Times Union from Brooklyn, New York • 1

ittlp FIFTY-TIIIKD YEAH. BROOKLYN, Fill DAY, 31 AY 4, 1900. PHICE TWO CENTS. report to the State Legislature, as one of i but which decided last night to appear at to- WEATHER AND TIDES. EL FAIRLJfJJNDER WAY Lord Roberts' Big Army Occupies Brandfort as a First Step.

Long Island Will be Connected With the West Through Structure Over Hell Gate. the reasons for the decline of commerce at the port of New York. The road will be run over a steel viaduct and bridge. It will lie a four-track rood for freight and passenger traffic, and Including elevated and surface i'uud will bo about seven miles In length. The bridge over the East ltlver will be.

thu required 135 feet above mean high water, nnd will be a steel structure. From the ubutmenta at either side of Hell Gate, a viaduct will descend at a grade of CS feet to the mile. The steel viaduct will bo supported by steel columns resting on liases of masonry, similar to tho columns of the New York Central Viaduct at 10Wh street, to the Harlem Kiver. It Is estimated that the entire cost of tho connecting roud will be about $5,500, 00u, nnd It Is calculated that lie freight business cured at the start will pay the interest mi this entire cost. According to Infonn.itlou received, many of the contracts for the v.

irk of building the road and the vl iii'et and bridge have been let. When the bill granting the company permission to run their bridge over itandull's and Ward's Mand was before Mayor Van Wyck for his signature, Mr. McDonald stated that the would start to build the road within six months from the lime that the Governor sinned the measure, and lie stated rui'ther-muro, that within one and one half years from the time of commencement, he road would Le finished and ready for operation. TUB.KISH TORPEDO BOATS. All are Dangerous to Their Own Crews New Ones to be Ordered Trom Us.

CONSTANTINOPLE, Hay 4. As a result of thai recent blowing up of a Turkish torpedo boat on the coast of Syria, in which over a score of lives were lost, an inspection of the olher torpedo bunts in the Turkish service was ordered. Nearly all of them were found defective, and It in reported that the Sultan has decided to order six new torpedo boats of an Improved type from Italian and American (Inns. FRANZ JOSEF IH POTSDAM. Comes to Help Celebrate German Crown Prince's 18th Birthday.

BERLIN, May 4. Emperor Franz Josef, of Austria, accompanied by Count the Austrian Foreign Minister, and the ImptTlal suite, arrived nt Potsdam to-day. The Austrian Kmperor comes to attend the ceremony of the t'oining of age of the Prussian Crown Prince on Sunday. The Kaiser met Franz Josef at the Putsdam station, and extremely cordial salutations were exchnns-ed by the two sovereigns. They shook hands and kissed each other on the cheek twice.

With the Kaiser were Count Von liuelow. the Foreign Minister, and a number of high court and public officials. On the Pariser Platz. Burgomaster Klrscli-ner welcomed the Austrian Kmperor In thj name of the City of P.erlln, jiralslng him as a frierol of the Cerman Imperial house and the German nation. In reply to the HuiKomaster's address Emperor Franz Josef charged him to "express to the people of Berlin my Imperial thanks for this extraordinary reception wherein I sea a new pledge of friendship between the two dynasties and nations and confirmation of our policy of endeavoring to maintain peace." The two emperors then drove to the castle escorted by the household troopn.

They were cheered by a throng of over 200.000 people, who lined the streets and exhibited unparalleled enthusiasm. Splendid weather graced the occasion. The Empress of Germany welcomed Franz Josef at the castie. All Berlin Is en fete on the eve of the celebration of the Crown Prince's majority. The buildings, public and private, are decorated with the national colors of Germany and Austria, and numerous arches have been erected throughout the city bearlns mottoes of congratulations for the Crown Prince and welcome to visiting members duy's meeting in advocacy of tho other route.

Among the speakers at the hearing are expected to oo William McCarroll, Chairman of the Brooklyn Committee of Fifty, and Mr. Nlssen and Mr. Frothlngham, Chairmen of tho two representative sub-committees. It has ulso been arraaiged that the New York and Queens County Railroad Company shall ho represented before the Board for tho purposo of urging that Long Island City be connected with the Munhattan subway by an East River tunnel. TO PUSH THE SPEEDWAY.

The Meeting to be Held Next Mon day. There will be a meeting of aH the parties Interested In tho ne-w speedway at the Parkway Driving Club, on the boulevard, next Monday afternoon. Park Commissioner Brower will bo present and meet delegations from tho various riding and driving clubs. It has been determined that the cost of putting the driveway In good condition will not exceed $5,000. Mr.

