The San Francisco call. [volume], January 28, 1910, Page 1, Image 1

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

Image provided by: University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA

                
JOSEPH RAPHAEL,
the artist, gives his impressions of San
Francisco in a page of clever sketches to
be published in
THE SUNDAY CALL
VOLUME CVn.— NO. 59.
MOYOR'S
MACHETTE
FLASHES
Ousts Holdover Members of
Police Commission and
Names Successors
I. H. Spiro, P. L Henderson
and Walter E. O'Connell
on New Board
Jesse Cook Files Resignation
and Captain John Martin
Appointed Chief
Other Sweeping Decapitations
Soon Arc Promised by
McCarthy
Personnel of New
Police Commission
President
HARRY P. FLAX.VERY, saloon
keeper.
Commissioners
ISAAC H. SPIKO, *oda T»a<er
mannfactnrrr.
PERCY 1* HEVDERSOX, poll
tiiliin and capital!*!.
WALTER K. OTOVXELU bnnl
bckk ascot plumbers' union.
MAYOR MCCARTHY'S machete
flashed last night. Finishing
with fair words late yesterday
afternoon, he started his head
hunt within the hour. The forcible
reorganization of the Mayor's official
family was inaugurated b.y the oust
ing of the holdover members of the
police commission and the election of
Captain John B. Martin to be chief
, of police, vice Jesse Cook, resigned.
« New Men Named
When, the mayor's first onslaught,
which came like a bo.lt from the clear
"«-ky, was concluded the heads of Com
missioners Fred G. Sanborn, Joseph
Leggett and A. D. Cutler were in the
basket. In their places were installed
I. H. Spiro, soda water manufacturer
and chosen candidate of the Royal
Arch; Percy L. Henderson, politician
capitalist, and Walter E. O'Connell,
business agent for the plumbers'
union. Former Captain John Martin
was chief of police; Jesse Cook on his
way back to duty as a sergeant and
Harry P. Flannery was president of the
new hoard-
Failure to resign upon the request
of the mayor -was followed by immedi
ate removal for "cause." The cause as»-
S;RTie«I was the increase of subor
dinates' salaries in violation of charter
provision.
The mayor's coup was planned and
completed within the space of two
hours. The method of ousting the
holdovers was not agreed upon until 6
o'clock last night. When they ap
peared at the board room at 7:30 o'clock
they were met by their successors and
notified that the mayor had consented
to dispense with their services.
Jesse Cook Resigns
The notice of the mayor's sacrifice
was communicated to Commissioners
Leggett and Sanborn by Pete Fanning,
reinforced by a squad of sheriff's depu
ties prepared to shoo the commission
less commissioners away If they showed
< a disposition to disregard the mayor's
determination to relieve them from fur
ther labors for the city.
Chief Jesse Cook beat his new supe
riors to the punch. From his accus
tomed place at the head of the com
mission's table he viewed the reorgan
ization of the board and the election
of Harry P. Flannery to the presi
dency, vice Sanborn. He dropped a
word or two of suggestion for the
guidance of the new commissioners.
When the?- settled down under their
new dignities. Cook opened the busi
ness of the session by submitting his
resignation "too take effect at once."
There were no remonstrances, no res
olutions of regret. The new. commis
sioners managed to conceal their emo
tions. They accepted Cook's resigna
tion with unanimous alacrity and dry
eves. With equal unanimity ana coVre-"
sponding dispatch they elected former
Captain John B. Martin to the vacant
chieftainship.
Mayor McCarthy had ma<fe it plain
that he would begin the Job of ousting
commissioners with the police depart
ment. But up to 5 o'clock yesterday
afternoon he permitted it to be in
ferred that he might give Sanborn et al.
another day in which to ponder his*
request that they save him the trouble
of firing them.
That he should begin- the removals
for "cause" with the rouncing of San-
V born the mayor admitted. Frank Mnr
' phy and a copy of the charter were in
troduced to the executive chamber.
An hour later the new .commissioners
Continued on , Paje 5, Column , 2
The San Francisco Call.
