The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 5

THE BKOOKLYN DAILY EAGLE. NEW YOEK, SUNDAY, APEIL 1,1900. MISCELLANEOUS." years ago and was an earnest member of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality of St. Patrick's Church. She was attendedby Dr.

WVan Deusen and Dr. Arthur Johnston. She was a stepsister of Mrs. Helen O'Donnell, the well known vocalist and lecturer on Irish music of this borouKh. Her mother, four brothers PORTO R1GAN BILL DEBATED IN THE SENATE ID CHECK HEAVY COSTS IN COLLECTING CLAIMS.

ADMIRAL DEWEY TO GO TO EUROPE THIS SPRING. is that which for more than a century has been the most acceptable method in the United States, and that is through the imposition of tariff duties." Adverting to the provisions of the 'pending bill, Mr. Fairbanks said: "The statement has been frequently made that the duties were modified and imposed at tho dictation of the sugar and tobacco trusts. Those on ing the law that were worthy of consideration. A bill Incorporating the amendment might have been Introduced in tho Legisla ture at this session.

were It. not for the fact that it was announced that Governor Roosevelt Intended to name a commission to revise the charter. Such an amendment would properly come before the commission and will, I understand, aa soon as the names of the gentlemen to form it are announced." The following list ofsmall claims, with the costs of judgment in each 'case filed in two days In the Queens County Clerk's office, selected from the record of many days on which such claims were filed, will give an idea of the industry of litigants and their attorneys' suits against the city. On August 13, 1898, the following Judgments obtained by Daniel Noble against the city for arrears of wages due employes ot Long Island City were filed, the list showing the amount of claims and the costs in each case: Amount Costs and Total of disburse Jude Name of claimant. claim.

monts. Henry F. Harpprs J10.35 J19.8., J30.20 Albort T. WrlKht 10.35 lS So 30.20 Joseph Schwart 10.35 19.8;, 30.20 George A. Phlneffar 10 35 19.8o 30.20 Julius Nolkemper 10.35 19.82 30.20 John New 10.35 19.85 30.20 Frank Rice 10.35 19.8a 30.20 Frank Fleekensteln 10.35 lfl.So 30.20 David Hart 10.35 19.85 30.20 Louis Flelschaucr lO.So 19.8.

jO 20 Jacob Krauz 10.35 19.8a JO. 20 George P. Graves 10.3o 19.8o 30.20 James J. McCorry 10.35 19.8;, 30.20 William Mack 10.35 lO.fo 30.20 Jacob Young 10.35 JS.So 30.20 Anton Korwan 10.3a 19.8a 30.20 H. Matthews 10.3a 19.8a 30.20 Wjamln Graser 10.35 19.85 30.20 Frderlck P.

Koestler 10.35 19.85 M.20 Albert Hammarth 10.3a .19.85 30.20 Edwin A. Woolley 10.35 19.8a 30. 0 James Rider, Jr 10. a 19.8a 30.20 AuKuat C. Mlslta 10.

19.82 William Loeffler lO.aa 19.8.. 30.20 AumiSt Kelnka 10.3a 19.8a a0.20 iTSrrtt 10.35 19.85 30.20 Thomas Ford 10.3a 19.85 30.20 Martin S. fiergstrasser 10.3a 19.Sa 0.20 Alexandor H. Warkentln. 10.3a 19.8a 30.M Martin Schmidt W.3? .10.85 30.20 Nicholas C.

Roeckell 10.3a 19.8; 30.20 William J. Rooncy 10.3a 19.85 30.20 Frank Holtman, Jr 10.35 19.8a J0.20 James Adams. 19.8a 30.20 Edward Shuto 10.3a W.Sa 30.20 Jacob Llndeman 10.3a 19.8a 30.20 John Allen 10.35 19.85 30.20 John W. Smith 10.35 19.85 30.20 Thomas J. Hughes 10.35 19.8a aO.20 Walter Gross 19.8a 30.20 Melville E.

10.35 19.85 30.20 Jrfhn Toner 10.35 19.8a 30.20 Wesley 10.35 19.85 J0.3O William Ambrose W.35 19.85 3 .20 James Wilkensen 10.35 19.Sa 30.20 Total of 45 claims. $455.75 J913.25 $1,359.00 On this same day there were more than as many more judgments than the above entered up against the city by Mr. Noble, in which the claims were about $40 and the costs in every instance were $1,085. On August 22. eleven days later than the above, Mr.

Burke filed a record of the following, among many other judgments filed on the same day: Amount Costs and Total of disburse JudB Name of claimant. cliirn. "KSS; Mary A. Colllgan S6.0O 421.00 Smith 15.00 IO.dO Elizabeth Pe.rrin l.0 15.00 16.50 Jannette R. Parks 15.00 16.a0 Alice McAltcs 1 aO la.00 I6.0O Teresa A.

Dense 3.00 la.00 18.00 Mary J. Wood 5.50 13.00 20.o0 Harriett Kelley l.0 Jj 00 16 aO Grace Brodie 1.30 15.00 lb.aO Anna Denny l.0 la.00 JO.aO Pauline Fitzgerald 3.00 la.00 13.00 Mary R. Colgan 4.50 15.00 19.50 Agnes Dcmpsey 3.00 15.00 18.00 Anna M. McCasker 4.50 15.00 19.a0 Susan McCloskey 3.00 15.00 18.00 Elizabeth Smith 1.50 15.00 I6.0O Margaret O'Brien 1.50 15.00 I6.0O Mary McCarran 3.00 15.00 18.00 Josephine Tobln 1.50 15.00 16.50 Katherine McCarthy 1 50 15.00 16.50 Mary T. Browne 3.75 15.00 18.75 Rose J.

