Indianapolis Journal, Volume 49, Number 364, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 December 1899 — Page 2

V

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1899.

class are one-third higher than a year ago. Coal rnd coke have shaied in the wonderful Industrial development of the year with a rise eual to that la textiles, and bulldtng materials, too, have made equal gains, owing mainly to the marked advance In lumber. Naval store show a gain of nearly one-third in price, hides and leather are one-fourth higher, live stock, dried frulta and oils are one-eighth higher and provisions, chemicals and miscellaneous products have all advanced. Taking bank clearings as an index the outlook at present faor3 a total at the country's clearing hou&ea, making comparisons with previous year?, of fully $03,300,ttXVM), an Increase of 25 per cent, over a year ago; of 74 per cent, over lbvl. and of bl per cent, over 152. while as compared with 191 the volume of clearings has practically doubled. Active stock speculation and immense industrial floating, but above alt enormous trade and industrial activity, naturally swelled the volume of clearings in the middle States, but the gains in the New England group. Including Boston, where copper share speculation was extensive, and the gTeat manufacturing centers, were also considerable. The largest monthly clearings up to December were imported In March, while outside of the metropolis the heaviest totals were shown as late as October. The flurry In money late in December swelled the weekly bank clearings to an unprecedented sum. making possibly an exceptionally heavy December aggregate. Decreases from lsSS at individual cities were few and due mainly to changes In methods unconnected with the generally large business doing. As compared with ISM every city In the country naturally reports large clearings, but it Is worth noting that thirteen cities in. all show decreases from the year which still re- , mains at those cities a year of unequaled trade. The railroads of the country have done the heaviest business in their history, proved by the gains In gross and net receipts over all previous records. This, too, has apparently made little Impression in the business on such water routes as the lakes, which report the heaviest traffic and the most profitable season ever recorded. That the transportation Interests are determined to share still furthe- in the unexampled volume of tonnage offering is proved by the general advance in rates scheduled for Jan. 1. U00. Railway building, though mosny of branches and feeders, was the heaviest reported since 1S0O. was double the average of the preceding four years and SO per cent, larger than In 1&S. BUSINESS FAILURES. The record of embarrassments has been of a steadily diminishing ca!c as regards number, end even In liabilities the year's record Is an exceptional one, and were it not for a few large failures In the last two months of the year that period, as a whole, would have been fairly entitled to the appellation of phenomenal. Though the year's record Is not, as yet. complete and the returns as to assets and liabilities are still more or less vague, it may bo stated, that the total number of failures, based on complete returns for eleven months, and partial returns for December, will be in the neighborhood of 9.X0, certainly little In excess of that number, a total smaller than In the preceding year by 17 per cent., 26 per cent, fewer tnan in 1S97, 36 per cent, lower than In lSy$. 25 per cent, smaller than In 1305 and 40 per cent, less than In 1&33. the year of panic memory. As compared with 1892 there Is even shown a decrease of per cent., and the number of falling traders, firms or corporations is, in fact, the lightest since 1SS2, seventeen years ago. As regards liabilities, while the showing is not so good as expected, there Is a reasonable hope of the aggregate not being mucn in excess of $120,000,000. which would be 13 per cent, less than In 1S98, 23 fer cent, smaller than in 1837, 51 per cent, ess than In 18Dt. 70 per cent, smaller than in the panic year of 1S93, and only 11 per cent, more than 1S92, a year of exceptionally good trade. The return of normal conditions is Indicated by the percentage of asests. which may aggregate J62.0(j0.000, to liabilities, belng only 51.6 per cent., as against 52 per cent, last year. 54.4 per cent, in 1897, 69.9 per cent. In 1S9, 63 per cent, in 1S93 and 50 per cent, in 1S92. The percentage of those filing to those in business, too, will show a marked shrinkage and will be among the lowest ever reported, the probabilities fa.Yoring a percentage of .0055 this year, against .015 per cent, last year. .0120 In 1W7, .01 ;0 In 133 and .0100 per cent, in 1892, the smallest percentage, in fact, since 1S2. That Improvement In business has made Itself felt at last in all parts of the country is Indicated by the Southern and Pacific States groups showing the largest decreases in failures from a year ago, fully one-third In each case. The business community looks forward to 1200 with at least equally mixed feelings of hope and confidence.

DUX A COS REVIEW. Failures Swelled by Collapse of Speculation in Copper Stock. NEW TORK. Dec. 29. B. O. Dun & Co.'s weekly review of trale will say in to-morrow's Issue: No correct report of failures in 1199 can be mads until the year has closed. A collapse of speculation in copper stocks has swelled the aggregate at Boston alone over $18,000,000 within a few days and might yet add to the record. The failures thus far reported are fewer In number than In any year since 1S73 and smaller in amount of commercial liabilities than In any year since 1SS1. The aggregate of defaulted liabilities is $120,150,000, but nearly two-thirds of the banking liabilities were added within a few days, the aggregate reaching about $30.?00,000. The commercial liabilities have been about $59,260,000. though exact returns for a few recent failures are not yet obtainable. No other years except 1SS1. with defaulted liabilities Of $S1.5,3C2. and 1SS0. with $53,752,000, have failures been as small sinco the agency COLD AND FAIR TO-DAY. Increasing Cloudiness Predicted for Indiana on Sunday. WASHINGTON, Dec. 29. Forecast for Saturday and Sunday: For Ohio Fair, continued cold on Saturday and Sunday; fresh west to north winds. For Indiana and Illinois Fair on Saturday; Increasing cloudiness on Sunday; continued cold; fresh northerly winds. Local Observations on Friday. Bar. Ther. It, II. Wind. Pre. Weather. 7 a.m. .30.3a 7 7-5 N west. 0.00 Clear. 7 p.m. .30.34 12 52 N'west. 0.C0 Clear. Maximum temperature, 15; minimum temperature. 5. Following Is a comparative statement of the mean temperature and total precipitation lec. : Tern. Pre. Normal 30 .10 Mean 10 .00 Departure 20 .10 Departure since Dec. 1 53 .18 Departure since Jan. 1 10S 5.S9 Plus. C. F. R. WArPENHANS, Local Forecast Official. Yesterday Temperature. Mln. -12 , 10 s Max. 32 m IS 8 12 IX H 12 14 43 2) 4S IS 3S . 4 2.5 2S 4S 2S IS 2; 16 14 . 12 34 IS a K 'Ji 24 7 p. m. 2S 10 6 S 20 30 14 IS 6 8 4S 20 42 16 3 0 SO 20 4; n Zi 14 10 10 12 rs 14 m ' 12 24 fJ IS Atlanta. Ga, lUsmarck. N. D Buffalo. N. Y Calgary. N. W. T.... Chicago. Ill Cairo. Ill Cheyenne. Wyo Cincinnati. O 2 :t 10 Concordia. Kan. Davenport. Ia De Moines. Ia 0 ss 3S 14 21 0 2! IS 21 1 10 5) 4 G'.lvcston. Tex. Yf-i r . Jitr:ri)&. .Mom. Jacksonville. Fla. . Kansas City, Mo.,. Llttl Rock. Ark... Marquette. Mich. .. Memphis. Tenn. ... NashvllK T'-nn. New Orleans. La New York. N. Y.. North Platte, Neb Oklahoma. O. T...., Omaha. Neb. , Jlttfburg. Pa , 10 24 Ou'Apreiie. N. W. T.... : Rapid City. S. D r.Ht Lake City. Utah... Tt. Loul. Mo i't. Paul, Minn lpringrteld. Ill r.prlnKftt Id. Mo Mriisiurg, Miss Y.'cfchlnjton, D. C 0 n 19 2 8 14 30 13

