Evening star. [volume], February 03, 1902, Image 1

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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NO. 15,269. -WASINGTON, D. 0., MONDAY, JNROARY a, 1902-TWELVE PAGES. TWO OENTS.
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MMIUUmK aMu, Tnsr NDAY.
Swim= Cbee, 1dl MWsi ' lmPy Avnas,
The Eveaing Sta Newspape ompay.
. . KAUFFRANN, PneL
Now Yok offis in Trimas Umi
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Rates of advertising made known = applisation.
BUILDING HEIGHTS
Conference Today Between Commis
sioners and Senate Committee.
COISTRUCTIOI OF TAIL STRUCTURED
Measures to Prevent Disfiguration
of the District.
VIEWS OF THE AUTHORITIES
The District Commissioners met In con
ference this afternoon with Chairman Mc
Millan and a subcommittee of the Senate
committee on the District of Columbia in
the committee rooms at the Capitol at 2
o'clock for the purpose of discussing the
present law limiting the height of buildings
in the District and possible amendments to
the act. The conference was brought about
by the following letter forwarded to the
Commissioners by Mr. Charles Moore, clerk
of the Senate District committee:
"The matter of the height of buildings in
the District of Columbia was brought be
fore the committee at its meeting this
morning (Friday), and it was decided to
tr.ke up at once the matter of amending
the present law so as to prevent the erec
tion of buildings calculated to disfigure the
District. The subcommittee will be glad to
meet the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia at 2 o'clock on Monday next to
discuis this matter with them; and in the
meantime the subcommittee would be
pleased to have the Commissioners draft
such amendments to the law as in their
judgment will be calculated to attain the
object sought."
It Is understood that generally speaking
the Commissioners are in favor of the regu
lations as they stand at present. The Sen
ate committee is understood to have taken
up the subject of further limiting the
hicght of buildings in connection with a
grand scheme for the beautification of the
capital city in accordance with the report
of the park commission recently printed.
Proposed Construction.
One of the reasons that lead up to the
lrmediate consideration of the matter, it is
stated, is the reported proposed erection of
a tall building on the triangular lot at the
southwest corner of 17th street and Penn
sylvania avenue, the site overlooking the
State. War and Navy building, and the
serares proposed to be condemned at some
t-me in the future for additional depart
ine ntal buildings. The plans for the pro
f-SO:d new building have not as yet been
sohmitted to the Commissioners for ap
proval. It is stated that tinder the presemt
law the building could not be greater than
111 feet in height, because Pennsylvania
avenie at that point is only 140 feet wide.
Th: Senate committee recently wrote to the
Commissoners inquiring as to this pro
posed building and were answered in line
with the statement made above.
The Law in Force.
The present law on the subject of height
of buildings is contained In Public Act 102,
approved March 1, 1899. Prior to that date
the law was In the shape of a regulation
adopted by the District Commissioners.
Section 4 of the act provides:
"That no building shall be erected or
altered on anf street in the District of
Columbia to exceed in height above the
sidewalk the width of the street in its
front, and in no case shall a building ex
ceed 90 feet in height on a residence street
nor 110 feet on a business street, as desig
nated by schedule approved by the Com
missioners of the District of Coumbia, ex
cept on business streets and business ave
nues 16Q feet wide, where a height not ex
ceeding 130 feet may be allowed. The
height of buildings on corner lots shall in
all cases be regulated by the limitations
governing on the broader street: Provided,
that spires, towers, and domes may be
erected to a greater height than the limit
herein prescribed, when approved by the
Commissioners of the District of Colum
Other sections of the act prescribe that
no combustible or non-fireproof building in
tended to be used and occupied as a resi
dence or as an apartment house or hotel
shall be erected to a- height of more than
five stories or raised to a height exceeding
60 feet from the sidewalk; that buildings
intended for business purposes solely may
be erected to a height of 75 feet without
being of fireproof construction and that
all buildings, except churches, hereafter
erected or altered to exceed 75 feet in
height shall be fireproof or non-combustible
and of such materials throughout as may
be prescribed by the District Commission
ers. Churches must be of fireproof con
struction up to and including the main or
auditorium floor.
Was Carefully Drawn.
These regulations were drawn up. it Is
stated, after a careful inquiry into othe
question of height- of buildings and a
study of the regulations in effect In Amer
ican and European cities. The Commission
-ers believed that aside from the estheule
standpoint and the desire to bring about a
conformity in the buildings of the city there
must also be a practicable reason given for
promulgating the regulations in order that
they might hold in a legal proceeding. Thus
it was that the element of practicability
andl public safety entered largely into the
deductions drawn In considering the mat
ter and finally settling upon the heights in
dicated.
The chief of the fire department was
called into consultation, and he asserted
that it would be impossible for the Wash
ington department to fight a fire above :he
height of ninety feet. The Commissioners
thereupon fixed ninety feet as the max
imum height for dwellings and apartment
houses in the residence sections of the Dis
trict. Upon this statement It was also pro
vide.d that businees buildings non-fireproof
in construction should not exceed seventy
flve feet In height. The owners of buildings
taking advantage of the greater heights al
lowed .on business streets have been com
pel led to provide for fire-proof construc
tion..
Partly a Comapromise.
