The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 6

THE rtllOOKI.VN DAILY EAGLE. NEW YORK. TUESDAY. MARCH 13. 1004.

SITE OF THE NEW HOME OF THE CRESCENT CLUB. DEFEAT BALFOUH, I y's oTW a big trunk full of books snd p.tpir the was lugged Into court by two sulwart court officers. "Kmni tN1 Ahb-y Press books I tasve I fhun.1." tat he. that all of th cloth goods were into the Abbey Press ar.il in a day's time and ftnmetimea SPECIAL TIN IS HIRED HI ORDER OF THE COURT. mail, saying that because refused ta (tve her th moner she demanded she promised to make It bot for htm snd Is doing so, la the most recent proceeding Mssoa denies that he ever married Mrs.

Mason, and says that the Oklahoma proceeding was for breach of promise, which he settled. 1 Of I i tor 4VkI fi 4 ill It i I i5is isi us, S.I i i Pierrepont Streets, and the McPhail House, Down to Make Room for the Club House. STORE NOTES. Loeser'g Spring Opening Exploits the Choicest Ideas of Famous Parisian Milliners. The feminine mind becomes at this season of the year a colossal Interrogation point, as It rerolres the momentous question of the Easter bonnet.

Will It be large or small, dark or bright, becoming or the reverse? For an authoritative answer to the perplexing question the fashionable coterie of Brooklyn turns anxiously to the annual opening of Easter millinery at Fred-crick Loeser and Company's, for among Its members a "Loeser hat" has long been the synonym for millinery perfection. In the present exhibit are represented models from the most famous Parisian artists in millinery, aud also from the Loeser workrooms, the latter challenging favorable cora-paria with the former. As Is always the case at these openings all the leading styles are displayed, while at the same time a few of the ultra fashionable and very newest ideas are emphasised. Two of these arc easily seen to be lacea and flowers a very witchery of gay blossoms, and a bewilderment of cobwebby laces. Indeed, the itle cf I he spring millinery story might be poetically put as "The Veil and the Rose." This means that while all small flowers ar in vegue.

the rose, more particularly tho small one, is stlil the reigning queen. Even more important than the rose, however, is the veil. No woman with the slightest pretention; in the fashionable world will dream of getting through the summer without a handsome lace veil on her bat, the larger and costlier the better, for by her veil will she be known this season. It may bo draped over the face or wrapped coquettishly about the throat or simply left to hang at the back. In fact the possibilities are infinite for enhancing charms of the beauty or concealing the defects of her less fortunate sister.

In black thread lace Is a picture hat designed ly Esther Mayer, having one of the new veils wound about tho crown and falling more than a yard in length at the back. A large cluster of tips gives a graceful contour to the right side. From the same artist Is a white chip turban, a striking contrast to the first model. The brim Is draped with mauve ribbon and edged with forget-me-nots. A bright touch of color Is given by a medallion of cerise roses at one side.

Georgette's delicate fancy is displayed in a charming model of Alencon lace in picture style. A ruching of lace and bunches of rosebuds encircle crown. The facing is composed of a lattice of foliage and buds, making a becoming setting for a girlish face. The envelope hat is a novelty sent by Lewis, the straw magenta in color and having a double wreath of roses of the same shade tor garniture. The colonial shape is again to the fore, as is exemplified In a smart model of light blue straw from Mme.

Tore, simply trimmed with festoons of small pink roses at. the back. Simplicity Is Been to be a dominant note in a great majority of the most elegant models. Take, for instance, this model Susanne Barault's a black straw picture bat, with moire binding and twist about the crown and under the brim a cluster of long plumes. In the popular heliotrope 1b a lsrge straw hat rolling high at the back, where two long plumes droop gracefully; about the crown Is a Persian band.

A second heliotrope model Is of chip, a picture hat, encircled, by ostrich tips. Both tips and hat are shaded with pale yellow. For the matron who Inclines to toques is a dainty Carlier model of white horse hair braid and Alencon lace. A paradise aigrette and rows of gilt buttons form the garniture. A Virot toque, designed for a face no longer In the bloom of youth, has a crown of green foliage and brim of small roses, yellow heliotrope and pink.

The ever popular Camille Roger is represented by a fetching picture hat of white tulle, with drapery of repousse lace. The boat shaped crown Is wreathed In pink roses and a long shaded pink plume falls at the back. Susanne Blum strikes a daring note In a continental hat of Tuscan straw and point applique lace. Bunches of red popples are caught at each side, and across the crown Is a huge bow of scarlet velvet ribbon. The excellence of the mourning millinery at Loeser's is so well known as to call for no comment.

