New-York tribune. [volume], May 07, 1906, Page 3, Image 3

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INSURANCE CLEAN! I> \'V
JsEGISLATURE'S BIG JOB.
legislators Believe a Symmetrical
Plan Has Been Accomplished,
IBr Telegraph to The Tribune.] /
Albany. May «.-In passing the Insurance reform
tills the legislature. Just ended accomplished suc
cessfully a monumental task which should brine;
to the members whoso efforts did the work and the
admSjilstration which made It possible and aided
to largely in carrying It out the gratitude of the
«ast army of policyholders which the Armstrong
•jsjntttee'a legislation will safeguard. Confronted
vith a glcantlc undertaking, the Armstrong com
mittee and Its able counsel, after the momentous
disclosures of yie four months' investigation, draft
ed remedial measures which foeussed the eyes of
the whole country and most of the civilized world
on the body of men which mas to consider them.
Their passage rives to New York State what Is
Relieved to be the most perfect Insurance code of
»ny In the country, not excepting the famous Mas
.achuseus laws. The laws of New York State In
future will, it is expected, serve as the models for
other states.
Protection far the policyholder is the keynote of
tils legislation— protection for the man whose
money is invested in the company to furnish safety
for Us wife and children rather than any. method
of increasing the company's prosperity. The finan
cial soundness of the companies needed no atten
tion from the Armstrong committee; the correc
tion of abuses, from the unwarranted usurping of
power or the officials, the illegal building up of
political machines within the companies and the as
suring of more power and consideration to the
polio holders constituted the task of the lnvesti
gat::;(- committee. The series of nine bills passed
by the Legislature accomplishes this In no uncer
tain fashion.
Briefly told, the new laws assure the policyhold
ers of due publicity in all the insurance companies'
business, give to them the franchises nominally
theirs before, prevent the vicious system by which
the insurance companies' money went to the up
■buildlng of subsidiary companies, with the "pa
trcTiage" of offices in those companies for the in
siders ;.v.; .v. the Insurance companies' managements,
forbid lobbying, campaign contributions and false
and Incomplete statements, and by a regulation of
expenses prevent exorbitant commissions to agents
and salaries to officers. Another important step is
the abolishing of the purely assessment insurance
companies in this state and the preventing of
foreign assessment companies from doing business
here. As the Armstrong committee presented them
ir. their Una] form, the bills comprised a sym
metrical plan, which would have been weakened
feat!" la efficiency by a change in any part.
TROGRESS SWIFT AND SURE.
Attempts on the part of insurance companies at
the public hearings, held in March, on these hills,
'and of various legislators during the consideration
of them, to change or defeat them, were not
wanting. Still, the progress of the measures was
csift and sure. In the Assembly, no danger threat
ened them at any time. In the Senate, strong ob
jections to on« or two features crumbled away.
•UTjti! In tha last two weeks of the session came
tr.e 'White amendment, striking at the root of the
entire reform prheme^ — the management of the
companies by the policy holders or their elected
BSBtotfves. If the amendment, which was
passed under sudden, strong pressure, had pre
vailed. Senator Armstrong declared that the main
feature of the reforms would have been killed.
That no such disaster came was due to the de
ceive action of Governor Higgins. "who personally
labored to obtain a reconsideration of the amend
ment, and whose efforts resulted in a Republican
caucus, which pledged those Senators to kill the
amendment and pass the bill as the special com
m ttee desired It.
Th« bills were brought to Albany on Washing
ton's Birthday, after an all night session, at which
Senator Armstrong and Charles E. Hughes and the
associate counsel had hastily completed the draft
ing of the measures. They were Introduced that
morning. Rnd referred to the Insurance Committee
of each house. Hearings were set down for th«
second week in March. At these hearings every
insurance company doing business in this state irar
r'-pre^-'-ed. Delegations of officials, actuaries and
agents rv-amped the Capitol, deluging »he special
committee under a flood of objections -which sim
mered flown "to opposition to two or three points,
These v. ere the fixing of a contingency reserve, the
limitation of business, the forced disposal of stock
holdings and the reduction in agents' commissions.
It ■was at one of these hearings that Andrew
Hamilton vie his sensational denunciation of the
trustees of the New York Life, declaring that they
and President McCall knew of every cent ever paid
to him. and authorized the payment.
MALBT AND GRADY LED OPPONENTS.
