davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
THE NARAL PROGRAMME.

Next years naval construction programme is
now definitely outlined. The Senate has sus-
tanned the sober and rational policy of the
House leaders by concurring, in the MAN, in
the Houses building plans for 1905-06. Both
branches have voted to authorize the construc-
ton OF two additional battleships. The Senate
wants to have two new scout cruisers built and
has made some other minor changes in the an
nual appropriation bill. But these trifing diff
ferences can easily be adjusted in conference.
The really vital question involved in this years
legislation was settled-and settled wisely
when the two houses refused to interrupt or
discredit the policy of naval development which
we have been pursuing for over twenty years.
The point at issue in both branches was not
so much what sort Of ships should be added to
the navy as whether there should be any adj
ditionS at all. 1t was urged on grounds Of econ
omy by many Representatives and Senators
that one battleshp should be authorized, instead
of two. But if these economists had been able
to kill off one battleship, they would inevitably
have turned their attention to killing off the
other. The Cry of economy and the plea that
the money in the Treasury could be spent to
better advantage just now on public buildings
and rivers and harbors undoubtedly covered a
gsod deal of secret opposition to naval deyel-
opment as SUCH Using the shortage in the rev.
enues as pTetext for sacrificing the navy this
year, these statesmen would probably find some
other equally timely argument for sighting it
next year. The real danger in this winters sit
uatiOn lay in the fact that hostility to the ad-
mnstration's moderate programme could veil
itself behind SO many plausible motives. And,
had either branch been tempted to suspend
naval work for year in order to clear the way
for the passage Of a Public Buildings bill or
full grown River and Harbor measure naval
progress would have suffered an underhanded
and highly damaging blow.
AS it is, a substantial victory has been gained
by the friends of rational and orderly naval
expansion. 1t is difficult to say just how large
q navy the United States needs. Opinions differ
widely and no fixed goal can be set even by the
naval experts themselves Our naval growth
in recent years has been abnormal, of course,
and in the present condition Of the Treasury
excessive authorizations of new ships are not to
be thought of. But it would be most unfortu-
nate IL period of great activity in building
should be succeeded by period of no building
at all. To have our navy thoroughly efficient,
we must maintain it by constant and regular
additions. It's growth must be harmonious aud
uninterrupted, and no year should be allowed
to go by-certainly in this decade-without leg
islation amply providing against the needs Of
the future. Congress has done its duty this
year under somewhat trying circumstances, and
in doing it the way seems to have been made
easier for intelligent naval legislation in future
Congresses
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
THE PROGRESS OF THE VAR

The instruction In Russia itself has for some
weeks largely diverted attention from the prog
ress of the war which Russia forced upon Japan
in Manchuria more than a year ago and which
has been waged with accommodating disasters
for the i'll advised aggressor. In Manchuria.
however there has been little or no diversion
or suspension of interest. On the contrary, the
alert Japanese have seen in existing circum-
stances a fine opportunity for the pressing
home of the advantages which they had al
ready won. They have been constantly aug
menting their forces at the front, and have
done So not merely with new leyies, but with
the transportation of the seasoned veterans
who were with General Nogi at Port Arthur.
Their army on the Shakhe River has been In
creased in size until it probably far outnumbers
the Russian, and corresponding improvements
of position have been effected Precisely what
Is the present state OF affairs the dispatches do
not reveal. But it seems evident that in gen
eral way the japanese are advancing and the
Russians are either retiring or are preparing 10
do so as an alternative TO destruction.
The serious feature Of the case for Russia
as we have already pointed out, Is the practical
| impossblity OF reinforcing her army in the
! East, or even maintaining 1t at & Ill strength
| 1t is not conceivable that, with domestic rebel
| non rampant, the imperial government has been
continuing its former sending Of a thousapd SOL
! dlers a day to Manchuria. 1t has pressing
| need OF those soldiers at home. Moreover had
1t been possible for it to spare the soldiers from
| home duties the Siberian railroad woud have
ueen unable to carry them We are told that
/ II mas largely broken down under the unexpect-
e. slraih OF enormously heavy traffic so that
f1r some time 1t has been able to carry noth
. itg more than the absolutely essential s,1nplias
/ o. GOD and medicine to the army. Reinforce.
Hents OF troops have been and are out of the
question. For weeks past, therefore the Rus.
sian force At the front has been not merely
stationary but actually declining. The losses
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
FOR THEIR POCKETS ALL THE TINE.


