The New York Times from New York, New York • Page 1

it. 4 "All; the News That's Fjt to Print" THE WEATHER. Partly, cloudy; brisk northerly winds. VOL. NO, 15,947.

NEW YORK. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17 PAGES. PRICE THREE CENTS. "y- bt the nkw tork times compant. i V- RUSSIA HAS RETALIATED Duties on Many American Products Increased Thirty Per Cent.

DECREE OPERATIVE MARCH 1 It Affects All Iron and Steel Goods, Including Machinery Increase Be lieved to be Prohibitive. ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 16. The Finance Minister.

M- de Witt, has proved his abll- Ity to hit qukk and He sent to the Senate on -Wednesday, for publication, an ordinance levying- 30 per. centt Increased duly on the most Important American Imports into Russia. The ordinance was pub-Uthed to-day In the Official Messenger, and becomes effective on March action Is greatly regretted In American circles, which anticipate much harm therefrom. Well-Informed Americans not believe that the Supreme Court of the United States will sustain the claim that Russia pays a sugar bounty, directly or indirectly, and regard the action taken as hasty, though not unexpected by those knowing how XL de Witte felt on the matter. He "was evidently prepared for reprisals before Secretary Gage final It' ia believed that little would have re-Milted to Russian Interests If the action of the Supreme Court had been awaited.

The ordina.iee requires that the articles affected be accompanied, upon importation, by a certificate of origin- The ordinance affects the articles named in Paragraphs J.TO. 151. 132. 133. 151.

end 167 of the Second Part of the Customs Statute, including all fort of Iron and steel goods, from un-worked iron castings to sewing machines. locomobiles with complicated threshers attached and steam plows and fire engines are excepted. WASHINGTON. Feb. 16.

Count Cassini. the Russian Ambassador, this afternoon received a cablegram from the Russian Foreign Office confirming the report of the isue of the decree imposing increased cuties on certain American imports into Russia, and took steps to inform the State lxpartment accordingly. It is believed that a grave crisis has been reached In the trade relations between the Vnited States and Russia. The Immediate effect of the Russian decree, when it heroines operative on March 1. will be to increase by 30 per cent, the duties on American machinery, steel, and iron goods.

These goods already enjoy two separate reductions. 30 per cent, being taken off from the general, and 20 per cent, from the conventional duties. The articles referred to in the Russian decree are machinery and tools, and manufactures and products of cast Iron and steel. Roughly stated, the United States is said to have exported goods of this description to Russia last year to the amount of about The addition of SO per cent, to the duty will, it la thought, prove practical-' ly prohibitory. The action taken 'means that the Russian Government will not concern itself with a test case, or await the Issue of such a ease.

However, there Is an expectation that the American importers of Russian sugar will make the fight in their own Interest. Some cargoes of Russian -sugar are now on the way to the United States, where at least one lit due to arrive in tha next ten days. It is not doubted that the consignees ia the United States rather than pay the couhtervalllng duty, which would make it Impossible to compete with other sugar, make a tent case. If the issue favors the Russian side then the obnoxious decree will doubtless be amended, although It is not denied that the Russian Government feel offended. The text of the Russian order Is as follows: An order of the Russian Minister of Finance directs additional tariff of 3i percent net Imposed upon articles Included in Paragraphs 130.

151. 152, 161. and Section 2, discriminating tariff, upon American hardware. Iron, steel, boilers, pHes. forgings, cast infra, tools, gas, and water meters, dynamos, and sewing mi-rhlnes, (Paragraph 107.) of the Russian tariff laws when such articles are of American manufacture.

This includes mo tors and machinery of all kinds." THE $30,000,000 LUMBER Options ob Plaata to be Absorbed Ex-leaded to March 1. Social to The New York BALTIMORE. Feb. 16. It is learned here from parties Interested la the big lumber deal now under way that the options orig- Inatly given expired on Feb.

1. but on account of a hitch in the negotiations were 'extended until March 1. Gov. Smith and ex-Gov. Jackson and other prominent lumber dealers in Maryland believe that the -consolidation will be effected before the 'options again expire.

The new company will be organized under the laws of New Jersey, wlih a capital exceeding $.10,000.0011. The avowed object of the combination is to effect economy in management. The combination will take in the leading yellow Pine interests of Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, and will Include these companies: Tunis Lumber Company of Baltimore, Surrey Lumber Company '-of Baltimore, Jenrge F. Sloan Brother of Baltimore. Suffolk Sawmill Company of Norfolk.

Roper Lumber Company of Norfolk. Roanoke luriroad and Lumber Company of Norfolk. Gay Manufacturing Company of Suffolk. Greenleaf-Johnson Company of Norfolk. K.

Jackson Co. of Salisbury, the Virginia Sawmill Company of Norfolk. W. W. Tunis Brothers' Lumber Company of Norfolk, Wiley, Baker Co.

New York. ARISTOCRATIC JURYMEN. Cream of Back Day Residents Selected for Duty In Bostoa. Special to Tht New York Timet. BOSTON.

Feb. Board of Elections has selected the very cream of the Hack Bay residents for Jury duty during the coming twelve months, and the prisoners and litigants who face their peers will find such men in the Jury boxes as these: Gordon Abbott, banker; Lawrence Curtis, banker; Francis L. Higgtnson, banker; t.ardner M. Lane, banker; Frank E. Pea-body, banker: Frank O.

Webster, banker; K. H. White, merchant; Erylng Winslow, hdcretary of the Anti-Imperialist League; Koyal Robblns. head of the Waltham vch Company; Charles H. Taylor, editor of Tfc Boston Globe; Philip Hale, musical critic of The Boston Journal; Edwin D.

Mead, editor of The New England Maga-xlne; Arlo Bates. Professor of English Literature at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Loren F. lieland. the Inventor of trick Play tn football; Nathaniel D. Thayer, Charles W.

Amory, Francis B. orbe, Joseph Lee. Patrick Grant, Amory A. Lawrence, John Mason Little, John F. Henry Russell Shaw, Francis M.

