Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-13

gushed, when they were returned. The fire
started on the second floor of the building,
as stated, and because of the large amount
Of infiammable material in the building it
was only few minutes before the flames
were on the third floor and were eating
their way through the roof
Holes Cut in Wall.
For some time 1t was impossible for the
firemen to enter the structure on account
Of the dense smoke that filled every room,
and 1t was found to be necessary to cut
holes through the wall in order to get the
water where it would prove most effective
The flremen worked fully two hours be-
fore they had the flames under complete
control, and even after the last spark had
disappeared an engine company remained
at work. 1t was not until after daybreak
that the workers finally left the scene Be
cause OF the number of alarms sounded
and the bright light made by the fire sever
al thousand people were attracted to the
scene. Major Sylvester was on hand with
several lieutenants and the police reserves
from the first and sixth precincts, and the
Oflcers in the detail succeeded in render
ing valuable assistance to the firemen Oc-
tober 10 of last year fire visited the same
building and caused about $4,000 damage
The LeOnids and the Astronomers.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
II will be remembered that Just a wear
ago the whole country, relying on the con-
fiGent predictions of the most eminent as
tronomers, was getting ready to behold a
grand and spectacular shower of Novem-
bel meteors 1t was confidently predicted
that the great showers of 1898 and 1866
were to be repeated. great scientific ex-
pedltlon from Europe had been dispatche
to Delhi India and extensive prepara tions
were made at Yale, Harvard and all the
other American universities of note to
observe and record the shower with the
most approved modern methods As to the
exact day there some disagreement
the calculations including the space from
the 14th to the 10th. The morning of the
18th was considered the most likely date
The writer in a communication to The
Star, dated November IL, 1889, questioned
the probability of the occurrence of the
shower on that year, and added: Just
why the year 1899 is fixed by the authorities
for the return of a thirty-three-year neriod
of meteors, when 1867 was the last disnlav
In this country, is not quite clear to the
laity. But l venture to say that The Star
in November. 1900, will be able from the
roof of its new building to see quite a LOT
of leftover shooting stars from 1S99''
On the 18th Of November, 1899, a New
York paper in its Washington correspond
ence said: THE shower of leonids will not
occur this season. The brilliant spectacle
has been announced one year too soon" and
stated that this Surprising announcements
| was made on the 18th by the government
, greatest astronomer in Washington"
do not presume to suppose that the COM
| munication first referred to. which appeared
| In The Star on the 18th of November 1899
| had any influence in causing the "surpris-
| Ing announcement in the New York paper
| three days later. Yet still 1t Is possible
| thai although the learned astronomer gave
| the opinion referred to after the most
| careful observations made with the best
| instruments In the service Of the govern
| ment" yet he may have sought to rest his
| weary eye after soaring so long through
space in search Of the lost leonids, by gaz-
| ins on the mild effulgence of The Washing
| tor Evening Star, the more probably as
brilliant shooting stars are a daily oc.
| currence with that paper.
| But what l want to ask, now that the
year has brought again to midwinter
! now that the magnificent new building OF
| The Star is completed and offers coigr
| of advantage for star gaZers not easily
| eQualed, will not you please find out from
our government astronomers before the 18th
| instant whether we really to expect
| that shower of leonids this year or not
| Then We will spare them any "surprisins
| announcement made 1.-The day after the
| fair Do not let them wait until coughs
| banks and sneezes have seized on disap.
| pointed star gazers after their all-night
| vigils and then say Il told you So
| EDWD. NJ. SCHAFFER.
A Brightwood car struck a wagon be.
| longing to Joseph Junghaus, near Bright
| wood, about o'clock last night, injurns