INDEX OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO CALL'S
NEWS TODAY
TEUEPHO.VE KEARXY 86
FRIDAY. JANUARY 28, 1910
WEATHER CONDITIONS
YESTERDAY— Clear; northwest, wind; maxi
mum temperature. 56; -minimum, 44.
FORECAST FOB TOOAY— Fair; somewhat
warmer; light northeast wind*. I'age 15
EDITORIAL
Value of Alaska coal lands demonstrated. P. 41
What our Japanese visitors suffered. Page G
Taf t'B unwilling and unholy alliance, l'age 0
CITY
Toast to a united California is drunk at ban
quet to Los Angt-les excursionists. Page 4
Scprcme court refuses petition of welching ln
earance companies. Page 16
Southern Pacific TowDJend street franchise
expires in April. I'a&e 1
MJss <Sopren makes debut as singer before
council of Jewish women. l*ase 16
Mrs. Anna Scfacca. pretty Spanish woman,
lea-res borne, taking children. I'njsp 1
Supervisors to tarn St. Mary's square over to
park commission. I'jitjc 4
Wife denounces Clapham us thief and his ar
rest quickly follows. Vage 4
Dlscrepane ies found in . books of clerk of jus
tices' courts. Page 3
City's fire tup pilots roundly scored by harbor
commissioners. I'ajje 12
Women will aid and extend silk culture . in
Calfornla. fnc«» 7
Episcopal convention rejects proposal for
change in scheme of representation. l'ujsr f»
Southern Pacific plans to rush work on Red
wood City cutoff. Page 1«
Executor of Julius Friedman admits that be
shared fees paid to attorneys. I'age 10
\u25a0- . J •
Glacis will resume stand in Ballinger ln<^ulry
today. l'nsr^ 3
Traction company wants hlllslders to defray
cost of extension. V*:jr a
Attorney suggests method of forming city and
county government. »*«««• V
Daughter indirect cause of parents' arrest for
arson. I'nge 0
Divorce seeker says wife only married him to
spite another man. . I'a.gts 9
Miss ElUabeth Herriott of Oakland is married
in China. Pas* 8
Choir of First Congregational church to sing
works of six American composers. l'«sre y
Grand jury orders constables to cut forces of
deputies. ~' v---; PaceH
Dealer sells hobby horse to youthful chicken
feed buyer. j Puke .S
Chinese to have second marriage with present
wife. Pagr 9
Niece of Mrs. Elizabeth Hitchcock asks for re- ;
moval of special administrator. Page 8 i
Young Masons of university will be enter
tained by Durant lodge. ,*,- " I'age.S
Sophomores at university to stage farce 'anil
raise funds for seniors' building. P«k** N
Dinners and supper parties arranged by society I
matron* for week of klrmesa. Pace 0
Alamcdu food inspector pays meat wagons
used by wholesalers are insanitary. . l'aj&e 8 -
COAST
Carrie Nation battles valiantly witb dance' hall
proprietress. l*afre 3
Society woman can't remember what Becker
called Collins. \u25a0'•'\u25a0_ . • Vuffe 3
San Mateo grand jury .prills, members of board
of supervisors. :'" -. V \ Page 8
llalft>reed bride claimed by Chinese at Sacra
mento wedding. ' '•'.Page 7
Meat inquiry forced by four grand jurors of
J. P. Morgan not to finance the proposed cop
per merger. Page 4
Bill Introduced into senate for postal savings
bank. Page 3
FOREIGN ,
Liberal coalition may give British government
a majority of 120 in parliament. Page 2
Paris In grip of flood, which grows worse;
spreading terrible devestation. Page 1
Fifteen injured in socialist election riot iv
Brunswick. 7~'":~£ \u25a0 Page 3
Australian mine strikers sent to prison for ob
structing work In mines. Page 3
SPORTS
Joy Miller, missing football star, located . in
dazed condition in Manitoba. Page 11
E. A. Barr, Marysvillo newspaperman, out
points C. Schroeder in four round bout.' Page 11
Racing dates for A. A. A. national circuit an
nounced by contest board. Page 11
Bickard says be will stage fight In Utah or
forfeit purse. Page 11
Christy Matbewson signs up to twirl 'for the
Giants another season. Page 10
Cyclone Thompson and Tommy McCarthy meet
