davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1901-05-16
TORPEDO FLOTlLLA PLANS.
\ Naval Board at pensacola VIII
Consider T,eir Utility.


The naval board appointed 10 devise
scheme of practical usefulness for the
torpedo fiotilla. viii meeJ at Pensacola,
Fla, on Saturday 1t hls been decided to
establish three main torpedo stations, one
along the North Atlanticl at some central
point. say New Londonu conn; another
at a convenient point on the South At
lantic probably at Port Royal, and
third on the Gulf of Mexico, probably at
Pensacola.
The statement issued by the Navy De
partment on Tuesday on the condition OF
vessels under construction shows that
thirty more torpedo boats and destroy
ers are practically completed, many OF
them being So far advanced that they are
undergoing their final trials. These VIII
all be added to the fiotilla within the
coming summer. and with the large
number already in commission, about. NJ
teen, the torpedo board will determine
upon a general line of policy as to their
use, both in times of peace and war.
Captain Converse, Chairman of the board,
is one of the most enthusiastic oh1cers
liz the navy on the value of the torpedo
boat as an adjunct to naval service. lie
looks upon the present fiotilla as the
nucleus for much more extensive sys-
tenn and the board has taken up the SUB
jeCt with view to developing the full
resources of that branch of naval defence
o Associated with HIM is Lieutenant Chand-
ler at present in charge OF the torpedo
branch Of naval ordnance, and recog-
nized authority on the use Of torpedoes IN
naval warfare
The times., 1901-05-16
TO IMPORT RAW SILK DIRECT.
Our Consul ut Beirut Advises Ameri-
cnn Msnufnciurern.

G. Bic Ravndal, the American Consul
at Beirut. Syria, has written to the State
Department urging the advisability of
the Importation of Syrian raw silk by
American importers direct instead of via
Lyons. as has been done in the past Dis
cussing the raw silk situation Mr.. Ravn-
dal says:
silk is to Syria what wheat is to our
Northwestern States; what cotton is to
the South. If we succeed in inaugurating
direct dealings in silk the two countries
will be brought into close relations. and
American products will find a hearty well
come in Syria. Direct and regular steam
ship facilities might be one of the con-
sequences of the success of this move
ment. 1t is matter of high commercial
Importance, exclusive of the Immediate
benefits which presumably would accrue
TO the American i1k-manufaeturing in
dustry, which is developing at such rap
id rate. as well as to the Syrian silk
grower.
The objections of the American manu-
facturer to direct silk transactions with
Syria may be summed up as follows: The
Syrian reeling does not conform at pres
ent to the American looms, the Syrian
wheels being 50 centimetres (311a inches)
in circumference. while 81 centimetres
(25.2 inches) would more nearly satisfy
American needs. 1t is further argued that
the Syrian silk is not always clean. nor
the threads perfectly even, and yellow
silk does not answer as well for delicate
shading as white. Besides, can the Syrian
exporter be depended upon to live up to
contracts2
From correspondence with silk houses
at home 1 feel satisfied that these OBJ
stacles are not insurmountable, and
trust this will soon be eonclusively
proven. A satisfactory proprietor in the
Lebanon has finally been induced to adopt
64-centimetre wheels, and sample bale
of 100 Kilograms (22046 poundS) is due to
proceed to New York about April l, con-
signed 10 a prominent commission agent
in that city by II. Sabbag & fills. of Bel
''The Syrian silk thread is exceptionally
strong, this being due to the excellent
quality of the Syrian mulberry leaf on
which the worm feeds. 1t is of the same
color as the Italian silk, of which in
creasing quantities are being sold in the
United States without LyoneSe inspection.
1t is handled by persons who for years
have been dealing on large scale with
the United States in wool, licorice root,
bitumen, etc, and have never failed to
make good their agreements, The scheme
should be given a fair trial If success
attends this experiment the French
wheels will probably disappear from Syr-
ian silk factories.
The average value of the annual raw
silk exports from Syria may be put at
S.. .OOO.O OO0 The United States bought raw
silk in 1900 for 1929, 100 as against s52.-
1850 in 1889, and sove S5,0O,0O per an
mum in the seventies. The total SILK
production of the world for 1900 being
figured at 3S, ,32S S2S pounds. it would ap-
pear that the United States silk mills at
the beginning of the, twentieth century
consume more than one-fifth of the en-
tire output of raw material.
The times., 1901-05-16
GEN. E. M. HOFFMAN DEAD.
One of the Best known New York
MiIitinmen Expires.