Manwood. Samuel Vorefiburg, Patrick lJUffee, and Charles P. Jaynes. Montgomery Seers, one of the wealthiest men In Boston, was the list Inst year, and so is not mentioned in the list given out today. Blown Off a Passenger Train.

Symel to Tht New York Timrs. WINSTED. Conn Feb. Py-ten. a brakeman on the Central New England Railway, was blown off East Bound Passenger Train No, 8, en route to Hart-ford, one mil east of Canton last night.

The train was stopped a mile and a half way, and Baggage Master Darwin Wood started back afoot to look for the inlawing trainhand. followed by the train. Pynen was found in a farmhouse near the tracks, where he had dragged himself. One kg wae broken. The man landed on a snowbank, which probably saved his life.

Woes ordering brandy, ask for OTARP'S. tbi aoe at wnniilnnii -Adv. BROOKLYN LAWYER IMPOSED ON Bert Reiss, the Well-Known Lawyer, the Victim of a Clever It became known 'yesterday ihat Bert Reisa, a prominent lawyer and Republican of Brooklyn, who was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress last FaU, had been the Victim of a clever forgery Involving an Industrial stock certificate on whichve loan-of $13,000 was made by the Hamilton Trust Company, of Brooklyn. The stock certificate. It is claimed," was raised by the forger, from ive to fifty shares.

Mr. Relss says that he accepted the stock certificate in lieu of cash fee Ior legal services, but for the present he declines to make known the name of the man who raised it or who gave it to him as a fee. Mr. Reisa declare that a political enemy is responsible for the matter becoming public, but he refuses to give the. name of this enemy, About four weeks ago Mr.

Relss went to the Hamilton Trust Company, on Montague Street, where his own offices are situated, and asked to be accommodated with a loan of 1 13,000. He gave the raised stock certificate as security, and on this collat eral toe loan was made to mm. air. Kelss transferred the S1S.OUO to the Kings County Trust Company, where he had an account, later drawings-out and depositing it in the National City Bank. A few hours after Mr.

Reiiss had sectored the loan Secretary Joseph EL White of the Hamilton Trust Company discovered that the stock certificate had been tampered with. He became convinced that a forger had been at work on it. Mr. Reisa was sent for and informed of the discovery. Mr.

Relss was astonished, a tie knew nothing whatever about the certificate having been raised. In a snort time he returned the entire amount of the loan. Mr. Reiss and the Hamilton Trust Company disagree as to the amount of money that was loaned on the certificate. Mr.

Reisa eays that the amount was S8.0MO, and Secretary White asserts that it was $15.0110. The la claimed, was raised from five to fifty shares. have no further Interest In the case, said Secretary White yesterday. "Mr. Reiss returned the $13,000 without giving us any trouble.

Mr. Reiss asserted his entire innocence in the matter, and said that he had been Imposed upon, but declined to say by whom." Mr Relss said that he' had accepted the stock certificate for what it appeared to be worth, and that he had lost $0,000 on the transaction. Asked why he did not prosecute the man who gave him the raised certificate, be said that he had been promised that it would be made good. Mr. Reiss declined to state what stock the certificate -4 a MEXICAN OIL LANDS.

Owners of 600,000 Acres Will Build a Refinery at Tampico. Spetial to The New York Times. AUSTIN. Texas. Feb.

16. A dispatch from Tampico. Mexico, says a party of officials of the. Mexican 'Petroleum Company which owns over 000,000 acres of oil lands ifear Tampico, have arrived to inspect the property. A large refinery will be built at Tampico.

Most of the oil lands In Mexico. Including those of the State of Tabasco, are owned by the Standard Oil Company, and the new company will be a strong competitor of the latter in this country and Central and South- America. The company has. entered into a contract to furnish fuel the, engines the Mexican Central Jtaftrowd, sod -oil burners are-to be on the pg1nes of that company, t- BOY TAKEN r0M FARMER Clara-e of Craelty Will Be Preferred (or Maltreatment of James Kalis. Special to Th New York Tines.

GOSHEN, N. Feb. 16. With his face and body a mass of cuts and bruises, and with. the flesh dropping from the toes of his frost-bitten feet.

James Kalis, a thirteen-year-old boy, was taken to Orange Farm to-day by Charles Lent, an Overseer of the Poor of the town of Woodbury. The boy was an Inmate of the Snake Hill Almshouse, in Hudson County, N. until five months ago, when he was bound out to Abraham Campbell of 'Woodbury. He declared that he was maltreated from the day he entered Campbell's home, and was beaten, kicked, and lashed until nearly dead. When he was brought on board the train 'this morning, and the passengers learned of his abuse, they wanted to take the bell rope and go hang Campbell.

Wiser counsel prevailed and the intense feeling of the crowd was finally subdued. Action will at once be taken, it is said, against the farmer. FIVE MEN WHIPPED BT SHERIFF Aaother Exhibition of Corporal Pas lshmeat In Delaware. Spicial to The New York Times. NEWCASTLE.

Feb. 16. Sheriff Mo Daniels inflicted corporal punishment upon five persons In the county Jail yard today, before an interested group of spectators The Sheriff this time was a little more severe on the culprits than last week, and more. muscle was put Into the lash. James Finns, was the only white man punished, and he began the performance by Standing In the pillory for an hour.

Then he got fifteen which caused him to twist and squirm. One of the lashes fell about Finn's neck, the Sheriff having misjudged the distance, and this caused the victim considerable palp. The other men punished were negroes, and James Spence smiled as he got a double dose of five lashes. Lea Ackwood got fifteen. John Roach received ten lashes, which well marked his back, but Percy Coleman, after having the ten strokes laid on his back, said: Easier than I thought for." T- TWENTY-SIX SKELETONS FOUND.

May Be Those of Members of Sixteenth Century AUSTIN. Texas, Feb. 16. W. Van sickle, member of the House of Representatives from Brewster County, has returned from a visit to his Western Texss home, and brings the report of the discovery in the Chlsos- Mountains, ninety miles south, pf Alpine, of a cave in which were found the skeletons of twenty-six human beings.