commenced quarterly returns in 1S71. The average liabilities per failure Is less than V.IM. the smallest in any year of the twen-ty-tUe. a gratifying evidence that commercial liabilities are further removed than usual from the point of danger. Tie week has been exciting only at Boston, where the failures growing out of speculation and the efforts to re-establish batiks and firms suspended have not given the. week a holiday character. Yet general business is thoroughly safe and prosperous, and no important firms have failed save some which were individually connected with concerns Involved in speculation. The speculative troubles came because the volume of legitimate business and the unprecedented distribution of profits. Interest and dividends made it no longer possible to carry some stocks on bo. rowed money. Prosperity itself placed a check on speculative ventures. "Wheat and cotton speculation has taken a holiday, prices scarcely varying, and the movement of both Is surprisingly small. Atlantic exports of wheat flour included have In four weeks been only 8,278.618 bushels, against 19.S74.5S7 last year, and Pacific exports 3.314.271, against 3.SCC.S08 last year. The corn exports continue about as large as last year, but cotton exports this month have been lctss than half last year's, with some decrease on takings of spinners. Accumulated stocks in mills and markets, both here and abroad, are so large that there is no haste to pay the prices asked. The Industries are closing the most extraordinary year of their history. Long established branches have undergone a veritable reconstruction, vastly increasing their capacity, while new Industries, which scarcely existed a year or two ago, have enlisted a vast capital, altered modes of business and production In almost every direction and Improved conditions for the future almost beyond calculation. Electrical developement8 in light, heat and power, performing wonders In production of materials and providing transportation all over the land, deserve especial attention. The Increase In demand for iron and steel-products is the great feature of the year. With 415,733 tons unsold and 243.516 produced weekly Jan. 1, hindered by severe weather so that the output on March 1 dropped 13.000 tons, but expanding In every month afterwards, the Industry Is now producing about 300,000 tons weekly, and unsold stocks are reduced to 122,923 tons, and yet orders unfilled will require six to nine months' work from most of the establishments. Prices have not changed the past week, though demand for some products Improved a little. The average of prices closes 119.5 per cent. hlghr than Jan. 1 for pig and 102.8 per cent, higher for products. Consumption of cotton has been larger than ever, with an average advance of 29.5 per cent, in prices of goods, though cotton was for a time 22 per cent, and Is now 29 per cent, higher than on Jan. 1. Wool has been raised by speculation 35 per cent., but has been very largely consumed with great demand for goods, which has advanced but 17 per cent. Stocks now held are said to be 157.39S.&73 pounds. Of boots and shoes the East has shipped 400,000 cases, or 9 pec cent, mere than last year, and 27 per cent, more than in 1S92, but prices have advanced only about 11 per cent, since Jan. 1. In all these products trade shows a continuing strong demand, although quiet In the holiday week. Failures for the week have oeen 221 in the United States, against 252 last year, and twenty-five in Canada, against tv.tntytwo last year. PROSPERITY WILL CONTINUE.

