New-York tribune., 1900-04-01
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
AN INCREASING EXPORT BUSINESS
PLAGUE SEARE ENDED-REHEAR-
ING IN FAIR WILL. CASE.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l

large increase or business at san Francesca thiS
summer The army business with the Philip
pines is constantly growing, and large pur-
chases Of material in this city stimulate
many lines OF trade Siberia has become a
heavy buyer of all kinds of railroad and mining
machinery and in general goods Vladivostock
has become important customer. This trade
will be materially increased when the new
steamer line between Siberia and San Francisco
is opened. The trade with China and Japan is
not what it would be if San Francisco mer-
chants showed more enterprise. but it is grow
ing rapidly, and the variety of articles demand
ed by the orientals is best proof that in the
near future they will have many wants as
European nations. and that they Will look to
California 10 supply them. Coils p. Hunting
ton, who arrived this week on his annual visit
spoke of the enormous trade of the Orient. which
rightfully belongs to San Francisco. but he also
dwelt upon the lack of enterprise revealed by
local merchants. who show eagerness to
capture this rich commerce. The Cape Nome
and other Alaskan trade also bids fair to be the
largest on record for the Far North. as the rec
ords show that no less than fourteen thousand
passengers will sail on the first vessel for Nome
from this city and Puget Sound ports.
Mayor Phelan put an official end to the bu-
bonic plague scare this week by sending tele
grams to Mayors of twoscore Eastern cities deny
ing that the disease existed here, that there
was any necessity for quarantine or for fear Of
infection. This denial cannot San Fran
cisco from serious loss business men every
day receive cable messages and kilograms show
ing that in tropical ports, where the plague is
feared, the idea is prevalent that San Francisco
is badly infected. There have been more sus-
picous deaths in Chinatown, and the quarter
has had thorough overhauling and cleansing.
The impression is growing in Honolulu that ex-
perts We're hasty in pronouncing the bubonic
plague 10 be there, many of the cases showed
the complication Of a mild form OF the plague
and pneumonia. II has cost the Hawaiian gov
ernment large to stamp out the disease
and suits may yet be brought by persons who
have suffered hardship and unnecessary loss at
the hands Of the health inspectors.
The absurd Newspaper Signature law
legally disposed of this week by Judge Hunt,
who declared that any action under it must be
begun by the Attorney General in the name of
the people. and not by a private person. The
law provided that every article that expressed
any opinion of living person that maligned
the dead must be signed by the writer, and that
any person injured by such article had recourse
TO the courts in a libel suit. Governor Gage act
ualy signed this ridiculous BILL because he has
had feud with the newspapers ever since his
election, and believed they should be permitted
to print only news Of public affairs that is given
out to them by officials.
The Supervisors this week defeated the bill to
prohibit poolselling and bookmaking within the
city limits. 1t measure directed against
numerous poolrooms frequented by young
clerks, which serve to stimulate the gambling
habit.
The notorious variety theatre known as the
Midway Plaisance, which has been a nuisance
in the most crowded block of Market-st for
years. will probab bly, close Its doors, as a
license has been refused to it sell liquor. The
place is a foul dive where liquor is sold by
women in boxes that encircle the theatre. and
many efforts have been made to suppress it. but
without avail. Under the new charter a license
be legally refused and this was done few
days ago.
new shipbuiding plant adjoining the Union
Iron Works will soon be opened by the Risdon
Iron Works, which has acquired the old plant
Of the Pacific Rolling Mills. This comprises
seventeen hundred feet of waterfront and thirty
two acres of ground covered with buildings that
be utilized with few changes. Several new
buildings and a drydock will be constructed
The officers of the Risdon Iron Works declare
they Will operate the plant independently of the
Shipbuilders Trust. They expect TO employ
three thousand men.
Paderewsh has given several concerts this
week, and though he has had large audiences
he has not aroused the same enthusiasm that he
did on his first visit, when the element Of curios
ity entered into the attraction that drew crowds
TO see him. The theatres have had nothing note
worthy this week Willie Collier appeared at
the Columbia in Mr. Smooth and at the Tivo
q new comic opera, Manila Bound was pro-
duced. 1t is an adaptation of lie Voyage en-
Chine"
The work Of demoishing the old Brannan
building, at the northeast corner Of California
and Montgomery SITS, viii begin next week. 1t
is a four story brick building, with granite fac
ing, and was built by Samuel Brannan in 1858
when the water of the bay up this lot
IT Is TO be supplanted by a large modern office
building. erected by AIvinZa Hayward.
A decision Of the State Supreme Court this
week reopens the Fair will case and permits an
other hearing Of the so-caIled trust will The
Court reversed Superior Judge Stacks decision
that the trust clause in Fairs will was invalid
and thus opens the case for another trial The
rehearing is set for the July calendar. The Fair
heirs, executors and Mrs. CraVen's adherents all
express satisfaction over the decision What
ever may be the ultimate verdict the large ar
ray OF high priced lawyers in the case is not
complaining over the prospect Of indefinite lIti-
cation.
A marked increase in the number Of Japanese
immigrants is noted here and at Puget Sound
ports since the Mikado's Government prohibited
any more emigration to Hawaii. Most of these
Japanese evidently violate the Contract Labor
law, but this cannot be proved, they all bring
money. They are attracted to California, by the
scarcity Of aborers especially in the fruit grow
ing districts due to the large decrease In the
Chinese population Of the State.
The California Cured Fruit Association has
secured 81 per cent of the prune crop in the
State and another month has been given to
increase this TO - per cent which is a safe
working basis. The failure to secure larger
percentage is due to the disincnation of large
packers TO permit their books TO be inspected by
the officers Of the association. If this prune
combine should fail the old runOus cutting of
prices will follow, with loss to growers and
packers.