The skulls were submitted to an examination. Surgeons say they are not skulls of Indians. It is the Impression of Judge Van Sickle and others that the bones are those of members of the expedition of Cabeca de Vaca, which started out to find an El Dorado la th sixteenth century. Their route was across Texas from east to west and into Mexico. They all perished with the exception of the leader.

CREW OF BARGE DROWNED. The Alabama, with five Lost In Gale Off Hogg Island. FROVIDEXCE. B. Feb.

18. The steamer Aragon. now in port, reports the loss in a gala off llogg Island on Wednesday night, of her tow, the Iron barge Ala bama, with five men on board. There Is no doubt that the barge went to the bottom very soon after the hawser parted-Four -of the crew were from- Providence. The Cantalm R.

J. Reeve, had a home tn Brooklyn. He leaves a wife and three grown-up cniiaren. Capt. Robert Reeve of the coal barge Alabama lived with his wife and son, H.

W. H. W. Reeve said her father-in-law left home last Tuesday to go to Providence. He had with him a new crew, she said.

He was sixty-three years old, and bad followed the sea, from boyhood. AUERICAN SMELTING COUPAHY IN COURT Stockholders Demand Protection JorTheSr Interests. Directors Have Resigned Protest ing Against Ajbsorption of Guggenheim Wall Street was exercised a good deal a week ago when it wal disclosed that the mlUlonaites of the Refining Company American Smelting and were in a snarl grave enough to threaten sensational conse- quences. Two of then! Leonard Lewlsohn and H. H.

Rogers of tht Standard Oil Com- any, had resigned." business- policy which drote sting a hey were quoted as condemning in terms sound. Till yesterday had a serious however, details of the difficulty were kejlt in mysteryv Thers it developed that speclflo charges had been put on record in court Deacon S. V. White, William H. Donald.

Abraham Sar tortus anb Henry A. Zemans W. Gordon and of this city, with 3o William Curtiss of South Orange, N. as aggrieved stockholf ers, complained to the Chancellor of New persey that their In- vestment interests required the court's pro- tectlon. Edward Laulerbacb, represented -by Lindebury, Lepue Faulk of Newark, appeared as attorney for the complaln- ants, presenting a Serlei ot specific charges, and asking for an order restraining action at a meeting of 1 shareholders called for yes- terday to Vote upon a the company's capital broposal to increase fctock to and authorise the dlspdsal of $45,000,000 on of the smelting account of the absorpaon and appurtenant plants of M.

Guggenheim's puna. VICE CHANCELLOH SIGNS ORDER. Vice Chancellor Frederick W. 8tevens, having signed the order forbidding the ac- tiott complained of. there Was a sensatldn at the meeting when yesterday- morning it convened in Jersey CI ty.

Official plans were upset Lawyers were summoned, were made, the adjourning front hurried visits to roust meeting of stockholders time to time during thel afternoon, the cor- poraUon's attorneys firially obtaining from the Vice Chancellor a modification of his order to the extent of holders to vote upon permitting the stock- ine question of the' lock, but not so as proponed increase of to ratify, or direct, or uthorise the trans- action, of absorbing thd Guggenheim proo- eriy. nor aia permit a vote to be taken authorizing thTDirecto to dispose of the increased stock. Under! the modified order a vote was taken, and snore than the ner- essary two-thirds of ekch class of stock voted in favor of the proposition to in- Aooo.ooa crease the capital Jo This leaves the con executive e-ffl-filina the certlfi- cers still restrained frofci cate necessarv to vi alidbte the increase of stock, and the effort secure the assent and indorsement of a tockholders to the rro- Dosed scheme is interrtiptedf -The motion to have the Injunction knade permanent is Tiesday at Chancery to ne neara on next Chambers, in Newark. K. 1 Prominent New Yorkers -involved in the fla-ht-whieh thus befci White owns J0 shares of Smelting stock and his co-complainant tial hol'lers.

while thel are bisij suostan-stockholders who being Ul rectors are mkde defendants in- elude many men consi icuous in financial 're. the nfflrlal Hf circles nere ana being Edward W. Nash John B. Grant, Guy C. Barton.

Walter 8. rnee. Barton Sew- ell. Anton Eilers. Ma ihloti vid H.

Moffat. Dennis fehee-tv Atia-iist Mever. Nathaniel ifherell. Robert S. Towne.

Grant B. Schley Henrv 11. Rah. ana ieonara jewisonn havinir resigned and she two Inst ri a mini Setng In sympathy with the complainants xne president Is khe Vice President Edward W. Nash and Barton Sewell.

Charging that the American! Smelting Company had at the bei inning of this year no surplus or wonting Oat piiai. out mat its conslderablv 1m- capital was actually arid pairea, mat tne uu ggvkihelm plants have not a value beyond tiumu.utx). the corn-tit Ion to the Chancel- plalnants. their no lor. make thla accusatioh That the resolution of proposing- th incraa in purauanc of an arr between members of the M.

Ouggenheim's Sons, Board of Directors stock was passed arrankement or agreement ird of Directors and ufcder which a portion of the stock, amounting common and 15.000.000 So over S3, (too. 000 at ofl prererreo, should be to members of the turned back or transferrat Board of Directors at thel price of 80 cents on the dollar for th. preferred and SO cents on tne collar ror the common. DEACON WHITE COMPLAINT. accompanying the In a sworn statement! papers presented to the Chancellor, Deacon White says: At the nquest of Ed wail one of counsel ior me complainants, I called upon Atnry n.

nosers, one or the Directors of th. American srrw-ltlnr and nefinlns; Company, on Ilnntant. and Inaulrad the loth day of February of him as to th circumstance undsr. which the resolution of the Board of Directors of that com. pany was passed -on the tith day of December last, and as to the amouit of working- capital Domeased by said comoani on the 1st dav nf January, iwu.

and as to tl of M. Guc-g-enheim's 8onJ la value of the plants which the Board of IJIrectora propoaed to Dure Saae, Mr. Roarers Informed me. in response to nr In quirle. that be had no 111 to what th.

said sev- eial plants were worth: at the Dlrrctors bad never had them appraised, ana tnat no acoount or their value was taken at ths time said reso- iutlon was passed, and no Utement placed Devalue of said Man's: for stud board showing th that said Koaer further Irtformed deponent that a resolution providing fori 1 suo-commlttee of the value of the Cug- rectors to examine Into a-enheim property propoadl to ne acquired, ws but such motion duly offered and seconded not carrlod; that said Ror ft rmatlin aa to th. work had no definite in- ipg capital, but knew that the company had a floating Indebtedness of several million dollars; that this floating indebt- ednsss could only be liquidated by disposing of thelr metal heaps or pile In ths west, which to be exDenderf In continually needed money! reruns up tn supply of 4 It should come out of thq dmde material, unless acquiaition or frenh that he was offend. copltaU H. farther stales pending the discussion. 2.

