davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
BOATS OF HIGH SPEED.

The Russian Government has ordered of a British firm two 38-knot torpedo boats on the model of the Turbinia, and propelled with turbine motors working on four shafts, each of which carries three propellers. This is eight knots faster than the fastest torpedo-boat destroyers in the British navy. Just how much courage is required on the part of the naval archi- tect who signs his name to contract for a 3S-knot boat-thirty- eight knots is forty four miles an hour-is evident from a comparison of figures. The 300-ton .de- stroyers'' require 60O0 horsepower to drive them at thirty knots an hour. At these high speeds the resistance of the water increases as something more than the cube of the speed. The cube of thirty eight Is more than double the cube of thirty, and hence the 6000 horsepower of a 3o0-ton destroyer would have to be raised to over 12,000 to enable her to catch one of the new torpedo-boats. But 1000 horsepower reciprocating engines of the common type, with the necessary boiler and coal, would sink a 300-ton torpedo boat, suppoSng they could be slowed away in her hold. Evidently, then, a sped of thirty-eight knots involves radi- cal change in the accepted methods of propulsion.-Scientific American.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
THE REICHSTAG ELECTIONS.

The German Government has at last made the official announcement of the date of the general elections. It is hxed for June 16 The delay in setting the day Is said to be owing to the hope that the Conservative factions might agree upon some formidable course against the grow ing power of the Socialists. However, no tangible union has been possible between those who oppose the Socialist party as their interests lie in such opposed quart CTS. The present Reichstag, which was elected June 15, 1893, goes out or oInce June 15, 1898, hence the Government placed the day of the new elections as distant as possible. A majority vote Is required to elect a member +o the Reich stag and as in many constituencies there are three or four candidates in the held, it is quite likely that not more than 2O0 out of the 397 Deputies will at once have seats The seats where no majorities have been obtained will be contested a fortnight later in the Stichwahlen. As has been said before, the Socialists eX- pect to increase their number of seats from AS to 70. But the Agrarian Reac- tionary Association is spending a great deal of money and has placed candidates in 250 constituencies. If the Conservative landowners can elect only 100 of these they will be able on certain questions to manipulate a majority against the von Hohenlohe Government, which will force the Chancellor to retire unless the Elm peror comes to his rescue with the im- perial prerOgatiye
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
SOME CUBAN PILOTS.

Here are some facts about the Cuban pilots who are engaged upon the vessels of the American blockading squadron in Cuban waters:
 Captain Charles Silva, one of the Cuban pilots of the New York, has had decid- edly interesting career. For twelve years he has been pilot in Cuban and Florida waters. He is a Cuban sympathizer Of the most pronounced type, and holds a commission as captain in the insurgent army. For many months he was em- ployed as pilot of filibustering. expedt- tioDs and proved quite successful. He piloted the Dauntless, Three Friends, Bermuda, Larada and other famous fiii- busters. He made twenty-seven trips to the island in that way, and was chased by United States revenue cutters nearly every time. Three times he was captured and tried-twice at Jacksonville and once in Key West. He was acquitted, fact he relates with knowing wink. Early this year he went to Cuba and joined the insurgent army, with. the rank of captain, spending two months and nfteen days in the service. As a pilot for fili- busters he made s155 per month. but now he gives his service to the Govern ment for mere pittance. When pros, pect of war breaking out became assured the Cuban Junta a. New York sent for
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
THE ASTUTE WHISTLER.