In the old DAYS under Croker Charles f. Muir
nbv knew the use which could be made Of the
Dock Department and it is not surprising now,
when be Is in power that the Dock Department
nhouid be made an effective instrument for pro-
moting the family fortunes. The remarkable
success Of the Murphy Gaffney company In Sc
{ curing large contracts from corporations mas
excited much comment in the business world
Everybody understands why railroad companies
pick il TO do their work in preference 10 other
companies and firms Of more experience and
higher reputation. They want to get along with
out trouble with the authorities. They do not
want to be held up" and they know that the
Murphy Gaffney concern will find smooth sail
Ing. If any permits are needed. the permits will
be forthcoming. Capitalists remember the ex-
perience Ct the Third Avenue Railroad Company
with q contractor who was not In the good
graces of Tammany, and they are not oblivious
10 the value of a contractor at court
Nobody can blame them. They want to make
their Improvements az expeditiously as possible,
and the most valuable asset of a contractor is
the favor Of the municipal authorities who have
E despotic power over him. 1t may be said that
a contractor violates NO law in making the most
Of his political friendships 10 get business and
carry his work TO successful issue Yet the
evident Importance attached by practical men
TO this political influence and the power In the
contracting field which the favor Of Tammany
evidently gives are an impressive indication of
the Way governmental power is either potential
~ or actually perverted to serve private ends.
We see here the Croker system of working for
my OVID pocket alI the time" in full operation,
Notwithstanding the virtues TO be found at the
Mayors Office.
But the capitalization of the city government
for private contracting business does not end
with smoothing the pathway 10 permits The
recent revelations of the Murphy Gaffney dock
privileges bring to notice transactions which
crowd close upon the domain OF the criminal
law and without doubt are morally wrong. Moth.
ing but a mere teehnicality saves Alderman
Gahney from running afoul OF the statute pro
hibiting q city officer from doing business with
the city. He yiolstes its spirit absolutely In the
matter Of the dock leases. Moreover. he and
his associates are not dealing fairly ~ sy!e CITY
The Dock Department IS apparently a luIable
instrument for promoting their prosperity and
saving r3FD from business rivals E0c - OO(
s year the Murphy -Gatfney company has ,
dumping privilege at 35th-st. a rival contrac
TOR, who, In preparing for the Pennsylvani,
Railroad work which he hoped to secure tool
for dumping purposes a similar ares at 3Oth-st
on q rental OF $500 as figured tllat II h
could get tie contract - could clear $4,000 !
year The MGr1hy-liaffDeg company got tn
contract ans is paying s. 90 for what the othe
contractor FELT he could AFFORD to pay $1s,S0C
In fact, The latter felt Obliged 10 pay this sum
Cor lie could not bank on Tammany favor L
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
ART TO AID INDUSTRIES.
Sir Purdon's him as Director of
Metropolitan Museum.

Sir Caspar Purdon Clarke. the director-elect Of
tho Metropolitan Museum OF Art. spent a busy day
at the Museum yesterday. preparatory to sailing
this afternoon on the Baltic with j. Pterpont Nor
gan president OF the Museum. In talk with q
Tribune reporter, Sir Purdon spoke with enthusiasm
OF the future OF the Museum He said that when
all the projected plans carried out t would be
the finest museum in the world. He had gone over
with Charles r McKim. OF McSim. Mead & White
the architectural plans tor the 5th-ave. wing,
running south, and had approved them
1t is hoped eventually. is known. that eleva-
lions OF the same general character as the present
5thave front will extend around the four sides OF
the existing building, that the old building Will
be simply interior court. Sir Purdon said re-
garding the architectural plans ne had seen that
he was disappointed TO find that only the erection
of the 5th-ave. wing contemplated the iume-
date future, He would like the middle aged people
OF New-York 10 look forward to seeing the whole
Museum furnished. He urged tina: there should De
done. what had been done by the English govern
In completing the whole museum. the money was
put down In advance, The finishing OF that mu-
scum would cost $4.Ot00O0 in three years
Sir Purdon remarked that the trip TO Europe
Mr.. Morgan and he would discuss plans for the
metropolitan Museum of Art. He declared a
museum should be nled three-fourths with gifts
and one-fourth with purchases The British gov
ernment had spent about 100000 on purchases since
the beginning Of the soNth KenSinston Museum and
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
fFRoM TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

