The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 7

to THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE. NEW YORK. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 25. 1910.

7 QUEENS BOROUGH. STARTS FIGHT TO SECURE REDUCTION IN RATES FOR WATER Complaints of Householders in Rockaways and Ridgewood Heights Heard at Meeting Ordered by Mayor. ARGUMENT HEATED AT TIMES. Private Companies Accused of Overcharging Consumers--One Man Claims He Had to Rent His House and Board. The Rockaways and the Ridgewood Heights section Queens Borough, each of which has a fight on with a private water supply company, alleging extortionate charges, were well represented at 3 hearing in Manhattan yesterday, betore the Commissioner of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity, which was ordered by Mayor Gaynor.

Edward W. Bemis, the deputy commissioner, conducted the hearing, as Commissioner William N. Thompson could be there only part of the time. The Queens County Water Company, which supplies the Rockaways, was present with its array of attorneys and water experts, as was also the Citizens' Water Supply Company of Newtown, prepared to defend what they consider to be their inalienable rigbts. The bad feeling isting between the taxpayers and the water companies showed itself several times when the arguments became heated and the speakers waxed warm in their denunciation of each other.

Rockaway Consumers First Heard. The first one 10 speak in behalf of the complaining taxpayers was David May, an attorney. He said he represented the Progress Society of Far Rockaway, the Rockaway Park Taxpapers Association, the Rockaway Beach Taxpayers' Association. the Arverne Protective Association and other organizations of the vicinity. The Queens County Water Company, he said, supplies the residents of Rockaway peninsula and also the people of Lawthis state, he said, which regulates the and Sea Valley Stream.

There is no law in rence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Lynbrook charges which water companies may make except such as may be applicable to section No. 472 of the chater of New York. Queens Company's Charges Said to Be Highest in State. He declared that the rates of the Queens County Water Company were far higher than any other water company in the state, and that the people had tried, without success, to secure a reduction. No complaint is made, the speaker said.

by people who secure a flat rate from the water company, but those who have the meter system of supply are compelled to pay, in many instances, an amount larger than is exacted by the city for taxes. He said he thougnt the Commissioner of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity has ample power to regulate and fix the charges. If he would reduce the rates, a judicial investigation would be made; if he would deny them, the only relief for the citizens would be by appeal to the Legislature. Some Specimen Charges Cited. Several specific instances were given of alleged excessive charges.

A Mr. Cronin, who occupies a house in New street. Far Rockaway, and has only a small family, received a bill of $93.48 for four months, beginning July 28. 1909. S.

L. McGiel, Broadway, same place, has paid water bills averaging $125 a year. Another man, Sol. Stern, claimed that the charges were $0 excessive that he could not afford to live in his house with his family, so they rented it out to someone else and are now boarding, finding it cheaper to live that way, How One Meter Ran Up a Bill. A.

Eisert, who has a house on Wave Crest avenue, Arverne, said that in the beginning he paid the water company a flat rate of $22.50 per year. Then a meter was installed, and for water used between June 2 and September 4--about three months--he received a bill for $86.92. In all those cases, it Las said, no hose was used for outside sprinkling and there was no waste through defective plumbing. C. A.

Brodek, president of the Progress Society, declared that realty values were being destroyed because of the excessive rates charged for water, and that the millions of dollars already invested in the locality would be lost unless conditions were remedied. Lawyer Baldwin Defends Queens Company's Rates. Henry De Forest Baldwin of the Queens County Water Company was then given an opportunity to speak. He said it had been intimated that the water company might declare that the reason it could not reduce its rates was because it had a bonded indebtedness. He said he did not intend to make any such plea.

He denied that the company's rates were too in many instances the people who rehigh, declaring it to be his be belief that ceived such big bills waste their water, allowing their faucets to run. He said it was all very well to have a fat. water rate for people in a small community, but, when the population grows it is necessary for the company to keep some tab on the people by having a meter system. Consumers Warned to Be Alert for Leaks. "We always warn our consumers." he said, "and tell them to look out for a leak when we And their bills run high.

Of course, the consumer is responsible for defective plumbing. Now, my friend who would rather rent his house than live in it, because the rates were too high, must have been very careless with his water. Our average meter rate during the year 1909 was $28.54 per meter. We have 3,319 meters, and we supply many hotels, houses, saloons, manufacturing and railroad staboarding, tions." Mr. Baldwin said he would like to know what has bullt up the Rockaway section 1f it was not the water company.