Industries Tlnay Filling; Orders Good Outlook for Textile Trade. NEW YORK, Dec. 29. Bradstreet's tomorrow will say: Holiday quiet and stocktaking Impart an appearance of dullness to general distributive trade, broken, however, by fair activity in re-order business to fill up stocks depleted by the heaviest holiday trade that has ever been experienced. Anticipation of spring trade wants hit given a more than ordlnarly active appearance to business in dry goods at New York, while in industrial lines the efforts of manufacturers to keep up with filled order books Is resulting In unusually active operations. Following the flurry In moneyand stocksand In some lines of speculative commodities, noted last week, has come, as was expected, a more cheerful tone and firming up of quotations Is noted In such supplies as cotton, which was affected by last week's money developments, and also In hog products, coffee, copper, tin and lead. The failure of cotton receipts te Increase has been a source of strength In that market, more especially as the break recently Is expected to have afforded opportunity to heavy short covering by foreigners. Aside from these features prices have displayed exceptional firmness, cereals holding up especially well. The strength of textiles is still a feature which finds Justification In current statistics of large season's receipts and sales of wools and In reports of enlarged old and heavily increased new capaelty in manufacturing lines. Another example of this Is found in the fact that although wool receipts at Boston for the year aggregate nearly double those of a year ago, the stock hea at the close of the year is actually smaller than it was at the end of 1S93. One of the list of iho manufactured textiles t& ttel the Impetus of expanding demand, cottoa thread, has this week been advuncod. Boot and shoe statistics point to an increase of shipments ficrn Boston of 400.000 cases over the preceamg year, and although recent mild weather has dulled the demand, the outlook In this trnde and I in hides and leather Is one of considerable strength. In Iron and steel seasonable auiet as regards new business is observable, but unabated activity on earlier booked orders is reported. ", In some cases no shut down was made for the holidays by mll.s and furnaces. A production a little below 13.700.000 tons of pig Iron Is anticipated with other branches of the same trades representing similar heavily Increased outputs and prices, despite the great advance of the year, and doubtless reflecting on large orders ahead, exceptionally strong. A gain in other metals is a feature calling for note this week. Hardware Is seasonably quiet, but tnat trade reviews the old year with satisfaction and faces tne new one with confidence. Wheat, Including flour, shipments for the veek aggregate 3,610.157 bushels against 2.S13.H last week. 6,12. C23 In the corresponding week of 1S1S. 5.405,0oi In IS'jT. 2,707.?J3 in lSi)6 and 3.143.57S In IMS. Since July 1 this reason the exports of wneat aggregate loa.Sttl.r.' bushels against 121,5:8,70:) last year and 129,061.816 in lik'7-IS. Corn exports for the week aggregate 3,226.259 bushels, against 3.10,u00 last week. 3.650,743 in this week a year ago, 4.0S6.S6. In 197. 2.742.1M in 1S96 and 872,441 in Since July 1 this season corn exports aggregate 121,637.145 bushels, against i0,y50.C3y during the same period a year ago and 80,3l7,2tK) in 1SH7-SS. Business failures for the week rlumber 220, as compared tvith 211 lart week, 21S In this week a year ago. 297 in 1S97, 329 in 18LC and 318 in lS'Jo. For the year failures are the smallest In number for seventeen yc-ars past and were It not for a few heavy financial suspensions in December liabilities which will exceed those of 1S;J slightly, would have been the smallest for twelve years past. DAK CLRAUI3GS. Total This Holiday Week Only About A Dllllon and n Half. NEW YORK. Dec. 29. The following table, compiled by Bradstreet. shows the bank clearings at the principal cities for the week ended Dec. 2J, with the percentage of Increase and decrease as compared with the corresponding week last year: New York Jl,010.779.r10 Inc.. 14.3 Boston 110.77iG.314 Inc.. 6.7 Chicago lli.T75.4r6 Dec. 2.3 Philadelphia W5.ROl.3M Dec.21.3 St. -Iouls 32.lvt.US Inc. .24.5 Pittsburg 27.754.411 Inc. .43.0 Baltimore 21.S30.72H Inc.. 35.3 San Francisco 11.640.573 Cincinnati 13.59l.000 Inc..33.G Kansas City 10.933.tl5 Inc..2i.O New Orleans 10.2.722 Dec. 5.3 Minneapolis 9.M7.5M Dec. 6.0 Detroit fi.J75.S. Inc.13.5 Cleveland !.U32.345 Inc. .26.8 Louisville 7.0!.s.73 Inc. .36.8 Providence 6.0S7.K) Milwaukee 5.231,23 Inc.. 2.3 St. Paul 4.312.525 Inc..ll. Huffnlo 4.4.11.1) Inc. .24.3 Omaha fi.Jll.27l Dec.liS Indianapolis 5,076,113 Inc.. 7.8

Columbus. O 5.379,400 Kvansville. Ind W9.580 Inc.. 14.6 Tt'ls. United States. J1.59S.S73.229 Inc.. 12.3 Totals outside New York Kl.593,319 Inc.. 14.1 SO IJUCTIOX ISSUED.

