newspaper, April 17, 1900, Page 2

2 THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1900-14 PAGES. ~ NAVAL BILL DEBATED Mr. Dayton Opposed to Government Armor Plate Plant. SHIPS BUILT IN PRIVATE YARDS Senator Hoar Speaks on the Philip- pine Question. INTENSE INTEREST SHOWN Without preliminary business the House teday resumed the consideration of the na- val appropriation bill. Mr. Dayton (W. Va.), a member of the naval committee, the first speaker, con- tended that the naval program outlined in the bill was not an extravagant one. He was not as liberal as it should have and predicted that larger appropria- been, tions would be required in the future. Ho opposed the building of warships in government yards. Mr. Wheeler (Ky ) asked if there was not a lobby here to defeat the proposition to ‘bulld ships in government yards. “I never heard of such a lobby,” replied ‘Mr. Dayton “The only lobby I have seen was the lobby of naval constructors, if it gould be called a lobby, arguing in favor of ne proposition I oppose.” a pastes also opposed the establish- ment of a government armor plate factory. The government had as well go into coal mining or the production of any other prod- ucts which it must buy. Mr. Wheeler asked if the manufacturers of armor plate had ever furnished Congress with the data upon which the cost of armor plate could b3 determined. When [ buy a suit of clothes,” replied Mr. Dayton, “I do not require the tailor to furnish me the cost of cloth, thread, but- tons, tailoring, etc., and I htpe to God the time will never come when the Amarican Fonts shall compel manufacturers to v urnish such details simply to gratify what consider an fmpertinent curfosity.”” “Did not the government fine the manu- facturers for furnishing defective armor?” sked Mr. Wheeler. »t defective armor,” replied Mr. Dal- ell (Pa.), who interposed to reply; “that jprmor was 5 per cent better than the re- not full of blowholes?” enough to hurt anything,” replied zell. “I will discuss the matter nment embarking ture of armor was the pos- in a few years the whole ending ships might change. val expert had suggested com- S a substitute for armor. THE SENATE. At the beginning of S's se ate a bill was passed granting te ons of $12 a month on of the war pens of the routine bu dt nate on thi itense interest was iress by senators. Mr. th subjects as known, me of the Mr. Hoar h aken f: the fourter aro the rights nth and fifteenth to interrupt him, but id, saying from words and to s: stion one of the ers uf ke it the senator n aspersion.” COMMITTEE NOTES. 1 $65 at coast rate of 36) at delegation from Hart and ex-As- was before the y to urge nd deep » at least Although action on d that undoubted- mittee. imony on to- to showing soners sent to character ‘> and committee oped in ‘aptain Brow Where Many American Their Footgear. American citizen will doubt- diers Get w that 2nish urers are & the American in th lippine Islands with a ortion of the s| they wear. = to a recent letter written by the ¥ ‘onsul at Man “Revue du Commerce Exterior . France, this i fact. An extract from the letter which was furnished to the press the division of customs and tnsu- lar affairs of the War Department. says: ves form e chief articles of the entrance of The large number of nti ish man renew their footwear: so far Span- facturers have mainly in the een overwhelmed with orders, Which. for want of capable workmen, they have bern unable to fill The American today forms chief clientele. especially khaki, in proportion as arrive from the United States or re- T to Manila from the front. “Suits of cloth or light wool are ordered from the few European tallors. It is difi- Cult to find out just what the amount of importation of these cloths is, but the kind Made in France for summer wear is too heavy for this climate. A light woolen cloth ought to be especially manufactured for tropical countries, where the warm and moist temperature requires the use of ma- terials extremely thin, but at the same time calculated to ward off chills.” ———- e+_____ Sent to the National Museam. Admiral Dewey has added to his collec- tion on deposit at the National Museum the large silver vase presented to him by the city of Savannah last month. DAUGHTERS OF 1812. National Report to Incorporate the Society. Mr. Mudd has submitted to the House the favorable report of the District committee on House bill 8067, to incorporate the Na- tlonal Society of United States Daughters Eighteen Hundred and Twelve. The bill provides that Mrs. Flora Adams Darling of New York, Mrs. William Garry Slade of New York, Mrs. Louis W. Hall of Pennsyl- vania, Mrs. Edward Roby of Ilinois, Mrs. M. A. Ludin of New York, Mrs. Le Roy Sunderland Smith of New York, Miss Helen G. Bailey of New Hampshire, Mrs. Alfred Russeli of Michigan, Movs. William Lee of Massachusetts, Mrs. William Tod Helmuth of New York, Mrs. Nelson V. Titus of Massachusetts, their associates and suc- essors, are created a body politic in the trict of Columbia by the name of the National Society of United States Daugh- ters of Eighteen Hundred and Twelve for patriotic, historical, educational and benev- olent purposes, the objects of which are as follows: “To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who were fdentified with the war of 1812 by publication of me- moirs of famous women of the United States during that period, and the investi- gation, preservation and publication of au- thentic records of men in the military, na- val and civil service of the United States during the sald period; by making the so- ciety one of the factors of educational and patriotic progress, and by the promotion and erection of a house or home where the descendants of the zealous and brave pa- triots who achieved American Independence who have need of such a home may be sheltered from the sterms of life.” The society is authorized to hold real and personal estate, so far only