Dyer 4.50 15.00 19.50 Zdenka Mucha 4.50 15.00 19.50 Anna J. Welling 1.50 15.00 16.50 Margaret Terry 1.50 15.00 16.50 Mary A. Vosbach 3.00 .13.00 1S.00 Harriett L. Good 3.73 15.C0 18.73 Nellie Lawler 4.50 15.00 19.50 Mary McAlpin 1.50 15.00 16.30 Ellen Lyons 1.50 15.00 16.50 Mary Waeterling 2.23 15.00 17.7S Total of 21 claims $87.20 $465.00 $552.20 On July 1 judgments were filed in thirty two claims where the total of the claims was less than and the costs over $400. Some of the judgments obtained for claims of 75 cents filed by Mr.

Burke involved full statutory costs. Up to last Thursday night 1,675 judgments against the City of New York had been filed in the Queens County Clerk's office. Most of them were for wages of janitors, school teachers, firemen, scrub women, mainly former Long Island City employes and Long Island City contractors. The costs in the oases amounting to not less than. $40,000 have gone mainly to two or three favored lawyers.

Attorneys have come over from Manhattan and approached nearly every old town or village employe and asked thenr if there were not a balance of any amount due them, no matter how small, upon, which a suit for recovery could be brought. The attorneys in these gregarious suits, for the purposes of speed and labor saving, had their blanks printed with such a fullness of detail that it was merely necessary to write In the name and append the signatures in the affidavit. and five sisters survive her. The funeral ser vices will be held at St. Patrick's R.

C. Church Monday ornlng at 0 o'clock. Mrs. Bridget M. Masterson.

Bridget M. Masterson, who died at her home, i27 Union yesterday, of pneu monia, after an illness of eight days, had been a resident of Brooklyn for seventy yeara and was born in County Longford, Ireland, in 1S23. She is survived by three sons, a daughter and several grandchildren. The funeral services will be hold at St. Agnes' R.

C. Church, of which she was a faithful member, on Tuesday morning, at 9:30 o'clock. Alfred F. Jones. Alfred F.

who died at the Home for Agen Men, 745 Classon avenue. Friday ot old. age, was born in Kentucky in 1810 and had lived in Brooklyn for thirty years, in the Bedford District. He had been a physician most of that time. He and his wife became inmates of the home, owing to their old age.

His wife is very feeble. Rawson Packard. Rawson Packard, one of the oldest employes of tho National and American Bank Note Company, died at his home, 591 Greene avenue, Friday, aged 87 years. He had been sixty years an expert bank note engraver, and practiced the profession until he was 80 years old. He was a native of Albany, but had lived in Brooklyn forty two years.

Three daughters and a son survive him. The. funeral services were held last night from his late home, the Rev. Dr. R.

R. Meredith officiating. Hiram Bush. Hiram Bush, a prominent builder of Ro chelle Park, N. and formerly of Brooklyn, died Friday at his homo in Rochelle Park after an illness of six months.

He was born in 1827 and had lived in Brooklyn for forty five years. A widow, one son and two daughters survive him. The funeral services will take place at his late home this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. The interment will be in Cypress Hills Cemetery Monday at 1 o'clock P. M.

Frederick Edwards. Frederick Edwards died at his home, 450 Pacific street, yesterday aged 44 years. His death was the result of heart disease and he had been 111 six months. His mother, wife and sister survive him. The funeral will take place from his late home Monday after noon at 2 o'clock.

ONE BID ON NAVY YARD CAISSON, Lack of Competition May Prevent the Awarding of Dry Dock Contract. (Special to the Eagle.) Washington, March 31 Tho Navy Department to day opened bids for furnishing a steel caisson for dry dock No. 2 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. But one proposition was received, that of Snare Tries of New York, their price being $53,000. The department may decide to reject this bid and decline to award a contract unless more competition is developed.

An inquiry is to be made to ascertain whether or not this is a fair price, and if it is shown that it is not excessive the contract may be awarded. Admiral Endicott, chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, said to day that the repairs to the dry dock No. 2 are proceeding in a satisfactory manner. "We are putting in a concrete entrance," he said, "which necesgitated the laying out of a different shaped caisson, so that the old one would be unserviceable. Six months were allowed for the construction and installation of the caisson, at the end of which time we also expect to have the dock ready for the reception of the vessel." DEATH OF MGR.

MORAN. Princeton, N. 31 Mgr. Thomas R. Moran.

Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Trenton and rector of St. Paul's Catholic Church of this place, died at his home here to day. from an attack of pneumonia, which he had suffered from since Sunday. He was G8 years old and for more than thirty five years was a conspicuous figure in Catholic circles in Princeton. He was born in Dublin, was educated for the priesthood at Rome and came to America in 1860.

Pope Leo XIII elevated Father Moran to the title of Monsig nor in His funeral services will be held here on Tuesday. SUICIDE IN ELEVATOR? SHAFT. Nicholas Behrenz, 17 years old, a German, living at 100 East One hundred and Twenty second street, Manhattan, hanged himself in the elevator shaft at 78 East One Hundred and Twenty second street, yesterday afternoon. Tbe body is at the East One Hundred and Twenty sixth street station. TEST SUIT AGAINST EQUITABLE.