- The law on the subject as It Stands at
present is something of a compromise, too.
When the regulations were under consid
eration considerable pressure was brougnt
to bear on the Commissioners by those in
favor of still further limiting the height of
buildings and those in favor of placing no
limit whatsoever on fire-proof construction.
The Commissioners considered the regu
lations of Chicago and New York on the
subject. It seems that in Chicago there
was a regulation limiting the height of
buildings to 130 feet, but the commercial
spirit of the city is such that when a pinch
came the city authorities waived the reg
ulation and allowed the owners to con
struct buildings practically to their own
desired height. It is stated that the same
state of affairs exists in New York, where
the regulation prescribes 150 feet as the
maximum, and where exceptions have been
miade to permit of the construction of a
"sky-scraper". 305 feet high.
A number of authorities on the subject
et buildings and acquainted with the legal
aspects of the situation doubt very much
U a limitation of height. based purely on
an esthetic foundation or consideration of
et the diagurement of the city, could be
enforced.
Endustralj Ce L~ma w aur -
A joint resolution introduced In the hgouse
by Mr. Ote provide. tha the imustral
e""io*"s. shall turn ose to the Lasary
Sf . Cog aD eBIts e l mal am and aa
0. the volummes and paMphete wate i hae
alced fro-n th a rioause slates d t
BODIES IN MORGUE
Bemains of Biddle Brothers Taken to
Pittaburg.
CROO UlNRULE TO SE TEt
Mrs. Soffel is Getting Better in
Butler Hospital.
PREPARING A DEFENSE
PITIBBURG, Pa., February 3.-The re
mains of Edward and John Biddle, the dead
bandits, arrived at the Pittsburg and West
ern railroad station shortly after 8 o'clock
this morning and were at once taken to the
Pittsburg morgue. In spite of the intense
cold and the comparatively early hour of
their arrival hundreds of persons gathered
in the waiting room by 7:30 o'clock, and by
the time the train arrived the crowd had in
creased to a thousand or more.
When the train drew in there was a rough
scramble to get to the platform of the
depot, during which several were bruised
by being crushed against the side of the
stairway. The remains were in rough
boxes, in charge of Detectives Roach and
Swinehart, who were accompanied by Dep
uty Sheriff Hoon, Constable Aaron Thomp
son and J. Holliday of Butler. The morgue
wagon was waiting and the bodies were
quickly driven to the morgue for identifica
tion. An immense crowd soon gathered,
but a large detail of police prevented them
from entering the building. The remains
of the murderers will be turned over to
their brother. Harry Biddle, who will see
that they receive proper interment in the
South Side cemetery. The funeral will be
conducted as privately as possible and Rev.
Father Sweeney, the priest who rendered
spiritual advice to the Biddies while they
were in the Pittsburg jail, will conduct the
services.
Mrs. Soffel's Condition.
Dispatches from the Butler hospital this
morning report Mrs. Soffel's condition as
unchanged. While it is believed she will
get well, the danger is not passed, and on
account of this uncertainty in her condition
nothing is being done in the way of prep
arations for her removal to Pittsburg. If
she lives, in addition to answering to the
charge of aiding prisoners to escape, she
will be confronted by charges of furnishing
the Biddies with firearms and aiding .e
felonious assault upon the jail guards and
the officers who effected the capture In
Butler.
Mrs. Soffel is already taking steps to de
fend herself. and has written to a promi
nent Pittsburg attorney to engage his serv
ices. Her father is said to be q'ulte well to
do, and as her parents are relenting she
hopes to receive aid from them.
The prison board is satisfied Mrs. Soffel
had assistance within the prison walls, and
before the Biddle incident is finally closed
it is probable there will be an a'lmost en
tirely new force of attaches at the jail.
The county authorities do not believe Ed
Biddle's dying statement implicating Jennie
Seebers in the Kahney murder, and it is not
likely any action will be taken by them.
Biddies' Plan to Escape.
Wearing the garb of nuns of the Roman
Catholic Church, under the protecting wing
of which the condemned murderers had
found spiritual rest, the Biddies and Mrs.
Soffel hoped to make their escape. It was
Mrs. Soffel's plan, and the arrangement
was that as soon as the trio had reached
a place of temporary safety they were to
don the black robes and veils as traveling
Oasters of Mercy. They had planned to make
for some remote mining place in Catlda,
where they were to live together.
Mrs. Soffel's dead lover had told her that
he intended to give up his former nefari
ous trade and work in the mines with Jack.
This plan was made known to Dr. McCurdy
Bricker at the Butler hospital by Mrs.
Soffel, and was confirmed by Jack Biddle
on Saturday.
It was not Jack's intention to always re
main with his brother and his sweetheart.
While Dr. Bricker was attending the dis
pirited woman at the hospital she con
fided to him this plan of escape.
'Jack Biddle told Dr..Bricker before he
died that they were at a loss for some plan
to disguise themselves when they broke
jail. This problem was unsolvable to them
for days. At last Mrs. Soffel hit upon this
means for her lover and his brother. it
was proposed to the condemned men only
two weelks ago. That was the only link in
their chain of flight that had not been
forged by the men. Ed. Biddle tolil Mrs.
