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/ ^ ? # ? W]c ifocnma pp? * No. 16,937. . WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1907?TWENTY-TWO PAGES. TWO CENTS. THE EVENING STAR HITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION. BaaiMiAffle*. 11th Strsat ud Pennsylvania AniM, Th? Evening Star Newspaper Company. THEODORE V. N0VE8, Pmiica. New York Offlce: Tribou# Bui'.din*. Chicago Office: Fir-t National B'.r's Building. The Evening Star, with the .*nndav morning edition, i? delivered hy earriera. <?n their own account, rlthln the elty at ' <> rent* per month: without the Sunday morning edit Win at 44 renta per .^onth. Ft mail. poatsze prepaid: Pally. Sunday Included. one month, 60 cents. Daily, Sunday exc*>ted, one month, 50 cents. Saturday Star, on.' year. *1 00. Kunday Star, on^ year, $1.50. THAW'S WIFE TELLS OF HER RELATIONS WITH m, WHITE 9 She Testifies That the Architect Accomplished Her Downfall When but a Child. HAIR HUNG DOWN HER BACK Pathetic Story of What Occurred Between Her Husband and Self When He Learned the Truth. BREAKS DOWN UNDER STRAIN Defendant and Herself Both Weep Bitterly as the Leaves in the Life Tragedy Are Unfolded One by One. With the continuance of the trial of Harry K. Thaw today, the prisoner's wife, who was Evelyn Xesbit, artist model and chorus girl, began the recital of her life story to the jury. It was only by way of a repetition of the story she told Thaw at the time she had refused to marry him that Mr. Delmas of Thaw's coutjsel was able to get her testimony in evidence, so as to indicate that it had a bearing on Thaw's mental condition. As the testimony developed, however, it became rather a direct recital of the events of her entirn 1itr? Ill V lliv. The story began with the dinner in the Cafe Martin on the night of the shooting. From there it jumped hack to her marriage in Pittsburg in 1905, and from that to the time in Paris when Thaw first asked her to marry him. This brought out the reason for her refusal, and then the story of how Stanford White had brought about her downfall. NEW YORK. February 7.?Evelyn Nesbit Thaw, the wife of the man charged with the nwirder of Stanford White, took the witness stand today in defense of her husband and told the story of her relations with Stanford White, the famous architect, who was killed by Harry Thaw. The story was a simple narrative told in a girlish way and in Its midst the young woman l>ri>k?' liiKii and eried and could proceed only with diffic ulty. Her husband sat brave-faced for a while; tli?-n he. too, Iiiirst into tears and buried his fa in a handkerchief. He sat thus for some time. Win n he again looked un his ?vis wiTf red frum \v?-?-pins. The girl told ilie s:ory to thf twelve men in the jury hex. she declared, just as she had related the incident to Harry Thaw one Bight in I'aris late in liHCt. when he had eked her to become his wife, ar.d she had I .. V I Mrs. Harry K. Thaw and May McKenzie Gains: to Court. told him she could not. He pressed for a reason and It was then she told him all. When she had concluded, she said, he knelt beside her. picked up the hem of her skirt and kissed it. . She had been sent to school in New Jersey In 190"- by Stanford White, became ill Uterr and had to submit to an operation, the nature of which the doctors did not tell her. Thaw came to see her at the hospital, an4 -said she should be taken abroad to recuperate. She went to Paris with her mother and Thtw, and it wca in Paris that Thaw made his first proposal of marriage. Coins back to her earliest girlhood, the prisoner's wife told the entire story of her " life?how ?he was brought to New York by her mother and poaed for famous artists to earn mdney for the family support. 8h? | \ also took a place in the chorus of a musical show, and it was while there she met White. Mrs. Thaw was on the stand two hours, and her direct examination had not been concluded when the luncheon, adjournment was taken. As she walked from the witness chair along the passageway back of the Jury box she felt along the wall with .the finger t'ps of her left hand, as if about to faint. From scarlet her face had paled to the whiteness of a sheet. Erccept when she broke down when going Into the details of her experience with Stanford White the girl spoke in a clear, soft voice. On the witness stand she appeared for the first time in court unveiled, and her beauty was remarked on all sides. It Is of a girlish type, a mass of black hair framing a face of d^intiiv mnitlpd f#?:iturns wns an compinied to court today by Mrs. George Carnegie. the defendant's sister, and May Mackenzie. More Wcrr.en Present. The announcement that the wile of HarryThaw would be the principal witness at today's proceedings brought out an unusually large crowd at th_> criminal courts building. The corridors were fil!e?', and scores of people, many of them women, tried in every possible way to force themselves by the officers at the court room doors, but hlit i usiciuHj au**rnui?i s ia.