The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 19, 1895, Page 7

| i THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1895 THURSDAY AMUSEMENTS. BALDWIN THEATER.—Rice’s Big * CAJAFORNIA THEATER COLUMBIA THEATE! Trv L1 OPERA-HOUSE. OrrEEUM.—High-Class Va GROVFR'S A1CAZAR.—“Streets of New York.” MACDONOUGH THEATER (OAKLAND) — Herr- mann, the Great. 10T THE CHUTEs.—Daily at Halght street, «1 ¢ Liock east of the Parl PACTFIC €0AST JOCKEY CLuB.—Races to-day. FOOTBALL—At Central Park, Saturday, Ber 21, at 2:30 p. a. o AUCTION SALES. BY INDIANA AUCTION Co.—This day (Thurs- day), Japanese Art and Curios, at 22 Geary street, at M. ASTON, ELDRIDGE & Co.—This day (Thurs- s. utter street, at 7:30 p. . BY G H. I/'MB<EN & Co.—Real Estate, Saturday, December 28, at 12 o'clock noon at salesroom, 14 Montgomery street. CITY NEWS IN BRIEF. The Supervisors asked to stop poker-pl in this City. TR b The will of the late Charles Mayne was filed for probate yesterday. A concert will be given Friday evening for | the benefit of the Boys’ Club. ht rain’’ is prophesied for to-day b; Forecast Official W, H. Hammon. 7Y The Park Commissioners will give the school . dren an outing during the holiday vaca- ion. The California Jockey Club has announced the dates for running off the various stakes for its next meet. At a meeting held in Garibaldi Hall, Mon- day, the Italian Consul heard King Humbert cailed a “vampire.” The suspended members of the junior class of the C ollese of Dentists say they will not apologize to Dr. Sharp. _Attorney Spelling renews his charge that the California Safe Deposit Company is not a bank- ing concern under the code. Rev. Franz S. King last night lectured at the Temple on the subject of “Will Socialism Solve the Problem of Equal Rights?” Next Monday Supreme Court Commissioners Searls, Belcher and Haynes will examine can- didates for admission to the bar. Detectives are searching for M. J. Feurer, collector for C. D. Bunker & Co., Custom-house brokers, as he is wanted for forgery. Another mint scandal is brewing in_Carson, and it in probable that the State Boar xaminers will begin an investigation. It is not improbable that the case of Colonel Radiord, now in prison at Cali, Colombia, may cause trouble between Germany and America. The American ship Iroquois arrived yester- day from Philadelphia. The crew charge the first mate with cruelty to them during the voy- age. The Police Commissioners last night recom- mended wholesale chenges of sergeants from g;\c district to another to take effect on Decem- r 21. Miss Jane Gray, once a teacner in Mme. Swedenstern’s_school, has been_saved from starvation by the matron of the King’s Daugn- ters’ Home. The will'of Mrs. Elizabeth Waters has peen | ket aside because of unsoundnessof mind on the part of the testatrix and undue influence exerted over her. The Committee on Municipal Buildtngs of the Bonrd of Supervisors decided yesterday to give prizes for the best plans for the rebuilding of the old City Hall. The Republicans of the Thirty-fourth District will soon make & thorough canvass of the pre- | cinets in the district in order to secure a full precinct enrollment. Mrs. Elizabeth Shafer has commenced suit to 1re a half interest v which she alleges was fraudulently con- vered away from her. M murder and mutilation oi Addie Gilmour through a criminal operation, told ner story on the stand yesterdey. The Supervisors have appointed & sgecinl comumitt investigate the Wicl ersham bouse contract work on Francisco ockton streets. The Harbor Commissioners again met yester- day to consider the question of stone for the depot. They are in favor of using Cali- ria material, and will do 8o if possible. People in the Richmond district complain that.the Street Superintendent prevents the of sewers during rainstorms to carry off the ter and much damage to property ensues. Yesterday was Ladies’ day at Ingleside track, and a big crowd witnessed the racing. The winning horses were: Adolph Spreckels, George Miller, Sister Mary, Collins, Rob Roy and Joc. Argument in the Howell case will continue to-day in the United States District Court. At- torney Evans S. Pillsbury for the defense was very severe on Secret Service Agent N. R. H ris yesterday. Eugene Pardini, the Washington-street shoe- dealer, was yesterday held by Judze Low to enswe bonds on another charge of criminally assault- ing little girls. he Dor: estate’s suit against the Alaska Gold end Silver Mining Company, involving the ownership of the “Cash lode” on Baranoff 1xland, has been appealed to the United States | Circuit Court of Appeals. A batch of fourteen blooded yearlines of runuing stock, shipped from Montans, brought poor prices last night, as buyers were airaid of them. Five voungsters from Chase’s Souoma farm caused livelier bidding. Fred Miller, employed in a butcher-shop on Sixteenth stréet, got his right hand entangled in a sausage machine yesterday and his four filigers had to be