The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 9, 1895, Page 3

: THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1895. e e e ) e Sl B i ek et e e b S i e e iestee e el SRRl VO W R SEE D el el e o G S e e G e 3 WILL GRESHAM ACT2 Hesitates to Retaliate Against Discriminat- ing Countries. FLAG DUTIES IN ORDER. Other Products May Receive the Fate of American ‘Meats. GENERAL TRADE IN DANGER. | Dilatory Tactics to Avold Bringing on a Tarlff War With Pow- erful Nations, ‘WasHINGTON, March 8.—The State and Treasury departments now have before them the question of retaliating against countries discriminating against American meat and other products k ng 10 per cent additional duty upon goods imported | from such countries. The act which grants | this authority is known as the ‘“discrimina- | ting flag law,” and provides that 10 per cent | add hall be levied and collected by the Secretary of the Treasury upon all goods imported by vessels flying | the flag of the country which discriminates | against American products. | No Presidential proclamation is neces- | sary, but the Secretary of the Treasury has | full power in his discretion whenever he | is advised of discrimination on the part of | any foreign nation. The law is mandatory | that he s hall collect 10 per cent additional | duty on goods imported under the flag of that country This law, held, should in its intent be operative at this time against Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, but the Secretary of State hesi- tates to officially notify the Secretary of the Treasury of the discrimination. Itis said that he has trouble in satisfying him- self that he can declare a discrimination, while the countries n ng it claim that it is merely a h ation that our meats and lives This against was made by Germany the American hog during Mr. time until some commercial con- i cession was v this country in return for the admission of hogs. Immediately consideration of the health of his Maje subjects was then dismissed. The Secre of Agriculture has in- | formed the President and Secretary of | State that no diseased meats or livestock | are shipped abroad from this country; | that inspection here is more thorough and complete than any foreign Government has facilities for, and that meat which Germany, France, Belgium and Denmark pronounce infected is declared by our in- | spectors at inland points of shipment, the | constitution upon the produced in 1894 will be made. The act provides that there shall be paid on cane | and beet sugar produced in 1894 a bounty at the rate of eight-tenths'of one cent per pound and appropriates §5,000,000 for this purpose. The best data obtainable, however, indi- cates that the appropriation is entirely too small, and that something like $6,120,000 would be necessary to liquidate all of the claims on a basis of eight-tentlis of a cent per pound. Louisiana, it is said, produced ~bout | 700,000,000 pounds, Florida and Texas 20,- 000,000 pounds, and estimating the beet- sugar production at 45,000,000 pounds, the same as the yield of 1893, giving a total of 763,000,000 pounds. In view of the probable shortage Secre- tary Carlisle has decided to pro rate the payments among all of the producers ac- cording to their yield. This would war- rant a payment of about .65 of a cent per pound, instead of .8 of a cent. Under this arrangement all claims will fare alike and any scramble for precedence will be avoided. — SIBLEY'S VIEWS ON SILVER. Has Not Been Offered the Presidency by the New Party. Prrrspure, March S8.—Ex-Congressman Joseph C. Sibley of Franklyn, Pa., the head of the new silver party, was in the city to-day, and concerning the new party he said: “The new silver party is more of a prin- ciple than anything else. But it is a prin- ciple that is bound to enforce recognition from the people and one that is growing in power daily. We may ue cartload aiter cartload of bonds, but we are only carrying the Government along on a promise, not on solid realities.” When asked if he wounld accept the nom- ination of the silverites for President, he said: “It would not be wise to refuse a thing that has not been offered. I cannot tell what I will do until I see what isex- pected of me.” JUSTICES TAKE INTEREST. THEY ASK QUESTIONS DURING THE ARGUMENTS ON THE IN- COME TAX. CORPORATION ATTORNEYS GIVE THEIR REASONS WHY THE LAw SHourLp Not HoLp. March 8.