ItK shares of the pre- ferred stock at eighty, 'hd which he declined miner 10 oiacuas or 10 laaa. From Director Leonard tf. White swears he received essentially the same statement as frofi Director Rogers. Mr. Lewlsohn specifically declaring that 97.OUO.Ouo.

which It has tng except by the acqui ivsjtwi; ucu, Ul aUUUl no means of div. ition of fresh cap- ital." and the affidavit lurtner quotes Director Lewlsohn as declaring that at the meeting of the board the President. Mr. Nash, stated to him, anu in his hearing to ilk ninelnra tint i- i other Directors, that ae. Nash, hart a e.

ranged that in case thif said capital stock I00.000.0ij0. as pro- shouid be mcreared to nosed, the Directors should hav ti of the -preferred stotk it 80 and oi me romou nun hi Deing shares for each of the sixteen pirectors." On the date of this mffetinir fDm it l.ati SmelUng preferred stotk: closed on the cwuauav and the common at The announcement that the Smeltlng meeting naa Deen enioined. w. Street's surprise of yest r-rday. Trading in the stock was not atterded by any sensational incident, however Over 2.1.000 shares of the two stocks wei quoted, but the Sosnethlng; Hew.

Read Thla. Seaboard ii. Tu. Commencing Ktt. xxtvx.

the Railway; will Inaugnrate a through steDln ear from wssnington to iHehurst, N. C. via Richmond and Bouthem ines, twice a week south-bound, leaving Ws ftilr ana rnaifi on wieir Florida UMropolitan i.imitea.- leaving z.irq rt. Kw York, 12:65 Noon; arrive at Southern Pines, t'lnehurst. N.

C. 6 23 A. Ferry. Pena. R.

nington, J. N. C.i A. sUepers wtll leave Plnaho on Tueadaya and 7 P. arrlvins In Tnursuays or each week Washington ths next 8:16 P.

M. mornltf at New York Passengers from Kew Tofk and Other Eastern cities using the Seaboard Kir Una Railway to these- notr! reaorta In North! varouna win chanc. at Washington from ene same- train, virtually offehn ia another on th. Ing through aen-lra New Tork to Plnehurst, fur" all information call on. or address Seaboaal Air uae Railway, tiroadwajr.

Adr. Stock Exchange day had fciosed before the vnancenor action Was understood. TUe United Metals Selling Company waa in a certain tense Identified with the opposition toUhe proposed increase of capital of the -Smelting and Refining Company, and with this corporation because Leonard Lewlsohn and H. Rogers were Directors of both companies. Jesse Lewlsohn of the Metals Selling Company said yesterday that Leonard and H.

H. Rogers were kept in Ignorance of the negotiations to acquire the Guggenheim property until the last hour. When they discovered how the consolidation was proposed to be effected, they resigned from the 8melters Directorate. "We are nof Th Timxs's Informant said, "interested In the Smelters deal, and there Is no chance of Metals Selling being taken All our stock is tightly held by insiders. Whatever may be the outcome of the deal or the litigation, will not affect From the standpoint of interests favoring the absorption of the Guggenheim property, the following data are presented: Rome idea of what the saving to the company will be by handling Its export business direct instead of through the United Metalla Selling.

Company may be gained from the figures of the company's foreign bueineaa. The 'monthly shipments of silver by the company are about S.ooo,-00 ounces, or, say, 311.000,000 ounces a year. The shipments by the Guggenheims would easily bring the total up to Bo.O00.0o0 ounces yearly. At en cents an ounce the value of thla silver would The company. In addition, ships large amounts of lead, and copper.

Its production ef copper la about l.ano tona a month and that of the Guggenheim about tons, making- a total of 3.000 tons, or about 100 tons-daily. At IT cents pound this copper Would ba worth in round figure, about 13.000,(KMJ. In addition the company produces several others metals or by-products. The company at present lias no refinery for copper, -but after consolidation will presumably use the plant of the Oug-genhelms at Perth. Amboy for this purpose.

CAPT. PRICE IN FLORIDA. Will 8es Kennedy Witness To-day and Try to Get Him to Come Back. Special to The New York Times. JACKSONVILLE.

Feb. K. Price, who was in command of the Nineteenth Precinct In New Tork at the time of the murder of Dolly Reynolds, for which Dr. Kennedy Is ndw having a second trial for his life, arrived in this city today, accompanied by Detective Sergeant 'A. CaiTi of New York.

They were searching for Daniel Melville, the missing witneas in the murder- trial. They were assisted In their search by Detective E. K. Burgess of this eity, and found that their man was at Granger's boarding house in Sanford. Capt.

Price says he is willing to pay Melville's expenses back to New York if he will testify, and that the. police are not trying to convict Kennedy, but want to get at the truth of the story. They left for Sanford to-night at 8:15 o'clock and will be with Melville in, the morning. HUDSON RIVER ICE CROP. Millions of Tons Have Already Been Housed and the Harvest About EndeS.

Special to The New York Times. POTJGHKEEPSIE, Feb. 18. The ice harvest in 'the Hudson River Valley is practically oven Millions of tons of Ice have been housed, and hundreds of thousands of tons stacked, and employment for several weeks has been given to. thousands of.

men. The ice is clear and thick and of uncommonly Tine quail ty.4 There have been no heavy snowfalls, so both labor and time were economized in handling It -The-extern of thr ice industry along the Hudson is surprising to those who are not, informed about It. -Th total number of houses is 443, with a total tonnage capacity of 3.7U8.0U0. Of these the American Ice Company owns UU bouses, with a capaclcy of 1.8H4.O00 tons. It is it costs to secure a full crop of Ice.

