Times Union from Brooklyn, New York • 1

FIFTIETH YEAE. BROOKLYN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2(3. 1898. PKICE TWO CENTS. BRITISH ARMS FOR AFRIDIS.

TRAMP MARRIES RICH WIDOW. TO A QUAKER CITY SHERIFF IS THE fljy LOCKED. Municipal Assembly Backing up Mayor Van Wyck, MIXED UP OYER THE CHARTER. 'oARTHY'S WIFE WAS DRUNK, But Still She Charged Her Husband With Kicking Her. John McCarthy, of 286 Wythe avenue, is a man to be pitied.

McCarthy was taken to the Fifth Precinct Station night and this morning was arraigned before Justice Kramer In the Lee Avenue Court, charged with kicking his. wife, Florence. In the abdomen. Mrs. McCarthy was found In an unconscious condition at Grand street and Wythe avenue, and was taken to the Eastern District Hospital.

There she made the statement that her husband came home last nli-ht and was In a fighting humor. He struck her in the face, she said, and then kicked her. John accordingly was locked up. Later the hospital doctor discovered that Mrs. McCarthy was not Injured, but when found had simply been suffering from a drunken stupor.

She left the hOKpltal this morning, and in rourt her husband was discharged. The couple have two children. The Seizure of an English Steamer Explains Mystery. MUSCAT, Gulf of Oman, Jan. British gunboat Lapwing has seized the steamer Baluchistan off here und her cargo of arms and ammunition has been cpnfisoated.

Her cargo is held by the British Consul. LONDON, Jan. 26. The seizure ofthe steamer Baluchistan tends to explain the mystery as to whence the Afrldls secured their arms. The owners of tho Baluchistan say she has been released and has proceejed.

They add that the arms were shipped to a dozen different Russian firms. MANUFACTURERS SECOND MEET. WANT TO INCREASE TRADE THE SOOTH. IN Motion Offered Favoring the Proposed In-ternatlonal Banking System-Discussion on Annual Report. The Convention of the National Association of Manufacturers was resumed this morning in the Masonic Temple, at Twenty-third street and Sixth avenue, Manhattan, President Theodore C.

Search of Philadelphia, In tho chair. This the second day of tho third annual convention of the association which will bo brought to a close to-morrow night with a banquet at the Waldorf-As-orla at which President McKlnley will be present. At the opening session this fwornirg tho attendance was not as largo as it had been at any of tlio two sessions of tho opening day. On mtlon of Delegate F. S.

Fish of Indiana, which was seconded by Warner Mlllor, It was decided to Invite Prof. A. II. Beckmore of the American MiiHeum of Natural History to give a storeoptlcon locture at 5 o'clock this afternoon. A motion Introduced by- Warner Miller urging tho Increase of trade In the South as well as with foreign countries and favoring tho proposed International Banking System bill now before Congress was referred to the Committee on resolutions.

Mr. Miller recommended that a copy of his resolution be sent to President McKlnley. Delegate Fish of Indiana suggested that the discussion on the mial report of President Search, which was read yest-tcrday, be taken up under the several heads. Delegate McDougal of Ohio thought it better to refer the whole matter to the Committee on Resolutions with instructions to report this afternoon. Warner Miller and John H.

Converse of Pennsylvania tlsVught it more advisable to have the whole mayor retfe-ired to the Executive Committee The latter course was decided upon. On the Nlcaraguan Canal question Senator Warner Miller who led In the discussion said that at the present time there were noles8 than thirty engineers and a corps of surveyors on the ground. The work of construction ho had no doubt would soon be consummated. It should be built and controlled by Americans and to that end. he concluded, the President and both Houses of Congress were In hearty approval of pushing the work which is now being invest lgn tnd -tnL-aU ot the George Somerville "Got Religion" and a Wife, Too.

SIOUX CITY, Jan. 2C After twenty-six years' tramp life, George Somerville has married a woman worth $20,000. His father, a New Jersey minister, having educated him for the ministry, the lad ran away, at 18 and "tramped It" until nearly 40. Tho first of last month he chanced to attend services at the local rescuo mission. Among the workers that night was Mrs.

Christina Olson, a well-to-do widow. Somerville's scholarly face Interested her and she gave him money and Induced him to seek work in town. Their acquaintance ripened, with the result that the Rev. W. L.

Brown, of the First Methodist Church, united them In marriago yesterday. THE SCUTTLE THIEF CAUGHT. PETER SMITH PROVES TO BE A DANGEROUS MARAUDER. Inttresting Developments of the Arrest of a Boge.3 Telegraph Lineman. There Is now no doubt that lrt the arrest of Peter Smith, who waS caught on Albany avenue a few days ago, after he had forced an entrance unoccupied house by prying open the scuttle, the police have made a decidedly Important capture.

