davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-09-09
NOT YELLOW FEVER,
BUT MALARIA ONLY
Public Health Officials on
Outbreak in Cuba.
DR.. YBARRA'S STATEMENTS
Says 1t Is the Genuine Article and Ac-
cuses Cuban Officials With "Cor-
recting" Reports.

officials of the Public Health Service
said this morning that the report OF
DR.. A. NJ. Fernandez Ybarra, of New
York. alleging the outbreak of yellow
fever in Cuba and accusing the CUSan
officials Of correcting the yellow fever
cases in their reports, is probably
based on misinformation. Dr.. Ybarra
asserts that ''the new plague is nothing
more nor less than yellow fever"
The Public Health Service maintains
that any cases OF yellow fever in Cuba
would certainly have been reported. for
the service has maintained a vigilant
watch on health conditions there since
the withdrawal of the United States
troops and officials
Minister Squiers Denies 1t.
For some time there have been re-
ports of general epidemic of fever in
the vicinity of Santiago, but a compre-
hensive dispatch from Minister Squiers
stated that the disease was not yellow
fever but malaria fever. Another report
from DR.. Carlos Finlay. chief OF the
Cuban health service, declares this cpl
.
Surgeon General Wyman is at Old Point
Comfort, Va. He is expected TO return
10 Washington today, however, and may
be able to throw more light on the sub
ject,
DR.. Ybarra, who has recently returned
to New York after spending a year in
Havana. says the reason the Cuban
officials are concealing yellow fever
cases is because they fear interference
by United States authorities If an out
break of yellow fever is reported
The Threatening Clause.
The Plat amendment. it is said, con-
tains a clause providing for such inter
ference in the case of another outbreak
of yellow fever epidemic. If such
should prove the case. it is said there
would be no hesitation on the part OF
the Federal authorities TO take steps
necessary TO protect public health in
the United States under the Plat
amendment.
The Washington times., 1903-09-09
TREASURY RECEIPTS.

National bank notes received for re-
demption yesterday amounted to $3.50. 70
EOS. Government receipts from internal
revenue were 1850, los. customs. 1854. =
1872; miscellaneous. $126.67L Expendi-
lures were 100000
The Washington times., 1903-09-09
The Threatening Clause.
WILLIAM L. REEDS WILL.

The will of William L. Reed, dated
April z, 1903, has been filed for probate
He leaves his estate In trust to the
American Security for the benefit of
Lucretia z. Johnson for life. At her
death the property IS to revert TO her
daughter. Helen Bird Johnson
The Washington times., 1903-09-09
LICENSE TAX PAYMENT
MADE UNDER PROTEST
Potomac Electric Company
Thinks 1t a Hardship.
SHOULD NOT BE NAGGED"
Whole Subject Referred to Corporation
Counsel for His Opinion on
Equities of the Case.

The District Commissioners and the
Potomac Electric Power Company are
at odds, and the following letter has
been received by the Commissioners
from General Harries, vice president of
the company:
Under date of August 81, 1903. we
were notified by James G. Simpson, of
the electrical engineers office, that until
we paid a license tax OF S25 as contrac-
tors under paragraph IS, section 7, of
the District of Columbia appropriation
act for the fiscal year 1902, the office OF
the electrical engineer could not ap-
prove any further applications from US
to hang private arc lamps or to make
any connection to inside wiring
This letter was referred to counsel
a warrant was issued for the arrest of
L. E Sinclair for alleged violation of
the paragraph of the statute referred to-
Check Sent Under Protest.
Without at this time commenting
upon the unnecessary and remarkable
haste of such a procedure, 1 send here
with the company's check for $25 and
apply for the issuing of such license as
may in your opinion be necessary that
we may continue to do business without
suffering petty annoyance and Interrupt
ton. This payment is made under pro-
test and under advice of counsel. but ia
accordance with his suggestion l ask
that the matter be referred to the City
Solicitor for an opinion as to whether
we may legally or equitably be held.
in view of the fact that We pay. in
accordance with the terms of this same
statute. per cent OF our gross receipts
as personal tax. 1t does seem to me to
be extraordinary that the business OF
this company should be arbitrarily held
up IN order that there might be speedy
collection of the Insignificant sum of SIS.
1t does appear TO me that a company
with our standing in this community
paying approximately $4,000 year as
taxes, should not be nagged in this
fashion"
The Washington times., 1903-09-09
SWINDLERS IN SPAIN
TRYING A NEW GAME
A Washington Merchant
Picked Out as a Victim.
ALETTER FROM A "DUNGEON''
Large Sum Promised for Aid in Liber-
ating Prisoner and Caring for a
Mythical Daughter.

