davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
NEW CUP RULES.
Scotch Yachtsmen Think Americans
Will Have Advantage.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
GLASGOW, December 22-Scotch yachts
men who have discussed the plans made
by Sir Thomas Upton for another race for
the Americas cup seem to think that even
under the new rules the challenger will be
at a disadvantage. 1t Is argued that Ameri-
can designers will have had more expert
ence with the rule than those who will de-
sign the cup challenger. yacht, how
ever 1t is admitted Is to a certain extent
public property as soon as 1t makes 1t ap-
nearance in a race, and 1t is believed the
designers will then be able to determine
lust how the Americans have gone to work
with the rule. The subject was first
brought up by one of the yachting week
lies on this side Of the water, which pointed
ont that If the latest statements could be
accepted as reliable the measurement rule
to be applied to the contest promised for
1908 will be that which is now recognized
by the New York Yacht Club. Under this
Arrangement it Is claimed Herreshoff will
start with the initial advantage accruing
from the opportunity of having had a
couple of years of experimenting with the
rule before being called upon to apply 1t
to the production of a cup defender.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
DANGER Is NOW OVER
FUEL FAMINE IN THE NORTH
WEST RELIEVED.

Franklin K Lane of the interstate COM
merce commission, who has been in con-
ference with officials of the western rail-
roads relative to the car shortage situation,
In an interview last evening said the coal
situat ton, one of the most knotty problems
resulting from car shortage, had been re-
lieved greatly.
President Hill of the Great Northern
and President Elliott of the Northern Pa
cific notified us last night that the situa-
ton is now in hand by the roads, and dan
ger of suffering from lack of fuel Is over.
Speaking of his recent trip through the
west to study exact conditions, Mr.. Lane
said Immediately after his arrival in Mime
apolis he sent kilograms to postmasters or
all the towns in the territory affected by
the fuel shortage asking for an account of
conditions in their particular locality. Mr..
Lane discovered that in nearly every town
the coal supply was exhausted, and In some
cases citizens were tearing up FENCES ana
sidewalks for fuel
I'm our investigation we found only one
town that was suffering slightly because OF
q food shortage. The whole situation came
about because too many fuel cars were
operated in transporting the immense grain
crop that was harvested.
From testimony of witnesses. he con.
tinued, there is a very serious terminal
congestion. The shippers are bitterly COM
planning that the railroads should have
foreseen the car shortage and met the
emergency.
'"The suggestion was made to us by James
]. Hill that the railroads of the United
States spend five billions of dollars, at the
rate of one billion a year, in buying equip
ment. putting double tracks in the place of
single tracks four tracks where now there
are two, putting in new switches and en-
larging their terminal facilities.
Both in Chicago and Minneapolis posi-
tive proof was given us that this tense sit
uation in traffic affairs was due to faulty
methods of management as well as made
quate equipment.
"A car clearing house, by which the roads
will receive credit weekly for their cars
and under which cars might be used to
best advantage, is good suggestion offered
by Mr. Midgeley of Chicago, an authority
on railroad matters. He cites the system
now followed by the Southern Pacific, one
of the roads he represented before the COM
mission.
II don't care to go into question Of
remedy at present or to go into the matter
further. A report will soon be submitted
to the commission. 1t is safe to say there
is no remedy resting within the power OF
the commission. I think that is beyond
question It rests with the railroads them
selves and If they can't successfully cope
with the isue now at hand then law
should be made to cover such cases.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
Scotch Iron Prosperity.
special Cablegram to The Star.

Special CaDlegram 10 Inc Star
GLASGOW, December pinot for very
considerable period has the pig iron industry
in this country been in a stronger or more
fourishing condition than it is today. For
some time a greatly increased demand for
pig iron has been experienced from all quar-
tiers, and now the position has assumed
something of the nature of a boom. 1t is
not boom. however, in the sense Of prices
being forced up artificially. On the con-
trary, it is the outcome of a legitimate trade
position, and. while prices have gone up,
they have not advanced to anything like
the extent they have risen in former booms.
For the last three four months the
trade situation especially regards ex-
ports, has been steadily consolidating. 1t
began with Germany, and not long after
ward America was forced to come into the
market as a large buyer for prompt deliv-
cries of all qualities of pig iron. Added to
this there was an all-around improvement
in other countries on the continent, and it
has now become impossible to prevent rise
in prices, as makers yards are cleared Of
AtoCk.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
Egypt were on the whole extremely favor

