New-York tribune., 1901-05-05
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
MUCH BENEFIT TO THE STATE FROM
RECENT RAINS - THE FAIR
ESTATE SETTLEMENT
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BuxE.l


San Francisco. May 4.-Heavy rains fell
throughout the State in the early part Of the
week. The rainfall varied from less than an
inch in the southern counties to three and four
inches in the north. Wherever the rainfall
ceeded one inch good crops of all kinds are
assured as no other moisture will be needed.
The rain saved the wheat crop the dry lands
of the San Joaquin Valley and it also helped
hay in many districts. Apricots and almonds
have been so seriously hurt by frost that the
crop will be small. Prunes. peaches and cher
ries will also be a light crop. But all other
fruit looks we'll. and the general crops. such as
wheat and barley and sugar beets. will be larger
than for several seasons. The rain and snow in
the mountains also have had excellent effect
on the mining. for they assure the miners at
work along the mother lode of the Sierra Ne
vada that they Will have ample water for oper-
ating their mines this summer. For the last
two years there has been much lost time at
these mines because of the lack Of water due to
the light snowfall in the higher Sierras. To the
State the rain was worth many millions of
dollars.
The Supreme Court decision declaring the Fair
trust clause will invalid. is looked upon as the
forerunner of a speedy settlement of the costly
litigation over the S1S000.OOO estate. The big
estate will now be distributed according TO nat
ural succession between the two daughters. Mrs
Hermann Oelrichs and Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt.
1r of New-York and the one son. Charles L.
Fair. of San Francisco. The executors Of the
will may make fight against the division of
the property. as this will deprive them of fat
fees, but II is not expected they can keep the
estate In court much longer. The fees of the
lawyers who have fought the for the three
children, with the costs of the litigation for five
years. will amount to $2500O00 or about one
seventh of the value of the estate.
The closing of the new Southern Pacific Coast
line between here and Los Angeles until certain
parts OF the track be reIaid with heavier
rails was a wise move by President Hays as 1t
was impossible to make the schedule time with
out great danger OF accidents. 1t is expected
that the road will be put IN perfect order
within few weeks. The work is being rushed
on the double tracking Of the road between San
Francisco and San Jose. distance OF fifty miles.
A tunnel Will be bored through the San Bruno
Hills TO shorten the route and reduce the present
heavy grades. The line will give all the
suburban stations between here and San Jose
greatly improved service. This will stimulate
the building of suburban homes at Burlingame.
San Mateo. Belmont, Mento Park. PaloS-a Main
View and other places. The peninsula has great
advantage over Oakland, Alameda and Berkley
in that no steamer ride is necessary.
z. o. Mccormick passenger traffic manager or
the Southern Pacific Company. appointed
advertising and transportation on this coast
This change was made at Mr.. Mils's request as
he felt he could not do justice to the work when
he was away for months at stretch. Recently
Mr.. Mills returned from the Paris Fair. where
he had charge of the Southern Pacific exhibit,
and he is TO have charge OF the railway COM
pany's fine display at the Buffalo Fair. Earl II.
FitZhugh who recently resigned as vice-presi-
dent and general manager Of the Vermont
Central. is here and is to take the place of as
sistant to President Hays. of the Southern
Pacific Mr.. Fitzhugh held for several years the
of the Grand Trunk Railway when Mr.. Hays
was its president, and II was through Mr.
Hays's influence that he secured the place as
general manager of the Central Vermont.
The neurology OF the week includes number
of we'll known Californians. Among them were
Charles b. Darwin. for ten years the leading
criminal lawyer of San Francisco, with a large
practice throughout the State: John F. English,
a produce merchant and Democratic politician;
General Josiah Howell who for years was man
ager of the New-York Life Insurance Company
In Australia and DR. Julius Boushey assistant
with DIR. Wolsey at the railroad hospital In
Oakland.
The James Neil company has begun a success
full engagement at the California Theatre. play
ing in a Bachelors Romance" In the COM
pany is Julia Dean whose mother was so great
a favorite here in the pioneer days. At the
days Ten Nights in a BarrOOm,' has been re-
vived. and is actually doing as large business
as this house recently dld with uncle IOfn
Cabin"
Mrs. Robert Arthur MacOndrey secured her |
divorce here this week quietly on the ground of
cruelty, and she was permitted TO resume her |
maiden name of Madge Richardson She gave |
strong testimony showing the insane jealousy |
Of young MacOndrey, his excessive drinking and |
his failure TO keep any employment. which left |
him dependent for support on his family. Ma
condrey did not appear in court, and his lawyer |
made no defence.
CASTOR Deschamps has been delivering a !
course of lectures French literature and dra- |
matte art at the University Of California to ap-
preciative audiences.
An old State law is to be revived TO close the !
houses in Chinatown and compel /
the owners of the property to see to Ii that |
their premises cleared of these Objectionable |
tenants. Many of the owners of the property |
are French people. who now in Europe, and |
whose property is looked after by agents.
The largest real estate transaction this week |
was the sale of the locker property. at the !
northwest corner of Kearney-st and st. Marks !
Place. for $2l5.OOO. John ROsenfed's Sons have |
bought a lot 93I2 feet front Montgomery |
St, SacramentO-st.. for $4,000. an advance |
Of 5000 in thirty days. as the property last |
month was bought by Douglas s Watson for |
$4,000. The ROsenfelds have bought the ad- |
Joining lot which through to Sacramento |
ST. so that they have fine lot for |
building.
REPU BLIC4N CLUB HOUSE MOIEMENT. |
The movement for house for the RepublI- |
can Club has been revived. General Henry f. Ire
main, president of the club and several other in
fuential members working plan. This !