The showing this year Is, if possible, more Interesting than at any previous time. As to headgear for misses and children, It combines with careful art appropriateness and simplicity, with style. The popular Parisian "bebe" hat Is one of the leading models In this department. In connection with the millinery Is exhibited a case of hair and corsage ornaments, illustrating the newest Ideas In ribbon flowers. Especially exquisite are the rose3 of gauze ribbon, which counterfeit nature mar-velously.

The opening is one of surpassing beauty and Interest, and It demonstrates beyond a doubt the fact that whatever may be a woman's age or appearance sbe may find, as never before, a wide choice of headgear, which is at once becoming and exclusive. CONGREGATIONAL CLUB. The March meeting of the Brooklyn Congregational Club will be In the' Pouch Gallery, Clinton avenue, on Monday evening next. Dinner will be served at 6:30. The speakers and subjects will be: The Rev.

James L. Barton, secretary of the American Board, "Missions Justified by Their the Rev. Dr. Edward B. Coe, senior pastor of the Collegiate Reformed Church, Manhattan, on "American Colleges In Turkey." Miss Freda Stender, soprano, will sing, with Mme.

Papenheim Ballen, accompanist. DRUM CORPS RECEPTION. The ninth annual reception and exhibition drill of the Clifton Drum and Fife Corps took place last night In Arion Hall and was well attended by the members and friends of the corps. After the audience had assembled the members of the corps took their places on the drill floor and gave a most pleasing exhibition, executing the difficult maneuvers in a manner to elicit the hearty admiration of all present. Following the drill, the floor was cleared for dancing, which was enjoyed until a late hour.

THREE KILLED IN EXPLOSION. Chicago, March 15 Three persons were killed and eight injured to-day In an explosion that wrecked the plant of the Chicago Toy Novelty Company. The explosion was caused by the Ignition of 150 gross of toy pistol caps. GUT MINISTRY STICKS. Premier's Government Loses on Division by Vote of 141 to 130.

COUP PLANNED BY REDMOND. Opposition Delayed Final Ballot Too Long and Cabinet Is Supported Nationalists Hold Balance of Power. London, March 15 The government was defeated In the House of Commons this afternoon by 141 to 130 votes, on a motion of Jobn Redmond, the Irish leader, for a reduction of the Irtish education estimates. Aa it was In the nature of a snap division engineered by the Nationalists the government refused to resign, but It was regarded as another straw showing the direction of the wind. Mr.

Redmond's motion was made with the object of calling attention to Irish grievances. The division was taken almost immediately after the beginning of the discussion, when the Liberals and Nationalists were In strong force. The result was greeted with great cheering, especially from the Irish benches. The Opposition immediately moved to report progress. Premier Balfour opposed the motion.

He admitted, amid much laughter, that It was obvious the government had been defeated on a proposal to reduce a vote by $500, but there was a considerable amount of financial business to be transacted before March 31, and he did not see why any time should be wasted. Mr. Balfour tdded that the honorable member had succeeded In reducing the vote for Irish education by $500, and the government accepted the opinion of the House on the subject. "We have defeated the government," Mr. Redmond retorted.

It was then that Mr. Redmond moved to report progress. ThlB was defeated by 171 to 14C! votes, the government majority being 25. The government In the Interim had succeeded In mustering enough members to save the situation, as in the event of a second nriversK vote the ministers would have been bound to resign. The defeat of the government was the re sult of a successful coup planned by Mr.

Red mond and the senior whip of the Irish party, Sir Thomas Esmonde, last night. Seeing short list of questions for to-day and know ing that the majority of the House expected the Irish members to occupy an tne aiter- noon in discussing Irish education, Mr. Redmond and Sir Thomas decided to force a di vision almost Immediately after question time, whon the greater number of the gov ernment supporters would still be lunching In their clubs. The maneuver succeeded to perfection. Mr.

Redmond, holding a large sheaf of notes In his hand, as If intending to make a lengthy speech. But to the astonishment of all exf cept those in the secret, tne trisn leaaer sDoke only a few words and then sat down, while his party demanded the division for which such careful plans bad been laid. A scene of Indescribable excitement oc curred when Sir Thomas Esmonde and An thony J. Donelan, the two tellers, went to the right of the speaker's chair, thus showing that for the first time in many years the Unionist government Had Deen beaten. When the clerk handed the division paper to Sir Thomas Esmonde there was a perfect hurricane of cheers from the opposition.

William Redmond. in his exuberance, snatched a hat from the head of a colleague and, waved it wildly. The members rushed in and a terrible din prevailed. Ultimately sufficient quiet was restored to enable the figures of the vote to be called out. Mr.

