Chicago daily tribune. [volume], July 29, 1881, Image 6

About Chicago daily tribune. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1872-1963

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
B
THE RAILROADS.
The Extraordinary Cut In West-
Bound Freight Rates
from Boston.
Orest Excitement Caused by This
Action Among the Hew York
Officials.
Boston Tourists Flocking to Chi
cago on a Flvo-Dollar
Ticket.
The Blythe Process for Pre
serving Tics and Bridge
Timbers.
Denver & Eio Grande end Mexican na
tional Narrow-Gauge Bonds.
THE FREIGHT WAR,
The announcement made In yesterday’s Turn
tJNß that tbo west-bound freight rates from Hes
ton bad been reduced to about tbe same figure
os those charged on . east-bound business
caused quite a ttuttor In railway circles hero,
end It Is tbo general opinion now that tbo west
bound rates from all other seaboard points wilt
speedily follow suit. uTbo break In tho rales
from Boston, oslndlcHtod yesterday, was Inau
gurated by the Vermont Central and Grand
Trunk Hallways. Since tho war on east-bound
■rates bas been inaugurated and the rates wont
'down to a basis of 16-ccnta on grain from Chicago
to Now York tbo Grand Trunk has greatly Buf
fered, and it bns boon unable to secure one-halt
of tbe percentage allowed It by tbo*oastrbound
pooling arrangement (10 per cent). Tho Grand
Trunk la now about 300,009 tons behind *on Its
east-bound percentages, with no prospects ot
being able to mako It up. Tbe oust-bound rates
nro already ao low aa to leave no margin of profit
: to tbe Grand Trunk, and consequently It finds
itself unable to furtborroduce east-bound rates
without injuring Itself far more than Its adver
saries. Vanderbilt claims that, while his com
petitors are losing money nt tbo 16-ccntratc,
he Is making a profit nt that figure, owing to
tbo suncrlor faculties of the Now York Central.
For this reason a further cut In east-bound rates
would have but little effect in bringing Vander
bilt io terms.' But by cutting tho west
bound rates tbo Grand Trunk expects
to strike Vanderbilt In a sera spot, ns bis roads
nro taking tbo bulk of tbo Boston business. Tbo
maintenance of Western rotes bos enabled
Vanderbilt to make up In a measure for bis re
duced earnings on the east-bound business. When
ho Is compelled to forego bis profits on tbo west
bound business, It is believed bo will become
more tractable and consent to a restoration of
tbo rates and an equalization of tbe business
according to tbo pool percentages. It remains
to bo seen, however, whether tho now move will
have such an effect upon Mr. Vanderbilt as Is
anticipated by his adversaries.
WAR IN EARNEST.
Sjwetol JHcpoteh to Thi CMeaao THbunfc
New Vohk, July 28.—Samuel Carpenter* the
General Eastern Passenger Agent of tho Penn
sylvania Railroad, was in blgb glee to-day over
tbo reports made to blm by bis scouts that tbo
brokers wore Bolling at 0 bis rates,—s7
to Chicago, (7 to Cincinnati, and $111.75 to
Kt. Louis. Ho was satlsilod from these reports
that ho bad forced tbo brokers to tbo wall and
bad knocked all tbo fim out of them. “They
are not so chipper to-day," said be, “and have
quit talking about running tbo rates down to
nothing and of giving tickets away, witb fans
and opera-glasses to boot, you will And them a
sad lot of men at tbo present time. They dare
not cut beneath us, oud arc on their last logs."
Mr. Carpenter intimated that tbo Pennsylvania
Company was awaiting some movoupon tbo part
of tbo otbercoinpotlogliiiosandsccmod perfectly
satisfied at tho situation of nllalrs. At tbo of
fices of tbo Now York Central & Hundson River,
tbo Baltimore & Ohio, and tbo Now York, Lake
Erie & Western Railway, tbo rates wore
tbosnmo ns tboso of tbo Pennsylvania Company,
and thoro was no talk of raising or towering
tbo prices. It was not known, oltbor, whether
thoro would bo any mooting of tbo Presidents or
General Passenger Agents of tbo companies
upon tho subject of closing tbo war
When tbo reporter went forth to sea the “sad
and weary brokers," bo found them to be tbo
llvllost and most humorous men bo bad mot In
his travels. They admitted that they were
somewhat busted, but that was owing to a rush
of business. Instead of fooling dispirited and
willing* to abdicate, they said, with ranch
hilarity, In tbo slang of tbo day, "It is a chilly
morning wbon wo get loft."
• Prom tbo Tribune: "Tbo action of tbo Central
Vermont and Grand Trunk Roads lu announc
ing, lute Wednesday afternoon, a general reduc
tion of rates on west-bound freight from Boston
to Chicago seriously threatens tbo existence of
tho trunk lino pool. Tbo now schedule of rates
which wus announced at tbo Boston office of tbo
Grand Trunk on Wednesday Is a reduc
tion of moro than 50 par cent from
tbo regular tariff. The announcement
of this reduction created no little excitement In
railroad circles not only In Boston, but In this
city. It was not known hero yesterday after
noon whether tbo Boston & Albany Road bad
taken any stops toward retaliation, but it was
admitted generally by. railroad men that
there was no other course for that
Company than to moot tbo reduced
rates. Little doubt was expressed that
tbo Boston & Albany would announce a similar
reduction In west-bound rates to-dny. This will
bo followed by a general reduction In rates from
this city by all trunk lines. Xu fact, some of tbo
lines were preparing yesterday £o make lower
rates. It Is known that since tho last meeting
of tbo freight agents, a week ago, goods have
boon shipped by one at least uf the fust freight
lines on a basis of GO cents per 100 pounds all
rail to Chicago. Broadway agents generally
said yesterday that they bad observed the tariff
rates last week, and rates were firm yesterday.
Tbo agent of one trunk lino remarked: It is a
popular impression in Broadway tbat
west-bound rates are firm. Walt until
to-morrow. There are a good many circuses
In the country Just now. You may see tho great
est show on earth up around bore to-morrow.
• >\bllo snmo of tbo trunk lino fast freight linos
have been taking goods at n 60-cont rate all rail
to Chicago, tbo fast freight linos running In con
nection with tho Central Vermont and Grand
. Trunk lines aro taking freight at even lower
rates."
A TEUUIULIS CUT.
Boston. July 28.— Tho Grand Trunk and Cen
tral Vermont Railroads announced tbo follow
ing schedule of freight rales to Chicago: First
class—3s cents per 100 pounds, a reduction from
75 cents; second class—2s cents, a reduction
from 00 cents; third class—2o cents, a roduotlou
from 40 cents; and fourth class and special to 15
cents, a reduction from 40 cents.
THE PASSENGER WAR.
000 huudrod Boston tourists arrived boro yes*
lorduy on the Chicago k Grand Trunk from
Boston, who wore induced to come by tho low
passenger rates now being charged. The Grand
Trunk Is now soiling tickets from Boston to
Chicago for 18. It is understood that tbeso tour*
Isis bavo received a round trip rate tor (6 each
way. Several hundred more Boston people are
expected to arrive boru during the next few
days. Tho Vermont Central and Grand Trunk
Railways bavo now thoir war paint on, and they
moan to carry the war into Africa. In a few
days the Chicago & Grand Trunk will put on two
fust trains dully from this oitv, and it will then
charge tho samo rates from Chicago to
Boston as aro charged from Boston to
Chicago. The eastbound passenger rates are
still maintained at (is to Now York and 910 to
Boston, but as soon as the Grand Trunk bos Ha
lino from this city under full operation, and ro*
duoes tho rates to tho samo figures as charged
on westbound business, the •eastbound rates
must necessarily go to pieces by all the lines
leading East from this city, ns they cannot
allow the Grand Trunk to take away their bual*
ness and thus advertise and establish lu uew
lino from tblsolty, '
A LAUDABLE MOVE.
The Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad are going
to make a novel and Important experiment,
Beginning Aug. 1, they will supply with coal all
tbo territory west of a nortta-and-soutta lino
drawn through Colmar and St. Paul. Lost
winter tbe luhabltaau’Of that section suffered
greatly from lack of fuel, and were compelled
to bum lies, bridge timbers, bay, and
corn. Tbo Company will sond thither twenty
car-loada a day. making B*l tons of soft coal
which will be piled up lu sheds that have been
'prepared for the purpose, and which Will hold a
tbroeumontbs supply. No coal Is to be taken out
of these sbeds until Doe. 15, Fuel Is to be ob
tained up to that time from tbe cars, lu this
* way a supply will bo accumulated that will last
beyond any possible blockade. Tbo coal will be
furnished by tbo Company to its agents, and by
them sold at wholesale and retail at lower prices
than coal bos ever before boon obtainable la
that part of tbo country. Whore in former years
$5 and 88 u ton bave been paid, coal
cuu be bod this year at ti and *4.00. Last
your there was noue ut all in that section after
tbe brat few weeks of wlutvr, aud a great deal
of suffering resulted In ooosei|uenoo. Under
this arrangement both a supply sad cheapness
lo price ore guaranteed to the consumer. Tbe
purpose of this new move in railroading Is to
project tbesctoermpd- stimulate the develop
mont of the country. Coni will bo furnished by
tho Company only on ttio Hastings St Dakota,
Southern Minnesota, and lowa Sc Dakota Dl*
visions west of tno lino named. Knst of thin
point tbo local donlors will rotnnln tbo dlstrlb*
mors. This plan was olabornted by Mr. 11. W,
McNeill, Superintendent of tbo Coni Depart
ment, and his assistant, Mr. W. C. Wyman.
