28j£ . ££sf f
SATURDAY. '. ....APRIL 6, 1895
CITY NEWS U EEIEP.
Fair weather to-day.
Banker Donohoe died last night.
The Portia Club of California was incorpor
ated yesterday.
' The Barbers' Union has decided to close all
shops at 8 p. H.
Brief city news items on the seventh page of
the Call every day.
The Half-million Club has sent out circulars
regarding the Los Angeles Fiesta.
The seventh page of the Call is devoted ex
clusively to brief local news items.
Four insurance companies withdrew from
the Board of Underwriters yesterday.
The insurance rate war is growing warm. A
general suspension of rates is expected.
Marshal Baldwin Fays he will arrest Hun
tmgton if the magnate comes to this city.
Insurance rates are so low that any one may
aflord to secure himself against loss by fire.
D. M. Carman of the Half-million Club has
gone south to arrange for the big excursion.
The Half-million Club has sent information
of its plans and purposes to towns in the in
terior.
Railroad time-tables are published in the
Call free of charge for the convenience of the
public.
The grievance committee of the Bar Associa
tion is investigating the charges against Attor
ney Henry H. Davis.
The Feast of the Passover will be celebrated
at the Temple Emanu-El on Monday and Tues
day mornings.
Los Angeles will establish a sub-association
of the manufacturers. Funds have been pro
vided to begin with.
Mrs. ReinaLe Ballister talks about her con
nection with Senator Seymour and the pilot
bill in the last Legislature.
Governor Budd has selected Robert Y.Hayne
of this city as one of the members of the
newly created Code Commission.
The by-laws of the Manufacturer^* Associa
tion are to be revised by a comLSittee ap
pointed by the board of directors.
Rudolph Spreckels filed another affidavit
casting reflections on his father yesterday in
his case against the Nevada Bank.
Bright brief city news items may always be
.found on the seventh page of the Call.
Longer articles on local affairs occupy other
pages.
Local Armenians are much incensed over the
criticisms made by the local Turkish Consul on
the recent trouble between Armenia and ,
Turkey. '
The Supervisors held a long session last night
to discuss the water-rate question. It was de
cided, among other things, to raise the hydrant
rate.
The Police Department is sending out de
scriptions and pictures of Williams, alias
Brady, who is said to have killed Sheriff Bogard
of Tehama.
Rabbi Voorsanger last night said in the !
course of his sermon at the temple that the
vices of San Francisco do not equal those of
. ancient Rome.
Several officers on the revenue cutters Rush j
and Bear have been raised in the ranks in con- '
sequence of a law which was passed in the
closing hours of last Congress.
Dr. Robert S. Macbeth is confined in the City
Prison pending the registering ot a charge of
. murder in having caused the death of Elizabeth
Quinn through a criminal operation.
The Supreme Court yesterday sustained the
lower court in its action compelling the Board
of Education to reinstate Miss Harriet M.
Fairchild in her old grade and position.
Patrick Holleran has brought suit against
the Pacific Coast Marine Firemen's Union to
set aside a recent election on the ground that
it was informal, and praying that a new elec
tion be ordered.
First and second choices won all the races at
the track yesterday. The attendance was good
and the betting spirited. The winners were
Alaric, Rev el Bandidos, Arctic, Quirt, Sweet
Alice and Boreas.
The concert to be given next Thursday
evening by the Mozart Symphony Club at the
Auditorium of the Young Men's Christian
Association is for the benefit of the furnishing
fund of the new building.
The Call's proposition to business men to
pledge their support to the valley railroad has
caused great enthusiasm, and hundreds of
pledges are coming in daily. The first roll of
honor is published to-day.
Hannovernaer Verein will give an anniver
sary ball April 6 at Saratoga Hall. The pro
ceeds of the entertainment will be devoted to
the purchase of two magnificent flags, one
American and another German.
Interesting history of the Church of the
Holy Cross. It is now too small for the con
gregation, and a handsome edifice will be
erected. Father McGinty has been with the
church fourteen years and has built it up won
derfully. . •
The League of the Cross cadets will give a
concert and competitive drill in the Me
chanics' Pavilion May 3. It will be the first
extensive affair of this kind ever held by a
Catholic organization, and will be both inter
esting and instructive.
The disabled Solano will probably have
$100,000 spent on her before she is again
floated. Much of this will be used in repairing
the wrecked engine. It is computed that the
blow the piston struck the lower cylinder head
came with a force of nearly 140 tons.
The jury in the case of Shaen for the Tortoni
restaurant ae-ainst the Meslck estate gave the
plaintiff $750, less than one-third of the
amount prayed for. Judge Hunt knocked off
$338 50, of which $200 was "cash" given to
"Miss Mollie" on behalf of the late Judge
Mesick. -
Another Tortoni suit was revived yesterday
in Judge Hunt's court, the plaintiff being
Joseph E. Shaen, assignee of the proprietors of
the restaurant, against John T. Hill, "ihe
amount sued for is .$855, .for "goods, wine
meals and loaned money." The case went over
until Tuesday next.
John Currie, a Scotch evangelist, who has
recently returned from Europe, will deliver
the address before the young men's meeting at
the Christian Association hall, Mason and
Ellis streets, to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.