Balfour, who was In the distinguished strangers gallery at the time, appeared momentarily astounded at the Jubilant uproar. The cheering of the opposition was resumed when Mr. Balfour entered the chamber and he was greeted with derisive cheers and cries of "Resign" and Another message for Joe!" The premier, who had by this time regained his accustomed composure, philo sophically surveyed the excited House. The long sustained jubilation did not teni to the advantage of his opposition. The government whips had time to collect their disordered forces from all parts of the Housf and various haunts in London.

Driving snc running furiously came the sedate supported or the present government. John Gordon MacNeill (Nationalist), whr designated the defeat "an end to the unintentionally gave the government furthei advantage by a too lengthy speech, and whet another division was taken on the motion tt report progress, Mr. Balfour had 25 votei to tne good. John Redmond said subsequent to the di vision: "To sum up briefly the cause of the division, it may be said that the governmem recently introduced a rule forbidding teach ing Irish in four of the first classes of thi Irish national schools. This caused wide spread Indignation, to voice which I movet for a reduction of the vote.

"Mr. Wyndham (chief secretary for Ire land) gave no satisfactory explanation and.wi defeated the government. As a result of the defeat the objectionable rule undoubtedl: win ne witbdrawn. "While the general position of the govern ment has not been weakened, my impressioi is tnat a dissolution will follow anothe: such blow. Naturally we are elated.

Las night when the Nationalists voted with th government on Catholic education in Eng land, Air. uaitour nad a majority of 120. To day with the Irish against him he bad minority of 11. The moral is that th. time is at hand when Ireland will hold th balance of power.

LIBERAL SENT TO PARLIAMENT. London, March 15 Lewis Vernon-Harcourt eldest son of Sir William Vernon-Harcourt the Liberal statesman, has been elected, un opposed, to represent the Rossendale divfsioi of Lancashire In the House of Commons, it succession to Sir William Mather (Liberal) wno retired. Young Harcourt married, on July 1, 189J in London, aitss Mary Ethel Burns, daughte of the late Walter Burns of New York, fo many years head of the banking house of i s. Morgan a jo. ot London.

And Globes. i s.ttae Wi re ninveil nut av.nin In atie- 1 Hon houses itn-t there sold and no payment hi i been made oa most of these goods so i i Ncih. Hart received $7.160 from two sue- i t'''t he. uses. The money was all paid lo Max Hut and not the Abbey Press.

The Abbey i l'rs kept two accounts with Hart. These account now show that he owes the concern Th Abbey Press owes for cloth goods I ev, $17 Oini. The cash book shows that the bank deposit of the Ahtw Press was but the Abbey Press failed, shortly af'tr the tire, it owed Cross-examination of this witness showed that the Abey Press sold a lot of plates to a i Mr. Miller, but they were not delivered, and were undoubtedly in the company's possession at the time of the fire. Mr.

McKenna a.itnittrd that he knew of no indictments against Max Hart or officials of the Abbey Press by the Manhattan authorities. Throughout the yesterday Mr. Ellison, on bchilf of the plaintiff, stoutly main-! tair.ed that the claim for Insurance had nothing whatever to do with merchandise. "The I policies on which we sue." said he, "do not merchandise purchased by Hart or by any one else. These policies slninlv relate to book plates, bonks, office furniture, i and so far as we are concerned, or our claim is concerned it does not in the least matter; if did have a desk in the same rooms." Around the court room it was thoueht that I the qu.

sunn of a special train to bring some of defendant's witnesses was a mere bluff, but the special did come, and It brought six witnesses. When the defendants asked for an ad Inurnment until 11 o'clock this morning, on the plea that there were no more witnesses available. Justice Garretson became somewhat angry. He finally told defendants that they must get a special train and cet their witnesses down here from Manhattan durit.g the night. The special made the run from Long Island City to Riverhead In 120 minutes, which is excellmt time, considering the condition of the track last night.

Engine No. 41, Engineer Loving, and Conductor Smith brought down six of the belated witnesses. The train cost SMS. OBITUARY. William A.

Norton. An organist and choir master, well known In the Ocean Hill section, was WUlilam A. Norton, funeral services for whom will be held in the Bethel Baptist Church to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. His death Sunday at his home, 14 Gunther place, was due to a complication of ailments, from which he had suffered foi about a year and a half. He was born in East port, sixty-two years ago.

and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment of New Y'ork Volunteers and was discharged a first lieutenant, being promoted for bravery at the battles of Gettysburg. Antietam and Chancellorsville. Since the war he had been in the shipping business in He leaves a widow, two daughters and a son. The interment will be made in Evergreens Cemetery. John Wesley Peckett.

