New-York tribune., 1901-03-03
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
INQUIRY INTO WRECkING OF THE
CITY OF RIO JANEIRO-CAREER
OF SKILFUI. FORGER-RIvAL
RACETRACKS
Try TELEGRAPH To THE TRrBUNE-l

Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE-1
San Francisco March 2.-The inquiry into the
wreck of the Pacific Mail steamer City of Rio
Janeiro has elected few facts of any value. The
testimony is conflicting, but it is clearly shown
that the unusually strong currents due TO heavy
rains. carried the steamer out of her course, and
that she did not have full steam on. Chief
Engineer Herlihy was not at his post. and was
the only one of the engineering force who escaped
death The experts say that had the vessel had
a full head of steam on she might still have
been swept from her course With only partial
steam up. II is no wonder she was swept nearly
west to Fort Point. far out Of the usual course
of vessels entering or leaving the harbor The
confession of the life saving guard. Elngson'
that he heard the signals of the steamer out
failed TO turn in an alarm, furnishes the climax
to the incOmpetency revealed by the inquiry
EIlingson is a stupid Norwegian. who had peen
so much laughed at for giving false alarms that
he wanted to see a wreck before he reported H.
This caution probably prevented the saving OF
half of those who went down in the disaster II
is doubtful whether the divers will be able 10
reach the Rio Janeiro. the vessel lies in more
than one hundred feet of water. and the current
is very swift.
The escapades of the young Australian ex-
convict who poses as Sir Harry Westwood
Cooper in forging checks and eloping with a
young girl of Crockett. Cal, will probably land
this rogue in San Quentin Prison for long
term of years. The fellow is we'll educated,
handsome, of fine address and very skilfL! as a
penman He has record in Chicago. Toronto
and several other cities, where he has forged
checks and married confiding women Here
three years ago he was planning large con-
posed and sent to prison. He has only been out
two months, yet in that time he managed to
establish himself as a physician at Crockett.
to forge documents from England showing he
had inherited an estate worth $4,000 and to
elope with a young girl of Crockett. He was
caught on an overland train at Ogden. and will
be brought back here.
The Supervisors have authorized the opening
Of che Ingleside racetrack which is within the
city limits. and the selling Of pools on the races
there for thirty-six days. This is a victory for
the managers of the Tanforan track, which is
to be closed up after a very short season. be-
cause of the sharp practice of the Oakland race
track managers. The result will be that for
a month and a half more the Oakland track
Will have ruinous competition, as the racing
will be simultaneous the two tracks
The Independent Gas and Power Company, of
which Claus Spreckels is the head. has entered
into contracts for the construction of plant and
mains. One contract is with the United Gas
Improvement Company. OF Philadelphia for the
installation of a water gas plant Of the ultimate
capacity of twelve million cubic feet day. The
first section of two million feet capacity. will be
ready by the first of next year. and the plant
will be enlarged in sections as the demand re-
The will ha thOnSan6 cubic
feet or less.
Colonel Olcott head of the Theosophists has
received a cordial welcome here. where the So
ciety is very strong He is to deliver several ect-
ures in this city and from here goes 70 San
Diego where at Point Iona. the Theosophlsts
have erected fine building.
Commander Herbert Winslow. Of the hospital
ship Solace. made a good deal or trouole ths
week for the customs officers but In the end
thew overcame his opposition and searched the
vessel from which he barred them for three
DAYS. on the previous trip of the Solace Com
mander Wnslow objected 70 a search, ~ Whch
resulted in bringing to light II cases or chinese
loot that netted $1,000 in duties. Commander
WinslOw's contention this time was that the
vessel had been inspected at Honolulu ana
passed hence as Hawaii IS American ter
rftory there was ground for further search
The Customs and Navy departments both over
ruled WinslOw. and the commander was az last
forced to allow the customs officials on board
intensely
in "Zaza' has crowded the Columbia Theatre all
the week and bids fair to draw large houses all
next week.
The attempt Of the Minnesota lumberman,
Whiteside TO secure half million dollars for the
Calaveras big tree grove has caused general
disgust here where II is known that the greater
part of the giant sequOias are unfit for lumber
Whiteside bought the Calaveras grove purely on
speculation expecting to coin large proht out
of public sentiment. The result of his greed VIII
probably be that the government will condemn
the property and have il appraised for reser-
walton. The State is willing to maintain the
grove if il be assured Of valid title
An attempt was made this week by the San
Francisco Stock Exchange to sell its property
in Pine-st to the Producers Oil Exchange for
one member. Charles Sontag. pointed the
folly OF hurdening the young exchange with a
heavy debt of nearly quarter of a million dol
lars.
a determined effort is to he made 10 rid China
town Of the women slaves who bought and
sold in Canton any other Chinese city
The United States District Attorney has been
advised by the AttOrney-General to lend his aid
to the State authorities in the effort TO stamp
out the vile traffic
Ex-J1nited States Senator Stephen NJ White
who died suddenly at Los Angeles. left estate
of S11S000 His WILL which only six lines
long, left everything to his wife.
The feature of the stock market this week was
the strength of sugar stocks especially of Pau
hqau. Onomea and the others which to be
Hawaii good and it is predicted that all the
sugar stocks will advance in the next few
months
Two noteworthy sales of real estate were made
this week Balfour, Guthrie & Co bought the
lot and building at No. 3lS California-st ad-
lot is only "a by 40 feet. The northwest corner
of Drum and Clay SITS. 40 by 6Ol@ has been sold