The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, November 20, 1896, Page 14

14 : A\, T, HATCH, THE FRUIT-GROWER, YIELDS T0 FINANCIAL REVERSES The Largest Creditors Are Amply Secured by Mortgages on Highly Cultivated Orchard Lands in the State. Failure Is Ascribed to Over Confidence and Disastrous Seasons. A HALF MILLION INVESTED. Hatch Propagated New Varieties of Imonds, and by Studious Enter- prise Developed Markets for California Products. A. T. Hatch, the well-known fruit- grower, yesterday acknowledged that he is bankrapt. His affairs have been going from bad to worse since 1893. Four or five years ago he was accounted the most successful and one of the richest orchard- ists of the State, but his zeal to extend to other sections of California the succe.'zsI A. T. Hatch, which attended his enterprises in Solano County caused him to mortgage the mag- nificent orchards and lands in the Suisun Valley to buy and cultivate vast tracts of land elsewhere, It has been known to money-lenders, bankers and others for the past two years that his situation in a financial sense was critical, but not until the Bank of Suisun foreclosed on the valuable land in that locality did his friends surrender hope in his ability to weather the storm. A. T. Hatch was seen at his office in the Flood building yesteraay and acknowi- edged that be was not able to meet the ob- ligations pressing upon him. When asked if the statement-telegraphed to THE CaLL from Suisun yesterday was correct, he said: “THE CALL's report is correct, but in one of the daily papers 1t is stated that neglect of my property was one of the causes of my failure. This is not true. There. has been no neglect. When I have not been able to give that orchard my immediate personal super- vision it has been in the control of a com- petent superintendent.” “Will many people suffer from your financial embarrassment?”’ he was asked. “Yes,” he replied, ‘'some creditors for small amounts in sums of $2000.and $3000 may be affected seriously. The banks and other creditors for large sums are secured by mortgages on the land.” Replying to other questions, Mr. Hatch said the failure extended to all of his landed investments throughout the State. He did not blame his creditors for the action they bad taken. In only one in- stance had proceedings been taken which were unjust and uncalled -for, but he de- clined to specify that instance. Responding to the suggestion that he had economized and denied himself per- sonal comloris in order to tide over the stress of adversity, he said: “Yes, I have lived in a $10 room and contented myself with 15-cent meals in order to pull through. My failure now does not in any sense mean my ruin. I shall start again_and am sure that I will again succeed. I have the utmost con- fidence in California as a. fruil-growing State.”’ Mr. Hatch added that San Franoisco merchants would not lose by reason of his failure. Among bankers, capitalists ana whole- sale fruit men downtown the failure was discussed. Many had been familiar with Mr.. Hatch’s struggles to avoid the col- lapse and were therefore not surprised that R. D. Robbins of Suisun had tore- ciosed to collect notes amounting with accrued interest to $200,000. The foreclosing creditor at Suisun is a correspondent of the Anglo-California Bank, but Mr. Liliential, the manager of that institution. said his bank wasin no wise concerned. "It would be a great benefit to the State,” said Mr. Lilientha | “if California had a few more men like Mr. Hatch. There is not tue slightest emblance of crookedness in his failure, {,le simply over-reached himseif. He at- tempted to carry & heavier load than he zould brar.” % A. G. Freeman, the manager of the J. K. Armsby Company, spoke in the high- 2st terms of Mr. Hatch’s enterprise and ability. “No fruit-grower,” he said ‘‘has surpassed Mr. Hatch in intelligence and ‘ndustry. His study of fruit culture has added vastly to the wealth of the State, He was the first man to risk the experi- ment of shipping fruit to the Eastern arkets by the refrigerator process. ben that plan was adopted only a few sarloads were sent East; now thousands of cars are employed in such shipments. Hateh maintained model orchards, and his example in this respect was not lost 2n his neighbors, “In the field of almond culture he achieved the greatest results, He simply opened a market for California almonds Ly propagating new varieties and study- iug the demands of trade in connection with the capabilitiés of the moil, Yes, Mr. Hatch has contribuied in a large measure to the development and wealth of Califor- nia, and his misforiunes will surely be