TIIK HEADING.
The annual report of tho Receivers of tho
Philadelphia Se Heading Railroad and Coal 5s
Iron Companies for tho year ending Nov. no,
1880, has Just been made public. Tbo gross
earnings of tho two companies were $33,177,000.41;
working expenses, $23,316,805.60; rental of loaned
linos, $3,060,160.02; Interest, $0,704,066.00; loss,
f |JJ09.080,17, against a loss In 1870 of 13,817,868.67.
Tho total amount of floating debt of both com
panies, Receivers' certificates, and arrears ot
overdue interest, for which either no provision
bas yet been made or for wblch provision Is bo
lng made at a lower rata by tbo Receivers Is ns
Set unaccepted by creditors, outstanding on tho
)>h of Juno, 1861, were os follows;
Floating debt, $9,744,800.47; Receivers* certifi
cates and obligations, $3,008,166.87; arrears of
Interest, Including July coupons of general
mortgage and of scrip, nut nut including $202.-
480 of coupons duo July 1,1881, on divisional coal
land mortgage bonds for which provision has
been made for payment or purchase at lower
rates, $1,901,793.65, Thera are also about $390,000
of arrears of canal rentals yet unpaid. Tboro
are also claims against tbo companies for losses
on contracts on old Iron rails amounting to Be
tween $250,000 and $375,000 which are as yet un
liquidated, and of wblch no oceount has boon
taken In any of tbo above statements.
THE ILLINOIS MIDLAND.
Special DttpaUh to TA« Chicago ZYibuns.
Springfield. 111., July 28.—1 n tho mutter ot
the default In the ease ot John 6. Watorbury vs.
Tbo Illinois Midland Hallway Company ot al.,
rendered la the United States Circuit Court
July 23, by which Judgment was rendered
Against tbo Midland and Paris Sc Decatur Hall
way Companies, and, as has beqn heretofore an
nounced, It Is understood among tbo lawyers en
gaged In this litigation that tbo default will bo
sot aside on tbo filing of answers by tho defend
ant companies wltbln return day of tbo writ,
which is Monday next. Tbo Judgment obtained
by tho complainant’s solicitor Is said
to havo been granted with tbo
distinct understanding that tbo same
would bo sot aside If the defendant desired to
appear and answer tho bill, there being ut that
time no formal entry of appearance on file of
tho Midland ami Decatur Companies, although
such appearance bad been ordered to bo entered
through tbo Clerk of:tbe Court by tbeir counsel.
With a dismissal of tho default the Consolidated
Midland may settle itself down and wait for the
next attack, which will probably come at an
early day In an attempt to obtain a
decree In tho consolidated foreclosure suits
now pending before It In this Court.
Many of tho same questions are awaiting a limit
decision In this case os aro dealt with in tho
Wuterbury bill, and, until such aro determined,
tho latter's complaint will doubtless wait for a
hearing. Tbo Midland Hallway bas been a
peculiarly unfortunate ploco of property, Jt
being a consolidation, and Illegal at that, os it
Is claimed, of throe lines of railway, all of
which wora bonded to tbeir heaviest capacity,
and nil of which Hues promptly defaulted
In tbo payment of tbeir interest. Too
attempt to amalgamate three non-pay
lag railroads Into a prosperous one bas
of course proved futile, and me result may bo
witnessed In tbo reports of tbe different Receiv
ers, bills to foreclose, and an iaexbaustlblo
amount of unpaid claims for Hons, labor, sup
plies, etc., now on file in tho United Slates Court
In this cause. The stock of tho Midland Com
pany Is. mostly owned by Engllgb capitalists,
who are proceeding in tbeir own way to see that
tbo road soils low when a sale of the property la
made, and buy up tbo wbolo thing for a song.
When that Is done, and a now basis established
to start from, tbo Midland may go up, but Just
at present it is decidedly In artlculo mortis.
BEADY FOR BUSINESS AUG. 3.
Spteiai DiipaUh to The Chicago Tribune.
Quincy, 111., July 28.—1 t was expected that tbo
extension ot tho Qulnoy, Missouri Sc PuclHo
branch of tho Wabash Hoad, from Milan, Mo., to
Trenton, would bo ready for business ou tbo 23th
Inst. But the work of leveling up and preparing
tbo track has been so much greater than antici
pated that regular traffic will not begin botoro
Aug. S at least.
SOLD AT AUCTION,
Charleston, 8. C., July 23.—The South Caro
lina Railroad was sola to-day nt publio auction
toW. H. Brawioy, for tho Purchasing Commit
tee, for $1,275,099 over and above the lint mort
gage .debt of about S3,(XW.UOO.
THE BLYTHE PROCESS FOB PRE
SERVING TIMBER.
London Hallway Journal, Julyjs.
Tbo number of sleepers used upon ovary mile
of railway Is so largo that any method of redu
cing tboir cost must bo a groat gaiu to tbo com
panies.
Tbo Blytho process of seasoning and preserv
ing timber, which Is being Introduced Into this
country by Slossrs. Connor & Co., of Phajnlx
Wharf, MlUwoll, and 11 Queen Victoria street,
effects a most material saving lu the cost of
sleepers by prolonging their life. Tho old proc
ess of oroosotlng timber, wblob was never com
pletely satisfactory In Its effects, practically
sealed up tbo wood In a damp-proof sbell wblob
failed to penetrate beneath the surface. Any
injury to tho sleeper, oven the moro cutting it,
was sufficient to expose tbo uacrcosotud Interior,
wblob Immediately became n prey to damp,
fungi, or insects. It was also necessary to
wait for tbo wood to thoroughly season before
tbo orcosoto was applied, us otherwise tbo an
extracted sap and free water sealed up in the
timber would ferment and assist in tbo growth
of fungi, it Is needless to point out that under
tbo contract system a largo supply of perfectly
seasoned timber cannot be relied upon.
By tbo Blytbo process, carbolic and other tar
aolus are carried Into tbo boart of the wood by
means of super-boated steam. They there
obomloallycombluo with tho • component parts
of tbo timber, so that tboir antiseptic qualities
arc exercised throughout every fibre, and not
merely on tbo surface. During this process of
steaming, the sap Is completely extracted; and
so thoroughly Is ibis done tbat a tree felled one
day can be treated tho next. After tbo treat
ment tho wood only needs be allowed to
cool, protected from draught, in order to
bo ready for use, when It will afterwards bo
found to bo free from any liability to contract,
warp, or decay. Tbo fibre is strengthened, no
smell Is given off, and the wood Is not made moro
combustible, lu consequence of the great sav
ing In time newly-imported timber can be sold
at the same price as weat&er-soaionod, and de
livered on any work In ono-twontluth tbo time.
Besides its suitability for sleepers, Umber oar
bollzed under tbo Blythe process eon bo used lor
any purposes (or which wood Is employed.
Every description of beams, Joists, flooring
boards, and rafters cun bo treated by tho system,
together with oak, American cherry, walnut,
and otbor fine woods Intended for cabinet
work, joinery, paneling, and parauetorlo.
As the wood so prepared will take paint as eas
ily as any other kind of timber, it appears to be
peculiarly suitable for ail outside work, such as
platforms, signal-posts, rooting of open sta
tions, or railway carriages, (or which the dura
bility It gives to the wood ought to make Its
considerable roduotlou In expense. A great
saving can also bo effected by this process by
compressing poplar. Scotch Ur, and other trees
of quick growth until tboy have boon made as
bard as boxwood, thus enabling obonp wood to
ho often used in tbo place of a dearer.
Tbo method by wblob the oarbollzlng Is car
ried out is extremely simple,—so simple, Indeed,
tbat tbo plant for tbo purpose can bo carried
from place to place pn trucks made to run on
tbo tine, thus effecting groat saving in time
and expense, particularly when Bloopers aro be
ing rola Id. *
. Tbo Blytbo process has been adopted on a
largo scale In Franco, wboro several acts of
ambulant apparatus nro iu use. Tbo cylinders
on trucks nro so constructed that they can bo
Joined together whenever It la doalrcd to treat
long timber by tbo process. As an instance of
tbo way In which the system baa answered In
Franco It may be mentioned that some sleepers
out from booob, wblob Is unusually porlsbablo
lu moist ground, wore placed on the main line
of tbo North of France Railway as long ago as
and although subjected to tbo heavy traffic
wblob runs over tbo lino between Amiens and
Fans, still show no signs of wear under tbo seat
of tbo rails nor of decay; and tbo blgb opinion
entertained by French englaoors-for the process
may, bo gathered from tbo (apt tbat many
millions of tbo sleepers are now supplied to the
French railways annually.
