The Worcester spy. [volume], January 30, 1900, Image 1

About The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904

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YOL. 131 NO. 30
EXPENSE ESTIMATE
CUT $570,135.26
Recommendations of the Finance Committee
Cut Heavily By Mayor
Dodge
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT HIT HARDEST
Members of the Common Council Wrestle With the Salary Bill of
City Officials—Councilman Meagher Wants Street Commis
sioner Cut and Increase For Chief of Police, Chief of Fire De
partment and General Inspector of the Board of Realth—As
sessors Favored For More Money
Mayor Dodge sent his recommenda
tions for approbations for the several
city accounts to the City Council last
night. Nearly all of the original estim
ates have been cut down. The school
department is pruned to the extent of
$65,929.97, and other departments ac
cording to what the mayor thinks they
will stand. The total estimate is reduced
$570,135.26.
The following table shows the differ
ences in the net estimates for 1900 less
balances from 1899, and the mayor’s
recommendations for 1900. The mayor
his estimates with this state
ment:
To the Honorable City Council:
Gentlemen—The amount which the
city can assess, under sl2 per thousand
limit of taxation, for municipal ex
penses aside from interest and contri
butions to the sinking fund is $1,245,-
916.02, to which add the estimated
amount of the corporation tax to be
received from the Commonwealth, $135,-
000, making a total of $1,380,916.02, which
can be appropriated without exceeding
the above limit.
These are the estimates for the year
beginning 1. 1.899:
| Mayor’s
Irecommen-
I dations
Titles of Acc’ts l Differences! for 1900.
Abatements $7,083 03
Assessors' dep’t... 12.55101 $12,55101
Auditing dep’t 3,739 07 3.739 07
City clerk’s dep’t. 4,748 34 4,748 34
City Hospital 38.647 12 30.000 00
Engineering dep't. 7,870 00 7.870 O 0
Fire dep’t 171,188 98 160,000 00
Fire Patrol 2,400 00 2,400 00
Health dep't 22,266 12 20,000 00
Incidental exp.... 17,749 03 10,000 00
I lisp, and ccn. of
public buildings. 15,112 84 15,000 00
3jßw dep’t 4,985 36 4,000 00
Overseers of poor
(city relief) 19,538 95 17,000 00
Overseers of poor
(Home farm) ... 32,586 38 22,000 00
Overseers of poor
(House 0ffa1).... 8,081 79 6,000 00
Parks comrals 27,992 11 22,000 00
Police dep’t 137,481 44 130.000 00
Public library .... 33,093 44 30,000 00 :
Salaries 8,543 71 9,000 00
School dep’t 565,929 97 500,000 00
Sewers (construe.) 74,986 92 30,000 00
Sewers (puritica.). 59,986 37 40,000 00
Sewers (maint’ce) 37,571 82 17,000 00
Street construct’n 34,461 38 30,000 00
Street mainten’ce. 220,512 45 125,000 00
Street lighting 119,377 68 110,000 00
Supervision wires 1,970 18 1,500 00
Treasury dep’t.... 11,065 30 11,000 00
Water works
(construction) ... 15,687 37 10,000 00
(con., pipes, etc.) 160,635 52
Totals. | $1,877,843 68 1 $1,380,808 42
interest J 171,957 67 1 135,957 67
Int., sewer loans. | 60,850 00 | 63,750 00
Sinking funds | 283,760 00 ! 243,760 00
Totals .$2,394,411 35 ' $1,824,276 09
Foot notes accompanying the table
explain that the accounts for sewer
purification, schoolhouses, water works
construction and water works, Kettle
Brook supply may receive appropria
MASON, HOAR AND LODGE
ATTACK A VICE CONSOL
Official Cognizance Taken of England’s Representative at New
Orleans’ Criticism of a Senator— Hoar Agrees With Mason
But Deprecates Unfriendly Feeling to England'—His Tactful
Words —Attitude of People of United States to Those of Great
Britain One of Attachment—Their Mistakes Should Be Con
sidered as the Mistakes of Our Own Government
Washington, Jan. 29.— Senator Ma
son (Rep., Ill,) arose today soon after
the Senate convened, to a questloh of
privilege, and sharply attacked the
British government and the British
vice consul at New Orleans because of
an Interview In which the vice consul
had assailed Mr. Mason for the posi
tion he had taken In behalf of the
Transvaal Republic In its war with
Great Britain. Mr. Mason attacked not
only the consul, but the policy of Great
Britain In levying war upon an Infe
rior nation.
