davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
NEWS FROM TACOMA.
RESPECTABLE ELDERLY LADY AC-
CUsED OF THEFT.
Merehanf Brands Her as q shop
LITTER. Drprfyes Her of Liberty.
Then Endesvors 10 Secure Money
From Her-Councfi Has a stormy
Opposition to the Boggs Pardon.


Tacoma Bureau Of the Post-Tnteluxercer,
Ias Pacific avenue
TACOMA. Dec. S--Speciat-An elderly
lady. Of respectable family rad an un-
usual experience with a Tacoma avenue
merchant, IN this city. few days ago.
and the treatment she received may lead
20 A suit for heavy damages. with the
merchant as defendant
The woman i the mother Of well
known Tacoma national guardsman. she
went into the store 70 make . purchase
OF hose and while losking over some
goods or the counter. which were shown
by the merchant himself a pair OF stock
tnRs dropped on the floor unnotfced and
were for a moment concealed by the i2dy's
dress Presently the purchaser asked %
be shown some other goods. and the msr-
chant. turning 20 get the required article,
suddenly missed the stockings. He looked
sharply at the lady and then on the eoun-
ter for the pair Of hose which she had
examined These were nowhere in sight.
without further ado the merchant rough
~ accused his customer OF '-shoplifting"
and took her in custody, threatening %
send for the police.
The lady became much alarmed. and.
with great emphasis, declared her inno-
cence Of the charge The stockings were
found ell right on the floor. but the dealer
persisted in his accusation that she had
attempted 70 rob him. Finally he offered
10 compromise the matter on the payment
OF 800. This offer was Indignantly
spurned. The lady tried 20 send for GER
tain friends and the members OF her fam
fly. bat this the merchant would not allow.
Finally the woman secured her release and
went home much the worse for her three
hours unlawful Imprisonment. she re-
ported the matter 10 her son. ard the case
has been placed In the hands Of lawyer.
An effort has been made 10 suppress the
matter and as the victim OF the outra "a
has not decided finally what steps to take.
her name - withheld from publication.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
:. A {. heats ARLINGTON.
The Great nowters From Portland
Got Only onc ouf OF Four Games.

The 8 a e. seam BOWED last night 90
such Eeaa effect ihas the Arlington iraus.
whseh 1sa3s fs fhe American Co~ied HAT
Association tournament was beaten thrre
games aut - fcur and ln fhe totsi uam-
Der ~ plnz hai emily NIB asaiust the 8 A.
g's >A The eauea were very lnfcrsstirs
and ware sGuessed ~ a iarCe crovd
Among the spectators were some Tacoma
players.
The highest Individual score BY arv
PLAYER was Fopr's 81 On the thira gam
The best ail-arouud playing was done D.
Rahszsn. % tAe s. a. e. snf Wheeier. 90
krstaseea. Harrison and Mays. wso Err-
crafty play Nelf seemed cus ef luck The
asa.As feaua Arllex{on are REGARDED AS ''cns
80 aa- rs the 1acAl boWlera. ans after
are ta4rnz saeat sz5n1e enteFtalnnalt was
Offered ghss VAS not ca gae at3L
E-..se..ss-fe.a. = shss a-srla
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

DEN YER. Dec. 80. r. Miller. prezi-
aent q the Hernia Treatment Company.
one OF The three defendants IN the Com
fnefElal National bank. related today IN
me Inltsc states court how he had kItei
cnechs on the Denver banks. and how he
had over6rawn his account on the Com
nlsfeiA4 National 70 The extent OF SIG. 80.
ste declared that Charles II. Dow, prssi-
Gent or the bank. and Teller Sydney No
1aarken had nothing 20 do with his
schemes. AS Dow and McGlurkea are
charged In the Indictment as being the
principals in the misrepresentation OF the
2anHs funds, and Miller as only an ac-
csssory, II the jury fails 20 convict Dow
and McSiurken. Miller would escape IN
der the common law that an accessory
cannot be convicted without the conyie-
ton OF the principals.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. ls.-The feat
ures Of to6ay's racing a. the Oakland
track was the Foiansbee handicap. an
all-age event, valued a. ti.2s9. II vas won
BY Bures a. Waterhouse's 5-year-oad colt,
Mt McCirezor Il. who vas an even money
favorits. This IS Mcsiregors ninth con-
secutive victory and he has never been
beaten fhis season. The weather vas me
and the track slow. Summaries:
SIX furlongs, seiling-Lz Flecha won
Time. lis.
Seven fHlongs-cameiia won. Time,
Iss2ik.
one mile. selllng-Alvsrado won. Txne.
IA.
seven farlongs. Foilansbee handicap. all
ages. purse 81. Z8-sIg. McGreg0r II. won.
Tine 30
SIX furiougs-Yealen won. Time. 1888.
Nile and one-half. hurdle handicap
Redaington woa. Time, z.52.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