To market the product Involves an additional outlay of 00 cents a ton. which brings the total outlay uo to S2.373.840. There are eighty-seven ice houses between Albany and. Hudson. Some of these houses have a capacity of 60,000 tons, but the average Is about oO.OOO tons.

NO ICE HARVEST IN MAINE. Trust, It is Reported, Will' Depend Upon Hudson River Points. Spetial to The New York Times. BANGOR, Feb. 16.

Present Indications are that no Ice of any account will be cut in Maine this Winter, the trust, which owns nearly all the houses and privileges, having plenty of ice on the Hudson for the supply of the New Tork market or aa much as It cares to have for that purpose. Formerly the Kennebec crop amounted to tona annually, and the Penobscot crop to about 400.000 but thus far this Winter not a pound tuts been cut on either river. There are about 400.000 tons of old ice on the Kennebec and 4O.0U0 tons on the Penobscot. This will ship out not more than 80. per the remainder going to waste.

Along the coast some ice is being cut. mostly fpr Southern shipment or for export, but Maine will send no ice to the big cities this year, according to present Indications. Tae policy -of. the trust in allowing the Maine plants to stay idle when there is enough ice on the Hudson to supply New York a serious effect here, throwing thousands of men out of work, upon which for many years they have depended at this season to help them through the Winter. It will also affect freight rates next Summer, as there will be no return ice cargoes for the big vessels that bring coal to Main DENOUNCES SHORT SKIRTS.

Principal Connors Creates Indignation at a Meeting of Teachers. NEW BRUNSWICK. N. Feb. 18.

William Connors. Principal of the Old Bridge Public School, created considerable indignation among ihose present last night at the address of the New 'Brunswick Professional Reading Circle of Teachers. He took for his theme During the course of his remarks Principal Connora attacked the wearers of short skirts and the users of tobacco. He said he disapproved the use of the short skirt for female teachers, because It did not look dignified. He continued by saying that he could not see how the male teachers could teach the evils of the use of tobacco when they used it themselves.

The female teachers present became Indignant at Principal Connors's attack on the short skirt, and resented It. Maude Cunningham, laude Berdlne. and Sadie Smith replied. They said thev all wore short skirts on rainy days, could not see why they did not still retain their dignity. Prof.

Henlken, who uses tobacco, defended the teachers who did so. One of the teachers who had on a short skirt and played the piano at the- beginning of the lecture, alter heating the remarks of Principal Connors refused to play, any more. She said she was ashamed to snow it before the professor. The address has created considerable feeling- among the teachers. Pennsylvania's Consumption Camps.

2 "ifcial to Thf New York Times. J- PORT JERVIS. N. Feb. 16.

The State Forestry Commission Pennsylvania contemplates the establishment of camps lor consumptives in the public forest preserves In Pike, Clinton, and other counties within a few months. The first camp will probably be opened In Clinton County, which has an elevation of 2.UW feet. The State reservation there comprises 43,000 la the intention to construct large tent with perms en foundations to insure safety against heavy winds. The patients will bo sheltered free of charge, but will have to arrange their own' cooking. Wbat Dully Limited Service to Florida.

Trf via Seaboard Air Line Railway from 23d Bt. Ferry, Pennsylvania R. 11 noon. 8rv. Ice unequaled.

Schedule, malusalned and satisfaction assured, OtUoa. U2ott broad way. Ad. SOUTH CAROLINA SLAYEBT Negroes Held in Stockades Under Form of Contract to Work Judge Benet, In Anderson County, (Charges Grand Jury to Invetti- gatshs System. j- Spetial to The New York Times.

CHARLOTTE. C. Feb, Benet has created another sensation in South Carolina by a charge delivered-'re-cently to the Grand Jury in Anderson, and published to-day, in. which he sets forth the. existence of a system of contract slavery In Anderson COunty, which Is characterised as lawless and an enormity.

The case grows out of what Is virtually regarded as a system of slavery which appears to be In vogue in one or more stockades' in Ander son Cqunty. in whioh certain men are cnarged with Illegally gaining control of negroes whom they use almost aa slaves. Judge Benet, In delivering his charge, said: I bold in my hand a printed form of contract enUtled State of 8outh Carolina, County of Anderson. Contract and Agreement for Labor on Farm. The contract.

then goes on to state that the party of the second part binds himself to do all work required at a stipulated salary, and, further, that the laborer agrees that his employer or agents shall have the right to use such force as is deemed necessary to require the laborer to remain on the farm and to per-form satisfactory service. Further, if the employe "runs away, the employer shall have the right to offer and pay a reward not exceeding S25 for hla capture and return, which amount the laborer, according to the contract, agrees to work out under the rules of the contract." The Jndge then added, "addressing the jury: "This so-called printed contract Is another fact for you to look Into in this important investigation. Here, gentlemen, is an attempt under pretense of legal authority to give landlords and agents the power to punish poor laborers, who are Induced or forced to such contract. Listen again. He shall have the right to lock me up for safe Here the poor laborer gives the landlord the right to imprison him.

Again: He shall have the right to work me under the rules and regulation of his farm." What is this but a cunning device whereby the poor laborer subjects himself to the treatment of the State convict camps? "Mr. Foreman and Gentlemen. contln-. ued the Judge, if this were a statute providing for the capture and return of runaway slaves or escaped felons, it would not be difficult to understand, but there are terms and conditions in a so-called contract to labor on farms in Anderson County. By such terms it is manifest that the poor ignorant negroes artf subjected to a state that is worse than slaveYy.

1 doubt if there ever was such a contract framed or devised before In any civilised orChristlan community. It is currently reported that not only men, but even women and little babes are imprisoned there. We must not allow the negro's necessity to be the hard-hearted white man's opportunity. Such disgraceful conduct, like those fungus growths which flourish in dark corners, will not stand the light of day." -Judge Benet has ordered a special term Of. court, which case against thoe guilty of this offense will be tried.