COLOSSAL RAILROAD ENTER-*
PIUSES.
Probably tbo most gigantic railroad enterprise
ever carried on under one management is tbe
Denver Sc Klo Grande and National Mexican
system. Tbe system Is owned by two separate
companies, but tbo management la tbe same,
and practically tbe same individuals are at tbo
back of both, Mr. W, J. Palmer Is President of
bath companies. Tbe Denver & Rio Grande was
Incorporated in 1870, to run to El Faso, Tex., a
distance of 850 miles, but Its charter Is very
broad and gives authority to build tines all
tbrougb tbe Ban Juan country and across the
divide Into Utah Territory, thus covering what
la supposed to be tbe richest mining districts In
tbe country, At first a stretch of road
from .Denver City to Pueblo, ISO miles,
was constructed; tben, alter a while, to
Elmoro, about a hundred miles; then
tbrougb Oucbara and Alamoeo to Bspanola,
twenty miles from Sonia FA It was originally
Intended to press ontoßantaFd and Into Mexico,
but after tedious litigation with tbe Atchison,
Topeka Sc Bunta FA a trimly was made with that
road by wblcb tbe Denver tc Ulo Grande was re
stricted from oxteudUig south, but allowed to
extend .west, while tbe Atchison, Topeka St
BantaFdwas restricted from extending.west,
but allowed to extend south. Under tbit ar
rangement the Denver ftßMtamdo stopped al
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE! FRIDAY, JULY 2!),
Kspnnoln. However. It will bo connected with
Santa F 6 by n road another company it milWlng
from thnt city to Espanoln. Tbo Company now
riroccedcd to extend west, and, by n series of
nng branches and forks, to cover theSunJimn
countryl and to pierce Utab. There arc now In
operation lines from Pueblo to Gallon Oily. An*
othor lino connects tbo main road with Lcmhillo.
AtliCadvtllet wo forks north and wcst,oncb about
fifty miles, nro being constructed. A lino is
running from Arkansas to Gunnison; also,
another to Del Norto, and yet another to Du
ran co. Prom Ouranco a branch is being built
to Btlvorton, and from Gunnison two lines nro
being constructed, ouo to Lake City and tbo
other to Ouray. By these linos tbo San Juan
country Is covered, and it Is Intended to cross
the main divldo into Utah by tbe Grand and
Gunnison Ulvcrs. There are now KIT miles In
operation, WO additional miles of extensions nro
actually under way, 400 miles ot which wore lot
to contractors within a fortnight. Last year at
this time there were but GOS miles In operation.
Tbo road In operation earned during tbo first
six months of this year an average of $8,163 per
mile. Including tbo transportation of material
for extensions. Thousands of laborers nro now
at work upon It; tbo exoct number 11 is dillloult
to estimate, owing to tbo numerous extensions.
Operations nro pushed along at a rapid rate.
A Philadelphia contractor within a day or two
engaged 2,U00 negroes from tbe Southern
f dentations for work on one ot tho dlvls
ons. Negroes nro desirable for this kind of
labor. White men arc apt to run nwny. They
nrc enticed by the miners Into mining. Muon
difficulty has boon experienced by tho Company,
in consequence of white laborers tbus abandon
ing their work. Tho Company Is advertising in
tbo English papers for men willing to contract
for two years. A party of 400 Italians has
proved useful and reliable. Tbo Company pays
$1.25 to $1,76 per day with board to common la
borers, and In proportion to skilled hands.
To show bow rapidly tho road Is being ex
tended, (bo officers statu that on Jtinu 20 there
worn 770 mites In operation, and on July, 14 830,
or fifty-four miles in two weeks, or nearly four
miles a day. Tho Denver St Ulo Grande has
never received a dollar of subsidy or u mile of
land grant. Congress refused It a subsidy early
In us history, and tbus It boa paid Us own way at
every step of its progress.
Tbe National Mexican Hoad.however, is subsi
dised by tbo Congress of Mexico to tbo amount
ot SII,OOO per mile, payable In special Govern
ment scrip as every eighteen miles Is completed.
This Government scrip, which was Issued for
this special purpose, has a unique value. Not
only is it receivable for customs duties, but by a
special law 4 per cent of all duties must bo paid
In this scrip. Tbo road, to which It Is issued, Is
not allowed to sell it above par. Tbe following
is the mileage of tho Mexican Road os projected:
Jiffies.
City of Mexico to Acambraro 140
AcambrarotoManzanlllo... 400
Acambraro to Laredo.. 875
Salvation* to Salamanca 35
Morolla toPulzeuaro 27
Solantoros to Monterey.. 245
Ban Luis Potosi to Zeeatoens 181
Zcoatccas to L0g05.... 140
City of Mexico to El Salto 38
City of Mexico to Naravatto 73
Guadalajara Branch 40
Total 2,200
One division of fifty miles Is now running
north from tbe City of Mexico. Another divis
ion, running fifty-six miles west from tbo City
of Mexico to Cnlucco, will be opened on Sept. 10.
the Independence-Day of Mexico. Tbo branch
from Corpus Christ!, Tex., to Elarodo, Mexico,
100 miles, will bo completed In August, 140 miles
now Doing constructed. This branch will mako
tho road independent of tbo English lino from
Vera Cruz to tbo City of Mexico, over which
supplies must now bo sblppod at expensive
' rotes. Tbo Elarodo branch lino will enable tbo
road to ship their supplies from tbo port of
Corpus Christl over their own road to Elarodo,
from which nluco tbo road will bo ex
tended toward Monterey, about oighty
four miles of which Is now un
der construction, part being already
graded, and 173 miles nro oxpcotcu to bo com
pleted by tbo end of tbo year. Over $4,0U0,000
nave already been expended on tbe Mexican
Hoad to data In labor, roiling stock, supplies of
all kinds, etc. Tbo rails aro of steel, mostly
from England, and tho bridges oro of Iron, from
Pennsylvania. There aro now 20,000 bands at
work In Mexico. Tbo laborers aro natives, and
to 80 cents per day, on wblch sum
they provide themselves with tho necessities ot
llfo and some of tho luxuries, forthis Isa magnifi
cent Income for a Mexican laborer,—so much so
in fact Uut many of tbo farmers strongly object
to tbo road raising tho rata of wages In this “ex
travagant " way. Tbo natives aro said to bo
excellent laborers; slow, but sure.
Together, tbe Denver & 1110 Qrando mako a
system of about 8,000 miles of road all narrate
and fumlehedwiUituci rail*. It Js stated
that outside of tho Government subsidy,Mexico
does not give any financial assistance to tho
road to amount to nnyliitng. The Mexican
financier does not understand any thing but gold.
Interest is beyond his comprehension, lie pays
tho bank for keeping bis money, and cannot bo
made to realize tho nature and profit of stocks
and bonds. English and American capital is en
listed to a largo extent, and tho roads have sev
eral financial agents In England and up tho Con
tinent. The Denver St lUo Grande Issued about
$33,000 m stocks and bonds for every mile con
structed. Tho road bolng narrow gauge and
cheaply built costs perhaps SIO,OOO a mile, leav
ing over $20,000 a mile clear profit to tlm inside
ring. Ultimately, It Is probable that tbo two
roads may bo united ot Espnnola; but tbutlslu
tbo future, as tho treaty with the Atchison, To-
Rckft & tinnta F 6 now prevents tbo Denver &
lt> Qrando from extending south. Among tbo
Directors of tbo Denver Si 1110 Grande are Jay
Gould, llusscl Sago, and C. F. Woorishoffer.
ITEMS.
Eight hundred Immigrants arrived hero yes*
tordny on tbo Michigan Central and 400 on the
Pittsburg and Fort Wayne.
Mr. Harry Bradford has been appointed North*
enf Passenger Agent of the Canada Southern,
with headquarters atMllwaukoo.
The Oregon Poolllo Hallway expects to have
130 miles of rtad completed by the Ist of next
January. This line Is to compote against the
Oregon Hallway k Navigation Company.
The Denver, Utah St Poelfio and-the Denver,
Longmont k Northwestern Itallroads have
made a contract, good for ton years, to use the
same road*bcd from the MltehcU coal-bods to
Denver.
Work on the Utah Division of the Denver k
Rio Grande is being vigorously prosecuted, and
the managers say they will have the road fin*
tsbed and readv for operation to Salt Lake City
by the fail of 1883.
Ur. Robert Forsyth, Assistant to the President
of the Chicago k Eastern Illinois and Evansville
& Terre Haute Railroads, announces the ap*
polntmontof Mr, F. Hoakos as General Agent
of the roads, with headquarters at Evansville.
