davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
GRAND JURY ON TRANSIT Evils.

If the members OF the Kings County grand
jury thought that in their presentment against
the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company they were
making helpful contribution to the discussion
of the transportation problem they have much
TO learn. They have merely managed to COM
pIicate the situation and. far anybody
takes serious account of what they say, distract
attention from practical remedies for the exist
ing evils That the Brooklyn cars are terribly
overcrowded and the service inadequate TO pub
lie demands is fact about which there is no
dispute. Part of that overcrowding is due to
conditions for which the railroad company is in
no way responsible 1t cannot double the ca
pacity of the Brooklyn Bridge in the rush hours.
Do the best it can. there is bound to be discom-
fort and delay night and morning. There are
other shortcomings in the transportation sys-
TENS of both Manhattan and Brooklyn which
might be corrected by liberal and enlightened
management. But even on this subject con-
vinced as the people are that all possible ser
vice is not rendered to the limit of public COM
fort, there is much disagreement and hundreds
of impossible schemes being called forth.
1t is to sft out reasonable from unreasonable de-
mands and find practicable remedies for what
ii is possible to remedy that the Railroad Com
mission and the Mayor and the Merchants AS
time, when attention is concentrated on these
definite practical problems of betterment is
chosen by the grand jury, or its adviser, TO
spring upon the public an i'll digested scheme
for public ownership and demand for for
feiture of the Brooklyn street railway charters.
couched in this language:
We also find that by reason of It's negligence
inefficency and unwillingness to perform It's
duty the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company and
its constituent companies have forfeited the
right to longer continue In the enjoyment and
exercise of their charters and franchises, and
we recommend to the Attorney General and
urge upon him that. with all due speed, he in
stitute action to annul their charters and
strip them OF their franchises accordingly.
Leaving aside the question whether or not
the company has so failed 10 perform It's duties
as to deserve dissolution, consider what relief
the procedure recommended would be to the
suffering patrons of the road; also consider
a practical immediate policy the proposition
for municipal control and operation of the sys-
tenn. Suit for forfeiture by the Attorney Cen
eral would mean years Of litigation and the
the needed Improvement of transit conditions
TO the defence of it's franchises. 1t would
suit i'm sidetracking all rational attempts for the
development Of adequate railroad facilities TO
keep up with ohr growing population, and in
pIunging the city into an excited campaign on
the issue OF municipal socialism. The wisdom
of municipal ownership and operation of light
Much may be said Oh both sides. Conceding
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.

Washington, Dec 81 (SpeciaD.-The time honored
custom of watching the old year out was generai'y
observed by all classes of society here. Many OF
the ambassadors and ministers entertained the
members of their staffs dinner, after which
"reminiscences of home enjoyed until the
dawning of the year. At the RUSSIAN En-
bassy and the Chinese Legation there was no cele-
bration, as their years do not oes1n uhtii
later The official family of the German Am
bassador gave a genuine German supper. many Of
the deI;cacies having been brought from the
FatherIand by the ambassador on MS recent re-
turn from abroad. The company assembled at
o'clock and the feast prolonged until the dawn
Of the year.
At the dinr4r given by the Italian ambassador
to his embassy staff the customs of their home
land were followed. and at midnight the big bell
at the entrance peaIed forth merry greeting TO
America and the countries represented at her
capital.
The minister from the Argentine Republic and
Sonora Merou entertained a midnight company of
the representatives from the Spa nish speaking
countries The guests included Sefior Ojeda. the
minister from Spain, and the Brazilian minister and
Nine de Assis- Brasil. who have come from New
York to attend the New Years reception at the
White House. and guests at the Argentine
Legation.
The State Department has been informed that re-
cent changes in the diplomatic corps at Copen-
hagen have resulted in elevating Mr.. Swenson, the
United States Minister Denmark, to the position
of dean of that body 1t is understood that this is
the first time American minister has received
that distinction at the Danish court.
Ambassador Won Holleben called on Secretary
Moody to-day and presented Captain Erwin
Schaefer of the German navy. who has just re-
norted here for duty as naval attache of the Ger
man Embassy.
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
pPFpOSTEROTS,