ALBANY, n. Y, May 15.-NIilitary cir
cles have not yet recovered from the
shock of Adjt. Cen Edward NJ. Hoffman's
death, which occurred suddenly today.
The cause was heart disease.
The general was at his Office in the
capitol before o'clock, and disposed
OF business as usual. He started TO take
luncheon at 12:30 o'clock this afternoon
at the Hotel Ten Eyck, where he stays
while in the city. Arriving at the hotel
he retired to his room for a short time.
little after l o'clock the general,
feeling III. sent down stairs for Col A.
II. Rennie, the day clerk. Colonel Rennie
saw that the general was i'll, and after
helping his disrObe, telephoned for ply
sicians General Hoffman then retired,
and was in bad shape when DR.. c. E.
Davis and Dr. Milbank arrived at 1:45.
The physicians labored with their pa
tient, realizing he was suffering from
weak heart. Fifteen minutes afterward
General Hoffman died 1t was only two
hours before that he had expressed re-
gret that he was not in active service, as
he observed the men from the Twenty
third Brooklyn Regiment trudging past
the capitol to report for strike duty.
General Hoffmans friends at once in
was escorted to his home there on late
train by a number of his Office force and
guard from the Tenth Battalion
General Hoffman had been in the Ma
tional Guard for twenty-five years. He
enlisted in the 1lUh Battalion as a pri-
vate on October 10, 1874; was commissioned
second lieutenant April Z. 1877; first lieu
tenant of the Thirtieth Separate Com
many November % 1881; lieutenant colonel
and assistant adjutant general, Seventh
Brigade, December 6, 1884; supernumerary,
August 5. 1886; first lieutenant Thirtieth
Separate Company, May Il. 1887; captain.
September /. 1890; Inspector general. De
cember II. 1856. and was reappointed Janu-
airy /, 1897.
General Hoffman was appointed by
Governor Roosevelt as adjutant general
to succeed Adjutant General Andrews, re
signed on January l, 1900. ana he was
reappointed by Governor Odell. He was
one of the best known and most popular
officers in the Guard.
The times., 1901-05-16
TWO MONTANA cAvERNs.
One II Dazzling show zsf staIactites,
the other an Ice Well.
QErom the New York SUM-

tfIuH lue New 10TH sum-
Some ranchers found a cave in the
mountain near Jefferson Island. Madison
county Mont, several years ago. but no
attempt was made to explore it until
about three weeks ago, when John Nc
Donald ventured down into il.
First tying one end OF long rope near
the oritice he gathered the coil in his
hands and made the descent. The first
fifty feet was almost perpendicular. The
cave was then followed on an incline of
about so degrees for some distance, when
an incline of at least 10 degrees was tray-
ersed. Sleeper inclines and precipitous
drops We're met until the rope gave out.
The sight from this point Mcdonald
says, was too grand TO describe. The roof
OF the cave was studded with ponderOus
stalactiteS which SparkIed like diamonds
as far as light revealed the gorgeous de-
play. The sound of a rolling rock. whie n
the adVep tUrer started on an inyeStigat-
ing tour, could be distinguished for 4 long
time.
About a week ago. more rope having
arrived. Mcdonald started on another de-
scent into the cavern Providing himself
with a better light he entered the narrow
opening.
Stalactites from thirty to forty feet in
length presented diamOndslike network
of dazzling display which outrivaled AIad-
dinS cave. So great was the brilliancy
that Mcdonald compared it to snowbliud-
ness
Mcdonald had proceeded about 400 feet
on his rope when he was stopped bv a
eerned. Mcdonald thinks a running
stream is there.
The cavern is to be explored further by
a party jefferson Island is about ten
miles south of Whitehall. on the line of
the Northern Pacific, between Butte and
Logan.
Montana has another phenomenon in the
way of caves Just across and opposite
the Missouri River from Helena is
small stream called Trout Creek. noted
early-day placer district On one side Of
this stream is a high cliff. AT the top
of this cliff is ar opening resembling a
prospect hole, some twelve feet in width
and about 10 feet deep.
Mack Dorian, along in 1865. decided to
explore this cave and was lowered with
rope While the temperature was quite
warm at the surface Dorian discovered
that at the bottom the hole was lined
with ice No matter how hot it gets ice 10
always to be found at the bottom OF
the well, and in extremely hot weather
ranchers have availed themselves Of this
refrigerator to keep their meats cool.
Prospects have been sunk to far great
er depth in the valley below, but no ice
was encountered
The times., 1901-05-16
THE POTOMAC FLATS CASES.
Tine District supreme Court Grants n
Motion to Reopen.

