Evening Star Newspaper, April 23, 1900, Page 2

; ea Day fas ar Phis am s. with their uid unnece report to . but “in it w narrated opinion in the atter att mpts relate es tor Whiteside 2 ndidacy of Senator Clarice te expose the senator's The testimony relating to White- nator Clark, State Senator 3 Representative Garr is then out- a the committee remarks for the s members: “The three users (Whiteside, Myers and State Sena- Kk) undoubtediy occupied the po: tion of detectives, who willfully deceived tbe ties with whom they were dealing and ainst whom they made charges. On the her hand, the parties against whom they testified and wh») make the denials are charged with crimes, to which, if guilty, they would be quite certain to add the of- fense of false swearing. The Alleged Daly Conspiracy. “The majority of the committee, under s appearing, “re not e situation as one of equilibrium between the deteotives on the one hand and the alleged lawbreakers on the other. Clark of Madison, Myers and W must have contemplated In the beginning a conspiracy of the basest character, to be followed up by perjury the worst sort, and they must have intended to pass a it cannot be inferred that they were to subject themselves merely to prevent nator Clark from becoming a United States senator. “In th> opinion of the majority, there was no affirmative disproof produced by Sen- ator Clark at any time showing that the facts in connection with the $30,000 were not true. The charge that the accusations and the exposure resulted from a con- spiracy formed and carried forward by Mr. Marcus Daly was a n2cessity of Mr. Clark’s canvass and defense. But Mr. Daly and Mr. Conrad and others who were suspected of conspiracy denied all knowledge of the $30,000, of which $27,000 was in $1.000 bills, which had been produced by Mr. Whiteside as the money furnish2d by Mr. Wellcome in attempted briberies. No $1,000. bills wn to have been in the hands of the alleged Daly conspirators.” Large Billa Used by Clark's Men. The report then shows from the testi- mony that th large bills were in the hands of Clark's supporters, and adds: “In ction with the consideration of these last four cases of attempted bribery—of Clark of Madison, Myers, Garr and White- to state, ts important in view of of opinion fn the committee = the credibility of Me: Clark or) lison, M whole commit mony ers and Whiteside, that the find t if all the testi- concerning the x”) and all the testimony of Mr. Whiteside and Mr. Clark laid aside there would t evidence in the committ to fi urk's election es which h : of the th ers where the facts naturally cannot be ly proved." Republican Votes for Clark. Of the conduct of the republican mem- rs of the | > wh Mr. lican mi on the 28th da ndidate ave him his election, majority of the com- > exposure. The facts disproved on Janu- he reasons given for the republican es for Mr. Clark seem to be p: i covers. Mr. Clark, who had 1} with Mr. Hobson, the licans, Wrote a letter on the 1 . in which he declared hims favor of a tariff on Montana pro Some of the republic said there be a deadlock, and that it © a democratic sen- say the direct violations ark and his committee and provisions of the Montana »f the first importance In connec- the conclusions reached by the On this point the committee ‘ollowing: “He expended a sum Vastly in excess of the limits provided by law and failed to render any returns; and ch return was made by the persons in his behalf. ases of the According to od by the committee, annot be permitted to re- He recetved 54 yotes and him, leaving him an If he ob: corrupt practic otherwise have him. he was not legally elec’ an this number of votes, the find from all the evidence, was Approached the Bench. tjority of the committee expri the opinion that “the transactions con- : Judges of the supreme court of fal consideration, “Upon the d facts and other facts rted, a majority of tha belleve that Senator Clark's in their desperation on account of ision of the court to take jurisdic- the Wel attempted an er approac to the judges of the and to Attorney General lan, h fact cannot have a certain in- ace In the consideration of the other acts of those agents in connection with the senal orial elec e. how: er allos acta, and not sufficiently bring or his aj any » influence the court or that The Minority’s Views. port was presented by S ommittes om, it f the committee did the features. Mr. Pettus, thes ubmitted ————-e—_______ Balloon Service for Boers. PETERSBURG, April announ! departure x for 1 of a body of acronauts to organize South ry balloon service for the Trans- They took he necessary balloons them. ——~»r+>____ Judge Bradley's Condition Improving. Judge A. C. Bradley of the District Su- preme Court, who has been quite ill at his home on Q street, is slowly improving. — Divorced on Grounds of Desertion. William D. Gardner was today granted a divorce from his wife, Adelaids L. Gardner, on grounds of desertion. Justice Barnard signed the decree. ——s_—_. Appointed a Resident Student. Harry M. Price has been appointed by the District Commissioners a resident student at the Washingten Asylum, to take effect May 1, 1wo. . THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, APRIL 23, 1900-14 PAGES. 