The Queens County Water Company, he said, the best water-the best in quality---in the state. He claimed it was 80 good that people in New York bought it from the company in bottles, preferring it to Croton water. He said the company nothing to conceal, and he is always ready to show the books to taxpayers who want to see them. No Discrimination -All Consumers to Have Meters. "They say we discriminate bel veen flat.

rates and meter rates." the speaker said. "We have 1.100 owners still on the flat rate basis, but we intend to have them all supplied with meters shortly. Perhaps our water does cost a little more, but you must remember that we have to pump our water. We have to have a pumping system to regulate the pressure. We cannot pump into a reservoir.

like some other companies, and then permit the water to run out by it- SON OF A REAL COUNT HALED TO JAMAICA COURT He Is John Gevaudan of Jamaica, Scion of French Nobility. DAUGHTER MADE THE CHARGE. Alleged Father Threatened Her and Her Brother With an Ax-He Was Fined $5. To be the son of a real count and connected with some of the noblest of French families, and then to suffer the indignity of being fined $5 for disorderly conduct for threatening the lives of his children and using improper language, was the lot yesterday, of John Gevaudan of Prospect street, near Meyer avenue, Jamaica, in the local magistrate's court. Cevaudan was brought to court as a result of a charge made by his 17-yearold daughter Alene, who asserted in her complaint that her father had threatened her and her 13-year-old brother, Eugene, with an ax.

She said that she fled from her home on Monday, through fear that the threat would be executed, and has lived with neighbors ever since. The man pleaded guilty and was fined by Magistrate Gilroy with a warning of imprisonment, should a similar complaint be made. The appearance of Gevaudan disclosed an interesting life story. According to a neighbor of the man, Gevaudan is the son of the late Count Gevaudan of France, whose ancestors were for. generations back considered among the highest of the nobility, and who was one of the courtiers of Napoleon 11.

On the death of Count Gevaudan, his large estate was distributed among his children, John securing $50,000. It was then that he became acquainted with the family of Mme. Rosalie Carpenter, who had a married a wealthy American, and with whose charming daughter John soon fell in love. The daughter Rosalie's grandfather was Jacques Chopin, a general of Napoleon the Great, and the uniting of the two houses was hailed with joy by all concerned. John was a good and while in France went through a large proportion of his inheritance.

Several years ago he came with his wife and children and mother-in-law, Mme. Carpenter, according to the reporter's informant, to America, and settled shortly after in Jamaica, there purchasing a house and lot on Prospect street. Here, 80 neighbors say, he brought many relics of the French court, and some beautiful pictures which formerly adorned the count's and the madame's home. But America did not bestow the warm smile on John which he thought was due him, and his circumstances became more and more reduced, and the furniture and some the old mementos of the days of Napoleon and the French Revolution were sold. and the house became shorn of much of its former beauty.

A About three years Ago his wife became stricken with nervous trouble and died. at Dr. Coombes sanitarium, in Corona. Mme. Carpenter, now 75 years old, remained her son-in-law.

Relations in the family, after the death of the wife became strained on a number of occasions. and last week more strained than at other times. The police were informed. and Officers Gerhardt and Neufeldt of the Jamaica station. arrested Gevaudan on a warrant.

After the imposition of the sentence he went out of the court alone. Miss Gevaudan, o11 leaving the building, fainted, and was revived with difficulty. The attorney verified the story of the neighbor as to the wealth and position of the old Gevaudan family, declaring that one of the man's relatives was at one time Prefect of the Police of France. LONG ISLAND OBITUARY. Charles Thompson.

Charles Thompson, 65 years old, of Willet street, Jamaica, died yesterday at his residence. Mr. Thompson's death lows that. She his wife of two weeks was a veteran of the Civil War, and a member of Alfred: M. Wood Post of Jamaica.

He was a clerk for a number of years in the State Board of Health at Albany. Mr. Thompson was born in Sag Harbor, and was for a number of years a farmer on Merrick road, Jamaica. His wife died in Florida two weeks ago. The funeral services will be held on Sunday afternoon from his late residence.

George Merrill. Babylon, L. February 25-George Merrill, who invented a weaving apparatus that is much used, and- a gun that preceded the magazine rifle, was stricken with apoplexy yesterday while in the Babylon Library, and died a few hours later at the home of his son, the Rev. Robert Dodge Merrill, pastor of the Old First Presbyterian Church. He was 83 years of native of Newburyport, Mass.

He was formerly engaged tu the insurance and produce business, and. in fact, never retired entirely from the latter enterprise. His wife died in 1889, and his surviving children are the Rev. Francis G. Merrill of Moore, the Rev.

William P. Merrill of Chicago, the Rev. R. D. Merrill of this place and the Misses Mary E.

and Emily S. Merrill of Babylon and Miss Helen A. Merrill, who is a professor of mathematics in Wellesley College. The funeral will be private and the interment will be in Greenwood. Dorliska F.

Bassett. Sag Harbor, L. February 25-The remains of Mrs. Dorliska F. Bassett.

a native and a summer resident of. this place, who met her death in a fire at Brookline, were brought to Sag Harbor to-day. Funeral services will be held to -morrow afternoon. and her body will be interred that of her husband, James F. Bassett, in the family plot at Oakland Cemetery.

Mrs. Bassett was 83 years of age. Much of her life was spent in McGregor, and Minneapolis, where her husband was a grain broker. She is survived by three children, Mrs. Walter H.

Kimball of Brookline, with whom she resided in the winter; Mrs. J. M. Lewis. wife of a prominent physician of Minneapolis, and Mrs.

Alexis Bartlett of Manhattan. She was a daughter of Jedediah Conkling of this place. David F. Conklin. Patchogue, L.