Brower is In favor of the scheme. Commissioner Brower has ylven consent for the Sea View Railroad Company to cross the boulevard, near Coney Island. The elevated structure from Brighton to West Brighton will be torn down anda. surface road constructed Instead. ThcT elevated road has been run at a loss, most people going from Brighton to the West End objecting to climbing up the stairs.

Work will begin at once. Commissioner Brower Insists that a flagman be stationed at the boulevai DIDN'T OBEY MANDAMUS. Manufacturing Concern May he Guilty of Contempt of Court. l-'eir refusing to obey a writ of mandamus granted by Justice Jenks, the American Spirits Manufacturing Company may become tvie defendant In contempt proceedings. Lawyer Bert P.els so declared before Justice Maddux in a special term of the Supreme Court to-elay.

Mr. Reiss, who is Chairman of the Minority Committee, of the common and referred stockholders, representing 2.S.V) shares of stock, is prosecuting a suit as-iinst the company. He declares that the minority stockholders are unwarrantly overridden by the majority, much to their loss. A writ of mandamus allowing Mr. Reiss or his accountants to examine and Inspect the books, papers, contracts, agreements and records of the defendants, was granted by Justice Jenks in the Supreme Court on April II last.

The time for the defend-anH to show why the writ should r.ot be obeyed expired to-dny. Mr. Reiss said that he went to the office of the defendant company last week, and the Charles Wentworth, told him a d.iy would be set for an examination. No examination was ever made, but the defendants appealed from Justice Jenks' order. Mr.

Rfiss says that the appeal allows ro stay, nnd that he will proceed next week to have the defendants show cause why they should not be adjudged in contempt. rQTJGHT OVER A BILL. Light Coal Dealer and Heavy Baker Meet, and Baker Gets Worst of it. Henry Zirlnsky, 24 years old, the son of Samuel Zirlnsky, a coal and wood dealer, called on Eernard Bernard, a baker of ISO Harrison avenue, last night to collect a bill. There was some misunderstanding about the money, and angry words were followed by-blows.

Who struck the first blow is not known, but the baker received the worst of the encounter. He appeared In the Lee Avenue Police Court this morning where he made a charge of assault against Zirlnsky. Zirlnsky denied that he had assaulted the baker. The latter's head was bandaged. The baker weighs about 250 pounds, and the coal dealer about 150.

Zirlnsky was placed under ball for exam ination. MILLEH. AKGTJMENT POSTPONED. Next Friday Named for Day of Decid ing Validity of Conviction. The hearing of arguments regarding the granting of a certificate of reasonable doubt to the validity of the conviction of Will iam F.

Miller, of Franklin Syndicate fame, has been postponed until next Friday. Today was originally fixed by Justice Maddox for argument on the motion, but the date has heen advanced a week at the request of District Attorney Clarke, who wants time to furnish the court with a folio containing the exhibits presented at the trial. There are a hundred or more, and it will take some time to put them in the proper form for use at the argument. WILL EKECT NEW BUILDING. Coney Island Railroad Company's Offices May be Transferred.

The Coney Island and Brooklyn Railroad Company, of which John L. Heine Is President, and which operates the DeKalb and Franklin avtnues, the Jay and Smith streets and Hamilton Ferry lines, has decided to change the location of us ornces rrom DeKalb and Central avenues, the upper terminus of the road, to the southeast corner of Franklin and DeKalb avenues. The offices of the company were established at the upper end of the road many years ago In connection with the car shops, and storage yard. It Is now proposed to move the headquarters of the company to the cor ner of DeKalb and Franklin avenues, as stated above, and with that ebject in view, the two story frame building and store that has for many years been used as a transfer station and waiting room for passengers on the DeKalb and Franklin avenue lines, is now being torn down, and will give place to a modern three or four story office building. The plans for this building have already been approved and the work of making the change is well under way.

Little of the old building that has occupied the corner for so many years past, is now left standing. The location is an excellent one for the headquarters of the company, as two of the company's lines pass that corner, and Is much more central than the office building now occupied. With the removal of the present offices of the company, much more room can be given at the terminus to the storage of cars and to the repair shop there established. Neither President Helns nor Secretary Cannon was at the offices of the company to-day. and little could be learned therefore in reference to the company's plans.