As a result of these hearings the hills were
changed somewhat, chiefly as to the compensation
for aKf-n:?. At various times during the considera
tion of the bills the committee made technical
changes and one or two slight alterations in def
erence to the arguments made by the opponents of
th* biJls, notably an alteration as to the contingency
reserve and an enlargement of renewal coirmis
eions. Chief among th<--=e opponents, from the aay
of introduction, ranked Senator Ghrady. who was
frank in savin? that he disbelieved the wisdom of
many of the provisions, and Senator Malby, who
counselled "conservative action."
The first of the reform bills passed was the one
postponing the elections of mutual insurance com
piles until November 15. This was rushed through
that It might forestall the annual election of die
Xe-r.- York Life, which would have been held In
This bill declared void all proxies collected
prior to September IS. 1906. thus destroying all the
a rr.mur.it ion which Thomas "\V. Lawson had eccu
niulafej in his warfare against the New York Life.
Just before the close of the sesssion this bill was
rf^allfd from the Governor and amended to have
the elf rtlons held on December 18. IWj. This action
was taken because the officers of tho largo com
panV-s had represented to Governor Hlggins that
they could not comply with the requirements of
oth'T biils relative to filing- complete lists »f policy
holders before elections.
The measure prohibiting campaign contributions
fcjr any corporation save an organization formed for
rolitk-al purposes was a result of the disclosures in
th* investigation concerning the gifts of the New
V'rk j^jfp a nd other companies In various cam-
I\B!gr.s. Little opposition was encountered and It
passf-d vi,tb colors flying. Senator McCarren made
«!•> of his '■•■*• speeches In its favor.
Anotlif-r drastic measure which was passed easily
was ih«» ono designed to keep out the lobbyists. It
provided ihat corpora tions should file with the
Recr«t:iry of State duly attested statements of all
'xrr.Ff-s incurred In opposing or promoting legis
lalir>n. directly or Indirectly, and that all persons
••;:gac<-(i ! n promoting or retarding legislation should
register with the Secretary of State, setting forth
tii* J^riplation as to which they wc-.re employed and
•be fees r^cr-ived. ITnder the provisions of this
toll rnavy '"lobbyists" havr registered already, al-
Qwogfa .si:mo of the men whose names were asso
•^at'-d with the okltini" lobby have not registered,
notwithstanding they have been here often this ses
tl<>n. Th* measure was opposed by Senator Marks
on the ground that It prevented a lawyer's tak
lr* tecldatife work on a contingent fee. He main
tairifd also that it <3id not include the lawyers who
For Habitual and Obstinate Constipation.
APENTA
THE BEST NATURAL PURGATIVE WATER.
ORDINARY DOSE- — A Wineglass ful before Break fast
The isood effects of Apenta Water are maintained by smaller
acd steadily diminishing doses, repeated for successive days.
ALSO
SPARKLING APENTA
(NATURAL APENTA CARBONATED).
IN SPLITS ONLY.
A Refreshing an J fkmmmi Aperient for Morning Use.
Sole Exporters: THE APOLLINARIS CO.. Ltd., London.
rrnder*. opinions as to the effect of pending legis
lation or the construction of bills. The Armstrong
SSSJite- ** th3t such^k Was ..entirely
LAWYERS OPPOSED "PERJURY" BILL
The "perjury" bill raised great objection from
many lawyers who favored the rest of the insur
ance legislation. It provided that where in an
action for perjury based on a sworn statement
another contradictory sworn statement was intro
duced in evidence It should be considered prima
facie evidence of the guilt of the defendant, com
pelling him to give an explanation of the circum
stances surrounding the making of the contradic
tory statements. The necessity for this bill existed
senator Armstrong explained repeatedly, in the
trick officers of insurance companies had, of signing
and swearing to a statement setting forth certain
racta at one time and at some subsequent time
flung another statement with entirely different, con
tradictory facts. These methods had been used,
ne said, in deluding pollcyholdcrs or concealing
facts concerning the management of companies
which should have been known and prevented.
A bill making it a misdemeanor for any person to
receive a rebate or any valuable consideration for
taking Insurance was another blow at the perni
cious practice ° rebatinjr which, the investigation
bußhW- -£ c X , up from tne mad rush for new "
Ano?hS Xm d the large commissions paid for it.
rea? e/ta^i" ffle, c , yen , ted J he tradin « « r changing of
■rrowifi.?. h # d by - 016 companies, which had
left no nrofl? Orm of 8O T caU « < * Investment which
in Stnf n' U^K l°«ses. for the pollcyhold
aim sn^i-S.^ l^ 1 "., 1 " 11 ' having for Its purpose an
Wm somewhat similar to that of the "perjury" bill.
of al !n«nr? Sdemeanor for *"* offlcer or employe
or Somlli^ c * c ? mpany know tnely to make false
Pany^^SlSa® "s? * statements regarding the com-
SDeeißr^« tner , bUls had been Introduced, the
to^ii^° m J2 lttee formulated a new one. designed
mttJuX?* the Pollcybolders In the Equitable, a
tlon m an y undergoing the throes of mutualiza
comnanv ™i Vld r\i ha , t the Policyholders of a stock
ouTESSh might be elected directors therein with
out owning stock In that company.