\u> ine uuis were put up again and very few were allowed to pass. However, half a score of women managed to succeed. They were attired in their gayest costumes. Justice Fitzgerald had just taken his seat on the bench" when Mr. Delmas, of W&' jp'-.. Delphin Michael Lelmas, Wh? lia* tn'?en the lea?l In the defense of Thaw. Thaw's counsel, rwjuested the clerk to call Mr?. Evelyn Nesbit Thaw. The familiar figure in diu?\ now for the first t:m? without her veil, appeared from the jiuig*-"s chambers. She stood near the Jury box as Clerk Penny administered tha oath. "I swear." repeated Mrs. Tlmw in an audible voice at the end of the formal declaration. w hich was made just a little more impressive than usual. Answered Firmly. Mrs. Thaw took her place in the witness chair calmly. She looked steadily ahead at Mr. Delmas. and gave her answers to his first questions in a clear and firm voice, which was soft in quality, however. Harry Thaw smiled at his wifs as she walked to the witness stand, but she apparently did not see him at the moment. After she was seated, however, she smiled faintly at the prisoner. Mrs. Thaw's beauty was generally commented upon In the court room. The simplicity of her dress seemed to heighten the effect. Her long, dark lashes and heavy eyebrows were noticeable now for the first time to those who have followed the trial. In the excitement of testifying her pale ntss of the past two weeks fled before a rush of crimson tints in her cheeke. Mrs. Thaw in answer to Mr. Delmas' first Question said she was born December 23, 1881. She told of going to the Cafe Martin to dinner the evening of June 25 with her husband, Thomas McCaleb and Truxtoti Beale. At th? Cafe Martin. "While you were at the Cafe Martin ^id you see Stanford White?" "Yes." ? ? tl.nn 5/1 vaii cnc hirrt'" Al V* HA'- unit utu ....... "I don't know; It was some time after we arrived." "Where did you first see him?" "Coming in at the 5th avenue entrance." "How long did you see him?" "1 don't knew. He passed through and went on to the balcony." "While he was on the balcony could you see him?" "XO." "Did you see him leave?" "Yes. I saw him come in from the balcony and go out of the 5th avenue entrance." "While you were in the Cafe Martin did vnn call for a Deneil?" "Ye?." "From whom?" "I think Mr. McCaleb. He said he did not have one." Mrs. Thaw said that McCaleb sat on her left, B'cale on her right and Thaw was facing her. Got ft Pencil. "Did you ask again (or a pencil?" "Yes, I got one from some one, I don't remember whom." "Did you write a note?" "I did." "On what?" "A slip of paper. I think Mr. MeCaleb save it to me." "What did you do with it?" "I passed It to Mr. Thaw." "What did Mr. Thaw do?" "He jaid to me: 'Are you all right?* I said 'Yes.' " fn TSTKUa I "What waa your condition aa to beinf (Continued on Ninth Page.) Ik ( j j SOME REEVES AGAIN HEARD Resumption of the Brownsville Investigation. CLEANING AN ARMY RIFLE Time Required Regarded as an Important Question. CORPORAL ROLAND TESTIFIES Examined at Length Concerning the Accounting for Ammunition of the Soldiers. Sergeant Jerry E. Reeves of Company D. 25th Infantry, was the first witness today before the Senate committee on military affairs when the investigation into t \i. i nrnn-ncvlUA 'i If 1--1 ^ t\ P A 11CJ' lot 1 '-i npo I resumed at the Capitol. The interest of senators in the proceedings was but little abated, judging from the number present. There were present beside Senator Warren, the chairman, Senators Scott, Foraker, Lodge, Bulkley, Blackburn, Taliaferro, Pettus, Overman, Warner and Footer. Senator Warner cross-examined the witness on big testimony given yesterday afternoon, and other senators asked him questions. Senator Warner directed his cross-examination upon opening the session toward the length of time'taken in cleaning a gun in order tg fit it to pass a rigid inspection. Maj?r Blocksom has stated that a gun could be cleaned for inspection in a few minutes, but all witnesses thus far examined have Insisted that a longer time is necessary. No