TACOMA. Dec. Special.-Steamer
City Of Puebla arrived IN port this morn
ing with 30 tons OF general merchandise.
She took on 40 tons Of miIlssuffs. bullion.
etc.
British bark Lota. Capt. Clayton. viii be
towed 70 Beilingham bay tomorrow to
load lumber for Valparaiso.
British bark chi5tonford viii load lum-
Der at the Tacoma naiil for Port Prize
Collier Burgess sailed for San Francisco
last night.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

nssnS result in 3 repetition % the Ut
laa1er reseli1on % last spring. To this
end ne has established 4 rigid system ~
passports % 90 into effect January next.
Aao viii require al foreigners 20 swear
e oo~F TIE laws OF the rep1bitc.
CAi'ea States Minister Quiahy st the
H@za~ has supplied the department q
state with translation II the decree COW
sTths thss subject. and has requested also
tA1s publicity De given 70 IT'S provisions
n tae United States. from whlct country
many persons have gone 70 the Transvaal.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
CONDENSED DISPATCHES.

Mrs. Nellie Walsh. OF Oakland. Cal. was
nearly strangied 70 death Thursday night
By her insane husband.
A train Of the Southern Pacific railway
was held up Friday night in Fayette
county, Tenn. The robbers secured but
little
The North German Lloyd Steamship
Company Is not 70 abandon permanently
the port OF Galveston. Tex, as has been
reported.
The wholesale house Of Quig4ey & Null
len % Wilmington, Del. has confessed
judgments 20 the amount Of 5000. The
failure vas the result Of speculation
Allen Ady. q Columbus. O.. real estate
dealer. who failed recently for 500 90. was
Saturday sentenced 20 eighteen months
Imprisonment for obtaining money under
false prctenses.
Prank Br0wn, carpenter. while work
Ing on the new ferry depot AZ san Fran
cisco. fell sixty feet Friday, striking
against Al iron girder Ills injuries re-
suited 81 death.
Fireman NlIvunus and his wife Mrs
RrauI. Il. l.. Baker and Arthur Fisher
were killed Saturday IN an explosion OF
two boilers ~ the Keat Wooden Mills. at
CentsrvtiIe. X. J.
The secretary % the treasury has ruled
thar Canadian trained nurses who come 20
the United States 70 take positions IN hos
pitfalls are subject 20 The immigration law.
and can be depoTted.
Emma Eugolinl. who claims 10 be an
Italian countess. her husband and two
other Italians. were convicted at Old
Bailey Londcn. for shupl.fflug The case
was similar 70 that o. the castles.
Five miners. Gabriel Rush. John Antras
Charles Swanson. Charles Anderson and
Louis Jackson we're Instantly killed Fri
dey by the caving IN 81 A shaft IA the Vir-
Einius mine near ouray, Col
James Smith. colored vas hanged az
Marlboro. Mt.. Friday morning for the
murder q Marearet Brown. July -
smith made improper advances 70 the
Eirl and then slaShed her ghreAt from ear
20 ear
Marx Duty. \ prominent lawyer OF
parkeraburK. W Va. was murdered IN
hgs Office Thursday afternoon by & W
Collins. a weii-known OIL man. The as
sault was unpr0Voke3. Posses are now
hunting for Collins.
whas on 8 voyage from New York 20
sydney. y. 8 ". me British turrCt "a
Whaleoack steamer oak Branch lost her
propeller and shaft and driftet in a storm
propeller could % pat in.
Ira J. Jarman. q packer - the FIN
porium. ef San Francisco, learned Sttur-
dav that ats father. ~ whom he had not
heard Tor ever nineteen years was alive.
and had become mulgi-TnQHonalre
through fortunate investments.
One % the largest nuggets % pure gold
ever found in &orsh or south America IS
at tbe o1ce - Garter Howley < Co,
Nsw York r. "a valued at S. rt1 - and
weighs s. - pounds The nUEEet was
found ln q p8tcn Guiana placer mine.
Tn the FRENCH chamber - deputies sat
urGAy u Dc Jeauta offered uotl0n thzt
the government sasamga aa trternatiarla
tese ference 1T tha powers with . view
% general disarmament. An urge icy mo-
ton was opposed by Premier Aeliae. ana
defeated - 90 s..
Frank Adams. % A5anSv3Ii~ Term.
was Induced ~ Ass divorces wige ID 10
20 IraTenwortn After ne SRI bis tauCa-
ter arrived Pc vss a8sed win morphine
Hs-ss 4 = sa u.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