Judge Lacombe of the United States Circuit Court yesterday allowed Alexander Green', attorneys for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, to withdraw their demurrer and file a new demurrer to the amended complaiut in the test suit brought by George Gadd, in the effort to get a larger share of the society's surplus fund. BEGGING CHILDREN ARRESTED. One Is a Cripple and Both Have Been in Custody Before. Josie and Julia Wahler, 12 and 8 years old, respectively, were placed in charge of Agent Sauer of the children's society, by Magistrate Steers in the Myrtle avenue court yesterday. The children were charged with begging, and have been picked up on the streets on the same complaint a number of times.

Friday night they were arrested while begging at the house of Dr. Kennedy, at 402 Greene avenue. Julia uses crutches, as she has but one leg. Agent Sauer said that the children lived with their parents at Stanhope street and Onderdonk" avenue. The mother, he said, worked North Beach as a mendicant in the summer time.

The father, who is a stone cutter, works but little and drinks. Mrs. Wahler was in court and when the children were turned over to the agent she seized the crippled child angrily and it was with great difficulty that she was made to release her hold. The incident created much excitement in the courtroom. Mr.

Sauer will make an investigation. NOT SO STUCK Otf HIS the opposite side ol tne cnamoer nave ire quently referred to the action of the committee as having been Inspired by some mysterious, occult influence for an obvious purpose. "Let us briefly analyze the situation. Tho Interest of the trusts if interest they have is limited to the two articles sugar and tobacco which are exported to the United States. The sugar trust, as we are advised, is interested chiefly, it not exclusively, in the refining of sugar.

Is it, therefore, interesteu in the question as to whether raw sugar purchased in Porto Rico shall be admitted into the United States free or with a tariff of 15 per cent, of the Dingley rates imposed upon it? "The least observant mind must perceive that it is interested in the absolute free admission of raw sugar, and that it is. In the very nature of things, opposed to the impo diiiuu ui any uuiy ttuuLvvet. im uu ceivable that it would advocate the imposition of a duty upon its raw product, so as to increase the price thereof to itself, unless we attribute to it less sagacity than it Is supposed to possess. "What is said with respect to the sugar trust applies with equal force to the tobacco trust. It is interested, if at all, in the absolute free admission of tobacco.

"The only legislation suggestion in the present Congress which was in tho interest of the sugar and tobacco trusts was proposed by the senior Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Jones), who introduced an amendment proposing to refund to those who had paid it, the $3,000,000 collected on imports from Porto Rico. The money, if the Senator's amendment had been adopted, would be returned to the sugar and tobacco trusts and the other importers now suing the "For one, I would regard myself recreant to the trust committed to me and false to the best interests of the people of the United States if I did not by my vote compel these trusts and their allied interests to pay some part of maintaining the Porto Rican government, which they do pay under the duty upon their raw products, rather than increase the direct taxes upon the people in the island, or, in the alternative, appropriate it from the Treasurv of the United' States. "Mr. President, it has not escaped public attention that a lobby from Porto Rico has been maintained here during the considera tion of the pending bill.

It is headed by a British subject who has been insistent for free trade between Porto Rico and the United States, and who is one of the largest producers of sugar In the Island, having over $800,000 invested in his sugar enterprises. It is quite natural that he should desire that his product should reach the American market without any duty whatever." At the conclusion of Mr. Fairbank's remarks. Mr. Davis presented compilations of tariff statistics in support of the remarks he made a few days ago, some points In which, he said, had been challenged.

Mr. Chandler, chairman of the committee on elections, gave notice that he would defer asking the Senate to begin the consideration of the case of former Senator Quay on Tuesday next in accordance with the unanimous consent agreement, but that he would ask the Senate to proceed with the case on Wednesday next, either under the order of the Senate or as a subject of the highest possible privilege. The consideration of the Porto Rico bill was then proceeded with. The committee amendments, with the exception of two the one relating to the question of citizenship of Porto Ricans and the other fixing the qualifications of a delegate to the House of Representatives of the United States were agreed to. After a brief executive session the Senate, at 4:10 P.

adjourned until 11 A. M. Monday. The House finished up a hard week's work by passing the fortifications appropriations bill. Not a single amendment was offered and the bill passed as it came from the committee.

It carries A three hours' political debate was precipitated by a general political speech made by Mr. Shattuc of Ohio, many members on both sides being drawn into it. A resolution was adopted to re elect the present board of managers of the National Soldiers' Home. After passing a bill to authorize the construction of a dam across the Mississippi River, between Coon Rapids and the north ern limits of the City, of Minneapolis, the House proceeded to the consideration of the fortifications appropriation bill. It was agreed that general debate upon the measure should not exceed two and one half hours.

Mr. Hemenway in charge of the bill, explained its provisions. It carries 093, 488, being 695.456 less than the estimates. He said the reductions in the estimates had been made because it had been demonstrated that the government could manufacture Its own guns cheaper than it could buy them, and the appropriations would be sufficient to keep our gun factories at work eight hours a day for the ensuing year. Mr.

Shattuc under the latitude allowed in general debate, followed with an hour's speech on general political topics, the tariff, expansion and Southern election laws. At 3:05 P. M. the House adjourned. URGES PURCHASE OF THE PLANT Borough President Grout Writes to Controller Again Regarding Long Island Water Supply.