‘The gross earnings of tho Chicago & Alton
Railway for tho third week in July, 1881, were
9173,447.33, ngainst9lßß,23l.o3 for the’eorrespond*
lug week Id 1880,—a decrease of (11,787.00. The
decrease since Jan. 1,1881, amounts to 1337,*
7X0.84. * *
“ Pleasure Resorts of St Louis and Vicinity,”
is the title of a handsomely Illustrated little vol
ume Just Issued by the principal railroads
centering In St Louis. This valuable reior*
once Look will be mailed free to ail applicants
by Mr. U. O. Townsend, General Passenger
Agent of toe Wabash.
Mr. Charles Q. Eddy, General Freight Agent
of the Chicago k Northwestern, bos issued a
circular to agents informing them that from
and after this date bis company will transport
fiaxsoed in bulk, In car-loads, subject to the
samo rules as to maximum and minimum load,
trauk delivery, demurrage, etc., as apply on
{rrulu In bulk. Northwestern cars must not bo
oadod with tlaxsood la bulk for any point bo*
yood this Hue unless by special permission.
Articles of association of the Denver k Rio
Grande Western Hallway Company have Just
been filed at Balt Lake. Tho capital stock is
fixed at 937,400,01)0, divided luto 374,000 shares of
9100 each. Gen. X'almor, PresidontottboDenvor
k Hlo Grande, Is the heaviest stockholder, own*
lng23,6losbarcs. This system is to comprises, 370
miles of road. This seems to Indicate that a
consolidation of the various lines now In opera*
turn and In the course of construction by tho
Denver k Uto Grande will be consolidated under
tho abovo title.
Tbo Utica Herald gets In a good one on the
Now York Central's treatment ot Its conduct
ors In tho following!
. M A conductor's ilfo la not a bappy one. Those
In charge ot passenger trains on tbe Central
have bad another ’shake-up,' and to-dar they
will run as follows! Nos. H, 6T, and 83, Roof,
HoaSi and Heath: Nos. 18, 13,13,8, Coates, Ger
man, and Durtlsi Nos. 18,8, 10. and le, tiodoll,
Ferrell, and Lower; Not. 14. SI, 10, and 1. Frank
and Sylvester Flpor and Joan Toner. Seeley,
Mitchell, Vandewator, and Urotbers have
charge of tbo four accommodation and mixed
trains, Haskins and Haggerty are on os extras,
not a very easy Job, as tbo assignments of these
regulars to four trains keeps a number of them
lu tbo hospital a good sbaro of tbe time. Wbon
a conductor goes Into Syracuse or Albany, If bis
other tralu Is not In the depot, tbe depotmaster
bangs blu to a book and allows blnx to sleep un
til be Is wanted to go to back. This system Is
necessary, as there is no tlmo to remove clothing
and lie down. A plan Is being tested to put up
railroad employes' meals concentrated and con
densed Into cartridges, and shoot them into each
man as bo passes a lunch-counter, to save time.
Passengers will bo served tbe same way before
long." ■ ' ,
A DEVIOUS TRANSACTION.
S. Dienes, proprietor of a bat-store aIITB West
Madison street, wblcb is now In charge of the
Sheriff, was arrested by Constable F, A. Orokoskl
yesterday on a warrant charging him with obtain
log |335 worth of bats from the wholesale firm ot
Lewis St Blnsabaugb. it is alleged by tbe firm that
Blonot bought bats from tbem on credit, and
that bo’gavo a written acknowledgment that be
bod 84,000 worth of stock and owed
only 875. It turned out that bo was owing so
much that bis storowaa seised by tbo Sberiff,
and bouoe the. warrant. Tbo prisoner gavo
bond before Justice Urown, and tbe case oomca
up Aug. 6 at 3 p. in. Emma Damon, Dienes’
motber-ln-law, Is a 00-defoudant in tbe case, sbo
having bad some interest lu the store and hav
ing bgured In tbe trauaaotloos with tbe whole
safoOrm. She waanoi arrested, however, being
outpftboclty.
THE FIRE ORDINANCE.
Public Opinion Almost Unani
mous Against a Change.
West ami North Slclo Traders,
Blanuitecturcrs, and Labor
ing aion
Emphatically 'Protest Against Any
Hors Tinder-Boxes.
Some Interviews That tho Flro.Dng
Aldermen Can Head with Front.
Mayor Harrison Still Favors a Modifica
tion-How Much Is the Question.
The combination which tins boon crowing so
loudly as to wbnt would ho done with the lire
limits contraction ordinance seamed to have
lost a little of Its self-confidence yester
day. Aid. Hildreth Is out of town, and It seems
that there Is no one t 6 keep tho fire-bug crowd
together. Tbo real-estate ring sends for one
Alderman at a time, and some of the Xormcr.do
their buttonholing on tho street.
Aid. Lawler said yesterday; “Thosod—fol
lows have haunted mo everywhere to got mo to
veto for them—a mob of speculators. Why,
(I— it, they got tho flro-llm
its ordinance passed so that they
could buy real estate cheap, and now thoy wan t
the limits changoa so that they can put cheap
houses ou them, sell them for four times what
they cost, and blood tbo poor workingman.
Don’t you know they’d take n mortgage, and
maybe tho poor devil Is a laboring man; ho gets
his lot nearly paid for, when bo gets sick. Tbo
shark will take tho property and sell it over
again, while In the meantime bo gets pay for
bis property, interest, taxes, etc.; wblloif tho
man bad bought a little lot and put upallttlo
brick bouse he’d have It paid for. No. sir, I’m for
holDlng too poor mou, but I ain’t got any sym
pathy to waste on those real-ostato vampires.
If 1 can’t do any better tbo night the ordinance
comes up I’ll stay nt homo with Mary Ann and
tho children. Mary Ann is toy wife.’’
Aid. Rlordan was asked if bo bad pledged
himself to vote for a curtailment of tbo Uro
limits, as tbo “ fire-bugs” bad boosted;
“I’m not pledged to anybody, I want you to
understand that. 1 am in favor of tho flro
limits as they aro now, and shall probably vote
for It. >T want you to know that 1 nra a.taxpuyor
boro, and as such will vote for tho city’s Interests.
Let the city build sewers whore they are needed,
and so encourage tho building ot brick bouses.
It i should vote for a contraction, tho ordinance
would have to bo graatly modified, and I am not
so sure but 1 shall vote to lot matters alone as
thoy arc,”
ALD. CULLF.RTON
was asked bow bo stood on tbo question.
“X don’t know yet which way 1 shall vote. I
sco that Lawler Is pledged one side and Hil
dreth ou tho outer. I want to see these two
men talk it out In tbo Council. 1 don’t think
that before thoy will got through there will bo a
3uorum present to vote on tho matter. HU
rotb says that bo is going to rat Lawler up, and
Lawler says that bo’ll annihilate Hildreth. No,
sir, I never tell how 1 shall vote.”
Aid. Burke was asked why bo favored the
ordinance to contract tho present fire limits.
“Simply because tbo poor people In my word
demand It. 1 can’t do otherwise.'’
“But don’t you know that this is a scheme In
tho interest or a ring of rcol-ostato speculators,
some of whom own acres in your own wnrd, and
that you benefit them and not tbo poor man*;’’
“ You onn’t mako them believe that with brick
at $8.60 per 1,000.”
“A brick cottage of four rooms with eight-
Inch walls can bo built nearly ns cheaply as a
frame tbo same size, don’t you know that?”
“Go away. 1 supposed that there was a big
difference. Wby cottages, In my ward, of two
rooms rant for from $lO to sl3 n month. How
’aro men with largo families, who only work
three days a week In tbo puoklng-bouscs, and
only get 14 shillings n day, going to pay that
rent? Thoy oim build those cottages tor $l6O
each of wood.”
Aid. BmytH, of tho Ninth Ward, said: "I
don’t know what those follows mean to count
mo as In favor of changing tbo Are limits. lam
putting up buildings costing from 935,000 to
940.000, and I guess i am not in favor of Jeop
ardizing them. So far ns this matter Is con
cerned, It ought to bo left to a vote of tbo peo
ple, not to loeHlltios'whero Aldermen are elected
on that issue. TUeiTwolfth Ward, whore there
Is much prairie land, might favor a curtailment,
but tbo First Ward sbould have something to
say. X bellcvo tho people favor tho present
limits ns they are throe to one. Tho whole
trouble arises, in my opinion, In tho look of sew
erage. Now you know that 1 have been called tho
‘Gas’ Alderman. 1 omopposed tooilbgbtlngof
streets, because my people ora They tiro afraid
that wherever an experiment or change will bo
made, that tho change will bo brought to tho
West Bide first. Tho Counoll.uppropnßtcd $20,-
000 to light streets with other material than oil,
whore there are no gas-mains. This is lighting
open prairie. Why not uso that money tor
sewers'/ There Is this great problem. Wo need
big sowers on tbo Wcstßldo to prevent
FLOODS IN THE SPRING.
