The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 25, 1896, Page 5

A THE SAN FRACNISCO CALL, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1896. 5 SAN PEDRD 15 A SUITABLE SITE Testimony Which Shows Santa Monica’s Chances Are Waning. Huntington’s Men Routed by the Convincing Testimony of Seamen. Skippers Who Tell Where the Deep- Sea Harbor Should Be Located. LOS ANGELES, Cawn, Dec. 24.—The whole Huntington harbor theoretical sup- erstructure, poorly planned and misera- bly executed by engineers Hood and Cor- thell of the *‘great corporation,” is slowly but surely falling to pieces before the steady fire of the old salts who have testi- fied here to-day in favor of San Pedro, that favorite southern port of harbor and refuge. The ground work of the Port Los Angeles arguments was largely under- mined yesterday by shipmasters either “retained”” by the Southern Pacific Com- pany or in its service, who had been brought here by Huntington’s marine managers. These old sea captains have a way peculiarly their own. They told the truth, the unpalatable truth to Hood ana Corthell about the prevailing winds and the dangerous ones at, both San Pedro and Santa Monica, and in doing so they contradicted every ‘land lubber’’ who had told his taie of woe about the “‘awful southeasters’” at S8an Pedro. The Hunt- ington crowd apparently built their hopes on being able to show that the southeast winds were not only frequent but very severe at the port of San Pedro. If this theory were established, then of course a very large black eye would be given to the refuge feature of the San Pedro’s preten- sions of safety. The *land marines” have utterly failed in this attempt, and in consequence they are at a great disadvantage in this con- test, for the trite but causticsaw says that A liar is not to be believed even when he tells the truth.” The very air seemed tainted with salt at the opening of the session by the Harbor Commissioners this forenoon, so numerous were the skippers in the room. Years before the mast seems to have clothed these old salts with a sturdiness of manhood and an honesty of purpose not observable in Huntington’s army “retained” in this fight, They bad few opinions to express. What they testifiea to was the result of .their own ex- perience. San Pedro’s friends had every- thing their own way to-day, and put up an impregnable fortress in front of their favorite port. Unlike the other side their statements and conclusions tallied nicely in every part. After a brief additional statement by Engineer Hargood of a technical nature John H. Hooper of 8an Francisco was in- troduced. He read a prepared communi- cation sent down by & large number of big iellow-merchants in favor ot San Pedro, for commercial and other purposes. The statement represented, Hooper said, 75 per cent of all the sailing vessel owners in California. Twenty-two feet of water, the speaker sald, will easily accommodate the best part of the shipping nowadays, and 1834 feet draught carries 1,000,000 feet of lumvper. Hisand the firms in the petition filed have for years been landing at San Pedro in preference to Santa Monica. Santa Monica, he said, can never be made a commercial barbor. Its location is bad and its facilities worse. He could not transact his business at all if he had to do it at Banta Monica. Ten million feet of lumber could not construct for him a proper sort of wharf. If he had to have yards inland it would increase the cost of lumber about $1 50 per thousand feet, or from $60,000 to $90,000 a year, for his firm alone. Facilities as they exist for yard-l and mills at San Pedro cannot be con- structed in Santa Monica. The Santa Monicaites, when they could not get from the unpleasant truth that the dangerous winds are from the *‘sou- sou’-west,” then argued that Santa Cata- lina Island afforded no protection to San Pedro at all. This was completely de- molished by a rare old skipper by the name of Polhemus, now employed at San Diego. He had been a pilot at Wilming- ton and sailor and skipper off S8an Pedro and also Santa Monica for thirty-six years. Pointing to a map of both harbors fur- nished by the Southern Pacific Captain Polhemus made the stariling statement that it was misleading in that S8an Pedro 1s really at present protected from the winds from the east and southeast. The captain declined positively to have any- thing to do with the private map. He told all about southeasters at S8an Pedro, their birth and death, their ramifications and general piayfulness. The captain’s references to things marine were character- istic is the extreme and provoked great laughter, and that misleading map kept staring tbe captain in the face, much to his discomforture. He told a funny story of a German captain who ran ashore be- cause “he was insured,” and said that if there was a breakwater at both Banta Monica and San Pedro and he was in charge of & ship close by he would soon try to hunt the open ocean. The csptain in 1860 went to San Pedro .an charge of the tugs and lighters there. Daring the first four years he found only two feet of water at