Borough President Grout has again written Controller Coler urging the immediate acquisition of the Long Island Water Supply Company's plant. His letter follows: Honorable Bird S. Coler, Controller: Sir I duly received yours of the 22d inst. relative to the Long Island Water Supply Company, and I see by the public press that the opinion of the Corporation Counsel on the question for which you were then waiting, has been rendered. I desire to call your attention to the special need of finally taking possession of these works prior to the first day ot May' next, even If it be necessary to do so forcibly under the authority of the judgment after tendering the amount conceded to be due.

For this reason: The Long Island "Water Supply Company on the first day of May issues its bills In advance for tbe supply of water for the fiscal year ensuing, and if. such bills are not paid during the month of May cuts off the water supaly. If by any chance, therefore, there should be delay in taking possession of these works until after the first day of May, the water company would have collected part or all of its yearly income for the ensuing year, which income amounts to seventy five or 'one hundred thousand dollars, and when the city does get possession after such collections have been made, the city will either have to supply water free to the property owners who have thus paid, or will have to require them to pay over again for their water and leave a large number of people holding individually very small claims, though large in the aggregate, the inadequate remedy of suing the wa ter company for toe return or a pro rata part of the money. A year ago when the bond issue for the taking of this water plant was pending in the Municipal Assembly people interested in the water company wsre begging members of the Municipal Assembly to postpone action until after the month of Hay, so that the water company might get this income for a year In advance; and I do not doubt that the same tactics will bo attempted this year. I am very sure that now you are advised of these facts and have the matter entirely within your control by virtue of the opinion Just rendered by tho law department, you will not permit the water company to delay the city and to get a year's pay for water which the water company will never deliver.

Yours very truly, EDWARD M. GROUT. President of the Borough. Brooklyn, March 29, 1900. MACHINISTS TO STAY OUT.

Cleveland, March 31 Contrary to expectation, the striking machinists here decided, at a meeting, that they would not re turn to work pending arbitration. They will hold out until the nine hour day is granted. SPORTING GOODS PIRM PAILS. Chicago, March 31 James B. Thorsen, president of the firm of Thorsen Cassldy, formerly dealer; in athletic goods, filed a pe tition in insolvency to uay, asicing to oe relieved of debts aggregating $225,539, He schedules assets ot flft.000.

Fairbanks Discusses Questions of Congressional Power and National Policy. THE DANGER OF UNDUE HASTE. Quay Case May Come Up on Wednesday House Passes Fortifications Bill. Washington, March 31 At the beginning of to day's session, Mr. Foster (Wash.) offered and had passed a resolution directing the Secretary of the Navy to report what surveys have been made in the islands recently acquired by the United States.

Consideration of the Porto Rican bill being resumed, Mr. Bacon (Ga.) made a statement concerning the substitute he offered yesterday for the pending unfinished business. He desired, he said, to arrogate to himself no credit for the substitute, as it was the measure originally prepared by Mr. Foraker, amended slightly. Mr.

Foraker said he was not insensible to the compliment paid him by Mr. Bacon in his original draft of the Porto Rican measure, and was inclined to congratulate him Upon having reached the point where he (Foraker) was two months ago. The bill, as he now regarded it, was entirely inadequate, although at the time he drafted it he deemed it an excellent measure. Mr. Allen read a brief prepared by Har man F.

Randolph, a member of the New York bar, on the constitutional status of our island possessions. Mr. McComas then had read a recent statement of Mr. Havemeyer, president of the American Sugar Refining Company, in which he argued in favor of the free admission to the United States of sugar from Porto Rico and expressed the belief that the time. would come soon when it would be admitted free.

When that section of the bill relating to the legislative assembly of Porto Rico was reached, Mr. Pettus (Ala.) offered this amendment: "That the legislative assembly of Porto Rico shall have power or authority to enact any law in conflict with the Constitution of the United States." The amendment was lost 15 to 31. Mr. Fairbanks (Ind.) then addressed the Senate in support of the pending measure. Senator Fairbanks said, in part: "There are two principal questions which lie at the very foundation of the pending bill," he said.

"One Is a question of Congressional power and the other a question of national policy. So much attention has been devoted to the constitutional question that scant consideration has been given to the question of policy, and the urgency of the situation as respects relief for the Porto Ricans has been very largely overlooked." Mr. Fairbanks presented some generalizations with respect to the power of Congress over Porto Rico, based upon what he regarded as "the overwhelming weight ot authority and sound reason." Some of these generalizations, in brief, were: "The federal government posseses in the most comprehensive manner all powers which pertain to the sovereignty of nations. It has been invariably recognized that one of the attributes of sovereignty is. the right to acquire and govern territory as the result of war.

The Constitution of the United States clearly vests in the federal government tbe exclusive function of declaring war and of making treaties, As an indispensable incident of this power, the government is authorized to acquire territory. "Whether the Constitution extends automatically to a territory acquired has been a much debated question. Divergent views have been, and still are, sharply entertained upon tho subject. Such difference of opinion will continue until the Supreme Court shall determine the question. Its supreme Judgment will be accepted by the country.

Until it shall interpret and define the powers of Congress under the Constitution, the Congress should reserve to itself the widest possible liberty, the amplest discretion in dealing with the problems and conditions which are now facing us, "The greatest danger in dealing with the new problems which engage our attention is undue haste, inconsiderate action. Another danger which besets us is that our course with respect to the people for whom we must provide government may be controlled by purely partisan considerations. The questions are ot such high moment that they should be settled free from partisanship. The responsibility of administering for the present the Islands committed to our keeping rests upon the party in power. I regret to see a disposition on the part of those in opposition, in the hope of winning some possible political advantage to assume an attitude of antagonism to measures proposed for the welfare of the people of the Islands.