amputated at the knuckles at the City and County Hospital. Thomas Cavanaugh, a_painter, living at 817 Ellis street, was wrestling with a friend last night in a saloon on Jones and Taylor streets, when he was threwn to the floor and both bones of his left leg were broken. The Supreme Court has affirmed the decision the Oakland court allowing Mrs. Clara and $10,000 damages for injuries re- ceived on one of the lines of the Oakland Con- solidated Street Railway Company. Jennie Misrowsky was before Judge Dainger- field ‘vesterday asking that her marriage. to Morris Misrowsky be annulled. She savs she was forced Lo g0 through the ceremony by her brotber-in-law, Charles Greenebaum. H. A. Reynolds, & telegraph operator, had a row with 4 man in_the Senate saloun on Pine and Kearny streets, when the man drew & knife and cut him over the left eye. The wound was dressed at the Receiving Hosp'tal. Suit was entercd yesterday by the Harbor Commission against the Pacific Improvement Company and lumber companies to compel them to vacate or remove whearves built upon State ‘property on Channel street, between Fifth and Sixth. Accoraing to a decision of the Interstate Commerce Commission just rendered, it is highly probable that the Southern Pacific Compuany may be comvelled to make heavy re- ductions in freight rates between Colorado and California pointe. Miss Josephine Gassman, a talented San Fran- cisco girl, was last night elected an honorary member of the Theatrical Mechanics’ Associa- honor she shares with only three of How tion, an ) u(;‘ner Jadies, Mme. Rhea, Lydia Yeamans Titus and Tilley Morrise; A man giving the name of Bart Morrison, who is suspected of sttempting to hold up milkman on Tuesday morning, was allowed to go on paying s light fine for drunkenness through somebody’s blunder, and the police are again searching for him. James Dennis, a laborer living 1n the Union Hotel, went into a restanrant on Fourth street last night ana had something to eat. He had & dispute with the waiter about the bill and the waiter hiz him over the head with a beer glase, cutting his scalp in two places. The creditors of Sarah W. I. Taylor have brought suit against W. P. Taylor ngd M. F. Dantier, to set aside a transfer of $25,000 to them. . They sllege the transfer to be made With # view to keep the momey from failing ‘4nto their handsas holders of her notes In a communication to United States District Attorney Foote yesterday, Chief Clerk Jerome of the Custom-house advises the Government's legal representative that the piea of any seal- ing capiain that be was unable to obtain spe- cie 1 licenses here is no excuse for violating the Farls rward zct of April 6, 1894. Special allu- tion is made to the seized schooner, Kate aud Anna. Sued the Mayor. L. E. Farnsworth and Edgar C. Humrhrey ere suing Mayor Sutro for #5000 said to be due on a contract. The claim arizes out of an agree- ment to have cerain street work done, and the £5000 represents the plaintifi’s idea of the Mayor’s utipaid share. - $100,000 worth of books to be closed out by the end of the year. Retail and at auction. 747 Market street. o 1N some community prop- | West, wife of the doetor accused of the | before the Superior Court in $5000 | POKER DENS MUST CLOSE Supervisors Are Asked to Take Some Steps in the Matter. WHERE BANK CLERKS PLAY. Other Houses Run by Fiends Who Make Women and Children Go Hungry. The life of the downtown poolrooms— those institutions running contrary to the Ellert ordinance—is dependent upon the action to be taken this morning by the Po- | lice Court Judge whois to consider the cases. Prior to signing the John Doe and Richard Roe warrants, on which the pool-sellers were gathered in, Judge Joachimsen made himself acquainted with the facts which called for his intercession on behalf of the ! law. and Prosecutinz Attorney Dare must furnish such additional evidence upon the | hearing of the cases that the defendants | will not be able to avail themselves of | technicalities calculated to extricate them | from their dilemma. Thisisan easy matter. Captain Witt- man, who took charge of the poolroom | nuisance, sent his men in civilians’ clothes to the different rooms in the “‘Belfry,” at the gore of Elhsand Market streets. They were instructed to purchase pool tickets, and to keep buying until a winning was made. The idea of this was to test the shops, so as to know when the alleged commission of 10 cents per ticket was col- Jected. The outcome was that the Police Department lost §12 on 50-cent wagers, and won $7 50 by guessing the winner—by accident. Neither on the winning nor the losing ticket® was a commission collected. This is sufficient to convict the ‘‘Hy-by-night’’ roomkeepers who have been doing busi- ness as commission-brokers. Cumulative evidence is plentiful, but there is nothing stronger than the fact that the intown pool men, who are supposed to seil pools on a commodity marketable at the track, failed to wait for