davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
THE CANALS ON MARS.
Dr. Brooks Believes the Marking.
Indicate Vegetation on the Hanks

GENEVA. n. Y. April 23.--Dr. william
-. Brooks. professor OF astronomy In
hobart College. and director of smith
observatory in this city. intimated In "A
lecture last evening that ne considered
Mars an inhabitable planet. He said that
what are commonly called Marian canals
are not the canals themselves but yegeta-
| ton along the banks. In an Interview to-
day he was asked whether the theory OF
Edward 5. Holden that Mars Ia unln-
haDitabie is general among progressive
| astronomers. he said:
Mr. Holden's opinion is worth no more
than the opinion of any other one man.
tFfs experience as an astronomer has been
Wide and his views are worthy of attep-
ton, but the statement that astronomers
generally discount the canals OF Mars
theory is untrue. on the contrary. the
reading astronomers of the day are salts
ned that such canals exist Mr. Holden is
one OF the rare exceptions
1t is true, however, that not every
observer can see the canals. That is no
indication that they do not exist. / have
seen them through the Smith telescope,
and they have been viewed times with
out number through other large telescopes
by men whose intelligence and veracity
cannot be questioned. I am one of those
who believe that Mars is inhabitable. and
lido not think Mr. Holden's assumptions
to the contrary are warranted by the
facts
HE asserts that If a man were to be
transported to the planet he would freeze
in an incalculable space of time Now.
that Is pure guesswork. There is every
reason to believe that Mars Is inhabitable,
just as the earth Is inhabitable."
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
THE CHARLESTON EXPOSITION
Members of the Cabinet Greatly In
tercsted In the Display

The Cabinet, at its meeting yesterday.
discussed the request of the managers of
the proposed Charlesto on Exposition made
through Senator McLaurin. for the loan
Of portion Of the Government exhibit
now at the Pan-American Exposition in
Buffalo. The Charleston show will be-
gin on December l, one month after the
close of the Pan-American Exposition.
and will continue until the following May.
There is not sufficient room to accommo-
date the entire exhibit. but considera-
BILE portion of it can be displayed. The
expression of the members of the Cabinet
was favorable to granting the request.
a request has also been made by the
Exposition managers for the privilege of
allowing exhibits from the West Indies
to be imported in bond to obviate the ne
cessity of paying heavy duties This mat
ter was left in the hands of Secretary
Gage and it Is thought that favorable ac-
ton will be taken upon the proposition.
The members of the Cabinet expressed
themselves as being especially DESTROYS
to favor Charleston in this manner. as
the exposition failed to secure a Con-
srassional Augmentation.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
The British Bondage.

There is apparently some dissatisfac-
ton in London because the Morgan
| syndicate has been allowed to take
fifty million dollars of the new British
loan. The reason for this feeling is
that at the subscription price-ninety-
four and a fraction-the investment
would be sufficiently attractive to Eng
I lishmen TO guarantee the placing of the
whole issue at home.
No doubt that is true, but the British
Government is perhaps willing to stand
a little grumbling and criticism in
view of its apparent determination to
take hostages of fortune in the United
States whenever that is possible. In
short, If England can manage to owe
this country few hundred million
dollars. it is perfectly obvious that
whatever thereafter shall happen dis
astrously TO the Kingdom VIII to son.G
extent threaten the solIdity of British
securities. On the other hand, what
ever works to the advantage and pros
perity of the debtor nation must be
hailed with satisfaction by American
creditors
So these British investments Of our
trust magnates Will bind the two coun-
tries more and more together in a GER
tain sense. They will increase the SEN
timent. already existent among our rul-
ing class, the trusts and monopoles
favorable TO British interests in Central
America and Alaska, and will no doubt
be strongly reflected in our foreign pol
icy and diplomatic action generally.
We should not mind this so much were
England a fair dealer, but that is
a consideration which is interesting
people. The few plutocrats who control
and operate their Government care for
nothing beyond their own gain. To
them an exclusively American inter
oceanic canal is but a sentimental
dream. They would quite as willingly
see it British or Russian, if thereby
they could reap any financial advant-
age. As for the part of our Alaskan
territory stolen from us by Great Brit
ain they would be much more ready to
90 into syndicate to develop its min
eral wealth under the British flag than
to see it restored to its rightful owner.
Indeed, we may observe in the Ameri-
can subscription 10 the new consols a
patent of the nearby time when this
country will indeed be in effect an &C
knowledged subdivision of Greater Brit |
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24