While Whistler was at West Point, there was, in addition to the regular cadet mess a private mess for twelve, of whom Whistler was one, at the house of an army officers widow. One day the cadets conceived the idea of having little sport at the landlady's expense. The first cadet who came to the table said, as he sat down, Good morning. Mrs. There is a cat on the roof of your house.. The second cadet repeated the remark, except that he varied it by saying, There are two cats on the roof of Your house.
 Each cadet added a cat, until. when Whistler who was the last to arrive. sat down, he said gravely and with much concern, Good morning Mrs. -. There are twelve cats on the roof or your house." During the next meal Whlstler found under his napkin billet notltylng him that his presence at the mess was no longer desired Being, however, aVerse to returning to the general mess, Whist Ter hit upon plan to regain the widow good will After dinner he planted him self in front of a portrait of her late lamented, which hung in the parlor and appeared lost in admiration of 1t. When he heard the widow entering he began descanting, as if to himself, yet loud enough for her to hear. upon the virtues of the deceased. winding up with this exclamation; gro think that West Point should have produced such a man, and that we have his portrait here to remind us of what we ourselves may attain toi
 This touched the widow so deeply that Whistler was re-establiShed in her good graces-and the mess.-Chap Book.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
SALARIES OF SCHOOL TEACHERS.

I N communication to The Call Joseph OConnor
 who represented the School Department upon the Board of Freeholders which framed the proposed charter, declares that the limit placed upon the amount which may be expended under that instru- ment for teachers salaries works p only one drcc-
 ton. That is to say he holds that the charter-makers fixed minimum for maximum amount for school salaries According to his notion the salary fund may exceed $28 per pupil but shall not be less than that amount.
 If it were the intention of the Freehoders to fix a minimum, they have adopted very strange method of expressing themselves. Subdivision of Sec. I, Chapter B. Article of the proposed charter gives the Board of Education power to provide for the prompt payment on not later than the fifth day of every month of all salaries due and allowed officers, teach CTS and other employees of the School Department. For this purpose the Auditor shall annually segre- gate so much of the Common School Fund as shall not exceed twenty eight dollars for each pupil in average daily attendance in the Public Schools of the City and County during the preceding fiscal year. The amount segregated shall not be applied to the payment of any demand against such Common School Fund during any fiscal year other than for salaries until all salaries for that fiscal year have been
 fully paid and provided for The Board shall ascertain and transmit to the Auditor before the first M on day in April of each year estimate of the amount required for such segregation within such limit ot twenty eight dollars"
 It is true, as MT. O'Connor says that this para graph does declare in terms against the expendi- ure of than $28 per pupil for salaries, but 1t establishes salary fund and so provides the only money which may be expended for that purpose If the Freeholders intended to fix the minimum amount which may be disburscd by the Board of Education for salaries they have made blunder MT. O'Connor ought to be familiar with the legal rule of construc-
 ton, "expressio unius, excuss alterius"-the state ment of thing is the exclusion of another Apply this rule to the paragraph quoted Therein the Free holders have established salary fund Can 1t be possible that they intended to grant the Board of Education power to establish another? If they did that for school purposes fixed at S32 per pupil of which $28 per pupil and more shall be expended for salaries?
 On their face the figures of Expert Williams are correct The average daily attendance of pupils has not varied for three years In 1895 it 33oIo in 1896 33,5os and in 1897 33531. At S3a 50 per pupil the latter figures would give the School Department appropriation of $I,o8o757 The appropriation for 18o7-o8 was 100000 There is here plainly reduc- ton of $IIo,243. The amount which may be expended in salaries under the charter at $28 per pupil the same average attendance will be $o38868. The amount expended last year was $I112,32o. The re- duction in teachers salaries is therefore $I73452 If our construction of the salary limit is correct there is no escape from these figures.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
EUROPEAN CELEBRITIES.

Nearly all the statues of Goethe scat tered throughout Germany represent the poet as he appeared between 50 and oo years of age. Leipsic Is now about 10 erect a statue of Goethe in memory or the three years which he spent as stu dent at the University of Leipsic, from 1765 to 176S. It is to cost 30 900 marks, ana will be unveiled on August 2S next, the 15Oth anniversary of Goethe's birth.
 The magnificent tomb of the late Duke of Clarence, in the Albert Chapel at Windsor Castle, will soon be completed Upon the lid of the beautiful Mexican onyx sarcophagus containing the cofhn there is to be placed a recumbent statue of the deceased, and the royal burial place will be surrounded by handsome bronze railfngS.
 In order to marry a girl of whom his family disapproved young German count F,inck von Finckenstein, some time ago obtained the permission of the Elm peror to change his name to Stein. After his marriage however, he continued to use his former name, and he has Just been fined for the illegal use of title of nobility"
 The Sultan of Turkey Is to be the re- cipient of novel gift from the Emperor of Germany in the shape of handsome and excellently trained war dog, at pres ent attached to a regiment of the Sarrl- son in Berlin The two officers who have trained the animal will convey it to Con- stantinople this month.
 The Prince of Monaco, who excused himself from discharging his duties as an officer of the Spanish navy, is recog- nized authority on oceanography, upon which subject he has promised to deliver a lecture before the members Of the Royal Geographical Society, in London, at an early date.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
COLLECTED IN
 THE CORRIDORS

