davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
Is Ordnance Defective
In United States Navy?
Experts Deny Such Is the Case-Continued
Criticism Aroused by Succession of Gun
Accidents on ShipbOard

Is the ordnance Of the United States
Navy detective
An emphatic negative is the reply
naval ordnance experts give TO this
question. which has been asked so fire.
Iueutly within the last eighteen months,
ana has been emphasized by the His
souri, disaster.
With the explosion on the Massachu-
sets. in March OF 1903. when nine men
We're killed while firing an S-inch gun
came criticism of the navy guns Bui
the manner Of firing this gun was held
10 be responsible for the accident. En-
sign Workman was held TO have com
mitted a grave error" in opening the
breech Of the sun after it was ready
TO FIRE.
Five Killed on Iowa.
The blowing OF of the muzzle of a
tweIve-inch gun on the Iowa last spring.
which resulted in tl.e death Of five men,
again aroused the critics Of naval ord
nance Officers in charge Of the gun
were freed Of all responsibility for the
accident.
O'Nen the then chief OF ordnance. or
dered a reduction IN the charges OF
powder used IN the large guns. The
smOkeless powder was said 10 be 50
different in its action from ordinary
powder. and subject 10 so many changes
with age. that greater precaution was
necessary in its use.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
ALLEGED BURGLAR
MUST STAND TRIAL

Detective Tyser. who went 10 Green's
bOrO, y. c., 70 bring WorthlngtOn H.
Ireland. an alleged burglar. TO Washing
ton 10 stand trial for three crimes al
legged TO have been committed in Octo-
ber, 1903. arrived In Washington with his
prisoner last evening
ireland was arrested several days after
che alleged thefJs and sent On 10 the
grand jury. The American Bonding
Company went his bail for appearance
in court when wanted, and ne promptly
Jumped his bond" He was working
1n the Southern Railroad until about a
week ago, when he w s caught between
two cars and badly injured. He was
confined to a hospital. and In that way
the local police learned OF his where
abOuts.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
RETROCESSION OF II ACRES
TO HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Retrocession OF property to Howard
University Is provided for in an amend
ment TO the sundry clvil bill fayorably
reported TO the Senate today by Mr. Gal
linger from the District Committee. II
was referred 10 the Appropriations Com
mittee.
The amendment provides that the tract
Of land lying between Sixth ana Fourth
Streets and between PcmeHOy and Col
Iege Streets, containing approximately
eleven acres Of ground, shall be retro
dition that the university shall execute
To- the United States a perpetual lease
for the nominal rental Of 81 a year, and
that upon the execution Of such lease
10 the satisfaction Of the Secretary OF
the Interior. the latter shall cause TO be
erected there. the new hospital for
freedmen provided for by the last sun
dry civil appropriation bill.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15

The Senate District Committee today
ordered an unfavorabIe report on the
bill 10 authorize the District COmmls-
:iorers TO accept donations Of money
anG land for the establishment or
branch Libraries in the District Of Co
iunbIa: TO establish a commission To
supervise the erection Of branch library
buildings and to provide for their suit
able maintenance. Afr- Hansbrough Ol
North Dakota presented the adverse re-
port in the Senate
Andrew Carnegie. in addition TO his
gift Of the I. esent Public Library build
ing in Washington, offered 20 give the
necessary money TO build branch library
buUdlngs from time TO time when called
upon by the trustees Of the Public IL
brarv. This donation was condition ed
upou the same terms in respect 20 suit
able municipal maintenance as were at
rached 10 the gift Of money for the erec-
ZION Of the main Public Library DulIo-
ing.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
POStOf4ice Agitation
To Die Natural Death
Republican Leaders Believe 1t Merely Cam
paign Move on Part of DemOCrats-PreSi-
dent Shares This View.

thus morning. and il is said that the
general effect Of such an investigation
on the political situation was broached-
The President has repeatedly given eX-
preston TO the view that the PROPOSE
tien was campaign move on the part
OF the Democrats, and has called atten
tiCn to the thorOughness Of the investI-
2. ton carried on by the department and
the fact that Messrs. Conrad and Bona
parte are sIill at the service of the Gov
ernment to probe wherever probing
would seem TO be necessary.
The prediction is now freely made
that no recommendation OF any kind
viii be made in the Senate touching this
matter, the result being, OF course, that
there viii be no investigation by Con-
grGSS.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15