There died, at his summer home, at Sugar Hill, N. Sunday, of a complication of diseases, John Wesley Peckett, for forty-five years a resident of Brooklyn, being one of the pioneer residents of the Sixth Ward. His city home was at 313 Clinton street. He had been an invalid for twenty-five years, though able to attend to his extensive real estate business interests. He was born at Bradford, Vt January 21, 1825, and early In life went to Milan, returning about fifty years ago to engage in the manufacture of ink, under the firm name of Peckett Lovell.

He then studied law and was admitted to Its practice, in which profession he was successful. In connection with his son he established the Franconia Ridge Hotel, at Sugar Hill, N. where he made his summer home. He leaves a son, John Wesley, who is a lawyer of this city; a son, Robert who was associated with him in the hotel business, and a daughter, Mrs. Robert J.

Ritchie. Four grandchildren alsc survive him. The wedding of his granddaughter, Miss Harriet Fay Peckett, to John R. Potts was celebrated at 313 Clinton street a few weeks ago. The remains will be brought on from New Hampshire, and the funeral services will take place at his late home to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock.

William Dick. William Dick, a leading resident of the Twenty-third Ward, and prominent In the Republican politics of that section, died on Sunday at his home, 645 Macon street, after a brief illness. Ho was in the trucking business in the wholesale grocery district of Manhattan, and was born in New Y'ork City, coining to Brooklyn about twenty years ago. He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church. He was also a prominent Mason, belonging to Commonwealth Lodge No.

408, F. and A. Orient Chapter No. 138, R. A.

M. Clinton Commandery No. 14, K. T. Mecca Temple, A.

A. O. M. N. the Scottish Rite bodies of the Valley of New Y'ork, and Standard Council No.

427, Royal Arcanum. He was also a member of the Brooklyn Masonic Veterans. He leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters. The funeral services wil ltake place at his late residence this evening at 8 o'clock. James M.

Brady. There died suddenly, at his residence, 264 Berkeley place, Sunday, James M. Brady, head of the wholesale cloak firm of J. M. Brady Co.

of 743-5 Broadway, Manhattan. He was in his 60th year, and before starting In business for himself had been for twenty-one years the general salesman for a leading cloak house of the United States. He was a large owner of real estate in this borough and at Far Rockaway, where he had a fine summer He leaves a widow and four children. He was a faithful and generous member of St. Augustine's R.

C. Church, where the funeral services will be held to morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Mary Fleming. Mary, wife of Daniel Fleming and formerly a resident of Brooklvn died Knndnv home, in Locust Valley. She had been 111 of pneumonia for a week.

She was about 55 years of age, and leaves, beside her husband, two sons, Charles and William, the latter of whom is at nrecjent In tha tt u.i suffering from a broken leg. The funeral fine were neia to-nay, and the interment was in Calvary Cemetery. A BIRTHDAY SERENADE. An agreeable surprise was in store for Hermann Obrock on the occasion of his forty-second birthday at his residence, Clinton and Luquer streets, Sunday night, when the members of the Brooklyn Boss Bakers Singing Society honored him with a serenade. Several congratulatory songs were rendered.

Ernst Siegel, assistant conductor, wielding the baton. A large tioral lyre on behalf of the society was presented by Anton Scharf. the vice president, who in his address praised tho valuable services rendered by Mr. Obrock as one of the officers of the society. The members of the Brooklyn Boss Baners women society were also present.

TO BE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE. Trenton, March 15 Governor Murphy today sent to the Senate tho name of Vice Chancellor Albert P.eed for Justice of the Hu. UUOIlC itil Sickel. resigned. Vice Chancellor Reed is a L'omocrai ana was lormeriy a supreme Court Justice.

He was originally appointed In 1875 atiH rpaitrnnf! in 1 fiOS tn Knnnmn cellor. He goes back on the Supreme Court oencn at tne solicitation 01 tne uovernor. WEIGHT OF FIRST CLASS MAIL. Washington. March 15 Acting Postmaster General Wynne has called the attention of all postmasters to the law restricting the mailing of first class mail matter to not exceeding four pounds in each package.

The statute has not been strictly enforced for some time, but will be in the future. TROOPS FROM MANILA. San Francisco, March 15 The transport Thomas from Manila Ived last night. She brings the Eleventh Infantry and 413 Philippine scouts. The will go into the model camp at the Presidio preparatory to the trip to eastern stations to which they have been ordered.

