davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-15
GEN. SHAFTER's REPORT ON THE
SANTIAGO DE CUBA CAMPAIGN.
Many Difficulties Encountered, but All
Overcome by the Energy and CAL
Iantry of His Soldiers.
INVESTMENT OF THE CITY
HOW THE ARMY WAS PLACED AND
WHAT 1T ACCOMPLISHED.

Details of the Three Days Fighting
That Led TO a Truce and Final
Surrender of the Spaniards.
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
MINERS HEAR
 ABOUT DAMS
The Chief of Engineers Writes That Things Will Be
 Hustled.
Good Prospects for a Secretary O Mines Reported to the Min
 ers' Association.

After long and weary waiting on the part of the California miners, the Federal Government has at last been officially heard from concerning those restraining dams that are not being built, and for which Congress and the State have each appropriated S250. 900, besides other appro- priations for river improvements.
 Communications from General John NJ Wilson, Chief of Engineers at Washing ton, relating thereto were made. public on Friday at a meeting of the executive committee of the California Miners As sociation in the rooms of the Union League Club.
 The Chief of Engineers reviews the Congressional legislation, mentions the preliminary report on the improvement of the Lower Sacramento River, made five weeks ago by the Federal engineers here, and says:
 "A report for the Upper Sacramento and Feather rivers will be submitted at l the earliest day possible" He observes that this State has appropriated S300, 900 | for river improvement, that he knows of no law connecting Government agents with its expenditure, and that report on plans submitted by the Commissioner of Public Works of California will soon | be made.
 | As to dams, 1t is declared that the Cali | fornia Debris Commissioners are pushing surveys and researches as rapidly as con | sistent with thorough investigation, etc, and the communication winds up as fol- | lows:
 The magnitude of the work will be fully | appreciated by those who have been familiar with these troublesome and conflicting ques- | tions for many years. It appears that the work upon which the California Debris Com mission is engaged cannot be materially ad- vanced by an increase of force, can de- | finite date be fixed for the presentation of | plans for impounding dams headquarters of the Sacramento and Feather rivers. The | chief of engineers will impress upon the Debris | Commission the importance of advancing the work assigned to them by law rapidly as is consistent with its importance.
 The matter was referred to the com mittee on dams, of which A. Caminetti is | chairman.
 | Tirey l.. Ford made an encouraging re- | port on the prospect of getting a depart ] ment of mines and mining at this ses-
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29

I N an interview published in The
 Call on the Sth inst, President Din gee of the Oakland Water Company said that the two companies which supply Oakland with water had reach ed an agreement to end the war and charge full rates allowed by the ordi- nance of the city.
 This mild termination to the bitter fight which has been waged between the Contra Costa Water Company and the Oakland Water Company for the past three years naturally had a suspi- cious appearance, and led to much speculation on the part of the citizens of the city across the bay regarding the outcome of this new alliance.
 Among those who were afraid that this truce boded ill for the people was w J. Abernathy. who concluded that it might be well to take advantage of the prevailing rate and forestall any possible raise by paying for a year in advance. Much to his surprise, howev- CT, when he rendered his money to the Contra Costa Water Company it was declined. and the official refused to ac- cept pay for more than one month. When MT Abernathy wondered at this OlSlnCHIdIlOn Ol tue lO uSts his money for a year and pressed the matter upon the official he was told that there would be an adjustment of rates, and until that was accomplished the company would take pay for no more than one month.
 President Dingee of the Oakland Wa ter Company was seen yesterday re- garding the rumors which have been current that there would be an attempt on the part of the two companies to have the Council raise the rates dur ing the coming month. He was also asked whether the present truce be- tween the companies meant a possible consolidation.
 President Dingee has an affable smile and a polite manner, and when he turns them both loose upon an inquisi- tive visitor he of an inquiring frame of mind may rest assured that while he has been courteously treated by Oak land Water Companys president he has gained no information on the lines of his research. Both the affable smile and polite manner were in evidence yesterday, and beyond the fact that the companies would ask the Council for "a little readjustment of rates" nothing was elicited regarding >the plans and
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
FOUGHT TO A DRAW.
Hot Contest at the Excelsior Athletic Club Last
 NiOht