Soffel he had many friends in Toledo, Ohio,
and in Michigan. When once among thei
they would secure qome assurance of their
future freedom. With Mrs. Soffel rId. Bid
die planned their future as -husband and
wife.
The thought that tUough the result was
death, she had assisted her lover to escape
the scaffold, seemed to soothe Mrs. Soffel's
mind and wounds today. She remarked to
the attendants in the hospftal that she had
accomplished her purpose arid was ready
to meet her fate.
I '.
LEAVES OF CLERKS.
Statements Compiled in the War and
State Department.
A statement compiled by the War Depart
ment in regard to leaves of absence taken
by its employes during the calendar year
1901 shows that the average aggregate
leave taken by each emnploye during the
year was 33,17 days, of which 25.90 was an
nual leave and 7.27 days' leave un account
of sickness. It is stated that 1,152, or more
than US per cent of the 1,728 employes of
the War Department took less than 80
days' annual leave. Only 134 employee took
the full 30 days' sick leave, and 675 em
ployes took no siek leave; 8 took less than
one day, 95 took one day, 81 took two' days,
79 took three days, 73 took four days, 55
took five d'ays, 66 took six days, 37 took
seven days. 41 took 8 days. 41 took nine
days, 27 took ten days, 20 took eleven days,
21 took twelve days, 27 took thIrteen days,
28 took fourteen days and 21 took fifteen
days; to summarize, 1,393, or more than 80
per cent of the 1,728 employes did not ex
ceed 15 days sick leave during the year.
A similar statement prepared at the De
partment of State shows that each of the
eighty-nine employes of that department
took an average total leave of 31 day.
during the calendar year 1901, made up of
an average of 23 days' annual leave and 8
day.' sick leave.
FIRST PAYMElNT BY CHINWA.
Minister Conger Reeeves an Install
ment ga the Indemaity.
A cablegram has been received at the
State Department from United State. Min
ister Conger at Pekin announncing that ho
has received the first payment from the.
Chinese gorersnent on account of the in
dmanity. Es will hold the me~ to his
order unti the qualification of te trust
comuny wich Is about to undertake to do
an American banking bnutnnem in C
and the Philippines,
Clalmo'e U... Willoett.
The House eemmamae' on ak.td '
agre te vapust a I
ew' the adft .e ugm
2= dmaa WIammse a.
GALE AT NEW YORK
Two Tags Founder Trying to Aid
Stranded Steamer.
BOTH CREWS WERE 81D
Wreckage Coming Indicates.That
There Have Been Disasters.
SEVERAL VESSELS ASHORE
.I
NEW YORK, February 3.-A strong gale
from the west-northwest, which began early
last evening, continued all through the
night and this morning. The maximum
velocity of the wind was sixty-five miles
an hour, and at 9 a.m. today the local
weather bureau instrument showed that
it was blowing at the rate of fifty-six
miles an hour. All the nearby marine sta
tions reported the sea rough, and from dif
ferent points along the coast there came
news of wrecks and of vessels ashore. The
tugs John E. Berwind and E. S. Atwood,
which were sent to the stranded steamer
Cavour at Long Beach yesterday, were un
able to return to port and both sank about
eleven miles east of the Sandy Hook light
ship. The crews were rescued by the Ger
man steamer Barcelona. The tugs left the
Cavour about 4 o'clock yesterday after
noon, and within an hour both were in a
sinking condition. The seas broke over
the craft and washed away everything
movable, the water gradually filling the
holds until it was above the floor of the
fire room and began to put out the fires.
The Berwind's pilot house was smashed,
and the water flooded her Tire room.
Rescued by the Barcelona.
About 5:30 o'clock the Bareclona was
seen approaching and the tugs steered to
ward her to ask assistance. She stopped
and made a good lee, so that the tugs were
able to run alongside. A rope ladder was
lowered and the men from the tugs scram
bled on board. Fourteen men, all told,
were saved, seven from each tug. Fifteen
minutes after the rescue the Atwood went
down and some time later the Berwind dis
appeared.
Fire Island reported a ship ashore at
Point Loohout and a barge in distress near
the Forge Rivesi life-saving station. The
barge was anchored about two miles off
shore, and was rolling badly. Those on
shore could not tell whether there was at:y
one on board the barge. The name of the
ship could not be seen from the Point
Lookout station.
Atlantic City reported that an unknown
four-masted schooner went ashore during
the night on the Brigantine Shoals, :ear
where the Claverdale grounded yesterday.
Fire Island reported that the beach five
miles east of the Bellport life saving sta
tion was covered with wreckage and it
was believed that a coal barge had been
lost.
Steamship Cavour Still Aground.
The steamship Cavour, which stranded
several days ago off Long Beach, L. I.,
weathered the gale well, and with the
kedge and lines which she has out held
her position well. No effort will be made
to ull her off until the weather has set
PHILADELPHIA, February 8.-Only one
serious disaster to shipping had been re
ported to the maritime exchange from the
life saving stations between the Delaware
Breakwater and Barnegat up to 10 o'clock
this morning. This was the grounding on
Brigantine Shoals, near Atlantic City, of
an unknown four-masted schooner which
went aground during the night near the
big steamship Claverdale.
Barnegat reports that an unknown five
masted schooner, with all its sails torn
away except the jib, passed that station
this morning bound north.