'REPLY FROM TURKEY The Dispute Still Open for Dis- cussion, +--+ TT IS DECLARED ~ INCONCLUSIVE gee Energetic Response to Be Made to the Porte. on 2 GEN. WALLACE’S VIEW ee The State Department has received through Lloyd Griscom, the United States arge at Constantinople, she reply of the Turk'sh government to the latest represen- ions of the United States. touching the American missionary claims. The communi- om was taken to the White House by Secretary Hay, who laid it before the cabl- het at the special meeting today. The efforts to collect the claims were de- scribed by Secretary Hay. His statement, is said, made the cabinet hopeful that a settlement could be obtained at an early @ate, although the members realize that the problem is a hard one to solve. Mr. Straus, the United States minister to Turkey, who had come over from New York for the purpose of conferring with the department affecting these claims, called at the State Department in the morn- ing and talked over the last Turkish note with Secretary Hay before the cabinet meeting. No Official Statement. The department made no public state- ment touching the Turkish note beyond the mere announcement that it was inconclu- sive and left the subject still open for dis- cussion. It was gathered that the very brief outline of the Turkish response cabled from Constantinople, to the effect that the American claimants must take their posi- tion along with those of other nations, does mot convey accurately the tenor of the whole note; though ft is admitted that it does set out properly one portion of it. The opinion prevails in the diplomatic eir- cle here that, assuming the Turkish govern- ment has insisted on including the Ameri- can claims with the others, it has played a diplomatic card of some etrength. Such an answer to the American demand might be well calculated to deprive the United States of the sympathy of the European powers, as it places us in a position of seeking to extort better terms from the Turks than are to be accorded to the claim- ants of other nations, or at least attempting to secure precedence over them, which amounts to the same thing. Repudiation of Promises. A reason which leads to the bellef that there must be some qualification attached to the reported answer of the Turkish gov- ernment is the fact that !t would amount to a total repudiation of the promises al- leged by Mr. Straus to have been made to him by the porte; while the proposition to the American claimants to throw in their claims with those of other nations 1s equiv- alent to a declination to pay, inasmuch as the Turkish government has not for many years paid any of these foreign claims so far as is known here. It fs possible that the porte has it in mind to create a com- mission for the settlement of all these claims and is seeking to prepare the United States government for a submission of its claims to such an international tribunal. An Energetic Response. The State Department, however, 1s deter- mined not te abandon the preferential posi- tion respecting its claims that {t has secur- ed through the sultan's own promises, go it is expected that an energetic response to this last note will be sent to the porte through Mr. Griscom. As for Mr. Straus, while he is giving the State Department the benefit of his experience in conducting the regotiations, it is improbable that he will ever appear again officially in the negotia- tions, for, after the tension that has been imposed upon the relations between the United States and Turkey, as a result of the minister's recital of what passed be- tween himself and the porte, it is not deemed politic that he shall return to Con- stantinople, Turkish Ministers’ Belief. Alt Ferrouh Bey, the Turkish minister, had another conference with Secretary Hay at the State Department Saturday. He re- fused to discuss what ensued at the con- ference, beyond expressing the bellef that the matter is fast nearing a satisfactory conclusion. He also refuses to divulge any information which he has received from his government as to how the present agitation is regarded in Turkey, or any instructions received by him regarding the course he shall pursue as dtplomatic representative at Washington. Gen. Wallace Praises the Sultan. Gen. Lew Wailace, who was minister to Constantinople during the Garfield adminis- tration, is In the city. In discussing the present controversy respecting indemnity for the destruction of missionary buildings, Gen. Wallace said to a reporter: “I think I am better acquainted with the Sultan of Turkey than possibly any other American, I know that he is an honest man, and [ never knew him to break a promise. Abdul Hamid ts no more to be blamed tor the gress atrocities committed and the property destroyed by the Khourds than William inley would be if the Apache Indians should go upon the warpath and slay the white settlers as they have done in times fast. These acts were perpetrated upon Armenians, but no American suffered loss of a hair. “The Christians in Turkey are there under the patronage of the sultan, and without his protection they could not remain. There are some three millions of Greeks and per- haps four millions of Armenians who are nristians, and the sultan regards them as his subjects. Without them the Turkish Kovernment would fall, for they are the tradespeople. The Turk is a warrior. Not a Christian church is burned or a mission destroyed but the sultan 1s the first man to subscribe to rebuild. I know this to be so. Abdul Hamid is a distinguished scholar and a diplomat. If it were‘not so the Ottoman empire would have been crushed out long ago, for the hand of every ruler in Europe is against him. He prevents them from act- ing together, and thus preserves his throne. He was educated in Paris, and though a Mussulman he has Christian ideas and sentiments. All that Khourds, who are the perpetrators of these crimes against the Christians, have In common with the sul- tan and the Turks is that they, too, are followers of Mohammed. They are numer- ous on the eastern border of the empire and have never been fully conquered by the government.” ————$+ 2+ ______ Buildings for Laboratories. Mr. Gear has given notice in the Senate of an amendment he will propose to the sundry civil appropriation bill appropriat- Ing $200,000 for bulldings for laboratories for the Department of Agriculture, to be located In the grounds of that department. This appropriation is to pay for al! labor, materials and all expenses connected with the erection and fitting up of these labora- tories, the buildings to be- fireproof. The appropriation is made immediately avatl- able. ——_—__++_______ Ex-President Harrison in Court. Former President Harrison today appear- ed in the Supreme Court to request an ex- tension of time in the preparation of the papers in the certiorart case of O'Brien vs. Wheelock, involving the contention over the construction of a levee across the Sny Car- ter slough in Adams county, Ill. The case is said to represent interests amounting