Super intendent Sullivan, who was found by a Times reporter this afternoon, admitted that an office building was to take the place of the old transfer station and waiting room, at DeKalb and Franklin avenues, and that the removal of the present offices of the company to the new building was contemplated. He was not In a position, however, he said. to give the details ot the plans, while several questions in regard to the matter were yet to be determined. Where the Boers and British Are Fighting, Ths Hrookljrn Tunes Atlas of Two Wsis tells all i ha muntnr In which war Is now rafini. It contains srcll lnformstlon nd sutinlo directly bearing on ins war in oouen Amrm mm inn rnnr nines.

To he had at an? or tba offiraa of Ut Tlmaa tor 10 cants, or by mall for IS cants. Fair and cool to-night with frost. To-morrow fair, warmer; fresh west to north winds. High water to-morrow: Gravcsend Bay, 12:45 P. Sandy Hook, P.

M.i Governor's Island, 1:21 P. Oanatule, 1:48 P. Rockaway Inlet, Hollands landing, 1:31 P. Wallabout, 2:01 P. M.

Hell Gate, 3:16 P. Wlllets Point, 4:24 P. M. Moon rises 12; sun rises to-morrow, 4:57. M'KINLEY IN" LINE.

Sends Congratulations to the Young German Prince. WASHINGTON, May 4. The following congratulatory message lias been sent to Emperor William, through Ambassador White by order of the President: "Department of Stale, Washington, May 2 1900: "White, Ambassador, Berlin: Please convey to his Majesty tho Emperor the most cordial congratulations of the President upon the arrival of his Imperial and Royal Highness, the Crown Prlnee Frederick William, at the ago of majority upon Hie sixth of May. The President desires also to express his best wishes for the continued good health of his Majesty, the Emperor, and of all tho members of the Imperial family and for the peace and prosperity of the German empire. "JOHN HAY." COEUR D'ALENE CASE.

Lieut. Lyons Did Not Compel Pumpers to Pump. WASHINGTON, May 4. Tjleutenant Henry S. Lyons, of the Twenty-second Infantry, the last witness In the Coeur il'Alcne investigation, ave his testimony to the House Corn-mitleo on Military Affairs to-day.

He served with the Twenty-fourth Infantry In Cuba and was vounded In the attack on Son Juan Hill. Lieut. Lyons was questioned relative to his ordering sinkers back into the mines to man the pumps. Lieut. Lyons denied that he compelled the men to go to the pumps.

He attended a meeting of the union and asked them to reconsider the order to pump men to leave their posts. He said that this was done and the men went back of their own volition. OTIS IN A HURRY. Asks to be Detached at Once His Re quest Promptly Granted. WASHINGTON, Way 4.

The War Department received a cablegram to-day from Gen. Otis, asking to be detached at once. The department responded by cable to Gen. Otis that by direction of the President he Is detached, and ordering him to turn over his command In the Philippines to Gen. MacAr-thur.

It is supposed this will be done today, and Gen. MacArthur will relieve Gen. Otis some time during the day. Gen. Otis Is coming home at his request ana convenience.

VAN WTCK IN MAINE. Says He's Been Chased, by Reporters All the Way. BATH, May 4. Charles W. Morse, accompanied by Mayor Van Wyck and John F.

Carroll, one of Tammany's chieftains, arrived in this city yesterday, and were driven in Mr. Morse's Bath home. Neither of the gentlemen cared to be Interviewed. They had, they said, been followed by newspaper men everywhere ever since leaving New York, and had refused to talk. 1 They did not care to say why they were In Maine, when they would bo from here, or where they would go.

This morning the party boarded one of the tugs of the Knickerbocker steam towage company of which Mr. Morse Is President, for a trip up the Kennebec as far as Gardiner. Why they were going or where they would go from there they refused to say, but stated there were to be no women in the party. WANT TO BE BISHOPS. Many Candidates for tits Nine Methodist Vacancies.

CHICAGO, May C. D. Foss presided at the Methodist General Conference this morning. The principal work of the session was the presentation of petitions and memorials from the various State Conferences and their reference to the proper standing committee. The list of seven (if the most Important committees was also made up and announced.

To-day the Episcopacy -will organize and will at once find Itself tho vortex for an overwhelming rush of candidates for the vacant Bishoprics. The following are known candidates, and each hns a number of earnest advocates: David H. Moore, Ohio; J. W. Hamilton, New England; James Y.

Bash-ford, Ohio; T. B. Ncely, Philadelphia; Henry Spellmeyer, New Jersey; W. V. Kelley, New York; A.