this evening at Dreamland. • Page 11
Bat Nelson will arrive on Monday to start
training for Wolgast. .Page 10
Kid Mohler first of Seals to send In contract
for season. . Page 11
Bay City wheelmen capture annual roller race
meeting. Page 11
Drawings held for mixed doubles tennis tour
nament at Stanford. Paftr 11
San Francisco motor club elects E. T._ Sterling
as Its secretary. . Page 7
Cloudlight, at 5 to 1, wins Colma handicap and
surprises talent. Page 10
Dugdale would give $25,000 to keep , Coast
league out of Portland. Page 10
New Phoenix team to clash with Stanford on
diamond tomorrow. . Pjier iO
\u25a0 Olympic club indoor athletic contests scheduled
for tonight. Page 10
Prince. Ahmed wins feature handicap at 4 to 5
at Juarez. Page 10
Charles W. Murphy declares war on proposed
change of baseball rales. Page 10
MeCarey signs Monte Attell and Danny Web
ster for 45 round go. Page 10 '
MARINE '
The big German ship. R. C. Rick mrrs brings
record cargo of coke. Page 15
Miss Reed Hntehins, formerly of this city, to
bemnrried to New York physician. ; Page 0
EMBEZZLER CAPTURED
AFTER A HARD FIGHT
Harry Toni, Wanted Here, Is
Arrested in Pittsburg
PITTSBURG, Pa., Jan. 27.— Harry
Toni, alias Enrico Tannl, wanted in
San Francisco ;for embezzlement, » was
arrested here tonight "by Detectives
Morgan and Dillon after a terrificbat
tle, in-which Tani slashed both detect
ives with a stiletto. , It was necessary
to knock him senseless. * '<: -
According to ' the story told by the
local detectives, Toni is wanted In San
Francisco; for running away with the
entire receipts of a cafe where he was
manager. f \u25a0 .. '
Toni had made arrangements ,to::be
married- tonight with.o ne of the • belles
of the Italian -colon}-. : .'\u25a0 : ; :' \
SSfegSPgSCO, \u25a0 ; FRIDAY^: JANUARY 28,1910.
FRANCHISE OF
S.P. FOR DEPOT
ENDS IN APRIL
Railroad May Then Reveal Its
Plans for Future City
Extensions
Three=Fourths Vote of ? Super
visors Needed to Secure
Additional Permits : .
The franchise,. by virtue of whichvthe
Southern Pacific company occupies four
blocks in Townsend street, expires in
a little more than three months. Un
der this franchise, which expires in
April, _the Southern Pacific company
maintains and operates^ the tracks
which form the connecting link be
tween its Third and Townsend street
station and its coast sand5 and peninsula
lines.' ; "
All, the tracks in Townsend street
between Fourth' and.Eighth.streets are
maintained by -authority -of; the; fran
chise granted the San, Francisco and
San Jose -railroad company;? which,' ac
cording to the city's legalVdepartment,
terminates by operation; of. law in April.
These facts coupled"'with' the further
fact that franchises only be
granted by the affirmative, votes of
\u25a0three-fourths of all \ the^'members j of
the board ; of supervisors -afe^taken by
politicians, as,explanatory 4o4 of c the South
ern /Pacific agents'. 'interest '-inVthe board
of; supervisors -at" .the "'. municipal .elec
tion. \u25a0 . .'\u25a0''\u25a0\u25a0V:-u,. '\u25a0'' \u25a0\u25a0V : -u,
Fourteen Votes Needed;
The law does not. take \u25a0cognizance of
a fraction of a supervlsoV.^'saVe, pos
sibly'-for.' the purpose ;of "^computing
personal , injury damages. That means'
that 14 .votes, will be. requiredKfor 'the
renewal of the franchise. ;-^i
, Under, the^'provisions of. thetfehartor
the supervisors are given theipower to
regulate/ railroads occupylng^streets
their, permils orfranchises*Pav
«S> ; : .i^.^
ing. and grading .are \u25a0 virtually all the
impositions specifically enumerated 1 - for
the- guidance of- the, supervisors. --The
terms of the 'charter are, however,
broad enough to- make the: only -limit
on the supervisors' power, to regulate,'
the last" thing -which the. courts "might
determine was- "reasonable regula
tion." • .., ; .'