FRESNO. Cal. Dec. 1a.-Bscycle cranks
u Fresno had an inning today. and
great inning s. WAS II was the op@nins
day ~ the new tssree-lap track In Belmont
addition The attendance was good and
tns events were al hotiy contested sun
mary
one nile scratch. professional. fnzl
bezt-W. r. Foster Won. T. E Whitman
second. Allen y Jones third- Time,
- Is
Two-rnfIe han6lcap. professional final
heat-w r Becker nssB won: Max Morris
600 second. II. Slater GSe) third. Tine.
e.03 z-5
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
ALL ABOARD FOR GUATEMALA.
Htdsigo Railroad sold 70 American.
II Link I'm the Hfr Line

CITY OF MEXICO. Dee. 1s-The Next
can Herald says an American syndicate
has purchased The Hidalgo railroad for
s. '0 80 in gold and has paid down az ooe
The line il narrow SAUCE and runs from
this clty 20 Paohahua- ana Is is proposed
hy the new owners 20 extend the line
down the coast 20 TNuxpsn.
Tile fne IS regarded as ere ~ great I'm
portsnce as 70 viii give access 90 the
Glatemaiam frontier. ard ~ connecting
with the Guatemala Northern road VIII
form the Ink IN the coming Pau-American
line
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
OPPOSED TO BoGGS PARDON.
Tacoma Councilman Oaers a ResoIu-
ton Against It's Being Granted.

TACOMA. Dec Especial The council
had a somewhat stormy tine this after
noon over a resolution introduced by Coun-
Gilman Parker. protesting against the
granting OF a pardon 70 George ". Boggs.
The matter was the subject OF rather
acrimonious debate, in which nearly az the
members OF the body participated. The
resolution was advocated by Parker who
used strong language IN It's support. A
motion to table the resolution carried. 10
to5
The members % the council opposed 20
the resolution signihed their willingness TO
sign renonstrance against granting the
pardon, as individuals.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
Pacific Bicycle Records.

san FRANCISCO. Dec. 1s.-Paciac
coast bicycle records have been accepted
a. follows:
One mile professional cOTupetirion-W.
a Terrell San Francisco Z.se 10.
Tsvo-n mile professional c0rnpetItion-W.
r. Foster Ean Francisco. 4S5@
TnFee-gmiie professional eompettton-W.
+. Foster. San Francisco 1.ol-
Four-r1lie professional coulpe Ition-W.
r. Foster. ssss s-5.
Ffve-rnfle professional competition-w.
r.. Foster. Il IL 4-5
Oms-nile amateur paced, Lylng start
II kauuz. 81 E-s
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

g. 81 the Seattle thsater. a week ago
isss Thurs3ay.
MaTsef was zcc1-pa 1ls1 bT James
OBvIsn al Harry Pssi2s. ahs great
wrestler Mr.. Mzrbe1 .aad that the tine
sad piace FOR the match would - left 20
TIE contestants. bar that tae yls would
Be czEca-zs-eAtch-cans stakes. siaa 20 Nv
a side winner &c take the entire gate re-
ceipts
West said last night that Re would give
Prof. Tren2naa tna Arsz chance. but X
the 3 A. G. trustees would got allow
Trenausau - wresfIe rs would s1te- into
negotiations with Marbst-
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
STEAMER BREAKS HER SHAFT.
The Buckeye. Disabled. Drifts About
the sound.

WHATCOM. Dec. Especial.
Buckeye. Capt. Slean broke her shaft
near fhe mouth OF Fast sound Yesterday
and was drifting about entirely disabled
when she was taken IN tow ny the little
revenue launch Scout and pulled four
miles MP the Sound where she now IS
The Scout arrived here this noon.
The revenue cutter Woicott Lieut.
Emory. commander which has been as
signed 20 duty OF the Sound, with head
quarters here. arrived today.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
Cant. Panfon "a BENEDICT.

TACOMA. Dec. 1e.-special.-w Word was
received yesterday In this city Of the mar
rage In Glasgow. Scotland. OF Capt John
Panton. r. ". r.. 10 Mss Daisy Keedy.
daughter OF the late Rev. William Keedy,
OF London. Capt. Pant0n is very popu-
lar and Is a capable officer. He was for
merry master OF the Northern Pacific
steamship Tacoma. and viii return 20 this
city 10 resume his place in the service Of
that company.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

SAN FRANCISCO. Dec 9.-George
Bovee. the champion professional eYcllst
OF Texas. has arrived from Fl Paso. and
expects 10 remain here for the winter
lie Is rated as a fast man.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
south school Win. Championship.