z. F. Droop, of the firm of z. F. Droop
& Sons. has received a letter which ap-
pears to be one of a series published
within the past few weeks in newspa-
pers in different parts of the country
and emanating from a gang of sharpers
whose base of operations is Spain. The
trademark OF all these letters is a
promise of a large sum OF money for
assistance in liberating wealthy man
from some Spanish dungeon and assuIa-
ing the guardianship of his much dis
tressed daughter.
This particular letter purports to
come fro n the dungeons of the Castle
Fort OF Barcelona" The name signed
to IL is Agustin Lafuente. The writer
enioins the greatest secrecy regarding
the contents OF the letter and requests
that reply be sent TO "Mr. Pedro
Ruiz, Paeo de San Juan, No. 257, BARGE
Iona who is represented as the on
hdential and trustworthy servant of :he
writer's father confessor, which latter is
to deliver into the hands of the obliging
recipient Of the letter the alleged
daughter OF the distressed prisoner.
Senior Lafuente's Sufferings.
Senior Lafuente relates that on ac-
count OF taking part in the Cuban revo-
luton he was obliged ito emigrate in the
American North ground, taking along
with me my money valued TO dollars
$4,000. After having resided some time
in New York I received the sad news
my wife had died. leaving my dear
daughter In despair and without help. In
this sad situation / found myself in the
necessity Of coming back to Spain 10
help my daughter and bring her in my
company to America"
The letter then goes on to relate
how Immediately upon his arrival in
Spain he was seized and thrown into
prison and that he is only visited in
his dungeon by the chaplain who Is to
act as convoy to the daughter in her
journey TO America
Promise Of Wealth.
The writer promises fourth OF the
aforesaid $685. 900. which is said to be
deposited in a New York bank, for the
aid to be given in securing his free
dom. and-here Is the crucial part of
the epistle-asks that a sum sufficient
to defray the expenses of the expedition
of chaplain and daughter be sent TO him
under cover of Mr.. Pedro Ruiz
The Washington business man to
whom this letter was addressed has
written a reply asking for further in
formation. and is awaiting il with no
little curiosity.
The Washington times., 1903-09-09

Criticism of the new general staff of
the army has begun. Friends of Gen
eraI Miles and other opponents OF the
new system of army organization are
finding fault with the general staff law
before il has been in operation month.
but general STATS in other countries
suffer the same criticism.
With the War College properly de-
veIoped and the institution of the detail
system by which officers remain on the
general staff for only four years. the
War Department hopes to give the
American Army a staff as efficient as
that of the German army.
In three or four weeks the detail of
instructors and students for the Army
War College Will probably be made. and
the system of training staff officers will
begin in earnest.
A defense of the general staff OF the
English army in a recent issue OF the
Military Mail" shows what the new
staff in this country must endure in the
way of criticism. The article is. in part.
as follows:
Abuse a Tradition.
ct is a standing tradition. not alto
gether peculiar to the British army, TO
abuse the army staff. both in peace and
war time, more especially In war time
This practice. no doubt, has its origin
in the extreme incapacity that the staff
have at times displayed. but has now
become one OF the axioms OF active
service. This is curious because, il one
person is more essential than any other.
not only TO comfort. but to military sue
cess. 1t is the staff officer, that is to
say, the good staff officer; he is worth
his weight in gold. Ii would appear
from history that the British army has
been cursed with an incompetent staff
at many periods of its past. In the
Peninsula the duke had leavened and
winnowed his staff till IL was extremely
efficient; but. anon. by the time of
Waterloo. half the best men were in
America or in the uttermost parts of
the earth: so that for that crowning
campaign he had the worst staff TO give
his own words, that a general was ever
cursed with. In Tirah the staff was
cursed and abused most heartily. some
times, perhaps. with reason. but far in
excess of what their mistakes merited;
In South Africa, as a matter Of course,
every one abused the staff. Doubtless
IL was due TO the shortcomings of the
staff that the army 'swore so terribly in
Flanders
TrIfvidrzaIc
The Washington times., 1903-09-09
Papers Referred.