Captain Harrington is in command of the scouts, who will appear at the St. Louis Exposition. i i Justice Garretson's Summary Notice to Defendants in Case Involving Abbjy Press. INCENDIARISM IS CHARGED. There Was 800.000 Insurance on the Plant When the Fire Took Place.

(Sporial to the Riverhead. L. 1 March l.V-Tho first surprise Id the action to recover insurance from eight companies by the Abbey Pivs, brought by John J. Kirkpatruk of against the Allemania Fire Insurance Company In Justice llarrctson's term of the Suffolk Supreme Court yesterday came when the defendant took the affirmative of the case. That is.

they admitted the losses sued for by tho Abbey Tress, but com. -ltd. that they (the defendants ere not liable to pay this loss because of dishonest tire. Consequently, the plaintiffs did not put in any testimony, and the defendants began doim; so on the start. So far the evidence does show unbusinesslike principles by a man named Hurt, but the evidence does not connect Hart with the Abbey l'ress in any official position; hence the plaintiffs contend that v.hatewr Hart may have done really has no bearing on the claim at issue.

There is a strong legal army on both ides; William B. Ellison and Arnold L. Davis of Manhattan and Timothy M. tirifflns of Riverhead appear for the plaintiff, while County Judge Jaycox of Patchogue and Cardozo Nathan of Manhattan appear tor the defendants. After much cutbbling yes terday afternoon and last nislii a stipulation was entered into that all the eip.lu cases should abide the result of the one now on trial.

Some of the witnesses were unable to get to Riverhead yesterday afternoon, and a special train was employed last night, at the suggestion of Justice Carretson, to bring a part of them to the court room from Manhattan. Other witnesses will come down on the noon train to-day, among them Battalion Chief Uyrncs of Manhattan. The loss sought to be recovered through the Are, which partially burned the Abbey Press on February 7. is $33,000. There was insurance of Jf.0,000.

The losses were assigned to Mr. Kirkpatiick so trial would be brought sooner. The case proved very interesting and quite sensational from the start. Counselor Nathan said in his opening address to the Jury; "The Abbey Press was a modest corporation starteil by Dr. Carlos Martin and Charles F.

Rideal. Finally more capital was needed, and it was incorporated under the laws of New Jersey: Shortly after this still more capital was required, and as there were some debts, another corporation was formed under the taws of New York Btate, with a capital of $10,000, and with Dr. Martin as president, and Charles F. Rideal, treasurer. This last incorporation took place in the summer of Then it occupied a portion of the fourth floor of 114 Fifth avenue.

Shortly after the basement at 65 Fifth tvenue was added to the office room. "Business was not as good as the corpo- ration would have liked to had it, and cred-- Itors kept making things unpleasant for the officers of the company, and, unable to pay these debts, the corporation looked for a partner with money. They found Max Hart, also known as Max Hertz. "This man had an office at 99 Nassau street. He claimed to be a real estate broker.

About December 1, 1902, Hart fitted up an office in the room occupied by the Abbey Press. From that time on he appeared to assume complete control of the whole business. He had the company purchase a safe and rent the second floor of the same building. "Up to the time of his coming Rideal and Dr. Martin had drawn $'0 per week each from the concern.

In spite of the fact that the concern was badly in debt. Hart said: "The salary is not large enough; each of you draw S100 per week, md so will Max Hart had a key to all the doors of the rooms occupied by the Abbey Press. He said they wanted the second floor of 114 Fifth avenue to manufacture school bags, but the fact is the company never manufactured a school bag. A man named Isenberg was a daily visitor of Hart, and was often In close communication with Hart and the managers of the Abbey Press. "Between December 1 1902, and the time of the fire the next February Max Hart bought $20,000 worth of goods suitable for making school bags, and every bill was met with a note to mature four or five months later.

The school bag business was a mere pretext to get money, for these goods never remained in the Abbey Press building more than a day or two at a time. They were almoBt immediately moved to auctioneers' rooms and sold for about 50 cents on the dollar. The money thus realized was paid to Max Hart, he thus making considerable money out of nothing. "During all the existence of the Abbey Press it carried no insurance until this man Hart became connected with it. Then, in December, the concern took out In Insurance through Oustav Frank Co.

On January 31 they bought a lot of second-hand book plates. "On Saturday, February 7, 1903, all' the clerks were in the building until 5 P. M. and after. When they left, Max Hart, a man named Casey, Dr.

Martin and Rideal were In secret conclave in the building. They were there till after 6 o'clock. At 6:32 the fire broke out on the second floor, to which Hart had a key." Throughout his opening address Counselor Nathan tried lo show that the Abbey Press was in dire circumstances; that, together with Hart a scheme was concocted to get big insurance and fire the plant, and afterward divided the insurance policies. Charles L. Scale, bookkeeper nnd secretary for the Abbey Press, was the first witness.