Mr. Carrie will speak on a special theme to
young men only; no ladies admitted. *
Carlos Enrico Reta, who registered at the
Palace Hotel on Thursday night, shot his
young wife last evening and then committed
suicide. The two bodies were found locked in
each other's embrace. The couple had been
married but a short time, and the reason for
the tragedy can only be found in the fact that
the girl's mother was bitterly opposed to the
marriage. "
State Senator Bijrgy thinks it strange he
should be punished fer not voting for John
Daggett, Superintendent of the San Francisco
Mint, for United States Senator in the last
Legislature. Dagpett has refused to give the
washing from the Mint to the laundry which
Biggy is Interested in. Biggy's opposition to
Daggett was caused by the latter's railroad
affiliations, he says.
The Retail Liquor-dealers' Protective Asso
ciation has elected the following officers for
the coming year: James E. Kenny, president;
J. L. Mitchell, vice-president; James Gilleran
treasurer; T. W. Reynolds, recording secretary;
C. W. Sprague, financial secretary; M. C
Brydges, sergeant-at-arms; W. Abbott, F. A
Martin, J. S. Macintosh, D. C. Martin, P. J.
Dunne and James Garrity, directors.
William McCarthy was arrested last evening
on a charge of robbery by Detectives Dillon
and Crockett. The complainant against the
prisoner is Isaac Appletoii, who, in the warrant
which he caused to be sworn out, alleges that
on the 11th of last February, McCarthy and
two other men stood him up at the corner of
; Seventh and Natoma streets and took his watch
and chain and a small amount of money which
he had in his pocket.
I". W. Spencer, a piano-dealer on Market
street, has sued A. Waldteufel, a music-dealer
occupying part of the same store, for $8000
damages. Spencer says Waldteufel diverted
business by misdirecting customers and block
ing the way to his pianos. IHe declared that
Waldteufel and his employes would insult him
and annoy him by exposing his delicate pianos
to the inclemency of the weather, removing
his goods and in other ways troubling him.
At the regular weekly meeting of the Trades
Council at 1159 Mission street last evening,
considerable time was devoted to a discussion
of the Labor Commissionershlp and the feasi
bility of Indorsing some one of the many can
didates. The Typographical Union delegates
asked the indorsement of L. P. Ward, a com
positor of this city. The council finally, de
cided to be content with its previous resolu
tions demanding the appointment of some
member of a labor union.
The California Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union have elected as delegates to repre
sent California at the convention of the World's
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, to
meet in London, England, in June next: Mrs.
B. Sturtevant, president. San Jose: Mrs E. C.
Laugenour, Woodland; Mrs. Anna K. Btdwell,
Chico; Mrs. Dorcas J. Spencer, San Francisco.
Alternates— Mrs. Emily Hoppin, Yolo; Mrs.
Rosa M. French, Han Francisco; Mrs. S. J.
Churchill, San Jose; Mrs. Grace M. Kimball,
Oakland.
WILL CODIFY THE LAWS
One of the Code Commission
ers Selected by the
Governor.
ROBEBT HAYNE IS THE MAN.
The Other Two Members Are Still a
Matter of Doubt and
Perplexity.
Governor Budd has definitely decided
upon the appointment of one of the mem
bers of the Code Commission, which was
created by the last Legislature. The gen
tleman who has been so honored is Robert
Y. Hayne, attorney-at-law, of this city.
Who will be the other two members is as
yet a matter of doubt in the Governor's
mind.
"I have positively decided to appoint
Robert Y. Hayne," the Governor said yes
terday, "if that gentleman will accept the
office, and I think he will. Mr. Hayne did
not seek it in any way. I spoke of the
matter to him several days ago and asked
him if he would accept. He was a little in
doubt and asked for time to consider. I
have not seen him or heard from him
since, but I sincerely hope he will serve.
Robert "ST. Hayne.
He is an able and most careful lawyer, and
I don't know of a man in this State who is
better fitted for the important work that
has been laid out for the commission. The
statutes of California are in a dpplorably
mixed and ambiguous state, and a thorough
revision and codification is an urgent
necessity."
"Whom will you appoint as the other two
Commissioners?" was asked.
"I am not yet able to say," was the Gov
ernor's reply". "I had pretty well fixed my
mind on Judge Frank T. Baldwin of
Stockton and "Assemblyman Bulla of Los
Angeles, but I am in doubt as to whether
or not either of those gentlemen would or
could serve. Judge Baldwin is one of the
ablest jurists in this Stste. and it is my
earnest desire to have him on the commis
sion, but he is one of the Superior Judges
of San Joaquin County and I don't know
that he will accept the appointment. If
he will he shall have it, that s all.
"As to Mr. Bulla, that is another matter.'
I think he would accept and he would be
my choice for the third Commissioner, but
it is not certain that he is eligible. He is,
as you know, a member of the Assembly,
and in his official capacity he helped to
make the law that created the commission.
Whether or not he can accept and hold an
office which he wa« partly instrumental in
making is not yet clear to my mind. That
question will have to be settled before I go
further in the matter.
"John J. Boyoe of Santa Barbara has
also been strongly recommended to me for
appointment on the commission. He is a
very able lawyer and a good man and did
good work in the way of bringing about
the legislation that created the commis
sion."
"Will you appoint Mr. Boyce if either
Judge Baldwin or Mr. Bulla" will not or
cannot serve?"
"I decline to say just what I will do in
such a contingency. I may and I may
not. The law. requires that the two lead
ing political parties shall be represented
on the commission. Well, Mr. Hayne is a
Democrat and so is Judge Baldwin. Mr.