as may be necessary to its lawful ends, to an amount not exceeding $200,000, and may adopt a constitution and make by-laws not incon- sistent with law, and may adopt a seal. +—_____ NICARAGUAN CANAL, Two Petitions for a Rule for the Bill's Consideration. Representative Hepburn of Iowa, chatr- man of the committee on interstate and foreign commerce, today filed with the Speaker a petition signed by 125 republi- cans of the House, asking for a rule for the consideration of the Nicaragua canal bill May 1. At the same time Mr. Adam- son of Georgia, a minority member of the committee, presented a similar petition signed by 125 democrats. ——————— BELFAST LINENS IN CUBA. Now Given a Chance to Compete With Spanish Products. The division of customs and insular af- fairs of the War Department mado public today a very interesting extract from a letter written in January last by United States Consul Trouvelic, on the revival of the textile trade of Belfast, Ireland, with Cuba. In the course of his remarks the consul uses the words of a local linen man- ufacturer to pay a handsome tribute to the able and enlightened manner with which the United States has governed Cuba. Consul Trouvelle says: “There is a pro- nounced improvement in the textile trade here, which is attributed to the reopening of the Cuban market. Prior to tho Spanish- American war manufecturers of linens were ndicapp the struggle to h Spanish producers for two sh import on entrance : the cost of re n bills of exchange on London, w uret in Cuba had to pay in gold, while remittances to Spain were made in S + Whi t much le: vas that Belfast linens wera out of the Cuban marke p of merchants established in in the effort to remedy but without s. The d and justly exe- the whole condition of hippers are now able anish or cudition ef credi narkable th: ough the 3 gratifying. Cuban merchants remitting promptly It rr purchases, so thet delay and di are disappearing. To use the wore al linen merch: all these things a tribute to the wise, able and government of that country by. at oe a = Veterans to Be Preferred. Mr. Young has introduced a bill In the House (H. R. 10777) providing that in every executive department of the United States government, and in each and every branch thereof, whether reached by competitive or non-competitive examinations under the civil service laws (in which case the rules and regulations affecting the same shall so provide), honerably discharged solic sallors or marines who served as such be- tween April 12, 1861, and August 26, 1865, or in the recent war with Spain or in the Phil- ippine Islands, they being otherwise duly qualified. shall be certifled and preferred for appointment to and retention in employ- ment in the public service, and for promo- Age, loss of limb or other 1 impairment which does not in fact apacitate shall not disqualify them, pr vided the Possess the business capacity y to discharge the duties of the po- involved. And persons thus pr hall not be removed from their p. ept for good cause, upon charges and after a hearing. eee The Baku Oil Fields. A complete history of the operations last year of the Baku oil fields fs supplied to the State Department by United States Consul Chambers, at Batun, Russia. The report contains careful analysis of statistics rela- tlve to the Russtan oil flelds and makes it n of the y increasing, an important fac: in view of the close competition of ssian oil fields with the American petroleum industry. ——_—___+ 0 + —_____ Axsignment of Officers. Officers recently promoted have been as- signed to regiments as follows: Capt. Henry J. Hunt to the 11th Infantry, Capt. Charles Miller to the 2d Infantry. Capt. John R. Seyburn to the 224 Infantry Capt. Truman O. Murphy to the 19th In- First Lieutenant James B. Allison to the 6th Infantry, First Lieutenant John DeWitt to the 25th Infantry, First Lieu- t nt Charles Morton to the 16th In- fantry, st Lieute: nt Van Leer Wills to the Sth Infantry, First Lieutenant Ethel- bert L. D. Breckinridge to the 10th Infan- try, Lieutenant Garrison MeCaskey to the 12th Infantry. ——__—__+e.___ Naval Movemen The nautical sea school ship Saratoga has rrived at Philadelphia and ts preparing to 1 about the Ist of June on a cruise to Surepe, with the Philadelphia Marine School. The Scindia sailed today from Hong Kong to Manila, The Marcellus has arrived at Key West. The training ship Dixie has sailed from Naples for Port Said. The naval tug Potomac sailed on the h of this month from Nipe, Cuba, direct for Boston. It is expected that with fair Weather she will reach her destination to- morrow. gine Yosemite arrived at Yokohama to- Jay. ———~e+____ Gen. Gillmore I. Gen. John C. Gillmore, adjutant general at headquarters of the army, Is serigusly fl at his home in this city. —o+—____ Boers Relying on Webster Davis. LONDON, April 17.—The Lourenco Mar- quez correspondent of the Daily Mall, tel- egraphing Sunday, April 15, says: “The tone of the Standard and Diggers’ News shows that the Transvaal government is relying strongly upon American intervention. Great results are expected from the campaign of Webster Davis and from the presidential contest. —_—+2-____ Representative Littaeur Renominated The republicans of the twenty-second congressional district of New York yester= day renominated Representative Lucius N. Littasur. Leslie W. Russell and Willlam ‘W. Worden were elected delegates to the national convention. Resolutions were adopted reaffirming the St. Louts platform and indorsing President McKinley and Gov. Roos=velt. ese SMALL BOY SHOT. Bullet Passes Between the Scalp the Ski ‘The police of the ninth precinct were call- ed to A street northeast between 4th and Sth streets about noon today, where a small colored boy, named John H. Wil- Hams, had been shot in the head. It is alleged that the boy, who is twelve years old, was walking along A street carrying some clothes which his mother wanted