February 25-David F. Conklin, one of the original whalers of Easthampton, died last night at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Overton. after a short illness. Mr.

Conklin was born in Easthampton on May 9, 1830, his parents being among the original settlers of that section. At the age of 27 he shipped on the whaling bark Union. under Captain Jeremiah Hedges, and acted as boatswain of the crew. From 1857 until 1861 the Union sailed in many seas, rounding Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope, circumnavigating the globe and cruising in both the Arctic and Pacific oceans. It is related of the return home of the bark Union in '61 that the ship was hailed by another vessel, and the inquiry made by the stranger: "Is Lincoln elected?" The Union and its crew had been away from the States So long that they knew nothing of the rise ot Lincoln, and were compelled to reply to the stranger's query: "Who is Abe Lincoln Returning to Bridgehampton, Mr.

Conklin resumed his occupation of miller, operating the steam mill at Bridgehampton, which noW stands near Long Island Railroad depot there. In the old mill is a tithe measure, the legal one-tenth measure which the early millers Were allowed for grinding the grain brought to the mill. and on which is inscribed the name of Mr. Conklin. About 1862 he settled at East Patchogue, and the same vear married Angelina Rogers of Spennk His surviving children are Howard S.

Conklin and Alena, wife of Dr. Prank Overton. The funeral be held from the home of Mrs. Concila at 2 P.M to -morrow. the Rev.

Sherrcan W. Haven ef the Congregational Churebiter to SPECIAL TRAIN CARRIED MOURNING RAILROAD MEN Over 100 Fellow Employes of William Reardon Gathered at His Bier. DEPARTMENT HEADS INCLUDED Dead Man Long Train Dispatcher of the Long Island System -Had a Fine Record. Recognition of the services of a ful and competent employe was made by the management of the Long Island Railroad to-day when it provided a special train to convey employes to the funeral of William Reardon, formerly train dispatcher on the Long Island road, which occurred at his home in Seventh avenue, Elmhurst. He died on Monday in St.

Mary's Hospital, Jamaica. About one hundred men, including those from every branch of the service and also some of the executive heads, went on the train. which was held in waiting at. Elmhurst for their return. In his position as train dispatcher, Mr.

Reardon came in contact with many of the employes and he was in daily touch by wire with every station master, engineer and conductor on the road. In the words of his superiors he was a "good dispatcher," and that means a great deal when said by a railroad man. It means that he was always at his post, that he was reliabie and that a message sent by him was to be relied upon. It was this reliability that made him a friend of everyone Born in Smithfield, Orange County, N. in 1872.

Mr. Reardon was brought to Winfield when a mere boy by his brother, who was station agent of the Long Island Railroad at that place. Afterwards his sister held the same position. He was ed. ucated at the local public schools and while going to school he learned telegraphy from his brother.

His first employment was with the Long Island road as signal man and operator at Whitestone Junction. This was in 1889, and in 1890 he was made operator for the train dispatcher. In 1892, his worth having been proven, he was made train dispatcher, a position that he held until his death. A year ago he began to be troubled with malignant stomach trouble. He took a trip to Mexico, but the change did him no permanent good.

He returned to his work and continued until a time ago. when he went to St. Mary's Hospital 11 Jamaica, where he died. He is survived by three sisters. Mrs.

C. A. Barrett, Miss Julia and Miss Lena Reardon, and one brother, John J. Reardon. who was formerly chief dispatcher on the Long Island Railroad, but who is now superintendent of the Litchfield Railroad, with headquarters at ville, 111.

Mr. Reardon came from a family of railroad men. a relative on his mother's side being W. T. McGuire, who is general manager of the Montana, Wyoming and Southern Railroad, with headquarters at Belf.y, Another relative is J.

F. McGuire, general manager the Lehigh Valley Railroad at Bethlehem, Pa. The funeral services were held from his residence at 10 o'clock this morning and from thence to St. Bartholomew's Church in Elmhurst. The employes and associates of the deceased sent many beautiful floral tributes.

WOODILL GETS WRIT. Former Chief Clerk in Queens Court Mandamuses the Board of Magistrates. Another 'step in the contest between William L. Woodill, former chief clerk in the First District Magistrate's Court in Queens, and William H. Brawley, the present clerk, was taken yesterday when Woodill obtained from Justice Stapleton, in Brooklyn, a writ of mandamus directing the Board of Magistrates of the Second District, which includes Brooklyn and Queens, to show cause why should not appoint Woodill to the position of chief clerk and assign him to duty.

Woodill claims that as. was the choice of Magistrate Smith this sition, he was legally appointed. A copy of the writ was served upon President Voorhees of the Board of Magistrates, and twenty days is given for an answer. When the case is heard a number of important questions as to the rights and powers of the magistrates in making appointments to positions in their courts will be resented to the court. RICHMOND HILL NOTES.

Eastern Star Chapter, No. 408, of Richmond' Hill, attended the reception given last night to Mrs. Babcock, Grand Matron of the State of New York, in Masonic Temple, in Lafayette avenue, Brooklyn. On Thursday night, March 3, the Richmond Hill Chapter will entertain Mrs. Babcock at their headquarters.