to nearly $2,000,000. The requested extension of time was granted. Mr. Harrison re- mained in the court room only long enough to prefer his request. Soe ‘The National Standardizing Bureau. The House committee on appropriations has recelved a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury recommending that the bureau of weights and measures hall hereafter be known as the natfonal standardizing bureau. The sum of $34,000 is recommended for salaries; $250,000 for construction of a laboratory; $25,000 to equip and $25,000 for a site for the same. CABIN JOHN BRIDGE Sunday Scene in Local Option Mont- gomery Oounty. D GIRLS DRINKING BOYS AN Slot Machines in Full Operation for Gambling. SOME OF THE INCIDENTS While the good people of Washington were attending church Sunday, just across the District line at Cabin John bridge the depraved were rollicking in high carnival. The day was not propitious for a general turning out, but there was nevertheless a big crowd at the well-known resort, whare everything goes. The piace recalled the early western mining camps, where no dis- tinction was made as to men and methods, and where everything was “wide open.all the time.” It was a poor commentary on the morals of the capital city to witness the scenes of depravity that were enacted almost within the shadow of the great white dome b2- neath which laws for the good government of mankind are made. The frequenters of the resort last Sunday were made up for th2 most part of the lower strata of society, yet there were others present who are well known in the business world of Washing- ton, and there was another class, as much out of place it seemed as a rose in a swamp —young girls who cam3 on bicycles, stop- ping “just for a minute’ to get a drink of lemonade. The excitement of the place seemed to intoxicate them, and they tar- ried, many of them to taste for the first tim? this new sensation of depraved socie- ty. They stay perhaps to taste their first drink of intoxicants, ending in the wild orgies that too often form a part of the program at such resorts. A reporter of The Star visited Cabin John bridge yesterday and came away satisfied at least that some stringent methods are necessary to sav2 the young men and wo- men of Washington who, elther through design or mistake, are thrown in contact with very undesirable company. The Star’s representative arrived at the resort during the morning hours. Few were present at that time and there was no disorder. As the day lengthened into the afternoon the crowd became larger, and at 4 o'clock there w2re fully 2,000 in and about the hotel. The majority were In the hotel, where scenes of revelry were in- dulged in with an abandon that would have put the Paris Moulin Roug> to shame. Slot Machines. Three bars were kept going at full speed dispensing drinks, and the reporter found it difficult to get Into either room, they were so crowded. There were men almost at the sunset of life, middle-aged men, those who had but recently reached their majority and, to the resort’s great discredit, boys. Boys, some of them certainly not over fit- teen years of age, drinking with a bravado that would have put an o!d toper to shame. While every available inch of room was taken at the bar and an anxious, thirsty crowd was waiting an opportunity to get served, there was even a denser crowd in the back of the room. Here three gambling devices were being operated for the en- joyment and apparent loss of the onlookers. The machine is the same that has been in- terdicted In many states, and so palpably bad and unfair in its Influences that the highest courts in California have refused to recognize {ts patent right. It 1s other- wise better known as a “coin slot machine,” into which u drop a 5-cent plece with ying results. Upon {ts face the ma- chine looks fair enough, but it is a per- centage game of the most flagrant kind, where the house gets it all. The machine stands about flve feet high and is made at- tractive by the use of polished wood and a beautifully designed disk, which rotates upon an axis and stops upon a certain color, A Spectes of Roulette. It might be well to say right here that the disk is under the absolute control of the hidden mechanism, which, cunningly con- ceived, prevents the house from losing. Left to its own rotations the element of chance would be better for the players. There are five colors represented on the disk. The white Is the most important. Should the pointer stop at that color the investor of 5 cents would recetve for his pains twenty ickels. There are but two or three “whites” on the disk, and while the re- porter watched the game—something over an hour—the color did not materialize. The red comes next in importance. It pays 50 cents to the man who has been lucky enough to pick it out. The black returns 25 cents to the man who has played that color and the yellow and green only return 10 cents. Each ma- chine was operated by a man, who for a better designation might be styled the “Croupler,” since he calls out the winning colors In a monotonous voice as he spins the wheel. This machine is perhaps the most insiduous form of gambling known. As the croupler very truthfully remarks “one color ts bound to win.” In the excit ment of the game the percentage of chance on the side of the player is never figured. He does not stop to think that the colors of the wheel dre made up for the most part of green and yellow partitions, and that these colors win most of the time. The croupier tells in a loud voice that the green and yellow pay two for one, the white 20, the red 10 and the black 5. But this is just exactly what they do not do. The principal Invested each time 1s deducted from the winnings. For example, the green wins. According to the croupier the lucky gam- bler should receive 15 cents, or to use his own expression, “two for one.” But he only receives 10 cents, and It does not take much of @ mathematician to figure out the odds against him on such a basis of calcu- lation. But the idea of money coming out in excess of that put in draws the crowd and incidentally the nickels and the house fattens. Of