one of them has said the cleaning could be done in less than ten minutes, and Sersreant lleews tnriav declared that from twenty minutes to half an hour is necessary. It could not be done in less than fifteen minutes, and light would be necessary to properly do the work, as the cleaner would have to see the condition of the gun. Importance of the Testimony. This testimony is regarded by the senators as important as upon the fact of time and conditions for cleaning the guns will depend the ability of the men to have shot up the town and then have put the guns In order for Inspection the next morning. Testimony thus far taken has shown that there was no light that could be used far clean ing a gun except from daylight on the 14th until oall for drill. The sun rose on the 14th at Brownsville at 5:37, and the preponderance of testimony has been that the call for drill was given about 6 or 6:16 o'clock. Reeves was also questioned as to the possibility of men joining the company after they were drawn up along the stone wall of the fort when the roll wa? called. He said he was in a position to see, but It waa possible some one may have Joined the company without being seen by him. By Senator Taliaferro: "Are you a member of any secret or social organization in your company?" "No, sir." By Senator Foraker: "Have you any knowledge of an agreement not-to say anything to any one about this matter?" "No, ?ir." "You have been ready to tell all you know about this matter?" mYa? air." A question by Mr. Foraker brought out a protest from Mr. Warner to which Mr. Foraker replied, "I want to get the truth." "No one objects to your getting the truth," retorted Mr. Warner. The witness said the men discussed the refusal of the saloons to permit the colored soldiers to come in the front door and drink at the bar. He said the men in discussing the Incident said they would not Ksva onv trAiihlfi. hut wnnM 1na? Ithe saloons. They said If tHe saloon men dtd not want their money It was not necessary to break up the saloons; that tt was 4" CANNOT SIXG THE N K\V SON' easier to boycott them and go somewhere t etee. \ By Senator Warner: "Had anybody suggested breaking up the saloons?" I "Not that I know." "Why was that remark about breaking I? n ho U'l 1A1111- mo ilti*'" -JU.IWVU.-J . J "I don't know. 1 didn't hear any one ^ say he would break up the saloons. We ( did not want to have any trouble." "* Accounting for Ammunition. Former Corporal Albert H. Roland of Company D was called to the stand. He was questioned at length by Senator Foraker concerning the care that is taken to 4 account for all ammunition, lie testified to the strictness of ruies concerning the use of ammunition and said he knew of no place In Brownsville In which ammunition could be purchased. In reply to questions ? in various forms he said he dd not do any of the shooting, kiiew nothing about who did it and had no knowledge m any manner of who the guilty men were. U ! on I/I Kr. ot! nmtil/wn/l ?lw? nnmmii. lie CU1U IIV n U V- lil J7IVJ V \J lliv vv<?au>? tee if one hundred in New York to collect j money to defend colored men and d d not * know whether this committee was the same as the Constitutional League. He did not know in exactly what cases they were ? to lie defended. When he asked lor money he presented a letter signed by the officers of the committee, but did not have that letter with him. Corporal Koland said he had been in the army ten years and seven months. Ho iieard Capt. Lyon say when the men got back l'rom patrolling the town that "ail the men are liere.' He had heard officers make announcement that all the men were present on other occasions, although lie did not know that it was cus- ' tomary for an officer to do so when the c r> m I 1?< 1 mi I \V h p n llio roll wiie r "*v" " V4 ^ V.W..VW *"V ?" * **? - v called in the morning lie heard Capt. Lyon say that all ineu vere present or accounted for. Describing the inspection of the guns by t'-ipt. Lyon on tne morning of me i4th, he said four or five men whose guii? appeared in worst condition were told to step out of line, and later the captain gave an additional inspection to such guns. It was only those guns that had the rod with a piece of cloth run through the barrel in order to see If they were perfectly clean, lie said he heard Capt. Lyon repeat to Maj. Penrose that all of his men had their ammunition.' By Senator Warner: "You heard him say that?" J t)3, Hll , Sil> All liie illtrn ua*e men ammunition.' " ' Before the witness was allowed to go s Senator Blackburn said he wanted the c witness to submit the letter he had from the committee of 100 authorizing him to collect funds for ' defense. He said he could get the letter, which lie had left in New York. The witness testified that when the roll call was made in the hiorning the men were standing along the stons wall, and that the sergeant had come out with a lantern in his hand. Other witnesses said they were kneeling. Various forms (Continued on Second Page.) % Hi ! . ?w Senator P*le of Main*. (PIMM It 8t?? Photocrtphar.) ~ J v ' : J* *' G. STEVENSWOULO LEAVE vcc n ; i! !