In news article which The Tribune printed
on Tuesday about the resumption or WORK oi
the abominably mismanaged Elm-st. improve
mont q simpIe hearted and credulous reporter.
reaectinc the interested views of officer of
the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, sald
that if the franchise for a trolley line through
EIm-st. which has been held up for more than
two wears should be granted TO that corpora
ton great relief from the congestion or traIhc
on its Madison and Fourth ave. lines woulu
follow.
That the Metropolitan company has maze no
secret of its longing to get possession OF Ei-st.
is less discreditable to its managers fhan d
policv of underhanded manipulation would have
been 1t may even he unreasonable to condemn
watchful and enterprising men in their position
when they go boldly for the things they want
without regard to the general welfare But it
would be a wretched example of popular folly
to refrain from protesting vigorously against
such a grant. and of official unfaithfuness if
such a grant were made. whether popular pro-
fest had or had not been entered. The municl-
nal authorities are bound TO protect the public
from abuse even though citizens who are not
paid to show them their duty are unobservant
OF negleetful. We trust it is not rash TO hope
that they will discharge that obligation in this
instance with or without general admoni-
ton.
With trolleys st hand on the one side on
Broadway and on the other side on the line to
Fourth-ave and with the underground be-
meath its own surface. Elm has no more need
of a trolley than cat has of two tails; and the
only effect of streetcars there would be to defeat
the purpose for which the street was opened,
straightened and widened at such monstrous
cost But there was never a speedway built
that some fool or knave didn't Immediately
want to turn It into an automobile racetrack;
never a splendid country highway the middle
of which some specuator didn't forthwith try
to tear up for q trolley; and there will never be
a broad beautiful roadway in New-York which
the tricky agents of the Metropolitan will not
want to confiscate for another car track and
which feeble minded or venal citizens will not
promptly declare they ought to have. Unless
the people who have paid so heavily to get in
Elm-st free line for the truck and other
traffic that now makes both Broadway and the
Bowery welnigh impossible either for trucks
or streetcars look after their own interests, the
only result will be that the present barbarous
confusion on the two streets will be repeated
on the third.
Of course the company wants Eim-st.. and
Will smugly lament the city's unwillingness to
help it serve the public convenience Equally,
of course its spurious professions Of devotion
TO the public welfare should be discounted in
this instance exactly 100 per cent. Because,
having early got its head into the municipal
tent, the Metropolitan camel is now there with
ali four feet there is no reason why the COM
munity should hang a testimonial of praise and
gratitude on its tail a final act Of renuncia-
fion
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01

of life anu of progress. and is essen'iai 10
change The unbroken flowing OF the sresih
above the falls is Just necessary anu Just "s
significant as IFS more spectacular splenuoi
where Il breaks in tumult in the cataract anu
we:lt * most 10 be noted in the huN OF 'he
fas wear. and what is most instinct with nope
aud high encouragement, is that with Few eA-
,.ptions the flow was in the right direction
toward peace and good fellowship and en-
nobled standards of human existence III we
except some cases which may be counted upon
the fingers Of one hand and they not the most
important it must be conceded that the dolhgS
of the year i'm national and international aHalrs'
have been of advantage to mankind and SUCH
AS have made the world the better for their
having been performed, In brief, the year fei'
the world better than it found 1t. ana left 10 lts
successor q more hopeful legacy than that
which II received from its predecessor. lt did
not finish many matters of Importance But IL
put them in the way of being finished. and or
being finished Alright. The result is that where
men faced the first day of 1902 with anxiety
and misgivings or at best with feeble nope,
they face this opening day of 1905 with conn
dence and with exultation. That is the su-
preme fact which will move men to cherlsh
with gratitude remembrances of 1902.
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Washington Dec 81 (speciaD.-The Presiden'
tbok advantage of the perfect weather To-Day anu,
after receiving few callers went TOT lone ~ -
leaving the White House in company wlfn trsee'a
g r NJ Young The President. since his INJURY
at Ptttsield always drives TO the SUBURBS ah'
only mounts his horse after the country rea'S ar
rea che1. Before leaving the White house w
Roosevelt received Archbishop saare'u' APos.'''-
Delegate to Canada. who accompanied ny ten
eraI Leonard Wood: two young mep from tn'h''
9foung Toon and Moung Chet. ard Senators BUT
rows and Perkins. Secretary Hay also paid nr'f'
call.
In the ooursc of the day the President "Nerlo"Nt'
the arrangements made for the hlg New f7at :
reception suggesting certain changes and improve
rnents He also inspected the work on the east Ter
race which will prove important factor III adu-
ing to the comfort and convenience OF the guests
at the State receptions this winter me "efN a"
tho terrace is almost completed. and some paht'hH
which remains ta he done will he 81 timed az
not to interfere with the proposed social affairs
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01