Mr. I-loor (Rep., Mass.), thought the
consul’s purported remarks so serious
that the matter ought to be investiga
ted by the government, but at the same
time ho deprecated any attack upon
Great Britain, with the people
of which the American people ought
Clt? PormUcr Smr
rc-rnm iqwrn 1770 *
tions from loans if required; that in |
evon: cf increase in salaries an addi
tional appropriation will become neces
sary; that an additional appropriation
of $40,000 for the sinking fund will be
required if the
FITCHBURG RAILROAD STOCK
or proceeds' from sale of this stock is
not turned over to the commissioners
of the sinking funds and that the ap
propriation for abatements is appro
priated from unappropriated balances.
The entire matter was referred to the
joint standing committee on finance.
There was considerable argument in
the Common Council relative to the
salaries recommended for certain offi
cials. Councilman Bragg argued
against the increase recommended for
Supt. of Sewers Harrison P. Eddy, and
Councilman Meagher objected to the
salary paid Street Commissioner
Wright S. Prior, pointing out that the
street commissioner has boarded his
team at the city stables for a low rate
and various other things in Mr. Prior’s
conduct which do not meet his ap
proval. Mr. Meagher took a stand in
favor of increasing the salaries of the
chief of police, chief engineer of the
fire department, assessors and the gen
eral inspector of the Board of Health,
who serve as members of the License
Board without extra compensation,
Councilmen (3-allaghe.r and O’Leary
supported this stand. Mr. Meagher also
favored increasing the salary paid
members of the board of assessors. He
introduced his old order of a year ago,
instructing the committee on police to
consider the advisability of pensioning
police officers.
In Board of Aldermen
The People’s Lake Line Street Rail
way Co., by John W. Knibbs, Thomas
J. Barrett and others, petitioned for a
location for tracks in Park, Grafton and
Belmont Streets, Bloomingdale Road
and other streets included
IN THE NEW ELECTRIC LINE
to Lake Quinsigamond. The petition
was received and an order adopted
granting- incorporators of the new rail
way a hearing Feb. 19 at 8 o’clock,
notice of the hearing to be promulga
ted by publishing it in The Worcester
Spy, Gazette, Telegram and Post.
These petitions were referred to the
aldermanic highway committee; James
Draper and others for widening Bioom
ingdale Road and rtiaking public a new
street from the east end of Blooming
dale Road to Anna Street; William H.
Dexter and others for making Webster
Place a public highway; A. M. Whit
man, Thomas F. McGauley and others
requesting that the mayor ask officials
of the New York, New Haven & Hart
ford Railroad Co. to provide gates or
a flagman at the Hope Avenue Cross
ing of the Norwich division.
An order was adopted to have the
water committee consider the advisa
bility of improving the water supply
(Continued on Page Two.)
not only to live in peace, but as loving
and devoted friends.
Mr. Lodge (Rep., Mass.), sharply ar
raigned the British consul for his ut
terances against a United States sen
ator, and believed it ought not lightly
to be passed.
Mr. Tillman (Dem., S. C.), delivered
a characteristic speech on the Philip
pine question, in which he maintained
that this government ought to extend
to the Filipinos the right to govern
themselves, the United States guarding
them against the aggression of other
nations.
AMERICANS MERCENARY.
The vice consul at New Orleans was
quoted as saying that the British pub
lic was disgusted with the position tak
en by the American people and some
of the senators In Congress on the
subject of the Brltish-Transvaal war.
That position was assu—jed, the consul
was quoted as saying simply be
(Continued on Page Two.)
WORCESTER, MASS., TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1900-EIGIIT PAGES
IN RHODE ISLAND
Bryan Strives to Bewitch the
Clamdiggers With His Spell
of Words
FLYING TOUR OF
THE LITTLE STATE
Speaks to Appreciative Audien
ces—Says Nation Must Have
an Independent Financial Sys
tem of Its Own
Pawtucket, Jan. 29.—Mr. Bryan was
well pleased with the result of his first
speech in the state of Rhode Island at
the Opera House this afternoon. The
large auditorium was packed and there
was much enthusiasm.