—In the Supreme Court of the ited States to-day Mr. Guth- rieresumed his argument fortheappellants in the income tax cases. He discussed the bearing on the fifth amendment of the cases and also re- ferred to other constitutional provisions. Referring to the fifth constitutional amend- ment he said its prov should be deprived of life, liberty or prop- erty without due process of law had been made for the protection ot the people against undue intrenchments. He con- tended that any law which would impose a tax on one class of people and not another was in direct contradiction of this amend- ment. He then returned to the discussion W ASHINGT! port of embarkation and a foreign entry, to be perfectly free from disease. If this ! be true it is held that discri nin&tinn, against this country is unqualified, and | the Secretary of the Treasury should have | 10 opinion in the matter, but should im- mediately enforce the flag law. The question which seems to be bother- ing Mr. Gresham is whether he shall take the testimony of our own inspectors or the declaration of foreigners who are seeking an excuse for discrimination without in- volving a pena id that he is inclined to a bt the technical plea of foreign Governments and take the ground that the exclusion of American products | is not discrimination within the meaning | of the law, and that any resentment by this cou can come only through a proclamation of retaliation under the act of 1890. It is predicted by students of our foreign commerce that discrimination against ‘American fresh meat and livestock, if not retaliated upon at once, will be followed rapidly by diserimination inst one arti- | cle after another of American export, until all American products will be excluded from the countries of Europe, except Eng- land and possibly Austria. Thus far Austria has occupied only a threatening attitude, and it is believed that she, like England, instead of joining in the tariff war against America, will be inclined to take advantage of it for her own commer- cial profit. The danger of the situation and the probability of a very serious tariff | war between this country and all conti- nental Europe is said to be fully appre- ciated at the State Department. It is said that it will be with great reluctance that Mr. Cleveland and Mr. Gresham will take any steps looking to the exclusion or even restriction of foreign importations, both because the policy is to encourage impor- tations and because it is feared that if we attempt to retaliate it might precipitate a conflict with one or several of the foreign powers. TOR THE NAVAL MILITIA HOW THE RECENT APPROPRIATION Is To BE DISTRIBUTED BY MR. HERBERT. STATE FoRrcEs NoT PROPERLY UNI- FORMED WILL LosE ONE-HALF OF THE ALLOTMENT. WasniNGTox, March 8.—Secretary Her- bert has issued a special circular prescrib- ing the manner of distribution of the ap- propriation of $25,000 made by Congress in the naval appropriation bill for the arm- ing and equipping of the naval militia. Five hundred dollars of the total will be refained to provide books of instruction for distribution and the remainder of the appropriation will be allotted to the States having national militia forees in proportion of petty officers and enlisted men returned from the States. One-half of the allotment due a State will be retained in cases where the naval militia is not now properly uni- formed. The Governors of States are required to make their returns before the 15th of next April, certifying to the location of the various divisions of the militia and the number of commissioned and warrant officers, petty officers and enlisted men in the service on April 1. No person serving in the land militia, or as bandsman, .or as servant in the militia will be included in the return. s SRARS THE APPROPRIATION TOO SMALL. Sugar Bounties CGTVOHI]/ Be Paid at Present in Part. ‘WasniNGToN, March 8.—The Secretary of the Treasury will within the next few days of the question of taxation of corporations | in a different way from which individuals were taxed and said this point was of tran- | scendant importance in the case, reassert- ing the property of any corporation was the property of the individuals compos- ing it. He asserted that if Congress was per- mitted to discriminate against corpora- tions as in the income law, it would virtually have the power to nullify the right of States to create corporations. He closed with an appeal for equality in taxa- tion. Mr. Seward followed, also speaking on behalf of the appellants. He argued against the constitutionality of the in- come tax. He devoted himself to the dis- cussion of the question as to whether the tax was