water has reached figures which would stagger
even London.
Ancient Rome poured rivers into It's pubic
baths but its almost Incompatible aqueducts
were built chiefly by slaves, and the local treas
,iry under the Caesars was in no danger OF a
hfg deficit because of the citys abundant wafer
supply New-York's aqueducts and reservoirs
have cost millions of dollars, and within 1e"
wears they will cost tens of millions more. Lon
don is chiefly supplied by private companies,
and every year the complaints in that city OF
The insufficient quantity and the almost insui-
ferabe quality of the water grow louder ana
more vehement.
Consider the other great communities or the
world Scour' he earth over and nowhere VIII
bn found municipality which has spent hS
substance so lavishly for water as New-hork
has done But the waste and the leakage nave
kept pace with the outlay. Cur people WASTE
water with 4 recklessness "unapproached eise~
where Cleanliness is a commendabie virtue
but wanton profiigacy is not. The barrooTfis are
grievous offenders Meters by the thousands
are soreiy needed there.
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
NOTES OF SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON.

Washington, Dec 81 (speciaD.-Senator Kean, OF
New-Jersey, and Miss Kean gave dinner for
eighty young people tonight in honor OF tnelr
debutante niece Miss Christine Roosevelt who'
in company with her cousin, Miss Elfreda Roose-
veIt of Boston, is guest at the Kean house
The company included Miss Alice Roosevelt and
her guests, Miss Eleanor Roosevelt and MISS
Margaret Dix. Of New-York; the Misses Janet
and Julia Fish and Miss Grace Sedswick, of New
York; Miss Corneia Woleott. daughter OF the
late Roger Wolcott. former Governor OF Massa-
chusetts; Richard Derby and Edward Bowditch,
of New-York and John Satenstall of Boston.
who are guests at the White House. Mrs Will
lam Sheffield CowIes. sister of the President. and
Mrs George 3. Mcclellan. wife of the NeW-foFk
Congressman. were the only married women pres
ent ana later in the evening they acted as chap-
eroIs when the entire company attended the dance
given by Mrs Postlethwaite for her daughter
Carolyn.
society danced the old year out at the New Years
Eve ball given by Mrs. Postlethwaite tonight at
Rauscher's In honor of Miss Carolyn Postleth-
waite's debut. AS midnight approached four
strokes of a bell heralded the coming of the new
year The music suddenly ceased, and the merry
dancers paused for moment as the old year died.
and then joining hands around huge brass bell
which had been brought into the centre of the
ballroom they exchanged greetings and went
through the figures of an irnpromptu dance. After
ward supper was served in the dining room
the lower floor.
Mrs Draper wife of the former ambassador to
Italy gave a luncheon this afternoon. The guests
Eugene Hale wife of the Senator from Maine;
Mrs Ludlow wife of Admiral Ludlow; Mrs 3. Fl.
Warder, Mrs. Stanley Matthews. Mis- c. C.
Glover Mrs Pestlethwaite. Mrs George Lothrop
Bradley Mrs Robert Hinckley, Mrs. Marian
Johnston, Miss Jane Riggs and the Misses Kean.
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
Nssnllorls Dailn Gaibnase
THURSDAY, JANUARY l. 1908
THE VIEWS THIS HORNING-