taken to her home, No. 241 3d street south- west, to be laundered. There were some boys in a shed in rear of 100 5th street Playing, and it fs believed one of them shot the colored boy, using an air rifle. His mother went with him to the ninth precinct station and reported the affair to Lieut. Daley. : It was discovered, upon examination, that the small leaden missile passed from one side of the boy's head to the other be- tween the scalp and the skull. As he did not care to be taken away in the wagon, his mother was directed to take him to the Casualty Hospital, which she promised to do, but the two had not reached there two hours after the shooting occurred. The police ascertained that there were several white boys in the shed in rear of the 5th street house, and one of them is al- leged to have remarked, ‘‘Let’s shoot the first Indian that comes along.” The little Williams boy, it is alleged, proved to be the Indian, so far as they were concerned. Lieut. Daley detailed Precinct Detective Williams on the case, and he 1s looking for the boy who used the parlor rifle. ——_->—__- CONFERS WITH POLICE. Sherif! Investigating the Affray at Cabin John Bridge. Sheriff Williams of Montgomery county, who called at police ‘headquarters last night and conferred with Inspector Board- man about the case of Aloysius Johnson, who was assaulted at Cabin John bridge and seriously injured Sunday night, called again this morning. Detectives Peck and Herndon have been busy on the case since yesterday morning. They have followed many clues given them, but late this after- noon they had not succeeded in finding the man who inflicted the supposed fatal blow. Because of the number of fights alleged to have occurred in the vicinity of the bridge Sunday the detectives say they have a de- eldedly up-hill job. This afternoon, they stated, they had learned of something like twenty different fights which occurred about the neighborhood of the bridge Sun- day afternoon and night. It was alleged this afternoon that John- son was struck with a beer bottle and not with a loaded cane, as has been stated. The detectives are still at work on the case, assisting the Maryland authorities. It is reported that the Montgomery county officials will proceed against the proprietors of the hotel at Cabin John for alleged violations of the Mquor law Sun- ae MET CATTLE TRUST'S BLUFF. Gen, Wood Brings Insolent Havana Monopoly to Book. A dispatch from Havana yesterday say: Acting Mayor Estrada Mora visited Gen. Wood at a late hour last evening to inform him that in consequence of the recent ac- tion of the Havana municipality and of Gen. Ludiow in breaking down the monop- y in the use of the slaughter house, held in trust for th cattle dealers, the latter had threatened not to supply any more meat, asserting that they had a monopoly of cattle and could entirely cut off the meat upply in Havana. Moreover, according to Senor Mora’s statement, the cattle dealers had threatened to make trouble at the slaughter house in case certain sections were thrown open to th2 public In accord- ance with th er of the municipality. Senor Mora asked Gen. Wood to send an American officer with the pulice to enforce or Gen. Wood told him to take thirty polica- men and to occupy the slaughter house, keeping a section open to all who might wish to kill cattle there, and at the same Ume informing the members of the cattl trust that if they refused to supply cattle they would not be allowed in future to kill at the slaughter hous: nor Mora was instructed to act upon his own prerogative as acting mayor, tha governor general promising to sustain him throughout. These instructions were car- ried into execution and there was no trouble. Only one man, a member of the cattle trust, r2fused to kill, and he was in- formed that he would not be allowed to Use the slaughter house again. —e90—______ WILLS FOR PROBATE, or That of Major B. Ball Among the Number, The wills of Lydia Marshall, Charles J. Lung, Fredericka Pautzerbeiter, Lewis G. Freewalt, Henry KR. Cohiil and Ebenezer B. Ball were filed for probate in the office of the register of wills this afternoon. Maj. Ball, who died some time ago, was a rela- tive of George Washngton. His estate is very smail. The interest in his cigar bust- ness in the pension office is left to T. C. Barr. —-__. Taking the Censu Census enumerators begin work June 1 and must finish in thirty days. Cities of 4,000 or more inhabitants as shown by pre- ceding census must be completed in two weeks. The four principal reports—on pop- ulation, mortality, agriculture and manu- factures—must be’ printed by July 1, 1902. After that tabulation of special inquiries will be taken up. There 1s no time fixed in which these latter reports must be com- pleted. ———__+o+______ Marriage Licenses. Marriage licenses have been issued as follows: White—Francis V. Robinson and Katha- rine F. Howland; F. Lockland Hood and Ella B. Baker; Wm. P. Kyle and Mabel L. Vaughn; Joseph E. Whitlow and Roberta E. Throckmorton, Richmond, Va.; Wm. P. Zantzinger and Fanny Lee Himes; John Patten ory, jr, and Jane Stone Abert; Benj. McAlwee and Bertha L. Stoddart, Richmond, Va.; Moses D. Nunnally and Balkis Thrift, Richmond, Va.; Wm. Redding and Leonora E. Merten; Harvey V. Holmes and Sue L. Andrews, Richmond, Va.; Manly A. Hall and Sallie E. Yarborough, Rich- mond, Va.; Erasmus H. Melton apd Blanche M. Stone, Richmond, -; A. T. Chalkley and fdith M. Osborne, Richmond, Va.; C. Floyd Christian and Bertha L. Bowles, Richmond, Va.; A. J. Gould, Chicago, and Nellie W. Lamkin, this city; Eugene '. Chamberlain, Washington, and Mary Lee Chapman, Baltimore; John Y. Lyons and Maggie H. Lewis, Petersburg, Va.; Wm. N. MeFaul and M. Elizabeth Cultrider, Bal- Umore; Stephen W. Gambrill, Bos- ton, and Haddie D. Gorman, this city; Philip W. Brady and Carrie L. Stevner, Prince George's county, Md.; Julian B. Par- nell and Bessie J. Montague; Thomas T, Dalhouse and Nora Lynn. Colored—Ascetas Devaughn and Jane E. Brown, Jas. W. Offutt and Nettie J. Burns; Joseph Tolson and Bertie Robinson; Felix Rapier and Agnes Wilson; Henry an¢ Rosa Duncan; Robert Briggs and Mary Hawkins; John D. Monroe and Nettie Jones. ———— Nominated by the President. The President today nominated Hiram H. Folsom of Alaska, to be a commissioner in and for the district of Alaska, to reside at Juneau. —_-e-___,_ Anarchist Plot Discovered. ROME, April 17.