The rallman-Wagner Companies May Be Sferged To-Dny. CHICAGO, Dec. 29. Judicial ruling on the petition for an injunction to restrain the merging of the Wagner Palace-car Company and the Pullman Palace-car Company will be had to-morrow, when Judge Tuthlll will pass on the motion for the Issuance of a temporary injunction. Pefore that time the transfer of the stock of the Pullman Palace-car Company in payment for the assets of the Wagner Palace-car Company may be effected, as the court refused to enter any order in the case. Attorneys for both sides made extended arguments this afternoon, but the court refused to issue any order before 10 o'clock in the morning, and before that time. It Is understood, the transfer will have been made and the matter will be beyond the reach of a restraining order. Banks to Be Consolidated. PROVIDENCE. R. I., Dec. 29. The action of the directors of the Roger Williams National Dank, one of the oldest financial Institutions in the State, In recommending to the stockholders yesterday that the bank go into liquidation and turn over its business to the Industrial Tniit Company Is part of a movement to concentrate the buwlness done by several banks Into one institution. The City National Bank and the Globe Nations Ilf.nk have been absorbed by the Union Trust Company. The Third National Is going Into liquidation also, the Industrial Trust Company having offered to take over its business, and It Is understood that other national banks are ready tc follow the example of the four mentioned. Drummers Antl-Trnat Lensne. NEW YORK, Dec. 29. Headquarters In New York of the Commercial Travelers and Hotel Men's Anti-trust League were opened to-day by William Hoge, secretary and treasurer of the league, and from this time on. Mr. Hoge said, a vigorous campaign Is to be urged among the different commercial travelers' associations and also among organizations of hotel men to organize them against the trusts. The league was started in August last and a membership of 12,000 has been enrolled. The First American Perfume- Farm. CHICAGO, 111., Dec. 29. The Post says to-day: "Within a few menths there will be established In Monrovia, Cal., the first perfume farm and perfume manufacturing plant, operating on an extensive scale, that has ever been established in this country. A party of New York and Chicago capitalists has been working on the scheme for several months. Thousands of acres of land have been bought in southern California and expert German and French chemists have already been engaged." Price of Glass Tableirare liaised. PITTSBURG. Dee. 29. The result of the conference between representatives of the United States Glass Company, the National Glass Company and the Jobbers in glass tableware was announced to-night. Commencing Jan. 1 next prices on all staples will be advanceu 5 per cent, and prices on specials and other lines have been equitably adjusted. The trade Is reported in excellent condition. Owe Mnch to Country Dnnki. NEW YORK, Dec. 29. Harper & Bros." indebtedness to country banks, it was said to-day by those familiar with the reorganisation affairs of the company, would amount to $1,700,000, and negotiations are under way for the organization of the protective committee representing the banks holding the paper of the firm. UNKNOWN SUNKEN WRECK. Hntteras Derelict Tells a Story of Other Losses of Life. NORFOLK, Va,, Dec. 29. The loss of about ten other men can be added to the already long list sacrificed in Saturday night's big hurricane, in which twenty-one met death below Hatteras and fifteen on an unknown bark in mid-ocean, for they undoubtedly went down in the wreck that was discovered to-day off Hatteras, one of the most dangerous points on the Atlantic coats. The first news was brought by the British steamship Ashlands, Captain Lewis, which arrived several days overdue from Galveston to Marseilles, via Norfolk for coal. Captain Lewis stated that yesterday, when about twenty-flve miles north, quarter east, of Diamond Shoals lightship, off Cape Hatteras. he passed the wreck of a large three-masted schooner and the only things visible above the water were the topmasts. There were no signs of life .about the vessel or any wreckage floating, and the sea was too rough to permit his ship to go near the wreck. The size of the masts indicated a large sailing vessel, whose crew could not be less than ten men. The schooner undoubtedly sunk in Saturday night's storm, and being twenty-five miles from Diamond Shoals, which extend eighteen miles from shore, no distress signals were seen, if shown. No shipwrecked sailors have been landed and the men must have gone down with their ship. The Ashlands had a rough trip, and tue Cairos, which left Galveston four days ahead of her, also arrived to-day. Five Negroes Lost. SHREVEFORT, La. Dec. 29.-The steamer Linda, of Shreveport, burned to the water's edge and sank off Vanceville on the Red river to-day. The officers and crew were compelled to take to the water and swim for shore as it was impossible to run the boat ashore when the fire was discovered. Five negro roustabouts from Shreveport were either burned or drowned. The cause of the fire is unknown. Movements of Steamers. NEW YORK. Dec. 29. Arrived: Werra. from Naples; Pomeranian, from Gla?gow; Phoenicia, from Hamburg. LIVERPOOL. Dec. 29. Arrived: New England, from Boston; Belgenland, from Philadelphia. NAPLES. Dec. 29. Arrived: Kai3er Wilhelm II, from New York and proceeded for Genoa. HAMBURG, Dec 29. Arrived: Palatia. from New Ycrk. BOSTON. Dec. 9.-Arrlved: Sylvanla, from Liverpool; Will Its Iloya Sleep on Dntyf COLUMBUS, O.. Deer 29. The American District Telegraph Company of this city was to-day absorbed by a syndicate composed of Columbus capitalists which will control the district messenger service in St. Paul. Milwaukee. Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Loulsvlle and other cities. Herbert Bennett and W. F. Hurdell. of this city, are president and secretary, respectively, of the syndicate. GoTernor General DavU Retnrnlns;. SAN JUANDE PUERTO RICO. Dec. 29. Gov. Gen. Davis and Lieut. Battle, his aid-de-camp, sailed tor the United States Saturday on th? steame" Ponce, bound for Washington. Orders arrived here on Thursday for the general to report at Washington for consultation with the secretary of war. Florence Illythe Hinckley Married. SAN FRANCISCO. Cal.. Dec. 29. Florence BIythe Hinckley, heiress to several million dollars left her by her father, Thomas BIythe, which were awarded to her after protracted litigation, has been quietly married to A. A. Moore. Jr., deputy attorney general of this State. Ilcrmtmles Fleeing. . CARACAS. Venezuela. Dec. 29. The Hernandez revolution can be said to be ended. Hernandez Is fleeing with 200 men to the Colombian boundary. The government , troops and the minister of war. General i Pulido. are back at Caracas.