Six months ago the explosion of a
four-!nch gun at the Indian Head prov
ing ground resulted in the death of two
helpers. Again the fault-finders renew
ed the criticism Of naval guns.
Even the terrible accident on the Mis-
sOuri has not brought about any change
IN the opinion Of ordnance officers con-
Cerning the guns on American battle
ships. Naval officers are unwilling 10
discuss the accident al present and
urge that Judgment should be reserved
until the explosion has been thorough
ly investigated
Not Due to Rapid Fire.
Although the rapid firing of big guns
has provoked much criticism in naval
circles within the last two months and
much has been said about the danger
Of such rapid work. the accident on the
Missouri Is not believed by the oppou-
ents Of rapid firing TO be due 10 that
cause
Iac.l of speed in firing would provoke
criticism as harsh as too rapid firing. In
the British navy the officers have been
criticised because their gunners work so
slowly.
American officers have been anxious to
keep the navy well TO the front IN
marksmanship.
Accidents which have occurred are, in
the opinion Of many naval officers, only
what might be expected in a navy which
engage so extensively IN pracIice. and
shooting guns concerning which little is
known.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
RUSSIAN CT L
t. FE

a well inforI e
~ from ST. Pc
through here toda
rious and interest
which was told TO
placed artillery office
capital as being mucl
causing a lively sensa ...
circles" says a New
correspondent, under date 20
nen, April 10.
1T appears that when n
gan TO look serious, toward
last year, IL was discovered IN.
well supplied in other respec
Russian army was particularly .Jrt
or light mounted artillery, and it was
necessary 10 supply the defect forth
with.
LAS it was known here that uh6
French army not long ago adopted =
new short light artillery field gun, Rus
sia's ally was applied TO and volup-
teered 20 supply seven batteries. These
were duly delivered at St. Petersburg
10 General AItvater. who, In the ab-
sence Of Grand Duke Michael, who was
Inyalided at Cannes was acting COM
lpander-in-chief Of artillery
This officer, ike nearly every body else
there was convinced that war with
Japan was out Of the question, ana ar
tiIlery Of the kind sent by the trench
being badly needed by the army occu-
pying the Polish frontier De sent the
whole seven batteries there,
ION Saturday last an urgent telegram
was received from kuropatkln asking
where the new light artillery batteries
were. upon the good services OF which
The Washington times., 1904-04-15

There is every reason to believe that
the agitation of the POstofiCe investiga-
ticn question is over. II is understood
that a decision has been reached among
the Republican leaders TO let the mat
ter die a natural death.
II Is known that the President is op-
posed TO a Congressional investigation,
whether by a commission appointed TO
sit through the summer. a suggestion
from the Democratic side Of the Sen
ate. or by a subcommittee of the Sen
ate Committee on Postoffices and Post
Roads. Of which Senator Penrose is
chairman.
Senator Spooner and Speaker Cannon
We're in conference with the President
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
Personal Assessment on
Lines Now Two Years
Overdue.
OPINION FROM COUNSEL
May Seize Rolling Stock or
Other Visible Property to
Satisfy District Claim.

Unless the Metropolitan Railroad
Company and the Columbia Railway
Company pay within ten days their per-
sonal taxes for the year ending June
30 1903. the Collector of Taxes viii make
a levy on the rolling stock and other
targible personal property Of these com
panies for the amounts due.
The District Commissioners today or
del ed this action 10 be taken as "A re-
suit of an opinion from the Corporation
Counsel, which held that these taxes
are due. in spite of the arguments of
tho companies 20 the contrary.
They claimed exemption on the ground
that, under the act Of Congress ap-
proved March 3. 1877. they were tax
able only on their capital stock, which
stock ceased to exist February (, 1907,
when their properties and franchises
were acquired by the Washington Raj
way and Electric Company
This No Excuse.
Mr.. DuvaH is of the opinion that such
an excuse is Of no avail, as each Of the
companies charters contains a provision
that the road shall be deemed real es-
tate. and shall be heid liable 10 taxa
tior as other real estate and personal
property.
The Corporation Counsel also agrees
with the District Assessor that all the
street railroad companies Of the DIS
trict are in arrears for TWO years IN
the payment Of the per centum tax
on their gross receipts. This was caus-
ed not by the companies fault, eHt Dy
the conflict OF the fiscal year system
with the calendar year plan OF carrying
the taxes on the assessment DOCKS
Mr. Darneilrs View.
Assessor Darneiiie said th,s morning
that the collection of the delinquent
taxes OF the Metropolitan and the Co
lumbia roads, together with the arrears
in taxation from the other roads in the
District, viii bring the District over
goo 900.
we shall take drastic measures for
the collection OF this money, unless the
cOmDanies come to time. continued Mr..
DarneHle The collections from the
Metropolitan and the Columbia roads
fan due in ten days, but the collections
OF the other companies arrears Will not
be made until next month. ! do not
think there viii be much trouble In col
leCting the taxes
The Washington times., 1904-04-15