/ a i jners resignation it uanai Contract is Awarded. HALT IN THE PROCEEDINGS Secretary Taft Confers With the President. TO DECISION YET REACHED rurther Hearing^ to Be- Given the MeArthur-Gillespie People?Mr. Oliver Still Waiting-. The administration has been brought face o face with the alternative of rejecting ail lids' for the construction of the Panama anal by contract or losing the services of ?hief Engineer John F. Stevens. This is he reason for the delay of President Roose-relt. Secretary Taft and Chairman Shonts >f the canal commission in acting on the )Iiver bid. An effort has been made to get >ir. Stevens to change his mind, but he has ontinued obdurate and the indications are hat the administration will accede to his equest and the construction will be coninued by the government. This information in regard to tlie position . aken "by Mr. Stevens comes from a source hat cannot be douibted, but it has created ome surprise on account of testimony given iy Mr. Stevens before the Senate committee in interoceanic canals a year ago. He then taid that he favored building the canal by ontract. He was of the opinion that contractors vould be in a better position to deal with :he question of laborers. Since then he ms gone over the canal plans carefully, md he now expresses the belief that the ?nal can be constructed by the governnent within a period of ten years. His 'rlends have advised him that if a contract s let for construction he will be robbed f the credit of building thla great water. vay. Frequent exchanges of cablegrams >etween Washington and the isthmus rtfeve esuit in a demand by Mr. Stevens for the icceptance of his resignation if the contract s awarded. It Is asserted by certain senators who lave taken an unusual interest in all mat- . ers relating to the canal that if one of the >ids for canal construction is accepted it will mean that the administration has deermined to dispense with Mr. Stevens as .he director of the canal construction. Postponement for a Fortnight. It had been stated positively that an anlouncement on the bid would be made tolay. Thla was done, but the statement riven out at the White House was merely o the effect that the bid of the Oliver com>lnatlon had been received and was in conormltv wltll ttlA A# ?- I ? ?? v? wuo taw. rhere would have to b? a further examinalon made, however, by the Secretary of iVar and the Isthmian canal commission be'ore a final decision could be reached. In he meantime there has been a protest nade by the representatives of the McVrthur-Glllespie combination, whose bid vas twice as high as the Oliver bid, and his will have to be considered also. The official statement issued by the White 9ouse was as follow*: _ "The bid of the Ollver-McDonald-Plerce sombinatloa has been received and examined and meets the formal requirements, ltr. Paul D. Cravath on behalf of his ell >nta, the McArthur-GUllespie combination, baa requested a bearing before final action Is taken. In addition to granting this hearing the Secretary of War and the Mtuntin :anAl commission will wta^ra as thoroufh an examination as possible into the qualifications, experience and business standing and ichlevements ot Mr. Oliver and bis associates, and into the responsibility of the lureties. Secretary Taft and the com mislion will probably seed a fortnight to com plete full examination of the bid and report to the President." Conference at the White House. Secreary Taft held a conference today tfith the President regarding the Panama canal contract for the purpose of determinng upon a course of procedure. The President and Secretary have before them the completed bid of William J. Oliver and his associates for the construction of the canal. Jecretary Taft said he believed that an arly decision should be reached in justice :o the people who have their money tied up is security. Wlille Secretary Taft and General Counsel Rogers of the canal commission were in inference