Five hundred sports saw Pat Lynch and Joe Kane, both members of the Excel sior Athletic Club, try to settle long standing grudge at the rooms of the club at Eighth and Folsom streets last even- ing. The contest was for six rounds and was as clever and savage a battle as has been fought in this city for many days. Both men were in splendid condition, Lynch being looked after by Joe Ken and his opponent by Billy Hogan. Charlie as referee and Jimmy Kennedy, president of the club. as master of ceremonies.
 The fighting was fast and furious throughout the six rounds, Lynch. who weighed 15O pounds. being the stronger and more aggressive, and Kane, who weighed 145 pounds, the cleverer.
 Lynch's foul tactics in striking Kane below the belt on several occasions caused much excitement that threatened for time to stop the bout. but the ref cree allowed the contest to proceed and at the end of six furious rounds declared the contest a draw.
 A number of three-round bouts were fought as follows; George Savage, Ex- celsior Club, vs. Fred Hinkle, Imperial Club; Jimmy Bozeman. San Francisco Athletic Club, vs. Fred Maynard, Reliance Athletic Club; Henry Smith and Joe Kennedy, both of the Excelsior Club: Tom Devine and Billy Hogan, also of the San Francisco Athletic Club. In addi- tion to the boxing there was a pie-eating contest. some vocal music and a slack wire exhibition.
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
BAY PIRATES
 ROB 4 TUG Steal Valuable Property During the Absence of
 the Crew.
James Dunn, an Old Man, At tackled by Two FoOtpads
 on Third Street.
Was Knocked Down and Severely Beaten by His Assail-
 ants.

Two bold pirates boarded the tug Water Witch yesterday morning while the crew was asleep and got away with a quantity of clothing and several ar tices of jewelry.
 The heaviest loser was H. A. Rod gers. the engineer. The pirate en- tered his room and breaking open his trunk stole several suits of clothing, two overcoats, several shirts and a watch and chain which he prized very highly.
 Last night Rodgers visited police headquarters and informed Chief Lees of the occurrence. He gave a descrip tion of the stolen property, and Detec- tives Bee and Harper were detailed to find 1t.
 During the past few weeks a number of vessels have been visited by pirates and a large amount of valuable prop erty has been stolen. Owing to the numerous complaints received from ship owners of the depredations of pi- rates Chief Lees has specially detailed two of his best men to arrest them.
 Detectives Gibson and Wren last evening arrested two crooks who were said to be clever pickpockets. Their names are Thomas GdeIing and Bar He working the crowd which attended the review of the troops at the Presidio yesterday afternoon.
 Goldstein, it is said, Is one of the cleverest pickpockets in the country.
 He was caught in the act of picking a woman's pocket, but before he could secure her purse he saw the detective ana started to run away. He was cap tured after a short chase, and after he and his pal were handcuffed together they were taken to the City Prison and their names registered on the small book.
 James Dunn. who lives at 262 Natoma street, claims he was attacked by two men at Third and Folsom streets at an early hour yesterday morning. One of | the men. he says, grabbed his watch chain. He shouted for help, when his assailants struck him several blows in | the face, knocking him down. They then fled without making any further attempt to rob him. Dunn was picked up by policeman and removed to the | Receiving Hospital, where a deep cut | over his right eye was dressed. A young man named John Dugan went into a grocery store on Third street, near Folsom, last night, and, drawing a policemans club, ordered the clerk to "shel out" Fearing that he intended to injure him, the clerk sought protection behind a sugar barrel. Du- gan then opened the cash drawer, talk ing the contents, amounting to 5o cents
 On leaving the store he was arrested
 by Policemen Van Kuren and Riley
 who had been summoned by citizen who witnessed the transaction.
 At the City Prison Dugan was charg-
 ed with carrying a concealed weapon petty larceny and disturbing the peace
 The money which he took was iouno II
 his possession, and was booked as eVi' dence against him.
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
Loborers Win TbeIr Wages.

