davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
URGED TO ARBITRATE
Secretary Hay Asks For An
 swers to Proposal.
ACTION FOLLOWS CABINET MEETING
Italian Minister Announces That His Government Has Joined the POw- ers-Dewey's Fleet of Warships
 to Be Held In Readiness.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 17.-!The cabi- net met yesterday and discussed the Venezuelan situation. As a result of it's deliberations the secretary of state sent telegrams to the United States ambassadors at London and Berlin re questing that an answer be given to the proposal of President Castro, transmitted through Minister Bowen and the state department, that the diff \ Nferences between Venezuela and the allies be submitted to arbitration.
 A telegram was also sent to the American ambassador at Rome, pro- posing arbitration to the Italian goy- ernment and requesting a speedy an sWer.
 It may be said on the highest au- thority that no matter what may be the outcome of the present Venezuala difficulties the administration will not recede one jot from the stand taken on the Monroe doctrine by President Roosevelt in his message to congress and by the secretary of state ill his communication to Germany some time ago.
 The Italian ambassador during the day called at the state department and advised Secretary Hay that Italy has joined the allies in the operations against Venezuela. He requested that Mr. Bowen assume charge of the Ital- ian interests in Venezuela, and the sec retary granted this request, subject to the approval of Venezuela. Italy enters the combination on the same plan as to abstention from territorial seizures as Germany and Great Britain.
 Estimated at between 100000 and 3,OO0,O00 bolivars, Italy's claims are considerably in excess of those of Great Britain, and the course of the Rome government in not acting hastily in the matter has commended itself to the state department.
 Disposition of the men-of-war of Ad- miral DeWey's fleet during the holi- days is to be made under the direction of the secretary of the navy in view of the increasing complications arising in connection with Venezuela and the wishes of this government not to arouse suspicion unnecessarily by dis patching large naval force to Vene- Euelan waters. Admiral Dewey cabled the department Monday in regard to the orders for his fleet during the Christmas holidays. Orders are now in preparation for the various vessels and will be forwarded to the admiral in the next day or two.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Tracy Brothers Asked to Submit Plan
 of Lounsbury Tract. @-s

or LOuuSUuEy 1IdCI. s5L..- %5=-.
 The board of public works met last night, Mayor KilduT presiding. The monthly payrolls were approved, as follows: Streets, $1,1S3. .63; sewers, $171.43; roads and bridges, first dis trict,. $2e5.S0; water, $514.59; engineer ing, $555. s.
 A communication from the depart ment of education asking that fire hy- drants be placed in the vicinity of all the public schools was received and placed in. the list for investigation. Similar action was taken on the appli- cation of property owners on DrayeE street and Sunnyside avenue for sew CTS and water mains in those streets.
 It was expected that the continued hearing on the layout of Fairmount street from Luke street southerly would be taken up, but as none of the property owners was present it was decided to let the matter stand until after the board looks over the ground Commissioner Scully said he consid- cred this a case where the department of education had assumed too much, and that while he didn't see what good could come from investigation at this time, still he thought the board should hIlOWs SO1u0luluS dUOuL LulS elIlu 4OJnoE proposed streets in that section before proceeding further. The commissioner also said that it would be we'll to re- quest the Tracy Bros to submit plan of their proposed streets to the city government in order that the board might be in a position to know how it affects other interests. This he said, lis in accordance with charter pro- vision and in line with the policy of this board. especially his honor, the mayor, who remarked not long since, when a question of this character was being discussed, that no one should be permitted to lay out streets to suit him. self regardless of how they affected neighboring property"
 It was voted to visit the place re- ferred to next Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock and to request the Tracy Bros to submit plan of their layout of the Lounsbury tract, so-called. to the beard at it's next meeting
 In answer to a question from the mayor as to what outside work is being done. Engineer Cairns stated that the department never was buster. Work on the storm sewers is going on and various other jobs ordered by the al dermen are in hand and are being taken hold of as fast as they can be reached
 The board adjourned until next Tues day afternoon.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
NO SIGNS or SETTLEMENT
England Does Not Consider Favora-
 bIy Arbitration Proposal.