course, where each color 1s not played, the element of percentage becomes greater for the house: But such was not the case Sunday. There was a constant crowd about the machines, and each color had a regular patron. Now and,then a new comer had the temerity to put a nickel in tho slot before the regular player of the color had been given an opportunity, whereupon the latter waxed wroth, and the newcomer was given to understand in plain language that such interference would not be toler- ated. It was rather disheartening to see the small boys playing this game, many of them perhaps getting their first taste of gambling, treasuring up ideas of winning and perhaps figuring on ways and means for obtaining the necessary capital with which to take the chance. Strange Sights. And so all the afternoon the crowd surg- ed in and out the bar rooms, each one of which was provided with “slot machines,” spending the Sabbath drinking and gam- bling. The reporter marveled how all this could be, in the face of the prohibi- tion laws of Montgomery county and the state laws against keeping open on Sunday. His mental query was answered by a man who said he had charge of the bar rooms and was complaining bitterly to a gentleman on the amount of work he Was expected to do. Not conscious of the reporter’s proximity, the gentleman asked the keeper of the bars how it was they were allowed to keep open on Sunday, “Oh, they don’t say nothin’ to us.” “How about your bill to permit you: to sell liquor?) Did that go through the legislature?” The man who looks after the bars was vidently not well posted, for he replied: Not yet, but it’s going through." “Well, how about this gamblin€é?” con- tinued the stranger. “Surely the authori- ties do not permit that.” 5 “There ain't no law in Maryland against And with this the man who had so mu to do along the liquid vefreshment imeniee ried off to another bar room. few miles off should be indful of tI interests of the capital city. Go ete if you want to see sights to disgust you.” The reporter followed the suggestion, thinking of the “exaggeration of the stranger. But there was no exaggeration, for the sight of two girls in short surely not over fifteen years of age in a state of maudlin intoxication was enough to disgust anygne. /They sat at a ‘table only a few is from The Star reporter. A young man about eighteen, with face flushed, was giving the waiter an order when the reperterarrived. The drinks were soon brought. @ne of the girls took a sherry cobbler, the other a cocktail, the young man{ithe fame. They disposed of them in short order, mixing their drinks with loud talk and Jaugkter.~ Then another and another drink was served until it seem- ed as if the girig would not be able to walk. A short tinié at: rd they left reelin; It was a disgusting sight, and as they passed through tis parlor where the demi- monde were making merry, the latter paused in their reveiry long enough to ex- press thelr disapproval and sorrow. There ‘were other cases, put nore so flagrant. The private retfms wero all filled with winers and diners. Here, alas, was an- otker trap for theunsuspecting. A young girl inside one of these rooms, flushed with Uquor becomes “arm casy prey for the un- scrupulous. iS The front parlor down stairs on the first floor was a veritable bagnio. Here lewd women flaunted. their objectionable faces and methods In complete abandon and sang love songs, while thelr ‘‘steadies” hugged and kissed them: and took other liberties. Now and then the manager or the man of order looked in and stopped the revelries, Lut as soon as they were out of sight they were taken up again. Be it sald to the credit of these two men they did every- thing in their power to keep order. But order was as hard to find as a Maryland officer to enforce the liquor law, even though the propriétor told The Star re- porter that one of the Maryland deputy sheriffs was on hand to maintain order. it excited no smajl comment when a re- spectable party would drive up. They would be ogled until lost in the crowd. There were no fights, and the Sabbath passed, according to one of the employes, “very quiet, in marked contrast to the pre- vious one.” The Star reporter strolled about the grounds, but saw no evidences of lawlessness outside the hotel. In one of the resting booths a group of small pickan- nies were entertaining a motley crowd with buck dancing to the music of a mouth or- gan. As night came on the revelry died out, and one by one the crowd departed, until the Sabbath at Cabin John was only a memory, COUNT LAUTREC ARRESTED FRENCH NOBLEMAN IS CHARGED WITH BOND FORGERIES, Canadian Detectives Have Him Appre- hended at Auditorium Hotel in Chicago. ° CHICAGO, April 23.—It !s alleged that the Count Lautrec, who was arrested here yesterday under the name of V. Castrand, disposed of worthless Cuban bonds, recelv- ing several hundred dollars in payment from persons in Montreal. The Canadian authorities claim that Count Lautrec and Castrand are the same person. This the count denies. Among the matter which the Auditorium clerk handed tothe court just before his arrest was an express package from the Stockbridge Lithographing Company of Cincinnati, This package was opened by the police and found to contain the follow- ing blank bonds, which varied in amount from $50 to $1,u00: Pike Building Company, Cincinnati; village, of Avondale, Ohi board of education, Oklahoma City, O. T. Odd Fellows’ Temple, Ironton, Ohio; Scom- pania Minera,- Lake Purisma, Annexas, Saltillo, Mexico; viflage of Hartwell, Ohio; Black Diamond Coal and Coking Company, Columbus, Ohio; Sterling Coal and Coke Company, F. ‘A. Fay and Egan Compan: Cincinnati; Cincinnatt, Lebanon and North- ern Railroad Company; Stillman, Pierrie and Smithvalley Company, Cincinnatl; city of Wheeling, W. Ve., Main street bridge bonds; Cincinnati and Westwood Railroad Company; village of Glendale, Onlo. When asked: for explanation as to the bonds the prisoner said he knew nothing about them, never having ordered them, and he again suggested that Castrand may have been the. person for whom the ex- press package was intended. The Bank of Noya Scotia has brought suit In the syperior court against Count Toulouse de Lautree, who was arrested at the Auditorium annex, yesterday charged with having sold forged bonds in Canada, for the recovery of $1,500 alleged to be due the bank. Count de Lautrec is also named in the papers filed as M. Castano. The affidavit accompanying the summons states that the defendant is indebted to the Bank of Nova Scotia in the sum of $750, the amount of damages asked being customary in such cases in excess of the actual debt. An attachment was issued by the court against Count de Lautrec and the Union National Bank, where the defendant is said to have a deposit. MONTREAL, April 2%.