He lives at Bath Beach and was in the employ of the concern for eighteen months. He testified: "I know the company was short of money. I heard Mr. Rideal suy so. I knew the company was advertising for a partner.

I first saw Hart at hlB office at 99 Nassau street fn November, where I went with Dr. Martin and Mr. Rideal. As secretary of the concern I drew a number of notes In favor of the Powhatan Company, a company I had never heard of. Hart took absolute control of the affairs of tho Abbey Press, nnd even the 'phono on Mr.

Hldeal's desk was placed on Mr. Hart's desk. I never drew any check to pay for dry goods purchased by Hart before the fire. Creditors came to see us every day. In December, 1903, and In January.

1904, we bought a lot of second-hand book plates from the Chiswlck Company and the Edgewood Publishing Company. Notes were given for these. The rent of the second floor, engaged at Hart's suggestion, was $1,000 per year. The basement at 65 Fifth avenue was not crowded, nnd It would hnve held many more book plates. We never had fire insurance until December, 1902.

Our bank account at the time of the fire was less than $300. On the day of the fire when I left the building Max Hart, Mr. Rideal, Dr. Martin, Casey and a man named Isenberg were all there. I don't know exnetly where they were.

After the Are Mr. Rideal told me to take eight policies to Mr. Hart's bouse. I signed in blank nd left the assignments and policies with him. 1 know that the fire insurance policies were assigned as follows after the fire: "Phillips Casey, J.

Young, an auctioneer. Lawyer Steuer, Mr. Rideal, $5. SOS; J. J.

Murphy, a patron, Mr. Mjiier, an Intranee adjuster. Max Hart. $5,000." On Mr. Ellison brought out.

In a short time, that the cloth was all bought and charged to Mr. Hart personally. James A. MacKenna of Long Island City, a public accountant, was the next witness. He testified that he had made and was still (i making a very exhaustive examination of the Abbey Pres bioks.

He began first in the office of a Mr. Moose, at 69 Wall street, and waa now continuing at the District Attor- The Old Siliiman House, Clinton and CRESCENT TO CLEAR SITE FOB B-STORY CLUBHOUSE Work Begun This Morning Demolishing the Siliiman and McPhail Residences. THE FORMER IS A LANDMARK. Has Stood for 60 Tears at Clinton and Pierrepont Streets Door Plate Given to Yale. By virtue of a contract signed last evening, Contractor Samuel Gordon, with a crew of men, this morning began the work of demolishing the old Benjamin D.

Siliiman residence and the L. C. McPhail residence, at the corner of Clinton and Pierrepont streets, to make room for the new club house of the Crescent Athletic Club of Brook lyn. President Bull stated this morning that no change had occurred In the plans of the club with respect to the time of begin ning with the erection of the new building, but that it had been deemed best to clear away the Siliiman residence and the McPha-1 residence, adjoining it on Pierrepont street, which was included In the purchase of the property made by the club three years ago, so as to have the ground ready at any time It was deemed best to proceed with the work of erection. "It will save taxes and insurance," he said, "and, beside, if the ground is cleared, It will leave us free to go ahead with the building whenever we see fit." In his annual report, which he made a short time ago, President Bull made the following statement with reference to the club new home: "In February, 1903, at a special meeting of the club, which was attended by a large number of members, it was unanimously resolved to erect a city house of our own on the club property, corner of Pierrepont and Clinton streets, and it was fully expected that ground would bo broken iu November.

My circular letter of December 1 explained why your governing committee decided to postpone further action at that time. Very few subscribers to the new second mortgage bonds have withdrawn their subscriptions as a result of my circular letter, and it is a fact for congratulation, auguring well for the future, that almost every application for withdrawal was accompanied by a promise to renew the subscription when the club desired it. The amounts subscribed under plan No. 3 will continue to be charged monthly to subscribers' house accounts, and the bonds delivered at the completion of the subscription. In the meantime the amounts paid in will draw interest from time of payment at the rate 5 per cent, per annum.

"In view of the strong financial condition of tho club, and tho encouraging indications of a gradually improving outlook for building operations in the near future, the governing committee feels satisfied that as soon as the sum of $200,000 is positively subscribed for the new second mortgage bonds, they will feel Justilied in contracting for the erection of the new building." The plans for the new building were completed over a year ago. They provide for a building that will be complete as to every detail of comfort and convenience. It will be a handsome eight story structure, built after the style of the Italian Renaissance, and will cost approximately $400,000. The site has a frontage of 77 feet on Pierrepont street and 105 feet on Clinton street, allowing for the erection of an eight story building of symmetrical proportions. Limestone and brick are the materials to be used in the construction.