At meeting of the justices of the Su-
preme Court of the District yesterday in
general term, Charles c. Cole. special
attorney for the United States. filed
motion asking leave to reopen the Poto-
mas Flats cases for the purpose of de-
termining the value of certain improve
ments constructed on land belonging to
the Government, along the Potomac
River. within the District limits Ac-
cording to the decision of the Supreme
Court of the United States last spring
the land along the river front is the prop
erty Of the Government. and the builders
and lessees of wharf property are entitled
to remuneration for such Improvements
as they have made.
The court granted the motion filed by
Mr.. Cole. and he then asked leave to file
bill supplemental 10 the original pro-
ceedings. The court took the matter un-
der advisemert, and, after consultation
granted the permission asked. The sup
Elemental bill asks the court:
ITO ascertain. declare. adjudge, and
award in the manner provided in said
acts of Congress of August 5. 1856. and
| March 2, 1901, what amounts. if any the
| said defendants and each of them. and
| any and all other persons and corpora
| tions whomsoever who may assert any
such claim in this suit, are entitled for
| any and all wharf structures or other Inn
| provements in connection Herewith
| claimed by them and each of them within
| the limits of the said improvements of
| the Potomac River or it's fats according
| to the boundaries thereof set forth in said
| original bill or upon the adjoining land of
| complainant and to whom the values, If
any, so determined are justly payable.
THAT the court will also ascertain. de-
| clare, adjudge. and award what sums, il
| any. the complainant is entitled to as
| against the persons and corporations,
| respectively, in possession of said wharf
! structures, or who claim any interest
| therein, for rent or use and occupation
thereof. and that the same may be set off
against the sums. if any, found due to
such defendants, respectively.
That the court will by proper orders,
DEGREES, and processes to be made and
awarded herein, require the persons and
| corporations now in possession CT said
| wharf structures and other improvements
! connected Herewith. TO surrender pos
| session thereof to the Commissioners of
| the District of Columbia and TO the Chief
of Engineers of the United States Army,
| respectively.
THAT all persons and corporations
| claiming any compensation for wharf
| structures or other improvements in con-
| neclicn Herewith within the metes and
bounds set forth in said original bill or
| upon the adjoining land OF complainant
| may be given notice of the pendency OF
4 this supplemental bill and cited to appear
| by public notice to be published as pro-
| vidad by said act of the 5th of August,
| 1856"
There are eighty-five defendants named
| in the bill.
The times., 1901-05-16
AN ADDRESS CAUSES A STIR.
4 Ynlc Divinity school Graduate At
tacks the Catholic Church

NEW HAVEN Conn, May 15.-Presi-
dent Hadley presided today at the com
mencemont exercises of the Yale Divinity
School. one address, by a member of
the graduating class Charles WolcOtt
Merriam, of Springfield. Mass, a gradu-
ate of Amherst College, caused "A stir.
His subject was Present Tendencies of
the Roman Catholic Church in America.
He gave four reasons to support his al
legation that the Church is un-American,
as follows: First, the unwavering ale
glance of the Church to the Pope; second,
the abuses connected with the auricular
confessional; third, it's attitude to the
public schools: fourth, the false basis of
it's morality Relative to the doctrine of
papal infallibility. Mr.. Merriam said:
when we consider this claim in the
light of the papacy. It cannot be taken
seriously, but it is a somewhat mournfui
fact that a tenth Of our population are
pledged to the belief that when the Ro-
man Pontiff gives his occasional exca-
thedra utterances they are as the voice
of God If the Congress of the United
States should decree one thing and the
Pope of Rome the opposite, American
Catholics, theoretically at least, could
have no choice in the matter"
In regard to the confessional, Mr.. Mer-
riam said:
THE effect on the priest is bad. as it
presents the temptation, frequently yield
ed to, of abusing the condolences they re-
ceive. The effect upon the people is vastly
worse, as while, in theory, a subjective
condition is demanded, still in practice
this is a distinction that is frequently
lost sight of. The tendency of the con-
| fessional is to make forgiveness too light
and trivial a matter"
In speaking of the Catholic Church's at
titude on the public schools, he said
Children in the Catholic schools are
taught medieval ideas upheld by a falsi-
fed history. AS Bronson says of it, II
| is a foreign education and the Roman
Catholic people are by it made a foreign
people in the land where they live "
In referring to the morality of the
Catholic Church Mr.. Merriam said: THE
fourth reason why the influence of Rome
| is to be dreaded in this land is the false
basis of it's morality. 1t is not simply re-
voting to the religious sense. but it is
hostile to the common law. The great
reason why the Roman Catholic Church
is out of place in the United States Is
because it is an aggravated case of fra
ternalism. trying to thrive in the midst
of republican liberties.
Men like Gibbons and ireland, how
ever. have shown a broader sympathy
and truer democracy than would be toll
Grated in any other branch of the Cath
olic Church 1t is certainly within the
realm of the possible that at some fu-
ture day the Catholic leaders of the ma
ton will put themselves openly and
avowediy on the side OF American prin-
cinIps
The times., 1901-05-16
IudustrinI TraIning schools.