Mr. Bryan was given the freedom of
the city by Mayor John J. Fitzgerald,
who introduced him. The colonel kept
every one in good humor by applying
biblical sayings to his subject. Mr.
Bryan declared that the Chicago plat
form stands today the only one adopt
ed in '96 that will be remembered for
all time.
“I have a higher ambition than to be
president,” said he. “That is to do
something to make the government
better. I have no doubt that the time
will come when the principles of the
Chicago platform will be a part of the
law of the United States. I believe in
its ultimate triumph.”
Mr. Bryan referred to the monetary
commission sent by Pres. McKinley
and said that he had betrayed the peo
ple by trying to get the foreign gov
ernments to help us get rid of a thing
the people had already declared for. The
speaker referred to the panic in Lon
don as the result of the reverse in
South Africa and that in the United
States as a further result.
“If the few reverses of England dis
turb the finances of this country,”
said he, "where will you be if ever
England takes a nation of her size?
We will never be independent until we
have a financial system of our own.”
In regard to trusts, Mr. Bryan said
that he advocated having a line drawn
which would confine the limits of a
trust to one particular state and leave
the other 44 states free.
Regarding imperialism, Mr. Bryan
said: "The Declaration of Independ
ence is still law in the United States.
The president in 1898 asked for an army
of 100,000, became there had been a
change in national politics. It was a
change to the policy of an empire. If
we have imperialism we will have mil
itarism
“The Republicans' are trying Co de
clare that it is our divine right to take
the Philippines. Let Congress declare
that we are not there for the land or
for the people, and that we intend to
give Uiem the same, liberty we have
ourselves, and that will effectually set
tle everything.”
Mr. Bryan was the only speaker and
the meeting broke up quickly to en
able him to catch a train for Woon
socket.
At Woonsocket
Woonsocket, R. 1., Jan. 29. —A great
crowd greeted Col. Bryan as he stepped
from the train at 4.07 on his arrival
from Pawtucket. To be sure, it was a
good natured one, but there was no
semblance of order, and the crush
overwhelmed the police. Mr. Bryan and
Mayor Green of this city were as shut
tlecocks and were pushed and jammed
about in the frantic endeavors of the
enthusiasts to shake the hand of the
prospective Democratic candidate. On
the way to the home of Hon. Seth S.
Getchell, for lunch, Col. Bryan stopped
at the office of The Call and was pre
sented to the entire staff. At 5 o’clock
he held a reception at the Monument
House and at 6.15 entered the Opera
House, where a big mass meeting was
held.
TRIED TO WORK GREEN
GOODS GAME IN ATHOL
Witness From Worcester County
Testifies in the Case Against
Postmaster Reedy
New York, Jan. 29.—The trial of John
Reedy, the postmaster and railroad sta
tion agent at Pocantlce Hills, N. Y.,
alleged to have been the confederate of
George Morris, in the green goods busi
ness, was resumed in the United States
Circuit Court today.
The first witness was J, L. Dexter, a
resident of Athol, Mass. He was ques
tioned about ’’green goods” circulars,
addressed to him, and which by order
he directed the postmaster at that place
to turn over to Anthony Comstock, for
use in the administration of justice.
Anthony Comstock corroborated the
witness, who testified to the receipt of
the telegram and “green goods’’ cir
culars in October, 1897, which are a part
of the exhibits against the accused man.
The admission of the telegraph and
written correspondence was objected to
by counsel for both Reedy and Morris.
WITHDRAW INTIMATIONS
Clark’s Enemies Withdraw
Charges Against Toole
Washington, Jan. 29.—The Senate com
mittee on privileges and elections today
heard a number of witnesses on minor
points involved in the charges against
Senator Clark of Montana. The protest
ants withdrew all intimations against
Hon. J. K. Toole, who withdrew from the
Montana contest for United States sena
tor under circumstances which the pro
testants at first were inclined to consider
suspiciously favorable to Mr. Clark.
The prosecution also declined during the
clay to put two witnesses on the stand
who had been summoned at their instance,
because the men had talked unsatisfacto
rily since their arrival in Washington.!
Both ex-Senator Edmunds and Mr. Camp
bell said it would be unfair to both sides
to call the witnesses to testify.