The state law . covering . the 'use of
streets by* railroads . is -so ' worded . that
it is susceptible of: contrary construc
tions. One code section provides, that
railroad companies operating • ; more
than 50 miles of track or interstate
companies.shall be given the use of
streets if 'necessary to : reach water
fronts. ' Another section 1 provides that
no railroad •company ; "must" - use " a
street- without : the-,. permit 'of /.the' gov
erning body,* which "must" grant /the
permit.
"Joint User" Possible
It Is [probably, immaterial what court
constructions might '. be -placed : on*, the
words "must"', as * differently used <in
that section^ The 'stumbling. block to
the Southern Pacific's plans, if : any ; be
encountered,. will. probably hot be found
in ; the matter of . the^ use of ftheifo'ur
blocks in Townsend street,' as they have*
been: used under, the old' franchise. , \u0084
>The use of. the fourlbiocks in ques
tion' arelko apparently (essential- to the
company'^ use. of -its." Third( street ista-^
tion -that : the courts would-undoubt-"
edly: sustain their use without a permitf
should the supervisors refuse to'grant
one. ;'.--: ' ' ; . ' '/ .\u25a0' \u25a0'. - ./\u25a0^.\u25a0:* : V:
; There are two--flies_:in;the;ointment.
The /supervisors • may-, impose^ a /joint
user V condition. "Such joint' user/ is a
remote contingency, even .In * theVevent
that -it s was made a condition.; to .'.the
Continued \u25a0on . rase 2, Column . 6 .
MEAT INQUIRY
FORCED BY FOUR
GRAND JURORS
Inquisitors Dissatisfied with
Failure of 1908 Body to
'A Return Indictments '
Threatened \ Statement \u25a0 Regard
ing Theory as to' Why
Prosecution Ceased
CHICAGO, Jan. 2 7.— Four- members of
the federal grand jury^ which' invest!-'
gated the so called "beef; trust" in} 1908
forced the government, through ';_ Judge
Landis, to start the present inquiry, ac
cording to a report current here today.
Assistant Attorney General .Wade*El T
lis, who spent the day here, denied that
there was - any . friction among "govern
ment ; officials - concerning • the present
investigation and said that Distrlct'At
torney, Sims .would remain in" charge.
Concerning - the inceptiorivfof ' : the
•present action! it is .: said therejwould
have been : none had^ the j four- dissatis
fied jurymen not sought the -"laid" of
Judge Landis.' * " *,••
Inquiry Is Sugjgested .'-;: ... 5', -
f * This quartet, it'is said.jwasjiWilling
to .indict the packers. mv r December,
190S t andifinally becamel sp^indignant
over^ the increasing price , "of ', meat that
they informed JudgerLandis (that, they
thought it was time H for^they govern
ment,to begin another.' inquiry. .'. j?l
.; The report ; of 'the fouiv jurors alleged
that enough evidence' was- submitted' to
the : l9oS grand" jury Utoiwarranf. true
bills and that, ; in."-spite/of -this,, there
was ; a' sudden, i apathy /on. the part> of
those. behind' the' prosecutio.n.. They also'
said that if v the : lnvestigation .were ; not
immediately^' renewed"' they; would 'make
a statement* to .the); public, setting ; forth
their theory.^ of • why"'the - prosecution
had ,been "dropped.-' •-* , .
vFollowin,g; the j-jurors'-. complaint
Judge Landis -is 'said*, to! havej made the
investigation resulted in'^ the
.present;' action being; -.- started. -Judge
Landis,: it- is said, got In touchi.wit.lv the
evidence \u25a0 submitted- to "the .1 90S grand
jury and- he- is \u25a0 ' determined ~« that the
present ., action -shall... noU -be..' nullified
by .-.' influence, outside . the grand jury
room.-. \u25a0 . . ,-• . , ... ;. .«•\u25a0.