if they have mind. or allow Amer
leans in China to shift for themselves.
We can understand why the Admin
istration desires to shirk further re-
sponsibility. but not why European
Governments should. Their statesmen,
diplomatists. and commanders know
quite as well as we do that the Dow
ager would order a general massacre
of foreigners today if she dared, and
that to turn them over to her tender
mercies would be like hiring a tiger
as wet nurse to a lamb. As a self-evi-
dent proposition we insist that the al
lied forces in China never should have
been diminished or have ceased active
operations until the she-fend Isl Hsi
had been killed, or carried into exile.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
DISEASE IN HAVANA.
Major Hazards Report on the City's
Sanitary Condition

| HAVANA. April 22-Major Hazard
| Chief Surgeon. in a report on the sanitary
condition Of Havana since 1890. says the
overcrowding Of the city is illustrated by
the fact that there are only 26. 900 houses
while the population is 25o.Go0. or "a in
habitants to each house. a large pro-
| portion Of these houses are only one story
| high
Not only Is there overcrowding in the
houses. but the houses themselves over
| crowd the city. which occupies n smaller
area than any city In the United States
with the same population The report
| adds that tuberculosis is the most widely
! spread disease. Between is9O and 1893
there were 1880 deaths from this disease.
| which was 1876 per cent Of the total NOR
tally during that period or rs per 90
population. During the same period yell
low fever furnished only All per cent OF
the total mortality
The year 1900 shows the effect of Amer
lean sanitation. This was the first year
for long period when the births ex-
ceeded the deaths. Yellow fever has been
known in Havana since 1720. and since
1863 the disease has been endemic. The
disease, however. is not as fatal here as
typhoid fever is in the United States
The knowledge that mosquitoes propa-
gate the disease has thrown much light
on the matter. Dirt does not cause the
disease, but may tend to increase the
number of mosquitoes
The subject of immunity Is very inter-
esting- All Cubans are not immunes.
Those who live in cities where the disease
is endemic are immunes, but those who
passed their infancy in rural districts are
not immune. Surgeon Hazard says that
In order for person to be immune from
any endemic disease it is necessary for
him to have had the disease There is no
reason to suppose that yellow fever is an
exception to this rule
Consequently it is probable that Cubans
born and brought up in cities have the
disease in mild form in infancy. II is
not sufficient for person to have lived
in the tropics 20 become immune. He
must live in a place where the disease is
endemic. OF the Americans treated for
yellow fever at the Animas Hospital 70
per cent died, against 30 per cent in the
case of Spaniards.
Postmaster Harrison is about to retire
and return to the United States Carlos
Hernandez. Cuban, has been appointed
to succeed him.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
THE REDUCTION OF REVENUE.
Articles Affected by the Law rs
Amended by Congress.