LONDON. April 1.-THE Paris corre-
spondent Of the Exchange Telegraph
Company wires that news has been re-
ceived in the French capital that the
imperial palace in Seoul. Korea, has
been destroyed by fire and that the En-
perOr has fed.
The imperial palace was massive
structure, 400 years Old. 1t was built
on the style of the old feudaI structures
and contained within its walls a con-
stant guard OF 500 men Within the con-
fines Of the palace grounds 1000 retain
erS live.
The palace was not the oldest OF the
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
CARTER SUES COMPANY
FOR $4,000 DAMAGES

suit was begun in the Supreme
Court or the District today by Mason y.
Richardson and Charles II. Merillat, as
attorneys for william J. Carter, 70 re
cover damages ln the sum Of $4,000 from
Allan ! McDermOtt. receiver OF the
City and Suburban Railway Company
FOR injuries suffered by Carter In rail
way collision near Hyattsvillc, Nd, IN
December 1900.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
PALACE OF KOREAN
EMPEROR DESTROYED
Fire Wipes Out the Ancient Home of VI
Hevi-RuIer Reported to Have Fled
the Country

Emperor's homes. He has another pal
ace in which he lived for many years,
but one night "a snake fell from the cell
ing OF his bedroom. according TO well
circulated story. and he Immediately
moved to the palace destroyed.
OF Emperor Yi-Hevi, or Yi-Hyeung, as
ii is also spelled. little is known out
side of the date of his birth. his acces-
sion, and marriage. He was born on
September s. 1852 and succeeded 10 the
throne on January 2I 1854 His lie has
been one of constant dread of assassina-
ton He Is said to be in reality a nerv-
Gus wreck, almost afraid Of his own
shadow.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
FUTILE ATTEMPTS TO
DISLODGE HOAR'S BODY

BOONTON. y. J, April 15.-The body
OF william Hoar, the diver. which has
been held fast at the bottom OF the
reservoir since MonGay last Will be
brought to the surface this afternoon IL
IS expected.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
ARRAN GEMENTS COMPLETED
FOR NEW CUBAN LOAN

Senior Quesada, the cuban minister.
who has returned 10 Washington from
New York. where he went 20 complete
arrangements for the negotiating Of the
Cuban army loan Of $35 900 900, says that
arrangements a for the sale Of the bonds
is now completed.
The first issue OF bonds viii be made
June l. SeuOr Quesda signed the Ger
tificates while IN New York. From the
proceeds Of the Sc bonds the Cuban army
which served ia the war viii De paid.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
ills RumOred That Grand
Duke Cyril May Lose
Both Legs.
St. Petersburg Denies
the PetropaylovSk Was
Sunk in Battle.
Mine Had Been Placed at
Entrance to Protect
Inner HarbOr.
81. PETERsBURG. AnriI 3

ST. PETERSBURG, April IS
As is usual after a disaster either at
sea or on land, all sorts of rumorS
are in circulation here.
One today is that the Granl
Duke Cyril, who was said to have
been seriously injured in the battle
ship PetrOpavlovSk catastrophe, aHd
who was removed to a hospital in
Port Arthur, is dead. The Teport.
however, has not been officially
confirmed.
Another rumor is that Vasili
Nereshchagin, the famous painter,
was on board the Petropavlovsk
as the guest CT Admiral Makaroff,
when she was torpedoed, and that
he was lost with the ship.
Regarding the condition of the
Grand Duke Cyril, the aews re-
ceived here from Port Arthur yes
terday indicated that he had sustain
ed serious injuries to both legs
which menaced his life, and that am
putation of the limbs was among
the possibilities.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
PLEASES SENATOR QUARLES

on leaving the White House this
morning Senator Ouarles was exhibiting
with pride volume Of the speeches and
state papers Of the President, which the
latter had given him with an appro-
pirate autograph Endorsement. as a
token Of personal friendship.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
COL. BINGHAM'S CONDITION
PROGRESSES FAVORABLY Y

Colonel SymOns, Superintendent Of
Public Buildings and Grounds, has just
returned from Buffalo. where he called
on Colonel Bingham. his predecessor.
who is IN a hospital in that city.
Colonel SymOns brings a favorable
report Of the condition Of Colonel
Bingham, whom he found with his leg
in cast, and elevated above his head.
II is certain that the limb Will be
d couple of inches shOT;, 0ut II IS hop
ed 70 save the use Of the knee by
constant massage.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
NEW CHAIR OF HISTORY
FOR PRESTON J. MCCARTHY