We should not be misled by their hysterical assault upon the policies which they oppose." Mr. Fairbanks then presented in detail interesting information regarding Porto Rico, Its people, its trade and commerce and its productions. He showed that the estimated revenue from the 15 per cent, duty, on the basis of last year's commerce would be $307,756. Discussing the proposed tariff, he said: "Tho revenues required for tho support of the insular administration are to be obtained, obviously, in one of four ways. First, by a direct appropriation from the Treasury of the United States; second, by a loan; third, by direct taxation In the island; fourth, by the imposition of tariff duties.

As the first method proposed, the people of the United States have already liberally contributed from their Treasury for the beneiflt of the Porto Ricans. "The second method of supplying the Insular treasury, namely, by a loan, cannot be inade effective until an insular government is erected upon the island. "The third plan which has been proposed is impracticable for the reasons heretofore indicated. The imposition of additional direct taxes would, in the language of General Davis, amount practically to confiscation. "The fourth plan which has been proposed PERCH AS HE WAS, Whalsn Likely to Submit an Important Amendment to Charter Revision Commission.

JUDGES REGARD IT WITH FAVOR. lawyers Grow Rich Over Litigation Growing Out of Old Long Island City. When Governor Roosevelt appoints his commission to revlso the charter, one of the first matters that will be presented to it', and 5n all probability by Corporation Counsel "Whalen, will be an amendment modifying (the provision contained In section 262 of chapter 7, which relates to tno procedure1 in collecting claims against the City of New York. This section has been responsible in good part for the heavy costs that have been taxed in actions where the claims were trivial in amount, aud where offers of Judgment were made by the Corporation Counsel's office to save the city treasury. In most of the cases belonging to this class good defenses were not available owing to the Justness of the ci.aun, or the inability of the city to dispute St.

Section 262 is a relic of the charter of the old City of New York. It provides that all claims against the city be contested in the Supreme Court, no matter how small the amount. The amendment which Corporation Counsel Whalen is likely to present, and which has been debated for some little time, Till require the claimant to bring his action in the District or Municipal Court. The amendment will eliminate the exclusive Jurisdiction which the Supreme Court now has. Owing to this exclusive Jurisdiction several lawyers, and especially in old Long Island City, have grown rich on the cpsts they have collected on trivial claims.

There was no way to prevent such a condition. But if the amendment now suggested is woven into the Jaw the costs will be cut down at least one third. The really salient feature of the suggestion lies in the fact that an appeal, can be taken by the aggrieved claimant direct to the appellate division. It is this feature which has won the support of many of the local Judges who were consulted during the terrific pressure to collect claims against the city whero the costs alone on these claims were ten and often fifteen times as great as the claims themselves. conditions in old Long Island City giving rise to such a situation have never been accurately presented.

The fact is that prior to consolidation the city was practically bankrupt. The Board of Aldermen refused to issue bonds to pay legitimate claims and the city treasurer, with whatever money found its way into the city treasury, was accustomed to apportion it to give a little to each of the several funds, and perinit the city to discharge a little of its obligation under, the various departments. School teachers, policemen, firemen, scores of city employes and even laborers and scrub women were found to be creditors of tiro when consolidation took place. As soon as Controller Coler took his office he collected all ot the books In the old city that his agents could find. An attempt was aftajd.made to divide them up among the dejiart'ments under the new charter that acquired jurisdiction, but in the contusion some were sent to the Bronx aftd others so scattered as not to be available, for.

use when the claims, out. of which Long Island City lawyers grew rich, began to be pressed against the city. So heavy became the pressure that Controller Coler established a claims department, of which Duncan Mc Irihes was the head. Offers of judgment were made by the Corporation Counsel in order to save additional costs, which would have been the result if the actions had gone to trial. In many instance the books of the old city could not be found to dispute the claims; lawyers with visions of fortunes were unwilling to grant extensions of time aud the city was confronted with the alternative of permitting costs to be taxed on an offer for judgment or allowing the claimants to collect twice the amount if the action was taken into court.

The confusion and the effort to save a raid on the treasury can be judged by the following letter writteu at that time by Theodore Con noly, then acting corporation counsel of the city: Law Department of the City of New York, Office of the Corporation Counsel, Borough of Manhattan, August 4, 1898. Hon. Bird S. Coler, Controller: Sii I beg to call your attention to the fact that in the Borough of Queens a very large number of claims have been heretofore, and are now being, filed with your department, many of which, upon investigation, turn out to be legal obligations of the city. Prom our past experience in relation to these claims, the intention is most manifest that a class of attorneys are interested and apparently desirous that no action should be taken by the city until suit can be brought, which is a serious matter in the way ot expense.

My assistant, Mr. Malone, informs me that with all of the claims which have been recently filed with you and subsequently forwarded to me, a letter has been written by him to your expert accountant in charge at Jamaica, requesting "that a report thereon at least a week previous to the expiration of a month after their filing be made, so that. If the claims are valid, settlement may be made before suit can be instituted, thereby saving the city the costs which necessarily follow the commencement of an action." I desire to call this matter to your notice, and request that you direct the gentlemen attached to your department to take these mat tersupon them, so that I may be able to advise you before the expiration of the thirty days allowed by the statute whether the claims are valid and meritorious or not. I have also to. request that immediately upon the filing of the claims with you, they be sent to me, so that no time may elapse before they are taken up and considered by this department.