Commissioner West today moved that
the papers in the case be referred to the
Assessor. to note the payment of tax;
to the Collector OF Taxes for receipt and
proper credit; to the electrical engineer
for statement of the basis for levying
the tax, which statement. together with
the papers. will be referred to the Cor
port.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
MILES, REPORT HELD
TO BE INOCUOUS
Army Officers Say Evils Complained of Have Been
EradICated

wiac. this IS exactly The eougse which
has been pursued. Many of the evils
nave been eradieared and lhe report haas
fallen aat. Among army officers it IS
declared the report VIII have aasoluteIy
TO effect upon the government of the
army. and can only give satisfaction and
comfort 10 the enemies of the Admins
trariou General Miles viii retire from
The service next August. and even had
no not long ago been practically zhorE
OF all his powers by he AdIutaut Gen
erals Office and Secretary Of War the
time remaining would prove too limited
to enable General Miles TO put into el-
feet any scheme for reform in the army.
On the other hand, the report canuo,
and viii not be used as an instrument
against its author. Secretary Root at
the outset announced it was In the ma
ture of a personal communication, and
therefore. privileged. He also said If
would not be made public. Now that he
has given its maker leave o print, the
inference follows he has likewise given
MIN absolution for any offensive matter
contained in it.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
EAPL0YE TURNS on
THE DEATH CURPE En- T
John Berkowitz Is Instantly Killed by
Electricity.

PHILADELPHIA. April 29,-Electricity
instantly killed John BerEowitz. a night
employe at the American Bridge Com
pany's works, Pensoyd. early yesterday
morning. The current that lights the
arc lamps in the big establishment pass
ed through the mans body, and he did
not even have time TO cry out
Berkowitz. who lived at Tenth and
Catbarine Streets in this cigy. was in
the act OF turning On the light of one
OF the lamps when he met with his sud
den end. He used a bar of iron TO reach
the lamp and turn on the nickel key. AS
Berkowitz stood on piece OF iron when
he biz the key with the iron bar, and
started The current he also formed q
connection that sent the deadly power
through his body
Like dash the man was hurled TO
the ground. The electricity had done its
work in the fraction OF q second. and
left 10 marks The man was hurried 10
St Timothy's Hospital where the ply
sicians said that BerkoW-itz never know
what struck him
Coroner Kane, OF Montgomery county,
held an inquest on the case and The
body was sent to the dead mans home
yesterday afternoon.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29

As the story is told is army circles.
General Miles report was not given 10
the public until after Secretary Root
had cause to suspect that its main fea
lures had been given to the anti-im-
perialIsts of the country. The hint was
conveyed to him in the letter written by
Herbert Welsh. OF Philadelphia directly
after the Secretary had refused TO grant
General Funston d court OF inquiry upon
the charges OF crueIues made by Mr.
Welsh. The latter IN his letter. after re-
viewing his case agains- Funston. re
marked that The general commanding
the army. in mis- report OF his trip to
the Philippines. had commented fully on
the alleged atrocities. and It would be
well to give that report general eircu-
Iation
Since the report was dated February
- last. It is Inferred here that its pub
location was held back over two months
in order that its charges against the
army IL the islands might be referred
to the proper officers for investigation
and possible correction. Al a matter
OF fact. whether Intentional OF other
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
BISHOP GONATY ENDS
CAREER IN WASHINGTON
Leaves Today for His Home in
Massachusetts,