The wind at the Delaware Breakwater
which reached a velocity of nearly fifty
miles an hour last night, had fallen to
thirty-three miles an hour at 9 o'clock to
day.
No damage has been reported to the
shipping at the Breakwater.
Two Wrecks Reported.
LONDON, February 8.-The first officer
of the French ship Chanaral was landed at
Falmouth today. He is the sole survivor
of tll crew of twenty-two men of the ves
sel, which was capsized off Ushant.
The bark wrecked off the Sicilly Islands
last evening, and which was supposed to
be a German vessel, turns out to have
been the Italian bark Lofaro.
The bark Lofaro was built in 1876 and
was owned by F. Lofaro, of Naples. She
was of 063 tons net register.
The Chanaral was owned by A. D. Bordes
and Son of Dunkirk, France. She was built
at Greenock in 1875, and was of 1,388 tons
net register. The ship was 239 feet 4
inches long, had 38 feet 3 inches beam,
and was 21 feet 4 inches deep.
Ushant is the most westerly of the is
lands off the coast of Brittany, France.
Schooner Edith Alleu Ashore.
ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., February 3.
The schooner which went ashore on Brig
antine Shoal is the Edith L. Allen, from
Brunswick, Ga., for New York, lumber
laden.
There is no change in the position of .the
British steamship Claverdale, which strand
ed on Brigantine Shoal in a dense fog yes
terday morning. A high wind prevails, and
the wrecking tugs have not been able to
render assistance to the distressed vessel.
It is probable it will be neessary to re
move her cargo before she can be floated.
The Claverdale was bound from China an
Japan for New York, 'with a cargo valued
at $,500,000, consisting of 4,000 tons of tea
and 8,000 tons of general cargo. The cw
of twenty-five men remains aboard. Te
stranded ship is visible from the boardwalk
here, and thousands of visitors are viewing
the unusual spectacle of a great steel
steamship lying almost out of the water.
The Claverdale is almost a new vessel.
having beep built at Stockton, England, in
1899. She hails from London, and-is owned
by F. Haslehurst & Co. She is built of
steel, andi is a modern cargo carrier, reg
isteripg 300 gross tons. Her length is 330
feet, beam 48 feet, draught 24 feet.
STORM RAGING INLAND, TOO.
New York, Pennsylvania and New
Jersey All Visited.
MALONE, N. Y., February 8.-No storm
in recent years in northern New York has
reached such serious proportions as the
one now prevailing. It commenced at noon
on Bunday and in less than eight hours
three feet of snow had fallen. ,For the
last ten hours the wind has been blowing
asal~e. The New York Central train from
Utica is five hours late and similar con
ditions exist on the Rutland ,railroad.
IqEWARIK, N. Y., February 8.-The worst
storm of the season is raging inWae
county. It began atO 9o'clockyetsa
morniag. The temperature was fu o
grs above sero at 8 o'clock this ssorn.
lng. Trains on the New York mentral,
Wst Obare and Pensyivania -rd 4
delayea ad all country reads are sie...
UALLOTON, NL., aBibrusty' 3,..&te
before It. Stu uses were
roched by the
EBENSBURG. a .-The
most severe snow dtOrna at has visited
the mountains in recens.teamhas been
raging here for tt 1OM tWD days. Busi
ness is almost ended ng its con
tinuance. Al ins 2on ter Ebensburg
branch of the Cabrl and Waarfield divi
sions are snowe0 up. The-regular pas
senger trarw In a rUt east of Vin
tondale and--trWS lIs beeh suspended.
Rifts- ten feh stah in angr. places block
country rOas
PHILADELPHIA, February .-But lit
tle snow-has-tallen in this section of the
state during the -last twenty-four 'hours,
but the high wiun has done considerable
damae t tei.Ub and %@ephone wires.
Reperta Mrmti:. peat regim state that
the celd is in many plas the
mercury having fallen thirty degrees In
twelve hours.
UTICA, N. Y., February &.-A fearful
blizzard prevails in central and northern
New York. The railroads are tied up and
there is no prospect of the north and south
lines getting open tot. several days. On
the Central a few passenger trains are
being pushed through from four to eight
hours late. Freighirtrains are abandoned.
The telephone system here has been great
ly disarranged.
Spaelal Dippateb to The Evening Star.
CUMBERLAND, Md., February 3.-A
blizzard prevails in this section, being es
pecially severe at Frostburg, where streets
are almost impassible from snowdrifts,
and where some people are shut up in their
houses by snow five and six feet high piled
against their doors. Many country roads
are impassable and the delivery of rural
mails is stopped. It is with great diffi
culty that the roads are kept open.
CORRY, Pa., February 8.-The worst bliz
zard for many years 'hah raged in this re
gion for the past twenty-four hours. It
has caused great damage to the railroads
and to telegraph and telephone wires.
The Pittsburg express from Buffalo, haul
ed by three engines, arrived here eight
hours late.
Getting Cold at Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, February 3.-The furious
storm that prevailed throughout this sec
tion yesterday was followed by a sharp
drop in temperature. The government
thermometer at the local weather bureau
registered zero early today, while on the
streets many 1-rstruments indicated three
or four degrees. blow 'serd. Traffic on the
trunk lines east of Cleveland is badly im
peded owing to the unusually heavy fall of
snow. Trains on the Lake Shore reported
from the east were from five to seven
hours late this morntrig. The delay, how
ever, was said to be all east of Buffalo.