low tide in the inner harbor. The sands would choke up the channel off Deadmans Island and shift it nearly every one and a half years. The drift of the sand was with the contour of tne coast line and to the eastward. The . captain commented on the fact that when the padre mariners years ago settled in this vicinity they preferred San Pedro to santa Monica as a landing. President Colin SBtewart of the Pasadena Board of Trade presented a series of reso- lutions adopted by the board in favor of Ban Pedro. Captain D. W. Weldt, a S8an Pedro port pilot, with fifteen years’ expeflgnoe there, was the next witness, His testimony was that some eighteen years ago he had be- gun investigating currents at 8an Pedro, and he was convinced that in nine hours + .out of ten the flow was towsrd the north and east. The reef off Point Firminisa protection to the anchorage. He would, if there were a breakwater at both Santa Monica and Ban Pedro, in a storm, choose San Pedro in case of a gale, there being less swell at the latter place. The holding ground is good at San Pedro, while some of it at Santa Monica is, on the other band, pad. The ship Kensington had been scuttied some years ago at San Pe- dro. The captain knew of two cases when vessels had to leave Santa Monica and go 10 San Pedro for shelter. The towing was in favor of San Pedro, where going in and out of the outer harbor vessels usually use only sail. Between 1886 and 1889 there had been times when twenty-eizht ships had been anchored at one time at San Pedro. E. T. Gibbon, vice-president of the Terminal Railway, explained that the dykifetmade by his company was done with the consent of the Government offi- cers at San Francisco, and was but a tem- porary matter. Rudolph Axman, in chargeof the dredg- ing at San Pedro at various times, told of the formation of the bottom of the harbor. The bottom of the inside harbor is cement crust for a few inches, and below 1t is soft. Near Deadman’s Island for a distance is areef. The channel, after onceexcavated, the witness has found, deepens, much to the disadvantage of his business. He could easily dredge a thirty-foot. channel at San Pedro with the hydraulic dredge which he operates. Captain A. J. Johnson, late of the bark Enoch Talbot, whose seafaring experience covers a period of twelve years, stated that he had been as master twice to San Pedro and twice to Santa Monica. Santa Monica is not in the witness’ opinion a good place for a ship to be tied, far worse than Redondo bacause of the heavy under- tow and for other reasons. He was in command of the Talbot for twenty-eight months. It took him twenty-two days to unload a cargo of lumber at one time. No ship could use its bow poris at Port Los Angeles. In the inside harbor at San Pedro discharge could be made easily. ‘When he was on his way north last year on the Talbot, with oil, on the way from San Pedro he had to seek shelter. He bad toput into Santa Monica and would never do so again. The waves were sim- ply mountain high. The conclusion of Captain Johnson’s testimony ended the day’s proceedings. San Pedro had scored very heavily. The board will resume its sittings on Saturday morning at 10 o’clock. KEWS OF SAN JOSE. James Brown Sues Charles and Mary Bradley for $5000 Damages for Al- leged Malicious Prosecution. SAN JOSE, CAL., Dec. 24.—James Brown to-day began suit in the Superior Court against Charles and Mary Bradley for $5000 damages for aileged malicious prose- cution. The parties all reside in‘Santa Clara, and the suit 1s the sequence of the arrest of Brown about a mon:h ago on a chargs of battery preferred by Mrs. Brad- ley. Brown was acquitted of the charge, but was in jail two hours. He says his arrest has brought great disgrace upon him and that his friendsare now deserting him, and he believes he was damaged in the sum named. —_— TO FEAST THE POOR. Splendid Work of the America SAN JOSE, CAr., Dec. 24.—The Volun- teers of America have mada extensive preparations for supplying the poor with good cheer on Chrisimas day. They have collected a large quantity of food and clothing, which will to-morrow be dis- tributed among the deserving unfortunate, to whom the day would otherwise be a cheerless one. Dinner will be served at noon, and it is expected that it will be partaken of by nearly 1000 persons. If after all have been provided for anything remains it will be distributed to needy families. Competent committees are in charge of the various branches of the charity, and a very suceessful and happy outcome 18 anticipated, — Election Contest Case Adjowrned. SAN JOSE, Car., Dec. 24.—Butlittle tes- timony was taken in the Kelsey-McLaurin election contest this morning, and an ad- journment was taken until Monday morn- ing. D. M. Stanley was the only witness examined. Kelsey’s attorneys ciaim to have gained eleven votes for the contest- ant so far, or within three of enough votes to make the contest a tie. e e Funeral of Charles Bruch. SAN JOSE, CAL., Dec. 24.