Washington, Feb 2S.-President Roosevelt re-
ceived a large number of callers to-day the MA
jority of them coming merely TO shake his hand ana
wish him a fair day March l. A phmber Oh
Senators and members of Congress ptesehts"
friends. and few of them consulted MIN ABOUT
bills that they hope TO have passed before the ooeii
Congress dies next Saturday al noon.
Representative Grosvenor. Of Ohio. called 70 ask
the President for the pardon Of federal prisoner
Senator McComas of Maryland. urged the retre-
ment of Colonel L. If. Maus origadier seheTal'
Representative Brooks secured a postof1ce appoint
ment for Paul NJ. North. of Goldheld, Col: REPRE-
sentative Gilbert of Kentucky, presented ex-
Judge William NJ. Harrison. OF Shelbyville. VINO Is
looking for a place in the consular service Among
the other callers Senators Tahaferro, Clay.
Blackburn. McCreary and Overman and Repre-
sentatveS Sulzer. Sparkman and Adamson
Frank C. Trayers. OF New-YoTk. chairman OF
the committee OF arrangements of the Friendly
Sons of st. Patrick called the President 70 com
plete the details of Mr.. Roosevelts attendance at
the dinner to be rendered him by the organization
in New-York on st. Patrick's Day. The Presi-
dent will deliver important address at the
dinner. The society which will entertain the Presi
dent dates back to 1872 In that year the members
entertained General George Washington At the
dinner March II the Hkenesses of Washington
and Roosevelt will be shown In electrical effects
The Presidents escort In Eew-Tork will be the
18th Regiment n. G. N Y,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
NOTES OF SOCIETY IN WASHINGTON
[FRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

tFRoM TRIBUNE BUREAUl
Washington, Feb. 2S--aIrs. Stanley Matthews was
the hostess at one Of the notable dinners OF tho
evening Her guests were the British Ambassador
and Lady Durand. Justice and Mrs. Peckham. the
Secretary OF War and Mrs. Taft the Speaker OF the
House of Representatives and Miss Cannon, Gen
eraI and Mrs. Draper. Mr.. and Mrs. Lothrop Brad
ley Mrs. William Sheffield Cowles. Miss Mitchell.
Senator Crane. Judge Sharp and Mr.. Harmon.
General and Mrs, Arson Mills left here this morn
ing for New-England for short visit their SON
in-law and daughter. Captain and Mrs. Overton.
The officers az Fort Myer gave hop tonight.
The Netherlands Minister and Nine. Van Swim
deren entertained at dinner tonight for Mrs. Van
Swinderens parents, Mr.. and Mira. c. c. Glover.
Senator and Mrs. Lodge were also among the din
hosts of the evening.
Mrs and Miss Hoyt, wife and daughter OF the
Solicitor General have cancelled their engagements
for the remainder Of the season owing to the death
OF Mrs Hoyt's brother abroad.
Mrs. Knox. wife of Senator Knox who Is now In
Florida will not return to Washington this week
Mr.. and Mrs Boardman will have their guests
over the inauguration Mr. and Mrs. James r Shelf
field. of New-York.
Governor A. B. Cummlns and Mrs. Cumulins of
Iowa. have arrived in this city and are at the
Arlington
Robert B. Roosevelt of New-York an uncle of
President Roosevelt. and Robert e. Roosevelt. jr,
and Mrs Roosevelt in the city for the Inaugural
ton,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01