the odds to be posted at the track and made their own odds in town. It is as if & grain-broker in this City ac- cepted money to invest in grain on the London market and quoted the purchaser | prices hours before he could possibly | know what they were over there. That | broker would necessarily be doing a gambling business. Well, that is exactly what the “Belfry” men are doing, and Prosecuting Attorney Dare has a clear road to convicting them. Bawman, the fellow who posed as tie president, secretary, treasurer and steward of the Crescendo Club at 11 Elhs street, has made himseli scarce about his usual haunts. Yesterday morning he gave up his place of business, cursing the police for what he thought to be an uncalled-for in- terference with his mode of making a living. | Bawman was the man who not only | violated the laws by selling pools, but he | was the fellow who catered to the women players. His place consisted of a half- | dozen rooms, three of which were laid out | as reception’ parlors, where the women | congregated to make their own private | books. Bawman’s apartments were not long | vacant. William Kennedy, who has occu- pied rooms in the house at 906 Market | street, immediately took possession, and business goes on just the same. The open defiance of the law is very galling to_the police. Chief Crowley and | Captain Wittman stated yesterday that nothing would please them ‘more than to drive two or three patrol wagons down'to { the ““Belfry.” They know as well as being violated and that only a technical | point, which was presented to Judge Wal- | lace and which caused a decision 1in favor | of the gamblers, stands in their way to | stopping a very grave evil. When it was first taken into considera- tion that the pool men weére doing busi- {ness and a dozen or more were arrested, they showed they were only doing a com- mission businéss. The men who were ar- rested vresented a preponderance of evi- dence to the effect that commissions were charged on all bets, and Judge Wallace declared that they did not conduct pcol- rooms, but did a commission business. This was the signal for all the poolrooms to open. Now the police will try to close them by proving that it is impossible. for them to do & commission busine: fa failure is made, the next move will be to arrest every player and make him show why he should not be incarcerated as a ‘vafrnm. This move, the police believe, will close up the shops for good. The poolroom problem is not the only one Chief Crowley is struggling with at present to puri{{ the moral atmosphere of this City. There are several others. | The one, however, which interests him most is now to close the poker-rooms. The game of poker has_become such an institution in the United States that it seems to be justly entitled to a place mn the list of its entertainments. Some years ago, when Chief Crowley thought that, in deference to Rev. Dr. Dille, he should raid the few poker games forty players were brought . “What did I get?” the Chief ‘asked yes- terday. “Every one of them was acquitted. There is no use arresting them any more as the law stands now, but the Supervisors should get a move on themselves and pass the ordinance the Grand Jury has sug- gested. “Jy was argued against the poker-play- ers that they indulged in a game of chance,’” continued the Chief, “but their attorney came in and proved that it was a game of skill. Judge Van Vieet decided 1t was skill that won, and there you are. The poker games have grown steadily ever since until thei( are by far a greater men- ace to the public welfare than any other style of gambling.” The endeavor of the Grand Jury is to have an ordinance passed prohibiting poker-playing where a percentage 1s taken from the game for the benefit of the insti- tution wherein the game is being played, or for the benefit of any foreign institu- tion. It is beiieved by this ordinance the ragular poker games along Market street and in the various hotels may be squelched as they were in Chicago. In the latter place it costs $50 per man cau%m piaying the game, and the proprietor of the establish- ment wherein the play takes place must pay the stipulated fine of $250. As a con- sequence the old-time game is seldom playea excepting in very private circles. The police have been forced into taking action 1n this matter by the number of thieving poker games that have cropped up since Judge Van Vleet’s decision. Day after day complaints come into. head- quarters from mothers whose sons have gone astray playing poker; merchants complain of clerks who have stolen money to play the 5nme, and the Morgue presents its aeld hard record of suicides. All these things have been presented to the Grand Jury, who in turn have placed the matter in the hands of the Super- visors where it lies at present. The greatest dens of vice running in full blast at this time are at the People’s Palace, in the rear and left of the stage; the Thalia, under the sidewalk; ‘“‘Our