PATRIOTIC PRIEST DEAD

REV. SYLVESTER 3IALOXE, A XEW YORK UNIVERSITY REGENT. Kept the Flair Floating Above the Spire of Ills Chnrch Darlna Civil War Thomas MacKellar Dead. NEW YORK, Dec. 29.-Rev. Sylvester Malone, pastor of the Roman Catholic Church of SS. Peter and Paul. Brooklyn, and a member of the board of regents of the University of New York, died to-day, aged seventy-nine years. He had been in failing health for some time past and took to his bed about three weeks ago. Rev. Dr. Malone was born in Trim, County Meath, Ireland, and came to America in 1SC3. His education for the priesthood was at St. Joseph's Seminary, La Fargaville, N. Y., which subsequently became Fordham College. He was ordained in 1W4, and Bishop Hughes assigned him to the church of which he was still pastor to the day of his death. In ISM Father Malone visited Europe, and while there witnessed the council of bishops which Pius XI convened at Rome for the purpose of proclaiming the dogma of the immaculate concep tion. While he was absent a mob, stirred by the political and religious passions which then fermented Williamsburg, attacked his church and would have burned It but for the prompt interference of the authorities. At the beginning of the civil war Father Malone hoisted a Union flag on his church spire, and there it remained until it was taken down In order that It might be carried to the front by Williamsburg men. It was replaced by another flag which the citizens presented. All through the war he labored arduously In behalf of the Union cause, contributing generously both In money and exertion. At the close of the war he made a tour of the South In company with the Rev. Thomas Farrell. In 1S94 Father Malone celebrated his "golden Jubilee," when a monster demonstration was given at the Brooklyn Academy of Music In honor of the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He was appointed a state regent in 1894. Thomas MacKellar. PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 29. Thomas MacKellar, senior member of the firm of MacKellar, Smith & Jordan, type founders, died to-day of pneumonia at his home in Germantown. Thomas MacKellar, who was a printer, poet and author, was born In New York Aug. 12, 1S21. At the age of fourteen years he was given employment In the office of the New York Spy and later In the publishing house of J. '& J. Harper. Ho rose in business till he became n' partner in the type foundry of MacKellar, Smith & Jordan. Mr. MacKellar received the degree of doctor of philosophy from the University of Wooster, O. He was the author of numerous books, poems and hymns, his most successful venture In the literary line being "The American Printer." He was president of the Type Founders' Association of the United States and was a member of numerous other organizations. William J. Mnhoney. BOSTON, Dec. 29. William J. Mahoney. well known to sporting men as a promoter of boxing, died to-day, aged forty years. In his younger days he sparred with Tom Chandler, who died in Chicago on Tuesday, and with Steve Taylor, who died in Boston on Wednesday. Mahoney refereed the Sullivan-Mitchell fight In Madison-square Garden, New York. March 15, 1SS3. He had been a member of the Boston Common Council. E. V. Smalley. ST. PAUL, Minn., Des. 29. E. V. Smalley, editor of the "Northwestern Magazine and secretary of the National Sound Money League, died from dyspepsia and nervous prostration. Mrs. Florence M. Worth. NEW YORK, Dec. 29. Mrs. Florence Mansfield Worth, wife of Brigadier General William S. Worth, U. S. A., retired, died yesterday at Fort Hamilton, N. Y. Michael Griffin. EAU CLAIRE. Wis., Dec. 29.-Congress-man Michael Griffin, head of the State Tax Commission, died suddenly tnls evening of apoplexy in his office. REPLY IN KIND. (CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.) war necessitated. He spoke at length on the money question, but made no mention of a ratio, his remarks dealing principally with the subject of bimetallism In general. Speaking of expansion Colonel Bryan said that it was clearly the duty of this country to establish a stable government in the Philippines and then turn the government over to the Inhabitants of the Islands. Mr. Bryan leaves to-morrow for the North, where he will fill a number of engagements and then return to Austin to spend the remainder of the winter. Says Free Sliver In Dead. NEW YORK, Dec. 29. When the attention of Congressman William D. Daly, of New Jersey, was called to the interview with William J. Bryan, in which Mr. Bryan said the congressman was evidently misquoted when he said "free silver Is dead," Mr. Daly became indignant and vehemently declared he had not been misquoted. "When I said free silver was dead I meant it." he exclaimed. "I can't help what Mr. Bryan may think about It. I have always recognized him as the leader of the Democracy, the most available candidate for President, but In so doing I cannot close my eyes to the fact that free silver Is In its grave. This fact clearly was demonstrated in the vote on the currency bill. With the majority of my colleagues I voted against It, but the vote showed-concluslve-ly there are many "Democrats who will never stand for free sliver." Senator Chandler Testifies. CONCORD. N. H.. Dec. 29 -Senator W. E. Chandler appeared as a witness to-day In the grand Jury hearing of charges of civil-service law violation against Senator Jacob H. Galllnger. Secretary Hoyt, of the Republican state committee, testified this afternoon. The missing witness, John H. Walker, Senator Gah.nger's secretary, has not yet been located. District Attorney lilmblett said to-day that the case would not be closed untw Walker's testimony had been heard. FOOD SEIZURES. CCONCLTTDKD FROM FIRST PAGE.) While there is a desire to discredit the Lokal Anzeiger's streraent. Its publication has -occasioned .'.doubted uneasiness, because the consummation of such a plan would be a diplomatic stroke unfavorable to France and RussU- The possession of Delagoa bay Is believed to be as essential to British success In South Africa as a victory over the Boers Is essential to Great Britain's International prestige. Therefore, it is felt that, if neccessary. Great Britain will take extreme measures. An official of the French Foreign Office said to-day, with respect to the seizure of breadtuffs: "Such a seizure is absolutely outside of international rights and as foolish as though Great Britain, supposing her to bs at war with Switzerland, should declare a blockade of Hamburg for fear certain goods should reach the Swiss from that source. "A decision to consider breadstuffs contraband would be regarded in diplomatic circles as a suicidal policy for Great Britain, as she would be most dependent for food supplies on other nations In case a war arose Involving her." The official then proceeded to point out a number of precedents against the action of Great Britain in this matter. He cited her own refusal, during the Franco-Prus-6ia:o war, to recognize as contraband coal consigned to France, although it was known to be Intended for warships. A still more pertinent Instance arose during the Franco-Chinese war, when Great Britain declined to accept a declaration of France making rice contraband. Obviously, however, the chief ground for apprehension 1

the belief that, if Great Britain should establish a cordon of vessels across Delagoa bay, it would be necessary for all nations to send naval vessels there to protect individual rights. In Fuch an event the presence of a large number of warships might create friction that would bring on grave results. Great satisfaction Is felt in government circles at the successful conclusion of the negotiations with China in the Kwang-Chan-Wan affair. France has obtained everything she demanded. Including a favorable settlement of other outstanding questions."

