Evening star., 1900-01-06
Points in Demurrer Being Consid-
cred by Judge WaddiII.
GENERAL AND PERSONAL
Evening Star Bureau,
No. I01 King st.
(Bell Telenhone No. 1867,


The case. heretofore reported in The Star,
is that of the United States against Mr. r.
ii. Phillips. manager of the Washington,
Arlington and Falls Church Railroad Com
pany. in which the defendant is charged
with interfering with telephone and tele-
graph line alleged to be owned and oper-
ated by the government.
The indictment alleges that Mr.. Phillips
did wi!ifutly or malfciously injure certain
line known as the United States military
telegraph and telephone line connecting
Fort Myer with Sheridans Point.
There are six counts in the indictment.
They all set forth that the alleged offenses
occurred during the Spanish-American war.
Inc hrst charges that the defendants, by
attaching a line TO a pole owned and con-
trolled by the government. pul, ed the said
pole out of the perpendicular. and thereby
interfered with the purpose for which the
ilne was constructed. In the other counts
1t is alleged that the defendant moved one
OF the poles out of its position leaving the
wire hanging loose; that he removed the
wire from the bars on certain poles placing
them on lmproviSed arrangements higher
up on the poles. and that in various other
ways the defendant interfered with the gov
ernment ine.
Mr.. Phillips was given hearing before
Judge Waddll i'll Richmond and his case
was postponed until the January term of
court in this city. He is represented by able
counsel and the governments case is in
the hands of Gen. Edgar Alien. United
States district attoroney.
Effect of Decision.
further hearing in the case is held in
allegiance to Judge Waddill's decision on
would. Of course. quash proceedings. IT, on
the otter hand. the demurrer is overruled.
the case will come up on its merits, and
some very important and Interesting ques-
tiCns Will arise. Among them will doubt
less be that Of whether the federal govern
nent can acquire absolute control and SOW
eieignty owe property within state, with
out special legislation comforting such
privileges. The negative side of this ques-
ton is held Ly the defense. which claims
that the government had no authority to
construct ana operate the telephone line in
question. 1t is also pointed out by the de-
fcnse that the governments indictment
does not, at g single point charge that the
operation of the line was interrupted or
prevented by the alleged actions of the de-
fendant.
1t is said that should the case come up
on its merits former Lieut. james a. 11g
gins of Philadelphia. who was connected
with the construction of the line under liti
CATION, will be an important witness for the
government. 49,
Agricultural Fair Association.
The Agricultural and Industrial Fair As
sociation of Northern Virginia, which pro-
poses the esta abishment of an annual fair
at near this city, met late yesterday
afternoon in the. rooms of the Business
Mems League. with q large attendance.
Mr.. Garrow occupied the chair and an
nounced that Mr.. James w. Roberts, who
had been elected president; Mr.. Edward
Hunt. treasurer, and Mr.. s. r. Donahoe
secretary. had all declined to serve.
In each case business duties were given
as reason for the declination letter
VOC n frn in,
which he did not positively decline serving,
and his election was permitted to stand
On motion of Mr.. NJ. b. Harlow, a COM
mittee was appointed to confer with
offices to which they were elected, respec-
lively, and In case they adhered to their
determination, to select others for the po-
sitions. Chairman Garrow selected Messrs
NJ B. Harlow, NJ. E. Church, DIR. D. N
Rust and Courtland H Smith to serve on
this committee.
Later on Dr. D. N. Rust was unanimous
ly chosen treasurer, on motion of Mr. Har-
low. who thought the organization should
not be without a financial manager for~lny
length of time. The list of vice presidents
K. NJ Norton of this city, Judge ]. B. Nc
Cabe OF Leesburg ind Mr. John f. Ryan of
Loudoun county.
The committee on site reported having
viewed several places just outside of Alex
andria but deferred making any recon-
nendation. A committee, consisting of
Messrs. NJ B. Harlow and Courtland H.
Smith, was appointed to confer with the
owners of the Alexander Island race track
with a view of purchasing the buildings
there. Mr.. CORTLAND II. Smith was added
to the executive committee. and. after an
Informal discussion concerning the estab-
ltshment by the legislature of a manual
school for boys near this city. the meet
ing adjourned until February s.
Officers Chosen.
The following officers We're elected at the
annual meeting of the Relief Hook and
Ladder Company held last night: Park
Agnew, president: John II. Trimyer, first
vice president: C. l.. Pickin. second vice
president; ]. R. Mansfield, secretary; Harry
Haynes, assistant secretary: r. NJ. Latham,
foreman; w. T. Rogers. first assistant fore
man, and A. w. Melcbior. second assistant
foreman; property committee, r. NJ. La
than. J. R. Pickin. William Entwisle, W.
T. Rogers, c. l.. Pickin; membership COM
mittee, q. Meyers, r. w. Arnold. c. L.
Pickin, Harry Haynes and E. P. Matter
A vote of thanks was extended to the
retiring secretary, Mr.. C. L. Pickin for
faithful performance of duties during
eighteen years incumbency.
General Matters.
The only business transacted in the United
States court yesterday afternoon was the
entering of decree by which the Christian
Moerline Brewing Company was made
party uele0udnI the Sull Ol benjamin r.
Perry against the town of Colonial Beach,
and the defendants were summoned to ap-
pear in court January ~.
The regular monthly business meeting of
the Epworth League, M. Z. Church South,
was held last night, when the following
officers, to serve for six months. were in
stalled: E. B. Kemp, president; Robert W.
Whatey, first vice president: Miss Emma
Pattie, second vice president; Miss Lula
Cockey, third vice president: Julian Y. VIII
liams, secretary Miss Katie Price, treas
urer, and Miss Anna Summers, librarian.
Funeral services over the remains of
Clarence E. French, who died Thursday
morning took place at 9:3o o'clock this
morning from the late residence of the
deceased on South Washington street. The
pallbearers were DIR. r. M. Jones, Frank $.
Marbury, c. B. Semmes, ]. c. Smoot and
Thomas w. Robinson The remains were
conveyed to Washington and inferred i'll
Mount Olivet cemetery.
There was but one case tried before
Mayor Simpson in the police court this
morning that of Samuel Murray, colored,
charged with disorderly conduct The COM
piainant, Martha Hughes. failing to appear,
the case was dismissed. Later Martha
Hughes was arrested and fined $3.50 for
contempt of court In falling to attend at
the hearing named.