B. Leonard, Cincinnati; Polhemus H. Swift, Illinois; Charles J. Little, Illinois; Frank M. Bristol, Maryland; W.

A. Spencer, Iowa; H. C. Stuntz, Iowa; Henry C. Jennings, Minnesota; A.

C. B. Mason (colored), Georgia. There may be several more who will come up for consideration before the committee. Nine Bishops are to be elected, and their names will be presented to the conference about May 16.

Gov. Shaw, of Iowa, was elected Chairman of the Book Concern Committee, yesterday, and It Is expected that his committee will recommend the removal of the Western publishing headquarters of the church from Cincinnati to Chicago. Frances Wilson Turned Loose. PHILADELPHIA, May Grand Jury to-day ignored a bill of indictment against Frances Wilson, the pretty chorus girl of the "Papa's Wife" company, who was said to have stolen money and Jewelry belonging to Mrs. Valerie Blgelow, a leading member of the company.

The Indictment charged simply the larceny of a diamond brooch valued at 1200. Mr. Blgelow was the only witness examined by the Grand Jury, and while the proceedings before that body are by law conducted in Becret, It Is understood that Mr, Blgelow expressed a desire to have the charge withdrawn, and the Grand Jury acquiesced, as was their privilege. Aside from Mr. Blgelow and the detectives who made the arrest, none of the Interested parties were in attendance.

Brooklyn Pensions. -(Special to the Brooklyn Tlmen.l WASHINGTON, May 4. The following pensions were granted to residents of Brooklyn to-day: Reissue and Increase, James Dillon, 117; widows, Mary Sullivan, IS. Steamers' Movements. Arrlved-Port of New York.

Kaiser Frledrlch-Hamburg, I Norge Chrlstiansand. i Patricia Hamburg. Adria Falmouth. Caracas San Juan. ACCOMMODATING TRAVELERS Th PtnnarlTanla Hallroad has omuml facilities for the accomniodfltlun of its patron.

Take An-nr boat toot ot VtUton t. anil aiold crossing Manhattan. BEEN FIXED UPON? Did Transit Commission Seek Support of Manufacturers for a Particular Plan? IS TO-DAY'S MEETING A FARCE? TUNNEL TO GO TO FLATBUSH AND ATLANTIC AVENUE. This May Acount for Withdrawal of the Application for the Tunnel Franchise by the Long Island Terminal Railroad Co. A gentleman connected with the Manufacturers' Association, the Committee of Fifty, of which organization went before the Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners this afternoon, at the meeting of tho Board at 320 Broadway, Manhattan, to urge thai the Brooklyn extension tolho Manhattan subway be from the City Hail to tho Junction of Atlantic and avenues, made a Statement this morning, which, if true, in.

alcates a reinarkn.ble state of offairs. This statement, In effect, was: "The Rapid Transit Commissioners some time ago decided that the location of iTp tunnel to Brooklyn should be from the City Hull, Manhattan, to the Junction of Flat-bush and Atlantic avenues in this borough. They did not want to take Independent action on the matter, however, without an expression of opinion from Brooklyn. The Manufacturers' Aooialion was communicated with, and that is the txplanatlon of how the organization came out for the tunnel to Flatbush avenue. "The hearing before the Hoard of Transit this afternoon is merely a matter of form.

The Commission bus already derided to locate the tunnel from the City Hall, or thereabouts to the junction of Atlantic and Flatbush avenues." This would seem to indicate nothing else than that there Is a thorough understanding between the Board of Rapid Transit Commissioners and the Long Island Railroad Company. The company's depot Is at the junction of Atlantic and Flatbush avenues. It will also explain many things, chief among them, tin; withdrawal of the application by the Long Island Terminal Railway Company, from the Municipal Assembly. It will also explain why the Rapid Transit engineers have done nothing, according to published statements by Constructing Ungineer William Barclay Parsons, toward making surveys, as originally directed, for a tunnel to Sotfth Brooklyn, and why Comptroller Coler, who has of late preferred to say nothing in particular about the location of the tunnel. The lying Island Railroad or ratherthe Long Island Railway Terminal two corporations are almost Identical, will lam H.

Baldwin, being President of both gave as the reason for the withdrawal of the tunnel franchise application the fact that a tunnel was to ba built by the city to South Brooklyn. "With a tunnel built by the city to South Brooklyn," "said the railroad officials. "It would not be possible for us to construct the tunnel proposed by us. We could not compete with the tunnel constructed by the city. The understanding at this time was that the Long Island people would make an attempt to secure the construction of a tunnel suitable for their purposes of passenger transportation by the rapid Transit Commission, and would lease It from the city.