—The funeral of Charles Bruch, a pioneer resident of this city, took place this afternoon. He was a native of Germany, aced 77 years. He came to America in 1853, at once coming to California. After a short atay in Ban Francisco he established a black- smith shop in this city. A widow and four children survive him. R DN i F. T, Holland Dies of His Injuries, SAN JOSE, CaL, Dec. 24—F. T. Hol- land, the painter who received serious in- juries by the breaking of a scaffold yester- -day, died at an eanly hour this morning. He was hurled a distance of twenty feet and susiained a fracture of the skull. Holland was 54 years of age and a native of Maine. He leaves a widow ana four ¢ hildren. Volunteers of i eadig BRAVERY KEWARDED, Gold Watch and Chain for a Santa Bay- bara Officer. SANTA BARBARA, CaL., Dec. 24.— Officer W. W. Hopkins was to-day the re- cipient of a valuable Christmas present— a gold watch ard chain—for his services at the time of the Richardson murder last July. The gift comes from A. O. Norton, son-in-law of Mr. Richardson, and E. Long, brother of Mrs, Richardson, and was sent to Sheriff Hicks from Mr. Nor- ton’s home near Boston, with the request that the Steriff personally present it to the officer. The watch and chain are both of solid gold. The former bears an inscrip- tion highly comvplimentary to Mr. Hop- : kins, as follows: Presented to Officer W. W. Hopkins by A. O. Norton ana E. Long in recognition of his conr- age while in the discharge of his duty at Senta Barbars, Cal., July 6, 1896. Presented Decem- ber 25, 1896. Mr. Hopkins took a lively interest in that terrible tragedy, and in hunting down the supposed murderer came near!y losing his own life. Cyrus Bernard, the suspect whom he had under arrest, shot at him twice. Hopkins, in discharge of his duty and in defense of his own life, returned the compliment, killing him instantly. —————— EUREEKANS MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. Whirled Around u Revolving Shaft and Comes Out Uninjured. EUREKA, Car, Dec. 24.—Robert Cope- land, an engineer at McKay & Co.’s Ocei- dental Mill, had a most wonderful escape from death this moraing. While working about the shafting his clothing was caught and he was whirled about on a horizontal shafi, which . revolved only fifteen inches below and parallel with a heavy timber to which it was hung. In some unaccountable manner Copeland’s body was drawn to the shaft in such a way that it Iay lengthwise on the shaft, enabling it to pass between the shaft and timber without touching, and after a couple of revolutions the cloth gave way and the body drovped to the floor. When picked up Copeland was found to have been divested of every stitch of clothing save his shoes and stockings, and even the legs of the stockings were torn off evenly with the tops of the shoes. Except for a number of severe contusions and abra- sions and general soreness, Copeland is uninjured. — e ———— . Extra edition of Christmas Town Talk on sale at all newsstands to-day. The reguiar weekly edition will be issued to- MOITOW MOrning. SALOON TRAGEDY NEAR RAWHIDE A Young Woodchopper Re- ceives a Fatal Wound. Was Drunk and Boisterous and Refused to Leave the Resort. Exposed to the Chilly N.ght Air for Hours Without Medical Attention. SBONORA, Can, Dec. 24 — Girard’s house, near Rawhide, was on Wednesday night the scene of a tragedy. Herman Ericksen, in company with his uncle, went to Girard’s house early in the evening, drank copiously and became boisterous and obnoxious to the ownerof the house and others. Ericksen and his uncle were requested to leave, but failed to do so, pre- ferring the warmth and comforts of the cabin to the outside world. At last Girard decided upon employing sterner methods toward ousting his undesired guests, and 0 called upon his friend John Voisson to aid him in doing so. Voisson agreed to take a hand and went to his cabin, some little aistance from the house, took down a double-barreled shotgun and thus armed returned to Girard’s house. There ne found the two disturbers out- side on the porch and told them to quit the premises, which invitation Ericksen profanely and obstinately refused to com- ply with, calling him a vile name and threatening to shoot him for his pains. This, of course, was not to be endured. Girard’s house had to be cleared at any cost, and the doubie-barreled shotgun was called into play and a shot fired into the air in the hope of scaring the breakers of Girard’s peace. No sooner had theshot been fired tnan Ericksen staried for Vois- son, who, thinking matters had reached a climax, shot again, and this time brought down his man. After the shooting Ericksen was left out in the open air where he fell and was not allowed by Girard to be taken into the house, though his uncle begged that he be extended this favor, and so the young fel- low. scarcely 20 years of age, was leftall night without medical or any care what- ever, save what bis uncle could do, in his unfortunate plight. Next morning Deputy Sheriff Donohue of Jamestown was informed of the shoot- ing and at once set out Yor the scene, ac- companied by Dr. Congdon. On arriving there it: was found that Ericksen was fatally wounded, the shot having taken effect in