Detective Sergeant Joseph Price, of the Twelfth Precinct, recognized him promptly as an old offender notwithstanding his protestations of misfortune and privation. The Investigation which has since been under way and which was fully exploited In I he hearing accorded Smith in the Gates Avenue Police Court to-day thoroughly justifies the detectives' conclusions. Smith has been working the venerable lineman's game with much success In tho upper section of town. It has been his custom to represent himself as 4i telegraph employee and obtain access to the roof of rows in which houses were untenanted and force an entrance into tho unoccupied residences. The police know him us a thief who, causes more damages than he gets spoils.

His recent visits have included 517 Nostrand avenue, 35 Herkimer street and 51 Decatur street. In each instance he has ripped out large quantities of lead pipe, torn away faucets and even appropriateL.the copper lining of bath-tubs. He tried hard to convince the police that he was a victim of ill-luck, but the discovery of bis picture in the rogues' gallery and the additional fact that he completed a long term In the State prison but two months ago combined to collapse his pathetic recital. "I was only trying to get a home for the winter," he pleaded. "Rather strange course you adopted." commented Police Justice Worth as he held him for the Grand Jury.

Smith claims a home at 77 Court street. He Is undersized, has a cast in his eye and affects gold glasses. The authorities want to hear from other victims of whom they have not yet learned. WHOLESALE CHEWING GUM STEAL. RINGLEADER OF A GANG PLACED' OW TRIAL IN THE COUNTY COURT.

The Stuff Was in the Rough and Would Have Made Thousands of Tutti Frotti Squares. William Phillips was placed on trial In the County Court this morning before Judge Asplnall and a jury on a charge of burglary in the third degree. He was jointly Indicted with Michael and William McLaughlin, brothers. John McCar-ron and John McGrath for stealing worth of chicle, used in the manufacture of tutti frutti chewing gum. from the Empire Store No.

7. at Water and Dock streets, owned by the Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Company. The burglary was committed on November 2S last and It Is alleged that the burglars secured nine bales of the goods, which they had arranged to sell In Manhattan. Michael McLaughlin pleaded guilty to the charge against him some days ago and was sentenced to a year In the penitentiary. William McLaughlin was arraigned this morning nnd pleaded guilty to an at-tfmpt to commit burglary In the third degree.

He was remanded for sentence. The two other defendants, McCarron and McGrath are still In Raymond Street Jail, awaiting trial. Assistant District Attorney John F. Clarke appeared for the prosecution this morning and Lawyer Whltlock for the defendant. Mr.

Clarke told the jury that he would prove that Phillips planned the robbery and that It was executed under his direction. Michael McLaughlin, who had been brought from the penitentiary to testify for the prosecution, was called as the first witness. He said that Phil-Hps proposed the robbery, told him how It was to be accomplished and promised to divide the proceeds with him afterward. Phllllpa owned the horse and wagon which were used to cart away the bales. The stolen goods were stored in a stable on Navy street, while the men went to Mnnhattan to arrange for the sale of the chicle.

They were noticed by two detectives, who followed them to Brooklyn and arrested them at the stable. The witness admitted that he was previously convicted of petit larceny nnd spent a year In tho penitentiary. "Did you ever say that you would be willing to spend five years In prison If Phillips was there with you?" asked Mr. Whltlock. The witness dented that he ever said anything of the kind.

He declared that Mr. Whltlock called on him in the jail nnd asked him to testify that he took the horse and wagon to the store, and not Phillips. Mr. Whltlock indignantly denied that he made such a proposition to McLaughlin. The trial was continued.

Phillips denies that he was concerned In the burglary. William McLaughlin, from whom a plea to attempt to commit burglary in the third degree was accepted this morning, was indicted for grand larceny In the second degree and burglary In tho third degree, as a second offense, and charged with being a habitual criminal. In May, 1889, the late Judge Moore sent him to the penitentiary for five years and a half for robbery in the second degree. Ap Epidemic of Drunks. During the twenty-four hours ending this morning at 6 o'clock" forty-five drunken men and women wero arrested in Brooklyn.

Eight of them were brought to the Richards Street Station. Fell From Fire Tender. In going to a fire last evening, John TVinshi'e. of Engine No. 26, on State street, fell from the tender nd sustained ti scalp wound.

The Wtather. Fair to-night, to-norrow and. Friday; decidedly colder; hlfh northwest winds THE NEW BOARD. Mr. Brennan Has an East Eiver Bridge Bill TO RESTORE OLD COMMISSIONERS.