At the time this story is being written It hns not been possible to verify the statement made by the member of the Manufactures' Association. Comptroller Coler was told what had been said, but appeared to be in the dark concerning the peculiar transaction referred to. would not say whether or not an understanding of any description had been entered Into between the Rapid Transit Commission and tha Committee of Fifty of the Manufacturers' Association. He said that he knew of no such understanding. "I know," said he.

"that the committee has been over here several times, and that the members have seen about every one connected with the Commission." None of the other members of the Commission would discuss the subject. At the meeting this afternoon It Is expected that the Brooklyn Committee of Fifty will be represented by Its Committee on Conference and Its Committee on Tunnels, Bridges and Ferries. The former Is composed of the following: Ludwig Ntssen, Chairman: Dr. Truman J. Backus, Henry Batterman, Arthur Dinsmeire, J.

Hampden Dougherty, Jacob F. Healey, James T. Hoile. H. C.

M. Ingraham, James Matthews, Daniel P. Morse, the Rev. Dr. S.

D. McConnell. James McKetn, Russell W. McKee and Charles A. Schieren.

The latter committee has the following members: Theodore L. Frothlngham. Chairman; George W. Chauncey. the Rev.

Kdward W. McCarty. Ludwig Ntssen, J. T. O'Reilly, George W.

Palmer, Charles E. Robertson, and William J. Maxwell. It was understood to-day, as stated above, that there would probably be Unanimity In recommending to the Rapid Transit Board that the route of the East River tunnel shall be from City Hnll, Manhattnn, to Joral-emon street, to City Hall, to Fulton street, to Flatbush avenue, to Atlantic avenue, instead of to Hamilton avenue. South Brooklyn.

In bringing about agreement as between theso termlnnls, substantial progress was made yesterday afternoon at conferences between the partisans of each. The strongest opposition to the City Hall route has heretofore como from the South Brook' lyn Board of Trade, but its President, Frank A. 8clle, and its Vice President. William J. Maxwell, have now decided to appear before the Board this afternoon and advocate that route.

Further Important support will be received from the Flatbush Taxpayers' Association, whose special Interests would he subserved by the Hamilton avenue terminal. TVHEX THK PKOPLE OF BROOKLYN TRAVEL ft. HfnA fc hMt Thftt In whT ths Penn' sTlvinls Hailroad is so popular. Short line to Chl- Been 0r Been IS COFFEY USING INFLUENCE? I i SHAKE-UP OF CAPTAINS HAS BEEN POSTPONED. Hardy Said to Have Been Slated tot Coney Island, But Eenney Still Holds the Place by the Sea.

Police Chief Devery has, It is said, taken a stand against the Police Board and refused! to make transfers of captains wblcb the i Board had ordered. I'p to this afternoon none of the Brooklyn police captains had been ordered to pack up their belongings and change their quarters. Several of them have been expecting such an order for several days. Captain Samuel J. Hardy, of the Flushing Avenue Station in particular, lie was at the Brooklyn Police Headquarters yesterday.

i were Captains Miles O'Kellly and Charles B. Bedell. A few days ago Captain Hardy announced positive- ly that he would be sent down, to Coney Island before the week ended. The Police Board met on Wednesday and it Is said on the best of authority that it or- deled Chief Levery to transfer live captains, namely: James Kenney, from Coney Island to ths Bridge Station. Samuel J.

Hardy, from Flushing Avenue Station to Coney Island. John W. Eason, from the Bridge Station to the Clermemt Avenue Station. Charles K. Bedell, from the Forty-third Street Station to Fort Hamilton.

Denis Drlscoll, from Fort Hamilton to the Forty-third Street Station. The probabllly of Captain Kenney's trans fer has been uredlcted for weeks past and It was stated that his friendship for Senator Coffey would lead to his change of quarters, Tho Police Board, as already stated, de-1 c'ded- to make the transfers two days ago. I Soon after the meeting waa held Chief Dev- ery hurriedly left headquarters In Mulberry street. So great was his haste to get that he took an elevated train at Houston street, bound for the City Hall. Ordinarily- he travels In his state coach.

It is ru- mored that he went to the office of a prom inent business man who runs the Demo- cratlc machine In the absence of its London manager, and his Manhattan agent, John F. Carroll, and asked him to have the trans-1 fers flagged. It is also sold he was partlo- ularly anxious to have the order concerning Capt. Kenney revoked. What degree ot suor cegs attended his efforts Is as yet a secret It Is known that Senator Coffey has exerted his Influence In Manhattan to prevent Capt Kenney's removal and the Senator has con-' slderable weight across the river.