Mr. and Mrs. William Arthur Beadle will celebrate their silver wedding anniversary on the evening of March 1, at Temple Forum Atheneum. Several hundred persons have invited. The Misses Annie Oakes, Nellie Scudder.

Annie Smith. Mrs. Carl Jackson and Mrs. Worth, all of Babylon, L. and Miss Cora Gordon, of Westhampton, are the guests of the Rev.

Dr. and Mrs. Frederic Stiehler, at Morris Park. A Baraca Social evening will be spent at the home of Russell Burkland, 1014 Washington avenue, Chester Park, 01 Friday evening, March 4. GOT $2,750 FOR HIS THUMB.

(Special to the Eagle.) Mineola, L. February 25-A jury in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon awarded Earl Proctor, a. former cracka -jack amateur baseball player, $2,750 for the loss of his right thumb which was cut off by a saw a year ago in the sawmill of the Rockville Centre Milling and Construction Company. Proctor sued for $10.000. The company claimed that the accident which destroyed the thumb was due to Proctor's negligence, RAILROAD CO.

WINS SUIT. Mrs. Carrie Yager of Elmhurst. who sued the New York and Queens County Railway Company for injuries she received about a year ago by being thrown from a trolley car, lost her suit in the Supreme Court at Flushing, yesterday, the jury finding a verdict for the corporation. Mrs.

Yager claims that as the result of the accident her hearing has been impaired. WILD DUCKS "DRILL." (Special to the Eagle.) Glen Cove. L. February 26-Not for a long time have wild ducks been as plentiful in Hempstead Harbor as they are now. Immense flocks of them are seen near the breakwater, and they seem to observers to have some sort of discipline.

They circle around and divide at times into two flocks, maneuvering and moving just as if there vas a drill going on among them. Sportsmen watch them with regretful interest, not daring to risk a shot for fear of the game warden. WILL LIGHT VALLEY STREAM. (Special to the Eagle.) Valley Stream, L. I.

February 25- There was a large attendance at the mass meeting in Firemen's Hall yesterday afternoon, held by the town board for the purpose of organizing a lighting district Valley Stream. There was no opposition. and board unanimously voted to establish the lighting district. A committee consisting of J. P.

Brown, R. M. Dibble, H. Keller, Dr. J.

M. Fostor And W. Knoche was appointed to con- with the town board in reference to she locations of the lights. GAS METER EXPLODED. Caused Damage of $100 in Jamaica House, A fire broke out in the cellar of a two story frame dwelling at 110 South street, Jamaica, owned and occupied by Pardo Caruso, yesterday, The fire, resulting in damage of $100.

was caused by the explosion of a gas meter. DIED IN A SALOON. Flemm, 75 years old. 505 street, Jamaica, died suddenly medical attendance in the the saloon at 453 Fulton street, afternoon. The body was reEverett's Morgue.

There wag suspicious about the case. HOLLYWOOD CLUB ELECTS. George South without room of yesterday moved to nothing The Hollywood Social Club of Winfeld has elected its officers as follows: Catherine Graney, president: Anna Schroder, vice president; Matilda Schill, treasurer; Dorothy Schroder, secretary. 12-YEAR-OLD BOY A HERO Carries Crippled School Girl From Burning Building. Johnnie Ryan of Holland Station Cheered by His Mates as He Performs Act of Bravery.

Little John Ryan, 12 years old, is the among his classmates and others in Public School No. 44, at Holland Station, in which there was a fire yesterday. When the fire alarm was sounded he 110- ticed that Margaret Smith, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.

F. Smith of 26 South Chase avenue, who is a cripple and uses two crutches, was practically helpless. Ignoring possible personal danger, young Ryan ran across the room to the girl, picked her up in his arms and carried her down three flights of stairs and out into the playground, where the other children cheered him loudly. Superintendent of Buildings Collins of the Board of Education went down 10 Rockaway Beach yesterday afternoon to make an examination of the damage done by the fire. From an examination of the charred timbers it would appear as if the fire had been smoldering for some days, and that the high wind of yesterday morning fanned the embers into flame.

The furnace reaches nearly to the floor beams of the first floor, and it probably became so hot that it set the ceiling laths and beams afire. As soon as the extent of the damage had been ascertained Superintendent Colling got busy, and soon plumbers and carpenters set 10 work repairing the damage, and it was that the children could return expected. classroom this morning, Only 0110 1'0011 was damaged by the fire, that of Grade 3A. TO BECOME A REAL STREET. Diagonal Street in Long Island City Soon to Be Graded and Regulated.

Ar Diagonal street, the thoroughfare leading from the plaza of the Queensboro Bridge to and across the Sunnyside yards to Thomson avenue, will, within el few months, become a reality. The contracts for the regulating and grading of those portions of the street from Jackson avenue to the viaduct, across the railroad yards, and from the viaduct to Thomson avenue, were presented to President Gresser yesterday, on their return from the controller's office, where they were certified. President Gresser will sign them, and as soon as the weather permits. orders will be given to the Atlantie Construction Company, the contractors, to commence work. It will take about a month to complete the grading.