THE ASSEMBLYMAN EXPLAINS THE PURPORT OF HIS BILL. A Constitutional Question Is Commis-missioner Shea Overworked? The New Commissioner Need Money. Special to the Hrooklyn Times. ALBANY Jan. 2ti.

Assemblyman Bran-nan Introduced to-day a most sweeping measure In relation to true construction of bridges across the East River or the Hudson River below Waterford. It takes out of the hands of the municipal authorities of New York the power to construct bridges across the Bast River, and nullfies Mayor Van Wyek's rocout action In discharging tho Commissioners of the new East River Bridge. Tho text of the measure Is as follows: "An act in regard to bridges on the East River and on the Hudson River below Waterford. "The people of tho State of New York represented in Senate and Assembly do enact as follows: "Section 1. None of the provisions of existing laws conferring power to construct bridges upon the Municipal Assembly or Commissioner of Bridges of the City of New York or authority other an th legislature ot the State of New York shall be construed to apply to bridges on the East River or on the Hudson River below Waterford.

"Sec. 2. Any action by a city authority changing the personnel of any Commission having charge of erecting a bridge on these rivers heretofore appointed through an act of the Legislature is hereby declared null and void, and shall not affect the standing of the Commls-. on flr't appoint "Sec. 3.

All acts or parts of acts Inconsistent with this act are hereby re pealed. "Sec. 4. This act shall take effeit Immediately." Mr. Brennan made the following statement to the Times correspondent this afternoon in relation to his measure: "I am aware that the Constitution of the State provides that the Legislature shall have direction over the con-struotion of bridges over the East River and over the Hudson below Waterford, but certain gentlemen have mlnlntor-.

pieiefl, to seetAoiv which province, this, and have declared that tho Charter In giving power to the Municipal Assembly of Greater New York to authorize the construction of bridges and for the Commissioners ot Bridges to construct them, thereby conferring powers upon these authorities to build bridges over the East River. It was certainly the intention of the Constitutional Convention, in my opinion, that the Legislature should have the power to provide for the erection of such bridges by their enactments. "The duties of the Commissioner of Bridges of New York are arduous and exacting, and At would be almost an outrage to ask him to undertake such a vast undertaking as bridge construction in addition to his other labors, and I hardly think it would be advisable or safe or sensible to lodge such a tremcn-Idous power in the hands of any one man. "The Intent of the second section of my bill is plain; it simply provides for the restoration of the Commisiioa which was originally appointed to construct the new East River Bridge, on which work ihas already been begun. Their removal was certainly in violation of law and equity, and If the Republicans had perpetrated such an act, the air would have rung with the denunciations of reformers who are vigilant only when the Republicans are in power." T.

D. H. Looking After Money New Bridge Commissioners Appear to be Blocked. The new East River Bridge Commissioners appointed recently by Mayor Van Wyck appear to be disturbed at the situation financially. They need money, and they haven't got It.

Nor Is there any immediate prospect of their getting It-There Is to be a meeting of the Commissioners at the engineer's office. 84 Broadway, In the Borough of Brooklyn, at 8 o'clock this afternoon. That meeting has no particular significance. The meeting, as one of the Commissioners itold a Times reporter to-day, was simply for the purpose of giving them an intelligent idea of what they were going to do In the way of building the "bridge. Another meeting will be held at 3 o'clock to-morrow afternoon In Manhattan to discuss ways and means.

One of Mr. Van Wyek's new Commissioners, Mr. Julian Falrchlid, of the Borough of Brooklyn, was" asked the object of the meeting. "Well," he sold, "wo need an appropriation to go on with this work and we want to find out how to jet It." "Haven't you any money asked the reporter. "No," replied Mr.

Fairchl'd. It will be remembered that the old Board of Commissioners so summarily removed by Mayor Van Wyck had carried out every contract and paid for the work done up to the first of January. They did not go beyond that as they wished to await the effect of the new administration. It will take some time V. before the! budget Is completed, and ap- portionments made.

In the meantlmo tho plans and specifications which, were pro-pared six or seven weeks ago by Engineer l. L. Suck and practically approved by the old Board to give out for publication, are held in abeyance. Wants Her Marriage Annulled. Mrs.

Sophia Rebecca Tyson, who wns prior to her marriage a Miss Whalcn, 'applied to Justice Pryor, In the Supreme Court, Manhattan, to-day, for an of her marriage with Walter Clifton Tyson, on the ground that when he married her he had an undlvoroed wife living. Tyson was. once political secretary to Whltelaw Reld, IS Was Culled a Napoleon of Keal Estate There. INFATUATED WITH A WOMAN. COOLLY OFFERED OFFICERS CLARET ON HIS ARREST.