LONDON Dec. 17.-Judging from statements given out by the foreign office, the Venezuelan situation does not appear to be any nearer a settle ment No suggestion has yet been made that Great Britain could even- tually see it's way to submitting it's claims to arbitration, .and the foreign office points .out that Venezuela's offer to arbitrate is extremely vague. Pres ldent Castro in the communication in which he expresses his willingness to resort to arbitration provides no guar antee that the rights of British sub- .jects in Venezuela will be respected pending the award. The foreign office claims that some matters are impossi- ble to arbitrate, instancing the disre spectful treatment of MT. Haggard, British minister to Venezuela, and all his representations.
 The willingness of Venezuela to arbi- rate the financial claims, however, will meet with no opposition in official circles in London, nor is there any de, sire to stir up opposition here by con- tinuing unnecessarily the present armed compact with Germany; but, quoting from the foreign office, "at the same time there is not the slightest inclination to let Venezuela go unpun- lshed for her repeated insults and in juries. The offer. to arbitrate comes very late in the day. We are not seek ing a quarrel, but we must insure our selves against recurrence of the acts which led to the present situation
 With the guarantee of the United States, the foreign office says, arbitra- ton in the Venezuelan matter would be an immediate probability, but with only the word of government hither to unreliable arbitration is difficult of accepting, even upon the points where international relations admit of suc5 method of settlement.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
CITY NEWS.

See J. J. Sheehan about that i've room rent on Fairview street.
 Arthur Cook, student at the Shef- field Scientific school. is home for the Christmas vacation.
 L. Russell Carter, student at Yale college, is spending the Christmas va cation at his home in this city.
 Another proprietor of a drug store, Matthew Cassln of Baldwin street, has signed the proposition of the drug clerks, asking for shorter hours, etc.
 Waterbury will be we'll represented at the opening of Thomas H. SuIIiyan's s new hotel, the Oneca, at New Haven, this evening. Among those from here will be J. J. Splain, Jean Jacques, Rob- ert McGrath. John Moriarty, Dr O'Hara, Dr McLarney, James A. Hynes, James B. Madigan, Chris Stro- bel, Thomas H. Hayes, Dr Bland, Col onel John B. Doherty and Sheriff Me Donald
 The funeral of Mrs John R. Hoyt was held in Woodbury Monday after noon. MT and Mrs Hoyt pad been in business for the past few months with their son-in-law, who runs the Wood bury bakery. Mrs Hoyt was visiting at the home of her children in Water bury at the time of her death. She was stricken with pneumonia and died after only 9 few days illness. Mrs Hoyt was 57 years old.
 The police have not yet located Jo- seph Bolan, formerly employed IS of flee boy for the Merchants Reporting and Collecting agency, who disap- peared on Monday night at the same time that a typewriter. q suit of clothes and other articles disappeared. The police have found that the clothes were sold in a secondhand store on Bank street, near the Concordia hall. It is supposed that BoIan has skipped town.
 Attorneys Carmody and Guilfoile, counsel for Antonio Delabella, admin istrator on the estate of his son, An drea, have entered suit against Holmes. Booth & Haydens for the sum of 5000 damages. The allegations are that young Andrea, who was a member of one of the night gangs at the factory, received injuries Novem- Der IT while at work which resulted fatally in day or so after the acci- dent. -. t-.." --s .-.-..s.. .~@.
 State Truant Officer Potter of New Haven was in town this afternoon. Ac- eompanied by the local truant officer, William Hurley. he is paying a visit to.the St Joseph Lithuanian parochial school on John street this afternoon. The purpose, of. the visit is to see whether the state law in regard te children over seven years of age at. tending a school where the English Ian guage is not taught is being violated. If the law is being violated, prosecu- ton will follow as it will be the sec ond time that this school has offended in the above respect. Last year the school was closed for a part of the year because no teacher was employed who could teach English.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
GOVERNORS MEET.
Thirty-five Provinces Represented at
 Manila--A Reception Given.