re- gretted wherever he is known."” A. W. Porter of Porter Bros. & Co. serted that A, T. Hatch by :cun :vo‘; and example had rendered the greatest service to the State, and that Lis failure could be regarded in no other light than that of & misfortune. *“The products of his almond orchards are known,”’ continued Mr. Porter, “throughout ti.e United States. His methods of cuitivating orchards, pick- ing and packing fruit were the most care- ful. It was a guarantee of excellence in trade circles to say the fruit or nuts came from the Hatch orchards.” H. M. La Rue, who is winding up the affairs of the 'Grangers’ Bank, spoke bighly of Mr. Hatch as an enterprising man, but had doubts whether Hatch’s efforts had benefited the fruit interests of the State. The idea was presented that | Hatch had gone too far in his enthusiasm and had encouraged others to follow him until the industry of cultivating orchards had been pushed bevond legitimate de- mands. In consequence of the booming many orchardists might suffer. Amonz Mr. Hatch’s liabilities is a note for $30,000, held by the Grangers’ Bank. The note is secured by a mortgage on an almond orchard of seventy acres in the Livermore Valiey. The orchard is a veauty and the land desirable, but the property will not sell now for a sum suffi- cient to make the bank even on the tran- saction. The bank will probably lose 000. t was said downtown among the ad- | miring friends of Mr. Hatch that if he bad contented himself with the profits of bis Suisun orchards, which in a single year amounted to $80.000 over and above all expenses, he wouid now be lending money to Banker Robbins, instead of casting about for means to pay the prine cipal and interest on a loan of $200,000. The success scored at Suisun induced Hatch to strike out for higher rewards for his enterprise. He seems to have been moved by the spirit of his enthusiasm to invest everything be could borrow in planting new orchards. He went in with Colonel Chipman in a great orchard scheme on the Feather River. He bought land and planted trees on a vast tract in Tehama County. The prospect in Contra Costa County pleased him and he made large investments near Martinez. He did not go to the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, but went as far south as Lodi, be- tween Stockton and Sacramento, in his zeal to acquire orchard property. Some of the banks went as wild in their estimates of value as Hatch did himself. As a capitalisi expressed it yesterday: **Money in excess of the value of the land was borrowed from certain banks in the country. The lender tigured on trees and vines as security, and when two disastrous seasons came there was not ample securiiy for the loans. Hatch, assuming that alil of his ventures would prove as remunera- tive as his Suisun orchards had in afew seasons of unexampled prosperity, became a great boomer. He continued to reach out jor new lands and new orchards. His ventures and his confidence induced dbthers to imitate his example. I have known for two years that he was hard pressed. In the last campaign Le was a rabid Bryanite and one of the wildest advocates of Iree silver. 1 was 'sure then that there was something wrong with his investments.” It is thought by merchants and bankers that the failure will be generally regretted by the people throughout the State. All agree that Mr. Hatch is a square man in a business sense and that his embarrass- One of his warmest friends said: “Mr. Hatch will come out of his troubles in time. He isa man who knows how to meet adversity and misfortune. Ynu can fancy 8 man of his past wealth and affla- ence living in one little room. His faiiure is not due to neglect of his business or per- sonal extravagance, He simply encoun- tered adverse seasons, and by reasoa of low prices for orchard products could not keep ahead, as interest on his notes was compoundin, Ido not know the extent of his liabilities, but should say that he had a half million dollars invested.” Tne last public position held by Mr. Hatch was that of World’s Fair Com- missioner from this State. He wasap- pointed by Governor Markham and served ou the commission with Irving M. Scott, James D. Phelan, John Daggett and others. REALISM AT THE ALCAZAR. Actor J. T. Sullivan Severely Wounded in a Stage Duel. During the second act of the per- formance of “At Fort Bliss,” a military drama, at the Alcazar last night, John T. Sullivan, one of the leading men, was ac- cidentally seriously cutin the biceps by his antagonist, Francis Powers, as Colonel Rogers. Mr. Sullivan was in the role of Captain David Van Alstyn, and the duel, which is as spirited a one as is seen on