Pauncefote Soon to Retire
Washington, Jan. 29.—The term of Lord
Pauncefote, the British ambassador to this
capital, will expire in April. Some time
ago, In view vis his long and honorable
career here, the ambassador’s tenure was
extended until April, and, as no official In
timation has been received here of a fur
ther extension, It is supposed he will re
tire after another month’s service.
ESTABLISHED 1770
WEBSTER’S ESTATE
Col. W. A. Gile’s Petition to Make
Northfield, Daniel Webster’s
Home, a State Park
BILL TO ABOLISH
POLL TAX COMES UP
Boston Brokers Present an Anti
bucket Shcp Bill—Order to In
vestigate Metropolitan Water
Board Does Not Reach Senate
Boston, Jan. 29.—C01. William A.
Gile’s, bill for the acquisition by the
State and the preservation of the
Webster estate at Marshfield as a
memorial park to Daniel Webster, was
referred yesterday to the committee on
harbors and public lands. A number
of prominent men will appear before
the committee at the hearing, which
will take place in a few days. Senators
Hoar and Lodge will write letters to
the committee favoring the adoption
of the bill.
Only one committee of the Legislature
gave a hearing today, when drainage
heard Counsel Bullard on the petition
of the Town of Dedham for an exten
sion to April 1, 1902, of the time within
which the town may accept the act
providing for a sewerage system.
The House had an interesting calen
dar, including as it did Mr. Donahue’s
bill to abolish the poll tax, rejected
Wednesday; the Boston City Council
bills of Mr. Borofsky, upon which the
committee on election laws reported
leave to withdraw, the resolve revok
ing the sentence of banishment of
Roger Williams, and one of the gas
measures of Mr. Engstrofn.
The annual telephone bill, drafted by
E. B. Collender, came into the House
through a petition presented by Mr.
Engstrom of Boston. Its novelty lies in
the call for a single commissioner and
the inclusion of telegraph companies in
the provisions of the act. Gas orders
and bills flow in steadily, the latest,
from Mr. Minton of Boston, demanding
service for the City of Boston at 50
cents per 1000 or less.
On motion of Mr. Blood of Fitchburg,
it was voted that the House shall not
sit later than 4.30 daily.
The order for the investigation of the
Metropolitan Water Board did not
reach the Senate, having been hung up
in the room of the committqg on rules.
The “anti-bucket-shop” bill of the
big Boston brokers made its appearance
by petition in the House.
Mr Donahue f Fall beeged
th* House to reconsider rejection of his
order authorizing the committee on
taxation to investigate the operation
of the law requesting the collection of
poll taxes. Mr. Selfridge of Boston
opposed reconsideration, saying that
this was but an attempt of the minority
to supply itself with ammunition for
the fall campaign. Mr. Selfridge then
entered upon a categorical statement
of the question. Mr. Mellen expressed
surprise that the House should hesitate
to take this simple step toward wiping
out the “barbaric system of imprison
ing a man for being poor.” Mr. Ben
nett inquired what thfc bill accom
plished more than could be accom
plished by a bill on leave. Mr. Don»a*
hue replied that a bill on leave nar
rowed the question too much. Recon
sideration prevailed, 96 to 86. and the
order was adopted.
MAUD GONNE HERE
TO ASSIST BOERS
Irish Joan of Arc Will Tour Amer
ica Making Speeches in Favor
of Transvaal
New York, Jan. 29.—Miss Maud Gonne,
the Irish Joan of Are, arrived today on the
French line steamer La Normandie from
Havre. Miss Gonne said that the trip was
very rough, and that she suffered severely
all the voyage.
She could say but little about her future
movements in this country beyond the
fact that she would stay a month and then
hurry back to Ireland, as her time was
fully engaged there. She will address sev
eral meetings in the interest of the Boers.
Miss Gonne will stop at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel.
RUSSIAN SPIES
They Are Prowling Around Forti
fied Places in Sweden
Stockholm, Jan. 29,—The newspapers are
becoming persistent in their demands for
explanations from the government in re
gard to the steps it is pursuing relative to
the alleged Russian spies who for several
weeks past are reported to have been seen
in different parts of Sweden, specially in
the neighborhood of fortified places.