On that part of the street between Jackson avenue and the viaduct, there are now a number buildings. These will have to be removed by the controller, who will sell the buildings. Title to the houses and the street is already vested in the city. President Gresser has sent a communication to the controller requesting him to proceed at once with the sale of the buildings. They will be removed in time enough, so that the work of the contractor will not be held up.

SWEARING OFF IN QUEENS. Borough Residents, Assessed for Personal Taxes, Hasten to Prove Their Non-Liability, Queens Borough residents are not waiting for the passage of a bill that will abolish personal taxes, but they are taking advantage of the present provisions of the tax law and are swearing off their personal taxes. Since the tax books were opened a month ago over 1,000 of those who were assessed for personal property have called upon Deputy Commissioner of Assessments Richard Homeyer and have submitted to examination as to their possessions. Every one of this number asked for the elimination of all or a part of the assessment. In many cases the request was granted.

This year the personal tax list as made up in the borough contained less names than ever before, many of those who were known to have no personalty whose names appeared in former years having been dropped. The list as it wil appear later, according to the tax assessors, will be the best that has ever been prepared and the amount that will be collected from it will be larger than ever. RAVITCH-EXINER. daughter of Mrs. William Exiner of Fulton street.

Jamaica, and Abe Ravitch, was solemnized at the Knapp Mansion. Brooklyn. on Tuesday, February 22, at. 5 P.M. The bride.

who wore a gown of white satin trimmed with duchesse lace and pearls, was given away by her brother. Harry Exiner of Brooklyn. The bride carried a Bible and a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley. Harry Miller of Jamaica acted as the best man. Miss Miriam Cohen of Hempstead was the maid of honor.

The ushers were Samuel Exiner of Jamaica and Clarence Cohen of Hempstead, Samuel Weiner and Theodore Popkin of Manhattan. Mr. and Mrs. Ravitch left for a trip to Washington and Niagara Falls after the wedding. The wedling of Miss Gertrude Exiner, TERRY-PRATT.

Miss Helene Marie Pratt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Pratt, of 47 Percy street. Flushing, and Ira L'Hommedieu Terry, a well-known real estate broker there, were married yesterday alternoon at Grace Church, in Manbattan.

In attendance were only the immediate families of the couple. The Rev. W. T. Eddy, an assistant rector of the parish, performed the ceremony.

After the ceremony there was an informal reception, and last night the bridal couple started South on their honeymoon. On their return they will reside at 98 Main Flushing. The bride is a well-known street. member of the Flushing Reformed Church. and all accomplished young woman.

Mr. Terry is a former resident of Babylon and a son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Terry of that place.

PRIZES FOR DANCERS. The awards of the prizes given at the Old New Yorkers Ball, at Dauer's Hall, Richmond Hill, on Monday night, February 21. have just been announced as follows: Mrs. Amelia Schaffer, prize best dress for women: Mrs. Fred V.

Varin, for the most comical woman's dress; Howard Buck, for the best dressed man: Charles Libschik, for the most comical dress for men. The Martin Mager Democratic Club was declared the best represented club at the ball. The affair was one of the most successful in the history of the organization. LONG ISLAND NEWS. self.

We have to take our water out of the ground, not out of lakes," During eight months of the year, Mr. Baldwin said, the company furnishes 1.500,000 gallons per day. He then went into a maze of facts and figures. President Brodek Waxes Satirical. After Mr.

Baldwin had concluded President Prodek of the Progress Soicety said that the taxpayers were given the same dazzling array of figures before, exclaiming: "They say that figures cannot lie, yet liars very often figure." He also said that Mr. Baldwin had been more than usually frank, but recommended that the commissioner appoint an auditor and put him on the books of the water company. He said taxpayers would be willing to death part of the burden and that the water company may be induced to bear the other part. Mr. Baldwin resented Mr.

Brodek's remarks and the chairman had to rap for order. Mr. May then got up and stirred things up by declaring that the water company has an inflated bonded indebtedness, and said it was imperative that an investitigation be made by the commissioner. Mr. Baldwin said his company would refuse to pay one cent toward the expense of hiring an auditor to go over its books.

He denied the inflated bonded indebtedness charge and promised to furnish the commissioner with a statement of figures to show just how the company stood. Basis of Ridgewood Heights Grievance. John J. A. Rogers, an attorney, representing various property owners in the Ridgewood Heights section, next told about the Citizens Water Supply Company of Newtown, the controlling interest in which is owned by Cord Meyer.

He charged that the people in his section could get no satisfaction. He alleged that when a certain citizen went to the water company's office to obtain satisfaction he was thrown out bodily into the street. If the commissioner would stop the company's arbitrary methods, Mr. Rogers said, he would be the most popular man in Queens County. This last remark caused a general laugh, and Mr.

Rogers became angry. Pointing his finger at the representatives of the Cord Meyer company, including Attorney A. T. Cole, Charles and Henry Meyer, sons of Cord Meyer. he said: "I am making this fight against power--against the power of one man." Blackmail Alleged in Case of Citizens Company.