MUCH OPPOSITION TO "BIG 81LL.."
The ninth bill of the series, as they were passed,
was the "big bill." containing the general amend
ments to the insurance law. In this were the more'
technical Insurance features of the reform bills.
This bill it was which established the rate for con
tingency reserve, the limitation of expenses, the
limitation of new business, the standard forms of
Policy, the means for real mutualizatkm of com
§end« B'itth^.8 'it th^. . *? of investment, the annual divi
eoumw r *9 ulr * d , and the compulsory annual ac
manv «o",,r^? PPoßltlon to this measure came from
of ?£» ««M?f; Particularly the companies, because
M^'SUP " cl .concerning polio-holders' lists and
Inn il° ** selling of stocks held as investments.
Xi™. ccn £* because they thought their com-
Tn n«sJf.°H\? not **» lar * c enough?
tnrs £ » tfc . e electl of policyholders as dlrec
flv« mnn?h YBlY 81 com P an »<*- this bill provided that
SaiWhoiVl before an election complete lists of the
*Uat? ft«Hn t 8h Ulll be flled !n the office of the
In thA nSf te^ dd f nt of Insurance, and other Usts
nollVvho^? ~8~ 8 °.f. f u the general agents. From these
when tlckJT^^K 1"^1 "^ a tlcket for the lection.
7vmall Tt l might be voted in person, by proxy or
am^Li Was 1}1?1 } 1 ? action which Senator White's
am . m *™^ i Sht i° strike out. In th« bill which
corner, *^?« Uf?K d - U was modified to allow the
fo^th^TmniM lt A < l raw tne!r lists after the time
?Jt maWnB .5 f the Policyholders- ticket had ox
pired, but requiring the to be on file in any case
th« tu£t V« m n . fi s j_, For stock companies "-where
ih?n?4 i«^*.l° te lB Blven to PoHcyholders. the ma
•rh?\, n am a A. ln th . c mutual companies.
i,^ilr ti i provld fs , that all companies chartered
under the laws of this state shall write only annual
dividend policies and foreign companies may write
? nly v a J3 11 ]!? 81 «end policies In this state. By this.
the bill does not compel an annual distribution of
the surplus each year, but an annual accounting, by
which each policy holder may know what rebate Is
due to him on his insurance. If he chooses, he may
leave it with the company to accumulate or be ap
plied to his premium, or may draw it
Ownership of stock and bonds in other corpora
tions is prohibited by another section of this bill
What stocks and bonds are now held save col
lateral bonds, must be disposed of In five years.
It Is this clause which will do away with the evils
of the subsidiary trust companies, with their
syndicate participation and stock flotations.
CONTINGENCY RESERVE CHANGES.
Changes were made In the section regarding con
tingency reserve as originally drawn, which estab
lished a scale, the small companies argued, leaving
not enough margin of safety for them. : As the bill
passed, this was adjusted to allow 5 per cent of
the net values up to $75,000,000. to be maintained as
the reserve, after that a sliding scale decreasing as
the values mounted. By this arrangement the
larger companies maintained on hand for emer
gencies a sufficient amount,' while the smaller com
panies were permitted to maintain a larger margin
of safety.
The limitation of new business applies only to
companies chartered In this state. It was meant to
affect principally the "Big Three," which, the In
vestigating committee and some of their own offi
cers believed, were getting topheavy because of
their size. No limit was set on companies with
less than $50,000,000 of outstanding Insurance. The
limitation of expenses was accomplished by re
stricting the loadings on policies, and prescribing
that no expenses might be incurred beyond the ag
gregate loadings and the margins for the first year
of insurance. Four things, it was estimated, would
be included In the expenses for first year business
—commissions, salaries paid to agents not working
on commission, fees for medical examination and
advances. Under the limit allowed, an agent might
obtain ample commissions and fair renewals*, in tho
opinion of the Armstrong committee. The actu
aries estimated that a first year commission of 40
to a/i) p*r cent of the premium could be paid, with
nine renewals of 7% per cent, which might bo com
muted. ,
Standard forms of policies were prescribed by the
bill, with provisions for the acceptance of other
forms by the State Superintendent of Insurance.