Is Alleged to Have Swindled Some of the Pbiladelphians out of in Cash. William Gross, one of Philadelphia's financial Napoleons, who has been a fugitive from Justice for several months', was arrested last night at his home, 417 Fourteenth street, Brooklyn, where he had been living under an assumed name. Gross, It Is said, Is a defaulter to tho extent of $20,000 obtained by various kind of swindling. Ills victims in Philadelphia are aald to be numerous. Gross, who was arrested last August for alleged crookedness, was admitted to ball but did not appear for trial.

Ills disappearance from Philadelphia was followed by the clamoring of a number of people who had had real estate transactions with him. Gross figured for twenty-live years there as a real estate broker and lie lived in excellent style. In some way the Philadelphia police learned that Gross had located In Hrooklyn, and thoy asked Capt. Reynolds, to hunt him up. Detectives Ruddy and Harrington succeeded In locating the man In the address given.

He has been living there with an attractive young woman who Is said to be his wife. For good police reasons they refrained from arresting him in the house. For equally good reasons the officers decided to arrest Gross last night. They caught him a block away from his house and he nearly collapsed when he saw the warrant. "May I go to my home a few minutes," he pleaded, "and see my poor Louisa?" There being no special reason for denying the request the officers acceded to It.

The young woman took the matter coolly and opened a bottle of claret offering the officers a gloss. Being strict teetotalers when out on serious business Ruddy and Harrington declined the offer. Gross was locked up all night and brought to the Adams Street Court today when Justice Brenner held him to awnlt a requisition from the Governor of Pennsylvania. Gross Is 51 years old and a native of Goettlngen, Germany. For the past twenty-five years he has lived In Plilla delphla where he conducted a real es tate office.

He had a mansion in a suburb called Olney and living like a man of large means. Last summer he acted as on agent In purchase of a house for Mrs. Louisa He represented the house to be free and clear but Mrs. Haskens' law yer found that Gross, as alleged had failed to discharge an $800 mortgage encumbering the property. Gro9s' arrest followed.

Ho was admitted to ball. Isaac Flecksten furnishing a bond for $800. When the case was called up on August 1. Gross could not be found. The bond was forfeited and a bench warrant for Gross' arrest issued.

It is alleged that Gross fttmfiammed Flecksten on a $200 note. Gross has an excellent reputation for many years but it is alleged that his infatuation for a young woman was the Indirect cause of his resorting to dubious business methods. A BOY'S DISAPPEARANCE. An English Lad Who Didn't Like America, is Missing. Mrs.

Samuel Brown, of 32 Ellery street, disconsolately entered the Broadway Court to-day In search of Information that might lead to the discovery of her twelve-year-old son, Robert. He has been missing from homo since last Wednesday morning. He was employed In a Manhattan office and on Wednesday morning he left his home in this city, as usual, to go to his place of employment. He never reached the Manhattan office. The boy came here from England with his parents last November nnd his mother says he has never seemed to be satisfied with the country.

Repeatedly ho has expressed a wish to return to his native soil, and she Is Inclined to believe, In view of this fact, that he unceremoniously returned to Europe. He was not known to have had any money on his person when he left home. He Is short and well built, of light complexion, nnd speaks with a decided cockney accent. THE SINKING OF THE TILLIE. Not Likely That the United Statu Authorities Will Take Action.

As in tho case of the unlucky bunker boat Hawkins, which foundered with a Cuban filibustering expedition off the Long Island coast nearly two years ngo. It Is not likely that the Fulled States authorities will take any nrtlnn In regard to tho little steamer Tlllle. whlchi sunk off Barnegat a couplo of days United States Marshal John II. McCarty said to-day that he had no orders from Washington In regard to the survivors of tho Tlllle expedition and Assistant. Unite! States District Attorney Baldwin declared that his office had no Information as to the Tillle's movements after leaving this port.

NETJ WIELDS THE AX. The Blow Takes OS Clerk Goodwin's Official Head. Assistant Clerk Thomas Goodwin, of the First District Municipal Court, was summarily removed by Justice Neu this week. A son of ex-keeper of tho City Hall, James Dunne, has been appointed In Goodwin's place. General dissatisfaction with Goodwin is alleged to be the cause for his dismissal.

He had held the place for a number of years and was well liked by lawyers and patrons generally of Judge Neu'a court. The new Charter provided for an Increase of Goodwin's salary from $1,500 to $3,000 per annum. He would have drawn the first Instalment of his enlarged salary this month. The place has always been subject to civil sorvlce regulations and competent authorities maintain that the new Charter doee not take tho position out of the classified list. If this contention Is true, and It Is rumored that Goodwin Intends to oppose his successor's appointment on this grounds young Dunne will experience some difficulty in drawing his salary.