The Lokal Anselaers Story. BERLIN. Dec. 29. The Relchsanzeiger this afternoon publishes the following: "The Lokal Anzelger continues, In spite! of the contradiction of the Wolff bureau, to advertise Itself with communications regarding the alleged contents of the AngloGerman treaty. We are authorized to declare that the statements in question are founded In impudent and clumsy invention." The Neueste Nachrlchten questions the right of Great Britain to confiscate gold Ingots which were being transported from the Transvaal to Europe. It says It regards the discussion in the English press concerning Delagoa bay as purely tentative, as Great Britain has given no signs that she. will infringe on neutral territory. PURCHASED FROM INDIANS. Quitclaim Deed to the Lake Front of Chicago. CHICAGO, Dec. 29. Samuel M. Blddlson. president of the State Mutual Life Insurance Company of Illinois, and Edwin Stark have purchased from the Pottawatomie Indians a quitclaim deed to a strip of land situated along the lake shore of Chicago, from Rush-street bridge south to the Indiana State line. They claim the title never was purchased from the Indians by the government, and that the territory lies outside of the boundaries of the State of Illinois. Included in the tract are lands occupied by tue Illinois Central Railroau, the Lake Front Park, Chicago Beach Hotel, a strip along tne lake side of Jackson Park, lands of tne Illinois Steel Company and all other property touching the lake south of the river. The strip is from two to six blocks wide. Messrs. Blddlson and Stark transacted their business with Wessan Molay, principal chief of the tribe, and a committee composed of Thomas Topash, Joseph Molay, Andrew Rapp, Neo Basil and Charles Person, acting for the Pottawatomles. The price paid for the quiclaim deed to the strip was 135,000, to be paid over to the Indians when their title is approved by tho secretary of the interior. Real-estate men say the claim will not hold. TELEGRAPHIC BREVITIES. Smallpox has broken out among the Indians in the southern half of the Colvllle reservation. The government of Venezuela has, it fs reported, placed an order for twenty thousand Mauser rirtes and two million cartridges in New .York. William Neufeldt has been found guilty at New York of killing his cousin, Mrs. Nathan Kronman, and sentenced to be executed in February. The United States transport Slocum, which went aground in November last, has completed extensive repairs at St. Thomas and called for San Juan, Porto Rico. The steam launch of the United States revenue cutter Commodore Perry was sunk by running on the Sylvia de Grace rocks, near Astoria. The crew of five was rescued. Jackson day, Jan. 8. will be celebrated by the Jackson Leagvfe, of Toledo, with a dollar dinner. Judge James P. Tarvin, of Kentucky, and Hon. Timothy Tarsney, of Michigan, will be speakers. The combination of the Columbus (O.) Electric and the Columbus Edison Electric Llgi.t companies was perfected yesterday. The capital stock ia fc00,000. Of this amount 350,000 is preferred and 450,000 common. Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, of Boston, the noted Chilstian scientist, has given her son, George Glover, of Lead, S. D., a Christmas present consisting of a check for $10,000 and a title to a $15,000 dwelling house. The three days' session of the seventyeighth annual convention of the National School of Dental Technics came to an end at Philadelphia yesterday. Nashville was selected as the place of meeting for next year. The warrant for the arrest of Charles II. Cole, formerly president of the Globe National Bank of Boston, on a charge of embezzling $900,000, arrived at Los Angeles yesterday. He will be taken to Bo3ton at once. Charles Chapman and family attempted to drive through a swollen stream near Ardmore, I. T. Mrs. Chapman and a daughter were drowned. On being told of the accident the mother of Charles Chapman died of the shock. William Martin was hanged at Cairo, 111., yesterday for the murder of Joseph Landrum last October. On the scaffold Martin exhibited wonderful nerve. He talked briefly, expressing his willingness to die and the belief that ho was saved. The San Francisco Examiner says that five Independent Eastern tobacco companies have combined to fight the tobacco trust and have made arrangements for an aggressive campaign on that coast. The names of the companies are not given. The Ohio river is falling from Pittsburg to Louisville except at Point Pleasant, where back-water from a dam caused a rise. The Big Sandy is closed by ice at Cattlettsburg, and at Portsmouth one-third of the surface of the water Is filled with floating ice. The stockholdres of the Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company have voted to increase the capital stock from $3,730,000 to $23,000,000. The general impression here is that the company is getting in shape to become a part of the big $30,000,000 steel concern that is now organizing In Buffalo. Suits for damages aggregating nearly $700,000 have been brought at Chicago by owners of property on the streets covered by the structure of the Union elevated Railway loop and against the elevaled systems using the loop, the South-side Elevated, the Metropolitan Elevated and the Lake-street Elevated. It was announced at a meeting of the endowment committee of Dcnnlson College, held in Columbus. O.. yesterday, that there will be no difficulty in raising the amount necessary to clinch the Rockefeller endowment. John D. Rockefeller has offered to give $100,000 for an endowment, provided $150,000 is raised by the institution by July, 1900. Lewis E. Goldsmith, assistant cashier of the Port Jarvls National Bank of Port Jarvis. N. Y., who is alleged to have robbed that institution of $54,000 on Nov. 14 last and also to have falsified the bank books, yesterday surrendered himself. His left arm was In a sling and he said he had fallen off a train and broken his collar bone. A special election was held In San Francisco yesterday upon the question of issuing bonds in the sum of $6,750,000 to build new scboolhouses, a new hospital and a new sewer system. The bonds carried by a largo majority. On Tuesday last it was voted to issue bonds for $4,500,000 for a new park system, making a total of nearly eleven millions. Franklin B. Livingston, a Baltimore blind man, who late on Christmas night strangled his wife, Dora Livingston, and on the following day paid a man $1 to lead him to the police station, was discharged from custody yesterday. The evidence before the coroner's Jury showed that Livingston had been attacked in the middle of the night by his wife and that he choked her to death to save his own life. An echo of the failure of E. L. Harper anl the Fidelity Bank was heard in Cincinnati yesterday in a decision by the Circuit Court that Irwin, Green & Co., brokers of Chicago, have no valid claim against the trustees of E. L. Harper's estate. These brokers managed the great wheat speculation by which Harper destroyed his fortune and wrecked the Fidelity Bank, with which he was connected. The amount sued for is $S71,SC0.G0. The court held that suit was not brought within the statutory limit. A World-Wide' Toot. Minneapolis Journal. American factories have manufactured 2.473 locomotives this year, and the sound of the Yankee tooty cars is heard from the Arctic ocean to Patagonia and from California to Korea. TO CLUE A COLD IN OXE DAY Take LaxatlT Bromo Qulnln Tablets. All drugits refund the money If it falls to cart. E. W. Grove's signature is on each box. Co.