Assessment companies were ordered to change
themselves into mutual companies where they had
enough reserve on hand.
In framing these bills, the committee did not be
lieve that each one was perfection. Amendments
to the general bill will be expected from time to
time, if experience proves that changes are needed.
But from the study of conditions revealed by the
Investigation, the special committee thought that
drastic measures would be needed, tempered .with
some regard for the experience of the insurance
officials in purely technical affairs: and these bills
were believed to combine the requisites.
IXSURAXCE JURY TO-DAY.
Mr. Jerome Said to Have Valuable
Information About Mutual.
Life lnsti.ance men will have their eyes foeussed
on the Criminal Courts Building from to-day, when
the special insurance grand jury will be em
panelled before Justice Scott, until that body is
through with its work. It will be in session at least
until June 1, and will be continued beyond that
time, if necessary.
District Attorney Jerome is said tr> have some
valuable information regarding th« workings of
the old management of the Mutual Life beyond
what was brought out by the Armstrong commit
tee, ffe is finding it much more difficult to pet the
sain<» kind of information about the Now York Life.
Thomas R. Fowler, chairman of the investigating
committee of the New York Life, said yesterday
that its final report would not be ready for the
monthly ineetins of the trustees on Wednesday.
It will be presented at the .lune meeting. After
being submitted to the trustees It will in all prob
ability be sent <>ut to the policy-holders.
"Will the report recommend any radical enangog
in the management of the company?" Mr. Fowl?r
*"* cant say until we get it formulated." he re-
POPIVP OPIV ro'iti'ne^ijusiTießii will be transacted at the
ne< tinp on Monday, according to sevoral trustees
B°(ii yesterday.
INDEPENDENT MAY LOSE POSTOFFICE.
[By Telegraph, to The Tribune.]
Trey. N. TV. May 6. — Congressman Draper has
pent to' the President the recommendation that A.
E. Booesteel bo appointed postmaster r.f Troy, to
succeed Joseph A. Leggett, who has served two
terms. The appointment, which It la expected
will be made, is an echo of the last city campaign,
when Leggett was active In forming an indepen
dent party in opposition to the Republican organi
sation. --•:.
XEW-TORR nATLV TRITJrXK. MONDAY. MAY 7. IMG.
A PLEA FOR ALIENS.
Charities Aid Thinks Insane For
eigners Are Harshly Treated.
A plea for more humane treatment of the^insane
aliens who try to enter this country 1" made in the
thirteenth nnnual report of the State Charities Aid
Association to the State Commission in Lunacy,
which has just been Issued. The report declares
that the number of insane aliens annually deported
Is Increasing rapidly, and that the present course
taken by the United States government In deport
ing them Is characterized by unnecessary harahness
and even injustice. The report says:
There seems to be no reason why persons suffer
ing from acute attacks of mental or nervous dis
eases should not be allowed to remain In ihis coun
jry until nt for the return voyage, as Is the custom
151 ■ , caep of immigrants afflicted -vlth ordinsry
Physical ailments, and ordered departed. Not only
are aliens becoming Insane on the voyage over
returned by the same steamer, but they are ordi
narily not even removed from the steamor for
treatment, but remain on board throughout the
noise and confusion of loading and unloading, with
no attendance except such as a busy steward or
stewardess can furnish.
From New York State alone there were deported
for the fiscal year Just past, 299 aliens, as igalnst
176 In the previous year. These were persons who
had landed, or had become inmates of public In
stitutions, or had otherwise come to the attention
of the public authorities.
The total number of insane persons in state hos
pitals and licensed private asylums on October 1,
1905. was 27,408. an increase of 647 over the previous
year, an increase smaller than that of any year
since 1881.
Satisfaction Is expressed at^ the re-establishment
of boards of managers for the State Hospital for the
Insane, which were done away with by the changes
made In the Insanity law of 1902. In dealing with
the question of overcrowding In the state hospitals
the report goes on to say that it is not so large
this year ap last, owing to the opening of the new
buildings at Rochester, which accommodate 750
persons.
The four hospitals on Wards Island and Long
Island which take patients from New York City
and Long Island have a total capacity of 10,235.
The number of patients from the six counties In
this section In these and In other hospitals on Octo
ber 1, I'.tOn. was T2.CST..
"It is certainly a question." says th« associa
tion's report, "whether the Insane of the metro
politan district, nearly one-half the total of the
Htate. should be sent all over the mate to hos
pitals, tho nearest of which are at Poughkeepsie
and Middtetnwn. which are respectively seventy
flve and sixty-six miles away from New York
City, whilp all the others are from, two to five
hundred miles away." ?