The Industrial training school is a
comparatively new thing, and has
therefore naturally not reached perfee-
tion as yet. 1t is most useful, of course,
in working among those who are not
fitted at the start to enter the compe-
tition of modern life, or whom ii is de-
sirabIe to keep out of such competition
and in country surroundings. Many
such schools are devoted almost entire
" to the teaching Of methods, no at
tempt being made to do anything with
the finished product; and even if such
an attempt were made it would either
be unsuccessful because of the imper-
fection of the work, or would cause the
CHEAP labor of the school to enter into
competition with the paid labor out
side. which would not be fair. But
there are ways in which the school
might be made self-supporting. or par
tally so, without doing this.
The Morris chair and other furniture
Bearing the same name were, as is well
known, originated in the factories of
The times., 1901-05-16
FUNDS FOR LOCAL USE ONLY.
An Act Construed ut the Request of
the Secretary of War.

The Secretary Of War recently request
ed the decision of the Comptroller Of the
Treasury as to whether the War Depart
ment had authority under the terms Of
the appropriation to pay employees as
signed to duty outside of the city of
Washington, whose employment and pay
ment We're authorized by the provision of
the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
Appropriation act for the fiscal year end
ing June 80 1902. approved March 3, 1901
Comptroller TraceweIl, in passing on the
case, said that the language in the War
Department and its business" clearly in
dicated an intention of Congress to limit
the use of this appropriation to the pay
ment of the additional temporary force
authorized by the act, who are regularly
employed in the War Department proper
and it's bureaus at the seat OF Govern
ment.
Concluding. Mr.. TraeeweII says: 81 CO.
incide with the conclusions reached by the
Judge Advocate General and hold that
the appropriation is not available for the
payment OF persons who are employed
outside of the city Of Washington, ID. c."
The times., 1901-05-16
RECIPROCITY WITH CUBA.
senator o. II. PIntt Talks of Future
Trade With the Island.

Senator o. H. Platt of Connecticut was
at the State Department yesterday, and
had "A talk with .Dr. Hill. the Acting Sec
rotary The Question of reciprocity with
Cuba was discussed, and Mr.. Platt stated
that he believed his amendment would be
accepted by the Cuban convention.
The Connecticut Senator stated that it
was regarded as practically necessity
to Cuba that some concessions be made
To her in the matter of tariff duties on
sugar and tobacco. in return for which
this Government may receive trade adj
vantages of value to our commerce with
the island This matter viii come up for
consideration by Congress, probably
either through a treaty being reported to
the Senate by the Executive or through a
recommendation to Congress for special
legislation.
The times., 1901-05-16
DECORATED BY THE SULTAN.
The Highest order of Nobility Con
ferred on Young Chester

The Sultan of Turkey has conferred the
Order of the Osmanie upon Clarence
Chester, son of Capt. Colby M Chester,
L. S. N. Ali Ferrouh Bey. the Turkish
Minister, presented the decoration to Mr.
Chester.
The presentation is in the nature of a
return compliment following the call upon
the Sultan made by Captain Chester and
his officers while the Kentucky was an
ehored off Smyrna last winter. To have
conferred the order upon Captain Chester
directly would have necessitated the
granting of special permission by Con-
gress to that end, so the next best way
to extend a compliment to the American
officer was felt TO be through the medium
OF his eldest son. The Order of Osmanie is
the highest order of the Turkish nobility.
and is much coveted by foreigners.
The times., 1901-05-16
AN ORDER TO VOLUNTEERS.
General Wood Notifies Those in
Cuba to Settle Up.