a direct tax, and argued that if it was it must, under provisions of the con- stitution, be apportioned according to population. Mr. Seward was disscussing the question of apportionment when the Chief Justice interrupted him with the question: “Sup- pose there should not be a sufficient amount arising from the taxation of in- come of over $4000 to meet the require- ments of a given State?” “It could be done,” replied Mr, Seward, ‘“on the basis of population, which is the only thing to be apportioned to.” Assistant Attorney-General Whitney then presented the outlines of the Govern- ment’s case. He explained the difference between tne two cases from New York and the one arising in the district, saying that in the Moore case the effort has been to secure an injunction against the collection of the tax, while in the other two cases the effort had been made to enjoin the pay- ment of the tax, the first being an action against the Commissioner of Internal revenue and the two others against trust companies of which the appellants were stockholders. Mr. Moore, he said, a rich man who possessed an income exceeding $200,000 a year, did not claim to have any property that could not be reached asa lien for the collectidn of the tax. Mr. Moore had declared that this law could not apply to an unconstitutional tax, but the court had held that an un- constitutional tax was still a tax. “How can Congress make a law compell- ing a man to do a thing which the con tution says he cannot?”’ asked Ju Field. But at the suggestion of Chief Jus- tice Fuller that further discussion of the point was unnecessary Mr. Whitney did not attempt to reply and passed on to the Pollock case. Mr. Whitney had not concluded when the court at 4 o’clock adjourned until Mon- day at 2 o’clock, when, after Mr. Whitney concludes, ex-Senator Edmunds will be heard in the case, and he in turn will be followed by Attorney-General Olney. EET Sovr milk should never be used with bal owder. Dr. Price’s makes food ligh sweet. an > ON THE SANTA FE SYSTEM. Statement of Earnings of the Principal Pisaches. Cnrcaco, March 8.—The earnings of the Santa rfe system for the fourth week of February were $815,074, an increase of $19,888 over the same week of last year. The net earnings for the month to date are §2,814,294, a decrease of $32,489. The earnings of the Atlantic and Pacific were, for the week, $69,360, an increase of $20,461; for the monlh to date, $235,015, an increase of $46,147. The earnings of the Colorado Midland were, for the week, $36,074, an increase of $2834; for the month to date, $109,032. a decrease of $3744. — Operatives Must Stop Work. Loxpox, March 8.—Owing to the compli- cated dispute as to the use of machinery and other matters, the members of the National Federation of Boss Manufactur- begin the preparation of regulations under which the appropriation of $5,000,000 made by the last Congress as a bounty for sugar ers has notified the operatives to stop work on March 16. This action affects 200,000 employes through the country. n that no person | WITHORAWAL OF GOLD Treasury Officials Not Embarrassed in the Payments. FALLING OFF OF RESERVE Assistant Secretary Curtis Cor- rects Some Erroneous Statements. EXPENDITURES AND RECEIPTS. Uncle Sam Has Plenty of Money to Pay All the Appro- priations. ‘W asHINGTON, March 8.—Assistant Secre- tary Curtis to-day made the following statement: In yview of certain statements in the news- papers that the treasury officials are embar- rassed by an alleged faflure in gold deliveries under the recent contract and other assertions of & similar nature calculated to mislead and disturb the public mind I wish to say that the actual withdrawals of gold from the tressury the 1st of March, 1895, have been 347, of which $281,087 has been for the redemption of United States treasury notes and §$74,260 for the redemption of United States notes, and divided among the cities of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, San Francisco, St. Louis and Chicago. These are no more than the ordinary withdrawals which in the past have ususlly taken place at this season of the year. Moreover, during the same period the treasury has received con- siderable gold coin in exchange for various inds of paper currency. The apparent falling off in the gold reserve was caused by a misunderstanding in the gold | reserve statement, made upfrom the statement sent from New York, which should not have been included in the gold reserve until the final certificates of deposit upon which bonds could