This great scandal seems to have grown out of the trial of case of the State against Newell. Newell, who was In charge of one of these stockades. -killed a negro. Will who, to the astonishment of the Court, was shown to have been In the stockade not as. a convict, but under one of these so-called labor contracts.

The Grand Jury has been ordered to probe the matter to the bottom, and it Is generally believed some prominent people In Anderson County may be involved. POLICE AFTER INCENDIARIES Negro Caught on Imperial Hotel Roof with Pockets Full of Matches. Warning waa sent out by the police Friday night that the firebugs who had made Ineffectual efforts to set fire to a number 1 of Chicago hotels, were, on their way to New Tork. Last night a negro was found on a court roof of the Imperial Hotel acting suspiciously. When arrested all hla pockets were found to be full of matches.

The Chicago police sent word to Chief Devery Friday to look for the would-be incendiaries. The Hotel Men's Association took measures of protection at once, instructing their watchmen and private detectives to be doubly vigilant. Capt. Titus stationed men at the Grand Central Station to keep an extra lookout for suspicious characters, and the police of the Tenderloin Station received instructions to be particularly watchful. The office of the Imperial Hotel, on the first floor, ia in the centre of the building.

Over it is a roof, from which one can pass through windows to the second floor of the building. This roof serves as a floor for a court around which the main structure ia built. Last night, at about 11 o'clock, the hotel watchman noticed that a man was on this roof. The watchman notified McMillan, the Imperial's private detective. McMillan, having instructed the watchman to keep an eye on the Intruder, tele- honed to the West Thirtieth Street Police tation for an officer.

A patrolman was sent to the hotel, and he arrested the roof prowler. The prisoner was a negro. He gave his name as illiam Taylor, thirty-three years old, of 8u Louis, at the station house. He said he had reached the city from St. Louis only yesterday.

When searched, all of Taylor's pockets disgorged mstches. He refused to make any statement as to how they got there. He was locked up, and the police say they believe he is one of the Chicago gang of incendiaries. SECRETARY- HAY TO Special to Tk New York Times. WASHINGTON.

Feb. 10. Nov and then since the beginning of thia aesslon of Congress there have been rumors that Secretary of State Hay would cease to be a member of the Cabinet at the close of the President's first term. Arrangements involving the exchange of places of Ambassador Choate and Secretary Hay have been suggested and been disposed of. It was not safe to assume that Mr.

Hay would consent to be shunted from place to place or that Mr. Choate would expect htm to do so, In order- that Mr. Choate might enjoy the experience of being a member of the Cabinet. According to the very best of authority, Mr. Hay expects to remain in the Cabinet, at least until after President McKinley has entered upon his second term.

If any reason should induce him to retire, it would be ill-health, and not a disposition to sever the agreeable relations that have existed tx-t ween himself and the President and the other members of the Cabinet. The only change to be made In the Cabinet will be that caused by the retirement of Attorney General Griggs, and it seems to settled that he will be succeeded, as stated in The Timks some days ago, by Pr C. Knox of Pittsburg. Can Trust Gets Louisville Plant. 7 LOUISVILLE, Feb.

-The Louisville Can Company has been absorbed by the tin-can' combination now being formed in Chicago with a. capital of $10,000,000. An officer of the. Louisville Varnish Company s.ld: "The Louisville Can Company, which la owned by the Louisville Varnish Company, has passed to the control of the Tin Csn Trust, as It has been termed. We now a capacity of N0.UH0 cans annually and It is the intention of the combine to lr crease It to annually.

Louisville will be made me dtstriouting point of the entire South, and the only plant the combine will have in the South will be situated here." v. The Transcontinental Boat is ths New tork Central and its connections. carries you throush the centres of population and the sataarays of commrca, baiwoaa the Mast and the WasC-AdV. BY TROLLEY TO PHILADELPHIA. Syndicate Said to Have Purchased Right of Way for Line from New York.

i Special so Th New York TimesJ. i TRENTON. N. Feb. 10.

On what is said to be good authority. It waa stated today that an Ohio ayndicate headed by A. L- and Tom Johnson of Cleveland his purchased the right of way for a trolley line from New Tork to Philadelphia. It Is said the. syndicate Is sole owner of the Philadelphia and BrlatolRallway Company and the Philadelphia and New Jersey Railroad Company, familiarly known aa the Shaw Company.

It is also said to control the Princeton extension, and to have secured the Delaware Bridge terminals. The same authority -says the ayndicate holds the key to the entire system neces sary for a through line between the two cities. It is further asserted that the Johnson syndicate intends to run cars, if possible, by the middle of Summer. High-speed cars are to be run and heavy rails laid, so that the' line will be in a position to compete with the railroads. SAVED BY DEPUTY CHliPS HAT.

Concern for Silk Plug Scorned by Dev-. cry Prevented McLaughlin from Two Men. Some time ago Chief, of Police Devery found occasion to criticise Deputy Chief Patrick H. McLaughlin of Brooklyn because the latter, aa the Chief claimed, did nothing but atrut mround all day with a plug hat on the back of his head." Despite this unpleasant criticism, Mr. McLaughlin has continued to wear the plug hat In question.

He was wearing It last night, and Its presence on his head deterred him from arresting two men. who, ignorant as to his identity, defied him on Fulton Street, Brooklyn. The Deputy Chief, wearing the celebrated silk bat, a long, fashionably cut overcoat, and kid gloves, was walking- down Fulton Street shortly after 8 o'cioCic from Headquarters, on 8mlth Street, when-he came upon two big. rough-looking fellows, porters, trundling a wheelbarrow, in which waa a big trunk, along the sidewalk. The street was crowded with pedestrtana.

and the men with- the barrow were obstructing travel. "yott fHws, said the Deputy Chief, commandlngly, to the porters, youve got no business-on the sidewalk tnln- Get out into the street with It. The men-looked at him for a moment, took in the beauty of hla raiment, and then one of them exclaimed "Who in are yer. any way 1 told you to Ket the sidewalk with that barrow." said Mr, McLaughlin, ignoring the polite question put to him. If you wuii i iutq you locaea up.