Thirty-five Provinces Represented at
 Manila--A Reception Given.
 MANILA, Dec. 17.-The governors of thirty-fve provinces have assembled here to receive instructions regarding census work from General Sanger, the inspector general of the division of the Philippines; meet the St. Louis exposi- sion commissioners and discuss general -iffairs with the government. The pro- vincial governors will supervise the census.
 At reception held in honor of the visiting governors Governor Taft said they were the first elective representa- tive body of Fiiipinos which had ever assembled and informed them that the government was prepaSing to import carabaos to meet the pressing need for farm animals. Governor Taft urged the governors to aid in putting an end to ladronism and said the government had determined to suppress it.
 The governors will remain here dur ing the holidays and will meet the Philippine commission and discuss the land tax, forestry tax, road building, railroads, the proposed bureau of engi- neering, etc.
 The trial by court martial of Captain Rogers of the Twenty infantry, charged with using disrespectful Ian guage to General Davis, was concluded yesterday. The verdict is not known, but it is doubted that the court took a serious view of the case. The accused officer admitted that he thoughtlessly used objectionable language before General Davis aid-de-camp, denied any intent to be disrespectful and pleaded illness and discouragement at his ina bility to secure leave of absence in extenuation.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
BIG DEAL IN STEEL.
United States Corporation Absorbs Pittsburg Plants.
TRANSACTION INVOLVES s45, 10000
Plants Have Large Capacity and Embrace Extensive Coal, Ore, Railway and Steamship
 Properties

CHICAGO, Dec. 17.-Judge Albert H. Gary, chairman of the United States Steel corporation, announces the pur- chase of the Union and Sharon plants of the Union Steel company, near Pitts burg, the transaction involving a bond issue of $45,000,0O0 Judge Gary gave cut the following statement, embodying details of the transaction:
 The finance and executive commit tees of the United States Steel corpora tion, accompanied by the presidents and other prominent officers of the sub sidiary companies of the steel corpora tion, have recently made an inspection of the Union and sharon steel plants, now controlled by the Union Steel com pany, and as a result the finance com mittee by direct negotiation has pur- chased the same for the steel corpora tion..
 tsThese plants are located near Pitts burg, on the Monongahela river, and at Sharon, Pa, respectively. They were started some time before the formation of the United States Steel corporation and not in opposition to it. These prop critics have wire, nail and other works in operation as going properties. When fully completed, they will have five more blast furnaces and twenty-five open hearth furnaces, capacity to man. ufacture 7,500 kegs of nails daily, new and modern tube mills, bar mills, tin mills, sheet mills, plate mills. etc. They have about 5000 acres of coking coal in the Connellsville region besides nom- inaI railroads in the coke region, 6,200 acres of fuel coal on the Monongahela river, limestone properties and valua- ble developed ore mines in the Mesaba region and Marquette region, contain ing about 40,000.o00 tons of ore; two lake steamers and steel railroad cars. ! ssThe steel corporation pays the exact cost of the manufacturing plants, to be 1, determined by auditors appointed for that purpose. For the real estate, ore properties and the coal lands it will pay something more than the cost val sue, but net to exceed the present mar ket value. The stockholders of the Un- ion and Sharon plants agree to furnish about $10,0O0,00O net cash, to be ex-. pended in the completion of improve ments and further development of the properties in such manner as the steel corporation may determine"
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
spafn wants Her Pay.

CARACAS, Dec. 1.-The Spanish minister to Venezuela, Senor Gaytan de Ayala, and the Belgian charge daf- faires, M. Van der Heyde, have pre- sented joint letter to the Venezuelan minister of foreign affairs in which they ask, in case the claims of other foreign powers are paid by Venezuela, that the same treatment given these powers be accorded to Spain and Bel gium. General Hernandez reached Ca racas at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon. He was received at the railroad sta tion with great enthusiasm by 1,500 of his partisans, who tried to unharness the horses attached to his carriage and themselves draw the general in his tri- umphal return to this city. At the gen erals request, however, the people de- sisted from this endeavOr.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Mrs. Grants Funeral.