his abdomen, on the right-hand siae, penetrating it and inflicting injuries that must sdrely prove iatal. His right arm was aleo badly hurt by the shot. Sheriff Donohue as soon as possible con- veyed the wounded man and his assailant to Jamestown, where the former was taken to Sissons Hotel and the latter to the branch jail, whence he was later taken to the county jail in tbis city. District At- torney Otis of this city was at once noti- fied, and was requested to go to James- town and take the dying man’s deposi- tion, which he did, but which he stead- fastly refuses to divulge until called upon in court to do so in his official capacity. THE CALL_ correspondent, owever, called upon Voisson in the County Jail and from him obtained a statement, in which he claims to have acted in seli- defense. He said he did not wish to kill the man, but simply disable him, but his aim was too good. ‘When the reporter told him that his victim would die he said: “I can’t help it now; I saw him_this morning and he did not look so bada; I would not have shot at all, but he ran after me. I did not know whether he had a pistol or gun; he acted like a crazy man and the other man was with him a few yards away.”” Voisson gave his ageas45. He is a Frenchman and of short but rather stout build and wears a stubby reddisn beard. He has the appearance of a hard-working man, and certainiy does not look like a criminal. His statement, however, about fearing that Ericksen was going to shoot him seems scarcely warranted by the facts in the case, for the dying man had no weapon whatever on him and could not have given Voisson, who was armed with a shotgun, provocation for the as-ault. Ericksen and his uncle are Finns and were employed around the Rawhide as woodchoppers, and were regarded as harmless and inoffensive men. The pre- liminary examination will not take place till Ericksen either shows signs of im- provement or dies, the latter ontcome be- ing far the most probable. THE “KANSAS KID'S” REVENGE. Accused His Squealing Pal of Having Had a Hand in. the Hot Springs Train Robbery. SEATTLE, Wasn., Dec. 24.—Gay Harsh- man, alias “the Kansas Kid,”” who was convicted recently of passing $10,000 worth of counterfeit money, has made a state- ment, it was learned to-night, that his pal, George Conkling, who is now serving time for counterfeiting and who squealed on him, confessed to him that he was one of the three men who held up the Northern Pacific train at Hot Springs in 1894, when the passengers in the sleeping-coach were relieved of $3000. It is believed that Harshman also had a hand in the hold- up. Conkling is not a bad man, but arshman is an old criminal and a des- perate man. Harshman, at the time of his arrest and while confined in the Pierce Count; Jail, told a detective who was at work on the Northern Pacific robbery that Conk- ling bad told him that he was one of the men that held up the train.t Conkling, according to Harshman, said he and two other men boarded the train at Clealum. It was the intention to rob the train while going through the tunnel. Some- thing hapuened to prevent that. When Hot Springs was reached the men, who had been in the smoking-car, got off and boarded the sleeping-car, first pulling bandkerchiefs over their faces, After re- lieving the p ngers of about $3000 they camre on to this city and disposed of most of the stuff. “As soon as my trial for counterfeiting is over,”’ the Kansas Kid said to the de- tective, “I will tell you wherc the re- mainder of the stuif is planted.”” It is this part of Harshman’s statement that makes those who have rd it believe that he had a hand in the hold-up. In fact, the Government officers who prose- cuted Harshman, and who have heard of his statement, say they do not believe Conkling was mixed up in_the affair, but it is their belief it was*®Harshman who figured in the work. Suspected Swindler Arrested. STOCKTON, CaAL, Dec. 24.—Late this afternoon Deputy Sheriff Black arrested a man named Ostrander, who iz wanted at Coulterville for obtaining money under false pretences. Ostrander came to Stock- ton this morning and Black, who bad a description of the man, was apprisea of the fact. He followed him all day, but the man who was wanted in Coulterville proved very elusive and Black only came upon him Iate this afternoon. — SUICIDE OF A STOCKTON SWAIN. Jesse Brown, Despairing of Wedding the Girl of His Choice, Blows His Brains Out, STOCKTON, OCAL, Dec. 24.