the stage off Bosworth Field. was a contest for the love of a woman, Mar are. Burnett, who is Miss Beatrice Lieb. Miss Burnett herself is an accomplhshed swordswoman, and after the gallant captain is laid low by the colonel she opportunely appears on the scene and takes up the sword where he dropped it. During the duel, which was with real swords, Mr. Sullivan received a slash in the biceps which made a serious wound and caused him to be really a wounded man, which added unexpected and very dramatic realism to the performance. The curtain remained down an unusual length of time and physicians were called for, ters come expressions of approval. favor of the proposition. ment now is due mainly to disastrous | | seasons. THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20. 1896. CARS OF THE MARKET-STREET SYSTEM TO CARRY BICYCLES Manager Vining Now Engaged in Making Practical which led the Alcazar audience to think for a while that they had seen more than a stage duel. Actor Sullivan’s left arm ages and a sling, but he ex; to continue in his part. self for the wound. GOODWIN HOME AGAIN. His Career at the Antipodes and the Treatment of Several Different Ladies. Nat Goodwin, the comedian, who has been touring Australia for several months past, returned here yesterday on the Ala- meda. Maxine Elliott, his leading lady, about whom 2nd the comedian the gossips have been talking, returned with him, as did her sister, Gertruae Elliott. Goodwin says it is all nonsense about bis having done a poor business at the Antipodes, as was toid by Blanche Walsh and Miss Usner, on their arrival here. Likewise he treats with fine scorn and is aghast with surprise at the stories of these ladies, given atdifferent times, that he did not treat either of them fairly and finally sidetracked them for Miss Maxine. The comedian says be cannot understand how these reports should be circulated. He is full of stories, too, about the suc- cess of his company in Australia. ‘‘Why should I be offered $10,000 by the man- agers out there if I was a_ failure?” he said. *‘Besides this, I was offered a bonus o1 $1000 to stay five months longer and play “The Citizen’’ and “The Prisoner of Zenda.” He says Miss Walsh has not treated him right, for he paid her for the last two weeks of her services out of his own pocket. As for Miss Usner, the comedian is utterly shocked at her. He says she sometimes appeared in a garb so pecu- liarly apbreviated that even he found fault with it. “You will know 1t is pretty bad when I could do that.” Then the young lady received only $17 a week and he never spoke to her, because there were some people whose inferiority he was bound to recognize. ‘When it came to talking about his rela- tions with Miss Elliott aud his suit for divorce from his wife Mr. Goodwin urged that they were private affairs. He will gresem his new play, “The American itizen,”” next week at the Baldwin. ITALIANS AROUSED. They Have Taken Offense at an Edito- rial Severely Criticizing the Italian Government. Great indignation is being felt and ex- pressed among Iialian residents of this City over an editorial whichi appeared in Tuesday’s issue of the Chronicle on the subject of the recently conciuded peace between I[taly and. Abyssinia, Among other things the article said: The treaty of peace made by King Menelek of Abyssinia for Italy to sign, and which King Humopert's Minister has ratifiea, marks the most serious humiliation which any modern, civilized Siate has ever received at the hands of semi-savages. Great powers, in their war- like operations sgainst native tribes, have often been checked, but they have never be- fore concluded a dishonorable ace. One pitchea battle sufficed to drive Italy out of Abyssinia and make her a suppliant for favor at the hands of the black Negus. What she gets by her pleadings is the right 10 have her imprisoned soldlers freed, in return for which she must abandon Ethiopia, recognize its in- dapendence and pay Menelek an indemnity, The victory of the Negus is therefore maae as complete as was that of Germany over France in the war of 1870. Commenting editorially o» the article in the Chronicle I'Iialia, the leading local Italian paper, says: The Chronicle’s action passes the limits of honest criticism and becomes a grave insulit to the national sentiment of an entire country, which nevertheless has some claims on mod- ern civilization. It is a calumny which hass no excuse, whether it be actuated by ignor- ance or malice. The telegrams published in this same Chronic.e state that Menelek had carried out the wishes of the Ita.ian Govern- ment in the conditions of peace, and therefore it