The morning times., 1896-07-03

Tue boy who shoots the firecracker has
not counted on prospective raise in the
price OF this Fourth of July gun. The in-
creased price it is understood will only af-
feet tile Chinese cracker, or what is known
as the "Chow Hing" variety. This is the
cracker of the fathers. the kind that was
SHOT Off by Washington, Jefferson,
Monroe, Adams, and their sons an d
daughter, anywhere they chose.
This Chow Hing cracker II the little
red pepper, and is put up in pa cks." Their
usual price for many seasons has been 2
cents per pack, and pack or two is all
that some youngsters can afford, even on
the day when they blow themselves most
extensively. Most boys, except those whose
fathers or other well-disposed persons. give
them money with fuse to 1t, do not
not expect to shoot largely such things
as mines. stars, willow trees, red tabieau
fire, variegated fountains, electric flowers,
Jack in box, meteor rockets, and all
those beauties that come and go high. They
are satisfied if they have plenty of Chow
Hings at cents a hundred.
CAUSE OF THE ADVANCE.
Now, it is said, that by the Fourth, these
things will go up to 3 cents a pack. One
dealer said SO yesterday, and another one
said that even if the little red things went
up to 8 cents lie would sell Roman can
dies with six shots for l cent. 1t is doubt
ful if these compromises Will compensate
for tue lac. OF the real. old, revolutionary,
colonial. head-splitting cracker, 2 cents
a bunch, and zoo in a bunch.
The dealers who were spoken to yesterday
said that perhaps after all it would not
he necessary to raise the price, although
it was Il fact that the Chinese article
was not as numerous as it ought to be about
this time. The dealers will probably make
their leading article this year this little
cracker and it is the leading article of
which the general consumer gets the bene
fit In a reduced or maintained price.
DEALERS HAVE THE BULGE.
II is well known that fire crackers and
that kind of thing are not bought in advance
for two reasons. One is that the fire sn
surance people don't like them In the
house, and the other is that the boys manage
to shoot them away before the day arrives
which they celebrate. For this reason
there is no chance for them to get ahead
of the dealers by putting in a stock against
hard times.
1t will, nevertheless, be good ne ws to them
that the sellers of the most generally used
celebrator will endcavor TO keep the price
down to two cents, whether they shoot them
off in the parks, or set the whole business
on fire and throw it over into their neigh
bors' yard.
WHERE YOU MAY CELEBRATE.
The Commissioners yesterday revised
their list OF public spaces where the pro-
miscuous discharge OF fireworks OH tke
Fourth is to be permitted. In this revision
the First and Ninth precincts, respectively,
are omitted, no available public squares
having been found there.
The list is as follows:
econd Preci Dct-Square go, New
York avenue, North Capitol, First and
streets northeast.
Third Precinct part of cid OBJ
servatory grounds, within limits prescribed
by the medical director in charge thereof;
Reservation 81, three acres, f street north
west, between Twentieth and Twent y-first
streets.
Fourth Precinct-Square 537 between E
street and Virginia avenue, and Third and
-Four -and-a-halr streets southwest: reser-
walton 113, two acres, between Seventh
and Ninth streets, Maryland and Vir-
ginia avenues southwest.
Fifth Precinct-Square 1887, between
Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, Massa-
chusetts avenue and B street southeast:
square 1045, between Pennsylvania and
Georgia avenues. Thirteenth and Fourteenth
streets southeast: reservation 10, from X
to L, and Fifth to Market space southeast,
three acres: reservation 1926. between
Ninth and Eleventh streets, Virginia and
Georgia avenues southeast; Pennsylvania
avenue. from Ninth street to the Eastern
Branch.
Sixth recinct-ReservatioD II. circle,
one-third acre. at the intersection OF G
and First streets, Massachusetts and New
Jersey avenues northwest.
Seventh PreciDct-Cld Morton place. west
side of Lyons mill dam.
Eighth Precinct-Petworth, Bright wood
avenue and Rock Creek Church road:
Blue Bird Hill, new reservoir, south Of
Soldiers Home.
OLDEST INHABITANTS.
The Association of the Oldest Inhabitants
will have a public meeting tomorrow to
celebrate the anniversary Of the Decara-
ton of Independence at their room. No.
2. Corcoran Building. commencing at 10
O'Clock. with the transaction of routine
business. among which will be the election
of Officers for the ensuing year.
At 12 O'Clock the public exercises will
commence with the reading of the re-
claration of Independence. by DR.. !. T.
Howard. The association will sing "Ameri-
ca The president of the society. Mr..
JOHN Marbury. will deliver the address.
and some other members are expected to