—Jesse Brown, who lived at 143 Souta Commerce in this city, blew his brains out this even- ing with a shotgun. The young man was in love with the daughter of a neighbor, but her parents did not favor his suit and he became despondent at the thought of not being able to marry the girl of his choice. For some time vast Brown has shown signs of melancholia, but no one dreamed that he had any thought of tak- ing his life. He was the son of an enci- neer connected with one of the river steamboat companies, and the girl of whom he was enamored was the daughter of another steamboat engineer. Her arents did not look favorably upon young rown’s devotion to her, and he was made to understand that he could never marry the girl he loved. This seemed to prey upon \h:lnnng man’s mind, and to- day he decided to put an end to his ex- istence. Brown went dellberately to work to kill himself. He went to hisroom and took with him a double-barreled shotgun. Placing the muzzle against his head he discharged buth bariels, blowing almost the entire top of his head off. - His family heard the shot and rushed to the room, but death was instantaneous, the whole top of the young man’s head having been blown away. Police Officer Kuhn was one of the first outside of the family to reach the scene, and at once notifie!ths Coro- ner, who took the body to the Morgue, where it now lies. Brown was quite well known here and had many friends. T GASHED HIS ARM, Henry Ainsley, a Book Agent, Tries to End Bis Life. STOCKTON, CAL., Dec. 24 —Shortly be- fore 5 o’clock this afternoon a book agent named Henry Ainsley was discovered bleeding to death in Peter Marengo’s sa- loon on South Commerce street. Ainsley had been sitting in thesaloon with a friend when the latter called for some drinks. While the barkeeper was filling the order Ainsley slipped back to the rear of the saloon, and, baring his right arm, cut a deep gash in it with his pocket-knife. He came back to the chair he had been occupying and sat there with the blocd dripping from the wound he had made. When the barkeeper came to serve the drinks be saw the pool oi blood on the floor and called Officer Kuhn, who was near by. The last named summoned Dr. Hudson and had the wound sewed up. Ainsley had not been drinking and delib- erately attempted to end his life. He is now in the Receiving Hospital and will ‘probably recover. kP e NO RAID BY )YAQUIS. Stories That Alarmed ' the People of Nogales. NOGALES, A. T., Dec. 24.—Reports relative to the presumed Yaqui raid ou Sonora are based upon statements thata meeting of Yaquis and their Sympathiz- ers was recently held sixty miles sonth- west of here, at Molinas, Alta Dis- trict, Sonora, 1n which a raid on Nogales was discussed, no definite conclusion be- ing arrived at. An assault on some point was considered advisable. This alarm was aggravated by a gathering of renegade horsethieves and cutthroats in the neigh- borhood of Old Glory, thirty miles west from here, who were thought to be Yaquis. Careful scouts by United States troops failed to find any gathering of Yaquis on our side of the line. No raid on Nogales is anticipated here. puidc S A VANCOUFVEK TERRORIZED, Sensational Highwaymen in Possession of the City Day and Night. ] VANCOUVER, B. C., Dec. 24.—Vancou- wver is terrorized by a gang of highway- men who are operating here in broad day- light and defying the police. Some thirty or forty men have been held up atthe point of the revolver, afternoon and even- ing, in the center of the city by different members of the gang. Giris and women are also sabject to all sorts of indignities while being robbed. At 3 o’clock yester- day afternoon, however, was the boldest attempt yet. A man called at the home of R. U. Ferguson. Mrs. Ferguson came down, and at point of pistol was comp-li-d to deliver up her valuables. The police and detectives are ridiculed for their in- capacity. S ety Burglars Working Around Modesto, MODESTO, CarL., Dec. 24.—The store of Yaple & Ripon, ten miles north of here, was burglarized last evening while the proprietors were at supper. The till was opened und $300 belonging to the post- ME"' Wells, Fargo & Co. and the firm taken. HIGH REVELS IN THE NAVY. An Episode at Rio, in Which Americans and British Engaged. “Well,” said the retired naval officer, chuckling over his reminiscences, “the greatest bringing together in a common cause of the British and their American cousins that I ever saw was back in 1885, in the harbor of Rio,” quotes the New York Press. “The American flagship Lancaster had beer ordered over there from the Euro- pean station, and when she gotin by the Sugar Loaf there was the little British gunboat Ruby of the gem class. The Lan- caster had been obliged to stop on the African coast for some diplomatic reason before she zot to Rio, and her officers were glad to be alive again. ““We blew off the whol2 wardroom mess of the Ruby that night to the best dinner our cook could put up, and then went ashore with the Britishers to see the town. We saw it. “About 2 o’clock in the morning the of- ficers of the Ruby invited ns to go aboard their ship. Some idiot spoke of the time Charlie Beresford painted out all the signs in Portsmouth. We had no paint except that with which we had been painting the town, so & council of war was held, and we concluded that it would serve every purpose if we fook all the signs in the Rue d’Ovidor and carried them aboard the Raby. “This we did. A little police officer tried to interfere, but we pitched him,into ihe gutter. The little wardroom of the Ruby could scarcely hold our spoils. As it was late when we got aboard some fel- lows elected to stay where they were all night. Asfor me [ never care to carry a joke too far, and went back to the