is stupid to stigmatize them as dishonorable, justus itis an iniamous lie to say that Italy supplicated lavors tfrom Menelek, when it was he who was so anxious for peace, Indeed the Italian papers severely criticized the Govern- menct for sacrificiug tue liberty of the snaoneru s0 long by not yielding to Menelek’s desire for peace sooner. Another Chronicle lie is saying that Italy had to pay & war indemnity to Abyssinia. The only money paid to Menelek was for the main- tenance of the prisouers during eight months. As for abandoning Ethiopia we retain the whole of Erythrea,Menelek only exacting from Italy the promise that when she wished spon- taneousiy to renmounce the possession she would restore it to Ethiopis and see that it was ceded to no other power. The article in the Cbronicle is then a pre- meditated insult, written with the evident in- tention of humiliating the people egainst whoum it is directed. ONE CANVASS FINISHED. A Democratic Presidential Elector Gets More Votes Than One of His Republican Rivals. The Election Commissioners finished up the canvass of the general ticket yester- day and attacked the tedious job of count- ing the municipal ballots. There were few changes of importance in the general ticker, except in the Twenty-third Senatorial District, where Sidney Hall’s lead of twenty votes over Jack Tyrrill was reduced to 10. This makes a contest for the seat certain, and ‘lyrrill’s friends are now figuring on a re- count. ‘The canvass of the votes cast for Presi- dential electors suows that so far as this City is concerned one Democrat comes within the listof those entitled to go to the Electoral College. Those receiving the highest vote for electors are as foliows: Irving M. Scott R. 31,106, Claus Spreckels R. 31,095, D. E. McKinlay R. 31,041, H. A. Poweil R. 30,910, J. 8. Spear Jr. R. 30,895, J. M. Walling R. 30,884, G. M. Francis R, 30,876, Edmond Cooper R. 30,835, J. W. Martin D. 30,649. Ths total number of votes cast was 64,820, out of over 72,000 registrations. now in band- cts to be able e blames him- STILL TALKING OF A SECRETARY. 'The Miners Not Willing to Let a Matter of Such Vital Importance Go From the Public Mind. . The subject of a Mining Bureau and a Secretary of Mining in the President’s Cabi- net is still being discussed, and words will soon give place to deeds. From all quar- Surveyor of the Yort William D. English—The mining industry of the United States warrants the creation of a Cabinet officer to represent it, and I am heartily 1n Agriculture has its representation, and why should not wining? I hear that some of our valley farmers are not in favor of having a mining secretary. I should think that they would be. The Becretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Mining would be able to discuss matters of importance to both industries and decide matters of interest 1o both, thus saving much friction and feeling and ex- pensive lawsuits between the mining and farming ciasses. Assistant Postmaster R. H. of the United States should be net officer would not only look Dodge—TI think that by all means the mipning industry represented in the President’s Cabinet. Such a Cabi- after the interests of the vast gold and silver mines of the West, but he would look after the interests of the coal, copper and iron mines of the East and South. The United Ststes is one of .the largest and most important mining countries in the worla, and tected by the Government. Yes, such an extensive industry should be fuily pro- indeed, [ am most heartily in favor of the creation of a Department of Mines and Mining and a Secretary thereof. H. 8. Richardson, secretary that I hope to see acted upon by creation of such a Cabinet officer, to the Postmaster—It is a good proposition and one the next Congress. There may be objections to the 2 but I have not heard ol any yet. At presenta vast amount of business is saddled upon the Treasury Department. I believe that the pro- posed department would relieve the Treasury a great deal by taking up, for example, the coinage of money. Tne Treasury Department would have its hands full in look- ing after the collection and cisbursement of the revenues of t would be a great relief if a new department would look after the working of the United United States. It State Mints, and a Mining Secretary would be just the official to attend to such matters. Experiments With a Specially Constructed Device. Bicycle- Holders Already At tached to Cars of Two of the Lines. THOROUGH TESTS TO BE MADE If They Are Satisfactory Cars Wil Be Fitted as Fast as the De. mand Arises. General Manager E. P. Vining of the Market-street Railwa Company has