—An anarchist plot has been discovered at Ancona, a city and free port of central Italy, on the Adriatic, 185 miles by railroad northeast of Rome. The police seized a number of letters from Paris and America and arrested the recipients of these missives. ++ —__ Secretary Root Opens Cuban Festival. The national Eester festival of the Cuban Orphan Society was formally opened at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York last night. Secretary Root made the address de- claring the festival open. He was followed by Lieut. Gov. Woodruff, who delivered an ee setting forth the objects of the af- Om TRIAL’ FOR HIS. LIFE CHARLES Lb. McUIN CHARGED WITH KILLING ROBERT TURNER. Proceedings Open This Morning in Criminal, Court No. 1—Objec- ‘tions by Counsel, In Criminal Gourt No. 1 today, Justice H. M. Clabaugh presiding, Charles L. Mc- Uin, a young white man, formerly employ- ed as a motorman by the Metropolitan Railroad Company, was placed on trial, charged with the murder of Robert E. Turner December 28 last. It is alleged that jealousy prompted the trouble that occurred between the two men, resulting in the killing of the deceased. Both men were paying attentions, it is said, to Miss Ber- tha Crown, and the homicide took place in cher presence, it is asserted, at No. 101 lith street northeast. ‘The defendant, McUin, is represented by Mr. Tracy L. Jeffords and Representative James D. Richardson of Tenness whose congresstonal district McU The government's case is handled by Gen. Thos. Anderson, United States district at- torney, and Mr. Ashley M. Gould, assistant United States atiorney. When the trial was begun, shortly after 10 o'clock, the court room was well filled, every seat being occupied and a number of people standing. Upon the offering of the papers in the case for filing Mr. Jeffords of counsel for the accused ob- jected to the lists of jurors and of witnesses, and the return of a service of indictment upon the defendant. He contended that these papers had not been served in proper form. Gen. Anderson argued to the con- trary, and asked that the papers be allowed to go in as they were. Justice Clabaugh said that if Mr. Jeffords would make the statement In open court that his client had not received a copy of the indictment he would sustain the objec- tlon and not allow the jury to be sworn. Mr. Jeffords said he had no statement to make. Thereupon the objection was over- ruled, an exception being noted by the de- fense. : The examination of jurymen was then proceeded with. . Panel Exhausted. The jury panel of twenty-six men was ex- hausted without the selection of twelve sat- isfactory to both sides. When court ad- Journed at 12:30 o'clock there were eleven men in the jury box, fifteen having been ex- cused for various reasons. The defense challenged peremptorily five jurymen, and has fifteen additional challenges should it care to exercise them. The government made one challenge of this character, and is entitled to four more. A panel has been summoned to appear in court tomorrow morning, when the work of securing a jury will continue. SS POLITICS IN WEST VIRGINIA, S. L, Flournay Candidate for Nomina- tion on Democratic Ticket. A dispatch from Wheeling, W. Va., says that S. L. Flournay of Kanawha county has come to the fore in the past few days as a candidate fer the gubernatorial nomi- nation on the democratic ticket. The plan is backed by influential democrats in all parts of the state, and has caused much uneasiness among the friends of Virgil A. Lewis and dudge d.. N. Tavenner, who thus far haye h things about their own way in the various delegate conventions and pri- maries, Mr, Flournay has not spoken pub- licty on the matter, but a statement from him 1s said to be in preparation. Mr. L. A. Martin, who has been canyass- ing the third district for the republican stongi nyyination, has z withdrat uly Hiving for h cent development of a seriou: fection whith renders him aking in public. ‘The republican primaries in Tucker county ‘aturday, sent p delegation to the second riet congressiynal conyention, of which Cengressman Dayton will get at least two- thirds, under instructions. - ———__+e-+___ ENGINEER L. H, HYER MI throat af- incapable of SING. Lost Off the Steamer Jarl En Route From Bluefields. L. H. Hyer, a United States engineer, re- cently engaged in the preliminary survey of the route of the Nicaragua canal, lost his life yesterday off South Pass. He was a passenger on the steamer Jarl, from Blue- fields, and was on his way to Washington. He was scen on deck when the ship rounded to take on a pilot, and was never seen afterward. It 1s supposed that he either jumped overboard in a fit of tem- porary insanity or lost his balance and fell overboard during the roll of the ship. ——__- e+ ____ Asks for an Accounting. Harry F. Slagle, who claims ‘to have de- veloped for patént in February, 1899, a bi- cycle brake and coaster device, brought sult today against DeWitt C. Farrington, with whom he became associated in the exploitation of the Inyention, asking for an accounting, the dissolution of the partner- ship alleged to be in existence, and that a receiver be appointed to take chargo of the money and shares of stock in the Fi- delity Manufacturing Specialty Company. The Second Naifonal Benk, whore, it 13 al- leged, Farringion has deposited $9,165, re- alized from the Invention, is made party defendant, to prevent the paying out of the