A prominent police official sold to-day that Chief Devery's neglect or refusal to make tba transfers indicated had caused a rumpus In the Police Board. It is a matter of notoriety that a half I dozen Captains have been working for some time to secure a transfer to Coney Island for the summer season. One of them Is a. Manhattan man. A police official Informed! a Times reporter that Capt.

Eason, of the' Bridge Precinct, was asked to go down to the Island, but he refused to accept the I office, on the ground that he valued his I health too much. He was, It is stated, offered command of the Flushing Avenue Precinct, but he declined this offer also. I The politicians and saloonkeepers resld-i tng in the Third and Tenth Wards areanxious to have Capt. O'Reilly transferred from thai Butler Street Station. Several of them re- cently had a long talk with J.

Morrtsseyj Gray on the subject. One of them is credited I with addressing him In thesa terms: "What In the devil kind of a leader are you to allow Capt. O'Reilly to be sent down here? Why) didn't you kick against his transfer to tba I precinct and when he was sent, why In! several places didn't you have him transferred elsewhere?" Among the many rumors afloat to-day were one that the saloonkeepers in Capt Reynolds' precinct were trying to have him removed from the command of the Fifth Avenue Precinct. Another waa to the effect that Capt. Leavey was endeavoring to secure a transfer from the Hamilton Avenue Precinct to the Butler Street Station.

Het was assigned to the Hamilton Avenue Sta-I tlon nearly two months ago, but be bas not' served a day since then. A sergeant has been In command ever since. Capt. Cullen was transferred from that station to the Grand Avenue Station. BAEBS CONCERT HALL CLOSED.

Its Former Proprietor Serving 20 Tears' Sentence in Sing Sing. The concert hall in Broadway near Hewea street, which had been In existence for nearly a dozen years, was closed on Monday and no reasons given. Ferdinand Baer, the former proprietor, Is now serving a twenty years' term In Sing Sing, for having killed a colored man in Long Island City, about six months ago. Baer and the colored man became engaged In a fight and Baer shot htm. He then placed the body in a cab and ordered the driver to make for Manhattan.

At the ferry the driver became suspicious and called policeman. An ex-j aminatlon of the cab showed that It con-, toined the body of a negro. i Baer was arrested and convicted of man-, slaughter and sentenced to twenty years, Mrs. Baer remained in charge ot the con- i cert hall and conducted It until Monday morning. In the afternoon it was A Times reporter to-day endeavored to see Police Captain Short, of the Bedford Avenue Station.

He had received a number of com plaints about the concert hall, but was never able to secure evidence enough tO close it. Capt Short was not at the station house when the reporter called and thej Sergeant in charge of the desk could give no information on the subject The reporter was informed that Mrs. Baer, was unable to make the concert hall pay. after the conviction of her husband, Tba, liquor and concert licenses are beavy, Mrs.) Baer, it Is said, 1b living In Penn street, but her address could not be learned. Tbe hall has been the seen ot many Mt-i ter quarrels during the past few Scarcely a night passed but aoubrettei would fight among themselves over the attention' of spectators.

Two Children Burned to Death. ROCHESTER, N. May special to tne Uniion and Advertiser, from Holcomh, Ontario County, says: William Webb's dwelling house and his two children were burned last night Nothing was saved." Transfers Said to Have tiered That Have Not Carried Through, ROOSEVELT SIGNS FORD BILL WOKK MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN FIVE YEABS. Brooklyn Tearmlnus to be at Bushwlck Junction Better Opportunities in Prospect for Manufacturers Here. At.nANV 4 Gov.

Roosevelt to-day signed Senator Ford's bill, authorizing the New York Connecting Railroad Company to construct upon the line of its road a brldgo for railroad purposes only, of a single span, across the East River, at or near Hell Gate, together with the necessary viaduct approaches and to maintain and operate the CHARlQiTErlLlE fxV.yVOODSIliE lwmdside tUSHWICK 5TTIM WHERE THE RAILROAD WILL RUN. structure. It must have an elevation of not less than 135 feet above mean high water and span the river from abutments built on the Bhores of the stream, and within the bulkhead lines, so as not to Impede navigation. Work must be begun by September 1 next and the brldgo must be completed within five years. The New York Connecting Railroad Company, which is to build the viaduct road connecting the Long Island Railroad with Ihe New York Central system, was organized under tho Railroad law on April 21, The officers of the company are: A.