The suit of Jeremiah and John J. Ma honev contractors. against William Lange Ir assignee of O'Connell & Lewis, in- solvent foundrymen, was decided by Judge Slack on Thursday morning III favor of the plaintiffs. The plainti1s were awarded a contract by the defendants to erect certain iron work in two buildings on Powell street. and when the laoor was comnlete the contractors were unable to get their money An assignment of s1100 of the account against the foundrymen the contractors, and as the laborers were so numerous the contractors prosecuted the suit against the assignee of the foun- drymen for them. Judge Slack held in favor of the plaintiffs and gave Judgment
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29

intentions of the two companies.
 In fact, there was a suspicious igno- rance in both offices as to the future moves of the companies.
 But while there is a disinclination to talk business on the part of water company officials, such disinclination does not reach the people, and the fear is growing that there is a deep laid plot on the part of the two erstwh1le war ring corporations to form an alliance which will at least be offensive if not defensive. It Is also generally believed that this offensive alliance means that the people will have to suffer by having a return to the rates which prevailed before the non-partisan Council took hold of things three years ago and cut the rates almost in half.
 Just how this is to be accomplished is what is puzzling the people of Oak land now, and the mystery which hedges about the actions of the com panies but increases the belief that something is matching which has for its object the benefit of the water com panies at the expense of the people.
 The State law is rather obscure re- garding water rates. and it is this ob- Scurity that led to the condition which prevailed when the non-partisan Coun- ell went into office and cut the rates. According to the law, it is incumbent upon the City Council to fix the water rates in February of each year, mak- ing such rates as will give a fair in- come upon the value of the plant.
 It is this question of value of the plant which is expected to cut a big figure in the coming effort to have the rates 'readjusted." Old time Councils were complaisant and accepted the fig ures of the Contra Costa Water Com pany as being the true value of the plant of that company, but when the non-partisan Council started in on the question, 1t decided that it might be well to investigate values a little, and the result was that instead of being valued at a little above S6, 900 900, it was cut down to the more modest sum of S2.124 659 52. and then, to make all pos sible allowance for mistakes, the sum of $300,0 900 was added, making a total valuation of S2424,659 52 as being full and ample for the entire plant of the | company. With this valuation the rates were so fixed that the company could obtain an income of per cent ot
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
FED STARVING THOUSANDS.
DistrlbutioD of the City of Ever
 ett's Cargo in India.

A letter has been received from Rev. Rockwell Clancy, secretary of the Bishop Thorburn special fund for India, dated at Allahabad, November 10, 1897, in which he gives some interesting information re- garding the great famine in India and comments very favorably upon the sup plies sent from America in the City of Everett. In his letter MT. Clancy says:
 ''I am glad to tell you that the great famine Is practically at an end, though there is still much suffering, and millions have lost everything. The famine was the worst of the century. India's terrible suffering has touched the heart of tho world. Among the gifts none was more appreciated than America's gift of grain. From the time the City of Everett sailed from San Francisco until she en- tered the Hoogly and anchored at Cal cutta plans were being made for the dis tribuuon of grain. Railroads offered to carry the grain free of charge. and when the grain arrived at the various centers of distribution thousands of hungry peo- pie were eagerly waiting for a share. Many persons on receiving the grain parched it and satisfied their hunger at the place of distribution. Dr. Hobbs who came with the City of Everett, visited the worst famine districts and was fairly WorShiped by the people,
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
FOR THE NAVAL MILITIA.
The SIoop of Wor Marion Will Be
 Turned Over to the Stote
on Sunday