Small Blaze Causes Excitement. An alarm of fire excited the occupants of tho four-story frame tenements at 9 and 11 Nostrand avenue, at 4:50 this morning, and for a time there was some lively scurrying for clothing and valuables. It was only a small blase, however, caused by a defective flue, and no damage either to property or person was reported. The tenements were occupied by Charles Ruff, the owner, and seven other families. Seized in Favor of the Majority Bond-holders.

SCHEME FOR REORGANIZATION. THE AMOUNT OF MONEY INVOLVED IS A HUGE ONE. Railroad Officials Say it is All Right and Means New Officers and Improvements. Sheriff Creamer yesterday afternoon took possession of all the property of the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad Company Including its plant and franchises under an execution Issued under a judgment obtained by Frederick B. Olcott, James T.

Woodward, Charles Parsons, Ernst Thalmann and Leonard Lewlsohn who are the majority bond holders. The road Is now In the Sheriff's possession and the Sheriff himself Is In charge of the matter. The uclion in which the judgment was obtained was begun by the plaintiffs on January 4 last. It was against the company to foreclose a mortgage for under which the Central Trust Company wu.s Trustee for the bond holders. The Plaintiffs alleged that the company issued 1.2"0 bonds of Jl.Ouo each bearing three per cent.

Interest up to July and live per cent, interest after that date. They were issued through the Central Trust Company with the exception of one bond making the total Issue Of the total Issue bonds to the extent of ll.24G.0O0 are held by the plaintiffs. The bonds contained a provision that if at any time the company defaulted In the payment of the interest the majority bond holders might at once begin an action In forclosure. The plaintiffs being the majority holders of the bonds outstanding in January 4 last elected by the beginning of the action to declare the principal of the bonds due. The complaint was served on the company and a notice of appearance was put In by Hoadley.

I.auterbach and Johnson but no answer was served. The Judgment was therefore taken by default at once yesierdny and an execution was Immediately placed In the hands of the Sheriff. The total Judgment obtained by the plaintiffs Is for being the principal of the bonds with Interest. The Sheriff has also, taken possession of the company's property under an execution Issued by Lawyer Rufus O. Cat-lin In The suit of Percy W.

H. Leighton obtained on October IS. 1897. a Judgment for $9,625 against the company. Leighton was injured in an accident which happened on March 1, 1894.

President Frederick Uhlmann could not be found this afternoon but Auditor Tmgyear who was seen by a Times reporter, said that the forclosure ws necessary in order to complete the reorganisation and that the steps tken-- above mentioned have been anticipated for some time past. The first assessment of twenty-five per cent, on the stocks and bonds of the company, he paid, tiitf tn called for FetorXjary "9 anc, the second assessment for March 7. The reorganization plan Mr. Longyear said is practically completed and the road will be bought In by the Reorganization Committee, this being a part of the plan, after which new stocks will be issued and the company will continue under new management. DESERTED AND PENNILESS.

The Sad Plight of Mrs Lee and Her Four Children Mrs. Mary' Lee. a delicate looking young woman, of refined appearance, with four little children tugging at her skirts, visited the Broadway Court yesterday and told a pitiable tale. She said she was at present stopping at 16 Floyd street. Her husband, she stated, who hod been out of employment for a long while, left Brooklyn for Worcester.

at the time of the recent strike among the mill hands at that place, to take the place of one of the strikers. Mrs. Lee. her four children and the couple's household furniture accompanied vhlm. Lee had scarcely got established In his new position when the strikers filled the yards, and.

work being suspended, he was notified that his services were no longer required. He started with his family and household belongings to return to Brooklyn. On the way. the furniture was attached to satisfy a claim for groceries negotiated by him and left unpaid in Worcester. Thereupon Lee Is alleged to have deserted his wife and children and hns not been seen by them since.

Mrs. Lee nrrlved home without a penny. She is now stopping with her mother, who is an aged woman without means, and the family have been suffering for the actual necessities of life str.ee. She was furnished with a personal letter to Charities Commissioner Burtls. who has frequently Interested himself In similar cases.

NEED NOT TAKE PENNIES. That is in an Unreasonably Large Amount for Debt. The fact may not be generally known that a person Is not obliged to accept more than a stipulated sum In pennies I or silver of a small denomination In set- tlement for debt. The law was recalled by an application made to-day to the Clerk of the Broadway court, joiui rewards, a Floyd street property owner, I was the applicant. He declared that one i Hio ipnnnt.

with whom he had had some unpleasantness. In a spirit of retal- iation had made it a practise to i-r rent In pennies. The revengeful tenant. I Edwards declared, had gone monthly to some railroad company and exchanged 1 Treasury notes for pennies with which to pav his rent. Edwards has grown tired of lugging around 2.500 pennies every 1 mnth unit la n.i rt I cularl Incensed be cause he knows that his tenant Is paying him in pennies, "lust to get even." He was directed to call his tenant's attention to the law and to remind him that he was placing himself liable to legal prosecution if he continued the objectionable custom.