F. HfrSchfield, a merchant of Los An geles, is at the Lick.
 John w. Mitchell, Los Angeles poli- tician, is at the Palace
 Colonel w. J. Fife, U S. A., Is among the arrivals at the Baldwin
 Rev. Frank Thompson, chaplain of the Mohican, Is a guest at the California
 Carl E. Lindsay, District Attorney of Santa Cruz, Is registered at the Grand.
 D. Falconer, a well-known merchant of Cortez, Nevada, registered at the Grand.
 w. W. Turney, a prominent business man of Campbell, is registered at the Grand.
 Ezra Kendall the comedian, is at the Palace, having come here to fill a local engagement
 Ex-Senator James McCudden of Vallejo is in this city on a short visit, accompa- nied by his daughter
 Lieutenant-Command S. c. Paine U. s. N., and wife are at the Grand, after an extensive trip through the Orient.
 G. Bell, who came from Chicago to act as judge of the coming bench show, is among the arrivals at the Occidental
 Brigadier General H. c. Merriam, U $. A., is staying at the Occidental, and IS here to assume charge of the troops at the Presidio.
 A party of Chicago excursionists are at the Palace. and include MT. and Mrs. E. s. Hart. c. H. Ruddock and son, Miss Farnsworth and Mrs. DeIius.
 Rev. J. W. Wadman, a Chinese mis- sionary, Is at the Occidental with his wife and five children. He has been engaged In Christian work in Tokio, Japan.
 l.. H. Shell, the well-known horse-owner of Boston, registered at the Palace last evening. He has just returned from a visit to the various resorts in the south ern part of the State.
 Colonel Ivanoff and Captain Ivano- Ntsch, two distinguished officers in the service of the Russian army, who are making a tour of the world together. with their wives, are guests at the Pal ace.
 Baron von Meyer Watson arrived on the Doric to-day. after a trip through the Orient, and Is at the Palace He is a brother of Mrs. s. M. Ritter of Santa Bar bara, who will come to this city to meet him.
 William E. Bainbridge, second secretary of the United States Legation at Picking, who has been at the Occidental for some weeks, left yesterday afternoon for Los Angeles. He will return in a few days.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
A BOOM FOR SHIPBUILDERS.

TT HE thus far has been not only glory for
 American arms, but advertisement of the
 highest value and widest fame for American shipbuilders The fact that Dewey's fleet passed through long battle against both ships and forts without suffering serious damage is an unmistakabe proof of the excellence with which the ships and their engines were constructed. Foreign nations that may hereafter desire warships than they build their yards will naturally be inclined 10 have them constructed at the yards and by the builders whose work shown at Manila to be of such sub stantial and battle proof character.
 In addition to the increased orders for ships of there will be also large increase in orders for chant vessels The American Economist estimates that the purchase by the Government of vessels for war purposes equals in the aggregate transfer of 100000 tons of carrying capacity from private hands to the nation. This in itself makes large gap in the merchant marine of the country and the gap of must be speedily filled to meet the commercial de- mand.
 Commenting upon the work required to fill the gap the Economist says: For the fiscal year ending June 3o I8o7 the total iron and steel steam tonnage built the Atlantic and Gulf coasts amounted to 2I,586 It would therefore require nearly five years of construction at the same rate to make good the withdrawals of ships for Government uses.
 This estimate 1t will be seen is based on the con struction of shipping the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts only It does not include Pacific coast work It is therefore clear that the estimate of five years the time required to fill the gap made in merchant marine by the Government purchases Is erroneous. With the increase of orders for new ships the capac- ties and capabilities of shipping yards will in crease and it will go hard indeed with if Cali fornia shipbuders do perform large part of the work required.
 In addition to the construction of warshps and the vessels needed to supply the present demand in the mercantile marine there is likely to be further inn petus given to American shipbulding by the adoption of laws which will give the industry degree of pro- lection equal to that given to others The Republican party Is pledged to that policy, and the enactment of such legislation may be looked for as one of the able accomplishments of this administration Taken altogether therefore the outlook for shpbuilders is better than it has been for years and as San Fran cisco has large capital and thousands of engaged in the industry, we may expect to receive incon- siderable local benefits from the work that seems SO certain to come
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17