RlV mil he man push- lng the barrow to his compunion, who was carryn-g a long atlck. play golf wld der gys dicer. See if yer kin knock der tile off wtdout hurtln' him." Bill." however, refrained from acting on the suggestion. "Ah, what'a der use? he said to his companion, then- turning to the Deputy Chief: gwan chase yerself, will yer? The two then resumed their wav down Fulton Street, pushing the wheelbarrow merrily along and barking the shins The Deputy Chief followed, looking about him for a policeman. but none was In eight.

From Red Hook Lane, down to and across the Borough Hall Square, the. head of the Brooklyn Police Department, full of wrath, but restrained from "mixing It up with the wheelbarrow twain by. the danger to his plug followed the -mem without seeing a single policeman. The porters finally turned up Court Street, and the Deputy Chief, in disgust, abandoned the chase. JOHNS HOPKINS ENDOWMENT.

Trustees of the University Expect to Raise $1,000,000 by May 1. Special to Tkt New York Times. BALTIMORE. Feb. 16.

President Gilman and the Trustees of Johns Hopkins Uni versity are now confident that the million- dollar endowment fund will be raised In this city, and thus assure the gift of land valued at S7S0.000 for the new site. made. conditional upon the raising of the endowment. One of the Trustees said today that $000,000 of the endowment was In signr. iie declined at present to give the names of the contributors, but it is reported that Theodore Marbury, Henry Walters, -and several other friends of the university have agreed to contribute.

Mr. Marbury Is deeply Interested In the work of the university. He recently presented ma university witn a most valuable collection of antiques. His name has been mentioned in connection with the Presidency, to succeed Dr. Gilman.

Several -cf the Trustees have been assured by prominent cltlsens that the million dollars will certainly be raised, and that the university snsn not go outsiae or Maryland to get ir resident unman, upon returning rrora his recent visit to New Tork. denied rumors that the object of his visit was to Interest Mr. Carnegie and other wealthy men In the endowment fund. He said that while gifts from outside philanthropists were desirable and acceptable. It was the hope of the university that this special endowment could be secured in Maryland.

it is expected tnat important announcements in connection with the oroiect will be made on Hopkins Commemoration Day, reo. i. rresiaem unman resignation was to take effect from that date, but ha has consented to remain at the head of the university until his successor is selected. No time limit is set by Messrs. Wyman.

Reiser. and -Jencks in the conditions upon which they give the land for the new site for the university, but it is generally understood that the Trustees expect to raise the endowment and thus conform with the conditions by May 1. NO HOPE FOR BURIED -MINERS. VANCOUVER, B. 'Feb.

Id-Hope has been abandoned for 1 the sixty-five miners entombed in the. Union Mine by an explosion of gas. Afterdamp renders the work of boring through the mass of wreckage extremely dangerous, and although relays of thirty men each are changed every fifteen minutes many of the rescuers are brought back to the surface almost dead from the effects of the deadly gas. Men have been hurried to the scene from all near-by cities to assist in the work of digging for t)i entombed men. but It ia not expected that.

any of them will ever reach the surface alive. The officials have decided, as a final resort, to flood the mine. A report of a second explosion was untrue, being due to a misconstruction of a telephone message. Another slight explosion took place at 4 A. but did no damage.

Washington. Feb. Id. The Cumberland Mine, in which the explosion occurred, is one of the properties of the I'nlon. Colliery Company, situated near C'omox.

and reached from Union Bay by the private -colliery railway crossing the Trent River. No. 6 Shaft, the scene of the disaster, was bottomed In October. 1818, at a depth of M4 feet. It waa well constructed, the pit being timbered with 12 by Ih sawn hulks, built solid I together ltt feet wide and VI feet high.

-The shaft is located close to the railway, and ventilation of the mines Is effected by a 14 by 25 foot fan. which, when run to its full capacity, gives 85.000 cubio feet of air circulation per minute. Works to Build Cruiser. Feb. 11-The Bath Iron Works to-day received, a letter from the Secretary of the Navy offering the contract for the construction of a protected cruiser at the figures named in their bid sent to the department some time agu SiT.10,000 on condition that a number of items omitted from the specifications be reinstated, President Hyde said to-day that the condition named In the letter would occasion considerable, correspondence with the department at Washington.

but he believed the contract would be finally awarded by the latter part of next week. Ilaan'a neataaraat. TSth St. A Col. At.

Diner Kacbervha, very aiao ale. Uouo, FORUER TEACHER SUES MS. HELEN 17. WATTS Latter Is President of American Female Guardian Society; Miss Elizabeth Foley Wants $10,009 for Alleged Slander Which Prevents Her Obtaining Any Position, aSSBBBBBlBaBBajSa Helen W. Watts, President of tbsl American Female Guardian Society and Home for.

the Friendless, has been rued. by a former teacher In one of the schools maintained by that Institution for slander and libeL The former teacher. Elisabeth a Foley, wants 910,000 damages, declaring that Mrs, Watts has kept her from ob- taJning any ether position. Justice Clarke. in the Supreme Court, has ordered the casw placed on the call calendar for Friday, March 1.

la the complaint, which la filed in the County Clerk's office. Miss Foley, who now Uvea at 230 West Twenty-second Street, seta forth the fact that she was licensed, as a public school teacher la October, 1887, and that she received a permanent license-" on Oct 20, 1893. She says that In Sep- ember, 1887, she waa employed as a teacher by the American Female Guardian Society and assigned to Industrial School No. 1. at -First Avenue and Thirty-second Street, She remained with the school until April.

1808. The complaint then sets forth that after she left the position as teacher tn the Industrial school. Miss Foley tried to obtain other positions as a teacher, and always referred to the society for reference. She says that Mrs. Watts "maliciously spoke against her to several people, saying that she was cruel to her scholars and unfit to teach.

The chief contention, however. Is the second cause of action, which, quote from the complaint, is as follows: MISS' FOLEY'S COMPLAINT. That on or about the 11th iy of November 1SM, having repeatedly requested from th. JSs- ecutiva Committee of the said semale Ouardiaa Society and Home, for th irrlendleM a copy of her jvcord aa teacher In the aald industrial choola, thla plaintiff received by mall a totter written by on alalia F. Bennec a member of -said Executive Committee.

e( which the follow lng Is a copy: Mount KImo, K.Y.. Nov. 11. ISM. My dear Mias Foley: At the request of the Kxecntiv Committee of the Female Ooardiaa Society and Home for th.