House' and “Conway’s New House.” These are the dens where the games are run opealy and anfbody can play, age or color cutting absolutely no figure. The Qropriewrs employ a big. burly fellow to eep his eyes on the tables so as to see that “the house’’ gets its right percentage of the game. In other words, the players must drop a percentage of their winnings whenever they hold and *show down” two pairs or better. The rules to this effect are posted all over the place in each and every house. This look-out man is pre- everybody else does that the laws are | sumed to see to the welfare of the cus- tomers, but instead, he more particularly looks to protect the sharpers and sure- thing players who drop into the games to rob the players and divide the spoils with their protectors. These gambling hells are numerous about the City and they catch a class of men who can ill afford” to play at the game. Mechanics and laborers, inveigled into playing by hired men around these houses, lose their week’s wages and go home penniless to their wives and chil- dren. Any night, and especially on Satur- days, bard-working men can be seen leav- ing these dens, crestfallen and ready for any desperate act. They go into the piace with no other idea than to take some re- freshment after a hard day’s toil, and there they run against the scoundrel who induces them to take a hand in the game. The resuit is always the same and the proprietors of these houses fatten on the misery of broken-hearted wives and mothers. The police are anxious to close these places as soon as the Supervisors will pass the much-needed ordinance. After that attention will be paid to places such as “Bill” Brown is running in the back room of the Grand Hotel bar. Brown is the ex- Registrar who had things his own way under the patronage of Dan Burns. He has now what is calied- the ““swell” game of the town. It is here that the bank clerks and employes of downtown houses drop their money. MIDWEEK THEATER NOTES Continued Success of Mrs. Down- ing’s “Helena” at the California. Milton Nobles and Morosco’s Company. Daniel Sully at the Co- lumbia. The second week of Rice’s Surprise Party at the Baldwin is proving as profitable as was the first. Those who remember the old Rice’s company realize that there are many new and good features. Bessie Bonehill is as entertaining as Alice Ather- MARTIN 15 TO CONTEST, He Is to Try to Regain His Position as Fire Com- missioner, RELIES ON THE GUNST CASE. His Attorney Will Apply to the At torney-General for Permis. sion to Sue. A. J. Martin, who was removed from the Board of Fire Commissioners by Governor Budd, has decided to again ask the Attor- ney-General for permission to sue in the name of the people to be reinstated in the office in place of Colin M. Boyd, whom the Governor appointed to succeed him. This action has been determined on since the decision in the Gunst case, which was in most respects similar, and Mr, Martin and his attorneys believe that in face of that decision they cannot lose the fight. They claim that the same rule that ap- plied in the Gunst case must apply in that of Martin. Both commissions were estab- lished under the old constitution, directing that appointments should be made by the old District Court. When the new consti- tution was adopted it abolished the ap- pointing power, the Disirict Courts, and made no_provision for any appointing power. However, the main difference be- iween the two cases is that the term of office of the Police Commissioners is not prescribed, while that of the Fire Com- missioners is limited to four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Under the old constitution only two of the three Fire Commissioners were ap- pointed by the District Court and the other three by the Board of Supervisors, while all the Police Commissioners were appointed by the District Court. On this COLIN M. BOYD. A, J. MARTIN. ton used to be, but Ross Snow as King creating as Jacques Kruger. are large and the applause even larger. “Helena"” is continuing the success the performance won at the California Theater on Monday night. for the rest of the week, with the exception of Saturday night, when “The Gladiator” will be given for the lasttime. Sunday will see the final performance of *‘Helena.” Monday evening May Irwin will make her first stellar appearance at the Cali- fornia Theater in *The Widow Jones.” Daniel Sully’s new comedy drama, “A Day in June,” continues to be a drawing attraction at the Columbia Theater. The play is full of vim and fun, and Sully’s own vivacious personality adds consider- ably to the attractiveness of the perform- ance. Friday afternoon the students of the Columbia School of Dramatic Arts will give their second public performance at the Columbia Theater. In addition to ex- hibitions of pantomime, dancing, etc., three short plays will be acted. *“The Cos- tumed Ball” is by a local author. The other comediettas are Francois Cappe’s “The Violin-maker of Cremona.’ and Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnett’s ‘‘Tea of Five o’Clock.” The performance of “For Revenue Only”’ at the Grand Ovpera-house shows that Milton Nobles possesses the power of in- spiring his subordinates with his own ability for impersonation. The various characters which go to make up the polit- ical committee, for instonce, are very amusingly portrayed. Frank Hatch is good, and H. E. Humphries is excellent as the brewer who commands 300 votes and opposes prohibition and free silver. Taken altogether, the perforinance is a very suc- cessful one, The revival of “Fatinitza” is proving a pleasant diversion at the Tivoli Opera- house. “Ixion” will be the holiday per- formance. “The Streets of New York” is proving a good bill at Grover’s Alcazar. The new people are well up to their respective parts, and the singing of John E. McWade has made a decided hit. The Orpheum has only one new act this week, that of Frank Moran, “The Senator at Large.” Moran’s jokes and puns bave captured his audiences. The rest of the bill is made up of performers, several of whom have been for some time at the Orpheum, but the acts are all acceptable. ————————— FEDERAL COURT CALENDAR. UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS. Alaska Gold and Silver Mining Company, plaintiff in error, vs. John G. Brady, executor of the last will and testament of T. C. Doran, defendant in error; transcript from the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT. Beatty, J. Walkerley et al. vs. Barker et al.; argued and submiited. McKenna, J. Bullion and Exchange Bank vs. Otto et al.; argued and submitted. 'UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. Morrow, J. f United States vs. Howell; on argument before ury. For to-day: UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT. McKenna, J. Bullion and Exchange Bauk vs. Otto et. al. (second case); on argument. Beatty, J. B Casebolt vs. Omnibus Cable Company; for | lrgrumenl. . (The case of Atlantic Trust Compeny vs. Woodbridge Canal and Irrigation Company has been continued indefinitely). UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT. Morrow, J. United Stgtes vs. Howell; on argument be- fore jury. ——————————— The Last Big Fee. Judge Coffey is much perturbed over the fact that to him is given the credit or the dis- credit of the big fee allowed Naphtaly, Freid- enrich & Ackerman for services for J. C. Perfuie while he was administrator of the Blythe estate. The fee was $80,000, and was allowed by Judge Levy. Asthe estate has been before Judge Coffey the allowing of the fee thus set has to come from him, but he has re- peatedly refused to_sign the order allowing it until l!ne Supreme Court had passed upon the amount. iFerdinnn\t and Tatters is not as mirth- | The houses | eTOT % 2 S | appoint all the members of the Fire Com- On account of the de- | mand for seats it will remain on the bill | | been abolished, and the account there have been clashes before between Boards cf Supervisors and Goy- | ernors, the board claiming the right to| rict Court has vernor claims the right formerly belenging to the court. Mr. Martin last evening, in_speaking of the matter, said: “My attorney, Mr. Heggerty, will make application to the Attorney-General again for permission to sue in the name of the peopie. “‘Last winter we made such an_applica- tion for that permission. Mr. Heggerty received a note from the Attorney-General saying that upon the filing of a bond for $500 he would look into the matter. The bond was filed, but we heard nothing. After giving him a couple of months’ grace we went to his office and were informed that the papers and bond had been lost. We immediately filed a new bond and the Attorney-General took hold of the case, but refused to give me permissson to be- gin the suit. be main reason he gave was that John D. Daley had a prior right to bring such a suit for the office. “The Board of Supervisors before the last, when they appointed Sam Brown, claimed the right also to appoint a man in my’rluce and went ahead and appoipted Fred Jones. Governor Markbam also | claimed the right to upfi)oint to the same | place and named John D. Daley, claiming that there was a vacancy. Both Jones and Daley presented their credentials to the Board of Fire Commissioners and both were refused the seat. The board held that I was entitled to the seat on the same | grounds that F. G. Edwards was in his case. Edwards was appointed by the old District Court. Waterman, when Gov- ernor, appointed T. J. Parsons to _succeed Edwards, but in the contest Edwards| won.” Mr. Martin seemed very confident of winning and said that a great many ai- torneys offered to take his case. The Attorney-General, when seen last evening, refused to discuss the case. He refused to_say whether or nct the Gunst case would have any effect 1n determining whether he should grant Martin permis- sion to sue. The reason why he had re- fused before was, he