People can't build dwellings of brick and venti
late them so well underneath whore tbero
are no sowers. In my opinion wo
ought to appropriate SSOO,(Kh each your for
sowers until all our sewers are built. When
that Is done there will bo no agitation for fntmo
buildings. Dutwo can't afford to curtail now.
Wo’ve done well under It tbe past ton years,
nna I am for lotting well enough alone."
Aid. Phelps said: "Who rover a frame build
ing is necessary, 1 am in favor of granting a
Eormlc for It. llutthoro ain’t any necessary,
cave tbe Are limits whore they are. We don't
want to drive away any business from Cnlcugo.
And even if wo don't drive tbo insurance com
f unins out of tho city, wo will havo to pay more
or our Insurance. It Is bad for the poor man
ns well ns tbo rich man. It Is bad for tho tux
payor. Tbo city never prospered before as it
bos done under our Aro-llmlts ordinance. If
tbo limits aro contracted tho growth of tbe city
will bo impeded. There is no doubt about that
at all." •
Aid. Watkins said: “Ibavon'tseenauymoney
from the ronl-ostato men yet. Hut Just put mo
down as Id favor of allowing tho fire limits to
remain as they arc. That's whoro 1 stand."
Aid. Uarrottsald: "I will voto for tbooon
trootion of tho Ore limits if they will squeeze In
thn Seventeenth Ward. There are Just ns many
poor people there to bo bonolltod as there aro In
other parts of tbo city. It tbo Seventeenth
Ward ain’t counted la, I am going to voto
to leave the are limits ns they aro, I
am to work for the people In my ward, who are
Just os deserving as tho people on tho West and
South Sides.”
Aid. Sanders Is rotbor vehement and out
spoken upon tbe present agitation to curtail tbo
nrollmlts. Ho says;' "It is the game of n lot of
speculators In land. I don t boar any poor per
sons clamor for It, lam opposed to having any
change made In the present Are limits. They're
good enough, and 1 am satisQod the city is doing
well under tuem."
Aid. Hurley satdt " I am for lotting tho Fire-
Limits ordinance alone."
Aid. Doan said: " brother Hurley and I voto
together on this point, so that if they buy one
they buy both, lam satisfied to lot well enough
alone." *
MAYOR HARRISON.
"How do you stand on tbs ordinance which
proposes to curtail tho fire limits?'’ asked a
Tiuuunb reporter of Mayor Harrison yesterday.
" 1 have always stated, sold tho Mayor, ” that
1 was Jo favor of a modified change to the onll
nance. 1 don't bollovo In restrictions in a cer
tain limit, and then allow people outside to
build as they please."
" Will you sign any ordinance of modlflcallon
If It Is passed by the Council?"
“ Butnolent unto the day Is the evil thereof. |
want o chance to veto tho ordinance If X feel
like It.”
“Will you fcelllkelt?"
" Young man, your obeott is adamantine.
Qood-day."
tub stntoma departmi^t,
It was Aid. Pouvey who stated to a Turnons
reporter that he understood that a certain Al
derman bud obtained a permit within a recent
period to erect a two-story frame building from
the Building Department. Yesterday the
reporter asked for tbe offending Alderman's
name when be mot Aid, poevoy. Tbe
latter soldi "The way It came about*was
that a resident of another ward came to roe and
asked mo to get him a permit to put up a two
, story frame dwelling. 1 told him 1 couldn't do
It, that bo might just ns well ask me to go and
Elok a man's pocket. Ho said that 1 ought to
avo as much Intluonco as his Alderman, who
got such a permit for a friend of bis. *Qo to
him then,'X told him. ‘lies your man, every
time.' He gave me tbe Alderman's name, and
I am Investigating the matter, but I won’t men
tion any names unless X get foots, which X
haven't got now."
Subsequently a Tninuim reporter catted upon
Building-Superintendent Kirkland, and asked
him what bo knew about granting such a permit
as was named. He and the reporter went over
the books, and no such penult could bo found
as having boon issued this year.
" I never issued a permit of that kind." said
Ur. Kirkland. "I wouldn t daredolt. We aro
bored and bothered by some Aldermen to vio
late tho law. A man way have got a permit to
build a brick bouso and then bavobullt of wood,
but we try and watch that. Besides, people In
tbe neighborhood would have complained un
doubtedly where auob a structure would be at
tempted to be put up. We have a man now In
the Bridewell for violating the Building ordi
nance. We are after them all the time, but our
force Is too small .for the work assigned to us."
PUBLIC OPINION.
Several Thiuuns reporter* made a tour of the
North and West Sides yesterday afternoon for
the purpose of feeling toe puhllo pulse, with the
following voaulu*
Johnson, Qaywoot&Co., grocers, corner Clark
1881—TEN PAGES.
street and Chicago nveimn, wanted to havo iho
old ordinance remain. rui thoro were ton many
tlmlcr-boxcs now scattered throughout iho city,
am) if tlio proposed ordinance should go through
U would open n perfect llood-gntn of danger to
tho city. They Bnld It wnn Infringing on tho
rights of non-resident capitalists, who had In*
vested tholr money here, and whoso property
would doprociuto in value.
MandovUlo llrotbors, a dry-goods Arm At ITS
North Clark street, denounced tho proposed
ordtnnncoln tmmonsurod terms. Thoexperience
that Chicago acquired hy tho great flro of ten
years ago ought not to Ins so soon forgotten.
W. Docker, tobacconist,Ss7 North Clark street,
was opposed tn nny meddling with the ordl*
nance. Ho thonghttuoargumont that the poorer
people of tho cltywcro prevented from build*
inghomos of tholrown by the present ordinance
was not n sound one. as ho hnd seen It eon*
oluslvoiy domonstrAted In TinsTtunuifß a few
weeks ngo that a largo number of brick cot*
tAgos wore being built In certain sections of the
city, and that the cost was notmoro than 10 per
cent greater than for wooden cottages of the
snmo description. If that was all tho difference,
need bo prevented from building.
11. J, Crutror, No. 331 North Clark street, said
there ought to bo an uprislng'of the people to
avert tho threatened danger. What would it bo
under tho now order of things If, under tho
present restricting ordinance, people could defy,
tho nutboi Itlcs as they arc now doing at various
points on the North Hide, particularly in the
vicinity of Oak and Sedgwick streets. He
wanted to havo Chicago built up llko tho cities
and towns ot Germany,—without any wooden
buildings.
Adolf Georg .keeps a restaurant at No. 2.V>
North Clnrk, and kicked vigorously against tho
now ordinance. Tho lira limits ana tho city
limits should boco-oxUmsivo, as they now arc,
and any other condition of affairs
WOULD ms A I’LTJLIO CALAMITY.
Tho danger arising from an extensive area of
easily combustible buildings was demonstrated
in 1871. Ho wanted to bu protected by good In
surnuce companies, but he bad learned that tho
companies would refuse to take risks If tho now
ordinance was adopted. That foot of itself was
no Index of tho great danger, phould the outly
ing portions of tho oity bo built up with the
miserable shanties that would Inevitably follow.
A visit to tho North Division Post-Office estab
lished tho proposition that tho proposed or
dinance hnd uo backers there. Tboepnloyta
were In favor of affording tho city some degree
of protection.
V. I*. McDowell, on apothecary at No. 2TI North
Clnrk, would dlsllko to see any change made in
the existing ordinance. It would not only (111
un tho city with unsightly structures, but would
Increase tho number of tires and thus odd to tho
already sufficient burden of taxation.
J. 8. Dost, a furniture dealer at No. STS North
Clark, would not have the ordinance changed
for nny consideration. Tho public welfare de
manded a rigid restriction or shanty building,
and tho proposed ordinance could only bo
prompted by selflsb Interests of rcal*cstato
speculators.
Mr. J. bulllvan, dealer in wall paper, SCO North
Clark street, gave expression to bis unqualified
objection to changing the Ore ordinance. If tho
poorer people would only take Into considera
tion tho facts recently published in TiibTiuu
une as to tho comparative cost of frame and
brick cottages they would not require nny such
ordinance to enable thorn to provide themselves
with homes. Chicago was too far advanced tn
tako any such backward stop as to permit tho
constraotioa of a pine-knot cordon round tho
city.
D. Welter, a tobacconist, 204 North Clark, ad
mitted that the proposed ordinance, If passed,
would bo fraught with vastly increased danger
from flros, but thought It would bo the only off
set against tho landlord tyranny that was crush
ing tho laboring classes. Unless tho tonemont
houso owner would
SHOW SOME HUMANITY
to tho poor thoro would bo uo relief except In
an ordinance that would lob the people build
such shanties as tbny could afford. It would bo
pretty rough on tho city, ho admitted, but Chi
cago must provide for her Increasing popula
tion tn some way, oven If sbobadto play with
lire to do It.