The Rainier school football team failed
20 appear al the 7. II. c. A park yester-
day morning 20 play the South school
team for the public school championship
and the s A & cup. The game was
awarded 20 the South school by Referee
Frank Brown
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

T0sl3s Msrhet Brother ~ Oscar Msrtet.
tse Negi kneWa wresi.e~ Yesterday after
asan deposited w4th gas sporting etsfor 80
she Fssst-Iasef Ez So ss forfeit la
asa3 s asateh ARB 81. a. Wee. ~ao as
sassAGe4 - ProG rTS2&1GA-a. - -. = =.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
Qseen Lii Leaves for Boston.

SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. Is.-Ex-Q Queen
Liliuokalant started for Boston tonight
over the Southern Pacific. and will make
q snort stop 81 New Orleans. Her plans
VIII not De made known until she arrives
IN the East
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
Leases the Prichard MIL.

TACOMA. Dec. ia.-Special.-E. J. Nc
Nelly has leased the Prichard single mil
on the water front and VIII rebuild the dry
kiln and operate the plant The mill has a
capacity OF 10000 shingles per day.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
&C. MEETS DEFEAT
oxLY TEy SECONDS TIME
,yFT q. or W. WINS.

rfr.f Part of the Gam the
.~rs of the Biue and White
=. che University Boys ON the
Th~n n Change Took Place
~ Persistent Hammerin at
- Line the Tables Were Turned
r.sxersify Boys Are the Local
champions.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

Fine handmade chocolates, sc per
pound. Plain. .oc per pound. Palace Of
Sweets
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
Canes and Umbrellas

AT less than first cost during our specia
sale. Frisch Bros. 30 FIRST avenue.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

The finest gold spectacles for holiday
gifts at n. Clay Eversole's. oplician. 30
First avenue
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
PASSPORTS ~ THE rRAssva.L.
Kruger Guarding Against an Up
rising of Foreigners

WASHINGTON. Dec Bonn Paul 81
taking steps 90 prevent = wholesale erup-
slcn o. foreigners IN MS country that
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
Winter C1ss. tn As.z,tnx.

- = Hexzrsas. Aseagsv &a4 chemist.
g. Columbia
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

NERVOUS DEBILITY ard 81 SIS at
tsr sfmg Atlraerts. hoth e Young Il18}e-
Anaa ard uf4 Men Ens1sserestsrss CT
Xeash EueesSoa OF Matare Years, O. RS
s.z aralrs y akeh SAP tns Vitality, &tGht
lcrses- Failing strenEt ArAfug Eark
diseased AsdneTa Gr1sr3e3 Glands Eart-
c7ceGn. p v,STassrlc- DlzEtnsss - tire Esza
80 aom and DesgoE.asnes. FooT A1eszogy
and q Wao8e~Gug Mta1
HEART BRAf$ AND %EEVES-Tsi-
rst2gsors - tie Hear Ds@ietsis Breath
taa ~arSEGnE feeEsEE EUlsnsss %
Hras Fe4r = Tufpen6Inx pansar o.
prash 4 llrea& % Being Alon@- You have
I'D tire Pc 8oss-
pI-AprE R-Errtss ell5tE. Cystit3s. strts-
fssf@
DISEASES OF wCMES-A0 e their
many Ailments clTEz1
WRITE Y away kraH - city. Peek
"sFaEstN 90 HeasGn. treatise ca si1 81
rsns zaa taesE diseases frs9 On agpll1A-
tsen-
CaW ~ 90 address
h MARLIN RADCLIFFE. VI. D.
- El.ss AxenGs. Seattle. wssA-
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20
MORAN BROS. co.
SEATTLE. WASH.


No s. N,
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

ImpIfe-~FeArH0n. II. >. q. FFfFret-
Calhoun. Stanford TAnssmen-Normzn,
Pierce aud l.. -. Baxter.
The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-20

Cav. ~. Il. {. a s4ekss Coz Mas.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-07
4 Promise nv Gov, LOSvndes.