be issued were delivered. The February figures quoted in some of the newspapersas withdrawn include the heavy withdrawals of the earlier part of the month before the gold purchase contract was made, and one single large item not withdrawn for export, concern- ing which there has been considerable news- paper comment. The treasury officials who are charged with | the responsibility of these transactions have no | anxiety whatever in regard to the method | which is and has been pursued by the sellers of | the gold coin under the recent contract. They | ar. sfied to contemplate the fact that for | five weeks the withdrawals of gold coin have not exceeded the normal amount, with the ex- ception of the instance quoted above, and that exports of gold would ever have been made during that time. The fact is that fully 0,000,000 in gold has already been deposited on the foreign account in excess of the con- tract requirements. In regard to the excess of Government ex- | penditures over receipts, it is well known the | latter are rapidly increasing. and that up to | this time nothing has been received from the | income tax and very little from sugar duty, both of which will be great sources of revenue | in the future. There is plenty of money in the treasury to | pay the appropriations and the statement in some articles, that if the treasury had the money the passage of the enormous appropria- tions would lead to immediate disbursement of immense sums of money, is totally untrue. There is & question of law as to when the ap- propriation for the payment of sugar bounty becomes available, and until that question is settled it will be impossible to make any pay- ment. Moreover, the claims for bounty must be adjusted before payment, since payment must be made pro rata if the appropriation is | insuflicient. | The total available cash in the treasury to- | day amounts to $83,371,495 over and above | the $100,000,000 allowed to cover the gold re- serve, which is $89,745,594 11. The tr officials have no anxiety as to their ability to meet all obligations in the immediate future | with ease, and are confident the expected re- vival of business will assure the future. SAVERS G@w TIGURES HIS REVIEW OF APPROPRIATIONS MADE BY THE PAST CONGRESSES. EXPENDITURES MATERIALLY CuT DowN AND THE SALARY LisT PRUNED. ‘WasnINGTON, March 8—Chairman Say- ersof the House Appropriations Commit- tee has made a statement of the appropria- tions of the last Congress. He presented in the statement tables showing appropria- tions of three Congresses, as follows: Fifty- first, $1,035,580,109; Fiity-second, $1,027,- 104,527; Fifty-third, $990,338,691. Mr. Sayers says: “The appropriations made by the Fifty-third Congress, includ- ing permanent appropriations, show a re- duction of $46,765,856 under the appropria- tions made by the Fifty-second Congress and $45,341,418 under those made in the Fifty-first Congress.” Sayers, making a comparison with last year, shows that there is a net increase of $5,877,320. The new public buildings authorized, in- cluding one in Chicago to cost $4,000,000, will not exceed in cost $5660,00 beyond the sums appropriated therefor, while the Fifty-first Congress left to its successors more than $8,000,000 to be appropriated for public buildings which it authorized. The salaried list of the Government has been reduced by this Congress more than 600 persons, with an annual compensation amounting to quite three-quarters of a million dollars. —_—— A GIVEN quantity of Dr. Price’s Baking Powder will do twice as much work as a like quantity of any other powder. Sl Eraly NOW DEFIES THE OFFICERS. Murderer Slevin Retrecats to a Mountain Stronghold. BeverLy, W. Va., March 8.—At “Ste- vens Cabin,” near the Pocahontas county line, Ham Collins, a well-known char- acter, has been shot and killed by Charley Slevin. Slevin heard Collins quarreling with some one and thought it was his brother, Samuel Slevin. Charley took his Win- chester and hurried across the hollow to the scene of the trouble, where he found Collins fighting with Frank Maxwell. He mixed in the fight and shot Collins through the hedrt, putting another bullet through his brain as he was falling, Slevin has not been arrested, and he is fortified with a party of friends in the mountains, where they defy the officers. A grudge existed between Collins and Slevin. —— Higgins Leads by Two. Dover, Del., March 8.—One ballot was taken for United States Senator to-day re- sulting: Higgins 8, Addicks 6, M: 4 Wolcott 6, Tannel Sl By Legislators Dying Hard. GurHRIE, O. T., March 8.