T. Murphoy, liquor dealer, 250 North Clark,
didn’t want to boo any wooden buildings going
up. An Alderman that would vote.in favor of
tho proposed ordinance deserved only tbo exe
cration of good citizens who had tbo city's wel
fare at heart.
A. Henderson, saloonkeeper, 210 North Clark,
could not see why tbo Council sbould not leave
well enough alone. Tbo uitywns flourishing
under the present ordinance, but if several
thousand frame buildings ware to go up. It
would take no prophet to foretell tho possible
disastrous consequences. Taxes were certainly
high enough now wltboutaddlnganotber million
to tbo expenses of the Fire Department.
W. 11. llusb, packer, 241 Chicago avenuo, said
bo was a heavy loser by the flro of 1871, and ho
would llko to see tbo olty come down Hat-footed
on a scheme to narrow tho flre-llmlts.
11. Voglor, 520 La Salle street, said that during
tho bard times following tho groat flro noopio
have erected buildings In accordance with tbo
present ordinance, and bo thought It would bo
vury unjust to depredate ana endanger tbose
substantial brick structures now by permitting
tbolr neighbors to erect flimsy shells right
alongside Just as times are getting bettor. If
tbo proposed ordinance should taku effect real
estate would tumble 60 per oout.
W, 31. Pcrska, confectioner, 161 Chicago ovo
onuo. did not think muon of an Alderman who
could
CLOSlfi HIS Eras TO THIS GENERAL WEL
PARK
by voting for ttao now ordinance.
Gross «Co..clothing, 143 Chicago avenue, did •
not want to have tbolr store endangered by tho
Indiscriminate erection of wooden buildings.
Even If suub privilege should bo extended to Ibo
outer portions of tbe city tho damngo from a
groat Are would be somotblng enormous.
O. Sogorston, livery, 121 Chicago avenue, ex
pressed groat unwillingness at going book to
unto-flru days and lotting people put up just
such tinder boxes 'as they chose. It
cost so llttlo raoro for bricks than for all lumber
tbat be did not tblnk tbo people ought to bo
allowed to Imperil tho safety or tbo millions of
capital Invested In Chicago simply to save a few
paltry dollars.
Lawrence Hessolrotb, druggist, 121 Chicago
nvenuo. thought that the adoption of tbe now
ordinance would greatly unsettle tbo feeling of
security which property-owners now have under
tbo now ordinance.
M. A. Sholtor&Co., clothing, 107Clybourn av
enue, said that the permission to erect woodon
houses would rapidly build up that section of
tho city, but admitted that tho perils of con-
Ungrutlon would be In direct proportion.
, 11. Hiobon, brewer, 002 Larraheo street, said bo
bad to build of brick and bo did not want to see
frame buildings going up around him now.
Tbo now ordinance would make tho outlying
districts of Chicago both shabby and danger
ous.
Max KUlaor, druggist, 358 Larraboe street,
was an advocate of brick buildings. Taxes
wero high enough now, without adding to tho
cost of the Fire Department, as might be ex
pected under tho proposed regime.
Mosa& User, clothing, corner Larrabeo and
North nvenuo, thought tbo now ordinance
would bo an unqualified outrage on tho com
munity, Property owners ought
TO HAVE SOME RIGHTS
which tho Council would respect. The talk
Aboutopprcßslngtbe poor was all a sham, as
brick coat only a trifle more than lumber.
Snobur Brothers, dry goods, 2TJ North) avenue,
felt quite safe In a substantial brick building
well covered by Insurance, but thought tho pro
posed ordinance ought to be sot down up|n if it
was going to drive tbo reputable insurance
companies out of tho city.
H. Hcrlicbotnor, 161 Wells street, wanted to
Elaco himself on record as opposing any tamper
ig with tho present ordinance, as the city could
not afford to assume any such wholesale risk os
tho Hrebug ordinance Involved.
B. Uatomna, dry goods, 287 North avenue,
thought that tbe Councilman who voto for tbe
ordinance ought to bo placed under heavy bonds
to make good the lussos that will be bound to
result If ft goes Into effect.
E. Schneider, cigars, U 55 North avenue, was of
tbe opinion that tbe umn who sawed off the
limb of the tree on which bo was safely ensconced
was a perfect Solomon compared with the City
Fathers should they pass the proposed ordi
nance. Tbo only difference will ho that the
matter will not end with tbe tumble of the be
fore-mentioned woodcutters! that-would be a
small loss, but great suffering and distress will
bo likely to fall upon the Innocent public pow
erless to belo themselves.
i*. ilarthol. cigars, 605 North Wells, could not
believe that tho Council could so far forget Its
responsibility as to Invite another colossal
wiping out of treasure as in 187 L
John li\ itotsoh, butcher, KU North Wells
street, thought tho City. Council should deal with
the ordinance as If It affected them Individually.
Should they do this there would bo no question
as to tho fate of the ordinance when tbe vote Is
taken.
A. M. Lancaster, druggist, 878 Wells street,
thought that frame buildings would bo hazard*
oua to the city, hut something ought to be done
to bring down roots, and If this were the only
thing that would do It, he would overlook tho
goucral good and favor tho new ordinance.
A. W.Kueker, stoves. 880 North Wells street,
bad been many years (n Cbloago, and his ex*
perlenoe convinced him that tho passage of tbe
proposed ordinance would bo on undisguised
calamity.
UR. ROBERT fiOUIFFOAUER,
who keeps a drug-store at No. 847 Blue Island
avenuo, said that he had given tbe subject a
?reat deal of time and thought, and, while bo
olt the great necessity of providing the poor
people of tbe oily every opportunity to build
cheap homos, he had uome to the conclusion
that there was not onougb of temporary
advantage in the building of frame residences
to begin to counteract the danger threatened to
the ofty by their presence. As a proof that the
small brick oottago was quite within the ro«
sources of the Chicago laboring nan, he point
ed out, upon a small streot running cast from
the avenue a short distance south, alsrge num
ber of these oozy, and safe, and economical
dwelling places. .
" That little street," he said, "Is almost en
tirely occupied by Bohemian settlers—laboring
won wbobavu managed to save up money to
buy lots and build themselves homes. You see
that there Is quite a largo proportion of brick
cottages on the street, all of which have gouo
up within two years. You soo many of them
bavo slate roofs, and quite a few or them are
two-story dwellings. Tuku a look through that
street and tied out bow the owner* of the brick
dwelling* look upon tho proposed change In the
Are ordinance."
The reporter made a careful survey of the
block between Dm© Island avenue, iSghfrWQll),
Nineteenth, and Thmop streets. and found that
It was well hullt up with (ho collages of Bohe
mian laborers, tho nmportlon of brick struct
ures being much larger than might have boon
expected in u lltilo community where tho av
erage of wages enjoyed by Ibo proprietors had
run at from ft. 25 to f I.W) for tho past two years.
Tho Interviewing of a Bohemian housewife Is
always a very difficult matter. Hho Is naturally
suspicious of strangers, and Is seldom ablo to
talk tho American language with anythin* np
pronebtn* fluency: still the reporter managed
to gain tho views of half n dozen of tboso Indies.
Tbo object of tho proposed alteration of
tho tiro ordinance was explained
tn thorn, and thoy worn unanimously
of tbo opinion tbat In tbolr particular neighbor*
hood thorn were already more frame buildings
than desirable. 'Thoy also explained Umt tho
Initial cost of thoir brick cottages was but little
more tbnn bad boon that of tbo frame ones, and
tbat tbo expense connected with keeping thorn
In repair was nothing compared to tho constant
attention required by tbo frame dwellings. On
tho subject of increased taxation and insurance
tho ladles bad nothing to say. Tbo subjects were
too deep for tbolr consideration. Thoy did
know, however, tbat they bad built for them*
solves safe and comfortable dwellings which
would be endangered by tbo multiplication of
nro-boxes In tbolr vicinity, and on this account
they expressed tho hope that tho ordinance
would.not become law.
XASPAIt WALTER,
a saloonkeeper doing business at No. 610 Blue
Island avenue, questioned upon tbo same sub
ject, said: .
" Lot them build brlok houses whenever they
want bouses. If a man can save tho money to
build a frame bouse. It will pdy him well to wait
a little while only aud put up ouo of brlok. It
will cost him very little more, and ho will soon
snvo tho money, and tnoro too. I’ve been all
through tbo business, and 1 know tbo constant
expense connected with frame buildings. 1
don't see how a businessman can express him
self In favor of tho chantro. Tbo present rates
of ilre-lusuranco are high enough, and I can't
fancy anyone wanting thorn raised. I do not
think tbo Council would dare to pass tho or
dinance. and 1 nm sure that Mayor Ilarrlsou
will veto it if It were passed."