On the eastern end of the Erie road pas
senger trains are runiting from two to
three hours late, whilesIanytreight trains
are entirely tied up IJ hug snowdrifts.
The storm proved most disastrous on the
line between Meadville and Salamanca,
where immense snowdtrts, from seven to
ten feet in depth. fornod on the tracks.
CHARGED WITi. SWINDLING.
James B. Agnew of Wew Work Under
Arrest in Shirago.
CHICAGO, February K-Janes B. Agnew,
who claims relationshIp to a well-known
Philadelphia family of that iame, is under
arrest here charged with swindling several
hundred physicians'i Minols? Iowa, Michi
gan, Minnesota and Whtort out of small
sums of money. He is hargetwith having
fraudulently obtained 4h sibscriptions to
a Chicago medical publll on; Agnew came
to Chicago f New
SUICIDE'S IDENTITY ISCOVERED.
Mrs. Hammond Modrq Killed Herself
in 'Iisco.
SAN FRANCISCO, February .-The
identity of a middle-aged, richly-dressed
woman who committed suicide in Stockton
on Friday night has been established by
friends in this city. . She was Mrs. Ham
mond Moore of New York city, the widow
of Col. Hammond Moore, an officer of the
confederate army, whoe-settled in New York
shortly after the civil war. She came to
San Francisco from Guatemala last May
in the course of a tour around the world,
which she began three years ago, and which
had just been concluded.
The cause of her suicide is unknown.
GOING TO THE PHILIPPINES.
Secretary Root Hopes to Visit the Is
lands Next "mmer.
In case it can be arranged Secretary Root
will visit the Philippine Islands during the
coming summer for the purpose of making
a personal Inspection of existing condi
tions. He had intended to go with Adjutant
General Corbin and other bureau officers
last year, but was prevented by ill-health
and the press of business. He would like to
accompany Civil Governor Taft back to
Manila in May next, but feels that it would
be inadvisable to absent himself from the
United States during the session of Con
gress, especially during the consideration
of important measures affecting the gov
ernment of the Philippines and the'military
service, as well as the measpres relating to
the affairs of Cuba. Unless something un
foreseen prevents the Secretary will start
for the Philippines soon after the adjourn
ment of Congress, and arrangements are
now being made with a view to his departure
in August at the latest. It Is predicted that
the Secretary will be able to straighten out.
the taigles in the government of the Phil
ippines arising from the di'vided responsi
bilities between the civil hbnd military au
thorities.
PROPERTY USED DY GOVERNMENT.
Reports Made on Eselh Claima by an
Army DBedt,,
Congress at its last session provided that
the Secretary of Wat snipuld investigate
and report on claims a.fi otisens residing
within the limits of tjie United States for
private property.. use4 or taken by the
United States during the Snish-American
war. A boardbf oliners ~as appointed to
consider all such claj reelved at the
War Department. Thewea~d stade a report
on nach claim and thb repts have been
transmitted to Congreasmsasured by law.
These reports are prgnedl aiouse Docu
ments 502, FIf ty-4mt ~gn, second ses
sion, and 151, Fifty-seel .ongress, first
session.
Rouse bill 86at, Fi Congress,
proposes to aprlaten* asum of $55,
775.21 to pay the pa~perty taken
and used by the govrn -
Many inquirles ar ssnelved at the
War Department borgts as well as
from senators ana a~fe as to the
status of these elaiie 4Utment is of
flcially made at the 4t that noth
ing can be done jn until Con-.
gress makes theon.
INDIANA LUIAV 4 CAO.
Movements 9f Ote Regeated
to the Nayp p rm amt.
In consequence of the NaI4 peaceful con
dition of affairs im Vettsem., the Navy De
partment has with wgthJe batl sh
Indiana from Curseso, Dutch Gune,
where sh, was held 1ik isqines to proceed
to La Guaira, th.r ges in asg
of emergency. Th~ e
"ojth at
Culebra, ar
The Nt~
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
resident Getting at Facta in the
Sohley Case,
TLD WITH FOUR NIL MICERS
Another Conference on the Cuban
Sugar Tariff.
OTHERS OF TODAY'S CALLERS
President Roosevelt has begun considera
tion of the appeal of Admiral Schley. He
is going at it, too, in a most thorough and
systematic manner-in a way !Ighting over
again the naval battle of Santiago. With
the President for a long time today were
four of the commanders of vessels in that
memorable conflict between the navy of
Spain and the United States. These men
were Rear Admiral Evans, who command
ed the bat~e ship Iowa; Rear Admiral
Taylor, in command of the Indiana; Cap
tain Clark of the famous Oregon, and Com
mander Wainwright, who handled the
Gloucester.