< WASHINGTON,eDe 17.-While the final arrangements for the obsequies of Mrs. Grant will not be made until aft CT the arrival here of General Grant and other members of the family to- morrow, it is settled that there will be short religious services in this city and that the remains will be placed by the side of those of her husband ill the tomb at Riverside park, New York. General Horace Porter, ambassador to France, is president of the Grant Mon ument association, which has charge of the Grant tomb at New York. and Secretary Root and General Grenville M. Dodge, president of the Army of the Tennessee, are vice presidents. Militia ry honors will be accorded the body of Mrs Grant in New York. A committee from the Army of the Tennessee will attend the funeral service in Washing ton
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
TUNNEL FRANCHISE GRANTED.
New York Aldermen Vote For Big Pennsylvania Railroad Scheme.

New York Aldermen Vote For Big
 Pennsylvania Railroad Scheme.
 NEW YORK, Dec. 1.-The Pennsyl- vania $5O,0OO,oOO tunnel franchise was passed by the board of aldermen last evening by a vote of Al to B.
 The fight was bitter one, each side insisting that it had majority up to the roll call.
 Borough President Cantor and Alder men Sullivan and Gaffney led the op- position to the franchise, which they based entirely upon the omission of the labor clauses"
 The lie was passed during the heat of the discussion.
 Two minority reports against the franchise were presented to the board. One rejected the contract as it stands; the other was to send it back to the rapid transit commission with instruc- ton to insert the labor clauses" and providing that if the Pennsylvania rail- road refused to accept the amended contract it was to be considered as re- jected.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
will Push the Work.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 17-Cap- tain John F. Green, first vice president of the Pennsylvania railroad, expresses himself as gratified with the action of the board of aldermen of New York in sanctioning the tunnel project. He said: we will begin work as soon as the engineers are ready. We will spend $40, 0,0OO,OOO i'll three years. It is i'm possible to say now how many men will be employed on the work. The details will be arranged by the en- gineering and construction depart ments. The fact that we have $10,- 100000 worth of real estate in the heart of the city of New York is in itself guarantee that we will push tba work y
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
MORE WITNESSES CALLEn
Miners Take still Another Day Be-
 fore inc Strike Court.

Miners Take Still Another Day Be-
 fore the Strike Court.
 SCRANTON, Pa, Dec. 17.-Notwith- standing the fact that the mine work CTS announced Monday that they had closed their case, with the exception of calling one more witness, the entire yesterday were consumed in hearing three witnesses for the men. They were John c. Paddock, an individual opera tor; Rev. Dr. Peter Roberts, who is as- sisting the miners, and President Sam uel Gompers of the American Fedora fion of Labor The principal point in MT. Haddock's testimony was that he favored giving the mine workers con- sessions under certain conditions.
 President Gompers testified as an ex- pert on the trades union movement. He created a stir when he strongly implied during his examination that the coal companies are responsible in bringing immigrants to the coal regions. When one of the lawyers for the coal compa- nies asked him if he knew it from per zonal knowledge, he said he could prove 1t if necessary.
 : The miners made another attempt to have the commission admit as evidence a large mass of testimony tending to show that the anthracite coal carrying roads charge extortionate and discrimi- mating freight rates and that monopo- ly exists in the anthracite mining in dustry which keeps the wages of the men at an unnaturally low level.
 The commission again decided that the evidence must be limited to the scope of the commission.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Sold rarred stone For Coal.

DERBY, Conn, Dec. 17.-Many an gry persons in this vicinity are looking for a benevolent stranger who sold them crushed stone coated with tar as coal The man said he represented a syndicate which from philanthropic motives was distributing a limited quantity of coal throughout the state and that he could sell to one household not more than two bushels. He said the price to all was 30 cents bushel, which just covered the cost, including delivery, and that orders taken would be filled the next day, cash on delivery. He took many orders, and the next day he delivered the alleged coal in a large wagon and received his money.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Harvard,s contInued Grovvtks

BOSTON, Dec. 17.-This years Har- ward catalogue, issued today, shows a total of 4.261 students in all depart ments of the university. an increase of 120 over a year ago. Counting Radcliffe college and the summer school, which are included in the enumeration, the total number of persons enrolled for destruction during the year 1902 foots zso ia 5. .206. The number of instructors <6 f1e university proper is 534, or thir- fx-one more than year aeQ.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Tbree cases of Rubonsc Plague.

