New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-24
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
THE EARTHQUAKES-STOCK DECISION
DRAMATIC NOTES
tBY TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRIBUNE,

DRAMhilC NOJrN
iBY TELEGRAPH TkBUSg.,
San Francisco, April 23-The earthquakes that
have prevailed in Central California this week
have excited great alarm in the several interior
towns which happened TO be at the centre OF the
seismic disturbance, but outside Of this small
district. in the Sacramento Valley, no damage
was done. The shocks were felt from San FRAN
cisco TO Grass Valley. about as far as from New
York TO Albany, while the breadth OF country
disturbed did not exceed seventy miles The
destructive activity of the earthquakes has been
confined mainly 10 q triangle having sides OF from
ten to twelve miles in length, with the towns OF
vacavile, Dixon and Winters at the angles. Some
,erious damage has been done few miles TO
the northward of this area. taking in Davlsv1he.
and 10 less degree Woodland. Within TINS
tract some brick buildings have been badly
wrecked many cracked fre-walls knocked down,
chimneys overturned. plastering crumbled ana
:peristable twae thrown down and smashed
In Winters especially the repeated shocks tum-
blcd down nearly every brick or stone struct-
IRE and so racked many cheap wooden
buildings that the people became panlc-stricken
and camped in open lots in tents provided by
the State. In other towns many business build
ings were badly wrecked. but few dwellings SUI
fered
In rcaulng reports OF udnlSt uoHc hom '''''
shocks ono must bear in mind that the buildings
destroyed or partly ruined were not substantial.
Throughout California building material Is dear.
Brick is poorly made. and in country towns
onlv two courses are used laid with cement which
contains but a small portion Of lime. How poor
the construction Is, is proved by the frequency
with which mention is made of fronts or rear
walls falling out On the main streets of Dixon
and Winters the fronts Of nearly all the stores
fell into the street, while side walls. which were
braced by floor and roof tmbers, renamed
standing That this theory Is correct Is SHOWN
by the fact that in Sacramento and san IRAN
cisco where the shocks were very heavy, not
single building fell. Reports from the interior
towns which were most badly damaged are eA-
agrerated. as they always are when caiaiill'y
is fresh II is a singular fact that only one lie
has been lost owing 10 injuries received from i"i'-
ing walls Several others have been wounded pu'
all are recovering The current estimates of loss
will probably be reduced onc-half. Inc disaster
will have good result if it leads to better
construction of business buildings in country lows
tbrouqhout California In San Francisco last
Tuesday mornings shock, which lasted nearly
one minute and was the severeSt for over twenty
wears rave the best demonstration That tne new
lofty buildings are earthquakc-proof' inc
Cbroniclen Building, which has been hnlsheo
nearly two years, showed no sign OF 'he seNeic
wrenching TO which it was subjected, hot even
q bit of plaster falling from the walls III ,ne
Mills and Croker buildings, which are par'laIiS
completed. absolutely no damage was dohe AS
both these buildings cover a large area. anu ''I'
over ten stories high. this test furnishes cohNlc-
inc nroof that the new methods OF CONSTRUCTION
ore a guarantee of safety from damage DS edr'"-
quake.
Irdoe Levy decided this week that the sale oil
mining stocks margins was lllegal dc'orui"S
tho Constitution This decision Is IN a'coru VIZ"
one delivered last year II was delivered i'll 'nc
caso % customer who brought SUIT to recover
+be value of stocks which brokers had SON o"'
under the rule because OF depreciation III 'N'
nr;oe The decision had temporary effect on
the stock market but it will probably DE met
Nv, tho brokers recurring customers TO sign a con
tract freeing them from responsibility under tnc
law in case stocks decline below thc uaisi"
limit.
Lieutenant Finley this week resumed charSs Oh
the Weather Bureau here. to the great satlslact9h
of Californians Kerkham, who is dlsplaccd' Was
not success in forecaSting the Weathtr Oh am'
coast. and he made bad impression al me me oI H
cot bv a criticism Of his predecessor. Inc ell
matoory of the coast is radically different from
that of any part of the Eastern states rna ;d Et
must master every detail. This kerkham dldn
do and the result was that his predictions were
farcical
Richard Mansfield has drawn crowded houses
AZ the Baldwin 10 see his Beau Brummell Inc
critics agree that with the exception OF JEFFERSON
he gives the most artistic performance seen here
in many months His engagement is Tor fonT
weeks and from the present appearances u Will
be a great success. 49,, -, :;
Miss Agnes Huntington opened this week IN
Paul Jones" at the Grand Opcra House lier
singing was warmly praised. bui It l. douDt1ul
Whistler She can fill tho house for two weeks.
The death Of Mrs. Emec Tracy Young Park
hive, ramoves n writer we'll known this coast
She was the head Of the Woman's Press AsSocia-
ton. She was the daughter Of John sweet
Snperintendcnt of Schools, who has been dentl-
fed with the public schools of California FOR
fOrtV VcarS.