—Regarding the arrest in Chicago of Count de Coulose Lau- trec, Chief Detective Carpenter says that about two weeks ago a man, who repre- sented himself to be a rich Cuban banker of the name of N. Castano, reached Mon- treal. He presented his papers to the man- ager of a local bank, who after a careful examination was satisfied of the man's identity. The usual drafts were made out and accepted on the account of the Cuban banker. It was not long before the local bankers became convinced that they had been imposed upon. They communicated with several persons and finally with Chief Carpenter with instructions to arrest the alleged Cuban on the accusation of forgery. After some time it was found that Castano had left instructions to have his mail for- warded to the Auditorlum in Chicago. Chief Carpenter would not give the name of the bank at present or the amount of the forgery. ———__+<+-___ THE ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE. Noted Missionaries Deliver Addresses on Their Work, NEW YORK, April 23.—The first business session of the ecumenical conference on foreign missions began simultaneously at 9:30 o'clock today in Carnegie Hall and the Central Presbyterian Church. Walter B. Sloan, secretary of the inland mission of China, led the devotional exercises in Car- negie Hall, and the Rev, James Cunning- ham, M, A., of the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Wansworth, London, conducted exercises at the Central Presbyterian Church. At Carnegie Hall the Rey. Dr. Augustus H. Strong, president of Rochester Theological Seminary, delivered an address on the “Authority and Purpose of Foreign Missions.”” At the conclusion of Dr. Strong’s address the Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China intand mission, spoke on “The Source and Power in Foreign Missions.” Robert E. Speer, secretary of the board of foreign missions of the Presbyterian Church of the United States, spoke on ‘The Su- preme and Determining in Foreign Mis- Siong.” He denied that foreign missions are de: ed to overturn existing governments. Ho took the position; that the establishing of schools and hospitals, while good and civilizing agencigs, ane lable to subvert the religious aim. “Our work is not a philanthropic, political or secular movement,” he sald. “I would rather plant oné germ of the life of Christ beneath the crust of heathenism than to cover, their lands with new social institu- tion: = ‘His address closed ‘the morning session. <--> —_—_ AWFUL MISERY IN INDIA. ine the Most Disastrous Ever 7S Known! There. CALCUTTA, April $3.—The latest official reports from the famine districts say that the misery existing there is indescribable and unparalleled, and that the present relief is quite inadequate. They add that the mor- tality among the cattle 1s also so severe that the authorities ate tfying to adapt farm Implements so that human power can re- place that of bullocks. Such a drastic measure has never before been necessary, even in the greatest scarcity of animals, It is also announced that the natives are developing ugly feelings and are attacking Buropeans. A great ‘crowd Friday murder- ously attacked a party of soldiers at Shah- pu, the military center’ of the northwest provinces. The soldiers’ were rescued with difficulty in an unconscious condition. BERLIN, April 23.—At a meeting of lead- ing financiers and manufacturers today, under the presidency 6f-Dr. Koch, president of the-Imperial Bank, it was decided to raise a fund for the relief of the famine’ suf- ferers in India, and those £20,000, ~ S present subscribed RAIN STILL FALLING/FINANCE AND TRADE Flood Situation in Louisiana and Mississippi Little Improved, FOOD GETTING SCARCE IN PLACES Many Farms Being Abandoned by Their Owners. DAMAGE TO THE RAILROADS NEW ORLEANS, April 23.—One of the heaviest rain storms of the season occurred here during the night and New Orleans was flooded. Today. in the northern and east- erp sections of the city water covers streets and sidewalks and rafts had to be used to reach street cars, The city is suffering commercially as a result of the Mississippi floods and the crippled—cendition of four railroad lines entering New Orleans. The UMnois Central is operating a partial service, but the Northeastern is still com- pletely blocked. * Illinols Centra! excursion trains that went out yesterday morning could not get back until today, passengers suffering much inconvenience. All night trains have been temporarily suspended on the Louisville and Nashville. Through day trains, however, will be operated, arrange- ments having been made to ferry passen- gers, mail and baggage across the bay at Pascagoula, where the bridge has been de- stroyed. No freight is being moved. More Rain in Mississipp!. MERIDIAN, Miss., April 23.—Additional rains have added gravity to the flood situa- tion in the surrounding country. The situ- ation In several towns which are water- bound is growing dzsperate. Foodstuffs are running short and relief is nowhere in sight. Reports from the interior begin to come in showing the devastation. Farmers are abandoning farms as worth- less and entering the service of railroads, which employ all applicants. Property in this city suffered great damage in last night's storm. Fifteen inches of rain have fallen here so far this month. FLOODS IN THE SOUTH. Railways Reported to Have Suffered Very Severely. MOBILE, Ala., April 23.