davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
MR.. JUSTICE HOLMES
GIVES FIRST DECISION
California Suit Affecting Sale
of Stocks on Margin,

Mr. Justice Holmes today announced
his first opinion in the Supreme Court of
the United States, being m the case OF
Otis vs.. Parker. originating in California
It involved the validity OF the law of
that State, making all contracts for the
purchase or sale on margin Of the shares
Of capital stock of any corporation, or
for purchase or sale Of shares to be de-
livered at a future time. void. and au-
thorizing the recovery Of money paid on
such contracts in any court of the State.
Plaintiff sued to recover money paid
defendant as broker in a margin trans
action. and, said Justice Holmes, he was
entitled to recover if the statute in
question was not contrary to the four
teenth amendment of the Constitution.
The court concluded that the statute was
not so contrary. and that the plaintin
was entitled to judgment This sustains
the validity o. the law
Justices Brewer and Peckham dis
sented.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
JEWELS VANISH WHILE
OWNER TAKES DINNER
Capital Visitor Says Trunk
Was Robbed in Hotel.

Georgia Tompkins has lost sever a.
diamond rings and a gold watch, in an
uptown hotel, according to her story to
the police She says she Is the victim
Of clever theft. The missing valuabIes
were locked in a trunk
The victim says that when she went
to dinner about 6 o'clock her trunk was
locked. Later in the evening she looked
in the trunk and found the jewelry miss
ing The trunk was found locked on her
return to the room and the lock showed
little evidence of having been tampered
with.
The missing jewelry consists of a gold
watch and five diamond rings and an
amethyst The value of all the property
Is about $500 Miss Tompkins register
ed from Circleville. Ohio. She was at
dinner with L. B. James. of ChiIIfcothe
Ohio. who says he is her cousin.
The trunk was packed in CircfeviIIe
Saturday night. and Miss Tompkins is
positive she put the rings in
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
DR.. DAVID JAYNE HILL
TRANSFERRED TO THE
DIPLOMATIC CORPS S
Chosen AS United States
Minister TO Switzerland.
SUCCEEDED BY F. B. LOOMS
Change Said to Be a Pleasant One for
Capable First Assistant Secretary
of State

The following important diplomatic
changes have been announced:
DIR. DAVID JAYNE HILL. Of New
York, First Assistant Secretary Of State,
to be minister to Switzerland
FRANCIS B. LOOMS. Of Ohio. at pres
ent minister TO Portugal and formerly
minister to Venezuela. 10 be First As
sistant Secretary Of State.
CHARLES PAGE BRYAN. of Illinois.
minister to Brazil. to be minister 10
Portugal.
Dr. Hill has held the Office Of Assist
ant Secretary Of State for longer time
than any OF his twenty -four predecessors
in that Office. excepting Mr.. Seward. and
during a period Of exceptional diplomatic
activity which has required his close at
tention to the business Of the depart
ment. The assignment to Switzerland is
understood to be pleasing To him, not
only for personal and family reasons. his
children being at present at school in
Lausanne, but because the post affords
excellent opportunities for the pro5ecu-
tion Of certain special work in which he
Is deeply interested
Mr.. Loonnls comes TO the Department OF
State well qualified for the duties Of As
sistant Secretary. not only by his ex-
tensive acquaintance with public life as
a former journalist. but by his expert
enee as consular and diplomatic Of
fcer. he having filed the Offices OF
United States consul at St Etienne.
France. and minister to Venezuela and
Portugal
Mr.. Bryan who has made an excellent
impression in Brazil, is one OF the few
officers in the service Of the United
States who Is acquainted with the Portu-
guese language, and his assignment 10
Portugal, q mission Of equal rank with
that Of Switzerland. is both acceptable
TO him as a transfer TO the mother coun-
try Of Brazil and offers an excellent field
for his special usefulness.
The President mis- afternoon sent she
nomination Of these officials TO The Sen
ate,
The Washington times., 1903-01-05

to share, but It will also cause a wide
resentment and will react in votes
against the present Administration We
are not living under a czar, and il we
are willing to trust our mail in good,
convenient. homemade box. 1t seems
that should settle it Did not the rural
po5toff1Ce use plain, homemade pigeon
holes? They were not compelled to buy
patent affairs. Why should every poor
dweller on a country route submit to
this tax and imposition?
We have no feeling against any man
Ifacturer, nor against patent metal
boxes as such. If substantially made and
durable. It Is well enough to condemn
the use of an old piece OF stovepipe, to-
Inato can or unpainted soap box. We
speak for the average country man who
has 4 good. serviceable, respectable
homemade box. If he has got 20 pay
for 4 new, 1imsy patented box every
few months or years at the dictation o.
some petty carrier. inspector or officer,
then this is no longer the United States
OF America" a"
The Washington times., 1903-01-05