HEAVY LOSSES BY FIRE

TWO SEVEN-STORY BUILDINGS DE. STKOYED AT NEW YORK Occupied by Wall-Pnper Factory of William Campbell t Co. Several Firemen Injnred. NEW YORK, Dec. 3. The two sevenstory buildings at Xos. 423 to 435 East Twenty-fourth street, occupied principally by the wall-paper factory of William Campbell & Co., were destroyed by Are tonight. The loss is fully $000,000. The plant of the New York Hygeia Ice Company, which occupied the basement of No. 423, and that of the Manhattan Electric-light Company, on the first and second floors of the same building, w-ere also destroyed. A large portion of the East Side gets its light from that company, and was, on account of the lire, cast into complete darkness.. The Campbell company employed four hundred hands, who will be thrown out of work by the fire. The two buildings destroyed occupied a frontage of two hundred feet on Twenty-fourth street, the entire Avenue A front to Twenty-fifth street and 150 feet on the latter street. The glare from the fire Illuminated the east side of the city as far down as Brooklyn bridge. A night watchman in the buildings discovered the fire on the first floor at 10:15 o'clock. It was then burning fiercely and spreading with great rapidlt3' on account of the Inflammable nature of the stock mostly paper and paper products. Five alarms were turned in, bringing to the scene five fire engines, thirteen hook and ladder trucks and two water towers. Within twenty minutes after the fire was discovered the entire west side of the factory was a roaring furnace. The flames shot from the windows on all the floors and out over Avenue A. There were no large buildings close enough to Ignite, and the firemen were able, by hard work, to keep the flames confined to the Campbell buildings. Three hook and ladder men Andrew Degnan, Joseph. Shaughnessey and Joseph Besslnger were caught on the sixth fh and escaped with great difficulty. All w.. verely burned. Shaughnessey and Besslnger were sent to Bellevue Hospital. The other hook and ladder men were caught on one of the high window ledges, with the flames roaring ail around them and the dense smoke making them almost Imperceptible from the street. Extension ladders were run up and other firemen brought them down in an almost unconscious condition. One of the men. Lee Potter, was very severely burned nnd was sent to Bellevue Hospital. At midnight one section of the wall fell, almost burying a number of firemen, whose escape was miraculous, and injuring several of the men. The falling walls crushed in the roof of the water supply house adjoining, and the city's loss will be heavy. The cause of the fire is unknown. It is impossible to ascertain the individual losses of the New York Hygeia Company and the Manhattan Electrlc-llght Company as apart from that of William Campbell & Co. The properties of all three firms are destroyed beyond the hope of saving a dollar's worth. The losses are partly covered by Insurance: The firm of William Campbell & Co. was a heavy loser by fire eight years ago, when its plant, on West Forty-second street, was destroyed. Other Fires. SAVANNAH, Ga., Dec. 29. Shortly before midnight the furniture store of Llndsey & Morgan and the dry goods store of Daniel Hogan, on Broughton and Barnard streets, in the heart of the retail district, were destroyed by fire. The losses will foot up $150,000, with Insurance of about CO per cent. BURLINGTON, Ia.. Dec. 29.-The building and contents of the Blcklen-Wlnzer wholesale grocery were destroyed by fire to-day, entailing a loss of $130,000. The Insurance is about $93,000. The intense cold prevented the firemen from doing effective work. IN SOUTH AFniCA. Julian Ralph, Travel Ins: with British Army, Offers Some Views. Collier's Weekly. I write you these details because the enemy is close to us and moving slowly nearer. Colesberg and Naauwpoort, on the north, were occupied by a commando as soon as we retired from them. Our withdrawal was very wise, because it has been impossible and of no possible use to tryas was apparently the first plan to hold every collection of cottages on the map. It is only a small commando of four hundred men that we have seen advancing upon us, but my readers must remember that this colony is so full of men of Dutch descent that we are practically in an enemy's country, and four hundred men moving upon us would swell to eight hundred, even to a thousand, perhaps, before they had marched very far in the colony. It is impossible. In a newspaper article, to make any one who does not know the conditions here realize how very necessary this war is for the preservation of England's colonies in this continent. It Is Just as essential for the defense of Justice, because these subjects of the Queen, who wait Impatiently to destroy her power and kill her troops, admit that they hold no grievance against the crown. They were born British subjects, and so were generations of their ancestors. They have so much liberty that they have turned It into license. They are so much more than free and equal that, by the force of their numbers, they now control the colonial government. They are lightly taxed, they see that their rulers are willing to spend millions of pounds and rivers of blood for the protection of other subjects who are their neighbors; yet, by reason of a dream of Dutch lndejiendence, and because they have seen other Dutchmen treat the English in the Transvaal like pariahs, they fancy they can profit by disloyalty. However, as I was writing, the Boers are on their way to give us battle, and it Is not likely that this will reach you before we are exchanging fire with them. Mistakes have been made which were as grave as we Americans committed In Cuba, but time has gone without bringing a dire exposure of the weakness that we felt, and now we are dally growing better and better fitted for any contest into which wo may be called. A talented Tommy Atkins has Just brought me in a new bed and another finished a belt for me this morning. Another has lined my big bell tent for me. and another has turned a grocery bov into a cabinet for my wrltJng materials and pots and pans. These artisans, who, I almost think, could do all the work of all the trades one finds In a real city of brick and stone, are men of the Array Service Corps. I wish I could devote a whole letter to them. It was this corps, with the engineers, who made the wonderful campaign of Kitchener at Omdurman a complete success. In modern warfare it is organization as much as gunpowder that does the work, and this Army Service Corps embodies the most and best of this new system. PRIZE TO INVKNTOrtS. Something? About the 31 an Who lias Offered It. Leslie's Weekly. Charles J. Glidden, of Lowell, Mass.. Is Just now a man who is very much before the public. This Is because of a recent offer of his of a million dollars for a telephone repeater and another million for a telephone iiuadruplcx. This all comes about because Mr. Glidden Is president of the Erie system of telephone companies. Mr. Glidden is about forty years of age. of medium height, weighs about pounds, and carries with him the evidence of goodfellowship. It is believed that Mr. Glidden has the distinction of securing the first telephone subscriber to any exchange system in the world. This was in Lowell in the year 1S77. He also constructed, the following year, the first long-distance line between Lowell and Boston. Like evry tnu.i with large responsibilities. Mr. GlidJen works exceedingly hard. He takes a goo-l long rest, however, each summer at his home on the Isles of Shoals, off Portsmouth, N. H. Here he enjoys himself, each year makinj a nstr record u &a t2-