1 In his statement concerning the-pur
pose 'of.' his 'visits here and* the' scope
of the present investigation,' Ellis said : ?
VI have spent thevday . in' conference
with the United ) States jj district ' attor
ney and , his .assistants and -in- a-call
upon : Judge , Landis, whom - I > have
known pleasantly * for \ many. , years/
There \u25a0 is;'no ' friction 'whatever.' in* the
beef dnquiry. '\u25a0\u25a0 .'\u25a0 .-> >- : , ••\u25a0
Investigate Meat Prices
/"The • department : of ; justice/has t been
at work: for five or six months investi
gating the /developments 'of * the* fresh
'meat industry j since 'the' last'- action* by
the; government: and.. especially ,the'jre
.lation of the ; situation to' the. prices of,
food ; and .•products, ; ,with j a lj yiew,^ to*
.ascertaining whether a* cause of /action
now /exists. ' ' :l ' \ " \u25a0'... .- - ; \
.; "The i investigation will xbe- conducted
under., the, anti-trust*, statute *andV may,
be either?civii or criminal. .\u25a0
• "Mr. f Sims,' in, 'whom - the I attorney!
general has entire 'confidence,; will -pre-;
sent *his , to ithV'grand u jury.
After; this 'testimony i isi in; I-Ihaye. no,
"doubt (the': grand ' jufy^will :doj'iitsff ull' ;
duty,! both/ to \u25a0, the i .government .arid 1
those" against i whom', 4 such ; .testimony 1
may -be' adduced.".** - -;""• '\u25a0-'\u25a0'\u25a0 •• '.<"•\u25a0'\u25a0'\u25a0\u25a0' ' \u25a0•.\u25a0\u25a0j-.i.
:-:':_ ->..:\u25a0\u25a0••>'\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0"•• •;" '-'/;__ "• '."...;**,". '.' - ?\u25a0/.* .vr-.
POWDER /WORKS ; IS CLOBED—totrYeUy/. Jan.
'\u0084 27.— The ; Vlgdrit; powder jrorkgV'which^forlthe'
': last. ls years;hasibeen:operated.at.Point-flsa
i bel , A lbaniyv: wai closed -jio wpUoday .and \ turned
;%" oTrr; ; tb*i (hp^CalifoVnla : magnesiaVworks.^Most
"' off the "employes ? .vrere*;aent'.to*otherlfa*ctbrles.\
\u25a0 - . ----- --a-.-?\u25a0'--?a -.-?\u25a0'--? \u25a0--\u25a0'• r: - :' : '\u25a0'*' ''•\u25a0' *-.-^-v.:» .v., 1 ,.
TERRORGRIPS PARTS
WATER IS STILL RISING
1 1 Section ?of - Paris now flooded and menaced with destruction by ' ! . raging |
| '\u25a0-..' ' waters. . _ '• * '. \u25a0 I
\u2666- "\u25a0"• . ~ — : : — rrr; — - — *
PRETTY SPANISH
WOMAN MISSING
Deserted Husband Seeks in Vain
for Mrs. Anna Sciacca, vWho
{.'. Vanished With' Babes
Strange" circumstances : surround* the
disappearance of Mrs. Anna Sciacca and
her if our \u25a0children -from ' Santa Rosa.'.ac
cording, to the statement - of - Secretary
M;/j.' White -of :the' Society ;for; the^Pre-j
vention;bf Cruelty to Children,"' who has
been/ investigating the case, for several
\u25a0weeks.' t-;--; \u25a0;/.\u25a0"\u25a0":':'- ' " r <? '\u25a0'\u25a0'' \u25a0 -" :
ago,, without; apparent
reason, .Mrs. Sciacca ; and *her> children
lef 1 1 their,/home *at 307t Second -street,"
Santa* Rosa; ; and came. to. San Francisco.