recommend any changes IN cost of the
station. It is maintained that the
amendment made by the House 10 the
section of the bill providing for the
amounts TO be paid TO the railroads is
germane to the section providing for the
cost Of the structure, and that this
gives the conferees the right to make
changes. This point. however. Is con
tested BY those who be1IeTe the rail
roads should be compelled to erect q
s. 600, 600 station.
So far as the Pennsylvania company
is concerned the proposed reduction in
the level OF the station IS satisfactory.
The Baltimore and Ohio. however, ob-
jects that the lowering OF the station
level will cause a heavy grade on the
Metropolitan Branch The Baltimore and
Ohio has not been favorable to the
project since the plans provided for the
removal Of the yards to lexington. Only
pressure brought to bear by Presidenr
Cassattt. Of the Pennsylvania Railroad,
has kept them in line
Another question is that of the loca-
tIon Of street car lines leading to and
from the station. According to the
present plan, it Is purposed to have the
Columbia road extend its line from Fl
Street TO Massachusetts Avenue and run
directly IN front Of the station
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
Appropriation Bills Likely to
Be Pushed Ahead in Such
Manner That Omnibus
Measure Win Not Reach
Vote in the Senate.
Talk of Forcing an Extra
Session Unless a Vote Is
Permitted - Discussion
Resumed With Opening
Today, With MIR. Nelson
Talking

The majority report OF the Senate
Committee on Territories, which is ep-
posed to the omnibus Statehood bill
and IN favor of the admission TO the
UI ion Of Indian Territory and Okla
homa, will receive material support from
the Appropriations Committee This
was determined this morning, when an
agreement was reached between Sena-
tor Allison, chairman, and Senator DiI-
Iingham, one Of the principal opponents
OF the omnibus measure, by which the
committee VIII meet tomorrow and
draft the legislative, executive, and iu-
diciaI appropriation bill ana report It
to the Senate as soon as possible. Ths
effort to get appropriation bills before
the Senate viii extend also to num-
Der OF other measures. and by these
it is believed possible by the majority
members Of the Committee on Terri
tories 70 sidetrack the Statehood bill.
Whether the program outlined can sue
coed is speculative in the extreme. but
in any event it viii be possible TO delay
bringing the measure 10 a vote until
such time. probably. as the advocates
OF more States will be glad to take up
the measures providing means Of run
ming the Government.
Senator Quay. by the agreement secur-
ed at the last session, has the floor each
day following the morning hours, until
such time as the Statehood Dill is given
thorough consideration. and there has
been talk. among those fsvoring the
minority report OF the Committee on
Territories. OF forcing an extra session
unless vote ts permitted on the oIani-
bas measure
Discussion Of the bill was resumed TO-
day in accordance with the agreement OF
December Is, at the conclusion Of Sen
ator Dillingham's speech in opposition
10 the omnibus measure. Senator Nelson
has the floor and VIII likely consume
NEST Of two afternoons. He is also op-
posed TO the bill, and will be followed
by other Senators holding the same
views. who will talk until It is possible
20 get appropriation matters on the
calendar.
Sharp maneuvering has already begun
for the time in the morning hours sue
ceeding routine matters The militia.
eight-hour Government labor. immigra-
tion. and Philippine currency bills ars
among those that viii be urged upon the
Senate for early consideration If their
advocates can succeed in bringing them
up.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
SENATORS WANT COAL
EVIDENCE KEPT DARK

The Senate today briefly discussed the
resolution offered by Mr.. Jones Dem..
Ark.) calling upon the Attorney General
for evidence submitted by William r.
Hearst, alleging that coaI-carrying roads
are In a conspiracy.
Mr.. Lodge said the evidence should
not be given out previous to the suit
Mr.. Spooner (Rep., Wis., took the same
view
Mr.. Jones said If the evidence was
presented proving the alleged conspir-
acy, the Senate should know it.
The Attorney General of the United
States Will not stop at bringing suit %
said Mr. SpOoner. the moment he IS
satisfied he bas proof And we should
not require him to furnish the world the
proof, II he has any. Of the charges
made by Mr.. Hearst"
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS
DUTY ON RUSSIAN SUGAR
Decides That Bounty Is Paid and the Extra Tax
IS Legal.