Lancas- ter, so as to be ready for duty in the morn- ing. My, what a nose those tin signs made as we rattled them down in the Ruby’s wardroom. The c.ptain of the Ruby? Obh, he was all right. Onr captain hiad been entertaining i, v ————— Finishing a Sentence. Tnat queer old Scotch lawyer, John Clerk, was not popular with the bench, and not infrequently a Judge would snub him. It was, however, a dangerous pas- time. Once Clerk began a speech in court by saying: “Asl was coming over the earth-mound this morning, I thocht within mysel” ' _*“Come, now, Mr. Clerk,” in- terruoted a Judge, ‘‘give us nane of your thochts on the earth-mound.” Clerk be- gan again: “As I was coming over the earth mound this morning, I thocht within mysel’—" “Well, sir, what have your thochts on_the earth-mound to do with the case? Pray go on with the busi- ness before us.’’ A’ third time Clerk be- gan: *As I was coming over the earth- mound this morning, I thocht within my- sel’ that 1should not finish a sentence Inlqp your lordship would interrupt me.’ CHINESE FRAUDS UP AT SETTLE Traffic in Certificates on a Gigantic Scale Is Discovered. Enterprising Sharpers Purchase Papers of Mongols Leaving the Country, After B-ing “Doctored” They Are Sold to Coolies Who Are Com- ing Unlawfuily. SEATTLE, Wass., Dec. 24.—Tne United States Government officials have unearthed another gigantic fraud in connection with the Chinese certificates. Hundreds of Chinamen have gained en‘rance in an un- lawful manner into the United States, and unless the Treasury Department at Wash- ineton City takes immediate steps to pre- vent Chinamen on leaving the United States from taking with them their cer- tificates the wholesale fraud will continue. Three Chinamen are now in the King County jail and will be prosecuted for forgery. The others will be deported on the next steamer leaving for China. They are but a few members of an organized gang who have made thousands of dollars by the unlawful work. How far the fraud has gone the Government officials do not know, and it will be a long time before they will know. The Chinamen who have come into the United States because of the fraud practiced are now scattered about the country. Tney have what on the face appear to be genuine certificates, and if arrested it will be almost impossi- ble to prove them guilty without coming to this district of internal revenue. The fraud is the cleverest that nas yet been practiced and it was only by accident that it was detected at all. Five China- men showed np in Port Townsend a few days ago who were for some reason sus- pected of being unlawfully in the United States. They had certificates in their pos- session, however, which bore the stamp of the Coliector of Internal Revenue for this district and were apparently all right in other resnects. A Deputy Internal Reve- nue Collector from Portland arrived later with duplicates of the certificates in the possession of the detained Chinamen, Then the Government officials learned some things they did not know before. Later the entire fraud was unearthed. For a year or more past hundreds of Chinamen have been leaving the United States for China for good. The customs of- ficials on the Sound insisted for a while that every Chinese laborer leaving should deposit with the Collector of Customs his certificate, to be returned to him on his return. The Chinamen took offense at this requirement and secured a ruling of the Treasury Department to the effect that certificates are personal property and that Chinamen should be allowed to take them ount of the country. Smart Chinamen and some white men organized a company and made 1t a point to buy the certificates of the Chinamen who left the country for good. With the aid of chemicals all of the writing on the certificate, with the exception of the sig- nature of the Collector of Internal Reve- nue and the photograph of the Chinaman, attached to the certificate, was removed, and the impression made by the seal of the Collector, half of which was on the photograph and the other half on the side of the certificate, was smoothed down by some process until it almost disappeared. Then the name of the Chinaman to whom the certificate was issued was rewritten on the certificate. together with a description of a Chinaman who had agreea to pay for the forged certificate. The new China- man’s photograph was also placed on the certificate. Those who were responsible for the fraud had a counterfeit seal of the Col- lector which was placed on the certificate. Then the new certificate was ready for use. The Chinaman who used it was compelled to take the name of the China- man to whom the certificate was origin- ally issued. It was almost impossible to tell that the certificate had been tampered with. If an inspector found thd certificate in the possession of a Chinaman and thought it was crooked he would naturally wire the Portland office and ask if such and such a Chinaman had certificate No. so and so. A comparison of the name and number with the duplicate would fol- low and the answer would always be that everything was all