The report regrets, too. that the purposed new
state hospital at Comstocks should be so far from
Albany and Troy, "to meet whose needs this new
hospital was designed." Comßtocks Is seventy-one
miles from Albany and sixty-three miles from
Troy. The Hudson River State Hospital, at Pough
keepsie, was only a few miles more from each city.
PLAN KLONDIKE ROAD.
Concession for 80-Mile Railway from
Dawson City Granted.
Detroit, May 6.— The Railway Commission of
Canada, which has been in session at Windsor,
Ont., for several days, last night granted a con
cession for tlie first railroad to be built In the
Klondike region. Tlie road will start at Daw
son City and will run eighty miles into regions
that are reached now only by dog sleds.
It is hoped to have thirty mfles of the road
in operation within six months. The head of
fices of the road will be at Ottawa. The com
pany is capitalized at $3,500,000. H. B. Me
Giverin xvill be vice-president and general man
ager; Andrew Hayden. secretary, and H. Bloom
field Smith, consulting engineer. British capi
talists are behind the venture. Mr. Smith left
here last night for Ottawa, and will start from
there at once for the Yukon country.
BRAWL ON THE AMERIKA.
Officers Deny Story of Shooting in
Gambling Quarrel.
Further details of the gambling brawl aboard the
Amerlka on her last trip from New York were
learned yesterday, when she arrived from Ham
burg. Although the officials of the vessel were re
luctant to admit that there had been any brawl at
all. they finally said that there had been eorae com
plaints, but no shooting, as waa reported. Other
persons, however, declared that there was shooting.
and that n Frenchman. Paul Robert, had a narrow
escape from death. The principals in the affair
werfl ordered off at Plymouth.
According to the story going the rounds of the
sporting fraternity, there were three notorious pro
fessional gamblers aboard. When a few days out
they begran operations in the smoking room of the
first cabin, and eventually won the confidence of
Robert. He and others lost heavily, but he stuck
to the game until he discovered there was cheating
\ p to that t!nv> he had met his losses with a cheer!
ful purse, but then ho refused to pay $200 and with
drew from the game at once. The gamblers swore
to have the money or even up with the French
man.
From that on until a f»w hours before the \mer
ika touched Plymouth they dogged his every move
ment, now hepginp. now threatening. But the
Frenchman was determined not to yield Tho
passengers were attracted by the unusual nois» on
tho deck one day. and called the attention of the
captain. The captain at one« ordered the, men to
go to the smoking room. Knowing they wer<>
near a port and fearing to lose the money tho
gamblers used tho women th^y had with thVm in
hopes of accomplishing their end. The women
cajoled tne * renenman for awhile, and flnallv In
duced him to go into their stateroom. The gam
blers followed.
They were scarcely a moment inside when tli»
Frenchman tore through tho door like a madman
The gamblers followed, and th« next moment three
shots were flr<vl at tho Frenchman, but all missed
their mark. '1 he Amertka was then ten hours off
Plymouth. The captain and other officers hurried
LARGEST GAS EXGIXE IN' THE WORLD. 4.000 HORSEPOWER.
to the scene, hut no one could identify the> person
who fired. The captain ordered all under surveil
lance, and declared determinedly that some one
would be put In irons if the affair was not stopped
instantly. At the same time the captain got In,
wireless communication with the Plymouth police,
and a police boat came out to meet the Amerika.
No arrests were made, however, but the gamblers
were ordered off at Plymouth.
On the return trip the company posted notices
in conspicuous places calling tho attention of the
passengers 1o the danger of engaging- la games of
chance with strangers.
THE AMERIKA IN WITH NEW CREW.
The Hamburg-American liner Amerika came into
port yesterday with a new set of sailors and deck
hand*, mostly Italians and Englishmen, picked up
at Cherbourg. The crew that went with her when
she l"ft on her last trip joined the strikers In
Prance. Last Sunday and Monday she ran into
a heavy gale, but during the rest of the voyage
had fine weather.
CHARGES MADE BY UNION MEN.
Charges were made at the meeting of the Cen
tral Federated Union yesterday that John T. I«w
rence. Superintendent of Public Works hi Brook
lyn, was allowing non-union elevator co:istrjetors
to work on some of the Brooklyn publi * buildings.
Mr. Lawrence la a former president of the Actors'
Protective Union, which is represented in the cen
tral body. A committee was aopolnted to Investi
gate the charges. Another committee was ap
pointed to Investigate charges that the Immigra
tion Commissioner won allowing violation* of the
Contract Labor law in the admission of immi
grants. :■■:-.:'■
TECUMSEH MILLS DIVIDEND.
in, Telegraph to The Tribune 1
Boston. May C— The Tecumseh mills nt Fall
River are to declare a 50 per cent dividend on Use
fitock.