money. Leon Tobriner represents the complainant. —_+__. Escape From Reformatory. Five colored boys escaped from the re- formatory at Cheltonham, Prince George's county Md., Sunday afternoon. Their names were given to the local police today as James Chase, Alonzo Taliaferro, Garfield Potter, Benjamin Kerr and Richard Jones Deese. Superintendent Thompson has asked the police here to look out for the fugi- tives. —__+__. Foreign Missions, ‘The ecumenical conference of foreign mis- sions will convene tn New York city Friday next. A large representation of the mem- bers of the various denominational Women’s Foreign Missionary societies of Washington will be in attendance. A special car for their accommodation will leave via the Bal- Umore and Ohio railroad at 10 o'clock a.m. pee and another will go Saturday, the 1st. The headquarters for Washington repre- sentatives will be at the Endicott Hotel, Sist street and Columbus avenue. —— Plea fer Divorce. Proceedings for divorce were today insti- tuted by Mary Frances Melonds against her husband; *Jeréiniah Melonds, Thomas Walker being solffitor for the complain- ant. The wife.sets forth that upon one oc- casion when she gently remonstrated with her husband as to his alleged misdoings he beat her over the head and face and was trying to throw her out of an up- stairs front window when a neighbor broke open the door, and, ran to her assistance. On another océaslotl she says she was about to be throwm:idown the steps by her hus- band, when again the neighbors interfered to save her. Agreement Among Employes, Senator Thurston has introduced a bill to limit the meaning of the word ‘conspiracy,’ and also the use of restraining orders as applied to disputes between employers and employes, especially those engaged in in- terstate commerce. The bill provides that no agreement, combination or contract with reference to any act in contemplation or furtherance of any trade dispute shall be deemed criminal, and also* provides that those in such acts shall not be in- Gictable for the crime of conspiracy if such acts committed by any one person would not be so punishable. It is also provided that no such act shall be considered as in restraint of trade. << —___ Decree of Divorce. ‘Margaret Wiggins was today granted a divorce from her husband, John Wiggins. The decree, which is signed by Justice Barnard, awarded Mrs. Wiggins the tody of her two children. so SSS eee FOR SALE AND PARTITION. Proceedings Affecting Certain Prop- erty Owned by Non-Residents. By bill in equity filed today by Charles Matthews Keleher and others, by their solicitor, Mr. W. Mosby Williams, against Edwardina S. Warren and seventy other defendants, the court is asked to appoint trustees to sell for the purposes of partl- tion part of lot 9 in square 576, fronting 56 feet on Maryland avenue and 91 feet on 1st street and the circle opposite Garfield statue at the foot of the Capitol. The bill, which is quite lengthy, alleges that the property is being used for stable purposes, and it fs understood the government rents the same. It is said the property is worth about $25,000. A portion of it, the bill alleges, was condemned in 1878 for the United States for the completion of the circle. s Among the defendants is the Washing- ton Loan and Trust Company, trustee, and it is said one of the defendants is in Eng- land, one in France, one in the Philippines and a number of others non-residents of the District. ——— SIZE OF THE COTTON CROP. The Census Bureau Will Collect Re- turns From the Gins. There is probably no single fact the knowledge of which is more interesting and important to the southern people than the amount of the cotton crop. From the be- ginning of planting until the last bale of a crop has appeared in the market there are hundreds, if not thousands, of eyes studying the subject most carefully. The govern- ment, by its agricultural reporters, endeav- ors to ascertain the acreage and condition; several private agencies and newspapers perform the same service; transportation companies report the amount carried by their several lines; forecasters, more or less influenced by a desire to see the crop larger or smaller than it really is, send out their estimates. From all these estimates. as va- rious in method as they are in authority and in result, the planter has to form his own judgment whether to sell at the ruling prices or wait for better terms; and upon them turns the speculation in the great commercial marts. The present methods of ascertaining the magnitude of the cotton crop are unsatis- factory. Two estimates, made by equally good observers, but based upon ocular ob- servation of a few cotton fields in each county, reduced to an average, may be hun- dreds of thousands of bales apart. And it is inevitable, where there is local consump- tion of cotton, that a considerable part of the crop will not be reported under any system, however thorough, of counting the bales as they pass over transportation lines. There {s one method of ascertaining the amount of the crop exactly, for there Is one process, that of ginning, to which all cot- ton for any commercial or industrial use whatever must be subjected. If one could obtain from all the cotton gins of the coun- try reports of the amount of staple they have turned out the precise aggregate of the whole crop would be known. It is proposed to apply this process in taking the tweifth cei which is to begin on the Ist of June. An ex- pert special agent has been appointed, whose sole duty will be to obtain returns from all ginning and baling establishments in cotton-growing region. No ginnery 1s mall or insignificant to be visited and 1 for a return. The information which ught is so manifestly for the benefit of puthern people—so almost exclusively for their benefit—that the enumerators and special agents of the census office will doubtless meet with the most cordial and helpful co-operation