| and may become a source or weakness rather than of strength in time or war Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
 The question of the disposition of this conquest presents opportunity for plenty of hard work on the part of the State Department, and Is one that VIII ooubI- less be handled very gingerly. Bee.
 There will soon be a radical change in this situation The United States will be in position to challenge Europe for com mercial supremacy in countries on the other side of the Pacific. The American motto will be "A full share of the world commerce, and the lions share if we can get it."-Greater Los Angeles
 The general sentiment in Los Gatos is in favor of making them a colonial pos session of America.-Los Gatos News.
 There Is a possibility that the United States will hold these islands as an in- demnity for the war and there are many who urge that we should annex them per manently It is more probable, however, that they will be turned over to Japan to make good our war eXpenses.-ffenhet News.
 The seizure of the Philippines by the Americans is apt to give rise to irritating complications that may not be easily set ted Since the sum and substance Of the Monroe doctrine Wnlcn we HdHe PAC, claimed is America for Americans, might not European nations turn our doctrine upon us transposed In the 1olloW w., ing form "Only America for Americans Calaveras Prospect.
 Our country should come out or thls fight without the suspicion even of being a land grabber. We can afford 10 give the whole world a lesson along this nnes especially the greedy, grasping nations or Europe. The United States should retdlL through all the exalted and adVanceo position that 1t Is not territorial aggran dizement that we seek and fight TOT, put humane and civilized government aLu freedom of life and conscience to every one.-Visalia Daily Times
 The argument that the United states would add to their puissance among the powers by the annexation of Hawai- mas not been strengthened by Commodore Dewey's victory and the practical pos session of the Philippines. The fact IS that the nation without islands IS gettlng the better of the nation that possesses them. Spains islands furnish points or attack for her enemies. By. putting our selves in the position which spain now occupies by seizing and holding her west Indian and holding her East Indian oe- pendencies, we should accept her dlsapli- ities.-virginia City Chronicle
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
OLD GLORY ALOFT.

She's up there-Old Glory-where light nings are sped; She dazzles the nations with ripples of red; And she'll wave for us living, or droop OCT us dead The flag of our country forever! She's up there-Old Glory-how bright the stars stream, And the stripes like red signals of liberty gleaml And we dare for her. living, or dream the last dream Meath the flag of our country forever! She's up there-Old Glory-no tyrant- dealt scars No blur on her brightness-no stain on her starsi The brave blood of heroes hath crimsoned her bars She's the flag of our country forever!
 Frank l., Stanton.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17

him, and he entered their employ. He was taken down to Washington and offered to Secretary Long as an experi- enced pilot. The secretary had Silva's record carefully investigated, and becom- ing satisfied of his usefulness, gave him letters to Admiral Sampson. He was at once taken aboard and has served faith fully in the blockade work. Juan Santos, the other Cuban pilot aboard the New York, is a great friend of Silva. The two served together quite frequently on fill clustering expeditions
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
SCIENTISTS BARRED OUT.

Apropos of the recent meeting in Wash ington of the National Academy of Sci ences, Dr. Marcus Benjamin says in the Scientific American: That such eminent scientists as David A. Wells and Edward Atkinson among economists, David Starr Jordan and Henry F. Osborn among nat uralists, Daniel c. Brinton and Franz Boas among ethnologists and William Hardness and James E. Keeler among as- tronomers, are not admitted to the acad- emy is most unfortunate fact"
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
ANUS EMENTS.