Egypt were on the whole extremely favor
able There was Of course great heat,
but there was no rain. In the Isthmus OF
Panama the rainy season extends over
more than a third of the year; the downfall
is of q vertically torrential character. and
there will be constant danger Of damage
to the works from floods. not to speak of
the extremely insanitary conditions which
always exist in such a climate, and which
no efforts of science can do more than al
leyiate In view of all of these circum-
stances the business Of rendering for the
construction Of the new canal Will be one
of extreme risk, and 1t is not likely to
tempt anybody except men who combine
with immense energy and organizing rae
uIty a distinctly speculative disposition.
The capital requirements of the enterprise
will be of themselves almost appalling. The
actual cost Of the Suez Canal, including the
entrance harbors was in round figures,
500 900. 600; we do not believe the Panama
undertaking can be accomplished for double
that sum- The problem of labor supply
alone is surrounded by the most Formidable
practical difficulties, which can only be
solved at great expense and by the employ
ment of exceptional administrative and or
eanizing ability. British engineers ana
contractors have achieved many wonder
full performances in all parts of the world,
but on the whole they will be well ADVISED
to leave the Panama canal contracts TO
their Transatlantic cousins, for there seems
to be every likelihood that the work VIII
be attended with moro glory than proft-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
BURGLAR CAME TO PRAY.
Mysterious HOUSEKEEPING in Switzer-
land Explained.
Special Cablegram to The Star.

Special Cabegram to The Star.
GENEVA, December 22.-The mystery OF
series of clever burglaries in the same
villa at Luino, on Lake Maggiore, near the
Swiss frontier, has been cleared up. At the
beginning of the year an italian stock
broker by the name of Galosi committed
suicide in the villa, which. to pay his debts
was sold by auction to a wealthy Italian.
Since the new. proprietor has lived in the
house it has been broken into no less than
five times at the beginning of each month,
but nothing has been removed from the
premises All efforts to trace the burglar
have failed.
Some days ago the proprietor returned
home toward midnight and was surprised
to see light burning in the room in which
Galosi had taken his life. The Italian let
himself in and on opening the door OF the
lighted room he was surprised to find lit
tie boy and a young woman on their knees
praying.
The woman proved to be Nine. Galosi
with her son. "I am praying for my hus-
band to return to me-" she explained. 1t
was found that the unfortunate wife's mind
had been unhinged by her husbands death.
She was carrying a bag containing bur-
glars tools. with which she had broken
into the house.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
Open Evenings Until Xmas.
Elphonzo Y0umgs
Company,

4os NINTH STREET. PHONE MAN 1858.
GROCERIES Wholesale and Retail.
Too busy now to write adj
vertisements, and you are too
busy to read them. Just save
your time by coming straight to
this store for everything good
to eat for Christmas. All the
delicacies and substantials are
here at reasonable prices.
We are equipped in every
department to give you prompt
and efficient service.
TURKEYS-We must say
Just a word about this impor-
tant item. We have never had
a finer lot than we are selling
today-we'll have more of the
same kind Monday morning.
No risk to run when you buy
your turkeys here. You'll get
the finest.
Make it a point to see this
store-it's different from other
stores.
Down Town-Near the Market.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
French Brandy Plenty.

Special Cablesram to The Star.
PARIS December 22.-The total produc-
ton of Cognac stock of brandy during the
last twelve years has been just about AGO.
100000 gallons, so that the day is not far
distant when the quantities of old brandy
in stock will be so large that any recourse
to Justification will not result from any
lack of pure brandy from wine.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
Caffery's About the Same.

NEW ORLEANS, La, December 22.-The
ply sicians attending former United States
Senator Donelson Caffery said tonight that
his condition is very grave, but they hope
for his recovery. His attack of kidney
trouble has not yet shown signs OF yield
ing TO treatment.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23

j. j. Shackleford, superintendent of the
White Rock Sand Company, whose works
are located near Corinth, w. Va, and
which is owned by c. F. Hammond of Oak
land, was struck by eastbound train No.
and instantly killed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
Risks and Profit.

'It is thus quite evident that the work
undertaken by whoever may be the sue
cessful bidder for the. Panama canal will
be of vastly greater magnitude and still
greater difficulty and costliness than that
which had to be accomplished in the 18TH
mus Of Suez. The climatic conditions in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-23
KING CHARLES ILLNESS
CARMEN SYLVIA TELLS OF HIS
PATIENT SUFFERING.
Interesting Document by Queen OF
Roumania, Who Calls Herself
"Qualified Nurse"