Preston J. Mccarthy, of Philadelphia,
a graduate Of the University Of Penn
syIvania. will be offered the chair OF
American history at the Catholic Uni
vcrsIty. which was yesterday made pos
sible through the donation or Soo'voJ Dy
the Knights Of Columbus
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
ANTl-.NJUNCTION BILL
LIKELY TO GO OVER

The Grosvenor anti-lnjUnction bill Is
believed to be dead for this session OF
Congress.
The House Committee on the Judiciary
which has given extended hearings on
the bill today postponed consideration or
the bill until next week.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
Secretary Hay Sends 500
for Relatives of
Victims.
SYMPATHY OF ENGLAND
Henry White Gables Con-
dOienCt From First Lord
of Admiralty.

Subscriptions for the dependent rela-
tives of the Missouri disaster victims
are pouring in.
The amount received at the Navy De
partment up to noon toGay amounted to
nearly $500 Among the notable con-
tribdtors are Secretary Hay, who sent
SlOJ and Mrs Cowles. wife of the Mis-
souri's commander. who gave so.
one hunGred dollars was subscribed
by the Army and Navy Journal and
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Moody have each given Slo) to the fund,
which is in charge of Paymaster Cen
eral Henry T. b. Harris, who is author
ized TO receive contributions from all
persons who desire 20 subscribe.
Henry White. in charge of the United
States embassy in London, in the alb
sence OF Ambassador Choate. cables the
state Department as follows:
The senior naval IorG called upon me
today to express the sympathy of the
first lord of the admiralty in regard to
the Missouri disaster"
Jusserand Expresses Sorrow.
NJ. Jusserand. the French ambassador
has sent the following dispatch TO Sec
retary Moody:
Accept. my dear Mr.. Secretary. my
heartfelt condolences for the awful ca
Iamity which has befanen the brave,
unfortunate crew of the Mi .uri II
saddens the heart Of every friend Of
America. and feel most sincerely
with you
JUSSERAND.'
Thanks From Fleet.
Rear Admiral Barker sent the fol-
lowing dispatch TO the Secretary of
the Navy from Pensacola. under date
OF April Is:
Il have conveyed 70 the feet your
words Of praise for the dead and sym
pathy for the living. The officers and
men I'm the fleet join with me in thank
ing you for your kind message. They
desire me TO convey 10 you their adj
miration FOR the heroism and discipline
shown by the captain, officers, and
crew Of the Missouri. Immediately aft
er the explosion. BARKER
Sympathy Of Russia.
Count Cassir.i. the Russian ambassa-
dor. sent a note 10 the President, ex-
pressing the sympathy of Russia for
the United States in the accident 20
the Missouri.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
BLOWN THROUGH
TOP OF TURRET

PENSACOLA. Fla. April IA start
ling statement was made today by a
seaman o. the batueshlp Missouri. as
10 the disappearance of W. Bougard, one
Of the turret crew of the vessel. who is
missing.
The seaman said that while he was on
the after deck Of the ship. the explo-
sion occurred. and DE saw the body Of
man blown through the hole I'm the
top Of the Jurrer and fan into the Gulf
As all the men are accounted for ex-
cept this one the officers think that this
man must have been Bougard There
was no way I'm which he could have left
the turret except through the exit and
they think that he had Ieaped &c the
top exit. and while in that position the
second explosion occurred directly under
him. blowing his body into the Gulf.
The court OF inquiry, of which Ad-
miraI Coghlan. Of the Caribbean SQUAD
ron. is president. today commenced the
taking of testimony in the case, but It
WIS iumateriaL No eyewitness To- the
explosion survives. and only theories are
Being advanced.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15
WEATHER REPORT.