Bishop Couaty. former rector Of the
Catholic University, left Washington to
day at 1870 for New York whence he
viii proceed 10 Worcester. Mass. his
former home, for visit of two weeks
Bishop Conaty was accompanied by
members OF his household who have oc-
cuDied the picturesque home of the rec
tor, The Pines" in the university
grounds Bishop Conaty viii return TO
Washington for few days about che
middle OF May and viii then go direct
TO California TO take up his duties as
bishop OF. Los Angeles.
The esteem III which DR.. Conaty IS held
by the students of tbs university was
made manifest yesterday in TWO hand
some gifts, one. goId-mounted cane
from the lay students of the university,
and a gold clock from the students Of
Caldwell Hall The presentations were
made by F. 6. Fitzpatrick, of Boston
for the lay students. and the Rev John
Webster Melody. 5. T. l., OF Chicago,
for the divinity students Bishop Co
naty responded in a happy vein. cx-
pressing his personal regret at leaving
the college and reminding the students
Of the loyalty due TO their alma mater.
Bishop Conaty was the second rector
OF the Catholic University. succeeding
Archbishop Keane. He served as rector
six years ana won not only the hearty
support OF the directors. faculty and stu
dents. but the admiration OF the entire
Catholic world by his principles OF ad-
ministraicn.
Thomas. James Conaty was born IN
Ireland August /. 1917 He received
his early education at Taunton, Mass,
later attending the Montreal College,
College of the Holy Cross. Montreal
Theological School He was ordained a
priest December y. 1872.
He served as president of the Catholic
Total Abstinence Union of America. and
was one OF the organizers Of the Cath
Ollie Summer School at PIattsburg. n.
Y. and president of the latter institu-
ton from 1898 TO 1897. He was selected
by the American Catholic bishops to
succeed Bishop Keane as rector of the
Catholic University OCTOBER -. 1896,
and was appointed to the position by
his holiness Pope Leo XIII, November
20, 1896
In 1887 the Pope conferred upon him
the title of domestic preIate-
Bishop Conaty has long been Identified
with educational and social movements,
and for four years edited the Catholic
School and Home Magazine" Prior to
assuming The office Of rector of the
university he was engaged in parocbial
work, and now expresses his satisfac-
tion IN taking it up once more
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
WOMAN JUSTIFIED IN
KILLING INTRUDER
Mrs. Viola Discharged From Custody
IN Boston

BOSTON. Mass. April 29--Holding
that her action in defending herself and
family against an intruder into her
home at dead of night was entirely jus
uHa5Ie. Judge Ely, Of the municipal
court. yesterday discharged Mrs. Isa-
bella Viola. twenty years cid, who was
arrested on sunday for shooting Lieu
tenant Kelly. OF the fire department
Kelly. who had been calling on wo-
man in one part Of the house where
cbe Violas lived, went away. leaving
some personal property behind him He
returned to set it. but broke in the
wrong door he attacked Ar. Viola.
who opposed him. Mrs. Viola, seeing
that Kelly was overpowering her hus-
band. seized a revolver and shot Kelly.
iudicting fatal wounds.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
Prominent CITIZENS
SUPPOSED GH0ULS
Grand Jury Expected to Return Iudict-
ments for Grave Robberies.