on the part of the gin- ners. It is a pity that such a return as is pro- posed cannot be made every year. But tt will be well if the country ean have one cor- rect statement of the crop; and !t is espe- cially desirable that the verification shall be made in respect to a crop regarding which there has been so much controversy as hus arisen about the crop of 1899. ———_—__+ 0 +____ NORTHERN PACIFIC TERMINUS, Decided by the Supreme Court to Be Ashland and Not Duluth. In opinions handed down yesterday the United States Supreme Court decided that Ashland, Wis., and not Duluth, Minn., ts the eastern terminus of the Northern Pa- cfifle Railway Company. The principal of thes: cases was that of Doherty against the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. Doherty resides in Deuglas county, Wis- consin, residing on a tract of land acquired by him in 1882 under the homestead law. The Northern Pacific Railroad Company constructed its road across this land, claim- ing a right of way under its cession by Con- gress in 1864. Doherty contended that the railway company definitely located its east- ern terminus at Duluth in 1872 by the pur- chase of an interest In the Lake Superior and Mississippi Rallroad Company from Thomson Junction to Duluth, but the Wis- consin state suprem? court refused to ac- cept this view, and the opinion handed down yesterday affirmed that opinion. It was, therefore, held that the railroad had right of way under th®& original act over lands in Wisconsin. —__—__+. COST OF PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. The President Sends a Statement to the Senate. Complying with a resolution of inquiry the President has sent to the Senate an itemized statement of the expenses of the recent Philippine commission. The state- ment includes the following items: Com- pensation of $10,000 each to Commissioners Schurman, Worcester and Denby, $30,000; per dim ailowance to commissioners after thelr return to the United States, $5,285; secretary to commission (compensation, $8,500; per diem, $3,600), $12,220; transporta- tion, $13,687; household expenses in Manila, $9,252; clerical services, $31,701; miscella- neous, $14,998; total, $117,185. The President also transmits with his indorsement a recommendation from Seo- retary Hay that provision be made for the payment to the naval and military mem- bers of the commission (Admiral Dewey and General Otis), for their services at the same rate as that pald to the other mem- bers. He says they have received nothing for their services in excess of their regular salaries. —————__e+____. WILL BE MARKED WITH POMP. Plans for the Inauguration of Porto Rico’s Governor. The President and Secretary Long have determined that the inauguration of the civil government in Porto Rico shall be marked with as much pomp as is befitting an event of that magnitude. The United States steamer Dolphin, which will carry Mr. Allen to San Juan, will enter the har- bor there escorted by the entire North At- lantic squadron, under the command of Rear Admiral Farquhar, on his flagship New York. The squadron is now at Ber- muda, and will time its movements so as to arrive off the north coast of Porto Rico about the time the Dolphin is sighted. Gov. Allen will be inaugurated at San Juan May 1, and Gen. Davis, the military governor, will turn out all of the United States troops under his command in honor of the occasion. The ships of the squadron will fire salutes, which will be answered by the shore batteries. There will be some speeches, and at night the fleet will use its electric Ughts, and there will be gen- eral illuminations. : + +____ Hoke Smith Sells His Paper. A dispatch from Atlante, Ga, yesterday says: Hoke Smith sold his interest in the Atlanta Journal today to H. M. Atkinson, Morris Brandon and J. R. Gray of Atlanta, for $159,000. The minority stockholders also disposed of their holdings. The amount involved in the entire transaction {s $276,- 500. Mr. Atkinson is president of the Georgia Electric ae Company, the Southern Banking and Trust Company, the Tifton, Thomasville and Gulf railroad and the Union Lumber Company, and is connected with several other Atlanta enterprises, Nominations Conffrmed. ‘The Senate yesterday confirmed the fol- lowifig nominations: Captain Silas W. Ter- ry, to be a rear admiral; Charles E. Barnes of Illinois, to bs consul at Cologne. Postmasters: Pennsylvania—Wm. Krause, Richland Center; F. G, Pennell, Mountjoy. the field work of SHOULD BE REFUSED. Attorney Devall’s Opinion Respecting Permit for Apartment House. The application for a permit to erect an apartment house on lots 29 and 30, square bounded by 24th and 25th and M and N streets, in the opinion of the attorney for the District, should be refused. It ts stated that the plan provides for thirty-four sep- arate dwellings or apartments, two fronting 24th street, and the remainder on an in- terlor court eighteen feet wide, access to which is to be had through a covered en- trance from 24th street. The application was referred to the attorney for an opinion as to whether or not the proposed construc- tion would be In conflict with section 126 of the building regulations. ‘This section, the attorney states, is in- tended to prevent the undue crowding of living tenements and to secure a sufficiency of light and air for such tenements. He is of the opinion that its provisions are not limited to public alleys, as it makes ft un- lawful to erect a dweiling house on or along any alley less than thirty feet in width. The court in the case referred to him, says the attorney, will be less than thirty feet wide, and in effect a private alley. There- fore, he is of the opinion that the proposed construction would be unlawful, and for that rezson he advises the Commissioners to refuse to grant the desired permit. —— SHARP WORDS EXCHANGED. Scene During the Idaho Mi quiry Hearing. An exciting controversy occurred at