There viii be rain or Snow tonight and
tomorrow IN the lower lake region and
northern portion OF the middle Atlantic
States. and rain iH the south Atlantic
ard southern portion or the north At
lantic States and colder tomorrow IN
showers tonight ia the Ohio valley and
east Gulf States and rain OF snow to-
morrow iu the upper Mississippi valley.
ID VIII De warmer tonight In the At
lantlc States and colder tomorrow IN
The lower lake region. the Ohio valley.
and the east Gulf States. From present
Indications much colder weather Is
proba BILE Sunday iu the East and South.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15

that Tne r. j. Mulligan mentioned iu the
dispatches as having been killed
and whose name cOuId not be found
gan, lsndsmau, of Providence. II. l. His
next Of kin is given as James Muligau.
his father. OF 31j Chestnut Street. Provl-
deuCe II. T.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15


ST. PETERSBURG. April 15.-Au Of
hcial denial has been issued to the Jap
anese statement that the japanese heet
was responsible for the sinking Of the
battleship PetropavIovsk.
An officer Of the general staff. in an
interview today. stated that the Rus
sian dispatches fail 10 show that there
was any naval engagement fought. un-
less the surrounding and sinking Of ths
torpedo boat Vestrashni be so desig-
mated
Lost IN the Mist
The Vestrashni. with four other de-
strOyers. he said. was scouting OUT
side Of Port Arthur. during be night
In the course Of the operations the Vest
rashni became separated from her con-
sorts and was lost in the mist When
day broke. she endeavOred TO creep IN
along the shore. but was discovered. cut
of, soon OverpOwered and sunk
The general stah is of the opinion
that the PetrOpavlCvsi- was sunk by a
mine placed AT the entrance 10 the har-
Dor 10 protect the inner bay. The bat
tIcship sank in full view Of Admiral To-
gO's squadron.
Escape of Cyril.
me OId4lO Duke NlaulEnlrs Iatner Of
the Grand Duke Cyril, who was re-
ported 10 have been seriously injured in
the battleship Petropavlovsk disaster,
of Port Arthur, has received a telegram
explaining how his son escaped from
the sinking vessel.
The telegram says that when the ex-
plOsiOn occurred on the battleship, Cyril
fell 10 the left side Of the bridge and
quickly let himself down TO the deck
Upon reaching the deck a wave broke
over the battleship, carrying the grand
duke overheard. He sank a consider
able distance from the battleship, but
regained the surface by his own efforts.
He then caught the fragment OF steam
launch, and was finally picked up by
the destroyer Bezsnumni. His aide-de-
camp, Lieutenant Won Kube. and his
servant. RuedekOn. We're drowned.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15

Rain and warmer tonight;
rain tomorrow; fresh, vari-
able winds.
The Washington times., 1904-04-15

HlEn tide ftiGas a1l T. HI
High tide tomorrow q ~ a. IN. S.3G =. III.
LoS. tlde tCIaOrroW. .Z-22 \. N. 2.52 ,. III.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-05
HARDWICK AT A RALLY.
One of the Principal Speakers nt
Washington Gathering.

Washington, Oct. 4.-Representative
Hardwick. of Augusta. was one of the
principal speakers here tonight at a
large political rally of Maryland and
West Virginia Democrats temporarily
residing in Washington.
Mr.. Hardwick was passing through
the city on his way to New York, where
he is to receive assignments from the
national committee His colleague,
Representative Lon Livingston, was
scheduled to address to-night's meet
ing, but telegraphed his Inability to be
present, so Mr.. Hardwick was pressed
into service to fill up the hole in the
programme. He briefly reviewed Presi-
dent Roosevelt's official record and
pointed out his numerous inconsis-
tencies in attempting to administer the
greatest office within the gift of the
American people.
The young Georgia Congressman pro-
voked the greatest enthusiasm among
his hearers when he touched upon the
race issue. The race question cuts an
important figure, both i'm Maryland and
West Virginia, and Mr.. Hardwick at
the close of his speech was showered
with invitations to visit those two
states during the campaign.
The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-10-05
POLITICAL STUMP
SCENE OF BATTLE.
LIVINGSTON AND GoREE
PUNCHED EACH OTHER, GoREE
DOING MOST OF 1T.

The Head-Punching Occurred at
COnyers, Where the Democratic
and Republican,. Candidates We're
Reaching Out for votes--An s'In-
famous Liar'' Uncle Lon Called
GOree-Goree Got Busy with His
Fists ImmediateIy-No Arrests.
Conyers, Ga. Oct. Am the course
of his speech here to-day, Col. c. p.
Goree, Republican candidate for Con-
gress, was named as an Infamous
liar" by Col. Lon Livingston, the pres
ent Democratic congressman from the
Fifth district and candidate to succeed
himself.
A lively fight was precipitated, as
Col. Goree Immediately sprang at his
opponent and began raining blows in
his face.
The two men were separated before
either was injured. Neither was ar
rested.
Col. Livingston's reason for giving
Col. Goree the lie was an allegation
made by Col. Goree to the effect that
a grandson of Col. Livingston had been
given an unusual increase in salary
while in the postofflce here.