Friendless. I incloaa the record for your attendance and punctuality while In the service of the said society aa teach- er la Industrial School No. Tim. were In the school from September. 1SST.

until February. I8W8. Dvrtnc that time the record shows that you were abeeat from yaur clasa only one half hour, and thea oa buslaeaa, and were never late. I sincerely hope you may find a position whlcSj will insure you a livelihood. Tours slnrerelv.

MARIA K. BENSET. That on or about the 11th day of Aua-us. Won. the defendant malirlotuly composed, wrote, and mailed a totter add seel to this plaintiff, and received by this plaintiff, of which the futo lowing is a copy: Cracsmoor.

A US'. 11th. 1000. My Dear Miss Foley: You must not look to the Charity Orfanisatton for aMlstam-e hereafter. aa I hear they offered yoa work on necktie work and yeu refused It.

Also it has corae to our notice that you have either copied or -written a letter yourself purporting to come -from Mr. Fennet and aiming her name to tt You know what that la caUed when taken up by the law! My advl-- la to take any offered to you by the Charity- Organisation. bar. looked well Into your case aad know every- thing- boat -you; otherwtae I car Aktrm is nothing toft for you but the -fanL I sm reejly very "sorry for yeu. and If eon Id conscientioualy help you to a place I woult.

hot -1 cannot. Tours truly. HELEN W. WATTS. Thereafter the defendant published the letter of and coBcernlne- the ufaintiff sr statins orally or In writing- to one Mias Delcomya, rhp i ta connected with urace Church.

Kew Tork Citv. and atoo to the Rev. William B. Raln- ford, rector of 6C Ueonre'e Chorch. New Tork -City, that said letter had been comnoaed.

writ- ten. and mailed to the plaintiff by the defendant, aad by stating and repeating either orally or in wtitlnf to each of said persons the contents or, saiu MRS. WATTS-S ANSWER. Mrs. Watts, in her answer, sets forth that she has been actively connected with the) American Female Guardian Society- since) 1807.

and in 1867 was made Its manager. 1 She was elected President in 1808, and still holds-that position. She denies having said anything against Miss Foley, out as to the letters she says: Defendant has no knowtedn or tnformatloai sufficient to form a belief aa to the allegations set forh in the said complaint, but admits that oa or about Aug-. 11, luuu, she did wait a letter -to the above-named plaintiff, but that stMh let- ter was oat written by her soalk-iouaiy. nor was it actuated by any malloa whatever.

Hb. fur! -ther allege that such letter waa wrlttew by her and ouly incKMea ta tn. ptauttrr in a properly sealed, postpaid envelope, and that If the aatd letter ever received any circulation whatever, or any publicity. It was throug-b the act. or acts, of 1 -said plaintiff, or aomeone repr.aentlns ber, and tnat sucn letter was never roaoe public oy toia defendant in any manner whatever.

There are many exhibits tn the case wnicn snow a most peculiar situation, ima of these Is a letter written by Mrs. Watts to Miss Folov in September, ISM. In this letter Mrs. Watts says: Tour letter and on. from Mrs.

Beanet about you hare distressed sm very moch. Oh. why were you not more guarded la your At the best Tear you spoke ia very pocr tasta oc those who have befriended yea whea none else would. Triii letter Miss Foley allegea was at the bottom of the whole trouble. During the Summer vacation- of ISOd Miss Foley had -gone to an inexpensive boarding place in -the Catakllls.

and while there she had rnt a number of teacher from the other tea schools which are maintained by the socie- ty. These teachers were staying at an ex. pensive hotel, and on inquiry Miss Foley found out that an unmarried woman who Is known for ber charitable deeds had tn ited them there as ber guests. Miss Foley felt slighted and made some comments about this young woman and her famUr which reached the ears of those who are interested In the The friction followed which caused Miss -Foley's withdrawal as a teacher. Miss Foley says that she applied to St.

BarthoV omew's Km ploy men Agency, 211 Ket Forty-second 8treet, and failed toiTnd work through the agency, owing to the in-fluences being used against her. She alro attempted to get a position at the Protest -tant School at Bronxville. but failed ba- causa she could not get the proper reooro- from Mrs. Watts as President -of the American Female Guardian Society. The two people to whom it ia speclficallv asserted that Mrs.

Watts either showed hep letter addressed to Miss Foley, or else told them of Its contents are Miss Mario Del- -com yn. who is connected with the parUt --work Of Grace Protestant Episcopal Church, and Dr. Ralnsford. It has sine developed that Dr. Ralnsford of SU George's knew little If anything about tbo affair, but that an assistant rector was the tnan who knew of the trouble.

Mrs. Watts has a beautiful home at 60S St. Nicholas Avenue. She la the widow of George- B. Watts.

Her son. George B. Watts, is a well-known broker. She is rep- resented In the present action by Vecbten Oicott, Mr. Olcott declined to 61 s- cuss the and would give out no ln formation beyond that contained In the learal papers.

Miss Foley represented by" Thomas McAdam of 2J0 Broadway, and haws also inclined not to discuss the case. The papers on file speak for themselves. he said. My client Is now a poor woman and almost an object of charity. The Influences against her have prevented her getting even a menial situation.

Miss Delcomyn and others who h.ve knowledge of the trouble between Mrs. Watts and Miss Foley declined to talk about the same yesterday. The ease when It comes to trial will have many Interesting features, Mrs, Watts does not deny writing the -letter, but denies making It public, and if that cannot be proved she would not be liable for The society of which she ta President Is one of the prominent charitable institutions of the city and has many Influential members. It maintains eleven Industrial schools and a city and country home for -children. Florida.

Csss, Xaasaa. Uc-orarla vis Washington. Richmond. CharWtoq, N. and Fla.

HpeclaL'- S10 P. M. Two other trains. -Onlv one night to all Florvla ostnta. Quickest route.

Atlantic Coast Liaa ecOea. List way. i.