ST JOSEPH, Mich, April 29.-The
grand jury here is Investigating the al
legged ROBBERY of graves in Berrien coun-
~ by an organized band OF ghouIs.
David n Brown and his daughter were
buried, a few years ago, on a farm il
Benton township. BY evidence intro
duced before the grand jury today it is
shown that the graves have been rob
bed. II is believed that indictments viii
be returned against prominent citizens,
whose names cannot now be learned
The grave Tobberies were discovered
by B. o. Brown of Chicago, who came
TO this city 10 move the bodies OF his
brother, David y. Brown. and his daugh-
ter from the farm to Crystal Springs
Cemetery.
other grave robberies are suspected
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
HEIR TO FORTUNE
ACCUSED Of THEFT
Louis Van Tolnay Locked Up il Chi
cage Police Station

CHICAGO. April 2a.-Louis Van Toll
nay, heir to one Of the greatest for
tunes in. Denmark. is q prisoner at The
Central police citation. accused By Or.
Albert MeUge, D. whom heWas employ
cd, of having stolen Jewels valued Al
$500. The prisoner is twenty-five yesrs
old. He speaks three languages
II am locked up in a cell. and VIII be
punished by the judge in the moruins.
IL I have done wrong, is not thaI
enough" ne said last night. Il do aar
wish 10 have my parents names con-
HecJed with this matter.
van ToInay @ouId never Tx a6ess
his family said Or Menge. but r
learned from trustworthy sources thse
he is connected with noble Denmal K
family.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
Personals and News Notes.

+ s. Healy is putting down q Crane
E5hic pavement in front of the stores o.
R. l.. Carne * Co. and James Roche in
King Street
James {. Thrift. OF Baltimore. who
has been visiting Mrs. Charles i. How
ard. has returned home.
Maria Dawson. OF Seminary Hin. has
as her guests her cousins Ida and Flor
euce Dawson Of Baltimore
On next Friday a delightful tea VIII
be given al the Golf CIubhousa by Mrs
Henry T. Robertson. Mrs. Gatewool.
and Mrs. danger Leid'
Mrs. Morris is in Baltimore visiting
friends.
The Rev Father Sullivan. who has
been conducting mission at 81 Marg S
Church here. Is quite sick
Hubert Snowden. o. the "AIezaudria
Gazette. LETT TODAY Tor ST. Louis.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
REPENTS.
GOVERNMENT RELENTS
Cuuboat Ranger to Be Sent to Reform
Cd Port in Washington.

BremerJoa. Wash. has promised 10 be
=god i'm the future, so the Navy Depart
maat has decided TO remove the ban plac-
sd upon the naval station there some
months ago. At that time orders were
issued that no more vessels be sent to
Gremerton for repairs until the town
should purge itself Of the various pit
ElIls alleged to exist there for the sail
ors and marines or shore leave
Many protests were received, and some
dsnlaIs Of the charges. soRe Of the in
GuentiaI citizens admitted conditions had
been bad. bur said the town was now
trying TO do better. AS result, the gun
boat Ranger viii be sent 10 BremertOn
shortly for an extensive overhauIing.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
TWO VERDlCTS IN FAVOR
OF STREET RAILWAY

In the suit OF Hosea B. MouIton. ad-
mfnistrator OF the estate of Ella c.
Wooayier. against the Metropolitan Rail
road Company, TO recover $10,0 as
damages accrued on account OF the death
of Mrs Woodyier. the jury reported a
verdict in favor OF the railroad. Mrs
Woodyier died October %. 1900 from the
effects of injuries she received in alight-
ing from a street car at the corner of
NJ and Ninth Streets, on September Il.
1900
In the suit of Amanda Baker against
the Metropolitan Railroad Company te
recover s., 0G0 for personal injuries the
verdict was in favor OF the railroad.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
AUXILIARY NATIONAL
INDIAN ASSOCIATION