The papers declare that If the reports
are true the government must address an
unequivocal Intimation to Russia that
such proceedings must cease. There will
probably be an interpellation In the riks
dag on the subject,
WILL NOT RECONSIDER
Samoan Treaty Will Stand as
First Passed
Washington, Jan. 29.—The Senate, In ex
ecutive session today, decided by a vote
of 21 to 38 not to reconsider the vote by
which the Samoan treaty was ratified. The
Injunction of Becrecy was afterwards re
moved from the vote.
Senator Davis, chairman of the foreign
relations committee, during the executive
session Informed the Senate that tomor
row he would ask to take up The Hague
peace treaty.
Green the Druggist's Cut Prices
Hood’s Sarsaparilla 67c
Peruna
Paine’s Celery Compound 69c
Carter’s Little Liver Pills 13 C
Beecham’s Pills 15c
Omega Oil 38c
Wheat Shred Baby Food 39c
Cutlcura Soap 17c
Lydia Flnkham's Compound 69c j
Lime Water 6c pint
Get It at Green’s. He cuts the price.
DRINK QUABAUG. PURE QUABAUG.
NOTE GF WARNING!
Worcester May Lose the Valued
Services of City Engineer
Frederick A. McClure
HE HAS A GOOD OFFER
UNDER CONSIDERATION
Councilman O’Leary Informs the
Members of the Common Coun
cil That He May Go Unless the
City Is More Generous
Worcester may lose the services of
City Engineer Frederick A. McClure.
A note of warning was sounded at last
night's meeting of the City Council,
when Councilman O’Leary, in the
course of his remarks on the salary
question, said that he had learned on
good authority that City Engineer Mc-
Clure had received a flattering offer
from another city and that the offer
might be accepted unless Worcester
shows a disposition to be more gener
ous in the salary question.
When the committtee on finance made
its recommendations on the salaries
there were a few increases but the city
engineer was not among the number.
Mr. McClure made no effort to get an
increase this year, nor does he care to
discuss the question, but it was learned
last night on good authority that he is
wanted by another city and that he is
at present considering a flattering offer.
Mr. McClure’s ability in his profession
has earned him more than a local repu
tation. He has been associated with
some of the most able engineers in the
country and the feeling generally ex
pressed by members of the City Council
is that Worcester can ill afford to lose
his services.
Mr. McClure came to Worcester in
1869 and entered the office of the city en
gineer. Afterward he had considerable
experience in the construction of rail
roads, and in 1891 he was elected super
intendent of sewers, succeeding Charles
A. Allen as city engineer in Nov., 1892.
ANTI-TRUST LAW
DECLARED VOID
Judge Kohlsaat Hands Down a
Decision Which May Have Im
portant Bearing on Trusts
Cii.vagv, Ja,,-::9. Je t; ■c. v> Kohi
saat in the United States Circuit Court
today decided the anti-trust act of the
Illinois Legislature in 1893 void, on the
ground that the statute contains both
class and special legislation and is in
contravention of the federal and state
constitutions.
The opinion of the court bears more
directly on the ninth clause of the act
of 1893, but the validity of the act is
also denied. The ruling was made in
the case of the Union Sewer Pipe Co.
against Thomas Connelly, but applied
as well to the cases of the same plaint
iff against William Dee, the two cases
having been tried conjointly. The
court took the case from the Jury and
gave instructions that the finding be
in favor of the plaintiff.
The Union Sewer Pipe Co. brought
suit to recover upon promissory notes
given by the defendants who contend
ed that the plaintiff was a trust or
combination organized for the ex
pressed purpose of creating and carry
ing out restrictions in trade.
SQUIRE PETITION
Want a Certain Old Agreement
Probated at This Time
Cambridge, Jan. 29.—A petition which
it is thought will probably prove an
other source of litigation, has been
filed in the Middlesex County Probate
Court in relation to the John P. Squire
estate by Frank O. Squire, Fred P.
Squire and John P. Wyman, the ex
ecutors of the will of John P. Squire.
It is to the effect that a certain agree
ment, drawn up by the late Mr. Squire
in 1880, directing that Frank *j. Squire
assume control of the pork factory and
other property in this city, be probated
by the court at this time.
The petitioners state that they have
not filed the papers until now because
they did not think it necessary, and
call attention to the fact that the will
in referring to the agreement changes
one of its provisions so that Mr. Squire
is to retain $260,000 as capital stock in
stead of $200,000 above the original $40,-
000. Opposition has been entered to the
probating of the document.