Mary Naylor Gets $1,500. In the Supreme Court this mornlne before Justice Dickey a Jury brought In a sealed verdict for $1,500 In favor of Mnry Naylor a.tainst the Heights Railroad Company. On May 24. ISM. the plaintiff was returning from church in an car.

8h started to leave the car at Flat bush and Sixth avenue, when a sudden Jerk threw her forward to the ground. She sustained Internal Injuries. The do-fenso was that sho stepped the nr before It stopped and that the e.ccldent was her own fault. Thomas E. appeared fqr the plaintiff.

Dr. Kelleher Run Down by a Trolley. Dr. Frank B. Kelleher.

of 167 Union street, started off In his phaoton.on a sick call yesterday. Crossing place his vehicle was struck by Court street trolley car. A wheel was smashed and the horse hurt The doctor escaped Injury. LOCAL BOARDS UNABLE TO MEET OR TO ACT. Mo Engineer for Brooklyn Tat Browtrj Though, Has Some Hps for tkt Parks.

There seems to be an inclination on thd part of the Municipal Assembly to follovj the lead of Mayor Van Wyck and othetf heads of departments In Manhattan wipe out all semblance of government la this borough and make everything trltM utary to the old City of New York. This was shown at the meeting when matters were taken up that should properly have first come before the local; Board of Improvement. Several reeolu tions to repair streets and provide elec-l trie lights for certain sections of thet city were introduced and referred to th proper commttees. There was some discussion this morn Ing in the Borough Hall between Presl dent Grout and several of the Alder men and It was the opinion of those gen" tlemen that such resolutions could not become laws unless they were first considered in the local Boards and by them recommended to the Board of Public Improvements, and through this channel finally reach the Municipal Assembly. Alderman Stewart protested at the meeting yesterday against the Board of Aldermen considering any business that should properly, according to the Charter, be originated in another way.

and ho even went so far as to question tho legality of any such action. Should the Municipal Assembly continue to act Independently It would virtually wipe out the local Boards and make their ex.slence unnecessary. If the local Boards showed any tendency to Improvements as provided by the Charter, the would very likely become discouraged and allow things to go by the board. There is plenty of work for the local Boards to do it a start can only be made. President Grout is anxious to make this start, but finds himself handicapped by his inability to advertise any proposed mprovements In the local papers, and thus put these Improvements In a shape that they can come before the local Boards for consideration.

President Grout is determined to perform his duties as provided In Charter, but ho will have a hard time of It. NO ENGINEER FOR BROOKLYN YET? PERHAPS WE WON'T GET ONE. Th qaestion of the-ppo4ntmi-f a Chief Engineer for Brooklyn has not yet been settled. Chief Engineer Blrdsall was sworn in yesterday for Manhattan only, and therefore the question of a Chief Engineer tor ttt borough )s ilH' unsettled. Deputy Water Commissioner" Moffett is still of the opinion that there' should be a Chief Engineer for this borough, and will make a fight to have.

one. He claims that there Is more necessity for him here than in any other borough as the work in th department Is more intricate and complex than In Manhattan. It is likely that Commissioner MoN fett will gain hs point. MR. BROWER OPTIMISTIC CON CERNING THE PARKS.

1 Park Commissioner Brower Bald this morning that there seemed to be some apprehension that Brooklyn would not get what it ought to have for the support of the local parks. Mr. Brower said he had a pleasant chat with Mayor Van Wyck at a meeting of the Board of Estimate the other day, and as a result he could assure the residents of this borough that there would be no scarcity of money for the support of the parks, which he considered the finest In the, country. "With the appropriation I have asked for. I can make Prospect Park bloom and beautify all the smaller parks In' the borough." he continued.

"My predecessors used a great d-al of money In buy- Ing new parks and constructing new' parkways, and now that Is done, I can use the money In Improving and beautifying them. I am familiar with the administration of Prospect Park and will consequently devote considerable time In fixing up the smaller parks. At Sunset Park some considerable work is needed, but Forest Park will not require much consideration. "I contend that' the Charter contemplates a separate management of th parks in the two sections of the city aa far as details are concerned. It would be Impossible for me to devote any time to the parks in Manhattan and Just as Impossible for Manhattan Commissioners to look after our parks here.