| For the assistance of internal revenue
collectors and the public generally in
clearly interpreting the amended war rev.
enue law. which will go into effect on
July l. the Commissioner of Internal Rev
enue Yesterday sent out the following
lar:
Attention IL called to the following
changes in the schedules and occupations
subject to tax under the internal revenue
law made by the act of March 2, 1901:
The repeal of the following taxes will
take effect July /, 1901, viz: Special tax OF
commercial brokers, stamp taxes on bank
checks. drafts and orders for the pay
ments of money at sight or on demand
drafts or orders for the payment Of mon
ey otherwise than at sight or on demand
remain taNable), certificates of deposit,
postoffice money orders. prOmissory notes,
mortgages, leases, export bills of lading.
manifests fer custom house entries or
clearing of cargo, powers of attorney,
protests, charter parties. certificates of
all kinds. except certificates Of profit or
certificates showing interest in property
or dccumulations Of companies. ware
house receipts, Geographic dispatches,
express receipts domestic freight bills of
lading remain taXable). policies of insur-
ance and premiums charged for marine.
inland, fire, casualty. fidelity, and guar
anteeing insurance: taxes on telephone
messages. stamp taxes on medicinal pro-
prietary articles. perfumeries. and cos
metics. chewing gum. and all articles in
Schedule u, except wine
The tax on legacies for religious. char
table, literary. and educational purposes
was repealed on March l. 1901.
''TaXes will be reduced on and after
July 1. 1891. on conveyances of real estate.
passage ticket cigars. snuff, and tobac-
co; fermented liquors. foreign bills of ex-
change and foreign money orders
Additional tax imposed on April !. 1901,
viz: Special tax on dealers in grain securi-
ties, etc. doing Il bucket shop business
and stamp tax on contract agreements
of such dealers
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
HIS SURE CURE BARRED.
Charles II. RowaD's Appeal OverruI-
ed by the Postmaster General.

| Postmaster General Smith yesterday
/ overruled the appeal of Charles H.
/ Rowan. of Milwaukee. from fraud order
I issued against him last March by the
| Postofiice Department. Rowan has ad-
vertised extensively a cure for deafness
and guaranteed a sure cure or money re-
funded. His method was extremely in
genious- He had prepared to avoid
punishment for a long time
To Introduce his cure he offered six
months treatment for $3.50 At the end
of that time his victims would write and
demand their money back. whereupon he
would inform them that the $3.50 cure was
for mild cases only and their cases were
evidently obstinate. To complete the
cure it was necessary for them to send
SO more and he guaranteed a sure cure:
If not cured after taking the additional
medicine he would refund the money or
give a special treatment free of charge.
When the victim bit and sent in his
SIS he received six boxes OF pills. contain
ing in all about 1000 pills The iustruc-
tons read that ne was to take one each
night until all were taken when he would
be cured. At this rate the pills would last
Tor about six years. and until the pills
had been taken according to directions no
prosecution for obtaining money under
false pretences could be made nor was it
possible 10 make a demand for the return
OF The Money As the directions stipulated
that II the patient omitted to take even
one pill at the proper time during the
treatment he would nave to begin ali over
again, it became substantially impossible
to prosecute him.
The department took the case in charge
and obtained the names of eighty persons
who had sent him money orders. All but
two or three testified they believed the
pills to be worthless. The department is
sued fraud order against Rowan and
he took an appeal to the Postmaster Cen
eral. lie claimed to have 30 600 testimon-
ials to the efficacy of his medicine and
a number of alleged kilograms from pa
tientS who had been benefited were filed
with his case.
The department investigated the teIe-
grams and found that some were signed
by persons who could not be located and
presumably were fictitious; others pur-
ported to be signed by persons who de-
MED having signed them, and still others
were from people who never were deaf
Consequently the Postmaster General
yesterday overruled the appeal
RoWanS record is a bad one. He was
arrested in April. 1883. on a charge of
using the mails to defraud and spent
three months in Jail and paid fine of
$50 In 1892 he was again ar |
rested on the same charge and
sent to Jail for three months
and fined $50. He was arrested in 1888 on |
a similar charge and has six indictments |
pending against him. In 1893 he was ar |
rested on a charge of attempting to bride !
the Assistant District Attorney. Charles /
NJ. Anderson. and a postoffice Inspector in !
connection with the indictments still (
pending against him. He advertised |
c. IL. Rowan. c. Rowan. and has a post
Office box in Milwaukee,
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
HIS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
Governor Allen submits n Statement
of the Affairs of Porto Rico

Governor Allen. Of Porto Rico. presented
his first annual report to Secretary Hay
yesterday. He has been delayed here for
several days awaiting its arrival. The re-
port is a somewhat yoluminous document
and covers a wide range of subjects at
fecting affairs in the island. Governor
Allen treats the subject of civil govern
ment at some length, discussing its in
auguration and development during the
year he has been at its head He also re-
ports upon the general condition Of af-
fairs In Porto Rico and makes d number
of recommendations.
The report contains a number of inter
esting chapters. 1t will be made public
after the department has had an oppor-
tunity to consider il. The act establish
ing the civil government requires the gov
ernor To submit an annual report TO the
State Department, which has Jurisdiction
over Porto RicN
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
THE STRENGTH OF THE ARMY.
Probable That 1t VIII BE Limited to
About 10000 Men.