—Flood reports today showed increased damage in this state, especially to railway property. The Louisville and Nashville railroad, which has heretofore been free from any damage and has been hauling the freight and passengers of the IMinois Central, water and the terrific pounding the founda- tion has received from thousands of logs r inst it. Wiionene Mopile and Ohio railway great damage has occurred. The waters have re- ceded considerably, but nearly all the road bed for twenty-five miles will have to be rebuilt. DROWNED IN PEARL RIVER. Negro Family of Seven Persons Lost Their Lives. JACKSON, Miss., April 23.—John Horton, a negro; his wife and five children were drowned in the backwaters of Pearl river while trying to escape from the flood. Their cabin had been inundated by the high wa- ters, and the family was endeavoring to escape in a wagon, when the vehicle fell through a broken bridge. Pearl river ts now stationary, the heavy rain last night having checked the failing waters. Railroad traffic is in bad condition. ——_+~++—_—__ PENNSYLVANIA BUYS A ROAD. Western New York and Pennsylvania Latest Acquisition. PHILADELPHIA, April 23.—It is stated on good authority that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company has secured contro\ of the Western New York and Pennsylvania railroad. A meeting of the directors of the latter company was held late this afternoon, at which announcement fs said to have been made that the Pennsylvania railroad will take the Western New York stock at $9 per share, and the ten million income bonds at $30, the present market price. This will necessitate an expenditure of $6,000,000 by the Pennsylvania — Railroad Company. The Western New York ani Pennsylvania will earn this year $350,000 in excess of fixed charges, which wil! give the Pennsylvania railroad approximately & per cent on its Investment. This deal will obviate the necessity of the Pennsylvania's proposed line to Buffalo and wil give the Pennsylvania and New York Central railroads absolute control of the soft coal trade in the east. DR. RENE DePOYEN-BELLISLE DEAD. He Was Professor of French at Uni- « versity of Chicago. CHICAGO, April 23.—Dr. Rene De Poyen- Bellisle, professor of French at the Uni- versity of Chicago, was found dead today in his apartments at 2417 Michigan avenue. Physicians who were called to examine the body notified the coroner that they believed the case to be one of suicide, as indica- tions of polsoning were found. Prof. De Poyen was graduated from the Elysee de Bordeaux {n 1874. He was pri- vate instructor in Portland, Me., from 1881 to 1884, instructor in French and history in Philadelphia from 1885 to 1890 and a fellow at Johns Hopkins University in 1892 and 1893. —_+++__ Striking Miners Return to Work. HUNTINGDON, Pa., April 23.—After be- ing out on strike for nearly a month, owing to the operators adopting the Altoona scale of wages, the bituminous coal miners in the East Broad Top region resumed work this morning. —__+-+ +—__ Thornton to Be Launched May 15. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va., April 23.—The torpedo boat Thornton will be launched at the Trigg ship yard here May 15. The relatives of Admiral Thornton of Boston are expected. ‘The sponsor has not yet been named by the Navy Department. 2-2 FOREST FIRES IN NORTHWEST, Latest Reports Place the Losses at About $100,000. WINNIPEG, Men., April 23.—Latest re- perts from the scene of the bush fires near the Minnesota bovndary line show that there has been no loss of life. Several lum- bering and tie camps were destroyed, but both men and horses escaped. The losses to Winnipeg contractors in lumber and wood destroyed will amount to about $100,- 000. —_+--+—___ THE SUMNER AT PORT SAID. United States Transport En Route to Manila With Troops. PORT SAID, Egypt, April 23.—The United States transport Sumner has arrived here. The Sumner left New York March 31, and is bound for Manila. She carries 738 en- Msted men, under commend of Maj. Wirt Davis; sixty commissioned officers and four hurses for the hospitals in Manila. There is a large amount gf, money. in the strong box of the vessel for paying the United Stat troops in the far east. —__++<+__ “Boxers” Kill Chinese Catholics. TIEN-TSIN, April 23.—Members of the “Boxers” society Saturday massacred many Chinese Catholics near Pao Ting Fu, in the province of Pe Chi Li, southwest of Tien- ‘Tsin. The German gunboat Iithis arrived at Taku Saturday. The other foreign vessels have left those waters. . Northeastern | Mobile and Ohio for the past six days, is now a sufferer also. The bridge over West Pascougala river, four miles from Scranton, was washed away last night by the high Stocks Opened Very Weak, but Rally Followed Later. BEARS COVERED AT A LOSS Professional Crowd in Control ‘of the Market. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS ————_— Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, April 23.—The nervous feel- ing which was so pronounced at the close of last week was in evidence during the opening hour this morning, but not to the extent that had been expected. The steel Stocks were given some support for a time, mostly by the short interest, but the street is very skeptical of them even at the low Drices. The selling of the railway shares was rather urgent during the morning hour, but all offerings were well taken. Pennsylvania was sold In round amounts by speculative holders and this selling had a depressing influence on the railroad lst in general. Baltimore and Ohio gave way to renewed pressure and the Pacific shares were weak under a lack of support from the various cliques. At the low prices the demand was good and there was every evi- dence of a determination to resist any ab- normal decline from the present level. Conditions are not such as to warrant any sudden, sustained upward movement, but they are in sympathy with the efforts to resist a decline. One week ago the idea of lower prices Was not considered, except by a few ad- venturous leaders in the Steel stocks, but today rumors of gold shipments, a loss of cash to the banks and the entire gamut of bear arguments made a higher market im- Dossible. Around