John Orandior, a hnrnessmakor doing busi
ness at No. 615 Blue Island avoauo. said that
there was not tho slightest necessity of the
proposed contraction of tbo llre-llmits. Tbo
facilities provided In Chicago for tbo erection
of residences by the poorer class of people
wore all that could bo desired, and tho little that
could bo gained by allowing thorn to build
frame buildings would not counterbalance tho
disadvantages that would arise. Even suppos
ing that it were right to Jeopardize tbo business
part of tho city by allowing the lire-boxes to bu
built, tho temporary gain of tho builders would
bo offset of tho higher taxes and higher Insur
ance rates that thoy nod tboso from whom they
purchased goods would bavo to pay. In tbo
small mnttorot fuel nlonocvcn tho saving accotu
pushed in a brick cottage during a single win
ter was well worthy of consideration. Thou
taxo tho long life of tho brick building also Into
consideration and any ouo could boo that It was
tbo worst kind of policy for tbo laborer to bo
allowed to build himself a shanty at an expanse
only a trillo loss than whntn dwelling that would
last him a lifetime could be creeled.
11, Huber, a wagonmnkor at No. 203 West Polk
street, said that no had been very well satisfied
with tho condition ot affairs prevailing lu tho
city since tbo present Ore ordinance bad been
carried into effect. Tbo Fire Department had
firoved itself able to prevent (ires from develop
ng Into calamities, but how long it would re
tain this power If the small frame dwellings
’were lobe multiplied was a question which a
monstrous fire would before very long answer.
Thou tho Fire Department would have to bo
largely Increased: Insurance rates would go up,
and tbo
CREDIT OF THE CITY WOULD SUFFER
GREATLY,
and those laboring men would find tbnTfoven If
they woro living In chcapshuntlea, they hnd set
tled down to raise families In u very expensive
city. Tbo baker, and the grocer, and tho meat
market man would And their expenses raised
when up would go their prices, so that tbo labor
ing man, who had saved a few dollars In
building bis frame bouse, would bo out
a much greater sum annually than
tbo amount of that saving, through tno attack
upon tho city’s safety willed his cottage was
helping to make. Ho hoped that the poor men
would have more sense than to saddle thnmsolvcs
with tbo burden which tho possession ot those
perishable houses would prove to bo.
OOTTLIEIi llllUDElt,
keeping n smithy nt No. 238 West Polk street,
sola that ho bod thought u good deal about the
Eroposed obango In tbo flro limits, and that it
ad taken him some little time to come to a de
cision on the subject. lie considered himself a
poor man, and bis sympathies woro altogether
‘ with the laboring men, who woro trying to build
themselves homes In which they could save pay
ing exorbitant rents. Ktlll ho hnd reached tho
conclusion that tho building of u lot of addi
tional frame residences within tbo city limits
would bo a source of danger to the city which
should not bo allowed. There hud been two
calamities, the source of each of which bad
been in too frnrac-bullt portion of the city,
and nothing should bo permitted wblcb
would luorcase tbn chances of a third. Another
evil wblcb the laboring men will suffer from
will bo the great likelihood of their being In
duced by companies which will be formed to
rush into building before they bad carefully
counted tbo coat of It. Directly after tbo con
traction of tbo limits was allowed to go Into
£ffoot tbo speculators back of tbo change In
Tho law would Immediately go to work, by their
agents, Inducing laboring men to have resi
dences built on tbo partial-payment plan. Hun
dreds of lots would be sold and hundreds of
flimsy shanties will be run up upon the month
ly-payment basis, and when a bard time came
those poor people would And themselves In tbo
condition of tho poor seamstress who had
reached wltbiu $lO of paying for her $76 sewing
machine, which was taken from bar on account
of a temporary embarrassment hindering her
from making tho last payments. Again, these
people would not be satisfied with merely sup
plying tbo wants of laborers already in the city.
Chicago will be advertised abroad ns tbo great
homo of the laboring roan; and, as u result
of untruthful representations ns to tho
prospect of plenty of* work, high wages,
and cheap homes, on Immigration of labor
ers to this city would bo luduood, which
would end in there being in Chicago more labor
ers than could And work. A drop In wages
would naturally follow, and the workingman
witbnn unpald-for house on his bands would
find himself obliged to choose between not work
ing at all or working at lower wages than had
over before been heard of in this city. Tbo
Aldermen were hiding their true character of
tbo tools of a ring of real-estate speculators
under tbo disguise of tbo poor man’s friend, and
It was to bo hoped that tho poor man would not
suffer himself tube duped. If bo did, he would
soon find out that the result was most disastrous.
MU. IT. DKHRENS,
a dealer In boots and shoos at No. 68 Canalport
avenue, said that bo wanted to seo the present
ordinance retained In full force, and bo toped
the Council bud onougb common souse not to do
otherwise. He laughed at the idea of wooden
shanties being cheaper dwellings for the work
ingmen than urlok cottages, which would cost
hut a little more to begin with.
"if the workingmen are allowed to build
those, shanties they will Immediately be taxed
to pay for an enlarged Fire Department: the
people they buy food and clothing from will bo
taxed too, and they will tmvo to pay tbeso taxes
for them: Insurance will bo raised, and if the
workingmen nrc foolish onougb to accept
the low rates of cheap companies, when
a big lira comes, which will not
take long In coming, tboy will
find that they will not bo paid in full, and will
have to wait a longtime for the partial payment
of tholr policies. And what will any one of
those shanties amount to ut the end of ton or
flftuoayears? Taku the Increase of taxes, of In
surance, of costonuol.of-repalrexpons©,of doc
tors' bills Into consideration, together with the
loss of comfort and durability as between a
frame and a brick building, and It will be soon
that the former is an awfully expensive thing
for a workingman to bo saddled with. I hope
that the ordinance will not bo changed."
Mr. Joseph Kris, doing business at No. 41 Ca
nalport avenue, said that ho was strongly op-
Bosud to ouy change in the present tiro limits.
:e considered that Chicago was already well
supplied with wooden buildings, and that,
though the subject might seem trivial as com*
pared with tbo question of the Increased danger
they caused to the city from tiro. It should not bo
forgotten that an old frame building was about as
ugly a structure as could well bo loan. If tbo
ordinance were amended blocks of oarolesly*
built shanties would rise which, la the course of
ton years, would bo out of repair, and In Ufteon
or twenty .years a ride through portions of tho
city built over by tho shaoty-ralsert would re
veal to view blocks upon blocks of dirty, dingy,
tumble-down places that would bo a disgrace to
tho city and to the people living.ln them. It
was extremely Improbable, however, that any
largo section of territory (bus built over would
escape the scourge of a wholesale conflagration
whose winding up would occur no ono could
predict where.
JOSEPH UASSAUBK,
a saloonkeeper at No. 83 Canalport avenue, ex*
pressed himself as strongly objecting to the
proposed change, which ho believed would barm
the olty in tbo sight of tbo country. When the
city was burned before, the sympathy of
the whole world and its ready assistance
was at once afforded to tbo sufferers; if, how*
over, a second conflagration was to result from
a disregard of the precautions which bad boon
wisely in vokuo for yoursjmst, tho universal
verdict would be, “ Served Chicago right," and
no one bore will be able tn complain of being
undeceived. Holwllevod that the huddling to
gether of working men and their famiilea In
small shanties ou small lota would result in In*
creasing tbo deatb*rato of the olty.
At Bcboeahoofon's brewery, a representative
of theoitabllhbroout said that the proprietors bad
only one opinion us to tbo measure, that it was a
sutuldal stroke of policy Inteoded to benefit a
few speculators In real estate at tbo Joint ex*
pouse of tho workingmen and of the business
men of the olty. •
8. Drew, saloonkeeper at No, 833 South Canal
street, was opposed to the change, and said that
be could hardly believe it possible that the lea*
ion of too years ago oould do io soon forgotten.
tin. JULIUS J ALIUS K,
keeping a dry-gooda store at No. 605 South Canal
street, said i
•• Politics is at the bottom of It. Three dollars
a session don't pay an Alderman, and they have
to make money outside. People who have cheap
lota to sell will whack up with the Aldermen, ana
I guosatbe Job wUI go through «U tight* If U
does tho City Councilor Iftrtl will he
perhaps Ilio ijeason for keeping thoS
will bo a very serious one. I have tnlke.i WnHl
friends, some of whom have trieii "V
nut that the big fires b«vo
tho business portion of tho eiiv k 1 l( V
bavo shown thorn that the* u* 1
nett begun there. They hnvo common™.! . h|v *
shanty districts, and have thoro grown*,). I? •
such proportions that thoy trnro ijncom?JiV' f
by tho time.tho business part of thi o ul ltb| °
reached. tNlthasolldly-bulltshanlycitvi.
west of now Chicago, tho wholu oltv
opinion, dodmod sooner or Inter touitcrdeltru£
Mr. M. Uolb, keeping a saloon at No, tol a*,.,,.
Canal street, said umt bo considered
lion of bis neighborhood was so bS3 Im**
far ns danger from ilro was concerned thi?'?*
did not think tbo Aldormen could make u?i b °
worse. Ills Insurance rates wore kiSto*
rlbly bleb, and, If the proposed chnmfoln Sf'
flro ordinance, were to carry, ho diifni,
bow bo could Insure at all. li e
on this account that tho
of tho lire limits would not occur. Coturtc bo#
„ Mr. Prank Wondregka. n baker m ...