P. Boiler, President: Frank M. Clute, Secretary, and W. H. Barnes, Treasurer.

Oliver W. Barnes, of 55 Broadway, Manhattan, Is tho consulting engineer to the company, and he will superintend the construction of the road. Mr. Barnes was originally the President of the company, hut resigned In Mr. Boiler's favor In order to give his full time to the actual work of construction.

The company's counsel is John McDonald, of 39 Broadway, Manhattan. According to the map and plans furnished the Brooklyn Times through the courtesy of Mr. O. W. Barnes, and which are herewith reproduced, the road will extend from the New York and Harlem Railroad at a point In the vicinity of St.

Mary's Park, In the Borough of the Bronx, to Bushwlck Junction, on the Long Island Railroad. From St. Mary's Park the route proceeds In a southerly direction to and across Randall's and Ward's Islands and the East River at Hell Gate, thence through the Borough of Queens to Bushwlck Junction. It will thus be seen that the railroad at its southern end will connect with the 300 miles of the Long Island Railroad system and the systems of the street surface and elevated railroads in the Borough of Brooklyn. At its northern end the road will connect with the New-York, New Haven and Hartford systems of railroads and with the New York Central and Hudson River system, including the New York and Harlem.

Through these lines connection will be had with the trans-continental systems reaching to the Pacific Const, and also with the New England lines to Canada. The result will be to Brooklyn and the whole territory of Long Island In direct connection with the railroads of the mainland, and will make It possible for freight coming from the West to reach deep water at the foot of 'thirty-ninth Btreet, Brooklyn. Bushwlck Junction waa chosen for several reasons, one being that many of the trolley lines of the borough converge at East New York. Connecting at Bushwlck Junction nt grade, the New York Connecting Railroad will carry passengers to the northeastern part of New York City, and It will also connect with all the Long Island pleasure resorts. It is In the matter of freight transportation that the road will be of the largest advantage to Brooklyn and Long Island.

As a food-producing 'territory, Long Island Is noted only for Its market gardening. Meats, flour, nearly all the milk used, coal, lumber, leather and Indeed all articles used for manufacturing purposes, must bo brought. In the main part, from Jersey City on scows, and the cost of lighterage 'and trucking is very great So great. In fact, that the State Commerce Commission gave this Its kk ASTORIA MiDDtEroH RAVENS- South wooona ASTORIA 5 1 tmncH Kins 11 BUSSVIllE P'V'jj laurel r-rfbSlyA Oliver Ifr jgff'isjr Miit. V.iH Jr ro ENGINEERS' MET BUT LITTLE OPPOSITION.

IRISH-AMERICAN BOERS ALONE PUT UP A EIGHT. X.England Elated Over the Opening of the New Campaign Roberts' Report of His Movement News From the Gold Coast. LONDON, May i The long-awaited advance toward Pretoria Is at last under way. Gen. Roberts has occupied Brandfort thirty-seven miles north of Bloemfonteln on the railroad.

He announces the fact In the following despatch to the War Office, dated Brandfort, May 4: "We occupied Brandfort to-day without much opposition and without, I hope, many casualties. The First Brigade of mounted Infantry covered the left flank, the Fifteenth Brigade supporting. "Gen. Pole-Carew's division advanced directly on Brandfort. "The Boer Army, which Is under Delary, In a northeasterly direction." The Times in a second edition prints a Brandfort despatch, which 'says that only the Irish-American contingent, lighting with I the Boers, resisted the entry of the British Into Brandfort.

They retired before Hut-ton's brigade. The Boers shelled Tucker's division considerably, but finally retired all along the line. "Thus," the despatch concludes, "the British general advance Is begun." This Is the Mist despatch from the Held marshal under a date line olher than Bloemfonteln In nearly two months. Bloemfonteln was occupied on March 14. Each week since then the public has expected that news of the advance northward would be forthcoming, but the people at home did not comprehend tho preparation necessary to launch an army of 70.000 men on an aggressive movement.

Besides, Roberts encountered numerous obstacles to a speedy advance in the way of lack of cavalry mounts and winter cloHeing. These obstacles have been removed and the deliberation which the commander-in-chief showed In making his preparations has convinced the Englishmen that when he once moved there would be no halting or turning back, but that the steps of the advance would follow one another In quick succession. The occupation of Brandfort infuses fresh interest into the war, and the British movement will now be followed with Intense interest. According to a despatch from Bloemfonteln, dated May 1, Roberts has practically thrown forward his lines across the Free State from Thaba N' Chu on the east to Warrenton on the west. The despatch says that the Boers are being brought face to face with operations which will soon overwhelm their opposition.