the noon hour the pessimism of the room had reached its height, but strong. interests came in as buyers, and instead of demoralization a sharp rally was recorded. In London the early decline was recov- ered on assurances from leading bankers that the decline was only te: rary. The Pacific shares gained a full point from the low level of the morning, and the steel stocks railied even more substantially. The Pool in Missouri Pacific bought Uberally, and forced sellers to take back early sales at a loss. The recovery was easily accom- plished in nearly every instance. The floods in the south operated against the properties in that section, the destruc- tion of a bridge detracting Mberally from the Price of Louisville and Nashville. As @ whole the market has done little toward throwing 6ff its professional char. acteristics. Such transactions as have come to light in the manipulation of the in- dustrial properties are not soon forgotten. The public loss of confidence must increase the hardships of the holders of long stocks, and will force a patient waiting for a re- turn of record prices. Political conventions are too close at hand to admit of any in- difference to passing developments of a fas Yorable sort, and if disappointments cone ‘inue the summer will not help prices, ag FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL, urn nety {York Stock Market. rnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., b: and brokers, 1419 F st., members New work stock exchange, correspondents = denburg, Thalmann ec ‘New fore” few York. American Cotton Of1 3544 be rah 8585 4.8. Wire... BR 4083 B72 408} Am. Steel & Wire 4 me aRed American Sugar. 10rZ 106 * Amencan Tobaceo... 3 1037 Atchison. Atchison, pfd_. Baltimore &Ohio.. Baltimore & Ohio. pfi_ BrooklynRevid Transit. Chesapeake & Ohio. C.C. & St. Louts. Caicago, B. & Q.. Chie & Northwestern__ Cnicago Gas CM. and St. Pant. (hicago K. I. & Pai Chic., os Me & . & G. Western. foulsvilie& Nashvilie.. “3 ame ropolitan Traction. 15714 15812 seid Mannattan Elevated <> og? lois 18% PH Missouri Pacitie 5 2 56% Me. K. & T., pid. = 36 * National Leag Coo 2234 Ww Jersey Central. 12° York Central 194 2G = ‘. Penneylvan 3, Phila.« Reading, 1st p ri Southern Pacific. Southern Railway. mT 1831888 I Southern Railway, pli. 5 5 Texas Pacific...” 9g 193 19 19% Tenn. Coaland iron... #21 sig ey Umion Pacific... +4 56 Union Pacific, pid. rae 7S. Leather ros Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call, 12 o'clock m.—Arlington Fire Insurance, 10 at 153, 10 at 151%. Capital Beaton $25 at 108, at 108, $25 at 107%, $350 at ‘$3 at ut, $30 at 107%, $1,000 Re tor, pital ‘Traction, 20 at 105%, % ai 105%, 2) at i, 20 at 105%, 20 at 105%, 20 at 108, 20 at . 0 at 104%, WY at 106%. Mergenthaler Lino: type, 10 et 195%, 10 at 193%, 5 at 108%, 5 at 1udte, Lunston Monotype, 100 at 13% 100 at 13% 50. at 13%, 200 at 18m B. 00, 5 per cent, 100 at 18%, 100 at 13%, 20 at 13%. 10 at 1344, 10 at 13%, 10 at 1A. American Graphopbone, 50 at'12, 50 at 12%. After on Pen ea erection at $7 at 107%, $4 at '. 3. 33, coupon, 000 at Li pal Traction, 100 at ‘1040 2) at 108%, ve ye 1902 sor, District of Columbia Bonds. 30-year ding, 104 bid. 3.656, 1924, funding, 13) bid. laneous Bonds. tal Traction $8, 107% r asked. Met Railroad 5s, 121 bid, 122%, asked. Metropolitan Railroad cert. indebt. A, 110 bid." Metropolitan Railroad cert, indebt., Ii, 170 bid. Columbia Ratlmad Gs, 126 bid. Coluvabia Railroad 24 mort. 5s, 112 id, 113 asked. Washing- ton Gas series A, 6s, 117 bid, 125 asked. Washing- ton Gas series By Os, 117 bid. 125 asked “U.S Electric Light deb. “imp. €6, 108 bid, 112 asked. US ht cert. indedt., 6s, 106 bid. 112 ask sae hone bs, 104 104% bid, 107 asked. American Sect and 4s, 100 bid. Washington Market iat 112 Wd. Washington Market Imp. 6s, 112 bid. Washington Market extn. Gs, 112 bid. Masonle Hall Association Se, 108 bid. American Graphophone deb. 8, 100 National Bank Stocks.—Bank of Washington, bid, 400 axked. Metrpolttan, 610 bid: Gentral, S00 bid. Farmers and Mechanics:, 210 bid. Second, 160 Citizens’, 160 bid. Columbia, 160 bid. Gapi- tal, 150 bid, 160 asked. West End, 119 bid. ‘Trad- ers’, 125 bid, 135 asked. Lincoln, 118 bid, 125 asked. Safe Depostt and Trust Com Deposit ahd Trust, 185 bid, 1 can Sectrty and ‘Trusts 160 Via. Weehlaseoe Ste can Secu . Vash Deposit, 70 bid. 80 asked. z Bate Insurance Stocks.—Piremen’s, 32 bid. Franklin, 42 bid. Metropolitan, 82 bid, 00 asked. Gorcontn, inan-Aimericauy Bia bide Nations Grou 42 Mi, Sey Inan-. lex 212 bi Nat Ini 12 bid, 1: aaked. 1 Ook 1 ce 3 asked. “Wess, itis asked. People’s, 614 Did, 6% asked. Co Sy iid, aed. | Coronta, lee oe Real Estate Title, 80 bi me ” Waste jes.—National Safe asked. Washing- |. Columb ington Title, 3% b} srtet Tithe, Bie let le, bid. ‘Tract! a Rallread Stocks.—Capital ton, 104% bid, 104% asked. Capital ‘tion scrip, 107% bid, 108 asked. City and Suburban, 28 hid, 32 asked. Georgetown and Teulestown, 20 bia, Gas Stocks.—Was! on Gas, x54 Ms Z py I a ley me Stovks.—Ohesay x61 bid. ‘Pennsylvania, 38 bid. = Miscellaneous — Stocks,—Mergenthaler 193% bid, 198% asked. Lanston Monotype, 13 bid, 13% asked. American Graphophone, 11% bid, 1234 7. ferred, 13 bid, skeet. 21 bid, .23 Wi farket, 13 Norfolk’ ana Washington Steamboat, 140 "bid. Lincoln Hall, 60 Wid, 75 asked. x Ex. dividend. —— Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, Aj 33.—Fioar dull; 38; dr extta, $2 dad? 9 winter do., 1st ra Poeumatic Gun Carriace, Mi Grain freights steady: steam to 444. May: Cork for orders, April, 3s. 8. May. Sugar and unchanced. “ Ratter aud exes steady, —_.