The last meeting of the season Of the
Washington Auxiliary of the National
Indian Association viii be held this
afternoon in the parIors of the First
Congregational Church Tenth and G
Streets northwest.
a short talk on Alaska" viii be given
by Dr. Sheldon Jackson. who viii e1-
.Elbit number Of curios IN illustration.
THE officers os the association are Mrs.
NJ E. c Wilbur, president; Mrs T L.
Alexander, corresponding secretary;
2Irs. c. J. Cummings. secretary, and
Mrs. a. ". Dow, treasurer
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
LEGAL BATTLE FOR
PUTNAM HONEST EhD
R. NJ. S. Putnam and Wife Seek 20
Nullify Clause in Bull VIII

WHITE PLAINS. y. Y. April "a
suit has been begun in the supreme
court Of Westehcster county 10 have
declared nun and void certain para
graphs OF the will Of the late Mary Put
nam Bull, who died IN the village OF
Tarrytown on April 1. 1895. leaving an
estate of more than three-quarters OF
million dollars.
Her nephew. Robert u. S. Putnam. a
lawyer, with Offices at 81 Nassau Street,
New York. and his wife are the plain
tfns. The defendants are his brothers,
John Risley Putnam. Of the imperial
customs Of China, now resident OF Foo
Chow. China: Lieut. Israel Putnam, L
s. A. stationed at Manila, and his cous-
ms. George K Putnam. of the United
States Coast Survey william Clement
Putnam. EIizahPth Putnam, Benjamin P
Putnam. Edward K Putnam. Henry St
Clair Putnam, and Charles NJ Putnam
Lawyer Putnam seeks to restrain his
brothers and cousins from having an
equity in the homestead at TarTyt0wn
left By Mrs. Bull. which now passes TO
him on account Of the death Of his ia
Their.
Mary Putnam Bull was sister of the
late supreme court justice, John R Put
nam. and q greaL-gra nddaughter OF Gen
Israel Putnam. OF Revolutionary fame
Ter viii provided that Robert, the plain
tiff. was to receive an annual income OF
g Geo. ard 800 Geo upon his marriage, 10
which ne must have the consent OF MS
father and mother. At the dea5H OF
General Putnam ne was TO be the owner
of the Bull homestead at TarrytoWn
Owing 10 the peculiar wording Of the
instrument Robert now seeks for con
struction of the viii by the supreme
court.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
ALEXANDRIA NEWS NOTES.

time that Councilman Brill has ever
been Photographed.
assaulted by Weil-Known Young Men.
Weil-known young men last night as
sauuted Stuart Bryan, young man of
this city. at the corner of Prince and
Columbus Streets, The affair created
excitement in the netghborhood, and a
large crowd quickly gathered BY the
time the police arrived. however, the
assailants OF Mr.. Bryan had disappeared
II is understood that number Of ar
rests viii follow, and the case wII come
up in the police court tomorrow morn
ing
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
In the Corporation Court.

IN the corporation court, Judge Bar
ley. yesterday the Rev. n. II. Waring
was appointed guardian OF the children
of the late silas White. A decree was
entered in the case Of Elizabeth Co0uey
IS. William Morrow ca al, ordering
Commissioner Stuart to distribute the
funds in mis- hands from the sale of Ger
lain property.
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
In the Mayors Court.

In the mayors court this morning. tbs
Hon. George L. Simpson presiding. the
following cases were disposed Of; La
vania Payne, a negro. charged by Alice
washington with assauIting and beating
her. Policeman Mayhem made the ar
rest. From the evidence it was shown
that both the complainant and the de
fendant were at fault. and the mayor
imposed on each a fine of g Maria
Wallace, a negro, arrested BY Policeman
Mayhem, was charged with using i'm
proper language and was fined $3.50
The Washington times., 1903-04-29
SAVED By Mss STONE.

CONsTANTNOFLE April 29-The
levying o. bIacimai by the Macedonian
committee is iucessant. The American
missionaries. however. have been indi-
TrctIy informed that they need not fear
The committee. the ransom of Ellen vi.
stone being regarded as an American
contribution to the revolutionary fund. j"