There Is no doubt In my mind that we shall take care ot our own parks and shall act; In harmony with each others. I consider that according to the Charter I am the representative of the Borough Of Brooklyn In the Park Board, and I propose to do everything In my power to get for Brooklyn what It Is entitled to. I be- II eve that we shall receive fair treatment from tho greater ORR'S REPLY TO GOULD. It May be Given Out Late This After noon Secretary Delafleld, of the Boarl Rapid Transit Commissioners, said thla morning that Commissioner Alexander E. Orr had not yet prepared his reply, to Mr.

Gould. He did not know exactly when the statement was going to be ready and stated that he thought It would be given out this afternoon. John T. Terry and O. P.

Morosinl, if tho Manhattan Directory, stated that It was not true that the crossing on Broadway was contemplated as a crushing obstruction to the undergrpuni system of. rapid transit. They both averred that the Manhattan Company had nothing whatever to fear from the underground ays-tem and that the company's 'business would not suffer from Its construction and operation. Neither gentlemen would discuss the question of Indemnity. They said the matter was not discussed.

They would not Inllcata what change ot base had been made by either the Manhattan Company or the Rapid Transit Company. Mrs. E. L. Eager Dead.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. E. L-Hager, widow of the late John B. Hager, of New York. Collector of, the Port Ot Ban and United States Senator from California, Is dead from heart paralysis.

Three Men Killed by Dynamite. DULUTH. Jan. premature explosion of dynamite on the Dulutn and Iron Range extension, north, of Two Harbors, Instantly killed Frank Burrows, Foremen Vandergrlft and Jacobs and injured several other- persona) OUR ATTITUDE IN THE ORIENT ENGLAND SAYS THAT HAPPILY WE ARE WITH HER. That is Why Her Fleet in China is Not Bigger -The Present Situation.

BERLIN, Jan. 26. The steamer Darmstadt, having on board detachments of marines and artillerymen, has arrived at Kl.io Chou Bay. LONDON, Jan. 2C The newspapers here comment on French.

Russian and German re-enforcements going to the far East while no corresK)ndlng addition Is made to the British fleet and says "happily Great Britain has the countenance Instead of the hostility of the States. Hut. the Japanese Navy Is a factor of uncertain value." An article in the Pall Mall Gazette says: "The German fleet may be said to hold the balance, between England and Japan, and France and Russia have the position of arbiter, the very thing the Kaiser would desire, and, with the force he possesses In the far East he can dictate terms. If the position Is really critical, we run a grave risk In leaving our fleet weak. In fact, we prepare for an open contest by a retrograde movement." COST $50 TO CLEAR THE BRIDGE, AND THE COMMISSIONER HAD TO PAY FOR IT HIMSELF.

The Street Cleaning Department Secured the Assistance of Kind Providence, it is Said. Bridge Commissioner John L. Shea and Chief Engineer and Superintendent C. C. Martin both violated the Civil Sen-ice laws last evening when they employed a number of men to clean the snow off the bridge.

Mr. Shea paid the men out of his own pocket and ia.wl!Ung to take chances of getting it again. The cost of the work was a little less than $50. It was a matter. Mr.

Shea said. In which prompt action was necessary and had no lime to- consult the Civil Service Commissioners who claim jurisdiction over all bridge employees. Some method of employing men in cases of emergency like the one in question will undoubtedly be devised. When the threatened blizzard of last night had stretched well through the night people were anxious to know how Street Cleaning Commissioner McCarthy who had supplanted Col. George E.

Warl Ing, would tackle the job of cleaning the streets. It was the first ordeal that had faced him. At o'clock last night he gave orders for the entire snow force to turn out at 4 o'clock this morning equipped for work. But their services were not needed. "The good Providence that looks over us all," said the Commissioner, "cleaned the streets for us and It didn't cost the city dollar." FROM HOSPITAL TO COURT.

Olsen Mast Explain Why He Attempted to Kill Himself. William E. Olsen after beiru discharged from the Seney Hospital this morning was taken to the Myrtle Avenue Court, where he was accused of attempted suicide nnd Intoxication. Olsen is 36 years old. He lived at 223 Halsey street.

Olsen was locked In the station house cell on Monday night Intoxicated. A few minutes later Doorman Rellly discovered him hanging from the top of the cell door by a couple of handkerchiefs. Olsen was unconscious and sn ambulance surgeon worked ten hours over him before bringing him to consciousness. Justice Tenlo this morning suspended sentence on the former rhnnre nnd held the accused under $500 bail in the other. Olsen claims to have forgotten all about his experience of Monday night.