Bulla is a Republican, and a good one at
that; so also is Mr. Boyce. Either of the
gentlemen would come within the pro
visions of the law."
Mr. Hayne was interviewed on the sub
ject yesterday. When asked if he would
accept the appointment he said :
"Yes, I have decided to accept the office,
not for the money th»re is in it, for that is
comparatively small, but because I like
that sort of work and believe that I can do
some good.
"As regards the work of the commission,
I think it should be confined to principles
of law entirely and to an adjustment of
the codes, so that all present conflicts and
ambiguities shall be done away with for
all time to come. Every lawyer, every
judge, every jury and every citizen in
this State must see the necessity for and
the importance of this work. During ses
sions of the Legislature the Commission
ers should be present to point out incon
sistencies and flaws in proposed legisla
tion, so as to avoid conflict of laws in the
future."
John J. Boyce of Santa Barbara, who is
being urged for appointment as one of the
Commissioners, was an earnest and untir
ing worker for the passage of the law, and
attended the Legislature all the time the
bill was pending. On January 12 last he
read a paper on the subject of a code com
mission before the San Francisco Bar As
sociation. He is recognized as one of
the ablest lawyers in Southern Cali
fornia. Senator Tirev L. Ford, who is
not an aspirant for office under the law
that created the commission, introduced
the bill in the Senate, and was its cham
pion until it passed that body. The As
sembly passed a similar bill, which was
adopted as a substitute by the Senate and
passed. The salary of each Commissioner
is to be $4000 a year.
Would you save labor, trouble, disap
pointment? Use Dr. Price's Cream Bak
ing Powder always.
AGAINST DIVEXEEPEKS.
Judge Campbell Sustained by Judge
Hunt in His Contention as to
Bias.
Superior Judge Hunt yesterday rendered
a decision sustaining Police Judge Camp
bell in his position as regards certain dive
keepers.
The specific case was that of Alfred Bal
detta, who was arrested for violating the
dive ordinance and who tried to have his
case removed from Judge Campbell's court
on the score of the latter's bias. Baldetta's
attorney contended that the mere applica
tion should be sufficient and applied to
Jadge Hunt for a writ of mandate com
pelling Judge Campbell to transfer the
case.
In denying the petition for a writ of
mandate Judge Hunt stated that such pe
tition was not the proper procedure, be
THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1895.
cause the case involved came up in a court
from which defendant would have a right
of appeal. The court further maintained
that a P«lice Judge had a perfect right to
pass on the question of prejudice. The
point that a mere application should be
sufficient in order to secure a change of
venue was ridiculed as likely to work
great confusion. Culprits could invariably
demand a change of venue, and there
would be no limit to successive changes.
The relief claimed belonged to Justices'
court, but not to police courts.
RUM VEBSUS BEEB.
Crescancia Schluck's and Her Hus
band's Tastes Differed.
The incompatibility of tastes of Philip
G. Schluck and his wife, Crescancia C.
Schluck, was proved yesterday in Judge
Hebbard's court by the issuance of a de
cree of divorce.
Crescancia was suing Philip on the
ground of cruelty. The pair were mar
ried in Solano County on August 24, 1892.
He was a landscape gardener, but. his wife
declared that his love of scenic effects was
shared by too great a love of beer. Under
the influence of this fascinating beverage
he, would beat his wife with clubs, snys
Mrs. Schluck, whose maiden name, by the
wav, was Neiderstrosser.
Mr. Schluck may have been fond of beer,
but he alleged yesterday that Mrs. Scbluck
was still more fond of runi in tea. This
mixture she would imbibe three times a
day, and under its seductive influence,
says the husband, would wander off to
parts unknown. While knowing how to
blend Oolong and Jamaica, the aggrieved
husband complained that his spouse knew
nothing of how to cook, mend or darn, and
would not learn on account of devotion to
rum and tea.
The court evidently thought the beer
and the rum were about a "stand-off," for
it granted the divorce and decided the
custody of the one minor child.
CARSON CITY GOLD COIN
The Presence of Too Much
Alloy Demonstrated Be
yond Question.
Holders of the Money Will Not,
However, Suffer on That
Account.
The publication by the Call yesterday
of the facts in connection with the debase
ment of Carson mint gold coins created a
great sensation in financial and mining
circles. Pine street was crowded through
out the day with men who occupied their
time to the exclusion of other business in
comparing Carson City coins with those
minted elsewhere. The result was doubt
and uncertainty.
Several experts gathered at the office of
the Mining Stock Association and with the
aid of powerful microscopes compared
coins. The result was most gratifying to
those who insist that the coins minted at
Carson City contain more alloy than those
minted elsewhere.
It was found that all the cold coins bear
ing the C. C. stamp were of a lighter color
than those minted in this city. The weight
was identical, but the difference in color
was accounted for by the presence of a
greater percentage of silver used as alloy.
The C. C. coins when scraped displayed
this peculiarity to a marked degree.
Inquiry among the bankers developed
the fact that no alarm was experienced be
cause of the debasement of the coins.
"They bear the Government stamp and
were issued under Government auspices,"
said a banker. "For that reason the Gov
ernment is responsible. If the C. C.
stamps are not worth their face value, they
will be exchanged, of course, without
question ; should they lack weight it would
be another matter, for they are liable to
be stamped, and the holder would suffer a
slight loss. lam not aware that the C. C.
coins are objected to on this ground. The
value of the coins would not, in my judg
ment, be affected by the presence of too
much alloy."