FoREIGN-Germany' claims against Ven
ezuela are reported 10 be about the same as as
those OF Great Britain - The trouple n ~
Morocco is apparently not of great importance;
reports which have been sent from Madrla anu
Tangier being discredited. - Ihe rope re-
fused TO appoint the Abbe Klein to ne blslop % %
Monaco. .-=- President Roca was haIhea as
arbitrator I'm the dispute between Peru anu oo-
livia A wreck of freight trains on the
Grand Trunk road caused the death OF a con
ductor and delay of trains = - Many p,i l t .
viii be set free and many honors granted al t.is
coronation durbar at Delhi - me seconu 1i
mate on American brig was prooapi9 lo'"iiS
shot by the first officer AT Jamaica
DoMEsTIC-The reply of President castro
accepting the allies proposal to submit the
Venezuelan controversy to arbitration py 1Le
Hague tribunal was received by the state De
sparfment = The attitude of the Unitea
states in the Panama Canal negotiations MI III
Colombia officially explained - a
United States Government will accept pagireht
of the Chinese indemnity on silver oasls- -
MANY papers on commercial and financial topics
were road al the meeting of the American AS
rociation for the Advancement or sclence. =.
The report of the State Controlier SHOWS sLe 80
Increase in the amount of taxes coliecieo 1ioI"
rarnarafions and of the taxes on the organlza-
ton of companies. thus indicating the peheh' VI
the reduction in the tax for organization
cITY-Stocks were strong and active. ="
,rka ,-es- iona was welcomed with terrific noise
- The Metropolitan Street RAILROAD oonl-
pany decided to increase the wages OF lle es, en-
1,lo,res Z rer cent The United States steel
tyorporation announced a system OF proht sraT-
ing - Colonel Cole of the Railroad COM
mission, declared that the board had plan 10
improve traffic in this city and that IL must go
two effect no matter what the expense TO the
rompanies: the Merchants Association CON
demned the commission for holding secret meet
snes with the railroad officers - Magistrate
Rrann held Inspector Brooks for trial on tne
accusation of the reputed manager OF Cannelo
gambling place that the poIlcennan e&ceeuea Iii'
7nthoritY in making the raid on the East Forty
fourth-sf house. - Civil action was peeuh
against the Erie Railroad and the PennsylVanla
coal Company by men who declared they had
been kidnapped and forced TO work in the mines
during the coal strike. - An agea huseand
was asphyxiated by gas and ms wlle pdrely
saved two of their children had been killed py
accidents Ernesto @. Fabbri and Court
lendt Field Bishop each fined $50 for
speeding their automobiles beyono the rae 49, s
nv law Dr. Lederle in his report of the
Health Boards work stated that the death rate
for the year in Manhattan and The Bronx was
the lowest in their history.
THE Observation-Disclosures for to-day:
Fair and warmer The temperature yesterday:
Highest, So degrees; lowest, n
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
TIE YEAR AND THE WORLD.

"A conclusion in which nothing is concluded
is the phrase which aptly comes to mind IN
considering the year which is just past. Many
important works were done in it, and some
were apparently brought to an end But there
was scarcely one that did not leave its legacy
of real completion to the future. Cuba De-
came self governing State among the nations
of the world But her success in selfgoVern-
ment is vet to be established, and her rela-
tions with this and other lands are yet to be
determined. Peace was restored in South AT
rica but the intricate and burdensome problems
of rehabilitation remain to be solved. Impend-
ing foreign war in Venezuela was checked by
appeal TO arbitration, but the processes Of arbi-
tration are vet to be pursued and the results
enforced. Peace made in Colombia. and
negotiations for American construction of the
Panama Canal were begun, but as yet the
blessings of peace are not restored and the
canal negotiations are incomplete. The Ger
man Government enacted its much debated
tariff bill but the enforcement and effects of 1T
are vast uncertainties which loom up IN the
future. Much the same may be said of the
British Education BILL the fruit Of one of the
longest Parliamentary sessions in history A
new government came into office In France and
signal;zed its accession with bitter conflict
with Clericaisln. the end of which is not yet
Austria and Hungary continued their contro-
yersy over the Ausgeich without reaching an
agreement Russia continued her oppression
OF Finland and her aggressions in ManchBria,
and her ruthless repression OF all movements
for reform among her peasantry, but completed
none of those campaigns. On every hand i'm
portant things were done, but they were penulti-
rate or antepenuItimate in purport. In them
nothing was concluded.
That is not 10 say that the year was fruit
less or unsatisfactory. On the contrary, IL was
a year of profit to the world, the record of
which we may review with qualification. In
three continents its close saw peace where its
beginning had seen war. In half dozen cases
il saw the beneficent principle Of international
arbitration practised and approved. the United
States figuring conspicuously in most OF them
Ii saw and greatly promoted marked increase
of friendliDess and mutual tolerance, forbear-
ance and good faith among the nations Of the
world The visit of the German Emperor's
brother 10 the United States, the gathering of
representatives of the worlds governments at
the coronation OF the British sovereign, the
universal expressions of sympathy in King Ed
wards afficfion, the reception Of the Boer gen
erals in England-these Were only a few of the
incidents OF the year which showed how in
creasingIy true it is that mankind are one in
spirit" Means OF communication and of trans
portation among nations were improved, and
consequently the nations were drawn more
closely together, in thought and feeling ss well
rs in trade so that mere than ever before that
which concerned any one became a matter OF
concern 10 all.
II was year of fux. But fux is a process
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
AmnsemeiIis.