General Wood, commanding the Depart
ment Of Cuba, has issued the following
circular:
"All volunteer officers who are, or have
been. accountable for insular funds or
property pertaining to =. the Island of
Cuba, will render the prescribed returns
therefor before leaving the service. and
will obtain the auditors certificate of non
indebtedness to the insular government.
Volunteer officers that are about to be
discharged or mustered out of the service
will likewise provide themselves with the
auditors certificate showing that they
never have been accountable for public
funds or property. Failure to procure
said certificates may subject an officer
who has returned to the United States to
delay and inconvenience in receiving final
payment"
The times., 1901-05-16
The Cheapest Man.
CFrom the indianapolis SUM

(FTom the Indianapolis SUM
'''The cheapest man L ever knew" said
the DOstman His name was John
Smith and he was cheaper than pins on
bargain day He used to get letters from
his brother-in-law, and would open the
envelope by holding it over tea kettle
Then he would take out the letter sis,
read it, write an answer, put the answer
In the same envelope and seal il up again
This done he would take it to the postof-
fee. explain that the letter couldn't pos
sibly belong TO hom, and he didn't want
TO open another mans mail. OF course
as his brother-in-law five-day return
card was On the envelope. the postoffice
officials would send it back"
The times., 1901-05-16
what Need for Subsidies.
(From the Baltimore SUM-

What need have we to encourage people to
invest in seagoing steamers by giving huge
bounties out of the taxpayers pockets when We
see them acquiring fleets OF 6oo,oOO tons and
over without bounties? Senator Frye is said to
be refurbishng his Subsidy bill for the next ses-
sion of Congress. but recent events make his
little Joker ridiculous. Surely Mr.. Morgan. the
Steel Trust, and Standard on rich enough
to buy all the ships they need without help.
The times., 1901-05-16
MR.. BRYAN IN KANSAS CITY.
He Declares 1t Too EarIy to Write
Platform

KANSAS CITY. No, May 15.-WiHiam
J. Bryan was here today on his way from
Liberty. Mo. where he spoke yesterday,
to Nevada No, where he lectured to-
night. To the reporters who called on
him Mr.. Bryan gave hearty greeting and
a long talk, one paragraph of which was
rather interesting.
1t certainly is too early for any man
to write a platform for the next cam
paign." he said, and it is hard to tell
whether silver will be the issue or not
As to candidates, all that l know is that
l will not be a candidate. 1 am now
definitely settled in the business of run
ming my newspaper and expect to keep
at it. That is my business now
The times., 1901-05-16
shnIIoM History.
.From the Indianapolis News.)

SFroIn tile IIIuIdIiaF-'4I9 -NVNa-I
1t is not surprising that man with the in
innate knowledge of the var period possessed
NV Gen H. v Boynton should be able TO point
out bunders in the school histories. The fact
OF the matter is that few OF the text books used
in the common schools of the country have been
prepared by careful and panstaking scholars, in
The full sense of that term Most Of them have
sbeen made by busy teachers with too little
time at their disposal for the leisurely pursuits
of wide and thorough scholarship.
The times., 1901-05-16
CIVIL RULE FOR FILIPINos.
Taft COMMISSIONS RecOmme n da lions
Expected by the Sheridan.

Secretary Root is awaiting the arrival
Of the transport Sheridan, which left Ma
Mia fer San Francisco on April p. The
vessel carries the recommendations Of the
Philippine Commission as to the form Of
civil government to be instituted in the
archipelago.
The recommendations viii be carefully
examined by the Secretary of War and
an endorsement forwarded in due time.
The times., 1901-05-16
The Responsibility of wealth.
Hrom the New York TimesN

II is a modern doctrine of wide and constantly
wider acceptance that the greatest nations must
not go 70 with each other. The new Titans
OF finance in this country must submit themselves
10 the same canon Of reason ways viii be found
SO vast that their use under the conditions OF
rage and blazing rivalry is inevitably acee m
panied by injury to other persons than the i'm
mediate eorubutants In short. it may be said
that pile of cash measuring some hundreds
Of millions is impressed with public interest
and may not be employed like mere pocket money
at the caprice and liking ot,its owners.
The times., 1901-05-16
Happy Australia.

(From the Chicago Record Herad)
The Australians have no to wage with the
United Kingdom. no prospect of war with any
neighbor or among themselves. They have no
slavery question and no Indian question. Their
black men have nothing like the power for mis-
chief which resided in the American red men.