WELL KNOWN DIVER DEAD.
(By Telegraph, to Th« Trlbunf.l
Bcston. May B.— Captain Duncan., a diver, weli
kaotr" ali aloof the coast, died here to-day.
FIGHT OFEh I ANSFERS
Four Men Sent to Hospital, In
cluding Conductor.
Four men' were taken to the Flushing Hos
pital last night and four others to the 7«th Pre
cinct station house as a. result of a flsht on a
Queens County electric car at the Flushing
bridge. Flushing. One of the Injured men was
the conductor of the car. His scalp was laid
open with a baseball bat. An inspector was also
badly hurt Two of the rioters were hurt by a
switch Iron handled by the motorman.
The trolley line from College Point to Long
Island City is broken at present, owing to the
construction of a new bridge at Flushing Creek.
The cars transfer their passengers at the bridge.
At College Point last evening just before dark a
crowd which had been playing ball boarded a
trolley car. the conductor of which was John
Gebhardt. of No. Si Grove street. Wlnfleld.
Queens, and the motorman Edward Masterson.
of No. 231 14th street. College Point. The play
flr« P «!!!i th lr fares ' but falled to &•* 'or trans-
SE.^£« * he / eacned th creek and these
condurt^. Sed T ■^'tfd-to beat the motorman and
Po7n? ml' £° hn Creame r. chief of the College
fomn^ni .P? partment ' to an Inspector for the
2^" > ;w and . J waa on du *y at » h « bridge. He
™ ♦ h . e ald of the crew - Some of "»« pas
sengers telephoned for the police. The troUey-
Jhlt ■SSS2l t £ nUI the V Oll arrlved - but before
mat oebhardt was knocked out. He was still
unconscious late last evening.
thZhr, *°}} sent the inductor and Inspector to
the hospital, also Albert and Walter Harner
brothers, of No. 228 East 51st street. The others
a oth St f d ?CE? C E Wu " am Botts. of No. 426 East
£?*£*}' S enry M * s sersmith. of No. 482 West
52d street; Henry Clare, of No. 352 West 45th
street, and John Callahan, of No. 252 West 41st
street. -. >...._ ■
WANTS NEW POSTAL LAWS
Mr. Cortelyou Asks Commission to
Investigate Second Class Rates.
Washington. May C-Postmaster General Cortel
you has recommended to Congress the appointment
of a commission to inquire into the subject of sec
ond class mail matter, with a view to ascertaining
•what modifications of the present second class laws
are necessary, thp commission to render its report
to Congress not later than December 10. 1906.
Tn order that all interests shall be represented,
hp has recommended that the commission consist of
seven persons, as follows: One Senator, selected
by the President of the Senate; one Representa
tive, selected by the Speaker of the House: cne
officpr of the Postoffice Department, selected by the
Postmaster General: one representative of the pub
lishers of daily newspapers; one representative of
thn publishers of weekly, semi-weekly ar.d trl
weekly newspapers, and one representative of the
publishers of periodicals and magazines, the last
three to be appointed by the President of the Urited
States from among those recommendad to him by
representative associations of publishers of such
newspapers and periodicals, and a seventh member
to be selected by the six. The commission will
have power to employ clerks and stenographers,
administer oaths, send for persons and papers, and
do all things necessary for the carrying out of Its
objects. An appropriation of J.T..000 is asko<l «o de
fray the. cost of the investigation.
The Postmaster General. In ills recent nnnutl re
port, recommended to Congress a thorough review
of the whole subject ofesecond «lass mall matter,
and the. enactment of a statute to take tho pla>-e of
those existing which would rend?.* unnecessary the
consideration of such questions ns those upon which
second class matter now depends.
Tn recommending this commission, the Post
master General, in his communication to the Com
mittee on Postoflices and Post Roads of the Senate,
says:
The existing statutes regulating the. second class
of mail matter are out of 'late; they do not meet
modern requirements of the puM!*nlniT Industry,
and the administration of then imno?essarlly and
unreasonably hampers the publishers of bona fide
newspapers and periodicals.