Special Cablegram to The Star.
VIENNA, December pa document of
unusual human interest is a letter from
Queen Elizabeth Of Roumania concerning
the health of her husband, King Charles.
It is signed by 'Dr. Carmen Sylvia, House
Physician and Qualified Nurse" and is
headed mo Copyright" The letter reads
as follows:
ct is not our custom to defend ourselves
against the many unfounded assertions
which are continually appearing in papers
and books, but, according to precedent, to
veil ourselves in dignified and impenetra-
BILE silence. Many such mistakes are, on
account of their repetition, hurtful, and
against the last which has made the
rounds l protest. God has placed the pen
in my hand. I have never by it defended or
attacked any one, but this time my sense
of justice overpowers me.
Ill for a Year.
1.-THE king has now been fully year i'll.
During recent months he has never had
one night free from pain. By day he has
met pain with the clenched fist, but his
patience has never given way. His patience
IL, indeed, heroic. Now, even when such a
lover Of work is condemned to lie passive,
to do nothing, just before the opening of
the chamber where usually all questions
are addressed to him, when now he must
have the courage not even to hear what is
going on, his goodness has never for one
instant failed him. Never once has he
been enraged. All medical orders are fol-
lowed to the minute, all medicine is swal-
lowed as if it were pleasure, without
grmace, and all the small disagreeables
which a long illness brings with 1t are ac-
cepted calmly. Never have had better
patient than the king, and l have in my
life nursed many.
Reads to the King.
THE result, however, is very satisfactory.
The pain has ceased with the recumbent
posture and the milk cure. His nights are
peaceful His days are passed In reading;
all his tables are full of books, and the
difficulty is to find a new one. AS 1 have
the gift of being able to read for hours
consecutively, we have an interesting life
Memoirs from all sides, all shades of opin-
ion, all pens, enrich his knowledge as a
statesman. He says that politics are li,Y-
ing history, conveying the same lesson all
of the time. 1t is pity that no one can
glance at the peace Of this sick chamber.
Other women ask me smiling if, in spite of
my anxiety, I am not happy to have my
husband with me, a happiness which comes
seldom to US women in these Woodworking
times. II the dear patient were irritable
or impatient 1t would certainly not be such
q pleasure, and should not need to be en-
Wed the happiness of nursing him, which
jealousy insist upon sharing with no
other person"
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-20
THE COMMISSION ADJUSTER."

Indications that the commission adiuster" OF
fire losses is at work in this city viii tend to inn
prove the insurance situation to allay the dis
trust of unpaid policy-hoders.
The commission adiuSter" is not a pleasant
person to contemplate, nor is his calling the most
honorable. Indeed, of all the mean creatures that
from necessity or convenience the modern business
world has called into being, the commission ad-
iuster" is probably the meanest. He is paid for his
squeeze, bluff, or bully out of the needy, the
tmid, the unbusiness-ike. and the uniformed. In
effect he is. given so much to make a settlement
what he can hold back from the policy holder is his
own
The class with which the commission adiuster"
deals knows little OF business methods 1t repre-
sents. principally. men and women who work with
their hands, who have saved few hundred dollars
in property, and who in good faith have insured
Il against fire loss. The FIRE that wipes out their
holdings leaves them penniless. 1t is hard to be
Penness with wife PROSTATE from fright of the
fire. and shelterless babies crying for warmth and
bread. Such man, harassed and pressed by
necessity, unfamiliar with his rights knowing moth
ing Of business methods, becomes an easv prev of
the commission adjuster." And what the com
mission adjuster" hlches from the amount Justly
due becomes the adjusters own.
The Call cannot believe that the most heartless
of insurance companies would set such agents to
work in this city. If such agents are at work, in
the name of decency and OF humanity let them be
recalled
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-20

John D. Rockefeller has been telling
extravagant and that that extravaganza
will ultimately prove the nations curse
and our own undoing. L do not know
about the curse part. l do not agree
about the undoing, but do realize that
we are an extravagant people. We
all realize it.
EXtravagant is not d pretty thing to
be called. No possible Interpretation
of the term can give nattering turn
TO its meaning. Extravaganza means
excess. 1t means q going beyond right
or reasonable limits. II means lack
of moderation. 1t means wastefulness.
Excess. wastefulness, the going be-
yond reasonable limits and lack of
moderation are habits that are hard
to reconcile with a nation that is re-
putedly well balanced. industrious,
broad minded and neral. If by any
means of no matter how farfstched a
reasoning eXtraVa garce and generosity
might be made interchangeable terms
it would not be so bad. The greater
virtue would cover up the lesser
sin. 1t would still be humiliating and
pitiable TO be known as an extravagant
nation, but there would be that ex-
tremely eXtenuating circumstance to
smooth things over with Unfortunate
ly, generosity and eXtraVag gance can
mix any more than oil and water.
There are no two more different things.
no two things farther apart. I do not
believe that extrava gance is part and
parcel of the American people as l
know generosity is. Extravaganza is
a contracted vice Like all acquired
tastes, it was slow and disagreeable in
the requirement. Like all acquired
tastes, it is hard to get rid Of
AS was to be expected, the leisure
>class first contracted the habit. And
IS woman makes up the majority of the
leisure class. so is woman the major
ity of the extravag giant class. The
growth of extravaganza was slow, but
terribly sure. 1t started in first with
dress. The inborn feminine love of
pretty things proved splendid and
solid foundation for the vice. And the
undisputed fact that if one woman has
a pretty gown the other woman wants
a prettier one proved a great incentive
to the growth of the habit.
From dress the love of extrava gance
gradually passed TO surroundings, and
from surroundings the next step was
entertainment and pleasures. The fact
that we are all monkeys as far as imi-
tativeness goes helped considerably in
the development of the national vice.
When dress, ma magnificent homes and
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-20
PEOPLE AND THINGS.
BY LOUISE WELLER.