said, because the com- plaint offered did not show sufficient rounds for action. The vital difference tween the Gunst case and the Martin case was that the term of office was not specified for Police Commissioners and was for Fire Commissioners. ALONG THE WATER FRONT. The Harbor Commission Trying to Work Out the Stone Problem. mission now that the Di How the Revenue Cutter Bear Keeps Herself Beforesthe Reading Public. The Harbor Commissioners again met yesterday morning to take up the ferry- depot stone question. All of the members of the board favor the substitution of a California stone for building material, pro- viding it can be done legally. Mr. Cole believes, however, that one of the three kinds of rock named in the McCarthy bid must be accepted by the board. He is afraid that if all the present bids be thrown out and new ones advertised for the new tender of bids might be much higherin price. President Colnan is of the same opinion, and also held that the California quarryman had been given the same op- portunity as the outside people and that very little sentiment really entered into the question outside of the newspapers. Moreover the Arizona red sandstone quarry was owned by a Californian. Mr. Chadoourne, who especially- wants the Colusa gray sandstone, believes that there is a clause in the specifications that will lift the board over the difficulty. He will get the advice of Attorney-General Fitzgerald and other legal avthorities. 8o anxious are the Board of Harbor Commissioners to be on the safe side that it was decided upon to send for Governor | be: | of the jury last Monday had an oppor- ' 'NEW TO-DAY. “Pure and Sure.” Only »ounded spoonfuls are required—no# /eaping spoonfuls. sel in their deliberations. It was ordered that the Oregon stone be submitted to a chemical and mechanical test. The plans for the removal of the outer 260 feet of Powell-street wharf, and also the rebuilding of pier 8 (Howard 2), were approved and ordered to be advertised. Notice was received by the board that the Southern Pacitic officials at the ferry landing had stretched a rope before the Morton delivery office 1n the building, com- pletely cutting it off from the public. Offi- cer ‘Hayes was ordered to remove the obstruction, and upon motion the board notified the railroad people that they must not interfere with the Morton Company or any of the tenants cccupying the ferry wharf. ’ The board also decided that no transfer companies should be permitted to solicit outside of their offices, if they occupied such, on the ferry wharves inside what is known as the “ticket line.” The board took a recess till 10 o’clock this morning. The revenue service cutter Bear seems determined to remain before the public and-to conduct herself in 2 manner unbe- coming a respectable vessel of the Treas- ury Department. Licutenants Daniels and Dorry, who preferred charges against the cutter’s old commander, Captain Healy, have been charged by the erew with sleep- ing on watch ard neglect of duty. It is also reported that the new com- mander, Lieutenant Buhner, has been | charged by the officers under him with unbecoming conduct toward them. All these charges have been received by the depsrtment at Washington and will be acted upon at once. THE FIRE. DERARTMENT Investigation by the Grand Jury Will Be Commenced To- Morrow. The Commissioners and Ex-Auditor Smiley Will Testify — Some Feeling Manifested. The Grand Jury will hold another ses- sion to-morrow afternoon, and at that time bear the Fire Commissioners, ex-Aunditor T. J. Smiley and perhaps William Broder- ick, the present Auditor. | On Fire Department topics there is surely | a wide diversity of opinion among mem- | s of the Grand Jury. The view is enter- | tained by some of the jurors that the pay- roll is too large, that the expenses are | greater in the purchase of supplies than | they should be, and that certain men are | receiving special favors in the disburse- | ment of public money. On the contrary | other jurors express the opinion that the | department is economically and efficiently conducted, and that the only question for | the Grand Jury that which relates to the emvloyment of more assistant engi- neers than the consolidation act, as inter- preted by Judge Sanderson’s decision, authorizes. More feeling has grown out | of this proposed investigation than has been created by any other line of inquiry on which the present Grand Jury has been engaged. The feeling seems to extend to other departments of the City government, and the jury has been advised by anony- mous communication to beware of certain influences at the new City Hall. The jury to-morrow may take up Street Department affairs to the extent of voting on the question of presenting another ac- cusation against Thomas R. Ashworth, the Superintendent of Streets. Mr. Ash- worth 1s a good talker, and at the session tunity to present his own views at great length. The Grand Jury treated him with