right, It is believed that hundreds of these certificates were sold to strange Chinamen in Canada and China. The Chinamen who were arrested at Port Townsend came from British Colum- bia. They made a mistake in having re- mained in this part of the country. If they had gone into some other district they would probably be iree to-day. But one of the officers at Port Townsend who is acquainted with the writing in all of the cet;igcatea issued out of the Portland office noticed that the writing in the cer- tiicates in the possession of the arrested Chinamen was new to hire. Then came the real expose of the fraud. How many Chinamen are scattered about the United States with those forged cervificates in their possession no one pre- tends to know. A Seattle Government official said to the CALL correspondent to-night: “The Treasury Department must take immediate steps to compel all Chinamen leaving the country to deposit their certificates with the Collector, If that be required we will be able to at least check the fraud from going any farther. If not thousands of Chinamen will in due time come into the United States on forged certificates, and it will be impossi- ble 1o detect them.” THE RUSSIAN VOLUNTEER FLEET Its Origin, Present Size, Employment and Prospects. An account in the London scientific journal, Engineering, of Russia’s volun- teer fleet as it stands to-day, is noteworthy not only from the facts collected regard- ing it, but trom the conclusion that this fleet should no longer be viewed with the distrust it so long inspired, since it ‘‘de- serves the best wishes of the English peo- ple.” . The origin of this peculiar organization is interesting. In the last war between Russia and Turkey the former’s navy was recognized to be weak, and some patri- otic subjects of the Czar resoived to create by private efforts a force of auxiliary cruis- ers that might be useful in case a vaval power should intervene on the side of ‘Turkey. Subscriptions were started in the chief towns, and in a few months about 2,000,000 rubles were collected. With these the Alsatia, the Lothsringia and two other steamers beionging to the North German Lloyds were purchased. Not very long afterward peace was con- cluded, so that the work of the four ves- sels proved to have consisted chiefly of conveying the sick and the wounded and transporting troops from San Stefano to the Black Sea ports. e In casting about for a new sphere of duty for the volunteer fleet, it was decided . to have it ply between Russia’s European ports and Vladivostock. But tbe first operations of the fleet as a commercial venture . were not encouraging. There were no profits, and there was talk of turning it over to the Black Sea trade. However, the direction of it was trans- ferred to the Minister of Marine, and presently an era of prosperity for the fleet began. The numbers increased, and now the fleet is managed by a committee repre- senting the Treasury, War, Navy and Auait offices, the president, who 1s gener- ally an admiral, being selected by the Minister of Marine. The chief executive officer is known as the inspector, and the incumbent of the office is Colonel Linden, who for a long time had been a naval attache in England, representing the Rus- sian Government. At present the volunteer fleet possesses thirteen large steamers, each capable of carrying from 3000 to 5000 tons of cargo, exclusive of bunker coal. They are the Kherson, Petersburg, Saratoff, Orel, Viad-’ imir, Voronej, Kiav, Ekaterinosiav, Tam- boy, Yaroslaval, Kostroma, Nijni-Novgo- rod and Khabarovsk. The first four can make nineteen knots and the others thir- teen knots. All of them have been built in Encland, where also two other vessels are to be constructed. The original ves- sels, acquired in Germany, have been given up and iurned over to the Admir- nlgdu wraining ships. 2 essa is the principal port from which the steamers of ihe fleet start. They pass through the Suez canal ana reach Viadi- vostock in about forty days. On the way they call at Port Baid, Perim or Aden, Colombo, Singapore and Nagasaki as the principal ports. Only two or three years ago no more than seven or eight voyages were made each year, but under the pres- ent management no fewer than twenty- two voyages are oarried out within the year. Thus Vladivostock has increased in im- portance and the volunteer fleet has ren- dered a great service in building up the Asiatic shores of Russia. The fleet is also used in transporting materials for the Biberian railway and so adds largely to its earnings while being of pnblic service in that way. It also carries out immigrants and convicts, the latter being sent out to the island of Saghalien, not far from Vladivostock, It takes back to Odessa soldiers whose term has expired; teas from Hankow, the tea trade being en- tirely in its hands and no less than 35,060 tons being carried last year; copra, castor seeds and other products. It is also worthy of note that “‘the freez- ing of Vladivostock harbor is not now an | insuperable obstacle to tiae passing of | ships. Last year vessels entered the port even