South Canal street, said that ho Ml iJS):
owner of both kinds of bulldlngs.-fffi o
brick,—and he did not wont anything mcw^.^5 4
with tho frames. Fifteen yenraagoWlSt??. o
two buildings, one of frame and tho otSS? 11 !
brlokj to-dny tho frame building wqs ■?lfet
which a largo amount of money nxnonaSr'
pnlotlngand repairs bad failed to keen 1
dor; tho brlok building, upon which*?!!/?.?*
little money bad been spent! was ns good U t*n)i r *
os when lb wasputupT TaVing JniK™
Into consideration, and the contrast
expense of tho buildings was remark® u*
hoped that the proposed change would nott»v2 ‘
place, and that tho laboring men would*H
roolod Into tbo delusion tint a rramo d~mS!
wos a cheap one. awe,u °f
Mr. Prod Hnogor. proprietor of a dnnr.it,*.
on the corner of Twelfth and CnnAi strcSffl
that bo wos opposed to any change la ihW *2?
ordinance, and so also wore nil or several mhi2
with whom ho had conversed upon the tShffi?
Mr. J. Mandl, a member of u iTrra SmfnS:
a dry-goods business at No, 477 Souiir?,,??
street, said that thoy objected fully m the
posed contraction of tho flro limits; which*™?;
seriously damage tbo business credit or :
end ultimately chock Its growth. A riseMl
rates of Insumnco, an Increase ot taxation
sequent upon a necessary enlargement of ikl
Flro Deportment would follow, and butt
would nenontlly bo oppressed by ibo cb ,J™
Tboy alncoroly hoped that tho Connell W®.
not allow themselves to bo Induced to dlinwiM
tho commercial interests of the city la tho
CASUALTIES.
FATAL COLLISION, 1
llye, N. Y,« July 28.—Two freight trains » er .
In collision on tbs Now York Sc Now (Urea'
Division of the Now York, Now Haven A ihn.
ford Railroad at this piaco this afternoon. ft.
train from Now York was to switch oil ioa«
cars to asldo track, wbou a special freight tntai
of thirty-two cars, nil laden, signaled (tup.,
proaob from tbo oust. A flagman wu km
ahead to signal the approaching train, which!
could not bu scon from too station on
a groat ourvo, but from somo cause tbo flatnu
returned, and tho train, which was tohi»
passed through without stopping, came on it
full speed and dashed into tho staodtortnin..
Tho conductor of tbo special train. Ell Latin*
and Henry Hallock, a brakeraan. convcniu
on a lint-car, wore thrown between two can
both of which were smashed.' Latin was killed
Instantly, and Hallock horribly mutilated.
James Middy and Edward Elliott, ihoonvlneert
woro thrown from tbolr engines. Tbo former
was severely and the lultor slightly injured.
Tbo boiler-heads of both engines were stut
tered Into fragments, and tho trucks and wood
work badly damaged. Five cars of tho loar
train and three of tbo other wore wracked. The
track and roadbed was tom up for a long dis
tance, Tho tender of one of tho engines *u
driven underneath tho car next toil,endue
Wreck stood high in the air. Travel was Inter
ruptod about four hours. Damage to the roll
ing-stock between 160,000 and $76,000.
FATALLY HURT IN A WELL.
Special Dttpatch to The Chicago TVftane.
Little Kook, Ark., July 28.—A private tele
gram from Ozark reports a fatal accident ti
Hookott City, which caused the death of Jinn
Harvey, who was digging a well, and, after
blasting, descended to remove the rocks. A
man was attending tho windlass, and in driving
up a bucket of rock tbo basket struck Urn 04»
or the well, when a largo rock fell from the lo9
ot tho bucket, striking Harvey on the b&ck of
tbo bend, Strango to say. ho came up out 0! the
well, wont to a bouse, ofta bad a poultlcp midr,
saying that bo was not hurt much, snaooly
wanted a little sloop. Ho lay down and died
without a struggle.
EXPLOSION OF A BOILER.
Bpte ial UUpaleh to The Chicago Trttmru.
DnoAxcm, 111., July 28.—Last evening
boiler of n portable engine at L. F.‘ Webb'i
grain elevator at Macon, in this county, sud
denly exploded, making a loud noise, and crest
ing a decided sensation for a abort time. Iks
engine bad been purchased second-hand la Chi
cago nbouttwu years ago. Tho shock shattered
tho onglno-room, tore up the ground, ilauffc
torod tno rats, and pieces of tno boiler wen
blown across the street, but luckily no one »m
killed, or oven injured. Tbo boiler licked
water. Tho loss Is estimated at sl,m
ACCIDENTAL DEATHS.
RoonesTßit, N. IT., July 28.—The death of T. 0.
Reynolds, of Addison, N. Y., is announced Ut
foil fromaralllng a distance of thirty feet. Us
was a prominent and well-known citizen.
In Seneca Lake a young lady, Hiss Ens»
Barton, of Watkins, foil overboard from s row
boat while changing seals, and was drovoM
Monday.
A young mao named Uoyal W.Clensoi,ioa
of a farmer In Hpartn, Livingston County.. died
on Sunday from being thrown dowasndtrw
udod by an enraged borne.
SPRUNG A LEAK.
Hamfix, July 28.—A bottle containing a slip
of paper, .on which the following wnswritu*
with a pencil, was picked up at Hunting Folot,
near HaU's Harbort
The ship Edgar sprungaleakonthoflfteentt
day fromParlsboro. Crow nil mutinous, lip*
tain shot twice. Crow loft In the bents, stop
of provisions and water. Longitude to *«*•
Latitude about 47. 8. and 11. Dorrr.
The Edgar sailed from Parlsboro last mums.
UNDER THE WHEELS.
Special DUpaith to Th» Chicago TVtaina
Milwaukee, Wls., July 88.—Fredericks OutH,
a well-to-do
was run down and killed on tbo Ht. Tsui Rotd,
In the southern part of tho city, this afternoon.
With a companion she was walking along »i
track, when a passenger train suddenly came™
sight,—only one of the women being able toct*
capo the tcrrlblo death.
CRUSHED TO DEATH.
Special Dicpateh (o 77m Chicago Tribune*
Perhv, la., July 28,—John Fyfer, a conductor
of tho Dos Moines 4c Fort Dodge Railroad, *u
caught between tho cars while making
ling at Grand Junction to-day, andcrusbww
death. Ho resides at Fort Dodge, aud bmwj
broking on this rood for seven years, mu*
promoted to conductor but two weeks ago.
A FATAL RUNAWAY.
Reading, Pa., July 28.—While William o-o*
Turk aud family wore driving this evening*"
horses became frightened and ran away, bre»*
tng the carriage Into fragments. Do Tart
Instantly killed, his wife and son *®rlouw»
«, and Mrs, u. IL Hall, bis sister,
ed, *
PLAYINOWITH A LOADED PISTOL#
BpttiM DUpaUh to TM CMeaoo IWim-
Mukoib, Ind., July 28.-801 Venomae, 15
of age, was tinkering with a loaded P_ ut0 *
evening. It was by some moans or otoer °
off, tbo ball striking a boy by tbo namooi o
la the breast, Indicting a fatal wound.
INJURED DY A DRAY.
Bptcial DUpUtH to TU ChUOfO
Qrbbnoastlb, Ind., July sa.—Q eo fT n # u ,•
proprietor of the City Dray Lino, received
los by the breaking of. a loaded dray
ing which, If uot fatal, aro very eorioui.
A MISPLACED SWITCH# ...
Colduuds, 0., July 88.-A mlipittoed•JJ ft
throw a freight-train from the lrao Vl iimdli
to-day, and badly wrecked several Psn-i .
oars. Passßoger*tralns wore delayed K
hours. Tbo damage was quite largo.
* CRUSHED. , . nrdfflUl
Sx. Oiurlbs, Winn., July ga-Cbsrlei o
a harvest hand, was run over by the 9:w »
train, going west to-pight. H« SjJIJ/ 1U
mangled, lie only lived tea mmuio*
homo was la Dubuque, la.
DROWNED.
0*«al XHn*M le TU CMW*
EIUK, Pa., July 88,-Tho body of rr»» w foufl |
a brassworkor, missing for two days,
drowned In tho bay this rooming# __
A Proceeding that Attracted Coa» lieI *
, able AtteiUlou.
SanfVui»<bcohum(<rt. dooe dif
Considerable attention was attnwwa dus ,
last week by tbo doings of some PspMj. wr tioo4
belonging to the rgnohorla In
of Yuma. It seems that one of iboir wt f {lii .
deserted, fibo refused to return, aog'ffj, 1 other,
ened ouo end of a lariat to herwrl»Wu cllo i*i(
end to a bora of a saddle on the