The importance of these matters cannot bo. overstated, and I respectfully request that you facilitate my efforts to determine promptly whether or not defences should be interposed, so that the city may be saved a heavy expense, which would bo caused by delay in the consideration ot these claims. Re speotfully. THEODORE CONNOLY, Acting Corporation Counsel. Assistant Corporation CounBel Carr, In spealUng of the big costs secured by counsel on claims against the city and the advisability of an amendment to the charter to bring trivial claims up in the municipal or district courts, said: "When the claims of poople In the employ of old Long Island City began to come in they were sent to this office, but so great was the pressure that aseparate department was created for thesn and the Controller established a bureau of experts to facilitate the work.

There was no defense to many of the claims and in many instances the books of accounts of tho old city could not be found to ascertain whether or not the services for which payment was asked had been rendered. Tho charter made it necessary that actions on tieso claims should he brought in tho Supreme Court. To save costs greatly in excess of these claims I went myself to tako counsel of somo of the Judges to find out if some way could not be devised to save the treasury. The suggestion of an amendment to the r.harter that would bring these casos up in the Municipal or District courts Instead of in tho Supreme Court was made and favored, because thcro was an appeal from tho Municipal Court to the appellate division. Tho costs under such an amendment would be undoubtedly less than on claims brought In the Supromo Court, al thoiicb there woro many objections to chang He Will See All the Latest Styles in Battleships and Cannon.

WILL ALSO HAVE A GOOD TIME. Lieutenants Crawford and Caldwell Will Accompany the Admiral Policy Board to Meet Soon. Eagle Bureau, COS Fourteenth Street. Washington, March 31 Admiral and Mrs. Dewey arrived in Washington to day from their Southern trip, and shortly after reaching Washington announced that they might leave soon for a trip to Europe.

They will be accompanied by the Admiral's secretary, Lieutenant John W. Crawford, and his aide. Lieutenant Harry H. Caldwell. While the plans for the Admiral have not been fully arranged it is said that he will sail for Europe about the last of April.

Ae president of Che Naval Policy Board, Admiral Dewey, it is said, will combine business with pleasure while abroad, and will inspect the navy yards, shops and the modern vessels of all the loading countries. The Policy Board will hold a meeting in a few daye, and agree upon the plans for the summer. The members will discuss the building of the battleships now under consideration, but it is probable that the designs for tho ships will not be definitely decided upon until Admiral Dewey returns from abroad, as it is believed that his visit will result in his gaining information' about the armament and guns of tbe vessels of the foreign powers that will be of great value to the board in 'planning the big vessels to be constructed by this country. In regard to the itinerary of the Admiral's trip abroad, it is expected that he will visit London for a few weeks, and then go to the Parte Exposition. Later he will go to Berlin and possibly to St.

Petersburg. While abroad the Admiral will meet Rear Admiral Watson, who has just been relieved from command of the Asiatic squadron and is to proceed home in the Baltimore, touching at all the principal ports in Europe. Rear Admiral Watson will leave Yokohama, Japan, where he has gone; for a rest, about May 1, arriving at the Paris Exposition some time In June. The Admiral's proposed trip would be timely, as the Navy Department has under consideration the matter of sending a number of the largest battleships to European waters. Secretary Long some time ago received an invitation from the Mayor of Portsmouth, England, for vessels of this country to visit the port the coming summer.

The secretary replied to theN invitation, stating that the disposition of the ships of the Navy had not yet been decided upon, but, If possible, several vessels would be cent to Europe and stop a few days at Portsmouth. OBITUARY. Mrs. Annie Howell. Mrs.

Annie Howell, wife of the late James Howell, former Mayor of Brooklyn, and afterward Brooklyn Bridge Trustee, died at her home, South Portland avenue, yesterday, in her 6Sth year. She was a native of England, but came to Brooklyn with her parents when three years old. Her father was John Tunstall, long a resident of this borough. She was married to Mr, Howell in 1851. He died three years ago.

Mrs. Howell is survived by two daughters and a son, Mrs. S. W. Brilley, Mrs.

Litta Cary and Wilbur Howell, and fOur grandchildren. She had for years been a faithful member of Hanson Place M. E. Church, and was active in the. Florence Nightingale Society of the church, which was an aid to the M.

E. Hospital. She was an efficient aid to her husband in his business and political career, and to her family she was devoted. Her unfailing charity and Christian devotion to others won her friends everywhere. Mrs.

Sarah P. King. Mrs. Sarah Presswood King, who died at her home, 3S5 Cumberland street, Friday, was the widow of Robert King, a well known manufacturer of New York a quarter of a century ago. He has been dead twenty two 'years.

She was born at King's Lynn, Norfolk, England, and came to Brooklyn forty two years ago with her husband. For years they lived in the Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, where they founded the Herkimer Street Baptist Church, now united with the Calvary Baptist Church. Later they moved to the Hill section and united with the Hanson Place Baptist Church, where Mr. King was a deacon for years, and Mrs. King was active in church work.

She died at an advanced age, but she retained her youthful vigor and appearance to the la3t. She is survived by five children, Arthur Robert King of East Orange, Mrs. George Francis Morse, wife of the organist of the Flatbtish Reformed Church, and Mrs. Henry Walter Toothe. Mrs.