when the frozen surface had reached a thickness of twelve inches. A canal through the ice four miles long was cut out by sawing, the huge frozen masses be- ing crushed or towed away by the Govern= ment vessel Siloch. The operations were successful, but 1n order to do the work stili more efficiently in future an ices breaker is being constructed at Copen- hagen.” Altogether, Engzineering concludes that, although the volunteer fleet still has at Qdessa guns ready to be mounted for war purnoses, yet its chief functions are com- mercial, and that the building up of Asiatic Russia may help British manu- facturers. In any event, so long as all the ships come from English yards the latter cannot complain. HIDDEN SUBMARINE TREASURES, What Becomes of the Ships That Are at the Bottom of the Sea? ‘What becomes of the ship that sinks in mid-ocean? If itis of wood, it takes, in the first place, considerable time for it to reach the bottom. In 100 or more fathoms of water a quarter of an hour will elapse before the ship reaches bottom. It sinks slowly, and when the bottom is reached it falls gently into the soft, oozy bed, with no crash or breaking. Of course, if it is laden with pig iron or corresponding substances, or if it is an iron ship, it sicks rapidly, and sometimes strikes the bottom with such force as to smash to pieces. Once sunken, the ship becomes the prey of the countless inhabite ants of the ocean. They swarm over and through the great boat and make 1t their home. Besides this, they cover every inch of the boat with a thick layer of lime. This takes time, of course; and when one genecration dies another continnes the work, until finally the ship is so laden with heavy incrustations, corals, sponges and barnae cles that, if wood, the creaking timbers fall apart, and slowly but surely are abe sorbed in the waste as the sea bottom. Iron vessels are demolished more quickly than those of wood, which may last for centuries. The oniy metals that withstand the chemical action of the waves are gold and platinum, and glass also seems unaffected. No matter how long gold may be hidden in the ocean, it will always be gold when recovered, and this fact explains the many romantic and adventurous searches after hidden treas- ures lost in shipwrecks.—London Ans swers. s NEW TO-DAY. EXTRA BIG Gifts--Free! Free! Teas, Correes, Spices. EXTRA BIG OFFER FOR CHRISTMAS. WOUR CEHOICE FRIZIE: 1 Sauce Boat, decorated. 8 Tea Cups and Sa ucers. 1 Larze Majolica Pitcner. 1 Fancy lce Cream Dish. 8 Water Gobiets, banded. 1Cake Stand, crystal. 1 Cheese Dish, crystal. 6 \\ ater Goblets, plain. 1 Buiter Dish, crystal. 5 Claret Glasses, plain. 6 Com ports, ind!vidual 4 Ale or Feer Glasses. 1Cake Basket, iaucy. 1 Rose Bal, 4 Cbampagne Glasses. 1 Bread and Milk Set. 2 Fancy Fralt Plates. 1 Pitcher, decorated. 1 Decanter. 1 Oat Meal Set. 1 Milk Set. 1Syrup Fitcher. 5 Yerr Dishes. 1Celery Tray. 3 Dinner Plates. 8 Oyster Bowls. B Fralt Saucers. $ Gold Band Flates. 5 1 Majol ica Cuspidor. 8 Toothpick Holders. 1 Meat Dish, 10-inch. 1 Fancy Salad Dish. 2 Plates, fes:coned. B Lemonade Muxs. 4 Bouque: Holders. 1Rebecea Tea Pot. Whisky Tumblers, ground bottom. ustache Cup nnd Sancer & Table Tumblers. eugraved © Handied Lemonade Glasses 1 Half-gallou Waier Plicher. 1Chocolate Cup and Sancee. 1 Cake PI fancy chiua. 1Vase, tancy Bohemian. 1 Scoliop, T-inch. decorated. 3:oup I'lates, decoral b Ealt or epper ~hakers. 1 Vegetable Dish, decorated. A thousand other Fancy Dishes of every description. ONE FREE WITE mACEL o0 Extra Dovsie Presexes Cts 188S, Spices, Purchase BAKING P OWDERS | Bxrea Dousus Tioxer THIS OFFER HOLDS GOOD UNTIL NEW YEAR. WE WIILL: SEI.I, CHINAWARE, CROCKERY BLASSWARE Big CuT "PRICES! Fancy Chinaware and Glassware Tea, Chocolate, Coffee Cups, Fancy Plates, Berry Dishes 10, 12%, 15, 20, 25, 35, 50, 75¢c each. Chocolate, Ice Cream, Berry, Lemonade and Water Sets 50, 65, 75, 85, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.85, 1.85, 2.25, 2.50 per set. China, Bisque, Fancy Vases, Figures and Ornaments 10, 12%, 15, 20, 25, 35, 50, 60, 75, 100, 1.25 each. CUSPIDORES---20, 25, 35, 40, 50, 75c each. Genuine Delft China Trays, Olives, Butter . lates, Cups, Cream Pitchers, Salads, Plaques 15, 20, 25, 85, .40, 50, 60, 55, 85, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50 each. Tea Sets, complete for 12 persons Light Bite Pare £). 26 Wilke 2 Decoration 2.75 Gold Trimming, Fine China Heliotrope 350 525 Dinner Sets complete for 6 persons Wi 3:50 £ 475 i 6:00 HET 50 s Dinner Sets completc 100 pieces P 575 HE 775 fmt Q25 Ewne|7.50 Quality Best, Made by Best English Makers, Newest Shapes and Designs. Prices A.way TINDER STORES, 100 IN IN UMBER. breat AmericanImporting TeaCo, 140 Sixth St. 1344 Miarlizet 2310 Mission St. 817 Rearny St. 1419 Polk St. 521 Montgomery ave. 338 Eayes St. 7 146 Ninth St. 218 Third St. 2008 Fillmore St. 985 Marizet Si. 8006 Sixteenth St. 104 Second St. 3288 Mission St. OCARLAND STORES: 1088 Washington St. 131 San Pf'blo Ave. ele East Tvwelfth St. DL7 Broadway. Parls St., Alameda. HEADQUARTE?S 52 MARKET STREET, SAN FRANCISCO,