A week ago a young woman named Jennie Knapp took her life at her home on Bergen street. The woman was a cousin of Olsen's. but it is said that their attachment to each other was of a very tender nature. Her tragic end Is believed to have had somo Influence on the attempt of Olsen to kill himself. VAN WYCK'S AX AGAIN.

Examining Board of Plumbers in Brooklyn Removed. Mayor Van Wyek's ax has again fallen upon Brooklyn. He has removed the Examining Board of numbers under nn order wSich was as follows: "Kno all men by theso presents, that 1, Robert Van Wyck. Mayor of the City of Now York, by virtue of the power vested in mo by law. It being my Judgment that the public interests so require do hereby remove H.

M. Noble, Edwin Havward and P. H. Gleason and each of them from the office or member of the Examining Board of Plumbers In the former City of Brooklyn, said removal to take effect Immediately." THESE DRAFTS REFUSED. They Are From the North Pacific Trading and Transportation Company.

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. Bank of California makes public the following: "Recently quite a number of drafts hnve been presented nnd refused at the Brink of California purporting to have bean drown by the North Pacific Trading nnd Transportation Company by H. H. Northup, manager; W. B.

Weare, Secretary. The company Is unknown -at the bank, and neither Its name nor the names of 4ho 'signing officers appear In the Snn Fi-anclsoo directory- drafts so far presented appear to hnve been negotiated in New York, though dated San Francisco. Had a Vacant Flat to Himself'. Daniel Booney was charged with vagrancy to-day In the Myrtlo Avenue Court. He admitted having no home.

Booney acknowledges that ha had slept In a vacant flat about six times during the paat month. He had a duplicate key. Justice Teale gave him a home In the Penitentiary or sixty da a. President McKlnley. TQ INVESTIGATE TRE CANALS.

THE DEMOCRATS OPEN THE DEBATE IN THE ASSEMBLY. A Multitude of Bills Introduced The Board of Barbers Bill Again For a Greater New York Fair. ALBANY, Jan. 25 When the canal Investigation question came up In the Assembly this morning, Leader Thomas K. Donnelly, of the Democrats, offered tho bill prepared by Senator Cantor and naming Judge Earl, Spencer Clinton, ex-Mayor Schleren, George B.

Sloane and Benjamin F. Tracy a Commission to investigate. Ho made a long speech, outlining the Democratic policy. Messrs. Nixon, Finn and Green also took part In the debate.

Assemblyman Tiffany Introduced In the Assembly to-day the bill already Introduced in the Senate by Dr. Brush, repealing the law creating special jury lists for Manhattan and Brooklyn. It Is the Intention of the Brooklyn Republicans to push this measure as rapidly as possible. Mr. Tiffany stated to the Times correspondent that the system cost Kings County $15,000 a year to cOmplle the lists under the law, and not a single Juror had been drawn for service.

Mr. Brennan introduced, by request, a bill creating a special Board of Examiners to be appointed by the Governor and to consist of five practising barbers, who shall have the power to Issue certificates to all persons desiring to practise the tonsorlal art In the State. The bill was Introduced last year, but never got out of committee. Mr. Brennan also put In a bill which provides that neglect or refusal to pay any tax shall not be punishable by tine or Imprisonment- Tho act does not apply to proceedings supplementary to execution upon Judgments for taxes.

The bill was passed last year and became a law, but defects were discovered In It and the present measure Is to do away with them. Assemblyman Frederick Schmld Introduced a bill fixing the rato of fares on the Tenth and Twenty-third Street ferries for foot passengers at two cents. A similar bill. In relation to the ferry plying between Ninety-second Btreot, Manhattan, and Astoria, was Introduced by Mr. Meyer, of Manhattan.

Mr. Mitchell, of Manhattan, Introduced a authorizing the Commissioners of Public Buildings, Highway and Supplies, of New York, to prepare terms and specifications under which highway contracts shall be made. The bill provides for separate contracts for each borough and also limits the contract to a period of one year. Benator McNuKy has determined to Introduce his bill for a World's Fair In New York In 1901. to celebrate the consolidation of the cities of New York and Brooklyn.

Last year the commission to superintend the fair was named in the bill and the measure died in committee. Mr. Mc-Nulty hopes to have better lurk this year. The new measure will authorize the Governor to name the commission. Senator Hlgbte Introduced a bill abolishing the labor system of taxation for highway purposes, decreeing cash payment.

Senator McCarren put In a bill fixing theatrical licenses in Brooklyn at $250 per annum in Richmond and Queens nt $100 per annum. T. D. II. Steamers' Movements.

Arrived Port of New York. Oscar II. Fayal. Condcr Port Antonio. A leu.

Kingston, Ethiopia Glasgow. Patrla Marseilles. Jli.