—__ Government Bonds. Grain, Provisions a coun Wheat Jub Oats—May, ———. MAY REJECT BIDs. Probable Action of Commissioners Kespecting Garbage Dixposal. ‘The proposals received last week by the District Commissioners for the collection and disposal of garbage and other waste and refuse were today considered by them in board meeting. It is understood that in view of the fact that the funds for doing the work have not been provided, and in view of the further fact that there is such @ great difference between the bids submit- ted, the Commissioners concluded to take no action at the present time. The most advantageous proposal from the District's standpoint is said to be that under which the bidder agreed to collect and destroy all waste and refuse, including garbage and ashes, for the sum of $106,000 per annum. But in this connection it is stated that while the pending District appropriation provides the sum of $70,000 for collecting and disposing of garbage and similar waste, to be expended under the supervision of the health department, {t provides the sum of $40,000 for collecting and re- Moving ashes, such work to be under the supervision of the street cleaning de- re In view of this fact, providing he bill, as approved, contains these items in the form in which they left the Senate, it is sald to be not unlikely that the Com- missioners will reject the bids received last week and invite separate ones, so as to place the work of supervising the collection and disposal of ashes under the street cleaning department, and the collection and disposal of garbage and like waste and refuse under the health department. It is also believed that the Commissioners favor the destruction of the waste and refuse in preference to the reduction process. —— TESTING AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVES. If Satisfactory German Manufacturers WU Use Them as Models. In a recent report to the State Depart- ment Consul Frank H. Mason, at Berlin, relates that trials and tests of the efficiency of American locomotives are now taking place in Germany. By reason of their great boiler space and the extent of their heating surface, American locomotives, he says, are much more economical than those now in use on German railways. It is very evident, however, that, like other American machines that have been thus tested by the Germans, the locomotives have been brought over to be studicd and used as mod- els to be imitated by German bullders, and that no idea of obtaining a supply of loco- motives built in the United States ts enter- tained for a moment. Thougi not profitable to American builders, stlll a sincere and flattering compliment is bestowed in the ac- knowledgment of American superiority in this respect. Consul Mason says it also illustrates the importance of protecting as far as possible, by German patents, every American invention or improvememt sold for use in Germany. + «+_____ COLLISION ON ELECTRIC moan. Five Persons Badly Injured Near Mt. Clemens, Mich. DETROIT, Mich., April 23—An electric passenger car on the Shore Line raflroad collided today south of Mt. Clemens with some flat cars which were being pushed by @ motor car. In the shock the passenger motor was forced upon a flat car. The fol- lowing persons were injured: Jesse Lawrence, motorman, hip injured and face bavtered. John Fleming, conductor, face cut and leg badly injured. Fred Hewitt, face cut and bruised. F. J. McQueen of Mt. Clemens, crushed and sertous Interna! injuries. John Harrington, hurt about hips. Two other passengers were slightly in- jured. Motorman Lawrence stuck to his post and succeeded in partially checking the speed of the passenger car, —~++>—__. Army Orders. Maj. James B. Housten, additional pay- master, U. 8. V., at Dorchester, Mass., has been ordered to duty at St. Louis, Mo., re- lieving Maj. B. D. Slaughter, U. 8. V. Maj. Wm. D. Crosby, surgeon, U. 8. V., has been relieved from duty in the Philip- pines and ordered to New York city at at- tending surgeon, relieving Capt William Stephenson, assistant surgeon, U. S. A., who is ordered to San Francisco for duty in the Department of California. Capt. James M. Kennedy, assistant sur- geon, has been relieved from duty in the Department of California, and ordered to Manila, P. L Acting Assistant Surgeon James L, Bev. ans, at San Francisco, has been assigned to duty in the Department of Alaska. Acting Assistant Surgeon H. W. Stucke: at San Francisco, has been assigned to duty with the troops in the Philippines. Capt. Harry F, Hodges, First Lieut, Spen- cer Cosby and Second Lieut. Lytle Brown, corps of engineers, have been ordered to report to Col. Henry M. Robert, corps of engineers, president of the examining board at New York city, to be examined as ta their fitness for promotion. Capt. Charles R. J. Krauthoff, commis- hand sery of subsistence, now at Kansas City, Mo., has been ordered, upon the expiration of his present leave of absence, to San Francisco, Cal., for duty as assistant in the office of Maj. William H. Baldwin, pur- chasing commissary at that place, reliev- ing Maj. George W, Ruthers, commissary of subsistence, U. 8. V. Major Ruthers will then proceed to Manila, P, L, for as- signment to duty. ——_+0+____—__ Another French-English Cable. Consul Thackara.at Havre reports to the State Department that a new submarine telegraphic cable, 81.3 knots in length, has been laid between Havre and Cuckmen, near Beachy Head, England, by the steam- ship Britannia for the Anglo-American Tel- egraph Company. The land connections in England and France will be completed tn a short time. When the new cable ts con- nected with its London wire, use of the Brest cable will be discontinued. An Avenue Through the Mall. Mr. Mason today introduced in the Senate the bill introduced in the House January 3 by Mr. Jenkins, authorizing the purchase of squares west of the Capitol grounds for sites for buildings for the departments of War, Treasury and Interior, as well as for the District government, and providing that the fence of the Botanical Garden be taken down and ramie be cultivated there. The bill as intro@uced in the House is amended to provide for the opening of an avenue through the Mall. + The Point Waived. The statement made elsewhere in The Star to the effeet that Attorney Talbott of Montgomery county, Md., arrived here today before the delivery to the deputy sheriff of the young men arrested on the charge of murder, is inaccurate. It was at first intended by the chief of police to await a consultation with Attorney Talbott pie eed Baek eye ag 3 this Fore with the young men in charge before Mr..Talbott ‘reached the city.