—This was the | better condition durs last day session of the Legislature, and was one of uproar and confusion. The Senate killed the bill to allow prize fight- ing. The time pieces are being turned back and the session will continue all night. —_— WITH HEAVY LIABILITIES. Failure of the Central Kansas Loan and Trust Company. Russery, Kans., March 8.—The Central Kansas Loan and Trust Company made an assignment to-day for the benefit of its creditors to Charles P. Copeland. The liabilities are scheduled at $250,906. The company, like many others, has operated extensively in Western farm loans. Its guaranteed securities are widely scattered among Eastern investors. The assets are nominally about $400,000, but cannot be realized on at this time. —_— THE CUBAN REVOLUTION. Troops Being Sent From Spain to the Trowbled Country. Maprin, March 8.—The work of dispatch- ing reinforcements to the army in Cuba is now fully under way. To-day the steamer Alfonso XIII started from Barcelona for a Cuban port, having on board two battalions of infantry. A battalion left Madrid to-day for Cadiz, where it will em- bark for Cuba. A dispatch from Havana says that Gen- eral Garrach yesterday defeated the rebels at Los Negros, capturing the camp and a quantity of arms. Five webels were killed. S A Handed Their assports. Romg, March 8.—The semi-official Agence Stefani says: According to a dis- patch from Caracas, Venezuela, the French and Belgian Ministers have been handed their passports owing to their attitude on the question of the claims of French and Belgian subjects for damages sustained during the civil war of 1887. Stee s S Boodle Councilmen Indicted. New ORLEANS. March 8.—The Grand Jury to-day returned three separate indict- ments against Councilmen L. 0. Desforges, Thomas Haley, P. B. Caulfield and others for conspiracy to receive a bribe from Charles Marshal, superintendent of the L. and N. Railroad. MISAPPLYING THE FUNDS. SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST THE OFFICERS OF A SURETY COMPANY. A RECEIVER APPLIED FOR AND AN INJUNCTION SPEEDILY GRANTED. DExvEer, March 8.—A receiver for the Col- orado Security Company has been asked for, and an injunction restraining it from transacting further business has been granted. H.J. Aldrich, one of the lead- ing wembers of St. John’s Cathedral, is at the head of the company. The petition is issued by H. C. Wilson, who charges that the company is insolvent and that the offi- cers have converted to their own use at least §40,000 collected on mnotes and coupons. The petitioner recites that the business of the corporation has been for a long time recklessly, extravagantly and frandulently managed. Money has heen invested and money collected, it is alleged, on notes previously sold by the corporation amount- ing to $25,000 in the La Junta and Lamar Ditch Companyy which is new insolvent, and this is practically lost. The principal and interest collected from other loans previously sold by the corporation, it is said, have been used in the payment of favored investors, who are now buying the loans of the corporation. The stockholders have organized other companies, bought real estate with the money of the corporation and made loans upon the land greatly in excess of its value. If the entire assets of the corporation were | sold they would not pay over 10 per cent | of said loans, the petition says. The entire capital stock of the corpora- tion has been attached, except three shares belonging to Aldrich, who denies the im- portant allegations in the complaint. Mr. Wilson, the plaintiff, was the East- ern representative of this company, and Aldrich says this action is the result of complications which ensued during a settlement. AR TELEGRAPHIC NEWS IN BRIEF. Rey. William R. Freemantle, Dean of Ripon, has died of influenza. Providence, R. I., was severely shaken by a gas explosion in the Counter-weight Tunnel on College Hill. President Cleveland and party are having good sport in slaughtering ducks in South Carolina waters. The British steamer Premier has arrived at Colon, bringing thirty prisoners captured when the army of General Logus was defeated in the Department of Bolivia. Engineer John Nuffer, the American who is held responsible by many in Mexico for the terrible wreck on the Interoceanic Railroad February 28 last, has gone to Texas to escape the fury of Mexican natives, At attempt was made to rob the Service Bank at New Carlisle, Pa. An explosion aroused the watchman and others, and