The Washington times., 1904-02-10
FAMOUS MARKETS
STANDING IDLE
Dollar and a Half Asked for
Six Onions.
BALTIMORE SEEMS STUNNED
All Industry Paralyzed in Monumental
City-Cabbies Charge Fares"
What They Will.
BALTIMORE SEEMS STUNNED


today Even I'm the dread days Of the
civil war there never was an embargo
on produce. unless il was intended for
shipment across the Potomac.
The markets were empty yesterday.
except for a stall here and there owned
by the truck farmer himself, whose lands
were in wagon distance Of the city.
These men reaped a harvest. Eggs.
which had been selling up to Saturday
at 30 cents, suddenly jumped to 55 and co
cents. Cabbage could not be had Po-
tatoes brought a nickel each. House
and restaurant keepers frequently
brought about imprOmptu auctions by
bidding against each other for apples.
turnips, or some other staple.
Small Comfort There.
One man from near the city had a few
green and sickIy locking onions-not
more than six.
How much are those?" asked an anx-
ious wife.
swer of the owner
Whyl' exclaimed the woman. that's
robbery. Isn't there any other place l
can get few"
We'll" laconicany replied the truck
ster, you might try Washington or
Philadelphia
People Were Stunned.
In all of their experience of years. the
veteran policemen and detectives of
other cities who were and are on duty
IN Baltimore. never encountered any
Dopulace at a time when excitement
was so high as it was during the fire
that remained so orderly 1t is true
fad
people seemed, and still seem. 10 be
stunned-unable to comprehend the full
significance of their awful loss. In the
tens of thousands of persons who we're
damned around the fire lines there was
no shouting. There was not even loud
calling from one to another
When the people spoke il was in
awed and subdued tones They made a
murnur like subtone of the sea. Told
to move by a soldier or a policeman
they made no protest. They moved 81
lcntly. IL is estimated that there were
100000 people around the FIRE. and never
a fight. Deputy Marshal Manning sand
today that SO far only three arrests
have been made In Baltimore there
are said to be nearly 1000 saloons. and
yet throughout all the great excite
ment, the visiting newspaper men and
detectives did not see one drunken man
on the streets.
New Workers Amazed.
1t is the most remarkable thing
ever saw in my life said a New YORK
detective selg cant sent to the Monv-
mental City by Captain McClusky 10
pick up thieves; Il don't know what
TO make of it. Its wonderful"
And in the light of all this some Of
the correspondents for the particularly
sensational newspapers sent out reports
that lOOtiuE had begun
Cabmen Reap Harvest.
There is not much difference I'm a CAP
man, no matter whether on the Strand.
the Prado, in Hongkong. Bombay. IN
Broadway, Pennsylvania Avenue. or
Charles or Baltimore Streets. Their Ian
guage and clothes and the shape of their
cabs and horses may be different. but
that IS all Every one is Unfortunately
plotting to get his prospective fare into
a position where the fare will be com
PEELED to pay what the cabman wants
And this is what the Baltimore product
OF the cult is doing.
Fifty cents was usually the price be-
fore the fire for the trip from the big
hotels 10 Camden or the union station.
Monday and yesterday the price was s..
People protested. scolded, and-paid.
When the big Union power house went
down and out ii puts an end TO the
street car traffic. The cabman had his
fares where he wanted them He be-
game uppish and costly. II he disIiked
the appearance OF a prospective fare he
passed him by Those he liked he sim
ply charged.
Gives His Reasons.
What is your reason was asked Of
one. for charging four times your reg
ular rates Just at present."
Wei. ye see. he replied. I'VE is sim
ply trying TO get enough TO rebuild de
burned Section-dat's right. amt it,
More than one angry transient who
overheard the conversation expressed
the opinion that the cabmen of Balti-
more are doing much iowa ri building
homes and fortunes.
Jewels Under Debris.
Though nearly all Of the social affairs
of Importance In Baltimore have been
called Off since the fire those which
have taken place have been notable FOR
the absence OF jewels on the women
Tiaras and necklaces seem TO have dis
appeared altogether. and In more than
one handsome mansion the costlIcst
plate is missing. This condition does
not mean that the valuables have been
hypothecated 10 re-establish fortunes
dfssipated by the confagration, but II
has 10 DO with the fire. For. In tho
vaults and safes Of the deposit com
panies. lying Qua under the piles o.
brick and debris. are most Of the fin
diamonds and other valuables OF IN
stricken city.
IL has been the custom Of the rict
families TO put their particular valu
able belongings I'm their own boxes s.
the companies vaults, and most Of thes
belongings were there when the fir
swept the city. Attempts to find on,
the value OF jewels and plate thus hi1
den away In the ground were futile.
There are many comDaTativrls
wealthy women OF the old Marylan,
gentry who will be beggars." said "A so
cial leader. If the fire has reached ia,
safe deposit companies vaults.
STRUCTURAL STEEL
ALREADY 0RDEREL