Secret Service Agent Harris is giving the
matter considerable attention, but the re
sult of his investigation thus far has been
kept secret. It is the general om'nion that
his report will be an interesting one.
The Mining Stock Association is agi
tating the question of abolishing the mint
at Carson City entirely. If that cannot be
accomplished it will do all in its power to
close the institution pending the investiga
tion now under way. Meanwhile the of
ficers of the association are gathering all
the evidence procurable relative to the
shortage, with the view of fixing the re
sponsibility for it.
Higher than all others at the grout fairs
naked Dr. Price's Cre:tm Baking Powder.
First award at Chicago and San Francisco.
THEY ABE NOT TO BLAME
Local Armenians Speak for
the CaUse of Their Com
patriots.
Exceptions Taken to the Criticisms
of the Local Turkish
Consul.
The Armenian colonists of the city have
become incensed at some remarks made by
George Hall, the local Turkish Consul, and
are loud in their denunciation of the lan
guage used, and, as they say, the uncalled
for and prejudiced manner in which Hall
ppokeof the recent trouble between Turkey
and Armenia. Mr. Hall in his published
remarks blamed the Armenians for all the
trouble, and incidentally spoke of them as
being a rather rebellious people.
The Armenians here deny that the peo
ple of their land are disposed to plot against
the Sultan's sovereignty. The Armenian
nation simply demands the right to live as
men should live in their own country and
not in the unendurable state in which they
now are.
They have no security for their persons
or their property, it is declared, the taxes
are exorbitantly nigh, and are levied with
out regard to justice ; religious persecutions
and sacrileges are of common occurrence,
and every encouragement is given to tlie
lawless despotism of the Kurds and Turks.
Under such a state of affairs, the Arme
nians here say, their compatriots have be
come impatient and restless, and have
lifted up their voices in protest. There is
no rebellion, they affirm, no dethroning
nor anarchy in this action, but a simple
vindication of the rights of the people.
The blame for the present 3tate of affairs
is laid to the Sultan now on the Turkish
throne. Exception is taken to Mr. Hall's
statement that the missionaries are in a
measure responsible. The local sym
pathizers say that the missionaries have
done much toayoid trouble, and have ren
dered, in a quiet but effective manner,
great service to the Armenian cause.
Mrs. Martin Again.
L. E. Phillips filed an answer to Isabel J.
Martin in his case against Frank 8. Johnson
yesterday. She had declared that Phillips had
compromiKed the case, but this Phillips de
nies. Throughout his answer he refers to Mrs.
Martin's "grossly violent, profane and im
proper language," and further that "with many
threats and menaces she seized and carried
away documents lying on the desk of affiant's
partner." Phillips says that he considered it
unprofessional to lend himself to Mrs. Mar
tin's intention "to burn Grove L. Johnson to
the ground." Further that Mrs. Martin wished
him to prepare scurrilous campaign documents
to defeat Grove L. Johnson in his political
aspirations.
Nothing spurious is found in the Almighty
Dollar (Cigar). •
THE MAYOR WILL VETO IT
The Bituminous Rock Monop
oly Ordinance Is Crushed
to Earth.
EESULT OF A FTTLL HEARING
Another Big Victory for the People
and Their Rights Has Been
Secured.
Mayor Sutro will veto the bituminous
rock-Southern-Pacific-monopoly ordinance.
He made the announcement after a full
hearing of the case from those most in
terested and who know most about it.
His office was well filled with bitumin
ous-rock men and contractors and
promptly at 10 o'clock the Mayor called
for a beginning of the presentment of the
case.
A. Walrath of the Santa Cruz Rock
Paving Company, in whose favor the ordi
nance would largely operate, took the floor
at once. He said he had been arraigned
by the press as belonging to the Southern
Pacific Railroad and desired to deny this.
He owned his mine of bituminous rock ; he
owned the Southern Pacific as others own
it, in the way of paying it freight charges.
The question was simply that of secur
ing the best pavements for San Francisco,
and the barring out of rock cooked at
Santa Barbara was a move in that direc
tion. Bituminous rock could not be heated
and chilled and heated again and remain
sound rock. It must be cooked and laid
while hot to get the best results. The
Santa Barbara rock was not only disinteg
rated by heat at the mines but was heated
again at a central point in the city and
was carted through the streets and was
chilled before being laid. The poor pav
ing so much complained of, he said, illus
trated the imperfection in all this method.
Thomas F. Hagerty.who announced him
self as a taxpayer and deeply interested in
the matter only as such, but entirely fa
miliar with the subject, said:
"Should this ordinance become a law it
would be one of the most unjust and illegal
acts of special legislation ever enacted in
any American city, and it has for its object
the handing over of the streets of this city
to an unscrupulous monopoly that has
grown out of special privileges granted by
former Boards of Supervisors, who have
combined their forces in this instance with
the octopus to not only monopolize the pro
ducts of the bituminous rock mines of this
State, but to control the transportation of
the rock by rail to where it is to be used.
"The bituminous rock mines in this State
are so numerous and the quantity so enor
mous that no private company could well
control them, yet if they belonged to the
State and were opened up and given free to
any one desiring to use them the passage
of this ordinance would still prohibit their
use on the streets.
*'A. Walrath obtained a patent from the
United States Government for a 'paving,
roofing and building compound' on June
1, 1886, and this patent with this innocent
title is the basis upon which the monop
oly was brought into existence, and it is
the basis upon which this ordinance is
framed and intended to in part embrace;
the part that it docs not embrace is de
signed to be embraced by the octopus.