be- gun to make experiments with bicycle- demanded a balance of $4000 which she said was due, and he responded by saying that he had already paid her $1100 more than he owed her. A great deal of time was devoted to the argument, the lawyers passing a great many uncomplimentary rema:ks on the opposing clients. Attorney Fisher Ames pictured Mrs, Montgomery to the jury as a shrewd business woman, who was able to take care of a big hotel like the Oriel and hold her own with the sharpers of the business world, and had even got the better of Jake Rauer, who averaced ninety lawsuits a month and is never happy except in an atmosphere of litigation, but who, Mr. Ames thought, was a gentleman of gen- | erous impulses. Attorney Marcus Rosenthal on the other hand painted Mr. Rauer in very dark colors, while he described his client, Mrs. Montgomery, as a confiding, inex- perienced widow, who had trusted Mr. Bicycle - Holder on Mission - Street Car. holders on two lines of the system under his charge, so as to accommodate such cyclists as desire to reach the park or the ferry landing without riding their wheels throuch the streets of the City. At the present time the California-street line is the only one that permits wheels to be carried on its cars, and, therefore, has enjoyed a monopoly of this class of busi- ness. It has, however, provided no spe- cial means for conveniently and securely transporting the bicycles. The subject of bicycle transportation on the lines of the Market-street system has been under consideration for some time past, and a few days ago G. W. Douglas, foreman of car 1epairs, received instruc- tions from Mr. Vining to attach a device that had been invented by the joint talent of several of the railway men to one or two of the cars of the company for the purpose of experiment. In compliance with this scheme a holder was put on one of the cars of the Sacra- mento-street road and another on a Mis- sion-street car. That on the former is de- signed to accommodate one wheel, while the one on the latter will carry two ma- chines. The apparatus is attached to the back of the rear aashboard, is simple in construc- tion, and is designed to allow wheels to be rapidly lvaded and unloaded. Two swinging arms of wrought iron, each about a foot long, are fastened to the upper edge of the dashboard. They are something more than two feet apart, and from each depends a hook lined with leather, on which the top bar of the wheel is intended to rest. To the lower portion of the dashboard are two swinging rests on which the wheeis of the bicycle are to rest, and to which they are to be fastened by straps across the rims. It is expected that this arrangement will bold the ma- chine firmly, and yet protect it from being bruised and scraiched. In speaking of this new departure of the company he represents, Manager Vining said: “What we are doing in this line is simply experimental. We are trying one of these devices on the Sacramento-street line, because it will receive a good test there. The line runs between the ferries and the park and covers some of the most hilly portions of the City, and therefore would be one of the most likely to be used by wheelmen, We do not yet know just what will be done on the whole. We first wish to make sure that our device will hold the wheels 80 as to protect them from injury, as we do not want to subject our- se.ves to claims for damages, and we also want to be assured that the wheels can be handied without too much delay to the car. Bhould we find that the bicycle-holder fills the bill in every respect, we shail put them on wherever we find there is a demand for them.” 3 A single fare will be charged for each bicycle carried. MONTGOMERY VS. RAUER. ~ A Widow Suing for the Patrimony of Her Children. The suit of Mrs. Agnes Montgomery, as guardian of her minor children, sgainst Jacob Rauer, came to a conclusion in Judge Daingerfield’s court yesterday. She Rauer with the fortune of herself and her fatherless children and had come to griel in consequence. He made siyort of the claim set up by Mr. Rauer that he had paid Mrs. Montgomery a cent more than be was compelled to pay. It was 5 o'clock when Judge Dainger- field concluded his charge to the jury and they retired for consideration. Late last night they returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff for §1500. FOUGHT THE SCALEBUG, Professor Albert Kcebele Arrived Yes- terday From Honolulu Where He Has Been Eradicating Insect Pests. The most distingnished arrival by the steamer Alameda yesterday was Professor Albert Koebele, the entomologist.. Tbree or four years ago he was actively engaged ! NEW