CITY HALL CLERKSHIPS
Civil Service Examination For
Positions Yesterday
Chief Examiner Henry Sherwin of
Boston and the local Board of Exami
ners held an all day civil service ex
amination of applicants for City Hall
clerkships, in the Common Council
chamber yesterday.
There were 21 women and one man
who took the Class A. No. 1, examina
tion for positions paying less than SBOO
per year; and eight women and three
men took the Class A, No. 2, examina
tion for places paying SBOO and up
ward a year.
James Early, John P. Munroe and
Frank B. Hall of the local board and
Albert E. Taylor assisted Mr. Sherwin.
Urge Mediation
Boston. Jan. 29.—The board of directors
of the American Peace Society today for
warded an appeal to President McKinley
to offer the good offices and mediation of
the United States to Great Britain and the
Transvaal, basing the action on the fact
that the whole civilized world has not for
gotten that one of the most important
features of the peace conference was that
entailing mediation.
Not Invited
Berlin, Jan. 29.—An official agency has
communicated the following to the press:
“Jn spite of unofficial statements that
Dr. Leyds. diplomatic representative of
the Transvaal, is here by official invita
tion, his visit is entirely by hla own invi
tation, and, though he has received ordU
nary courtesy, his presence Is without
political significance.
OPERATIONS COME
TO A FULL PAUSE
Next Move Will Be For Lord Roberts to
Order an Advance Into the
Orange Free State
i
“MORE MEN,” IS THE CONSTANT CRY
Public Burns With Impatience—Reinforcements to the Number of
50,000 Will Probably Be Sent—Later Description of the Attack
on Spion Kop—Boer Defenses Made the Positions Too Hot For
Human Power to Hold—British Have Thus Far Lost the Equiv
alent of a Whole Division
London, Jan. 30, 4.30 a. m.—History
pauses for a time in South Africa. It
is one of those unsatisfactory pauses
that are nearly as trying to the nerves
as a sequence of reverses, and appar
ently it will terminate only when Lord
Roberts gives the word for the forward
movement into the Free State, which,
according to the best views, he will be
unable to do for a fortnight.
Whether he will permit Gen. Buller
to make another attempt to relieve
Ladysmith is quite outside the knowl
edge even of those closely connected
with the war office. With the troops
due to arrive next Monday, he may
think himself strong enough to try two
large operations, combining the forces
under Gens. Methuen, French and Gat
acre and adding to them the arriving
troops, * Lord Roberts would have
70,000 men for the invasion of the Free
State, with 40,000 or 50,000 guarding
communications and 40,000 trying to
rescue Ladysmith.
The public burns with impatience that
something be done; but there is nothing
to do but to wait on the preparations.
I Oceans of ink are poured out in ad
vice. Orators are at work in the pro
vinces telling the people that England
, h°s “set her in grim determina
tion to succeed/’ >
The thing on which everybody seems
agreed is that more men must go.
Twenty thousand two hundred and
twenty-two men and 155 guns are at
sea. Eleven thousand infantry and
9000 cavalry, including 5000 yeomanry,
are practically ready to embark.
Therefore, the government, without do
ing more, can place at the disposal of
Lord Roberts 40,000 additional men and
155 guns. The further purposes of the
war office are supposed to embrace
somewhere in the neighborhood of 50,-
000 more men. As the indication is
that candidates were rather scarce, the
war office will issue orders for those
reserves who were found uniit in the
previous mobilization to prepare for
action. Applications for cavalry ser
vice are still freely offering as yeo
manry.
Gen. Buller’s operation has cost 912
men, so far as officially reported, with- 1
MASTER PLUMBERS
THROW UP THE SPONGE
Members of the Association Vote to Disband—The Rooms in the
State Mutual Building Will Be Vacated Before Tomorrow Night
and Property of the Association Will Be Disposed of—Enforc
ed Disbandment Caused By Popular Dislike of the Combine-
Members Say the Builders Will Lose By the Action
The Master Plumbers’ Association
dissolved last night.
The meeting in State Mutual build
ing was representative of the entire
body of master plumbers who have
been prime movers in the combine.
More than 20 members attended, and
the unanimous vote was to disband at
once. The rooms will be vacated before
tomorrow night, and the property of
the association, valued at about S2OO,
will be disposed of. A dividend was
declared on money in the treasury.