the afternoon session of the House committee investigating the Idaho mining troubles yesterday, when the petition to the Secre- tary of War from several hundred citizens of the Coeur d'Alene district, asking for the retention of federal troops, was pre- sented in evidence. Representative Sulzer denounced the petition as “bogus and framd- ulent,” declaring that many of the signa- tures were forgeries and that other names had been secured by intimidation. He asked to introduce affidavits attacking the peti- lion, but after an animated controversy these were ruled out, the vote being on party lines. A motion by Mr. Sulzer call- ing on the President for affidavits bearing on the petition was similarly voted down by the committee. Mr. Sulzer sharply commented on the course of the majority, and his exchanges with Acting Chairman Marsh were at times personal and emphatic. Messrs. Sulzer and Capron also had several wordy colloquies. Dr. Hugh France, who is regarded as an important witness, as he acted as coroner when the Bunker Hill mill was blown up, and shared with Bartlett Sinclair in the di- rection of affairs following that event, was put on the stand. Dr. France said he graduated from Bellevue Hospital, York, and went to Wardner in 1892. He denied being in the employ of the Bunker Hill mine, as had been alleged, and sald he was chosen by the miners as their physi- clan and surgeon, receiving his pay from them. He described the warfare between the union and non-union men, culminating with the march on the Bunker Hill mine and the dynamiting of the concentrator. Dr. France defended the work of the cor- oner’s jury against criticism made during the testimony and explained the regularity of the various steps taken. ++ _____ SKULL FRACTURED. Colored Laborer Axssanits With a Crowbar. Peter Miller, a colored laborer, thirty-one years old, whose home fs at 3728 Prospect street, Georgetown, was seriously assault- ed today while at work on the Washington and Great Falls electric road, about one and a half miles from Georgetown. It is said he had an altercation with another colored man, who was also employed thore, who, it is claimed, assaulted him with a crowbar. The injured man’s skull, it ‘s reported, was fractured. Miller was-brought to Georgetown on a car. He was able to walk to the George- town University Hospital. Drs. Vaughn and McNamee, who made an examination, found that there was a fracture of his skull. ‘The police are looking for the in- jured man’s assailant. ——.__. NATIONAL BIBLICAL CONGRESS, Another Large Attendance at the Opening Ses- sion in Foundry Church. ‘The opening session of the national bib- Heal congress, which began at 2:45 o'clock this afternoon at the Foundry M. E. Church, was largely attended and the tn- terest evinced by churchmen of various protestant denominations present from all parts of the country in their exchanges of sentiment before the regular program com- menced augured well for substantial re- sults. Gen. John Eaton, president of the American Society of Religious Education, under whose auspices the congress is held, presid assisted by Rev. Dr. A. N. Keig- win, of the Wilmington, Del., Presbyterian Church. Devotional services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Luclen Clarke, presiding elder of the Washington district of the Baltimore M. E. Church. The call for the meeting and the objects of the congress were an- nounced by the secretary, Rev. Dr. J. E. Gilbert. The papers to be read during the after- noon are “The Bible, the Sword of the Spirit,” by Rev. Dr. Byron Sunderland of this ¢lty, and “Bible Truths for Every Period of Life,” by Rev. Dr. J. L. Sooy of Wheeling, W. ‘Va. ing, W. Va. ‘The session this evening will be presided over by President J. E. Rankin of Howard University and Representative J. W. Stokes of South Carolina. Rev. F. Power of this city will conduct the devotions. Rev. George E. Reed, D. D., president of Dickinson Col- lege, wiil speak on “The Achievements of the Bible,” and Bishop J. W. Hott of the United Brethren Church on “The Bible and the Welfare of the Church. a Gullty of Larceny. Frank Jackson, colored, was today found gullty of larceny from the person In Crim- inal Court No. 2, Justice Cole presiding. Jackson, according to the testimony, stole @ pocket book, containing about $5, from Flora Williams. He was remanded to jail to await sentence. —— Ends in Death. Aloysius Johnson, the young man who was knocked down and injured Sunday night by some one unknown, at Cabin John bridge, died at the Georgetown University Hospital this afternoon at 2:40 o'clock. The favorable symptoms noted earlier in the day were of but brief duration. Going Away Thursday. As the President is going away Thursday he will devote tomorrow to consideration of the business that is most pressing. Government Bonds. Bid. Asked. 2 per cents, - 99 8 per cents, > 109% 8 per cents, + 110 4 per cents, 7 4 per cents, . 4 per cents, : 4 per cents, 7 1 —— Di ie New 24, w. 5 104 Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, April 17.—Flour quiet, unchanged; receipts, 12810 barrels: exports, 1.208 barrels. he het ee ; Joly, ; steamer No. 7 : recely "Ss 28 | Dushelns southern wheat by sample, 68a G8iga72%s. Corn easter: mi nearby, 54; No. 2 western, 58 7 1 timothy, $18 Did) Grain tretehts very quiet, via: ERE tier aac creniry Bia? do hace 18al9; do. ladle, 17; good Indie, 16; ‘rolls, 16a18. ———— Grain, Provisions and Cotton Markets. CHICAGO, April 17.—Grain: Bix Bn Se re} $ & ee iaabees weg Bee bk rp FINANCE AND TRADE Short Covering the Only Support for Stocks Today. STEEL CAUSED — THE WEAKNESS Prospect of Better Things for Some Meritorious Properties. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS ———_+-____ Special Dispatch to The Evening Star, NEW YORK, April 17.