with the President at the White House, Mr. Oliver, with Judge O'Brien and ff. A. C. Smith of New York, one of tile itockholders of the Panama Construction Company, were in the office of the Secrelary awaiting the decision. When the Secretary and Mr. Rogers returned to the War Department Mr. Oliver and Mr. 8mlth were at once sent for. Judge O'Brien not jelng present because of his being obliged :o return to New York on an early train. Secretary Taft made known to Mr. Oliver :he result of the talk with the President, ind said that he would frame a letter to Fudge O'Brien informing him Just how the natter stood. x nils itrner Hiiiiea, among omer inings, hat the President wan very much Inclined :o give the contract to Mr. Oliver and his associates, but that he would not surrenler his right to reject all bids, even after the further hearing has been given to the McArthur-Glllesple combination. Mr. Oliver wll leave here tonight for his home In Knoxvllle. He said that while he felt that the President nnd Secretary would insist on a reasonable lime to Investigate his associates and stockholders, the an nouncement that the .MeArthur-GllIespie people would be given a further hearing was most unexpected. He neverthe'e?s had fa'th that the contract ultimately would be given to him. Original Bid Retained. A number of papers have been submitted to General Counsel Rogers by Mr. Oliver, Including not only the list of those whom Mr. Oliver proposes to associate with him In the actual work of construction, but also the names of the stockholders and the imnuntB subscribed by each. It was ascertained that the original figure submitted by Mr. Oliver, ?.73 per cent of the estimated ?ost of construction, was adhered to In the papers filed today. The closest Investigation will be made regarding the stockholders, and, in fact, regarding everybody Interested in the company. "The Incorporators are one thing," laid one of the officials, "and the stockholders are another." "The question of the skill, experience and (^uncial interests and responsibility of those with whom Mr. Oliver has associated himself will be gone into." Mr. Oliver declared that he had gathered a combination of the greatest contractors In the world. "While I am not inclined to discuss the matter," he said, "inasmuch as it is now before the Secretary of War. yet I feci I have disappointed some people who thought I could not make good." Regarding the question of labor, he ~ - --1-* '?' "* - iiu u nt-il ai lit? KUIU. \\ e Will DP able to get all the men we want. The sanitary conditions on the Isthmus are well-nigh perfect and laborers will not hesitate to go there on that account." The Construction Company. The directors of the Panama Construction Company are W. J. Oliver, Knoxville, Tenn.; Charles H. Ackert. Washington, D. C.; Patrick J. Walsh, Davenport, Iowa; Robert Russell, r,ynchburg, Va.; P. T. Brennan, Washington.. D. C.; John B. McDonald. New York; John Peirco. New York; George H. Harriman, New York; R. A. C. Smith, New .York; George Sayre, New York; George Peirce, Frankfort, Me., and Robert A. Chester. Washington, D. C. Kaeh of the directors subscribed for fifty shares and paid in $.">,000 when the company was incorporated in Albany. The articles of Incorporation call for 5'J.OOO shares of stock at a par value of $100 each, making a total of $5,000,000. As required by the government, $2 00',000 of this amount will be represented by the bond which the successful bidder is required to give, and the remaining $3,000,000 is to be represented by actual cash or securities. Of the $3,000,000 cash capital one-half of the amount, $1,500,000, must be paid In when the contract Is signed and the second $1,300,000 must be payable upon demand. The stockholders who have subscribed to the paid-up capital stock in addition to the $60,000 paid in by the twelve directors when the company was incorporated and the amount of stock taken by each, follows: R. A. C. Smith, $210,300; John B. McDonald. $190,300; John Peirce, $322,500; Frederick C. Stevens, $362,500; W. J. Oliver, $357,500." This with the $00,000 makes a total of $1,300,000. Stock payable upon demand has been subscribed for us follows: R. A. C. Smith, $200,200; John B. McDonald, $206,800: John Pelrce, (337.500; F. C. Stevens, $302,500; W. J. Oliver, $302,500; P. J. Walsh, $5,000; R. A. Chester, $5,000; C. H. Ackert, $5,000; P. J. Brennan, $5,000, and Robert Russell, $5,000. Total, $1,500,000. The corporation's- $2,000,000 bond Is given in the following surety companies: Keystone