As an illustration of what is involved in ad
ministration, it may be stated that the question
of what Is a bonn fide newspaper or periodical i 3
one about which there may be and often is much
difference of opinion; the same i 3 trut* of what
constitutes a known office of publication; wnat
constitutes a publication, originated and published
for th<> dissemination of information of a public
character; what Is devoted to literature, the sci
ences, arts, or some special industry, and what is a
legitimate list of subscribers. All of theee ques
tions must, howpver. be determined in each c»se
before the second class entry can be granted; but
a publication, having met all of the conditions, is
positively prohibited admission If It be "designed
primarily for advertising purposes, or for free
circulation, or for circulation at nominal rates."
That such questions, especially the latter, are
subtle- and complex, nnd render administration
exceedingly difficult, scarcely need be stated.
Even after the right of a publication to pass In
the mails at the second class rates of postage has
been determined, there are six different rates of
postage applicable thereto when th« matter Is
mailed by publishers and news agents, and when
mailed by the general public there Is provided still
another— a seventh rate. Ench rate Is dependent
upon the circumstances of time, place and manner
of mailing the publication. Postmaster General
("ortelyoti expresses the belief that a commission.
If appointed, will be aMr> to mak* recommenda
tions to Congress which will result In the passage
of a law that will ho. equitable to publishers, re
lieve them from present annoyances and restric
tions, and at the same time protect the Interests
of the government.
INSTALLING BIGGEST GAS ENGINE.
Machine of 4.000 Horsepower To Be Bun
with Product That Has Been Wasted.
Plttsburg, May « (PpeciaU.— The biggest gas
engine in the world, a 4,000-horsepower ma-
chine. Is now beinj; Installed for the operation
of the strel rail manufacturing machinery at
the Edgar-Thomson Steel Works at Braddock.
The accompanying picture gives an idea of the
size of the double acting horizontal engine, as
the man who appears alongside of it Is a full
grown person. .
In connection with the starting of the new
4.00«>-horsepower engine, it Is announced that
the Carnegie Steel Company has found a use
for a mill product which has hitherto gone to
waste. It is blast furnace gas. which Is gen
erated in the process of man u fact uring iron and
steel and has been allowed to escape because no
use for it could be found. The big pas engine,
however, is to be run with this gas. as tho
Carnegie company Has found a way in which
the gas ran be caught, cleansed and stored.
The Westinghous*- Machine Company, which
has turned out the big gas engine, has had a
email army of men working on it for months.
PEISCILLA TOWED TO NEWPORT.
Many Passengers Remained on Stranded
Fall River Steamer All Night.
Newport. R. 1.. May s.— The Fall River Line
steamer Prlscilla. which became disabled
through an accident to the port paddle wheel In
Narragansett Bay last night, arrived in New
port to-night In tow of the freighter Qitjr of
Taunton. from Fall River. Most of the pas
sengers remained on board the Priscilla through
the night, and were removed early to-day by
the steamer Puritan, of the same line. The
Puritan took the passengers to Fail River, where
they proceeded .to New York by special train.
The freight on the PrlsclUa *v removed by the
CHICKERING PIANOS
"At Home "
j* HICKERIXG prestige and Chickering popularity among piano purchaser*
hare been among the largest factors in building np for us the magnificent
piano business which demanded and made possible our splendid new Piano Store.
The Chickering Pianos' position of prominence in the new store is not only de
served, but a feature of highest attraction to lovers of the artistic in tone quality
as well as architectural beauty.
Thousands of New York City homes possessing Chickering Pianos enjoy that
immense gratification that comes with the realization that their instrument is tho
very best that money can buy, that every artistic quality about it is superlative, that
the artist that plays it and the music lover that hears it find that it rises to every
occasion with the tone required for the truest interpretation of the music.
Our new store opened with a superb collection of beautiful Chickering Pianos
just from the factory. We invite the public to come and see and hear them. The
Quarter Grand and the Infant Grand are highest favorites, because they provide
grand piano tone in instruments that require little more space than an upright piano.
Here is also the Chickering Baby Grand for those who can devote a little more
space to it. And the Chickering Uprights, including the style "E," the smallest
perfect upright piano that is made. There are also a very large number of Chick
erings in various period and classic designs.
Chickering Pianos are "At Home" all this week; and we give you this special
invitation to come and view them in their new and most artistic surroundings.
Piano Store, Second floor. "Wanamaker Building.
JOHX WANAMAKER
Formerly A. T. Stewart 4b Co.,
Broadway, Fourth Avenue. Eighth to Tenth Street.