The Russian sugar bounty. case, origin
ating in Baltimore. was decided by the
Supreme Court today, the action of the
customs authorities imposing an extra
duty being sustained.
The question involved was Does the
government Of Russia pay q bounty on
the sugar exported from that country?''
The collector of customs at Baltimore,
in the case of the cargo in question,
under the law on the subject, assessed
an extra duty of about 21z cents a
pound. being the equivalent Of the
bounty alleged to be paid by the Russian
government on exported sugar This
action was upheld by the Board of Gen
eral Appraisers, and the case being
taken into court, at the instance Of
representatives Of the Russian govern
ment and the importers, the court Of
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
ABSENTEES DELAY THE
UNION STATION BILL
Cost of the New Structure the One Remaining
Subject of Controversy.

Owing to the absence Of Senator Gal
Hnger and Representative Babcock,
chairmen, respectively, Of the Senate
and House Committees on the District Of
Columbia, no action viii be taken in re-
gard to the union station bill until
January Is.
Senator GaIltnger viii be detained in
New Hampshire until that date by mat
ters pertaining to his reelection to the
Senate. while Mr.. Babcock is returning
from his trip through Cuba, and is not
expected in Washington until later in
the present week
Practically the only question now re-
naming TO be settled by the conference
committee of both houses. to which the
bill has been referred, is that OF the cost
of the structure As has already been
told. the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad companies are anxious
that the cost Of the station be reduced
from 81 ,000, 600 to $3, ,000, 600
Architect E H Burnham wiz be In
Washington on the 18th with a new set
of plans BY these plans the cost Of
the station is to be reduced about ST.
600 zoo; also a FIJI Of thiTty-four feet VIII
be avoided
A question has arisen in this connec-
ton as to whether the conferees have
the power under the rules to make or
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
VIOLATION OF LAW HOLDS NO
TERRORS FOR ?. O. OFFICIALS s.

oTs. must be pecuniaTily interested IN
the sale of patent boxes. Many of the
boxes that have been condemned are
just as suitable as any patent metallic
box, being large, weather tight, and
hinged with lids, painted. and set on
good substantial posts
They have cost their owners from
fifty cents to 81 OF more each, were
made in many instances by carpenters,
and are today superior as a whole to
the metallic boxes sold by the present
carrier OF this route a few years ago.
These were made of q black japanned
thin stovepipe metal, or sheet iron, and
are today rusty and often unjointed and
leaking. The carrier made fifty cents
profit on each box. Now he seems TO
seek another change, with infeTentiaIly
another 'Take-of-
Big Tax Assessment.
IF this sort Of petty oppression IS
being carried on throughout the coun-
try, 1t may mean q big tax in the ag-
gregate wrung out Of country people for
a few manufacturers and interested ones
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
ENGLISH FIRi OFFERS
COAL At S7.I2 A TON
Should Duty Be Removed,
Amount Will Be Deducted.

After several weeks Of effort the Citi-
zens' Coal Syndicate Committee has at
last It is believed, found a means of
afording relief to the city from the
terrors of the coal famine Several
avenues OF relief have been unearthed
by the several members of the com
mittee. and a meeting has been called
for this afternoon at O'Clock, when
definite action will be taken It will
De held in the rooms Of the Business
Mems Association il the Bond Building,
Representatives of mine owners are in
the city with propositions to supply the
necessary coal at prices which viii per
nit 1t to be retailed at much less than
the prevailing rate. There are three dis
tinct propositions. One is from the
owner OF large bituminous interests in
West Virginia. who proposes to supply
the committee with 5000 tons OF the best
soft coal a week at $50 on the rails
in Washington.
Another comes from a London firm
whose representative is in the city and
VIII attend the meeting. This firm pro-
poses TO deliver on the whaTves IN
Washington 5000 tons or more Of the
best large e-screened British Admiralty
Cardiff coal at 25s. Cd Should the duty
on coal be waived by the Government the
amount Of the duty is 10 be deducted
from the quoted price This coal Is said
10 be the standard steaming coal of the
world and is SO recognized by this Gov
ernment in purchases for the navy, for
the revenue cutter service and for other
sinlIa nurnosaS-
The Washington times., 1903-01-05

appeals for the fourth circuit sustained
the officials
Announcing the decision of the court,
Mr. Justice Brown reviewed at length
the laws OF Russia governing the manu-
facture and sale Of sugar. which is con
Quoted under close government super
vision. There was great compIexity in
the system. said the justice, but two
facts stood out plainly:
/. No sugar exported from Russia pays
any tax whatever
,. Not a pound of sugar is .5srmitted
TO be sold in the Russian emp IRE which
does not pay at least the nor1aaI excise
tax Of about 2Ia cents a poun,:.
So that whatever it may be a'Ied. said
the justice, it Is clear that what is in
effect bounty is paid on sugar export
ed from Russia, and therefore the action
OF the collector imposing an additional
duty on sugar imported therefrom equiv
alelt thereto was legal, and the judg-
ment OF the court below is affirmed
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
ARMY STAFF BILL
TAKEN Up IN HOUSE
Democrats Generally Op-
pose the Measure.