Geo. J. Vinton' and Misss Beatrice Presswood King of this borough. The funeral services will bo held at her late residence to morrow evening at 8 o'clock, the Rev. Dr.

J. L. Campbell of the Calvary Baptist Church of Manhattan and the Rev. Dr. A.

C. Dixon of Hanson 'Place Baptist Church officiating. The choir of the Flatbtish Reformed Church will render musical services. James Bowen Brown. James Bowen Brown, whose death occurred Thursday, at tiis home, 1,172 Putnam avenue, was for fitty five years prominent in Methodist Episcopal Church circles in this borough.

He was S4 years old and came to Brooklyn when 33. He had been a church member since his 17th year. His wife survives him, though she has been very feeble of late. They celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding lust October. Three of Mr.

Brown's sons are prominent in local Methodism. James the eldest, is president of the joint official boards of Nostrand Avenue M. E. Church: Frank L. is superintendent of the Bushwick.

Avenue M. E. Sunday school, and Walter I. is superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school of Middle Village. They' are all lay delegate frfom their churches to the conference to he held at Danbury, next, month.

Mr. Brown's descendants number over fifty, and to tho fourth generation arc all actively Interested in church wnrv, He has thirty five grandchildren and six great grandchilren. Beside those already named, Mr. Brown is survived by his daughter Gertrude, who is the wife 'of JOhn B. Way: Mrs.

Samuel D. Terry; Mrs. Henry P. Downing and William Burrows. Mr.

Brown was a native of Wales. The funeral services will be held to day, nt the Bushwick Avonue M. E. Church, at 3:30 o'clock in the atternoon. Several clergymen, including the Rev.

W. A. Layton, pastor of tho church, will officiate. Mrs. Grace G.

T. Maxwell. Mrs. Grace Georgiana Tone Maxwell, widow of Lascelles E. Maxwell, died at her residence, 4S9 Washington avenue, Thursday morning.

She was born in Georgetown, District of Columbia, in 1827. and was the daughter of William Theobald Wolfe Tone, captain in the French army under Xapoleoti, and lieutenant in the United States army, and of Catharine Anne Sampson. She was the grandchild of General Theobald Wolfe Tone, tho founder of tho United Irishmen and one of the leaders the rebellion of 170S, and of William Sampson, a Sew York lawyer. She left three duughtcrs and four 30ns. Alice Fitzpatrick.

Miss Alice Fitzpatrick, who died, nt her home Thursday evening of acute ISright's disease, was the daughter of Margaret and the late Patrick Fitzpatrick, long residents of Brooklyn. She had been ill only two days. Miss Fitzpatrick was bom In Brooklyn SI It's Settled The best all around whiskey in America to day, ct morrow and' for the future is Rve J0 YEARS OLD. The best in quality The best in flavor The purest type The leader everywhere A JIOTtA. Representatives.

3 S. Wlliiam N'ew York, X. TURNING MOVEMENTS FORGED BOERS TO RET1HE In the Battle of Friday the Trans vaal Forces Held a Very Strong Position. RETREAT MADE IN GOOD ORDER, Eighteenth Battery Brags Its Guns Vp a Steep Hill "With Great and Opens Fire at Short Bange, Bloemfontein, March 30 The Boers' yesterday was one of great natural strength. Only the turning movement of General French and Major Le Gallais, the la't ter commander of the mounted intantryi, oa either flank, made British success possible." The shape of the Itopjes was irregular: The Boers' right flank consisted of a lohgvlria with wooded sides connected with the main position by a long, low ridge, thickly wooded; The rest of the position, toward the.

coni slsted of broken kopjes, all connected by. a high ridge. Major Le Gallais moved round the Bqers' left and engaged them, first freely using his Vickers Maxims, and gradually forcing the Boers toward the center, where they made a good, stand. Major Le Gallais was unable to moye.untij, late in the day, while General French moved early. The latter made a wide' detour toward the rear of the Boers, but was unable to complete the movement before the Boers perceived his intention and abandoned the position.

They retired in good order between General French and Major Le Gallais, wher the main body of the Boers with four guns held an excellent position on the edge of the deep donga, whence they shelled General French. The infantry was delivered at midday whea the Ivorfolks opened the fight by seizing. lower slopes of an ugly kopje. Steadily they worked their way to the crest of the hill where a hot engagement ensued. The Lln colnshires occupied the hill on the right, pre tecting the Eighteenth Battery, which drag ged its guns up the hill with the greatest difficulty and opened a heavy fire at close range; Meanwhile the City Imperials getting.

In touch with the Boers, the remainder of Tucker's division advanced across a semi circuiar; basin through which a railway ran. It was. very open ground, and the Boers from the detached kopje and' ridge delivered a 'heavy fire. In spite of this, however, the B'rft ish moved steadily. The Sdv'ance was'rbT tected by guns which vigorously shelled tha Boer position.

About 4 o'clock the British advanced, slm ultaneously and occupied the Boers' position," from which an excellent view could be had' of Brandfort, fifteen miles distant across 'tho open plain. The Boer loss is unknown. PACKER DRAMATIC SOCIETY To Present "As You Like It" for Cuban, Orphans' Benefit. Among the many benefit entertainment which have been planned by the women' organizations of Brooklyn for the Cuban orphans none is attracting more attention than the proposed 'production of "As You by the Packer Dramatic Association at the Academy of Music on April 30. The play will' be given under the direction of Alfred Ypurig the well known dramatic coach, who has also' directed notable productions at some of, the women's colleges, and it will, be prpduceaV.

with careful attention to details, se'enlo' effects and accessories. The cast has been carefully Eelectdf aha' every effort will be put forth to make 'the production one of the best ever given ln'ttilst borough under amateur auspices. Bandmaster Shannon of the Twenty third B.eK meat will have charge of the musics. Cne' half of the proceeds be devoted benefit of the Cuban orphans and the. remain lUg 11U11 lu Lilt: j.