"In the specifications bf this patent it is
modestly stated that 'the base of my com
pound is a new natural product which has
recently been discovered in Santa Cruz in
California,' and the claim set forth in said
patent is for 'a paving composition con
sisting of bituminous sand rock softened
by steam.
'•Such a claim as this is so ridiculous
that any one versed in patent law would
be surprised that any court of law would
sustain its novelty. This inventor pro
duces no composition whatever. The nat
ural elements have done that part. Nor
has he devised any new process of soften
ing the same, yet, through threats of law
suits and other means of intimidation,
they have succeeded in deterring others
from using this natural product. Finding
that the United States patent could not
be well sustained, if any legitimate
contest were made on the merits of
the case, they have sought tiie aid of
the Board of Supervisors to help perpet
uate this monopoly, and this ordinance
was drawn up to prohibit the use of any
means of softening the bituminous sand
stone other than ty steam, or spreading
the softened material on the streets. It is
evident that no member of the Board of
Supervisors drew up this order, as it is
clearly the work of several competent ex
perts In California legislative engineering.
No compettnt honest civil engineer would
permit his name to be associated with such
a measure that specified such a process of
poulticing ttie streets."
Mr. Jordan of the Jordan Bituminous
Rock Company, the mines of which ure in
Santa Barbara, answered the argument of
Mr. Walrath. He said that a Southern
Pacific agent had been to see him with
regard to bringing his rock to the city over
their rqad. He replied that if they "could
land it here as cheaply as he himself could
bring it they could strike a bargain, but
not until then. The rate offered was $3
per ton, while the company brings the
rock by water itself at less than $1 50. He
denied that the heating of the bitumen at
the mine harmed it or that hauling it as
they do in tight iron carts chilled it.
Charles M. Shortridjre addressed the
Mayor next as a citizen, interested only as
a citizen with the best interests of the city
at heart.
"There has been much said which re
flected upon the motives of the gentlemen
who passed the ordinance. I come not
here for the purpose of adding any new in
dictments nor particularly in urging those
that have been made," said Mr. Short
ridge. "I come rather, if your Honor
please, to give my judgment" on the facts
as stated wliich are involved in this ordi
nance. I lay it down as a fact which can
not be disputed that the melting or the
partial heating of the rock at the mine in
San Luis Obispo or in Humboldt County
does not in any manner destroy the rock.
The geography of the affair has nothing to
do with it, whether it comes from a little
further south or north. It is the rock we
want that is to be melted and put on the
surface of the street, not as an ornament,
but to actually stand the test which is put
on a street. How do you meet that?
Simply enough. Make an ordinance bind
ing the parties.
"Suppose your Honor should desire to
purchase some marble to finish this unfin
ished ruin. Suppose it should be Penn
sylvania marble. Supposing you desired
to bring it up to the City Hall, stop all the
traffic on the street and have the men come
there and work and prepare that marble.
Would it be pertinent to the matter in
hand whether that marble was cut and
polished in Pennsylvania or in Vermont
and put into place?
"If the Mayor will lay that ordinance
aside, I would suggest that he replace it
with one that has some breadth to it. The
result of this will be that the citizens of
San Francisco will provide the Mayor with
sufficient funds to buiid not only a few
blocks in this city but at least 230 miles of
streets. There should be 250 miles of
streets built and about 500 miles of side
walk.
"These men here know that by your
vetoing the measure and your making a
new ordinance their business is in
creased. Do they say that they cannot
stand competition? Then let them go out
of the business. If I, your Honor, go into
the contracting business and find that I am
not able to compete then I must go to the
wall. I would say further that were it not
for the deep convictions I have that I
would not have left the engrossing duties
I have personal to myself and come
here. Very little of my money has
been wasted in trying to beautify
this building. Very little of my money
has yet gone into taxation. True, I have
now the honor of being a citizen of this
great city. I came here as I may say a
citizen of California, transferred my home
here, procured a modest little place in
which to live, and hope to pursue the call
ing that I have chosen with dignity and
fairness. Ido not come here to put my
personality into this affair, but I consider
that every man and citizen who can look
an honest Mayor in the face is bound to
come here, and, honestly as he may, urge
that the Mayor veto this measure."
The Mayor asked Mr. Shortridge for in
formation on the point as to how the ordi
nance tended* to create a monopoly.
Mr. Shortridge smiled and said the an
swer was very simple. By preventing the
producer from sacking the bitumen he pre
vented him from shipping by vessel. What
matters it if the bitumen is brought here
in hand-baskets so that it comes here
cheaply? But it is as plain as day that the
Southern Pacific is* placing a handicap
upon free competition in this matter, and
instead of having the finest payed streets
in the world the rates will be increased,
poor work will be done, the people will be
come disgusted and our streets will be
allowed to become a disgrace to civilization.
I. J. Truman followed in much the
same lines. He Baid that we had just
got through a season of the Legislature
and were in humor to look for bugs in a
city ordinance like this. It was as though
the bitumen was required to be cut in
blocks of ten cubic feet. What would any
body think of such an ordinance ? It prac
tically excluded shipping the rock in ships,
for if the bitumen was sent in bulk it
caked in the vessel's hold and had to be
mined again. Eight of the Board of Super
visors seem to be so much interested in the
city that they do not care how they in
cur the enmity of its citizens so long as
the Southern Pacific Company is pleased
and the owners of this mine. They might
as well say out and out that they are giv
ing a monopoly of the street-paving to the
Southern Pacific.