These men arrived at neon and after that
the President denied himself to all callers,
the only other person received being Sec
retary Hay, who had a matter to be dis
posed of. It is exceedingly rare that the
President becomes so deeply engaged in
any matter as to deny himself to callers
for the remainder of a day, and this goes
to show the importance he attaches to this
case. Constant interruption would prevent
his getting a continuous and firm grasp ot
the fact he is seeking. It was a rather in
teresting coincidence that two Maryland
representatives, Messrs. Wachter and
Schirm, were among the visitors who were
asked to call again. On finding that it was
consideration of the Schley case that pre
vented their being received they expressed
gratification. They were accompanied ' by
James T. Bradford, colored, of Baltimore.
They will later present Mr. Bradford to
the President as a suitable candidate for
an auditorship.
The four naval captains were with the
President in his office until after 1:30
o'clock and then went down to lunch with
the chief executive, continuing to discuss
the Schley case until they left the White
House several hours later. The President
Is securing from these men every avail
able fact in connection with the case. It is
regarded as certain that he will have inter
views with other naval captains and officers
who were at Santiago before he will reach
any conclusion as to the appeal of Admiral
Schley.
Conferring About Cuba.
Another important conference at the
White House was held early in the morn
ing. Representatives Payne and Grosvenor
of the ways and means committee of the
House, the former chairman of the com
mittee, talked for some time with the Pres
ident about a tariff on Cuban sugar. They
-found the President. unchanged in his at
titude thit something must be done for
Cuba by a reduction of duty on sugar.
Representative Grosvenor had with him a
leather case full of facts and figures. It is
regarded as practically certain that the
House will ultimately make a concession in
favor of Cuba, but the question now is, how
much will the reduction be? The House
republican leaders will do this, if at all,
against their Judgments and largely to
avoid a conflict with the President.
The White House Farce.
Representative 'Hemenway of the appri
priations committee of the House had a
talk with the President and Sedretary Cor
telyou this morning about appropriations I
for the executive force of the White House
for the next fiscal year. The White House
has made a reuets of the appropriations
committee for three. additions to the cler
ical force, and it will probably be granted.
There are a number of detailed clerks in
the White House force, and when excep
tionally good men are found it is frequently
desired to add them to the permanent rolls.
The appropriations for the White House
under various headings will probably be
Increased the coming fiscal year.
Diserimaination Against Union Labor.
James O'Connell, president of the Inter- 1
national Association of )1achinlsts, and E.
C. Barry, from Rock Island, Ill., saw the
President and furnished him with afidavita
to prove the charges made 'some time ago
that union machinists are discriminated
against at the Rock Island arsenal. When
the charges of discrimination were made
some time ago the President said that if
they could be substantiated he would issue -
an order that would put a stop to discrimi
nation at Rock Island or anywhere else. It
is claimed that the affldavits presented to
day substantiate -the charges, and Mr.
O'Connell expects -the President to take.
some action when he has had time to con
aider the affiadavlts. The President has in
formed his labor callers that a man has a
right to joint labor unions if he is so dim
posed.
The Came of Judge Noyes.
Senator -Kearns of Utah again called to I
the President's mind today the nomination
of a judge for the Cape Nome, Alaska,
district, to succeed Judge Noyes, who will C
not be returned to that district. Senator C
Kearns wants a Utah constituent selected E
for the Nome district, and has put before t
the 'President the name of A. B. Hayes of
OgUen. The President has made no selec- i
tion. It was some time ago officially an
niounced that Judge Noyes will not be senti
back to Nome, his usefulness there having
been destroyed. The Department of Justice i
is now considering the matter of retaining "r
or dismissing Judge Noyes from the federal a
service, and Attorney General Knox is pro
cebding slowly and with deliberation.
*A number of lumber dealers from Ijansas,
Missouri and Okurhoma were received by
the President. 'They are in the city on an
excursiofh.
-BSenator McLaurin of South Carolina hadt
a talk with the President about some of
fices in his state. Senators Nelson and
Mitchell and Representatives Siblei n
Curtis were among the callers. cya, c
Wili Kill Ris Snecessoru. c
"Yes, the President will kill all of hi.
uccessors," eaid ex-8enator Chandler, who
called on the chief executive. The former r~
menator explained this statement by maying 0
that he had found that the President', call
Ing list was no sallner titan It had been
at the beginning' of - the amlnltfration,
when thr had been an unparalleled rush.
Th e ythe President wa such
~ tha mcessrs would undoubtedly feel
the efects if they tried to eqa it.
A MINT AT TACOMA.
Pes' thej~esuee.e et Theme nse
ing Presn Metaig Weem ans.
The Heum On g em as.i hmg
moted favoammy en R a
MARGIN OF ONE VOTE
Mr. Babook's Narrow Defeat in
Ways and Kean Committee.
OFPTHERIILTO CUT DUTIEGI STEEL
Mr. Steele Moved 25 Per Cent
Concession to Cuba.
MOTION LATER WITHDRAWN
0
There were lively times in the ways and
means committee this morning and the high
protectionists of the republican majority
had all kinds of trouble on their hands.
The protectionists won out as usual, how
ever, and successfully resisted all attacks.
The trouble began with Mr. Babcock, who
with blood in his eye had been awaitig
in opportunity to establish a record on his
bill reducing the excessive duties on cer
tain iron and steel manufactures. Some
Lime ago there was a vote in the committee
)n this bill, upon motion of Mr. Richardson
(dem.), and the report had been circulated
by republicans that Mr. Babcock had voted
against his own bill.