Gov. Lowndes has done. preliminary
re assure, just what was expected of him
as to the lynchngs in Charles and Mont
gomery counties; he has practically
served notice upon the county authori-
ties that if they fail to do everything in
their power to apprehend and punish the
1ynchers of Cooking and Randolph the
state will take the matter in hand and
Investigate until definite results are
achieved.
In connection with his published warning
the governor calls attention to one of
the economic phases of lynching when he
speaks of the large sums of money that
are being spent by the state to induce de-
sirable immigration. and he rightly rea-
sons that people will not risk their lives
in communities where men-possibly inno-
cent men-are dragged out of Jail and muir
dered..
1t may be that official action in the
counties will be quickened and strength
eEed by the governors words. but, If not,
IL Is believed that vigorous acts by the
executive of the state in behalf of Mary
lands good name and material interests
will quickly follow.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-07
The Death of John Frizzell.

man was killed on the Washington and
Great Falls Electric Railway yesterday
He was killed because the motorman Of the
car that wrought the damage was unable
to stop the car within distance of fifty
yaros. The track was. says the motorman
so greasy that the brakes were practically
Vaiueless, because the wheels slid. Such a
cordition of affairs is by no means extra
ordinary In railroading. Every engineer
and motorman has had experience with
slippery rails, and to meet such exigencies
mechanical ingenuity has provided means
by which such occurrences as that which
yesterday resulted in the death of John
frlzzell may easily and inexpensively be
rendered Impossible. A steam railroad
train OF half-a-doZen coaches can be
brought to a standstill from forty miles an
hour within from three hundred to four
hundred yards in time of need. An electric
car-the legal maximum speed of which is
fixed at fifteen miles an hour-ought to be
stopped within ten yards. 1t may be that
the car that killed Frizzell was moving at
a rate of speed greatly in excess of that
permitted by law; if that was the fact then
there ought not to be any difficulty In To-
eating the blame. IT, however the car was
proceeding at proper speed, and yet could
not be stopped within fifty yards it must
De that the car was not equipped with
sand-box and supply of sand. Neither
OF the suggested explana lions of the dis
aster furnishes sufficient excuse for its
occurrence. The cars ought to be properly
equipped and ought not to run at an Illegal
rate Of speed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-07

silver's year at the polls. The platform
was assured. The ambitions of men began
to stir. Old silver leaders put forward their
claims. Mr.. Bland was one of the first in
the field. and soon showed compact and
an aggressive organization at his back.
Mr.. Boies followed. and Mr.. Teller's bolt at
ST. Louis bore every aspect Of bid for the
Chicago nomination. At any rate the men
who walked out Of the convention with him
at cnce proceeded to launch a boom for
him, and they have been busy in his behalf
ever since.
Some of the silver leaders have been de-
ploring the change In affairs for weeks
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas has openly done so.
When the Bland boom invaded his state he
protested in convention against IT.: not on
the ground of personal opposition to the
Missourian. but FOR the simple reason that
by sort Of agreement the time had not
come FOR considering the question of candi-
dates. But the Bland boom carried the
day The argument advanced was that the
question OF candidate was the only ques-
ton LETT. The platform was as good as
settled. and the silverites were growing
confident even Of success at the polls.
The contest now therefore is one purely
of personalities land 1t is growing warm
Altruism is whistled down the wind. Silver
reeds no votes. The platform will be
adopted by a majority, and silver has
almost two-thirds of the convention. But
the different aspirarts for the Presidency
are all eager for nomination which seems
to bs so desirable. and none has votes
enough to make him feel comfortable at
the start And so the campaign which at
the outset was entirely devoid Of person
alties ends in an old-fashioned personal
scramble.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-07
Those Overhead Wires.

People who may inhabit urban America
fifty years hence will wonder at the toler-
alton of the city-dwellers of today, who
permit life to be hourly threatened by over
head electric wires. 1t is probable that the
proportion of overhead wires is smaller in
Washington than in any other large city
On this continent. but that there are too
many such dangers even here was proven
yesterday when a seemingiy-innocent wire
killed little boy. That other persons did
not suffer a like fate is surprising, for it is
stated that the wire had been down for
several days. There is in this statement
the suggestion of gross carelessness on the
part of somebody. whose identity Is yet to
be determined. Deaths that result naturally
or are consequent upon unavoidable acct
dents are never so distressing as are these
excuseless deaths. The maintenance Of
current-laden wires in exposed places is
against public policy; it should not be toll
Grated in any community that has sense
enough to remember the first law of ma
ture. Congress has. in response to express
ed sentiment, done something to dscour-
age wires the public streets. but it must
go much further in the near future. The
legislation needed will make no distinc
lions as 70 wire varieties: a vagrant cur
rent sometimes makes a telegraph or tele
phone wire deadly the big copper con-
ductor with which the ordinarily harmless
TIN cad is crossed. That the present system
will have to continue for awhile must be
admitted. To protect the community from
sudden death by electricity during that
interval the District Commissioners should
see to it that there is careful and thorough
inspection of the poles and wires that now
cumber our streets and threaten human
I;fe.