ACApENT OF MrrsIC-2-s: :ra-T'he Ninety and Nine.
AMERICAS THEATRES S.l5-The Silver King
RB.I-ASt'c THEATRES Darling NJ the Gods.
BiEOE TEfEATRE-a-I5--S:Ia- Nrcking Riid
BROADWAY TFEATRE-2-S-The Silver Shppnr-
t-ASlNo-2:15-s.f5--A Chinese HONEYMOON.
tRtTERION THEATRE S:1s-Thc Cara.r.
DAisyS THEATRE: 2:I5-s:1s-The RilliUaat".
EI1EN MUSEE-s-s-The World
EMPIRE THEATRE 2:f5-s.l5-I Imprudence.
GARDEN THEATRE ss-T ss5-Hsmlet
tsARRICK THEATRE-e:15-s-25-Thc CrossuaNS-
HARLEM OPERA HoUSE-2-The Professors Love
Story-S 1S-The Cardinal
HERALD SGT ARE TFIEATRE-s-Julius Cesar.
IRVING PLACE THEATRE-s:t5-Bsmlet-
kE1THS-1o 10 i0;S0 y. m.-Contnuous per
forrnance.
ENICK ERRocKER THEATRE-2:15 Altar Of
Friendship.
MADISON SQUARE THEATRF-2-S .i5-Audrey-
MANHATTAN THEATRE-2-s-Nsry OF Magdala-
MURRAY HII.r-2-s-A Midnight Bell
NEW SASoY-2-S:15-The Girl With the Green Ewes
NFlN--ToRk-2 :1a-rHhen johnny Comes Marching
Home
PASTORS Continuous Performance.
rR1Nf'ESS THEATRE :3o-Heidelherg.
PROCTOR 6 THEATRE a. n.-Naudeyile
NICToRTA-2-s:l5-The Eternal CITY.
WALEsACk'S THEATRE: -e:i5-s-The Sultan of Sulu
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
ANOTHER WATERS WILL FILED.
Second Document Does Net Name Conkhns
Who Filed First.

A second VIII executed by Mrs Sarah Ann
Waters. who died her home, No 4sl West INen-
ty-irst-st on December IL. while her affairs were
In litigation was hed in the Surrogates Office yes
terday BY NJ w Divine lawyer. of No ~ Pine
St The document dated November II. 1907. a
month before her death. William @. CeRkiin. the
secretary OF the Franklin Savings Institution who
was sued by Mrs. Waters to compel him TO trans
fer her home which she had some time previously
decided to him. back 10 her, fled the first will.
which made him executor and residuary legates.
The will was made last April
In the second viii Mrs. Waters leaves to Mrs
May Mullins. who has been a dahghter to me-
5Oo William Louis lie Brantz. Mrs. Mulllns's
son. receives $500. and his sisters DOrss Irene
and Rusie Ann May lie Brantz $1,000 each.
To her friend" DIR. James Arthur Campbell. OF
No. SO West Twenty-sscOnd-st. she leaves $4,000
and appoints him her sole executor with power to
sell and dispose of her property he deems nt
The residue of the estate is left TO Sarah Nav Ia
Brantz. a daughter OF Mrs Mullins The value OF
this bequest is estimated at $50 500
The first will is being contested by distant reIa-
tives of Mrs. Waters This left 10 the Women's
Auxiliary Home for ting FrieRdless house worth
$4,000. and bequests ofASlOOeO were made to Mrs
Mulin and 5000 each to Dorsie and sarah MAY Is
Brantz. who were living with Mrs Waters at the
time of her death Mr. Conklfn was to receivs
the residue oe the estate
New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
WHAT MIGHT BUT WON'T BE

1t is melancholy to think how many good
resolutions will be made to-day only to be
broken tomorrow But would not discOur-
age anybody from adopting a programme of
improvement which he may get so tired of that
he will ring the curtain down upon his own per-
formance before it has fairly begun. There is
always chance that a man will surprise his
kinsfolk and acquaintance, not to speak Of him
self, by persevering, and moreover, there is
good authority for the statement that an asp-
ratien which is destined not to be realized is not
wholly yalueless.
There are so many moral contracts which
would enhance the responsibility of individuals
and add to the pleasures of existence by dinn-
ishing its penalties If they were to be fulfilled
in strict accordance with the specifications, that
1t may appear invidious TO particularize. But
what good thing it would be. for example if
streetcar conductors would refrain from order
ing citizens already violating the speed ordi-
nanees TO step lively; or If about ten thousand
prosaic persons would stop trying to manufact-
ure poetry; or if the entire race of practical
jokers suddenly to see themselves as
others see them; or if common scolds would
start newspaper Of their own and charge out
sders prohibitive price for it. We might 60
on indefinitely, but we prefer to avoid the risk
of being entreated to take VOW of abstinence
from such vain imaginiGss