Mr. Babcock's Motion.
So this morning Mr. Babcock moved to
report his bill to the House with a favora
ble recommendation and demanded a roll
mall upon the vote. The motion created con
iternation among the high protectionists,
which was increased when Mr. Tawney of
Ifinnesota, republican, and Mr. Babcock
voted "aye" on the motion to favorably re
?ort the bill.
The roll call developed six ayes and seven
ioes, and by this narrow majority the
motion was defekted.
Chairman Payne was visibly agitated and
n a voice which trembled with emotion
threatened Mr. Babcock that the commit
tee would "go up into Wisconsin and take
he duty off lumber."
This threat failed to appall Mr. Babcock,
iowever, to any appreciable degree, the
report says.
To Reduce Cuban Tarif.
Then Mr. Steele of Indiana, republican,
save a shock to his high-tariff colleagues
>y offering a motion to amend the war tax
'eduction bill by reducing the tariff on
uban sugar 25 per cent. This suggestion
'aused a cold shiver to run through the lit
.le group of high protectionists near the
mead of the table, for It was known that
dr. Hopkins and Mr. McCall, republicans,
iad a leaning toward Cuban concessions,
mnd it was feared that one or two others
were weakening.
So Mr. Grosvenor of Ohio interceded with
dr. Steele to withdraw his motion. The
Alea was so urgent that Mr. Steele consent
d, and this burning question was not
)rought to an issue.
The war tax reduction bill was then re
3orted to the House without further out
areaks from the insurgents.
The ways and means committeemen are
Fery much concerned over the certainty of
heir war tax reduction bin mestins with
opposition in the Senate. Several senators
ave come out in interviews against the ex
essive reductions, Senator Hanna being
Particularly vehement in objection to such
cut.
Tax Reduction ]MR RepeArted.
The ways and means committee of the
:ouse by unanimous vote today ordered
6 favorable report on the war tax reduc
ion bill.
The closeness of the vote on Mr. Bab
ock's amendment reducing the steel sched
le caused much comment. Messrs. New
ands and Cooper, democrats, and Long
.nd Hopkins, republicans, were absent. It
vas explained on behalf of the absent mem
ers that they were either out of the city
r detained at important committee meet
rgs elsewhere, and that the Babcock mo
ion was entirely unexpected.
Representative Robertson of Louisiana,
vho is opposed to a reduction to Cuban
ugar, was among those who voted for the
labcock amendment. Following this, Mr.
Iteele made his motion, and a sharp but
7cod-natured parley occurred between Mr.
Iteele and Mr. Robertson. The latter sug
ested that if any motion on sugar was to
e made, Mr. Steele should broaden his
roposition so as to include raw and re
ined sugars, placing them all on the free
Lst.
1
DECLINES THE APPOINTMENT.
apt. Gardner Was Chosen Aid to Gem.
James U. Wilson.
Capt. A. T. Gardner of Boston ban de
lined the appointment of aid to Gen.
ames H. Wilson, U. S. A., retired, at the
oronation of King Edward VH. Captain
ardner Is a son-in-law of Senator Lodge
.nd was formerly a member of the Ma...
achusetta state senate. He served on the
taff of General Wilson during the Spanish
rar.
MINISTER~ WU CRITICISED.
resident Gonmpers Before the Hemue
Foreign Afairu Committee.
Minister Wu Ting Fang was severely
riticised this morning before the House
ammittee on foreign affairs by President
amuel Gompers of the American Federa
on of Labor.
Mr: Gompers was addressing the commit
~e in behalf of the Chinese exclusion bill
ow being considered.
Turning his attention to Minister Wu,
e remarked, hotly: "I resent the sneering
smark of a foreign diplomat that I am an
gitator, or a labor agitator, or that the
tboring people of this country who are on
eavoring to protect themselves from Chi
ese labor are agitators.(
"I deny the right of a representative (.f (
foreign government addressing himself
an official of our government and re
irring to American citisensu by name in
ich a matter as this, and particulauly
'hen such reference is of a derogtory
garacter.
"The Chinese minister is treated. in this
mutry with every becoming courtesy, and
a has no right to mae insinuations upon a
merican -ettisensa. Upon behalf of the.
iboring men of this country whom I re A
sent as the president of the Irederation
Labor I repeat that I resmnt these re
larka on the part of the Chinese minister.**
War Dbewnstment Changs
Chang-s yave 'been mads at the War De- 1
martment as follows:C
Apponts by eert.i.a*n of the niwif '
arylce caamissio-4ffee et the shied er t
naieer-Isaa T. Einmei et Pemat- ~
mam, elerk t P04, Pay M t~
efi SL Jeff.rsom t 'Ten.e un.... r. at
7.e Star I the I-sineP
sa's pape. becase t give
bhi the latest news,-the news
of today, not yesterday. Heace,
to reach him, advtise in The
Star.
COMMISSION'S WORK
Off. Taf Qouthu fts IDewiptiam
of Philippine onuditiom.
mu'm F Mn311! cn=
He Declares That a Purely Native
Government Would Fail.
RELIES ON EDUCATION
Governor Taft today continued his state
ment before the Senate committee on the
Philippines regarding the conditions exist
Ing in those Islands.