the Tobbers were frightencd off. They escaped after a number of shots were fired. Socialists, headed by Eugene Foure, went to the Church Notre Dame at Clingham Court, in- sulted the preacher and came to blows with the worshipers. The police were called, and an hour passed before the riot was subdued. Editor Charles A. Dana of the New York Sun ‘was arrested on the indictment charging that he criminally libeled Frank B. Noyes of the Washington Star. Mr. Dana was released upon his own recognizance and his hearing set for the 16th inst. Colonel Edmund Rice of the Fifth United States Infantry, organizer and commander of the Columbian Guards at the World’s Fair, is the most prominent candidate for superin- tendent of the New York police, to succeed Thomas Byrnes. Rev. Elijah Tuller, a resident of Pigeon Creek, Logan County, Va., left his home for & short walk down the creek, Pieces of his body were found scattered along the road. It is thought that he was attacked by wild beasts and torn to pieces. The revolution begun in the north of Hayti has spread to the south. The Haytian exiles, Wwho have been living in Jamaica, waiting for a chance to overthrow Hippolyte, are prepar- ing to leave. Hayti’s Minister of War, General Adelson Verene, has fled to San Domingo. During the religious services at a Protestant church at Lompaniz, in Bulgaria, the building was invaded by & mob of the members of the Orthodox Greek Church, who assaulted the worshipers, tore up the prayer-books and com- pletely wrecked the interior of the church. Several Germans and Americans were seriously injured during the disturbance. The Ameri- cans are under British protection. —_— SUGAR REFINERS COMBINE. No Further Clash Between Independent Operators and the Trust. PHILADELPHIA, March 8.—It was stated to-day on good authority that the inde- pendent sugar refineriés have combined with the sugar trust to maintain prices. The fact that the sugar market has been in ng the past two days seems to bear out the statement that there will be no further clash between the trust and the independent operators. BURDEN OF FARMERS Can Be Lightened Only by National Remedial ‘Legislation. CAUSES OF DEPRESSION. Mainly Owing to a Decrease in the Silver Purchasing Power. DEMONETIZATION IS A CRIME. Report of the Majority of the Con- | gressional Committee Appointed to Investigate. ‘WasHINGTON, March 8.—The majority of the special committee of the House ap- pointed to inquire into the causes of the prevailing agricultural depression has pre- pared a report, in which it says: It is unnecessary for the committee to enter into or dwell upon the fact that agriculture is depressed in every branch of this most im- portant industry; that the values of land and farm, unless surrounded by exceptionally rare conditions, have depreciated steadily as the purchasing power of the dollar has increased. But while the values of the property owned by the American farmers have decreased in thirty years from nearly one-half of the total wealth in 1860 to less than one-fourth in 1890, of which 30 per cent is now under mortgages, taxes have steadily increased and debts now require four times the labor to be-paid than was then required. The purchasing capacity of the dollar to secure the farmer’s land and his produce has increased fourfold, while the power to pay his taxes and debts has remained at a standstill. In 1873 wheat sold from $155 to $225 a bushel (according to Spofford’s Almanac) in New York. In 1894 tt sold at 50 cents. Discussing the causes of the depression the committee says: Class legislation of the worst character en- cumbers the statute-books and has been car- ried on to the detriment of agriculture and its dependent industries for thirty years, cnlmin- ating in the crime of the age, the demonetiza- tion of silyer in 1873. The demonetization of silver was a bold stroke in the interest of capital that has re- duced thewalue of every product in the world. This is conclusively proven by the fact that just as silver has depreciated in like proportion haye all other values fallen in the scale. Silver bullion to-day has the capacity to purchase as mich wheat, cotton, pork, corn and lard and every other commodity that it ever had, there- fore the depreciation of the white metal simply means the depreciation of every article under the sun with one single exception, the gold of Shylock. The tariff system of taxation is not only un equal, but, as for the past thirty years adminis- tered in this country, ismost unjust to the con- sumer, and