Henry A. McManus, John W. Greene
and Peter J. Hagan were elected a
committee to dispose of the furniture
and equipment of the State Mutual
building quarters, and declare a div
idend.
There was a general expression of
regret among members of the combine
at the enforced disbandment. Individ
ually the former members of the com
gine are free. No association holds
them to strictly honest plumbing con
tracting, and thus the belief is formed
that builders will suffer from the ac
tion last night.
The association has had a career of
one year and two weeks. Its primary
object was protection of master plumb
ers. One clause in the constitution
made it
COMPULSORY FOR MEMBERS
to figure precisely the same on all con
tracts, thereby eliminating all chnnce
of i .. r workmanship or materials be
ing * nished builders.
The association declared itself
against the method known as ’’reading
between the lines." By this, it was in
tended to have every member of the
combine furnish goods of the same
grade called for in the contract. It is
said to be a comparatively easy mat
ter for a plumbing contractor to "strip"
Fair; warmer; freeh west wind*
TWO CENTS
in 10 days. Applying to the 26 Spion
Kop casualties reported today, the rule
of proportion, the losses of officers in
dicate probably 600 casualties yet to
come. The casualties of the war, com
piled from official reports, are 9523,
nearly a division. Of these, 2486 are
killed, 4811 wounded, and the rest pris
oners. The aggregate British home
troops in South Africa number 116,000,
and the Natalians 7158, and Cape Colo
nials 21,000.
SUMMIT A PERFECT HELL*”
Boer Position So Strong That
Mortal Man Couldn’t Hold Kop
London, Jan. 30.—A special dispatch
from Frere Camp, dated Friday, Jan.
26, 9.10 p. m., says:
“I have Just ridden in here, having
left Gen. Buller's forces in the new po
sitions south of the Tugela, to which
they retired in consequence of the re
verse at Spion Kop.
"The fighting, both before and after
the occupation of the mountain, was
of a desperate character. Spion Kop
is a precipitous mountain overtopping
the whole line of kopjes along the up
per Tugela. On the eastern side the
1 mount! 'n faces Mount Alice and Pot
gieter's drift, standing at right angles
to the Boer central position and Lyt
tleton’s advanced position. The south
ern point descends in abrupt steps to
the lower line of kopjes. On the west
ern side, opposite the right outposts of
Warren’s forces, it is inaccessibly steep
until the point where the neck joins
the kop to the main range. Then there
is a gentle slope which allows easy ac
cess to the summit.
“The neck was strongly held by the
Boers, who also occupied a heavy spur
parallel with the kop, where the enemy
was concealed in no fewer than 35 rifle
pits, and was thus enabled to bring to
bear upon our men a damaging cross
fire, the only possible point for a Brit
ish attack being the southern side, with
virtually sheer precipices on the left
and right.
(Continued on page 2.)
a Job of more than ordinary profits
by putting in place goods of second
or third quality where first is demand
ed. The exterior appearance of goods
furnished by plumbers is often the
same in all grades, and only the ex
pert can detect the difference.
Through knowledge of the honesty
of purpose of the association, about 31)
plumbing firms in this city were repre
sented in the combine. Expelled mem
bers and the sympathy of the public
with the men turned down for breach
of the association discipline, tended to
weaken the combine and make its dis
bandment a surety. With the asso
ciation out of existence, the plumbers
are all upon the same plane, and a
MERRY WAR WILL BE WAGED
on prices, workmanship and the re
ceipt of contracts.
Pres. O. S. Kendall of the associa
tion said: "It has been my firm belief
that such an association benefited the
public. The responsibility for Infe
rior work could be speedily fixed, and
the association aimed to give the pub
lic honest work at lowest possible
prices. The public could not be
taught the difference between cheap
work at cheap prices, and the best
workiat a slight increase over the cost
of inferior work, therefore the publla
can now have what it wants. I do
not dare venture what the result will
be."
Charles C. Brown, former secretary
of the organization, who was elected
to the secretaryship of the New Eng
land Association, will begin his new
work Thursday.
On the morning of Jan. 9, The Spy
said the dissolution of the association
was probable. Another morning pa
per, because it had been forced to take
news secondhand, declared that the
story was a fake. The action of the
Plumbers' Association last night puts
its own stamp upon a paper that de
cries accuracy,