Bonding Company of Pennsylvania, $500,000; Title Guaranty and Security Company of Scranton, Pa., $450,V00; Fidelity Trust and Deposit Company of Maryland, $400,000; Federal Union Surety Company of Indianapolis, Ind., $250,000; People's Surety Commnv of New York. 1200.000. and Em pjie State Surety Company of New York, $*0,000. The bonding companies a'eo assume an additional liability of $000,000 to protect the government from loss in case one of the bonding companies should fall. The incorporators offer to furnish additional bondsmen if the government decides that any of the companies have assumed, larger responsibility than they can well carry. Mr. Oliver has delivered to the officials of the canal commission certificates showing that deposits have been made to the credit of the Panama Construction Company In the following New York trust companies: Trust Company of America, $750.000; Knickerbocker Trust Company. K?0,000: Colonial Trust Company, $250,0!X>; Windsor Trust' Company, $250,000. Total. $1,500,000. This amount will be turned over to the government _when the contract ror constructing the Panama canal Is signed. ALICE LONGFELLOW ILL. ____________ Friends Fear That She Is Near to . Death. Special Dispatch to The Star. BOSTON, February 7.?Mian Alice Longfellow, only sister and only relative of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, la so 111 that her friends fear she Is at the point of death. She Is in the care of several trained nurses and prominent physicians. Miss Longfellow's friends had made elaborate plans to celebrate her 100th anniversary in connection with the centenary of her brother on pAkm<a?? OfT K??* u I. jm Al A- 1 I a vui uui J ? , wii u is nuw L<:ai cu uiai iter life will end before that date. She recently left the famous Longfellow house and Is now stopping with friends In Cambridge, who are doing everything possible to make her last hours comfortable. SPEAKER CANNON Kept In the House Nursing a Cold. Speaker Cannon is not seriously ill, but is being detained at home nursing a cold. He la being kept In the house against his will, and they say that his fuming and fighting at the forced detention indoors-ls something ter'ble to behold. The Speaker expects to be able to ?ves an engagement in New York next Tuesday evening, where he la due to make ? apeecn aa the guest of honor at n dlinar to bt given by the Republican Club at 9h WW> / - . r \AT " Snow late tonight or tomorrow; not quite so cold. - -il Mil. MORRELL'S SCHOOL BILL Now Published and Ready for Distribution. NINE SCHOOL DISTRICTS Each With a Local Board for Ita Government. OPPOSED TO CENTRALIZATIOH Mr. Morrell Fully Explains His Mea?? are In a Talk With a Star Beporter. Representative Morrell's school bill, la* troduced oil January 2S, but held up to await the court's decision as to th? l.?<rnlif? of the appointment of the board of education, has been published, and local interest In it is evidenced by the number of call* at the House document room for the measure. As heretofore stated In The Star, th? bill divides the EHstrlct into nine school districts, and establishes a scries of local school boards. Otherwise it is practicalI ly the opposite of the measure Introduced by Representative Smith of Indiana, which has centralization as its main Idea. Discussing his bill with a Star reporter today, Representative Morrell said: Mr. Xorrell's Explanation. "The present school laws of the District of Columbia are n system of patchwork, scattered through many appropriation bUla, exceedingly difficult to find, and when found silent upon the very things which every good charter law should contain. "The more one examines these laws the more one is convinced that something Is necessary in order to unify and make effective the laws governing the educational system of the District of Columbia. To the very best of my ability 1 have studied the laws now In force, and with a view to their betterment have examined the charter systems of all the admittedly great e<\ iiiium ui Lin* i [iiit'u niiiics. i niive luuna that In every case a charter?a most comprehensive instrument, embracing tu the minutest detail each and every tiling; done or to be done by subordinate agMiries?has been granted by the supreme legislative authority to the town or city in which the system prevails. I have Investigated the charters of the great city systems of Philadelphia, New York, Boston. <*levelund, Indianapolis, Brookline. Mass., and others, and have drawn this bill, which, taken in conjunction with the law passed hy thia body last winter, will in my opinion form a compact body of educational law, out of which will come a thorough new. effective- ** ria?o an/I f-Ko ar?