Theshusbandand fatherJhas.ma.de every
effort 1 to locate them,; in' his:'desperation
finally,, appealing i , to>Whi te^in ,behalf , of
the : children^ because i'the mother-was
.withoutrresources. '"'. ' '• ; .: -, '
•s '"Sciacca f is a well r to do barber^'in San-;
ta i;Rosa 'and /the.^ missing : wife \u25a0 is ; de- ,
scribedfasTa /pretty -youhg^ Spanish
womanjof;27.V.. ,; \u25a0-, .. '. : " -•\u25a0'-.. ; ;.-: : y, \u25a0
.. - In's his ' letter,' to >Whito^ the* deserted
husband *gave no reasori|forl trieir|<jis
appearance.^ White rdeclared|yesterday
that: he^had; a.ciew.,as|t6itheji,woman's
'whereabouts.' He; ; says;sheiis|aware. of
theisearch.belrig'madeifor^h^riaridlthat
she. shifts? with cunning; intoj theldiffer
entifoldsfqf'the'city.'s Latin squarter/as
the", trail grows j •./•\u25a0• -' -,- \u25a0_, ~:j \u25a0
MACHINIST, HELD FOB : TORGEBY— Berkeley,
\u25a0 r Jan.* 27.— Frantlin? Earl \ RlekettiO a*, machinist,
; -who^was> arresfed" after iairunninf^flKht: in
.vPawidcna' anrti-broufrhtiiback'UoSthisscltjrlto
X tacit a * charge ' of -torgvrj.% was ? boond 1 over * to
E§ thVi superior \u25a0 court ' by » Ju<l|r<U Edgar ; thtii j after
\u25a0j noon."* Bicketts is accuse'!? of .baTing; : passed a
\u25a0 ' r ! check '\u25a0\u25a0 for i $t'».7."> ,- on *K. lliltunen, i a; grocer -of
>U9lo;Tentlj; street, v; \; c*, \u25a0:.. \u25a0.-/,•*\u25a0 \u25a0 •>-. v • -...
-; r - ; \u25a0 Commercial
;. .IN TOe'caLL. . ;-
FEDERAL HAND IN
FIGHT OVER BRIDGE
Old ; Structure Must 'Be: Pulled
Down Before NewAOne
/. Is Built •
[Special: Dispalcti. to -The CM]
' SACRAMENTO, Jan.; 27.-f-The United
States government "has stepped into ; the
three 'cornered'- flght between -Sacra-"
mehto and Yolo counties and lhe_S6uth
ern!Pacitlc?company7Over'_the constriic
'tion' of the ..latter'a; proposed- bridge
across, the ' Sacramento river. "
h . It;- has given ; orders 'through the 'war
departm'ent;;that"the^ old abridge | now
used i must [be •• removed ' before 5 the " new
one'is constructed. ;- -. • : "
'. The i war -department," it > : is? said, > ob
jects; to-' the", proximity. \u25a0;» of "'the; * two
bridges; on »thes ground^ that* navigation
will, -be '"- ".'impeded. >- "A - conference" has
been 1 called -by Captain- Jackson,' '-'federal
engineer," for February,3.; ,
NEGRO CHARGED^ WITH ;
'ROBBERY IS , CAUGHT
Joe •Johnson/'Taken' lnto. Custody
': in -Seattle* ,
*;> STOCKTON, .'"Jan":. 5 2":^Joe ; Johnson,
\u25a0whoj* is >. wanted ;" here <on Zsl% char g e-Ybf
robbings- Fannie of • between
$3,000 >arid-554,0.D0 {iri'dlamonds Uast \u25a0 Oc
tober*,'* is; reported 'to :be under; arrest In"
Seattle. r : Both'''Johnson~* and the t.Wllli"
larris \ woman 'are [colored/ .;.-\u25a0". ; '/..