"One thing I hope," he said, "that the
present Superintendent of Streets will
work for the city's interest. I do not be
lieve that the last two we had did so."
J. W. McDonald, manager of the City
Street improvement Company, came out
strong on behalf of the ordinance. He
uses Walrath' s bitumen and said he be
lieved in the method of its preparation.
He was very indignant at being classed as
standing in with the Southern Pacific and
with thieves| and vagabonds, as he
claimed to have been by the two speakers
who preceded him. He declared that
bitumen could be shipped by water and
that Captain Goodall would corroborate
him.
The Mayor then called upon G. W.
Towle, who was present representing the
Pacific Coast Steamship Company. Mr.
Towle said it was practically impossible to
ship bitumen in bulk in vessels. He said
the company refused to take it, and they
were very much interested In having the
order vetoed, as it would deprive them of
a great deal of freight.
A. J. Raich, manager of the San Fran
cisco Paving Company, whose mines are at
San Luis Obispo and are those principally
discriminated against, concluded the sym
posium with a very brief address. He
dwelt particularly on the provision in the
ordinance which required that the bitumen
used should be wholly free of sand, mica
and all earthy matter. He said that there
was no such bitumen.
"This feature alone," said the Mayor, -'is
fatal to the ordinance. I had not noticed
this feature. I may as well say now that I
will not approve this ordinance. I shall
veto it."
Dr. Price's Cream Baking Powder is a
synonym for purity, strength and perfec
tion.
SUPERVISORS TREMBLING
The Solid Eight to Be Investi
gated by the Grand
Jury.
Mayor Sutro Will Veto the Bitumin
ous Pavement Ordi
nance.
The Grand Jury will indict the eight
Supervisors who attempted to carry
through the infamous bituminous rock
ordinance, if the members of that body
can get any proof that there was corruption
connected with the suspicious-looking job.
Foreman Gagan has determined to make a
thorough round-up, as the term of the
present jury is nearly over, and he will act
regardless of where the brands will strike.
The jurymen are in harmony with their
foreman, and the eight Supervisors and all
suspected of having had any hand in the
bituminous rock job will be forced to come
before the Grand Jury and tell what they
know. It has been reported to the Grand
Jury that Supervisors King, Scully, Ben
jamin, Hirsch, Hughes, Morgenstern,
Dunkerand Wagner are boodlers, and the
jury is determined to ascertain whether
the accused should be indicted or whether
they should be exonerated from all the
charges placed against them.
The matter was first brought up before
the Grand Jury yesterday and it was de
cided to make a thorough investigation of
the case. Not only will the eight men
who are now standing in a bad light be
brought before the Grand Jury, but de
tectives will be put at work to ferret out
the alleged collusion between the eight
Supervisors and the persons who desired to
obtain a monopoly of the bituminous rock
business, the political manipulators of the
Southern Pacific Company and the brok
ers, or go-betweens. The Supervisors will
be brought before the Grand Jury at the
next meeting of that body, which will
probably be' on Monday. The eight sus
pects will be subjected to a close examina
tion and the day will probably be given up
entirely to the alleged job.
For the first time in the history of this
city a Grand Jury will question the acts of
the Board of Supervisors, or at least a
majority of a board, which attempted to
railroad a job through. Nearly every
Board of Supervisors in recent years has
been accused of jobbery, but grand juries
have for some reason or other allowed
their acts to pass without making an in
vestigation. The spirit of reform is awake
and the members of the present Grand
Jury are determined to indict any guilty
member if evidence of guilt can be found.
When Supervisor Joseph I. Dimond was
before the Grand Jury yesterday he gave
some information in regard to the actions
of the solid eight that will be very valu
able to those having the investigation in
charge. Mr. Dimond made an excellent
impression upon the grand jurors and he
will be summoned again at the next meet
ing. Mr. Dimond told the story of the
job, and besides giving facts told of circum
stantial evidence connected with the case
which may result in the indictment of
others than Supervisors.
Rose Pooler's Estate.
In the will of Rose Pooler, filed yesterday,
property to the value of $6000 was disposed of.
To her husband she gave a lot on Filbert and
Jone9 streets, besides all her personal estate for
life; to her daughter Rose one-fourth Interest
in said lot, subject to her husband's life estate,
or in the event of her death the one-fonrth to
go to her son, James Henry Pooler, to whom
was also dtvisftd the remaining three-fourths
of the lot, subject to the husband's life estate.
William G. Burke was made executor without
bonds.
The dimming Club to Cook.
Two lessons in cooking will be given at
Golden Gf.te Hall on Monday and Tuesday
afternoons of next week. The lessons are
under the auspices of the Charming Club, and
will begin promptly at ii o'clock eacn day.
TRAGEDY AT THE PALACE
> *
Carlos Enrico Reta Kills His
Wife and Then Commits
Suicide.
DIED IN EACH OTHER'S ARMS.
-"■.> -V." ■"""«-'■"- ~- .-- ■
The Girl's Mother Had Opposed
Their Union— He Was a
Soldier.
"Don't separate us, we wish to be buried
together." With these words Carlos En
rico Reta and Miss Sophie Wolf, or Mrs.
Reta, took leave of the world. They en
tered the Palace Hotel at 1:30 o'clock yes
terday morning and were shown to a
room.