so much courtesy and listened to him_so patiently that he went away entertaining the belief that everything had been ex- plained to the satisfaction of the inquisi- tive body. Since that time members of the jury have examined fo~ themselyes the inferior work on Laguna street, and while they do not believe that Ashworth is dis- honest they are more firmly convinced than ever that he is incompetent. The Grand Jury report, if any is made beyond the mere record of indictments found, will be brief. One of the jurors, who has been very active, said lasf evening: “‘Our work is practically finished. The Fire Depart- ment investigation comes up Friday, but I apprehend that it will not develop much more than the necessity for a new char- ter.” . It transpires that there was some dis- crepancy between the testimony of Mr. Ashworth and the report of Expert George 'W. Elder concerning the sidewalk on the corner of Harrison and Haywards streets, in front of Fisher Ames’ property, and so Grand Juror Clinch was detailed to in- spect the work. He will probably present his report to-morrow. People in the neigh- borhood saw him there yesterday. Many members of the Grand Jury are firmly convinced that boodle to influence municipal legislation is contributea under the guise of fees for attorneys, but the difficulty in obtaining proof necessary to warrant an indictment is very great. Some inside facts will be given to thenext Grand Jury that may lead to the exposure of the Solid Eight agent. e EQUAL, RIGHTS. Franz S. King Discusses Them From a Socialistic Standpoint. Rev. Franz 8. King lectured to a large audience at the Temple, 115 Turk street, last night on **Will Socialism Solve the Problem of Equal Rights?’ He defined equal rights as those which gave all the equal privileges of enjoying sunshine, soil and water and their natural products, the cultivation of the mind and the pursuit of happiness. He added that all have equal rights to that which they acquired by their own efforts or from some one else in a legal and just manner. As some of the influences which pre- vented thé universal enjoyment of eqnal rights the speaker referred to the use of machinery, the grantine of large tracts of land to those who neglect to properly de- velop it, the competition of cheap foreign labor, the oppression and exactions of corporations, competition, gambiing, the extortions of banks, the maintenance of standing armies, neglect of proper educa- | tion and vicious legislation. These influences, he continued, were brought into being by false ambitions for position, fame and wealth, idleness and all the attendant evils, vicious political methods, false religious teachings, intem- perance, lust and avarice. The aims of socialism were then re- viewed as outlined 1 _the platform of the socialist party of the United States under the three heads of social, political and municipal demands. After briefly re- viewing the progress socialism has made, particularly in Europe, he closed by Rev. Budd, that the board might have the guar- antee of the best advice and bighest coun- strongly impressing on his hearers the necesgity of thorough organization. | between Fifth and | ing to the best information I have been able to | | thi CHANNEL STREET WHARVES The State Sueg to Have En- croachments Declared Illegal. PUBLIC PROPERTY USURPED. Lumber Companies and the Pacific Im- provement Company Made De- fendants in the Suit. Tirey L. Ford, attorney for the Harbor Commissioners, brought suit in the Superior Court yesterday on behalf of the | people against the Pacific Improvement | Company, the E. K. Woods Lumber Com- pany, the Albion Lumber Company and | the Union Lumber Company. The purpose of the suit is to compel the defendants to remove wharves recently built on the south side of Channel street, between Fifth and Sixth beyond the limits allowed by law. It was recently brought to the attention of the Harbor Commission that Channel | street, between Fifth and Sixth had } been encroached upon by the defend- ants, thus limiting the free waterway con- siderably. In other words it was claimed that the defendants had built wharves up- on State property. Mr. Ford was directed by the board to investigate the facts of | the case, which he set forth as follows: Pursuant to instructions I have investigated | | the law and the facts relating to the jurisdie- | tion of the board in and over Chaunel street, | xth, in this City. Accord- | {ain, Chaunel streei, between Fifth and | h, is two hundred feet in width and | subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and | control‘of the Board ofjState Harbor, Commis- | sioners. On the north side of Channel street, between Fifth and Sixth, are several wharves extend- ing within the 200-foot limit. The land on side of the street isowned by numerous private persons. On the south side of Channel street the land from Tifth to Sixth is owned by the P: provement Compsany, and iy been built, or are in proce: ¥ in lumber companies, the entire distance from - Fifth to Sixth and such wharves extend within_the limit of Channel street as above described. The decisions of the courfs have not been uniform in relation to the jurisdiction of the board in and over Channel street, and there is also an apparant conflict in the statutes re- lating thereto. 