TO-DAY—DRY GOODS SPECIALS FOR THIS DAY $2.00. Ladies’ Plush Cape, handsomely beaded, lined with silk, storm collar edged with Thibet fur, Worth $8.50. $3.95. Ladies’ Boucle Cloth Jacket, colors black and navy, Worth $6.50. Special Sale SPECIAL BARGAIN IN SUITST Special offering to close out 78 Cloth Suits, Box Jackets and Lined Skirts—manufacturer’s cost $6.70; Price $3.95. MURPHY BUILDING, Harke! Streel, corner of Jongs, SBAITN FRANWNOTISO- to devastate the islands. Professor Koe- bele was sent for and he studied the habits of the pest. Hefound that it only worked at night, so he imported a colony of toads and bats which also feed at nizht and on msects. The pest has almost disappeared and the Hawaiians are loud in their praise of the professor. The coffee piantations in the island re- public were also in danger from a scale that rendered the berry useless for com- mercial purposes. Koebele studied the situation and introduced a species of lady- bug that has entirely killed the parasite. He is now on his way to Mexico and Cen- tral America to hunt up some new species of beneficial insects that will kill off some other parasites that abound in Hawaii. He will remain until December, 1897, ana then will probably go to India to kill off the insects that are blighting the fruit trees of that country. e e BLACKHURST'S BANQUET. The Volunteers of America Want All That Is Coming to Them. Major Blackhurst of the Volunteers of America proposes to give a dinner on Thanksgiving day to 1000 children of this City. In securing the necessary provisions and funds from the charitably inclined the collectors sent out by the major have PROFESSOR ALBERT KOEBELE. | in this State under the direction of the State Board of Horticulture, and it was he who saved the orange plantations of California. He introduced ihe Vedalia cardinalis and it proved a godsend to the horticulturists of Southern California. He also introduced the Rhizobius ventralis, and that insect has almost completely wiped out the black scale. | Some time ago the Japanese beetle made ts appearance in the Hawaiian Is| It killed all the roses, pinks, onng: :r:dn: grape vines, and at one time it bade fair found that frequently other people have preceded them on a simiiar mission. *“These advance people may be all right as seeking contributions for charitable purposes, but,” said Major Blackhurst, yesterday, ‘‘if the intention of the friends we have is to send us funds and eatables for our dinner they should recognize only the I(s“u we send to them with th- ap- peal for aid written on our letter head, ‘Pacific Coast Battalion Headquarters, Volunteers of America, 232 Sutter street, Ban Francisco.” “Our venture is getting along nicely, and we trust that we will be able to make many poor children happy on Thanksegiv- ing day owing to the kind-hearted people ‘who are helping us. “If we have any surplus we will dis- tribute it among the poor families of this City with whose needs we have already become acquainted.’” WANT A CONTRACT LET. Improvement Ulubs Desire Polk Street Cut Through From Greenwich to Lombard at Once. The Van Ness Improvement Club, by President H. E. Law, and the Polk-street lmprovement Club, by President Robert Dross, filed petitions with the Board of Supervisors yesterday, requesting that a contract for grading down the hilion Polk street, between Greenwich and Lombard streets, be let at once. It is probable that unless a lack of funds prevents the Supervisors will act favorably on the petition. Attorney Gartland of the Street Depart- ment sent a communication to the Super- visors yesterday requesting that no more contracts be let during the rest of this month in view of the provisions of the law, which says t' at no more than one- twelfth of the funds of any department shall be expended during any one month. He says that work now in progress will eat up the Novembe:r share of the Sireet Department funds, and that more cone tracts will only cause complications. Interested in good furni- ture ? Interested in low prices ? Then you’ll be interested in this: A great big-solid oak bu- reau (picture above) over four feet broad, a wealth of carving, $19.50. Richest quarter-sawed oak throughout. Polished br hand. Carvings are gorgeous; deep, clean-cut— very effective. Mirror is French-plate—that thick giass, you know; round corners; deep bevel. Picture gives but an idea, at best; come and see the bureau. If you don’t wanta bureau come anyway; S you how little good furniture can be sold for. ; Lei us send you s catalogue. Drop a postal; it’s free. California Furniture Company (N P Cole & Oo) Carpets 117 Geary Street ¥ r let us show/