Herman Gohlinghorst, president of the Ridgewood Heights Improvement Association, said that his organization would soon be prepared to prove that the water company is guilty of blackmail. He asked for more time and recommended that a hearing be held later on. The commissioner finally decided upon a later hearing, the date to be announced in the near future. It will be in the na: ture of an examination. Testimony will be taken and the entire matter will be thoroughly threshed out.

ID the meantime the commissioner will consult with the corporation counsel, Rockaways Turn to Legislature for Relief. At the request of a summer resident. of Rockaway Beach, who lives in Brooklyn, Assemblyman Weinstein of the Twentyfirst. Assembly District, Kings, has introduced a bill in the Legislature in which taxpayers of the Rockaways are deeply interested and will urge its enactment into law. It provides for limiting the prices for water and supplies furnished by the Queens County Water Company of Far Rockaway, which supplies all that section of the Fifth Ward of Queens and a large part of the western end of Nassau County, as well as supplying the City of New York with several millions of gallons of water a day.

Bill Cuts Water Rates in Half. By Assemblyman Weinstein's bill it is proposed to reduce the charges for water in the Rockaways just one-half the present rates. Taxpayers have for years agitated a reduction in the water rates, but it has not until recently been that active agitation was token up. As Goveernor Hughes has pledged himself to carefully consider any measure for the relief of the residents of the Rockaways that may come before him, the latter have much faith in his approval of Assemblyman Weinstein's bill. By the provisions of the bill the Queens County Water Company shall not charge to Or collect from the consumers in Queens County a greater price for the services or supplies enumerated in a schedule as follows: For one-half inch corporation cock and tan.

for fiveeighths inch, for three-fourths inch. for one inch, $2.25. The minimum rates per annum as defined in the measure are: Through one -half inch meter, through three-fourths inch meter. through one-inch meter. $10: through one and a half inch meter, $15; through two inch meter, $20; through three inch meter, $40: through four inch meter.

$80; through six inch meter, $150. Excess Charges Also Limited. The charges fixed by the bill for excess of such minimum use are as follow: For first 50.000 gallons, 20 cents per 1.000 galIons: next 200.000 gallons, 15 cents per thousand; next 200,000 gallons, thousand; all over 450.000 gallons, 20 cents per thousand. These figures are just half of the present rates in force by the Queens County Water Com- pany. HONORABLY DISCHARGED.

No Proof of Larceny of $31 Alleged Against Charles B. Snowdon, Builder. Charged with grand larceny, Charles B. Snowdon, a well-known business man and builder of, Richmond Hill, and an active member the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Brooklyn Hills, was arraigned yesterday in the Jamaica Magistrate's Court, and after a short hearing was honorably discharged. Mr.

Snowdon was charged by Max Letfer of 459 Chestnut street, Richmond Hill, with stealing $31. The complainant stated that about a year ago he entered into agreement with the builder for the latter to construct a house, and that he to receive no compensation until the was house was built and sold; that he found, on investigating the builder's books, that $100 had been received one week, and $69 paid to the men, and thus that $31 had been wrongfully kept by Snowdon. Snowdon, on the other hand, said that was due him for work that that money he had actually performed. The judge declared that the word of one was as of the other, and that, in good as the absence of any written agreement, he would have to give the benefit to the builder, who was discharged. HOMICIDE CASES DISMISSED.

In the Far Rockaway court yesterday Magistrate Fitch disposed of three homicide cases, the defendants in each having been exonerated by the coroner's jury. The cases in question were those of Patrick Downs, a motorman in charge of a. Long Island electric train which struck and killed Rocco Traiglietto at the Greenwood' avenue crossing of the railroad in Richmond Hill; John Whiteman, another motorman, whose train struck and killed Walter Wasmer, the well- I known ball player, at the Van Wyek avenue crossing. Dunton, and John lander, driver of an oil wagon, whose team ran away and ran over and killed Conrad Wissermann in Jamaica avenue, Richmond Hill, some weeks ago. CHARITY BALL DATE SET.

The annual charity, ball of the Ladies Benevolent Society the Temple of IsRockaway Beach, will be held in the Atlantic Athletic Association clubhouse on Saturday night, May 7. The affair in previous years has been very largely attended, and there is every indication that this season's ball will be flarger than ever, BUT $500.000 ALLOTTED TO BOROUGH OF QUEENS Sum Inadequate for Assessment Improvements, President Gresser Declares. $2,000,000 SHOULD BE GIVEN. Mr. Gresser Sends Mayor Statement of Payments Made by Borough Taxpayers in Two Years.

Following a report compiled by his engineers, Borough President Gresser has decided to make a vigorous effort in the Board of Estimate to secure a larger allotment than $500,000 for assessment improvements in Queens for the coming years. This sum was recommended for the borough in a report made to the Board of Estimate by the chief engineer last week. President Gresser yesterday forwarded a statement to Mayor Gaynor, in which he pointed out what Queens has done in the way of paying for ment Improvements in the past two years. The report is an excellent recommendation of the promptness with which Queens residents pay their debts to the municipality. According to the communication ol President Gresser, the payments for assessment improvements were as follows: In 1908, sewers.

highways, $936,495.31: total, 1909, sewers, highways, total, $1,712.439. The total for the two years was 706.850.51. This. declares President Gresser, is 31 per cent. of all similar moneys paid in by all the boroughs of the city.