1am of the opinion, however, that the juris- diction of the hoard is complete in and’ over the premises described. If it be the desire of the board to have the matter judicially de- termined I can institute the necessary legal proceedings to secure that result. This review of the situation covered the ground thoroughly, and Mr. Ford re- ceived instructions to begin the legal con- test, which he did yesterday. The conflict in the statutes referred to in his opinion is the only legal point in- volved. The code contains a clause which very definitely places a limit on the State’s jurisdiction over Channel street at Fifth- street crossing. Later on, however, alaw was enacted giving the Siate control over Channel street with other waterways along the harbor front of San Francisco ‘“as far as the tidewaters ebb and flow.” The tide ebbs and flows beyond Fifth street, but vet there are two sections of the code clearly in conflict with each other. Judge Hebbard decided a case similar to the present one in favor of the Harbor Commission, in which he held that the later clause should be accepted as the spirit of the law NEW TO-DAY. Forthe Dear Women. Man !—If you're looking for a real “swell”’ gift for HER, one that won’t tax your purse too heavy, a DRESSING CASE is-the thing. We have some beauties mn Curly Birch and Birdseye Maple at $20. Others in Antique Oak as low as $12. Our South of Market street,prices for North of Market street goods. OPEN EVENINGS. » INDIANAPOLIS FURNITURE CO. 750 Mission St. NEW TO-DAY—AMUSEMENTS. SHOOT THE CHUTES e ON HAIGHT ST., NEAR THE PARK. SPECIAI SUNDAY AFTERNOON at 4:30 o’clock ROBERT EARLSTON WILL AGAIN ATTEMPT TO RIDE A BICYCLE INTO THE CLOUDS. ADMISSION 10 CENTS. NEW TO-DAY—AMUSEMENTS, (LRI o, INCORFD PRCAS. TO-NIGHT (THURSDAY), ROBERT DOWNING In His Magnificent Spectacular Pro- A duction of Victorien Sardou's GREAT Great Piay. BIG HIT! HELENA Saturday Night... ..The G adiator EXTRA. SALE OF SEATS OPENS TO-DAY FOR MAXY IRWIN —_r THE WlDOW JONES. First time here fonday night. m] L MAYTMAN AnD Co; M |NCORP D BM" EATRE "\ PROPS. ONLY 10 NIGHTS MORE! RICE'S 66 551 ADR”? And Its Endless Features. Including The Original Kilanyi Living Pictures, The Great Bessie Bonehill, The Wonderful Richard Harlow. Every Evening, Including Sunday. Matinces Saturd nd Christmas Day. NEXT WEEK. rd and Last of 1492 Last Performance Saturday. Dec. 28. Seats Ready To-day for the last week. 9, ALCAZAR Unrivaled Production of the STREETS OF NEW YORK! Special Engagement of JOHN E. McWADE, The Ballad King. MATISEES SATURDAY AND SUSDAY. MATINEE PRICES—10c, 15¢, 25c. Night Prices—10c, 15¢, 25¢, 35¢, 503. Next Week—The G BLACK CROOK. TIVOLI OPERA-HOUSE MEs. BENESTINE KRELING Proprietor & Manags: EVERY EVENING THIS WEEK, Von Suppe’s Military Opera, “FATINITZAF SEATS NOW ON SALE FOR NEXT WEEK. OUR HOLIDAY SPECTACLE! “ISXTON Y The Most Gorgeous Scenic Display Ever Seen in This City. Popular Prices—25¢ and 50c. . FRICCLANDLR.GOTTLOD & (- (£35es AnD MAmAGLRS THE ONLY HOUSE DRAWING CROWDS — TO=NIGELT — DANIEL SULLY “A SOCIAI: LIOINY’ First Time Here. To-morrow at 2—-Columbia Dramatic School. Monday Next—Charming FANNY RICE. ——SEATS NOW ON SALE. MOROSCO’S GRAND OPERA-HOUSE. The Handsomest Family Theater in America. WALTER MOROSUO, Sole Lessee and Manager THIS EVENING AT EIGHT. POSITIVELY LAST WErK OF America’s Representative Player and Playwright, MILTON NOBLES, And the Charming Ingenue, DOLLIE NOSLES, In the Rollicking Comedy, “FOR REVENUE ONLY” EVENING PRICES—25¢ and 502 Family Circle and Gallers. 10c. Usual Maiinees Saturday and Sunda¥- ORPHEUM. O'Farrell Street, Between Stockton and PowalL TO-NIGHT AND DURING THE WEEK, OUR GREAT HAREBINGER BILL FOR HOLIDAY WEEK! FRANK MORAN, A scnator at Large; :a:ng.. and EXUILX,, RANTO: Last Week of This Famous Wire Performer. ANDERSEN SISTERS ——AND—— An Incomparable Speclalty Comp’y Reserved seats, 25¢; Balcony, 10c; Opera chals and Box seats, 50c. s FOOTBALL! BUTTE vs. RELIANCE! SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1895, At 2:30 P. M., Rain or Shine. Admission, $1.00; Children under 12, 50c. MACDONOUGH THEATER (CAKLAND). To-night and Kriday Evening, Farewell Pnrfofmlll‘léeAs - HERRMANN, THE Secure Seats. Prices, 25¢ to $. PACIFIC COAST JOCKEY CLUB (Ingleside Track). Sc FIVE OR MORE RACES DAILY. (RAIN OR SHINE. FIRST RACE AT 2:00 P. L. ADMISSION $1.00. Take Southern Pacitic trains at Third and Town- send street Depot, leaving at 12:40 and 1:15 ». s, Fare for round trip, including admission 1o grand stand, $1. Take Mission-street clectric line direct to track. A. B. SPRECKELS, President. W. S. LEAKE, Secretary.