:, hattie and through sickness have not been
made good. The Japanese, on the otner manu.
have been steadily increasing their FORCES, anu
con continue to do so indefinitely. Practically
- is with Kuropatkln as it was with Stoessei
o+ Port Arthur Every loss he sustalns is IT.
reparable. while his enemies are able 10 make
their losses good without delay.
There Is an ancient legend to the erect that
foreigp war is an antidote to domestic usai-
fection Sometimes that is true. In RUSSIA To-
dav IT is not true. The war against Japan mas
from the beginning been intensely unpopular
and its progress has melted and promoted DO
n,estic disaffection and seditiOn, instead OF al
LAYING them. Russia could afford TO wage an
unpopular war If she were winning VICTORIES
over her foreign foe Or she could aHOrd 10
lose battles in a foreign war If ut the same
time she were consolidating and Strengthening
LOYALTY at home-as Kaiser Francis Joseph dd'
despite SoIferino and SadOWa. But TO lose oaI-
ties in a foreign war and at the same time 10
lose support at home must be regarded as
desperate course and as one that must II per-
sisted in prove fatal. 1t seems probable that
q DromDt ending of the in Manchura would
holm affairs at home since that war is one OF
the things against which the insurgents are
most protesting 1t would certainly relieve the
empire OF the serious strain of maintaining
huge army abroad when the transport system
is largely paralyzed. and it would ada 10 the
strength of the government as home to nave
Kuropatkin and his veteran legions IN Poland
and Finland instead of on the stricken helus
around Moukder.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
THE CABINET.

rFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU
Washington. Feb 2S.-The Secretary OF the Navy
and Mrs. Morton had dinner guests this even
ing the Secretary OF the Treasury and Mrs. Shaw.
Justice and Mrs. Brown. General and Mrs Wesley
Merritt. Mr.. and Mrs. Boardman. Senator Hale,
Mrs. Fremont. Representative and Mrs. Porter.
Miss Lowering. Miss Jones. ex-SecretaTy Herbert
and Major McCawley.
Mrs. Hitchcock invited few friends this evening
to hear Miss Drew In a song recital
Secretary Wilson entertained tonight at his an
nual dinner for the President and Mrs. Roosevelt.
The guests were entertained in the Presidential
suite at the New Willard. where string orchestra
played all evening and where flowers and foliage
took away the severity of the hotel rooms. Invited
to dine with the President and Mrs. Roosevelt were
Mrs Gary, wife of the former Postmaster Gen
eraI: Governor Cummins Of Iowa and Mrs. Cum
minis. Senator and Mrs. Alger. Vice Presdent-elect
and Mrs Fairbanks. Senator Warren. Senator and
Mrs Depew: Judge Birdsan. OF Iowa. and Mrs.
BirdsalI; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Patterson. Repre-
sentative Cousins. Mr.. and Mrs. James P1nchot,
Representative and Mrs Walter I. Smith OF Iowa;
Mrs Anita Newcomb MCGEE. Senator DoIiver. Mrs.
John B. Henderson. Professor Hayes. the Assistant
Secretary of Agriculture; Miss Shaw. Miss Mat
tingly Miss Bell. Miss Hitchcock and Jasper VIII
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
[FRom THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.I

IFRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l
Washington. Feb. 2S.-The Mexican Ambassador
and Sonora de Azpiroz entertained dinner com
pany at the embassy tonight The guests were
the Italian Ambassador and Baroness Mayer deS
Planches. the Chinese Minister. Alfredo de NJ
Comes Ferreira. charge daffaires OF the Brazilian
legation; the Cuban Minister and Sonora Quesada
Senator and Mrs. Burrows. General and Mrs Story
the Third Assistant Secretary of State and Mrs
PIERCE Mrs. Audenrted Mrs. Won Mayhof Baron
Won dem Bussche- Haddenhausen, os the German
Embassy: Miss Greedy and Rodrigo de Azpiroz
of the host and hostess.
Nine. Quesada, wife OF the Minister from Cuba.
gave luncheon to-day in honor of Mrs. Hobart
whose illness prevented her being present The
other guests included Mrs. Foraker. Mrs. Henry
Kirke Porter. Mrs. Hodge. Mrs. Talmage, Mrs.
Draper. Mrs. Lamar. Mrs. Barrie. Mrs. Moran,
Mrs. Haywood. Mrs. Lotus. Mrs Hobart Pierce.
Mrs. Hannis Taylor, Mrs. Cromwell and Miss Nor
gan. The table decorated with pink blossoms
and pink shaded lights. Mrs. Hobart went to New
York few days ago. and has been detained there
by illness She hopes to recover sufficiently to
turn later In the week
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
THAT FLEET STREET CHURCH.