Under these circumstances he SAYS that Queens is entitled to a far larger share of the city moneys this year than is apportioned to it in the report of Engineer Lewis. It is also stated that there has been no delay in preparing maps for work to be done and that at the present time there are pending before the Board of Estimate requests for improvements amounting to $3,243.800. President Gresser declares that with borough advancing as fast as Queens, the amount of improvements cannot with safety in any one year be reduced below $2.000.000. He closes with the statement that the willingness of Queens people to pay is shown by the fact that for street improvements there remains a balance unpaid of only $12,758. WIFE GETS SEPARATION.

Mrs. Bessinger Told Moving Tale of Husband's Cruelty in Court at Flushing. During the trial of the suit brought by Mrs. Caroline Bessinger, of 501 Smith street, Evergreen, for a separation from her husband, Henry Bessinger, in the Supreme Court at Flushing, yesterday, testimony was to the effect that the couple had been living with the wife's mother and that they had many misunderstandings and this prompted Justice Kelly to say that the experiment of living with parents has often proved a failure. The couple were married four years ago and have two children, a boy and a girl.

3 and 2 years old, respectively. Mrs. Bessinger claimed that her husband struck her ten times with his fists and that on the eve of the birth of her baby girl he had ordered her out of the house, and she was compelled to remain on the stoop of the house from 8 to 11 o'clock in the evening, despite the fact that the weather was extremely cold. Justice Kelly granted the separation and ordered the husband to pay $5 per week for a period of two years, at the end of which time Mrs. Bessinger may apply for an increase of allowance for her own and the children's support.

The husband says he is only earning $10 per week. FLUSHING NEWS NOTES. The Eighteenth Election District Republican Association has elected the following officers for the ensuing year: President, Sholes; vice president, Charles S. West; secretary, Charles E. Dodge; captain, George Jarvis.

Dr. G. Percy Long is now residing at 139 Madison avenue. He is a former well known resident of Flushing. George S.

Roe and Dr. Joseph F. Bloodgood sailed on Washington's Birthday for Florida, to be absent several weeks. The directors of the Greenwald Athletic Club, recently chartered by the Secretary of State, are J. Frank Ryan, liam Halleran, T.

Kelleher, George Kelleher and Walter Edgerton. The women of the Holland Guild of the Reformed Church are engaged in sewing useful articles to be used at the Flushing Hospital. On account of the illness of Mrs. Helen S. Schaff, her son Robert R.

Schaff has been summoned from California. A number of needed improvements have been installed in the kitchen of the Flushing Hospital at the expense of F. B. McCord, a member of the board of trustees. The platform at the Main street railroad depot is being raised so that there may not be such a great distance from the platform to the steps of the trains.

Edgar W. Bowne has accepted a responsible position with the Corn Exchange Arthur Bank, Blosvern Flushing of branch. Whitestone has sailed for Europe and expects to abroad until next year. Mrs. J.

Vipond Davies of 24 Bowne avenue is at the Roosevelt Hospital recovering from a recent illness. Ex-Municipal Court Justice William Rasquin, made an interesting and instructive address to the pupils of the Flushing High School last Monday on the "Life and Character of George Washington." A score of friends of Miss Lillian Sheridan of Jamaica avenue tendered her a surprise party on Washington's Birthday. Parlor games, a musical and vocal programme included the entertainment. Souvenirs which were appropriate to the day were given to all the guests. JAMAICA PERSONALS.

Henry D. Bastow. choirmaster for a number of years in the Dutch Reformed Church of Jamaica, has recently resigned that position, his resignation to take effect on May 1. Mr. Bastow will thereafter sing as soloist in the Munn Avenue Presbyterian Church of Orange, N.

J. The Twentieth Election District Association of the Fourth Assembly District, Queens Borough, recently held its election of officers for the ensuing year. The new officers are: Chairman, Robert G. Patrie: vice chairman, H. H.

Cleveland: treasurer, Lockwood; captain, Elmer Bergen, and secretary, Henry G. McDonough. Mrs. M. J.

Holland of Union avenue celebrated her eighty-second birthday 011 Sunday last. Charles Hendrickson, who is visiting Florida, is reported to be ill. Mrs. S. H.

Henderson of Smith street and Mrs. Charles Henderson of Ackroyd avenue have been visiting in New Haven, during the past week. Mrs. Mary A. Smith of Willett street has been spending a 'few weeks in Hempstead.

Theodore F. Archer has recently purchased the plot of ground adjoining his Fulton street property. near Bergen Ave. nue. The property has a frontage of 88 feet and a depth of 265 feet.

surpiug 375, 700 350,305 URGES A STOCK COMPANY TO BUILD QUEENS SUBWAY of Engineer Caccavajo Tells Nameoke Club It Would Pay Well. AGAINST ASSESSMENT PLAN. Warns People That Sewers Are More Needed Than Rapid Transit as Aid to Development. Joseph Caccavajo, one of the best-known civil engineer in New York City, who is called in as consultant in almost all the big engineering undertakings of the municipality, spoke last night about subways in the headquarters of the Nameoke Democratic Club, in Beech street, Richmond Hill. He said that subways could be constructed in Queens and paid for by the sale of stock subscribed for by the properly owners instead of by private assessment.