The United States ship Marion, which has been by the Navy Department turned over to the State of California for the use of the naval militia at this port, will be brought down from Mare Island on Sun day next, under command of Captain l.. H. Turner, who with the men of the militia will navigate her to her berth at Howard wharf.
 On this afternoon the engineer corps will, in company of the officers, go to the island and take station on the Marion, and they will be accompanied by the men who compose the First and Second divi- sions of the militia will be taken up on the Monticello to Mare Island to man the vessel.
 The Governor and staff will come down on the Marion, and the event will be a celebration closing the Jubilee week.
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29

turers of Stockton, Sacramento, Los An. geles and other large cities on the coast Secretary Mead, A. Sbarboro an others took the position that the association was not formed for the purpose of favoring any one locality, but to protect and foster fate of the league was finally left to committee consisting of l.. R. Mead E Everett and A. Sbarboro to report next Thursday.
 The erection of a factory for the manu- 1acture Of hemp promises to be an i'm portant feature in the debates of the as sociatfon. President. Kerr gave an out line Of what may some day be one of the largest industries of the coast the culti- vatton of hemp. He said that many ex- finest hemp in the world has been raised in this State. The raw article from Kern Tulare and Butte counties has been sent to the East and Europe, where it was pronounced to have no equal. Last year 400 acres were planted in hemp near Grid ley which yielded 2OOO pounds to the acre. This was sold on the ground to a New York firm for 5H cents. The cost of pro- duction was only S20 per acre. so the profit to the producer was great Mir Kerr said that in many places the hemp grows to a height of twenty feet, and near Gridley the crop grew fifteen feet in ninety days. There Is, he says, no plant west of the Rocky Mountains for the manufacture of this fiber. yet over 800 OOO pounds are used in the manufactured form of twine. netting. etc, by the people of the State. A company has already been formed for the erection of plant, and Some of the capital is raised A small plant, giving employment to about forty people. would not cost over S75 0OO and he said that the association should give referred to committee to be appointed later.
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
WILLS Filed for Probate.

The will of Bartolomeo Ferrogiaro, who died February 15 1891, was filed for pro bate yesterday. Property estimated to be worth $6000 was left by the deceasedJ J Half of the estate will revert to the wid- ow. Assuanto F'errogiaro, and the re- mainder will be equally divided among the testator's children.
 The will of Eliza Chope. disposing of property valued at $5000 has been filed. The entire estate was bequeathed to the testator's daughter. Mrs. A. M. Man ming.
 c. F. E. Heincke, who died January 25 of this year. left an estate valued at $3500, and 1t will be divided as follows: Ed mund Heincke, a nephew, 5000; Carl Heincke, a nephew, 5000; Caroline Bur meister. $500: Fritz Heincke, an inmate of the Stockton Insane Asylum, S200; Emma Jensen, S1OO; P. H. Hink, $l00. The resi- due, if any, will be divided among the nephews of the deceased.
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
ONLY ASK FOR A "SLIGHT REIMBURSEMENT"

with the present ordinance which was passed last year that may throw some light on the future When the retiring Council followed the usual custom and prepared its ordinance fixing the water rates the measure was passed to print. and then two days before the ex- piration of the Councils term Presi- dent Mott called a special meeting to pass the ordinance. It was announced by the clerk that the ordinance had not been printed the stated number of times as required by law, and an investigation showed that the column advertisement had actually been left out Of the Tribune several times. thus vitiating the ordinance and throwing it over to the new Council.
 President Mott saw the danger and made such a vigorous attack upon the scheme that if any were intended 1t was not pressed and the new Council passed the ordinance as prepared by its predecessors. Whatever may have been the intention at that time it was frustrated by the timely action of President Mott, but the fact remains that the water companies. or some one interested in the matter. had things so fixed that the new Council, which is the one that will fix the rates next month could try it's hand at rate fix ing.
 The water companies will file their statements next Monday afternoon and will make a showing of a combined valuation approaching 12,000,0 900. The City Council will fix the rates for the ensuing year at the meetings during the month of February. If the Coun- ell takes the valuation set by either company as a basis the present rate will be doubled. If there is combina- tion of companies and the total rate is used as a basis the rate will be quadrupled. If the Council accepts the result of the investigation of the former Council, which showed that the valuations set by the companies are absurd, the rates win remain as at present. But the danger is that the combined arguments of the two com panies will lead the members of the Council to believe that the valuations set by the former Council are too low and the City Fathers will attempt "a little readjustment of rates" that will end to the satisfaction of the water companies, but not to the benefit of the people of Oakland.
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29