—As was to have been expected, the Stecl stocks were t center of interest at the opening of day's stock market. Sharp declines were reflected In the initial transactions, but an attempt to cover outstanding short contracts forced a rally in a majority of the ac- tive issues. The severe criticism of the officials of several of the Stecl properties probably detracted from the aggressiveness of today’s sales, but yesterday's decline will keep the general market unseitled for a time. Manipulation was in evidence in various parts of the list, the latest form being to depress the raliroad group In order to facili- tate covering in the industrials. The at- tack yesterday had lite effect upon Sugar, Tobacco and similar issues and the depres- sing tacties were consequently turned against these shares with some result. The Pacific group was under pressure, as were also the dividend paying shares, Pennsyl- vanla, New York Central and the Grangers were in good supply at all times. The ° professional clement was badly mixed on the outlook and sold stocks rather freely at times, on the theory that the Nquidation of large interests was no longer a secret, and that weakly held ac- counts were being forced out. Thera was no positively discouraging news, the mar- ket being weak simply because of lack of support and its extreme sensitiveness to attack. Money loaned at 3 per cent and was abundant at all times during the day. Earnings were reasonably good from all sources, and, in fact, all conditions out- side of Wall street were out of harmony with the course of the market. Local speculative conditions and a better bear or- genization are to be credited with the de- pression. Stop orders were plentiful in nearly all the recently active issues and were a con- siderable factor in the late depression. stead of > g00d commission house business from such sources was Yargely {i the other account isan e London demand was chilled by yester- episode, and relief from that source coming. The increase in the skort account may make a rally later in the week, but the public faith in the market is badly shaken. ; s have not always been capa- ptable explanations and inside in- terests are confronted with the alternative of a tong holding or of selling out to each other. Dread of the latter has resulted in some hurrying to sell before the : recognized If recent gi should be given S will be abl selves from the & the benefits of the new on ral general a ble of ac angle them- market and reap nomies. Selling hood be the more FISANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. New York Stock Market. 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. Open. High. Low. Close, American Cotton Of... oe sing 103‘ 105g American 103.2 Atchison. 2 Atehison, p = 704 Baltimore & Ohio, Baltimore & Ohio. pfa_ BrookivnRepid Transit. Chesapeake & Obto. t., CC. & St. Lous. hicago, B. & Chie & Northwestern, Cnicazo Gas ©. Moand St. Paul... Chicago K. 1. & Pacitic. Chic. St P.M. & 0. Chic.'& G. Western. 7 Colorado Fuel and Iron Consolidated Gas. Con. Tobaceo........- Con. Tobacco. pia Delaware & Hudson Federal Stee} N. Y.Ontario & West Northern Pacitte. Northern Pacific, pfd Pacitic Mall Pennsylvania i. R. Reading, Ist pfii Southern racific Southern Railway... Southern Railway, pfd. Texas Pacitic.. Tenn. Coal and iron Union Paciti Union Pacitie, pfd U.S. Leather........ Leather, pf. . Rubber. Wabash prd Western Uni Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call, 12 o'clock m. tered, $500 at 1094. $1,540 at lay). cone pon, $540 at lo. “D.C. 8. wat 130) Co lumbia Ratiroad National Sate Deposit and Trust, 10 at 133%, Heal Estate Title Insurance, 4 at S34 wa at S4tus, rikex, & Mergenthaler Linotype, 10 at yx, 10 at Stax. 10 at 193%. Lanston Monotype, 100 at 1 American Graphophone, 3 at 11K. 50 at 1 American Grapbophone 13. Pueumatic Gu 22 ce After call —Chesay Telephone con. 5s, $3,000 at 104%. pe, 10 at 193%." Lanston Monot; ‘wapttal Traction, 40 at 102%, District of Columbi 0-year funding, 104 bid. 3.45: ind. Miscellancons Bonds. 1% bid, 108 asked. M .—Capital Traction. 4s, opolita : 122 asked. Metropolitan Ratlroad cert. A 110 bid. Metropolfian Railroad cert. indebt.,” B, 110 bid. Columbia Rallroad 6s, 126 Did. Columbla Ballrad 24 mort. Ss, 111% bid. Washington Gas series A, Os, 1 |, 125 asked. Washington Gas series B, Gs. 125 asked. U.S. te Light deb. imp. 6s, 107 bid sked. U.S. Blec- trle Light cet. indebt 06 bid, 112 asked. Chesapeake and Potomac bs, 103 bid. Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone con. 5a, 104% Wid, 104% asked. American Security and Trust 4x, 100 bid. Washington Market ist 311 bid: Washington Market imp. 6¢, 111 bid. Washington Market extn. 68, 111 bid. ‘Masonic Hall Assorla- tion Ss, 108 bid, 112 asked. American Graphophove deb. 5s, 100 bid. Natioial Bank Stocks Bank of Washincton, 263 bid, 400 edd. letropolitan, 0 bid. Central, bid. Farmers and Mechanics’, 210 bid. Secund, 160 bid. Citizens’, 160 bid. Columbia, 160 bid. Capi- tal, 152 bid. West End. 119 b ‘Traders’, 155 pid, 185 asked. Lincoln, 118% bid, 125 asked. Safe Depos.t sod Trust Companies.—National Safe Deposit and Trust, 133% bid, 135 asked. Washing- ton Loan and Trust, 357 bid. American Securit, and Trust, 198 bid.” Washington Safe Deyoslt, bid, 80 asked. Insurance Stocks.—Firemen's, 30 bid. Franklin, 40 bid. Metropolitan, $0 bid, '90 asked. Corcoran, €2 bid. Potomac, 75’ bid. Arlington, J51 bid, 156 asked. German-. 210 bid. National Union, = " bid, 18% asked. Columbia, 12% bid. People’s, ‘Title Insurance Stocks.—Real Estate Title, 80 bid, ss og “orig es | ‘bid, 5 asked. Wash- ei ee ag Stocks. Washlngton Gas, x54} Did, 54% ask- i may ‘Miscetta ‘Mergenthaler asked. Soong i gen asked. American ‘preferred, askcd. Pneumatic Gun “2 wid, Ata ton ant Washington Stecuboat, 140 bie ‘Lincoln Hall, 60 bid. x Ex. —_ An Alaskan Reservation. The-President has announced the reser- vation of about 25,600 acres of public land located at the mouth of Mission creek at Eagle City, Alaska, for military purposes.