NEW YORK, Dec. 17.-Three cases of bubonic plague are under treatment in the Swinburne island hospital at quarantine. The sufferers are the first and second cooks and the second stew ard of tho Prince line steamer Saxon Prince, which arrived from Durban, South Africa, Monday. When an in spection of the crew was made, three were found to be i'll. A thorough ex- animation of the patients convinced Health Officer Doty that they had all the symptoms of the plague, and they were taken to Swinburne island, where cultures were made and taken to the laboratory. The result of the exami- nation confirmed the diagnosis <sade at the inspect2
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Rain Timely For New York.

NEW YORK, Dec. Yesterdays downpour of rain saved the city $780, GOO. Had the rain kept off another day it would have cost the city, according to the officials of the street cleaning department, $200.O00 to remove the snow remaining on the streets. With the help of the rain the work can be aoae Gar S40.0Qps
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
one way Out of It.

"What!' exclaimed the street orator, "what, I say, are we going to do this winter about the coal question ?''
 ''I know" said meek man in the rear guard.
 Speak, then, sir; what are we going to do about coal?''
 Saw wood and say nothing Balti- more News.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17

lin which says it is doubtful if at the present stage of the Venezuelan diff culty arbitration can be considered by Germany. Germany can afford to wait, the dispatch adds, the outcome of the situation that is very uncomfortable for President Castro.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
His wish.

Holdon-I tell you what, Harry, I wish I had enough money to relieve all the distress amongst the poor peo- pie of this town.
 SomeTs-A generous wish.
 ssYou see, if I had all that money, I'd be able to live like fighting cock all the rest of my Boston Transcript.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
sTATE HIGHWAYS.
Allotment to Towns from State Ap-
 propriation.

State Highway Commissioner Mac Donald has filed with the comptroller a statement of the allotment to the towns of the state of the 1902 appro- priation for highways, as made up III 1901. After certification by the high way commissioner that the work call ed for by contracts in the respective towns has been performed, the comp troller will draw his order on the treasurer for the amount to which each town is entitled. Tn cases where the entire work called for has not been completed the comptroller will draw his orders for so much of the contracts as have been finished. The allotment is as follows:
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Italian Minister Leaves Post.

CARACAS, Dec. 1.-The Italian minister to Venezuela, Signor de Riva, received orders from Rome to leave Caracas tllis morning. He went on board the Italian cruiser Giovanni Bau- san at La Guayra.
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
an4v prefend to Re FooIed.

People sometimes pretend to be fooled, to obiige you, but if you try the same story on them second time they are liable to give you piece of theig s#jRd tchsSen Globe
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
Venezuelan Shots Were Effective.

PUERTO CABELLO, Venezuela, Dec. 17.--It has been learned here that during the bombardment of Puerto Cabello Dec. 13 by the British cruiser Charybdis and the German cruiser Vii meta that tAe Charybdis was struck in the bow by snot fired frosn cannon on the Plaza Eruzual. The yineta was struck twice ..;y ths Venezuelan can non fire. The report which has been in circulation here that an officer of the Vineta was killed during the bom- bardment by rifle bullet fired from the shore appears now to be true.
 Germany Not zn Favor Of Arbitration
 COLOGNE, Dec. I7.-The Cologne Gazette publishes dispatch fro@ Ser
Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-17
FIVE CHILDREN DEaa.
Terri6c Explosion of Gas WrecI<r
 a House and Kills Inmates.

VerE1nc Explosion or GaS WrectkB
 a House and Kills Inmates.
 NEW YORK, Dec. 17.-The five chill dren of George Phelurgia of Fort Lee were killed by an explosion of acety- ilene gas at his home. ] The mother of the children is hover ing between life and death at the En- glewood hospital. She is crazed by the loss of her little ones and injured internally herself, but the doctors hope to save her life.
 The father is well to do manufac- turer of stoves. He had tank of the gas in his cellar It is not known how it happened to explode. The house was demolished. The children, who were playing in an upper room, were buried, and the ruins which entombed them caught fire and roasted their bodies.
 Fragments of the building were found hundreds of feet away.