this amount, this being deemed a just and equitable income on the invest ment.
 But the Oakland Water Company made its appearance about this time, and iI was discovered that the Contra Costa Water Company could sell water at a lower rate than that fixed by the Council for cut was made, and for the past three years the people of Oak land have profited by the effort to drive a rival from the field.
 That this was a ruinous war there Is no doubt, and, while the officials of the company will not admit that the com- pany was losing money, innocent own- CTS of Contra Costa Water Company stock have suffered in that they have received no dividends for the past two years. This Is notably the case with the Old Ladies' Home at Temescal. which holds a block of the Contra Cos ta Water Works stock, the income of which helped to maintain that institu- ton until the unfortunate war began, and since then there has been a deficit in the treasury of the home because there have been no returns in the way of dividends from it's stock.
 There are several clements of danger to the people of Oakland in the situa- ton to-day. The Contra Costa Water Company afflrms that its plant has valuation of s6, ,O59. .962 29. The Oakland Water Company affirms that its plant has a valuation of few dollars less than s6.OOO,O0O.
 These valuations are reached by that peculiar process of figuring known to corporations which are compelled to comply with laws, and unless the City Council is careful and painstaking these figures may be accepted as the basis upon which to fix the rates. Un- til the Non-Partisan Council took its seat these figures of the Contra Costa Company were accepted, and the result was that with 15 per cent less popula- tion than at present the people of Oak land gave that company an annual in- come of s407, 1926. But when the new Council investigated matters it found that the valuation was rather high, and the result was that in three years these exorbitant figures were reduced until the combined income of both com panies for the year 1897 amounted to but s242,33S, a difference in favor of the people of s165.5SS.
 There is a little history connected
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
4 HEMP FACTORY
 FOR THIS CITY Manufacturers Take Hold of an Important Coast
 Industry. Some of the Capital Is Already Raised - Importers
 League.

Two important matters were considered at the meeting of the directors of the Manufacturers and Producers Associa- ton on Thursday. One was the question whether or not the body should continue its support of the Manufacturers and Importers League, and the other related to the establishment of factory for the manufacture of crude hemp. It will be remembered that the association was the father of the league mentioned. It, by offering free transportation to the mer- chants in the country, induced many to come to this city and make their winter and spring purchases. This aroused the antagonism of many of the manufac-
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
VIII SIt In Bank.

At meeting of the Judges of the Su- perior Court, held few days ago. 1t was decided that all appeals from judgments rendered by the Police Courts would in future be heard by the three Criminal Judges of the Superior Court sitting in bank. In this way certains days can be set aside for the hearing of the appeals and the work of the higher courts will not be seriously interfered with. An opin- ion rendered by three Judges will also be much more satisfactory than if ren- dered by one, and will undoubtedly save the Supreme Court much work as ap- peals, it is thought, will seldom be taken in bank.
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
Youthful crlmiDols In Court.

Bert Gray, George Rowe and Charles Kelly. the three youthful criminals who assaulted Isadore Goulet. were before Judge Wallace yesterday morning to be arraigned for an assault to murder. On motion of the District Attorney, the cases were dismissed. as Rowe and Kelly had pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery in connection with the crime and Gray was acquitted. After the cases had been dis missed Gray, who luckily escaped "go- ing across the bay'' with the other pris- oners, was locked up in the City Prison on a charge of petty larceny for having stolen, it is claimed articles of furniture which belonged to his stepfather.
The San Francisco call., 1898-01-29
Knocked Down by MIstake.

William Barnett. 2679 Mission street, swore to a complaint in Judge Camp bells court yesterday for the arrest of Tom Jones, a plumber, on q charge of battery. He said he was in a restaurant at Twenty-second and Mission streets Friday night, eating a tamale, when Jones came up to him and, with an oath. struck him in the face knocking him down he was attempting to strike again when Barnett, to defend himself, drew a knife and Jones was hustled out of the place by the proprietor and walters. The proprietor afterward told Barnett that Jones had mistaken him for another man.