Reta seemed nervous and ill at ease as
he wrote in the register "Mr. and Mrs.
Reta, S. P." Mrs. Reta was perfectly self
possessed and watched the young man
write the entry with a calm and critical
eye.
Yesterday afternoon both were found
dead in bed with a bullethole through
their hearts. The instrument of death
was almost a toy and the shots being fired
Carlos Enrico Reta.
under the bedclothes the report was not
beard even in the next room.
The couple died in each other's arms,
Reta must have shot the woman and
watched her last few death struggles.
Then he put his arm around her neck,
drew her closely toward him and tired the
shot that sent "his own soul shuddering
into.eternity.
The Coroner's deputies had to unclasp
the stiffened arms before the couple could
be placed in separate coffins. On the table
was a bottle of benedictine, three parts
full, and a small vial almost empty. Both
the liquor and the contents of the vial will
be analyzed to ascertain whether they con
tained any drue or poison.
The vial looked as though it mignt have
contained cocaine. Where the young
couple spent the night prior to their arrival
at the Palace Hotel will probably never be
known. It was probably in some restau
rant, however, as they brought the bottle
of benedictine with them to the hotel.
Carlos Enrico Reta was a second lieuten
ant in a cavalry regiment of the Mexican
army. His uncie.who is a wealthy resident,
of the city of Mexico, looked after the
young man, and his parents, who live in
Italy and are also said to be well off, kept
him supplied with money. He lived at
607 Post street, and he and Miss Wolf met
in secret.
The young lady was the daughter of Dr.
Wolf, 'who formerly sold surgical instru
ments at 507 Kearny street. A year ago
he returned to Germany and since that
time his wife has lived at 1305 Leavenworth
street.
The mother was very strangely opposed
to young Reta, and it "was only by stealth
Mrs. Reta (nee Wolf).
that the lovers were able to meet. It is
said that they were marued only a few
hours before they went to their death, but
if they were there has no evidence come to
light so far.
The first intimation that Mrs. Wolff re
ceived of her daughter's death was con
veyed in a note. The young woman sim
ply stated that her tiusband and herself
were going to commit suicide in the Palace
Hotel. When seen last night the heart
broken mother positively refused to .talk
about the tragedy.
The body of the unfortunate young
woman had just been brought home from
the Morgue and was being prepared for
burial. No one so far claimed the remains
of Reta, so the last wish of the lovers is
not likely to be carried out.
People who live in the neighborhood of
1305 Leavenworth street have a good word
to say about Miss Wolf. She was a first-"
class musician and a trained singer. Very
few people called on her, and she was never
seen in the company of young Reta.
From others it was learned that the
young people had tried to get married a
year ago, but were prevented by the
mother. Ever since they have urged her
to relent, but she would not, so at last they
gave way to despair and took refuge in
oblivion.
"The couple appeared to me like a
bride and groom," said the clerk at the
Palace Hotel last night. "They came in,
and Reta told me they had only been
married a few hours previously, and
wanted a room. I assigned them to one,
and he paid for it.
"He was nervous and she looked worn
and haggard, but was perfectly self-pos
sessed. She looked over her husband's
shoulder as he wrote, and a half-sad smile
spread over her face. They went to their
room and nothing more was heard of them
until the housemaid found them there
dead in each other's arms.
"It was the position they were in that
gave rise to the rumor that they had poi
soned themselves."
Miss Wolf or Mrs. Rets was a handsome
brunette about 22 years of age. She was
tall and slender.
Reta was a fine-looking young fellow,
with a typical Italian face. He carried
himself like a soldier, and must have
known something about anatomy, for the
bullets in each instance pierced the center
of the heart.
He was about 25 years of age, and was
well known in the Italian colony here.
His uncle in Mexico has been informed of
his death. An inquest will be held to
night.
CONGKESSMAN JOY.
The Missouri;m Who Is to Marry Mr*.
Ryer Entertained by the Union
League.
Congressman Charles F. Joy, a promi
nent attorney of St. Louis, who has the
distinction of being the first Republican to
represent the Eleventh District of Mis
souri in the national halls of legislation,
arrived from the East yesterday morning.
He was met at the train by a delegation
from the Union League Club and escorted
to the rooms of that organization in the
Palace Hotel.
Yesterday afternoon at the clubrooms a
formal luncheon was served in honor ol
the Eastern visitor. Judge Carpenter ol
Los Angeles, Cornelius O'Connor. Albert
Castle, Colonel Doolittle, Samuel Thorn
ton, General Backus, George Pippy, Gen
eral Dimond, Colonel Choynski, Paul Oest
ing and Edwin W. Joy, brother of the
guest of honor, were among the guests,
and the discussion of an admirable menu
was varied by exultant speeches, in which
joyful reference was made to Republican
gains throughout the country, and par
ticularly in the old Democratic strung
holds, Missouri and Kentucky.
Last evening — the first of his sojourn on
this coast— Mr. Joy spent, of course, with
his betrothed, Mrs. Washington M. Ryer.
For the remainder of his visit an extensive
programme of amusements, including
theater parties and a dinner at the Union
League Club, has been arranged. During
his stay in this city Congressman Joy will
be entertained at the home of his brother,
Edwin W. Joy, at 1324 Fulton street.
The hands of female mummies found
in the tombs of Egypt are literally
covered with rings, in many in
stances there being from two to
six on every finger. In some cases
these ornaments are composed wholly of
gold, but in others, which probably repre
sent all that is left of some poor man's wife
or daughter, the rings are brass, glass or
pottery-ware.