v* The ;• woman \u25a0 declaresVJohnson robbed
her -with Uhe /assistance "of .' W. j Cooper
"and '\u25a0' J-^T. '.Thompson } and \ made h is
capeCsWlthbthe • diamonds.^* The man
/ *
v j-.Tfyej jewels" have i'riot I been Trcovered.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
TORRENT
IS RAZING
CAPITAL
Onrushing Rood Creeps Higher,
Wreaking Incalculable '
Damage
Streets Become Canals and the)
Foundations of Great Build*
ings Totter
Crust of City Seems Ready to
\u2666 Sink Into Hooded Laby
rinth Beneath
Conditions Steadily Growing
Worse and New Sections
Are Menaced
' PARIS. I Jan. 28. — Flood condition*
had become much trorae at 2 o'cloelc
thin morning* particularly la the south
and east -sections. In the old l,atl»
quarter the 'situation ira* critical.
T-vARIS, Jan. 27.— The waters of
r^ the Seine crept slowly higher
• ' today,* each inch widely extend-.,
ing the area of destruction, desola
tion and ruin.
Although the barometer is rising
rapidly and bright sunshine succeeded
the raging storms, a feeling of con
sternation, bordering* on panic, pre
vailed tonight when the authorities,
who yesterday said .the maximum of
the flood would come today, an
nounced that % this would not be
reached until tomorrow morning.
Council Scores Prefect
Official figures of the stage of the
water are. difficult to obtain, and the
city council," at a stormy session to
night, charged M. Lepine, prefect of
Paris, with concealing the gravity of
the situation. V The . prefect defended
his attitude by saying that he wa3
governed by the necessity. of not un
duly alarming the people.
In the meantime what is happen
ing is enough to strike terror to tha
hearts of all. The crust of the city
seems ready to sink into the flooded
subterranean labyrinth beneath. Every
hour drains are bursing in new local
ities, "causing a subsidence of
streets or bulging them up several
feet, while the overflow of surface
water from the river is transforming:
the inundated districts into formidable
lakes and the streets into canals.
Big Section Inundated
In the Bercy quarter the water Is
six feet deep in the streets and tha
entire . left bank of the Seine from.
above' the islands to Auteull, compris
ing' the law court institute, the fash
ionable St. Germain district, the foreign
office, the chamber of deputies and the
Champs de Mars,' Is" submerged In front
one to ten feet of water. Some depu
ties left' the Palais Bourbon tonight
in rowboats, others on the backs of
attendants.
"Walls of the Invalided station ara
crumbled and that structure and the
wing of the foreign office opposite ara
in 'danger of * collapse. Nevertheless.
Mmc Plchon. wife of the foreign min
ister, * held her regular reception to
night, oil lamps and grate fires beiht?
employed in the absence of steam heat
and electricity.
Situation Is Desperate
•• Streets surrounding the St. Lazara
station have sunk three feet, and th«
situation there is regarded as desper
ate. It Is also feared that the founda
tions of the two big neighboring de
partment stores are being undermined.
"The "overflow of the broken sewers
int*o the flooded basements menaces
the. health of the .occupants, and th<*
smell of sewage is already permeatins:
the buildings. Notwithstanding 'this,
the police tonight notified household
ers, especially those of the wealthier
class, who are using automobile en
gines for pumping purposes, that they
must exercise the.greatest care, as tha
removal of the water pressure would
likely cause the foundations to sink
or collapse.
Seek to Save Bridges
Soldiers are" working desperately by
the aid of torches* to disentagle drift
wood above the Solferino and Henry IV
bridges, while large forces of men ar«
still engaged -tn constructing dams to
divert the course of the swiftly moving
currents.
There was a further shutdown . of
electrk: light plants Jtonlght- Relief
work. is proceeding bravely, none being
refused food or shelter." Archbishop
Amietto - has ordered public prayers ; In
the! churches and a' collection for. th"»
victims. \
In spite of the crippled water supply
the/ authorities- say that the reservoir*
are intact. and tha,t there is no danger
of a famine v lf the water is husbanded
carefully and confined strictly to drinkV
ing purposes. 1 At the same time a warn
ing is again issued that the water
should be boiled. .
\u25a0The 'situation below Paris is becora-