Baldwin-'In Old Japan Columba-The the Moonlight California-'Moths
 Alcazar-"Young Mrs. Winthrop Morosco s-"The Corner Grocery Tlvoli-"Ship Ahoy." Orpheum- Vaudeville.
 Native Sons Hal street-Lecture Thursday night sherman, day SchraInm benefit to the Red .ross Society, Friday afternoon. Mechanics Pavilion Dog Show Wednesday, May ls The Chutes-Zoo. Vaudeville. and Visions of Art Olympa-Corner Mason and Eddy streets, Specaltes Park-Dog and Pony Show. Sutro Baths-Swimmng, California Jockey Cub, OakIand-Races this day. Fl CampoNusc dancing boating fishing, every Sunday
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
CALIFoRNIANs IN NEW YORK.

NEW YORK, May 1S.-H. L. Wagner of San Francisco is at the Manhattan. Mrs.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17

While there has been surprise at the apparent lack of haste in getting started for Manila 1t must be remembered that the army on this coast is bound and swathed in red tape When officer cannot fur nish shirt to recruit without first asking Wash ington speed is difficult
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17

Trunks. valises. alligator bags, telescope ha slsets. Mexican carved leather belts and nockefbooks. We offer as inducements inc largest variety and the lowest prices in the city. Sanborn, Vail 6 Co.,, TAI Market street.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17
THE HALL OF JUSTICE.

~ WNERS of property in the portion of the city
 J where hole has been dug in the ground for >O the ostensble purpose of building a Hall pf Justice reported to be preparing to make an- Dher effort to hasten the completion of the building in the past they have appealed the contractors the architect and the Supervisors in vain. This time they turn their thoughts to the prospect of a Grand Jury, and when that body has been organized will endeavor get redress the wrong that has been done them by the long delay in constructing the kdifce
 According to reports count made of the persons Rt work on the structure last week showed that there mere employed one brcklayer, two ironworkers and a boy. With such force the progress made is, of rourse, slight that the work Is hardly than A pretense In fact it is not decent pretense, for it hoes not promise anything, and it would that 4he object of those i'll authority is not much to helude the people into the belief that work is being done as to show them by this mockery how little 4hey care what the public thinks, what the property owners say.
 The manner in which the construction of the build Eng has been delayed in spite of repeated protests, Nwoud be farce If 1t not scandal. Again and again time has been fixed when the building should be completed, and again and again the Supervisors have extended the time. The hall should have been 9nished and in the hands of the city for occupation wears ago. There has been any cause for delay lon account of lack of money, of workmen, or of 9nateria All these have been at the disposal of the contractors in abundant quantities The delay and the dawdling have been wanton they have been shameful and wasteul. The whole affair has been an
 ense every citizen who has any regard for either She honor the interests of the municipality.
 It is hardly worth while to go over again the old task of getting the subject investigated by the Super visors. It is not worth while to ask any more prom ascs from the contractors the architect The prop erty owners of the vicinity right The next appeal must be to a Grand Jury There must be fraud in such an outrageous delay this It surpasses credu- 5y to accept the glib that in this day and generation building of that size and character hon. estly requires long time to construct con- stunned by the Pharaohs in building the Pyramids.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17

It appears that the Spanish had thoughtfuly put double crews aboard their ships Manila in order have sailors ready to take charge of Deweys ships as soon as the white flag had been up The Spanish were, in fact prepared for any emergency cept the one they ran across.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17

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The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17

The Spanish Governor of the Philippines is said to have been given authority to inaugurate such reforms may to him to be necessary It is believed, however, that the Governor is seriously handicapped by the presence of determined gentleman named Dewey who has plan of reform already outlined.
The San Francisco call., 1898-05-17

NOTHING contributes more to digestion than the use of DR- SIEGERT's ANGosrURA BITTERs See that you get the genuine.