**?t*+e*.at aHnoat i..nul >/1vanAi> msnt for the schools of the District of Columbia. '"Washington already has that which Is essential to the very life of any school system?a central school board. Without this no system has proven efficient, and Its abolition would simply overthrow and subvert the entire educational scheme of ths District of Columbia. The central school board made up of many minds Is the supreme authority under the charter contained in the bill which I have the honor to introduce. "I find, however, that a division of labor has been deemed advlsab'e by the great systems 6f New York and Philadelphia, which have evolved the creation of local school districts and local school boards. These subordinate local school boarfl? do not diminish the authority of the central sctiool board, and they have had abundant trial in schools enrolling: the greatest number of children, and have proved to be an unqualified success. Do What Central Board Cannot Do. "Experience has shown that they do what the central board cannot do?manage, control and direct in localities, and, being manned by the people of the neighborhood, destroy friction, lessen the need of supervision and maki the schools far more effective. But what is of more value than all else, in ttie opinion of educators who have worked under both systems, is that they develop a local schoal pride and prepare men and women, not only for pro motion to me central bl-uuui irn.n u, uuv for the higher and more general duties imposed upon them in the maintenance of public schools. Another important Item In their favor is that they will cost the system nothing whatever, the pride of locality being sufficient to enltat the test thought and the best talent of each neighborhood la their service. "The present general board as to membership and appointment Is retained In the bill, except that future appointments are to be made, one member from each of the nine local school districts created by the bill. "One superintendent of schools and four assistant superintendents are provided for. who, generally speaking, act as a board or superintendents. The^eneral power of the superintendent Is not affected, but certain duties of superintendents, best performed by the united action and authority of superintendent and assistant superintendents. are cast upon this board. This is in accora with the practice at New York. Boston, Philadelphia and other large cities, and la said to be an advance In educational thought. "All supervising principals are abolished, and the .supervising power placed where ft should be, In the hands of the assistant superintendents and the principals of the school*. "Provision is made for the consolidation of the present eight-room bulliings into central grammar schools, with these buildings remaining for the first 'our grades of primary instruction, and as feeders to the central grammar school. By this method other cities have developed their central grammar schools, and experience has proven that It is the best way out of our dilemma. Duties in Detail Defined. "Tne Dill aennes, as otncr succesBius cuartera have done, the duties in detail of every teacher or supervising ofllcial, together with those of every board. Nothing la left to chance nor the perila of conatructlon. More ay sterna have floundered upon this rock than upon any other. And to my mind, all the troubles which have come to the Washington schools during the last year are but exemplifications of thla truth. The laws governing the Washington schools have been looaely drawn, are looae in their conatructlon and very looee In their application. "Everybody aeems to be in authority and there is no standard by which the subordination of duty Is to be measured and controlled. The petty conflicts growing out of the construction of the law of last winter demand a more certain rule of law. Th* aim of this bill has been to simplify the | whole matter by defining clearly and ac curaieiy in onuii in uuuu ?nu re>|xwnMitties of every one connected with the sys- i turn, and to ao divide those duties as to dM?; 'the demands of wisdom and good I manigement, as worked out by the expert- 1 anoe of other and larger schools. under the I oontn.: and direction of the most thoughtI ful, the able, the most efficient of Uie educator^ ^ ttw country. The bill explains Hart * Cn every particular ana is in perfect