The grade floor on the level of the street will contain tho swimming pool, women's entrance nnd reception room, the club offices, barber shop, coat room, cafe and two reception rooni3. The first floor will -comprise reading, lounging and writing rooms, grill room, lavatories, offices nnd so forth. Tho billiard and card rooms w-ill occupy the second floor. The third floor is to be occupied by dining-rooms, connected by partitions so that all can be thrown into one, making one of the largest banquet halls in tho city. The mezzanine floor above the dining-room will be taken up by tho kitchen and two small dining-rooms.

Sleeping apartments will occupy the fourth and fifth floors. The sixth floor will be devoted to squash courts, while the gymnasium will occupy the top floor. The building that, is now being torn down to make room for this structure is one of Brooklyn's old landmarks. In an article by on "Old City Houses" it was described as follows: "A large square white brick house, with English entrance, stands on the northwest oorner of Clinton and Pierrepont streets. It was built in 1S44 by J.

B. Urahani, a white lead merchant in Water street. Mr. Graham was a brother of Augustus Graham, the founder of the Brooklyn Institute. He lived in the houso but two years, when.

In 1846, removing to Sands street, the house was bought by Captain Curtis Peck, owner of the New Haven line of steamboats, who had formerly resided in Jay street. In 1S'i2 it became the property of the present honored occupant, Benjamin D. Siliiman." Mr. Siliiman, who died In January, Ifini, nt the time of his death was the oldest living graduate of Yale College. About a year ngo the Crescent Athletic Club presented Yale College with the doorplate from tho Siliiman residence, receiving a grateful acknowledgment.

Coinciding with this step forward la the 127 Fierrepont Street, Being Torn BARGE QUEEN EIGHTS TO Mrs. Dorothy Agan Mason Was Oklahoma Plaintiff-Mr. Mason Has Married Again. "NO ALIMONY," SAYS JUSTICE. Case Is Down for Trial in Manhattan.

Mrs. Mason Used to Live at 413 Clinton Street. Mrs. Dorothy Agan Mason, formerly of 413 Clinton street, who 1b suing Edmund T. Mason, a wealthy Importer of Japanese silks at 28-30 Greene street, Manhattan, for a divorce, met quite a rebuff yesterday In the Supreme Court, Manhattan, in her application for counsel fee and alimony.

Justice Bischoff refused to allow her alimony, and, although he did not dismiss her suit, he said that the probability of her succeeding In it was not very clear. From the papers presented to Justice Bischoff, and upon which his decision was based. It appeared that Mrs. Mason, by her own allegation, secured a divorce from Mason In Oklahoma some years ago, and that since that time Mason married Miss Maud Thomas of Catskill, N. Y.

She now claims that that divorce was Invalid, but Justice Bischoff says he cannot allow her to attack the validity of a foreign decree nor set up Its alleged invalidity as a basis for alimony In her new action. Mrs. Mason tells an Interesting story of her marriage to Mason in Chicago, in 1890, as his second wife. She says that the first Mrs. Mason was Miss Elsie Henry.

After her marriage Mrs. Mason and her husband traveled extensively, she says, but after a tour of the world she was abandoned by her husband, which, she alleges, formed the ground for the decree she obtained in Oklahoma. After securing the divorce Mrs. Mason came to New York City and began to operate a line of coal barges about the bay, which soon gave her the name of "The Barge Queen." For some time she lived in Clinton street, but recently moved to one the large hotels in Manhattan. It was while Mrs.

Mason lived on Clinton street that she gave the now famous "barge party" on Doard her three hundred ton barge vesta, at the toot of Thirty-first street, Brooklyn. Mrs. Mason had been for some time making a fight against what she called the "barge trust," and the party was to celebrate her recovery of the Vesta from the magnates forming the "trust." Mrs. Mason said that she was an Independent owner of four barges when she began business, and, as she had to do most of her business through brokers, It was those brokers, who, she said, got most of the profits, that she complained of. There might not be a definite trust among the brokers, she admitted, but they had an understanding, and this under standing had been her undoing.

She had been forced to part with three of her barges and almost lost the Vesta, she said, so she had the "barge party" to organize a fight against the brokers. Just what has become of her plan to fight the "trust" has not been stated up to date. At the same time the barge fight was on Mrs. Mason also found time to look after the legal phase of her marital relations with ber husband, and, deciding that her Western divorce was illegal, she began another action and also a suit for $16,000 alimony. She alBO had Mr.