Briefly, Mr. Caccavajo's plan is for the property owners to become stockholders in a subway -building concern. After it is built they would own it, and can then sell it to the city, or retain possession of it and lease the operating rights to sme traction company. The city, he said, seems disposed to force the Queens taxpayers to pay for a subway, if they desire one, by private assessment. As long as the taxpayers have to pay for the subway, he asked, why should they not own it after it is built? He predicted that the value of the property of each stockholder would double the moment the tube is commenced, and by the increase in the value of his property the stockholder could receive what would be equivalent to interest upon his investment in stock.

besides the satisfaction of actually owning shares in a Queens subway, which in itself ought to be a good investment. Delegates from about ten civic organizations of Queens Borough were present, and they listened attentively to what Caccavajo had to say. Herbert A. O'Brien, president of the Jamaica Citizens Association, declared that Mr. Caccavajo's plan was the best.

he had yet heard. He said he believes, if no the suggestion were carried out, the transit problem in Queens would be solved. Engineer Caccavajo had this to say about sewers, or the lack of sewers in many sections of Queens: firmly believe that if something is not done immediately to relieve the situation this borough will get such a black eye that all the subways and rapid transit lines in the world will not be sufficient to induce people to come here to live. They will tell you that the fee to the streets is not held by the city and therefore nothing can be done at present to help you. This may in part be true, but the way to do things is to do them, not to merely talk about them.

"As I understand it. the streets through which your main sewers are designed to run are almost all open streets, which can be utilized at once. Why don't you inist, that work be started at once in those streets? I intend to make a study of the sewer situation in Queens, and at some later date will be prepared to address you more intelligently on the subject." Mr. Caccavajo praised Street Cleaning Commissioner Arrow C. Hankins for the work he is doing in Queens Borough with the limited facilities at his disposal.

He said that while Manhattan and the Bronx receive $1.75 per capita of population annually for street cleaning and garbage removal, and Richmond gets $2.90, Queens, which has a much larger area, obtains but $1 per capita. Mr. Caccavajo declared that the Brooklyn Bridge will soon have to be reconstructed. the strain upon it at present being far greater than the designers ever dreamed of. The new Manhattan Bridge.

he said. should be opened to all kinds of traffic, particularly to trolley cars a elevated trains, as quickly as possible. GOOD RECORD BAD FOR THEM. Long Period of Abstinence Disqualifiled Policemen as Judges of Liquor. Saloon Man Discharged.

Their total abstinence record of four and seven years respectively proved the undoing of Detectives Kiernan and MeGill, the head Sherlock Holmeses of Captain Maude's precinct in Hunter's Point, yesterday, when they appeared as complainants against Hugo Schellerech, a saloon man of 60 Henry street, Long Island City, whom they charged with violation of the excise law. The case was tried before Magistrate Smith in the Long Island City police court. The officers testified that last Sunday they had gone into Schellerech's place and ordered drinks and had them served. They said lager beer had been served them. They were sure it was lager because they had tasted it, but both men said that after getting a taste they spat the liquor out.

Then the attorney for the defendant got after the detectives. He made Kiernan admit that he had been a total abstainer for four years and McGill admit that his record in the same direction was seven years. The defendant was then put on the stand. He testifled that he had served the officers with Weiss beer. The attorney then argued to the court that men who had refrained from drinking for that length were not competent judges of the character of liquor.

Magistrate Smith complimented the officers on their record, but said the testimony had raised a doubt in his mind. which he would give to the benefit of the defendant and discharged him. SEEKS HOME FOR VAUDEVILLE. Syndicate Ready to Build Theater if Suitable Site Is to Be Had. It is said that a theatrical syndicate, in which a number of Jamaica men are interested, is looking about in Richmond Hill and Jamaica for a suitable location for a vaudeville or burlesque theater.

Strict secrecy is being maintained, and none of the intereated parties will divulge the plans of the syndicate. It has been learned, however, that options have been secured on various desirable sites, both in Jamaica and Richmond Hill. In the latter place, it is said. the capitalists have an option on the southeast corner of Oak street and Jamaica avenue. The southwest corner, opposite, is owned by the Bark of Long Island, and is 10 be the site of its Richmond Hill branch.

NEW HOME FOR THE CLERK. (Special to the Eagle.) Riverhead. February 25---CountyClerk William F. Flanagan has bough from Mrs. Howard H.

Young her handsome residence at the corner of Main street and Maple avenue, for his OWIL occupancy. The place is one of the finest in town. Mr. Flanagan takes possession July 1. Although the price has not been reported by the principals in the transacit is understood that Mr.

Flanagan paid nearly or quite $10,000 for the restdence. From July 1 3,226, 721 2,765,113,.