Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-08-17
THE TEXAS FLOOD.
Agricultural Department Expert e.
Inmates Damage at $7,4I4,ooo.
REPORT BY CONSTRUCTOR HoBSoy,
The G. A. r. Committee VIII Exonerate
Commissioner Of Pensions Evans from
Charges Preferred Against Him
Enlistments for Philippines.

Washington, Aug, 15.-Mr. E. s.
Holmes, Jr., an expert Of the statistical
bureau Of the department Of agricul-
ture, has just completed report to
Chief Statistician Hyde, Of that depart
ment, embodying the results Of tour
Of the food devastated region of Texas
and making careful estimate Of the
damage done, the aggregate Of which
he places at S7,4i4,OOO. Although near
ly 90 per cent. of the total loss occurred
in the destruction Of Or injury to grow
ing crops, the damage to farm property
and the losses of live stock, ETC.,
amount to the large sum of SS44, 900.
The land itself is damaged by washing
and gulleying to the extent of over
$500, 900, but of this loss about one-half
is estimated as offset by the increased
future productiveness resulting from
the alluvial deposit left by the flood.
Mr.. Holmes says that the precise
effect of the flood upon this years
crops is difficult to estimate. While
the crops over very large area were
practically destroyed, the effect of the
rains en- the upland crops will be highly
beneficial and should, he thinks, result
in a large increase in yield throughout
the entire central part of the state and
so much of the western part as is under
cultivation. He says, however, that a
conservative estimate Of the actual de-
struction includes about $4,000 bales
Of cotton, representing at an average
price of ~ cents per pound, about
$500, 900; 100000 bushels of corn,
worth 20 cents per bushel, $3.50, 900;
sugarcane to the value of 1855, OOO and
other crops estimated at $2S5, 900, a
total loss of standing crops of $780,
600. The addition to this amount Of
the loss to farm property raises the
total to 81, 414, 900, or about $74 per cap
tia of the population of the district,
which is estimated at $1,000, negroes
largely predominating.
NAVAL CONSTRUCTOR HOBsoN REPORTS
Washington, Aug. l5.-Naval Con-
structor Richmond Pearson Hobson
was heard from by the navy depart
ment yesterday for the first time at any
length since he was assigned to duty
in charge of the Spanish ships raised
from Manila harbor and now undergo
ing repairs at Hong Kong. His report
is unusually interesting, dealing in
general questions, such as the need of
a large dock yard in the Orient, the in
creasing shipping at Manila and the
prospect that Manila will succeed Hong
Kong as the emporium Of the east, the
value Of Chinese labor in all branches
of industry, etc. He also says the
three Spanish ships which are COM
pleted will be worth to the government
about 100000, and he contemplates
trying to raise three more Spanish YES
sells now at the bottom of Manila bay.
The letter is addressed to Rear Admi-
raj Hichborn chief OF the bureau Of
construction, and is dated Hong Kong,
July II.
COMMISSIONER EVANS ExoNERATED.
Washington, Aug. 15.-The commit.
tee appointed by the grand commander
of the Grand Army Of the Republic to
investigate Pension Commissioner
Evans and report to the approaching
G. A. R. encampment at Philadelphia
has completed its report. The commit
tee exonerates Commissioner Evans
from the charges preferred against him
and will report that the pension Office
is being honestly and conscientiously
administered. The report will say that
the commotion is largely traceable to
popular misconstruction of some Of
the pension laws.
THE ENLIsTMENTs.
Washington, Aug. 15.-There, have
been enlisted for the ten regiments for
the Philippines 1900 men, leaving but
80 more to make the regiments COM
plete. 1t has been determined to send
400 recruits Of those raised to the Phil
ippines for the Thirty-sixth and Thirty