Immediately after the reading Of the
Journal. when the House reassembled
this morning, Mr Hull, chairman Of the
Committee on Military Affairs, asked
unanimous consent for the consideration
Of the general staff bill Mr. Richard
son. the Democratic floor leader, raised
question of consideration Mr. Hull
declared that the bill had been unani-
mously reported from the committee,
and that its purpose was TO bring all the
divisions OF the War Department under
one responsible head. and does not pro-
vide for any increase Of officers.
Mr. Bartlett Dem. GaJ asked if It
was not an attempt Ito eliminate Gen-
eraI Miles as the General Commanding
the Army" 8ir. Hull declared It was
not, and said that the term command
ing general was a misnomer; that the
only commander-fn-chief is the Presi-
dent
Nr. Richardson said he would oppose
the bill unless it was amended Mr. Hay
Dem1. member of the Committee on
Military Afairc, urged the passage o.
the bill
On the question Of consideration tho
vote stOod-G2 10 4.
The bill was then placed on its final
passage, and the vote, on division
stuod-62 to Al
Two-thirds having failed TO vote. M
Hull demanded the ayes and noes. Con
trary TO expectation, a large number Of
Democrats voted against the measure,
and the vote stood-108 10 So Again
tTo-tbirds having failed to vote in ia
vor Of the bill, call Of the House was
demanded.
Only 161 members responding, the
House adjourned until tomorrow.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
OF BUBONIC
PLAGUE CONFIRMED

Reports that bubonic plague has
broken out at Mazatlau. Mexico. were
confirmed this morning BY official al
vices received at the State Department
from United States Consul Kaiser. sta
toned at Mazatlaa.
A cablegram from Consul Kaiser says
that an expert physician sent By the
Mexican government has made an ex-
animation Of the cases and pronounces
the disease unquestonably bubOnic
plague.
He adds that every precautton to pre-
vent the spread of the disease has been
taken
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
WEATHER CONDITIONS.

The weather continues cloudy and IN
settled east OF the Mississippi Pressure
continues low in Atlantic Coast districts
There was rain Sunday along the At
laHtc Coast from Georgia TO eastern
Pennsylvania
The temperature continues generally
above the seasonal average in all parts
OF the country.
Cloudy. unsettled weather with OeCa
siOnal rain IN Southern. and snow in
Northern districts VIII continue tonight
and Tuesday east OF the Mississippi
Light TO fresh west 10 northwest winds
viii continue along the middle and south
Atlantic and east CUT coasts
Steamers departing today for Eu-
ropeaE ports VIII have fresh northwest
10 ives: winds and cloudy weather TO
The Grand Banks.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
WILL INSPECT ELLIS ISLAND,

Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury
TAYLOR is in New York on department
business. He VIII be Joined there on
Thursday morning by Commissioner Gen
eral of immigration Frank P. Sargent
and the two will inspect the improve
ments recently made at Ellis Island.
They will also consider a number Of
suggested improvements
Complaint has been made by the bu-
reau that steamship lines entering New
York have recently inaugurated a move
20 bring passengers TO this country fO-
a very low fare Many couvicts from
Europe have made their appearance at
that 2Ort.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
TO EXAMINE STATE
STATUTES ON TRUSTS

Senator Fairbanks introduced in the
Senate today resolution requesting that
there be prepared and printed a COM
piIatiou Of the laws of the various States
relating to trusts. An amendment was
made by which the decisions Of the
State and Federal courts on TIE statutes
viii also be printed
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
BARRED FROM FATHERS ESTATE

At The conclusion Of the hearing in the
contest over the estate OF the late VII
son w. Griffith, by his son, EtheIbeTt S.
Griffith. Justice Barnard today instructed
the jury to return a verdict against the
contestant The hearing was begun
about a month ago. but was adjourned
over the Christmas holidays.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
Mr.. FLAEAGAN ASSUMES
HIS SEAT IN THE HOUSE

In the House today the credentials OF
Dewitt c. Flanagan as Representative
from the Fifth New Jersey district. sue
ceeding the late Joshua s. Salmon de-
ceased, were presented, and Mr. FlanA-
gan took the oath cf ofice.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
Anthracite Coal.