has built up trusts, combines and gigantic corporations that have not only amassed great wealth at the expense of the people, but who have assumed to control and direct legislation so as to perpetuate their power and gratify their greed. The tariff bears with undue weignt upon the producer of agri- cultural staples, as it forces him not only to buy in the dearest market, but to sell in open competition with the world’s lowest prices. The egricultural depression is still further augmented by tne sale of futures on our stock exchanges, where the grain gamblers grow rich by farming the telegraph wires and sell- ing wind while the honest and industrious toilers on the prairies reap the whirlwind. Food adulterations add millions annually to the farmer’s losses and compel him to meet in competition the thief. To these might be added other causes, but the principal ones to which agricultural depression and stagnation in trade is due have been cited. The remedy lies in remedial legislation, and until that is secured relief will not come per- mwanently. To secure relief we suggest: First—That silver should be remonetized at the ratio of 16 to 1. Second—That so long as the present unjust and unequal system of protection continues agriculture should receive its just propor- tion, and as this cannot be secured by a pro- tective tariff that a bounty on exported agri- cultural staples should be allowed, similar to that on fish in 1813, and for which John C. Calhoun voted. Third—The gambling in futures should be prevented by law. Fourth—Thata national pure-food law should be enacted. A minority report is being prepared. It is an age of practical economy. Dr. Price’s Baking Powder is the most eco- nomical of household agents. Strong, pure and wholesome. ON THE CABLE PROJECT. COMMUNICATION WITH HAWAII OF GREAT INTERNATIONAL IM- PORTANCE. RussIA Is PERHAPS As DEEPLY IN- TERESTED AS THE UNITED STATES. ‘WasHINGTON, March 8.—When Congress failed to provide for building the Hawaiian cable, it by no means ended the question. On the contrary, it has brought forward a project of international importance by which Russia, France, Japan and Hawaii will join in an American enterprise for laying acable from the United States to Hawaii, and thence to Japan, with branch cables to the French islands-and extensive naval stations in the South Pacific. The negotiations with these Governments has proceeded quietly, but with such satis- factory results that they are well along toward completion. A number of confer- ences have been held with the officials of the Japanese legation here, and several phases of the subject are now under nego- tiation between Tokio and Washington. Minister Kurino is much interested in the project. It is probable five or six of the most influential and wealthy Japanese merchants will be named among the incor- porators. France has also been interested, and in the course of the negotiations she has made a suggestion to Hawaii to the effect that French interests will be better sub- served by having the cable go via the United States instead of Vancouver, which would be controlled by Great Britain. The chief interest of France is in securing cable connections with Tahiti and her other Pa- cific possessions and with her naval ren- dezvous, which is now cut off from com- munication. Russia’s interests in the project are re- garded as even more important than those of Japan or France. Russia’s cable com- munication with the Western Hemisphere is now eastward through London or Paris, and this filtering of all her news and offi- cial messages through London in particu- lar has long been a source of irritation. The Russian imperial family already have a cable from Vladivostock, the east- erly point of Siberia, to Japan, so the new line would give Russia through cable com- munication eastward instead of through London or Paris. The military and strategic importance of this is very great, for should Russia be arrayed against the triple alliance she could not communicate eastward to the outer world, but could always maintain communication eastward to the United States and to France. Hawaii is also interested in the enter- prise, as she regards itasa practical realiza- tion of her efforts to communicate with the outer world. e STRIKE OF THE Little Chance of a Speedy Settlement of | the Wage Question. | PrrrssurG, March 8.