The disposition of the cavalry shows that Roberts Is taking every" precaution to guard against flank attacks on his long ling of transports. French's cavalry Is holding the Boers at Thaba N' Chu, and troops of mounted infantry are stretched north of there toward Brandfort paralleling the railroad. Broadwood's brigade has reached Isabelfon-teln, twenty-eight miles north of Thaba N' Chu, and occupies a position between the Boers near Brandfort and those near Thaba N' Chu. The disposition of the Boer forces to meet the aggressive British movement Is not clear; but It Is apparent they are not contesting Roberts' main advance. The latter's report that Brandfort fell without much opposition confirms the recent report that the town would not be defended.

Instead It was reported that the Boers would fall back on Wlnburg, forty miles northeast of Brandfort. According to a despatch from Thaba Chu, May 3, the Boers were evacuating their positions there and retiring northward. It is not known where they expect to make the next stand, although it Is said they are preparing for a stubborn resistance to the British advance on an entrenched hill south of Kroonstadt. After the successful raid into the south Free State, the Boers' morale should be far from broken and there ought to be fighting before Roberts can reach YneVaal River. The monotony of the British halt at Bloemfonteln is ended to-day and stirring events are on the cards.

BOERS WEEE SURPRISED. Four Thousand Moved on Brandfort, But Got Out Again. BRANDFORT, May 4. Four thousand Boers moved here yesterday to oppose us, I but Were surprised and retreated. Tucker disabled two Boer guns.

ASHANTI TROUBLE OVER. London Hears Reassuring News From the Gold Coast LONDON, May 4. A despatch from Accra, British Gold Coast, says that the trouble in Ashantl is thought to be over. The Governor, Sir F. Hodgson, is stm at Kumassl, negotiating with the native tribes.

There Is no fear now for his personal safety. British Casualties at Thaba N'Chu. LONDON, May War Office gives the casualties at Thaba N'Chu and Jacobs Rust on April 29, 30 and May 1, as four killed, wounded and tour missing. SKETCH OF THE BRIDGE ACTtOSS HELL GATE. of royalty.

All the hotels are filled to overflowing with strangers and grucsts from all parts of Europe. Among other notables expected to arrive to-day are the Duke of York, the Prince of Naples, the Crown Prince of Italy, the Grand Duke Constantino ot Russia, and Prince Charles of Sweden. Emperor Franz Josef to-day appointed the Kaiser's field marshal to be a General lu the Austrian army: ATLANTIC LINER ASHORE. The MontElier Strands In Fog In St Lawrence Elver. ST.

JOHNS. Newfoundland, May British steamship Montpeller, of the Elder-Dempster line, of Liverpool, England, Gait, from Cardiff, April 7, and Las Palmas April 20, for Montreal, while bopnd up the St. Lawrence River, went ashore last night In a dense fog at Duck Island, near the entrance to Cabot Strait. Nothing has been heard of tho crew. Tho ship is probably a total loss.

UNKNOWN STEAMER STRANDED. Ashore Off Cape Hatteras Life Saver to the Rescue. WASHINGTON. May 4. An unknown steamer is stranded on a reef oft Cnpe Hatteras.

A message to this effect was received at the headquarters of the llfo-sav-lng sen-Ice this morning. The life-saving crews of Cape Hatteras and Creeds Hill have gone to the steamer's assistance. Great Paris Fire Remembered. PARIS, May 4. The Archbishop of Paris to-day dedicated the memorial chapel, Our Lady of Consolation, erected by the Castel-? lanes on the site of the charity basaar, which burned with terrible losi of life in 1895.

There was a solemn requiem mass attended only by relatives of tho victims of the Are and the survivors. The frescoes in the chapel shtw portraits of many members of noble families who lost their lives In the fire. Postage Stamp Forger Caught. WASHINGTON, May 4. Chief Wilkle, of the secret service, to-dsy received a telegram from Los Angeles, that told of the arrest there of Charles T.

Luther, a postage stamp forger. The secret service agents captured a largo number of counterfeit stamps, the message says, as well as Luther's presses, ink and paper used in making them. CENTER OF AMERICAN METROPOLIS. It Grand Central Station, of the New York Antral, In Forty-reood strwt Too en rn'li It In from half minute to OttMn minutes from 17 Nw York howls, bo clubs end 81 Uieitrt..