The cast for the play Is as: V' Duko Frederick, Miss Florence Knapp: Ban' lshed Duke. Miss Adelc Potter: Atlnm, lss Mar fttt.rite Phattuck: Orlando. Miss Clara, Jacques, Miss Ellen Day: Amiens. Mifls May Plteher; First Lord. Miss Isabella Shields; Jacciue.s.

Mis Amy Dunlnp: Corln, Miss Lillian Main Silvias. Miss Lulu Van. Cleat: William, Misa Helen Burns: Rosalind. Miss Amy Lester; Cella. Miss Henrietta Williams: Phelie.

Mlsss" Lillian Ferris; Audrey. Miss Kato Ketchanv fiy. men, Miss Burns. Miss Gilbert is chairman of the exeeirtiv'Br committee having the arrangements for Play in charge and the officers of the associa tlor. are: President, Miss Agnes Dyer; vice president.

Miss Edith Hallock; recordtng secretary, Miss Adele Potter; coresporidin'g sec retary. Miss Stella Bostwick; Miss Louise Atwater. MISS BRAGDON'S A very pretty danco took place at the hams of Miss H. Bragdon of 69 Ashford street on Tuesday evening. Some thirty friends of the hostess, most of whom were members of a small skating club during the winter, assem bled at her home for the last gathering of the season.

An excellent supper was served during the evening nnd the dancing lasted, into the early hours of the morning. Among those present were E. W. Pal llser, H. B.

Dreft'el, Miss Helen Hawes. H. M. Wilson. E.

H. Hornbuckel, A. G. Water houso, J. H.

Staney, Miss E. Kolchuui, H. C. Palliser, J. N.

St. John. E. W. Bragdon, J.

E. Mitchell, Miss M. Tompkins. C. Earl, Mls J.

Palllsor, Miss K. Ketcbym, W. Flemlnc H. AVIlliams. HUBERT G.

TAYLOR BACK. With Mrs. Taylor, He Has Been Cuba Says the Best Citizens Desire Annexation. Former Treasurer of Kings County Hubert G. Taylor, who has been touring in Cuba and the West Indies with Mrs.

Taylor for the past six weeks, returned to his home in the Eastern District Friday afternoon. Mr. Taylor had been to Cuba on four previous occasions, the last being three years ago, so that he is to some extent able to fjpeak about tho changed conditions that the recent war brought about. To. a reporter of the Eagle Mr.

Taylor said that he had high hopes of a bright future for Cuba and that, so far as he was able to learn, all its best citizens, in fact, all those who wanted good government, were desirous of annexation to the United States. There were others who were in favor of independence. "Many of the towns," Mr. Taylor said, "are now much cleaner than they used to bo, and the regulations seem to be better. I did not see many American soldiers.

They are not, as a rule, quartered in the towns. They are mainly in the country districts. When I was in Cuba the last time Havana was filled with Spanish soldiers. Now, of course, the condition of affairs has changed entirely. "While in Santiago we visited the battlefield of San Juan Hill.

There is as yet no such thing as escorts or guides and we simply drove there in a carriage. We could easily form an idea of how the attack was conducted. Although it was March 18 when he the visit, the temperature was 98 degrees In the shade. You can imagine the difficulties our soldiers had fighting In the' month of July. We went out on a launch and visited the sunken Spanish battleships.

All are plainly visible, with the exception of the torpedo boats, which are etill sinking and will soon be out of sight. I was able to board the Almi rante Oquendo and walk along the cross beams that are still intact on the upper deck. "While at Cienfuegos we visited the Con stantia sugar plantation, about fifty miles away. There are 70,000 acres of sugar under cultivation here. They have fifty miles of private railroad and ten locomotives used to carry the sugar to the sea.

They are running Sunday and week days, night and day. Near Cienfuegos are the Homiguera, another largo plantation and the Carclas, the latter tho largest in the world. "English money is pouring into Cuba fast. Owing to the fact that Englishmen are move accustomed to investing in colonial securities they seem to be more ready to invest in Cuba than the Americans. country districts of Cuba are as healthy as almost any part of this country.

In the sail from Cienfuegoa to Batto Bono we came through five or six miles of what Is known as the sea gardens. The water this distance Is clear blue and but seven or eight feet deep, so that pearls, corals and all manner of sea plants can be seen at the bottom from the deck of the launch. There is a rush of Amoricans from Havana just now, not because thero is yellow fever there, but to avoid quarantine that Is being imposed at various ports in this country." Mr. Taylor had much to say about the courtesy of the Ward Line captains. He feels much the better for the voyage and is as suntanned as the proverbial berry.

LOST LIFE SAVING A WOMAN. Schenectady, N. March 31 Officer James Mynderse of the local police force was struck aud Instantly killed early this evening by a Central Hudson freight train. He was trying to save the life of a woman who was attempting to cross ahead of the train. The woman, through MynderWs efforts, escaped; uninjured..