ICATIOKAJC Tube .Works r YVroaxhMroa Pipe (or Stcto and. Hater, Boiler Tubea. Cart ai fa).afel Iron Kittlnrs (Mack an1 r&lvaat,j)( . Valvaa. fctop Cock. En-' fin Trlmmlr.c. S(am Jat:frs. !'!(-Tings. Fp Cutters, VIms, Screv riata anl Die Wrneh, Ftm Train. Furnas, Kitchen Shnka. floaa. Ilt Irr. Kab it Metal, Salder. Whit an J Coiorei Vf Iriing Vaste. an4 all other up riiet urtd in connactloa l:h Ca. Steam an4 Water. Natural Uaa Sus Flie a araelalty. Etitm !t!ng Arpsratua ft Public Bulldinra. St areroom . Mlila. Shcpa. Fae tone. Laundna. Lumbtf rry Houees. ate Cut ant Thread to order say aire WrouRht-lron Pip, from H tach to U lachaa dlanatar. KNIGHT & JILLSON, 121 to in 8. PENNSYLVANIA C pert fisherman. This seems hardly in, keeping with one who, when In the quiet of his own home, is a most accomplished musician and who has done as good work in amateur photography as can be found. It is interesting to note Just here that early in the history of the Krie Telephone Company even its best friends bad but comparatively little faith in it. It was when the Erie was selling for 25 and 30 that Mr. Glidden predicted the greatest things for his company. To-day the stock is above par, and has made fortunes cfor a large number of people. Mr. Glidden has lived to see the Erie Telephono Company operate more telephones and have a greater mileage than any other like organization in the world. There are now In operation 130.00) miles of wire, with S6.674 subscribers. The rate of increase of subscribers is now over 100 a day. The company operates longdistance lines from Boston to Galveston. Tex., of 2,200 miles; from Doston to Fargo, N. D., 1.S0O miles, and from Boston to Omaha. 1.600 miles. What Mr. Glidden hopes to do with a relay Is to establish, among ether things, a direct telephone line from New York to San Francisco. In the present state of science a telephonic communication between these two cities would require a copper wire as large in diameter as a broomstick. The two million dollars Mr. Glidden offers Is the largest prize ever offered in any industrial or scientific pursuit. LAWT0N HOME FUND. Total Subscriptions Xovr Over Thirty Thousand Dollars. WASHINGTON, Dec. 29. Adjutant General Corbin reports to-day that the contributions to the Lawton relief fund to date amount to oO,525.10. being an increase of about $4,000 since the last previous report. Following is a list of the subscriptions of SloO or more received since yesterday: Previously acknowledged, Dec 2S, $26,793.10; Cash, Philadelphia, 3100; Chicago subscriptions, through Alex. II. Ite veil. $1,122; Wm. K. Vanderbilt, $1,000; John E. Parsons, New York, $100; " C. Converse, New York. $100; Hon. Janr tcMIHIn, $100; W. L. Elklns, Phlladelr JX); Daughter of Mr. Einstein, of New York Press, lluO; Mrs. Eleanor tln. New York, $100; Hon. Timothy U. Woodruff, New' York, $100. Many smaller subscriptions have been received. A LESSON FnOM FRANCE. Cry In ir Need of Developing? Mississippi Transportation. Theodore Dreiser, in Ainslee's Magazine. 'i..e Mississippi river rises in Elk lake, above Itasca. From there to its mouth at New Orleans twenty-nine rivers empty into It. The principal ones are the St. Croix. Des MoineB, Wisconsin, llock river, Illinois. Missouri, Ohio, White, Arkansas and the Ked river. It is navigable for large steamers from its mouth to the falls of St. Anthony at Minneapolis, a distance of over 1.&0 miles, and for smaller steamers 4J0 miles farther. No other country of the world, has so vast a natural waterway system as this supplies. The Mississippi and its tributaries drain nearly one-half the area of the United States. If these were properly prepared by the government and canal connections made with other rivers a water system would be furnished as important as the railroad system. We have not xaid as much attention to river transportation as we should. While this has been partially caused by rate conditions via rail lines, at tho same time It should be remembered that no greater regulation, of rail rates can be found than strong legitimate water competition. To have that competition sufficient business must be given to water lines to make them profitable to their owners. Unless this Is dons the rail lines can, by low rates, force water lines out of the business and recoup their losses by increased rates when the rates by water cease to be a factor. In order, however, to give these waterways the business necessary to make thm Important factors transportation facilities on the Mississippi must become so certain and regular that they can be relied upon. The reason that low railway rates exlt in France is due to the fact that ths French government has for years developed and made the most of its waterways. These have been dredged deep and lock " systems established, as well as canal connections with other rivers made, eo that the traveler who has a little time for his Journey may see the most beautiful portions of the country. In the most comfortable surroundings, at about one-half the cost of railway travel. At the same time he will find railway terminals much more frequently, and this also is due to the competition of the waterways. What has been done in France may be done in this country. The Chicago drainage canal offers proof of this. To within ten years the Illinois river was considered worthless, except as a drainage to the land bordering It. Tho growth of Chicago demanding a better system of drainage, it was thought well In providing this to open a direct ship service to New Orleans and the gulf. So the canal was dug with that idea in view, and the expenditure now of a few millions by the government will allow the largest grain ships and passenger boats of the lakes to make good time between Chicago and New Orleans. Another example of equal Importance is the improvement of the Ohio river and Its tributary, the Monongaheia. between Morgantown, W. Va., and Parkersbun?, a distance of five hundred miles. This reaches a score of moderately important manufacturing towns, like Morgantown. Wellsville. O.. Beaver. Pa.. Wheeling, Bellalre and others, besides Pittsburg. Before this portion of the river was dredged and locks established only the smallest steamers could go above Parkersburg. W. Va. Now they not only go to Pittsburg, several hundred miles further on. but far south Into West Virginia, furnishing a splendid service to the towns mentioned. Furthermore, an extension of this service is contemplated through northwestern Pennsylvania to Lake Erie, which would open the entire Ohio and Mississippi service to freight and passengers from the great lakes ami their tributaries. It has been proved that the smallest rivers can be made into excellent ship canals. One of the big lake terminals of the Pennsylvania, involving millions of dollars In docks, was created by dredging out Ashtabula creek. BHaBJBjnaBSBSHSBSBBBBSBBBBBBSSSBBBSBHBSBSSBSSSBBBBSBBV A Sllsnonaer. Chicago Times-Herald. They call Emperor William the war lord, but Germany is almost the only country of any consequence that hasn't been mixed up in an ugly war of some kind for almost thirty years. Point to Be Remembered. Memphis Scimetar. The to-hell-wIth-England folk In ths South will please observe that cotton takes a downshoot upon every report of British reverses in South Africa. An Alabama Su jf geatloa. Montgomery Advertiser. Couldn't the Flllplnd trouble be settled by a squnre foot race between Aguinaldo and General Wheeler? We'll bet some of our surplus on Joe. Was It m Miracle t. Buffalo Express, A dumb man at Franklin. Pa., has recovered his voice whtle trying to swear.

I