Answering a question by Mr. Lodge. be
Aescribed the condition of the Island ot
Samar, where the people are still in Insur
rection, and said he was not prepared to
state that this Island was never wholly sub
fected to Spanish rule.
He then described the qualifications re
auisite for an elector in the different towns
where the commission had established gov
ernments. These were that such person
shall speak and write English or speak and
write Spanish, or have filled a municipal
affce under Spanish rule, or that he shall
pay $15 gold taxes a year.
Work of the Commissen.
Governor Taft then entered upon a gen
Dral narrative of the work of the commis
sion. When the commission arrived at Ma
nila they found the people divided Into
three classes, those in favor of the exclu
sion of American sovereignty altogether,
the Spanish party In favor of this govern
ment, and a large body of ignorant people
who were entirely Indifferent.
Governor Taft said that the instructions
to the commission, which gradually placed
more power in the civil government, had
had a marvelous effect upon the people.
rhe insurrection, he said, had been most
tetive in September preceding the elections
in this country, with the view of influencing
them, and for this reason it had been difli
nult to bring the Filipinos to a discussion
if legislation which the commission were
macting. There was doubt as to what the
olicy of the United States would be. "The
subordinate military officers." he continued,
'were a little bit contemptuous of what we
were doing. because it seemed to play so
inimportant part in the situation, but when
he power over the purse strings began to
ighten In the matter of appropriations
hose gentlemen who were spending the isi
Land's funds began to appreciate that there
was some power behind the commission."
Gov. Taft said It will be found, on In
restigation. that the surrenders by the in
surgents of arms and men were far in ex
!ess of the actual captures by the mill
ary. The munidipal code was not put in
.o operation, he said. until after the preos
lential election in the United States, be
:ause of the unsettled condtion of aairs.
mt as soon as it became known to the
people that the commission had thought it
wise to provide for the electioft of gover
Mors. which occur next month, the Fin
pjnos flocked to them with expressions of
ITatifeatimn
NHeorY of the ,emnamoon
He said that the theory ot the comlip
lon In their formation of civil government
a that the indispensable aid to the 0i1
nate success of popular government Is the
Ixtension of education, but that the cffect
of this could not be felt for a generation,
mntU the children had grown to manhood.
L'here were, he said, 10000 adults engaged
n the study of English. "In the mean
Ime." said he. "the reliance of the com
nislion is on the small educated portion
>f the community, who form a nucleus
Lbout which, with the aid of American con
rol. we think a stable government can be
.rected."
A Native Govesmeut We=Ed plt.
He could assert without begtation, he
aid, that lacking American iaitiative and
american knowledge of how to carry on a
roverniment' any government there must be
,complete failure.
In explanation of the obstacles to the
romplete tranquillity of the Islands, with
he exception of Samar, Batangas and La
nuna, he said that the lack of quarters for
he troops, which was the cause of their
eing brought into close contact with the
eople, was the principal one, and he urged
hat such quarters be provided.
Gov. Taft declared that the chief aim of
he commission was the good of the Fill
sino people, and that they had constantly
indeavered to gain their confidence. In
his they had been successful, the people
,elieving they will be given the best gov
rnpaent possible and be secure in the en
oyment of their rights. He sought to
prove the susceptibility of the Filipinos to
ilndness by the results achieved by the
ommission. It was not hard, he said, to
xplaln the attitude of the Filipinos toward
he army, because they could not be ex
sected to love the instrument by which
sunishment is inflicted upon them.
Gov. Taft discussed at some length the
llfferent parties which had been formed in
he Philippines, but the federal party, he
aid, was the one which represented peace
and influence.
The committee adjourned until tomorrow
.t 10:30. at which time Gov. Taft will con
Inge his statement.
SAILENG OF TUE TUONAan
lenarture of the Araly Tremuspee fe
the Phllines.
The War Department is advised of the
ailing of the transport Thomas from San
'rancisco from the Philippines, with the
llowing passengers: Col. Burt, 25th Infan
ry; Major Owen and Captain Demoy, med-.
sal department; Major Paulding, 3d Infan
ry; LUents. Shaffer, 13th; McFeely, 10th;
luchan and Evans, 0th; Piumuner and
irchard, 3d; Rensiehausen and dacobs, 5th
avalry; Screws and Bake, 19th Infantry:
'ecbheimer, 11th; Deems, Artil~ery Corps;
aldwell, Hutchnsom, V. aym Hansea,
larlow, Morley and Clarmsnt~P~lpa
outs. Puhr deutract suemn, tern has
Ital and rares Signal Corps man Us
ruits unassignma ee as. 1.11; cavalry.
W; Coast Artillery, US; ls Artillery, L,
wenty easusin and tunety-three recruits
asigned as follows: Imfamry. 12th, 1; 13th,
24th, 1; 2Uth, 4; nUth, 1; Cavalry, 5th,
1; 10th, 2; SUta Company Coast Artillery, L.
Capt. Stehaom Perney et the eoast and
5dti suve in in the city to esMt
Ith the suot mA f his departmeme.
Ipt. PerWe has been with the coast ma
er be thity-swa yease and has meve
het -seima en eesstaet
asses s He rel ser te his asehe es
be Chemsaebe havia bwe hs
ed Whemis et t