To meet the present scarcity Of anthracite
coal we have contracted with individual on
orators for the immediate delivery OF 5000 tons
in furnace, egg, stove and chestnut sizes. which
we offer 70 our patrons and the public gen
orally at SO per ton J. Naury Dove Company.
Inc-AdY.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
MasterfuI Inactivity in the
Line of Conferences and
investigations, ButMachen
Holds His Job in Spite Of
Revised Statutes.
Members Of Coal Committee
Attempt to Justify Action
by Claiming 1t Was Goal
From the Machen Family
or Close Department"

Behind a masterfuI show OF inactivity
in the line Of conferences and investiga-
tions the Postofice officials today sought
protection from the stigma that is in
separabIe from their failure to enforce
the statutes OF the United States which
they are sworn TO uphold Despite the
evidence which has been placed before
them through the Investigations Of The
Times that Sections 412 and 1888 Of the
Revised Statutes had been violated by
one of the foremost officials of the de
partment in that he has participated in
profits resulting from contracts with the
department, those officials have failed
to perform the duties imposed upon them
by those very statutes, and August ".
Machen, the superintendent Of the. free
delivery division. remains an official Of
the Postofice Department.
Members of the coal committee OF the
department attempt to Justify their &C
ton in entering into a contract with an
official of the department on the ground
OF emergency. They claim they were
unable 10 obtain coal elsewhere at the
time. and that it was 10 contract with
AIachen Bros or 10 close the department
The local dealers in coal assert there has
never been a time when they were not
prepared TO supply the department with
coal, and that 1t was only matter OF
price
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
INSURANCE METZ HERE.

a delegation of Baltimore life insur-
ance men visited the Capital this after
noon The party was merely on a days
outing \ banquet Will be held at the
New Willard this evening,
The Washington times., 1903-01-05

Bargains in Houses. For sale BY stone &
Fairfax. See Page II.-AdY.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
TEMPERATURE.
TILE SIN
TIDE TABLF

sun sets today ...'-----...4:52 .. 10.
Sun rises tomorrow .----........7-1g q. n
The Washington times., 1903-01-05
An EXPLANATION Asked.

II it was done as an emergency meas
ore, they further ask. how do the de-
partment officials explain that as much
IS q year ago, when no emergency could
be claimed. Maehen Bros, Of which the
superintendent of the free delivery dt-
vision is an acknowledged member, was
supplying the mail bag repair shop with
anthracite coaI?
At the Postofice Department this
morning everything was shrouded IN
mystery. First Assistant Postmaster
General Wynne said nothing had de
veIoped so far as he was aware. Mr.
Bristow, the Fourth Assistant Post
master General, following an audience
with Postmaster General Payne. said
that he was not at liberty to talk on the
subject ANY direct information re-
garding these matters" he continued
must be obtained direct from the Post
master General
The Postmaster General. however, was
protected from the general caller. Sew
eraI members of Congress obtained an
audience with him, but as they emerged
August W. Machen, superintendent Of the
free delivery division, came from an
ante-room where he had been, and re-
sumed an earnest conversation with
Postmaster General Payne. Whether he
succeeded in satisfactorily explaining the
situation it was impossible to ascertain,
as secrecy has been entoined upon every
official OF the department. and Mr.
Maehen was still with the Postmaster
General at a late hour.
Complaints Against Methods.
Complaints against the methods per
sued In compelling residents along the
line Of rural free delivery routes 10
adopt certain makes Of mail boxes in
which the ring are Interested continue
TO be made The following appears in
the Country Gentleman" published at
Albany, under the date Of January !:
"If this section Of the rural postoffice
delivery is a sample of the whole coun-
try, the agricultural press ought to be
prompt in voicing q protest against an
abuse Of official power and a contempt
bic exhibition Of red tape
The postofice inspector for this dis
trict has been condemning mail boxes
on the country routes by the wholesale.
and the suspicion is aroused that some
official. nigh or low. carriers or inspect
The Washington times., 1903-01-05

See Page IL Houses for sale by Stone 4
FsirfaX.-ACB.
The Washington times., 1903-01-05

Cloudy, unsettled Wea-
ther. with rain or snow to-
night