In 764 the Black Sea was frozen to a dis
tance of rifty miles from shore. The Helles-
Eont and Dardanelles were frozen and the
ea of Marmora was passable lor cavalry.
NEW TO-DAY-AMUSEMENTS.
Mrs. Eknestinjs Kkklixo Proprietor & Manage*
LAST NIGHTS ! SECOND WEEK
EECEIVED LIKE A NEW OPERA-
H. M. S. PINAFORE!
Special Matinee Saturday, April 6.
Monday, April 8-BOHEMIAN GIRL,.
Next Opera— LITTLE ROBINSON CRUSOE.
Popular Prices— 2so and sOc.
CALIFORNIA THEATER
Ax. Ha yuan- <fc Co. (Incorporated) Proprietors
1 To-night & Evert Evksisg, Including Sunday.
MATINEE TO-DAY AT 2.
': BELASCO & FYLES' GREAT DRAMA OP
LOVE AND WAR,
THE GIRL I LEFT
BEHIND ME.
: More Popular Than Ever.
Management of Charles FfioiiifAN.
NEXT WEEK— SECOND AND LAST OF
"THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND ME."
STOCKWELL'S THEATER.
SUNDAT NIGHT.
Last appearance of the Great Artist,
I EDOUARD REMENYI,
The Favorite Violinist of America, and his Splen-
did Concert Company.
r Has charmed the music-loving
* REMENYI-! world with the
. (.witchery of Bis bow.
THE PEOPLE LOVE TO HEAR HIM PLAT.
Tickets should be secured at once.
Reserved seats 25c and 60c. '
MOROSCO'S
GRAND OPERA-HOUSE.
The Handsomest Family Theater in America.
WALTEK MOROSCO. . . .Sole Lessee and Manager
THIS EVENING AT 8.
AN ELABORATE PRODUCTION
Of Henry Pettit's Greatest Success,
"HMDS ACROSS THE SEA!"
■ Last Week and Great Success of
GUSTAVUS LEVICK-
Evestno Pricks— 25c and 500.
Family Circle and Gallery. 10c
a Matinees Saturday ana Sunday.
Seats on Sale from 9 a. m. to 10 P. m. _
ORPHEUM.
O'Farrell Street, Between Stockton and Powell.
MATINEE TO-DAY (SATURDAY), APRIL 6.
Parquet, any seat, 25c; Balcony, any seat, lfe|
Children, 10c, any part.
S>— NINE NEW FACES— 9 §
NEW... .......THE ELECTRIC QUARTET'
NEW............ ...THE DILLON BRO%
NEW.. MARTINNKTTIE BROS.
And retained in New Acts, making an Entirely
• ' New Programme,
THE NAWXS,
JOHN A. COLEMAN,
BKUKT and KIVIERE,
. - KALKASA,
- - MAZUZ AND ABACCO,
LIXA AND VANI.
CIRCUS ROYAL
And Venetian Water Carnival,
Corner Eddy and Mason streets. , «"T;
CLIFF PHlLLlPS. ...... ..Proprietor and Managei f .
Commencing To-night, Saturday, April 6ti>.
GRANDEST AMUSEMENT ENTER-
PRISE IN AMERICA
Bareback and Fancy Kiuing. Lofty and Ground |
Tumbling by the Champions of the World. v Aerial
and . Acrobatic Acts by the Best artists known to I
the profession. Gorgeous Aquatic Pageant. Pyro-
technic and V Electric Novelties. Feats of Swim- ■'■■
ming by the World's Champions. Specialties by
Europe's Greatest Artists. : , ■;"'.■ *■' -
THE MOZART SYMPHONY CLUB
OP NEW YORK
.-. At the Young Men's Christian Association Audi-
torium, Mason and i Ellis streets, THURSDAY
EVENING, April 11. First appearance of this I
world-renowned Musical : Club, - consisting -of the -
following artists: Otto Lund, violin soloist; Thco.
Hoch, violin; Richard Stoelzer. viola; Mario Bio-
deck, violoncello; assisted by Miss Cecilia Braems,
Mile. Zoe de Vitlle. Tickets, 60 cents to all parts of
the house; on sale at Sherman, Clay <& Co. 'a. This I
will be the musical treat of the season. They have '•:
been playing to crowded houses throughout the "
country. ... r- ;. ' ■ .■ . ■
MACDONOUGH THEATER
(OAKLAND). ; •
TO-NlGHT— Farewell Performance— TO-NIGHT.
, EMILY BANCKER
And Co., presenting the Big Musical Comedy Hit,
.. "OUR FLAT."
i Popular Prices Secure your seats. .-
RUNNING ,-^J^jLii>^OHHiHO:- 5 :
RACES I.SiIsISE RACES!
CALIFORNIA JOCKEY CLUB RAGES,
WINTER MEETING,
BAY DISTRICT TRACK,
COMMENCING SATURDAY, OCT. 27, 18M.
Races , Monday, Tuesday, 'Wednesday,
'■ Thursday, Friday and Saturday— .
'.> •r Shine. : ,'; ■.-. - -'■ ■■. .:/•.; ■ : '■' .
Fire or more races each day. Races start at 2 .
p. m. sharp. - McAllister and Geary streetcars paw
tee gate;^^^^^^^^*; '•-/:..--<'■.-
7