Flints Pne Furniture
FOUNDED 1840 "FLINT QUALITY"
REED FURNITURE
Our display of Reed Furniture includes pieces that may be
retained for permanent use in the home, and therefore should not
be considered as strictly summer furnishing. The range of colon
makes it possible to harmonize it with any interior desired
EXAMPLES
Green Reed Swing $18.00 Grey Enamel Sofa and
" Table 3.50 Cushion $33.00
* " " Rocker 12.00 Grey Enamel Ann Chair 20.00
" Sofa 18.00 " Rodcer Chair 20.00
M Ann Chair 12.50 " " Table 11.00
" Table 5.50 Blue Enamel Arm Chair 15.00
" " Rocker 15.00 Green Reed Lounge 27.00
Green Reed Corner Seat 35.00 Red and Nat. Reed Sofa 17.00
Red Reed Sofa with Cushions 36.00 " Chair 11.00
Red Reed Arm Chair with Red and Nat. Reed Table I ZOO
Cushion. 23.00 Swing 17.00
Reception Chair with Cushions 15.00 M ~ " " Stool 6.00
Geo C Flint Co
WEST 23 tf STREET
WE STAND ALONE.
• We hate the largest tailoring establishment In tie world. Oar styles ire all
exclusive and the garments made la large airy lofts on our premises. Our assort
ment of beautiful Silver Grays will startle everyone. The price for coat aad trousers
$17. Suit, $20. Overcoat, Chesterfield style, velvet collar, $20. •
Let us send samples of these materials with our illustrated booklet, "Elegance at
Moderate Cost," and measuring equipments.
ARNHEIM,
Broadway & Ninth Street.
steamer New Hampshire and taken to Xew Tork
this morning.
The steamer Providence, of the same line,
which had been out of commission at this port.
was hurriedly put in shape to take the place of
the Prlscilla, which will be removed from the
line for several days for repairs.
INCREASE OF STEEL EXPORTS.
I Nearly Eighty Thousand Tons Shipped in
April from Atlantic Seaboard Points.
All records In the export of iron an.d steel*ma
terial through New York and other Atlantic sea
board points were eclipsed last month, when nearly
eighty thousand tons were shipped, some going to
almost every part of the civilised world. The
heaviest Increase was made in steel billets, more ?
than 35.000 tons having gone abroad in April, as |
compared with 34.000 tons In the previous month. j
The larger part of these billets, however, are ;
shipped back here In new forms. They are sold I
here for export at 111 at the mills, whereas the j
existing quotation for billets for domestic consume-
Fully 20.040 tons of last month's billet shipments
were consigned to Welsh mills, where they are to
be rolled into plates, then dipped in tin owl re
shipped here for the purpose of making can*. The
largest importer of these tin plates Is me Standard
Oil Company, which use* about 100.000 ton* annually. j
The Beef Trust is also a heavy buyer of tin plates.
The steel rail exports were made principally to
South Africa and to South America last month-
Australia was the heaviest buyer of wire. This
material is to be used for rabbit netting. There is
an enormous demand in New South Wales, us the
government ha« decided to assist the farmers in ■
combating the rabbit pest. Over 5500.0Q0 of Ameri
can netting will be employed. In New South Wales ,
alone nearly '•/-■> miles of rabbit proof fencing Is :
now in use. The nail exports were made chiefly to i
Great Britain, while last month's pipe exports went
principally to the Continent of Europe. The expert ;
of rails amounted to 23.141 tons in April. About
5,000 tons of steel "plates, beams, blooms, etc.. went '
abroad. The April exports of wire, nails and pipe i
represented an aggregate of 16,075 tons. The prin- i
cipal increase over the previous month's shipments
was In wire, close on to t««W ton* having teen i
shipped.
NOTICE OF REMOVAL.
THE MACBETH GALLERY
Is Now Located at
450 FIFTH AVENUE
One Door from the Southwest Comet
of Fortieth Street. Just Below the Nev
Public Library.
TEUPHOM: iVKt BRYANT.
WOMAN GORED BY A COW.
Scuth Xorwalk. Conn.. May <*.— Mr*. Paul popp
was frightfully gored to-day at her home here by
a cow. Tiia animal' horn tore a gash four Inches
leng under her left arm and another an Inch long
on the right side of her cheat. In addition she
was bruis«d all over the body, and is now la a,
critical condition.
J Drink Dr. DADIRRIAN*S
Zrtft! A If
*J %J %m A l\
! Specially prepared fermented milk.
Claimed by Bfjf MiI GHHIKQfF to *• th «
ELIXIR of LIFE
•net that by drinking freely of this nourtaainf
hev»ras» life « 111 b« greatly protoc.g*4.
•■valuable tor I -ration "i — rmrnli Trouble*.
EASILY DIGESTED FOOD.
Refreshing Beverage.
At Soda Fountain!, Draft**. dies.
Refuse "Just as good."
8