At a conference with Lieutenant Gener-
al Miles yesterday afternoon the Secre-
tary of War determined to limit the
strength of the reOrganized army to about
76 900 men. 1t will, therefore, not be re-
cruited up to the maximum strength au-
thorized by Congress, which would be
about 100000 men. Secretary Roots de-
cision is practically in line with a recon-
mendation made by General Miles sever
nj months ago and renewed by him in
a letter to the Secretary of War on the
Sd Of April. In this letter General Miles
recommended that the army he limi ed
TO one soldier to every 1000 of popula-
ton. namely, 5000 men.
While this decision has not been an
nounced officially. il was learned yester-
day that such action will be taken within
"A few days. The details of the plan for
organizing the army are to be gone over
by General Miles, who has been requested
by Secretary Root to prepare a report
upon the subject for his consideration as
soon as possible.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
MR.. KNOX TO DECIDE.
A Conference on the Plans for the
Palace of Justice.

The matter Of the erection of a new
building for the Department of Justice
was brought up yesterday by Attorney
General Knox and discussed at the meet
ing OF the Cabinet. There is considerable
sentiment in favor of delaying the matter
until the next session of Congress and
then asking for an additional appropria-
ton to construct a building which will
be commensurate with the growing needs
OF the Department. The sum of 81 900,
600 has been appropriated. but it is con-
sidered doubtful whether this will be suf-
iicent.
Nc definite action was taken in the mat
ter yesterday by the Cabinet. the opin-
ion being that Attorney General Knox
should be allowed to determine the better
course He will have conference TODAY
with George b Post. the New York archi-
tect, who designed the plans for the build
ing as al present contemplated and which
were accepted by eX-Attorney General
Grisgs.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
Military Spoil Grabbings.


The looting principle is apparently inseparabIe
from large army movements. victorious army
is tacitly supported in this doctrine of loot by
military usage, 50 long the thicying is con-
fired to the property of the beaten Toe. But
when the principle is established it is but
a step to the looting of property whenever and
wherever il be found regardless of its
ownership. long the theft be concealed
Militarism Is a prop and support Tor the
dishonest contractor. When the distance from
possible discovery in the case OF Cuba or the
Philippines, is considerable, the tendency toward
loot becomes more pronounced The extrava-
gauce OF cOmmissITy departments in large army
movements is notorious. Official waste Of this
kind is direct incentive 10 the chronic looter
a. we'll as a temptation TO Others whose record,
for the first time may be tainted with dishonesty
The whole miserable revelations from the Philip
prrs are directly due 10 extravaganza II not
reckless waste. in she commissary department.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
LEAVES FOR COLORADO.
Secretary Long to Spend n Few Days
With His Children

Secretary Long. who was TO have ac-
companied the President on his 1900
mile trip from Washington. has gone to
Colorado Springs to visit his three chill
dren at that place, where he win re-
main until the President starts upon his
journey to the Pacific Coast.
Secretary longs daughter, who has
been in poor health for some time, is at
Colorado Springs, and it is in order that
he may spend few days with her that
he leaves for the West at this time
Mr. Long witt join the Presidents party
before California is reached.
Mrs Long will probably join Mr.. Long
later at Colorado Springs
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
KENTUcKY's FRANCHISE TAX.
Heavy Assessment on All the
Railroads in the state.