For the loss of nearly a dozen lives by the
collapse of a church floor in Brooklyn on Mon
day evening the blame cannot be placed i'm
mediately. That the pastor had grave misgiv-
ings about the security of the structure is shown
by his effort to have the size OF the congrega-
ton reduced before he began the funeral SER
vice to attend which the crowd had assembled
His fears, though. might have been based upon
a general sense that the supports Of the floor
which fell were inadequate, and not on any
technical knowledge or official assurances of
danger. If so, there will be a disposition to Sus-
pend criticism and to offer sympathy. His en-
deavor to relieve the burden imposed upon the
floor proved futile, but it showed good judg-
ment There was little time for action after he
arrived on the scene and discovered the situa-
tion and the soemnity of the occasion might
we'll have increased the embarrassing of the
moment and delayed the execution of the pas
tors wishes.
AS for the culpability of those city officials
whose duty 1t is to guard against such acct.
dents there is difference of opinion. 1t is as
serted by property owners in the vicinity of the
ruined church that the Buildings Department
condemned it fully five years ago Should that
statement prove true, there must have been an
amazing carelessness in the enforcement of the
orders which are supposed to have been issued
Some Brooklyn officials now declare that the
only action ever taken was to require the con-
struction of new exits. Mr.. Littleton President
of the Borough, and Mr.. Collins. Superintendent
of Buildings, affirm that the floor timbers of the
church were sound. Well If these men are right,
something else was certainly defective, probably
the pillars which held up the Orders The ex-
cuses offered by the borough government closely
resemble quibbling, and generation Is not in
order until the accident has been more fully in
vestgated. Mr.. Swanstrom's pretence that the
authorities had, no power to act, because q
church is not~a public hall place of entertain
ment Is nonsenscal. Moreover. it is effectively
but indirectly answered by the pains taken hy
his successor in the office of Borough President
Mr. Littleton, to convince the public that the
present administration is innocent
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
THE NEXT SUBWAY.

When the project of a second subway to serve
the East Side of the city was hrst taken uhuel
consideration by the Rapid Transit Commission
and submitted to public discussion, 1t was some
what generally assumed that, II such an extern
sion of the underground system shoulu DC uhuer-
taken it would be built under LeXlngtoh-aVe'
and connect with the present Interborough line
at 42d-st That was while the contractors were
still at work on the original subway and when
hardly anybody f0resaW how severely its IA
clities would be taxed as soon as it was opened
to public use 1t is not surprising, therefore,
that the pIan Of Joining the West and East Side
routes at 42d-st was generally considered merl-
torious or, at least, excited little opposition
But much has been learned since then. The
subway has been in operation only four months,
and already the company is preparing to
lengthen the station platforms in order TO handle
traffic which has become unmanageable.
Longer trains will relieve the congestion to some
extent If the number of passengers does not cor
respondingly increase it is quite likely to do,
but nobody supposes that the projected enlarge
ment of the stations will more than meet the
crying needs which present conditions proclaim.
1t would be absurd to pretend that an expedient
intended merely to mitigate the evils which have
already resulted from an unfortunate miscal-
culation would enable the company to care for
an immense new tide Of traffic created by an
East Side subway aboy 42d-st
Yet it is announced, apparently on authority,
that the Rapid Transit Commission in consider
ing the subject Of its next contract includes the
42d-st. junction arrangement among the alter
native plans as to which it is worth while TO
invite tentative proposals from prospective bid
ders. Possibly the commission has worked out
some vital modification Of the original idea.
1t Is hard to believe that it can regard with any
degree of favor a proposition to double the pres
. ent strain on the southern section of the sub
way. A short experience seems to have con-
clusively demonstrated the necessity of running
any East Side subway through to the lower end
of the city, whichever avenue may be chosen as
the route of its upper part.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01

find him dumping place after securing the con
tract That would have put him at Tammany
mercy. He had to get a pier by competltiFe
bidding in the hope of using it. When me NUT
ply -Gaffney people wanted dump they se-
cured it for this nominal rental ut a pier ap-
propriated to the hay busness-a pier so neces-
sary for that business and so crowded py Tue
hay boats that it was refused to steamship
company willing to pay $4,000 year for IT.
The Murphy-Gaffney company also pays S4.S0O
a year for two other dumping places, for the
use OF which it received s5,055 10 from the
Street Cleaning Department in I'VE weeks.
These dock transactions may be within the let
ter of the law, but they show beyond doubt
that the city government under Murphy IS be-
Ing used for all 1t is worth TO fill the pockets or
favorites by the grant of special privileges.