Mason arrested, charging him with bigamy In having married Miss Thomas, claiming that her husband had had another wife. Miss Catharine Campbell, prior to his marriage with Miss Thomas and after he had deserted the complainant. Mr. Mason was held in $1,000 bail in the Jefferson Market Court on October 17, 1903. Mr.

Mason denies that the complainant is his wife, but says that the proceeding on the part of the second Mrs. Mason was merely an attempt at black- IT IS NEEDLESS To go out of your way to find the exact location of an address. The Eagle Almanac "contains a list of Streets, Avenues, and tells just how the numbers run. Bound in Cloth, 50c. carrying out of its plans for a new home, the board of governors of the Crescent Club has adopted a resolution to raise the club's initiation fee from $25 to $50, beginning March 15, 1005.

Some of the members of the board have been In favor of this advance for some time past, but hitherto President Bull haB stood out in opposition. He is now in accord with the idea that the change will be to the best interest of the club and voted In favor of the resolution at a recent meeting. Cards are being sent out to the members of the club to-day notifying them of the change. V. S.

TO PROTECT ITSELF. Payment for Canal Will Be Made Only on Careful Plan. Paris, March 15 The officials of the American embassy arc considering all the possible points of French law to Insure tho protection of the United States when the payment of $40,000,000 for the Panama Canal Company's property is made. One of the points considered is whether It is desirable to have the courts appoint a liquidator to receive the money, instead of paying It directly to the officers of the old company. Some legal authorities assert that this would be the best means of protecting the United States against any subsequent claim on tho part of stockholders of the old company that the officers of the new company were not authorized to receive payment.

Ambassador Porter is satisfied that no such claim would be valid and that a liquidator is not necessary. Another question is whether the sale of all the property of the company comes within the charter rights granted to the company. Inquiries made lead to the conclusion that the company has ample rights to sell. DEATH OF GEORGE H. SHIRLEY.

For thirty years a Bible class teacher la the Sunday school of the Central Congregational Church, for forty years a faithful employe of the national government and an active worker in the cause of temperance, George H. Shirley died yesterday, at his home, 375 Greene avenue, at the close of a well rounded life of 87 years. His death was due to the diseases Incident to old age, and his extreme Illness lasted about six weeks, though he was in the full possessloj of all his faculties at the day of his death. Mr. Shirley was born In the City of Portland, September 13, 1816, and his early education was obtained there.

His father was Alfred Shirley, the editor and proprietor of the Daily Courier, the first daily newspaper published in Portland. He worked with his father in the newspaper business. George H. Shirley. Ho was afterward publisher of the Washlns-toniati, a Maine paper, and started the Christian Mirror, a Congregational paper, afterward incorporated with the Congregationalism the national organ of the denomination.

In 1801 he was appointed a United States weigher at the Custom House, New York, afterward becoming a deputy surveyor, which position he held for more than forty years. His personal friend was Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, who secured the place for him, and he was also friendly to James O. Blaine, Thomas B. Reed and other prominent men of Maine. Early in life ho became acquainted with General Neal Dow.

He actively aided in the latter's wonderful temperance crusade, and retained the friendship of the temperance crusader to the last. Hannibal Hamlin and Nenl Dow were visitors at Mr. Shirleys house on Greene avenue. Mr. Shirley was a member of the Second Parish Church, latterly the Payson Memorial Congregational Church, of Portland, Me.

He never relinquished his membership In It, though he had been active in Plymouth Church, during (he pastorato of Henry Ward Beecher, and was prominent in the Central Congregatioual Church. Thirty years ago he organized a young men's Bible class there and as the men married, they brought their wives into the class. He taught it up to the last. While a man of positive views on moral questions, he wbb of so generous a nature as to mako friends of his opponents, whom ho held to the end, without sacrificing any principle For forty years he had lived In the Bedford section of Brooklyn, most of that time in the house where he died. Ills surviving son is the Rev.

Arthur Shirley, a Congregational minister, stationed at Stratford. Conn. Mr. Shirley lived with his dnughters, Isabel and Mary, the former of whom was the founder of the Chinese Sunday school connected with the Central Congregational Church, and with which she is still connected. Mr.

Shirley had been retired from active business for fifteen yeari, but kept up an active Interest In public and religious matters till bis 26 to 42 Flatbash Junction Fulton St. OUR SPRING IMPORTATIONS of THE FINEST KID GLOVES Are ready for inspection. The new styles are in complete, assortments of Spring colorings and stitchings, and in finer qualities than ever before. We are sole agents in Brooklyn for the celebrated TftrnmTi) no Marvel Washable Gloves, In black, white, black with white stitching and pearl. li.