FRANKFORT. KY, April 2S.-The State
Board of Valuation and Assessment today
fixed the franchise tax on the railroad
property of the State. The assessment is
levied on so per cent of the capital stock
of the companies, computed on basis of
per cent OF net earnings Of the roads.
The assessment is made from the date of
the new revenue law in 1893 and amounts
to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The
board holds that in addition to a State
franchise tax the roads are also lia1;c for
county and municipal taxes.
The board is composed of Mr.. Hill, Sec
rotary of State; Mr.. Coulter, Auditor. and
Mr. Hager Treasurer. Secretary Hill diff
fered from the other members of the
board, holding that to levy the tax
in this manner amounted to an income
IA
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24

The committee of the Cuban Constitu-
tional Convention now on their way from
the Pearl of the Antilles to the White
House, to discuss the Plat terms with
President Mckinley, will be surprised at
the warmth OF their greeting They are
to be given a state dinner and shown no
end of attention by the War Department
When they get back to Cuba the chances
are that they will be lynched for having
turned Yankees. They are about to come
I'm contact with the most persuasive and
smoothing intellect on record. and they
need not expect TO escape the conse-
quences. Before their second course and
their third bottle they will be singing the
Star Spangled and dancing to the tune
on the dinner table. The remainder of
the convention may continue to be re-
calcitrant, 1ut it is a reasonably safe
wager that these particular selections will
90 home annexationists.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION.
The Call for an Alabama Convention
Receives "a Big Vote.

MONTGOMERY. Ala, April 23.-An
election was held in Alabama today to
determine WHITTIER a convention should
be held in this city. beginning May q.
for the purpose of reforming the consti-
tuition of the State to latter-day needs.
chief among which is deemed to be the
Acknowledgement of the ignorant negro.
Returns throughout the State Indicate
that the election has been spiritless and
the vote very light. the negroes as a rule
not appearing to care whether the fran
chise was taken from them.
The returns leave no room for the
doubt that the call for the convention has
been carried by four-fifths majority.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24

After a rest of several days in New
York Mr.. LOOMS. our Minister TO Vene-
zuela, is in Washington. has had talk
with the Secretary of State, and appears
to be completely in the good books of the
Administration. General F. V. Greene.
the other principal factor in our relations
with Venezuela. has not yet arrived. So
it would be impossible at this stage OF
the proceedings to guess at anything def
mite as to our future policy. except that
as matter of course it will be largely
dictated by the wishes and interests Of
the Asphalt Trust.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
OIL LAND PRICES SOARING.
Ex-Governor Hogg offered 800, 900
for Property Bought for $4,000.

AUSTIN. Tex. April 23.-Ex-Gov. James
5. Hogg, who purchased a small tract of
oil land south of Beaumont about ten days
ago. for $4,000. was today offered 500, 900
cash for the property. He declined the
offer.
He has had phenomenal success in the
new oil fields and is interested in several
of the biggest interests there. In addition
to his holdings near Beaumont, he owns
a large tract of land near the mouth Of
the BraZos. for which he paid s24,0O0
few days ago This latter tract is also
oil land, and 1t has increased in value over
3 per cent since Mr.. Hogg purchased 1t.
The Ex-Governor says he Is out of poll
tics for good.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24

Representative Babcock Of Wisconsin is
quoted as expressing the opinion that it
is the duty Of Congress to remove tine
tariff from iron, steel. and all other artl-
Giles which can be made more cheaply in
the United States than elsewhere. Such a
course, he holds, is in direct line with
Republican policy. Perhaps it may be.
Next winter we shall probably have an
opportunity to observe how completely
eminent Republicans like Mr.. J. p. Nor
gan aud Mr. Hanna agree with the gen.
tleman from the Lake country.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24

There is TO be n@T dome over the su-
preme Court room. The present one is
suspected of being unsafe. So much so
that should the court announce a decision
supporting the Administration against the
Constitution, it is to be feared that the
old ceiling. which once echoed TO the noble
utterances Of john Marshall, might col
lapse and bury everything and everybody
in the chamber. We sincerely hope that
this is not reason why the decision has
been so long delayed.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-24
CorbiB Has other Views.



OF course, the War Department promptly re-
iects the Recommendation Of Lieutenant General
Miles concerning enlistments Tor the army, That
II was sound and reasonable and met with gen
eral pubIic approval was but the greater reason
for turning i down The idea that soldier
and particularly the officer nominally COM
manding the army can know rs mrch OF military
affairs as the poiificians of the Var Department
Is not to lie encouraged