—The miners are holding out for the 60-cent rate and reject all compromises. About 1000 men have | been granted the demands and are at | work at the few mines running to supply the local demand. Itis estimated that of | over 20,000 miners in the district 4000 re- : fused to join the strike and are working at | 55 centsa ton less. A dispatch from Clarks- | burg, W. Va., states that the Pittsburg | district officials are trying to get the | miners there to quit work and thus cut off | all supplies. | As was predicted last night, the Robbins | Company miners in the first pool quit | work to-day, although they were under | contract, and will likely lose the ten | per cent in wages held back by the com- Fany according to the agreement. The de- ections yesterday and to-day demonstrate | I'that a working combination among the | operators will be difficult to effect. | —_— | On the Bear to Alaska. | ‘WasHINGTON, March 8.—Assistant Secre- | tary Sims of the Interior Department has | addressed a letter to Secretary Carlisle | asking permission for Dr. Sheldon Jack- | son of the Agricultural Bureau to accom- | any the revenue cutter Bear to Alaska. | r. Jackson has been allowed this priv lege before. MINERS. FEARFUL NOTINY ON BOARD SENSATIONAL STORY REGARDING THE L0SS OF THE BARK PORTLAND LLOYD. CUTTHROAT PERUVIANS KILLED THE OFFICERS, BUT THE VESSEL ‘Was WRECKED. PHILADELPHIA, March 8.—A letter re- ceived in this city from Charles Jones, steward of the missing American bark Portland Lloyd, which left Junin for New York on February 4, conveys the startling information that the vessel was wrecked during a desperate mutiny on board in which the captain and most of his crew were killed. Shortly after the bark left Junin with a valuable cargo of nitrate it was reported she had struck on a rock at the entrance to the bay of Junin and all hands were drowned. Jones’ letter declares that the affair was a planned attempt by the revolutionary party in Peru to seize the vessel’s cargo for use against the Government. The captain was knocked down with a handspike, the chief mate was shot dead and two sailors stabbed. The men at the wheel, seeing that they were at the mercy of a set of desperate men, purposely steered the bark on to the rocks. The steward and A. B. Jellusson, a seaman, were the only ones of the Ameri- can crew saved. They endured great hard- ships and bad to lie concealed for some days before they could escape the ruffians. The leader of the mutineers is said to be Gonzales de Pietro, a notorious character who had shipped as a seaman on the Port- land Lloyd and bad a gang of cutthroats concealed on board. Itis believed most of these men perished in the wreck. Suitable for Par 20 per cent to 50 per cent before purchasing. MOQUETTES $1.00 per yard SEWED AND™ LAID. AXMINSTERS $1.20 per yard SEWED AND LAID. TAPESTRY BRUSSELS " 75 cents per yard SEWED AND LAID. THE NAIRN PERFECT WATERPRO:! ARTISTIC! 1000 Square Yards. 1500 Square Yards 2500 Square Yards. 5000 Square Yards. 5000 Square Yards. Upholstery NEW GOODS NEW PRICES NEW DESIGNS. of to $4 50 per pair. and upward, 50 inches wide. SANITARY! THE LATTER THE BEST QUALITY MADE. NEW TO-DAY. W.&J.SLOANE & CO0. SPRING IMPORTATIONS SEVERAL CARS A JUST ARRIVED! NOW BEING PLACED ONSHOW Beautiful ODD CHAIRS and DAINTY DIVANS URNITURE lor Furnishings. Artistic Styleés in BEDROOM SETS, CHIFFON- IERS and DRESSING TABLES. Magnificent Display of DINING-ROOM, LI~ BRARY and HALL FURNITURE. The above lines are all of the very latest importations and are offered by us, until further notice, at a reduction ranging from LESS THAN REGULAR PRICES. We urge intending purchasers to compare stock and prices Special attention called to our window display. CARPETS! A superb line of private patterns made ex- pressly to our order in high class designs and colorings. These goods are absolutely controlled by us. We are enabled to offer the consumer an immense and unrivaled range of high class patterns, that cannot be obtained elsewhere. The best quality manufactured, and lead the market in design and colorings. We call special attention to the great va, ricty offered from which to make selections. LINOLEUM. OF FLOOR COVERING DURABLE: Regular Price. Reduced Price. -$.50 +40 lald .65 .50 laid W75 +65 laid .90 .80 lald . 1.00 +90 lald Department. Magnificent Assortment Irish Point Lace Curtains at hali former price. Large Line of TAPESTRY PORTIERES, fringed edge and bottom, reduced PLAIN and FIGURED DENIMS at 30 cents per yard. Immense Line of RICH TAPESTRIES, commencing at 50 cents per yard LARGE LINE BLANKETS AND COMFORTERS AT REDUCED PRICES. W. & J. SLOANE & (0, 641, 643, 645 and 647 Market St, 8. F, NEXT PALACHE OTEL. 0