! outlandish entertainments began to pail
then extravaganza found safe outlet
in the useless spending of money. That
is the point that we have now arrived
at 1t is no longer spare no expense in
the pursuit of pleasure, but spare no
pleasure in the pursuit of expense.
That extravaganza makes people
spend money is not what any sensible
person deplores A free disbursement
of money is the best thing for any peo-
pie. But extravaganza, this desire of
one to outdo the other. is the great
root of the accumulation-o of money evil.
If woman did not want so much
money there would be but few men
who would engage in that terrible
bloodless battle, the vast accumulation
of money. 1t is through their women
folk that most men find expression for
extrava gance. 1t is because a well
dressed woman has no bitterer rival
than a better dressed woman, il is be-
cause a rich woman has no more for
midable enemy than richer woman,
that. for the most part, the great war
OF money accumulation goes on.
Few people accumulate large wealth
just for the pleasure of boarding it.
The first instinct of almost every one in
regard to money is to spend it, If
this money was spent moderately and
wisely, Wn2t would be the use OF nav
ing such useless lots of it? If one
man did not accumulate so much many
men might be able to accumulate a
little. When money is wisely spent a
little goes q great way.
Judging from what the press and
magazines tell us of Mr.. Rockefeller.
no one could accuse him of extrava-
gance. 1t is not the desire TO have the
women of his family-which, by the
way, is noble desire gone wrong
better dressed, better housed and bet
ter entertained than the other women
of other families that melted his love
of accumulation. He simply accumu-
lated for the love of accumulation.
Probably it is judging from his own
individual standpoint that he predicts
undoing for the people. 1t probably
is his own undoing that he foreteils.
As for the undoing of the people, that
is all nonsense. Extravaganza has about
reached its climax. After a climax
there is always a restoration of normal
conditions. Anyway, woman is going
ahead toq quickly to countenance such
a state OF affairs She realizes too well
her Importance in the scheme of ma
tional affairs to be the nations STUN
bling block
A healthy reaction is bound to soon
set in. We are going to be a well
balanced people once again.
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-20
DISHONEST BUILDING METHODS.

Dr. Nakamura professor Of architecture Of the
Imperial University of Toxic hit the nail on the
head when he termed the sprnkling of lime and
piles OF dirty sand that were supposed to hold the
bricks of the City Hall together dishonest NOR
tar. The wreck of the municipal building is not
nearly SO much an object lesson of the earthquake
it is that of municipal corruption, and it would
be well to photograph it and pass the reproduction
down to future generations a warning TO be
careful in placing contracts for public buildings.
1t is hard to determine just where dishonest
mortar commenced and where it left off in the
City Hall. The building was constructed in piece
meal, and the chunks were passed upon by
many administrations Of inspectors commissioners
special contractors and numerous other salary
drawing political creations that it is difficult to
place the responsibility for the dishonest mortar
any particular favored member OF the municipal
contractors ring. However, we will know what to
do in years to come When we undertake to erect
public buildings.
In the residence section OF the city it is safe to
say that dishonest mortar" did not play so con
spicuous part as dishonest underpinnng. Some
OF the tOpheavy fats thatwent down on their cross
beams when the shake came had never, in the
knowledge OF men who know good building when
they see one, been properly underpinned A strong
wind would have been sufficient to bowl them over
had they not leaned for support on sturdy, hon
estly constructed neighbors. dozen sticks Of
two-by-four scantling resting upon OF bricks
is not going TO hold up three-story fiat whether a
number a number nine earthquake jars
them. The one-bricl foundation with poultce Of
imitation stone smeared over its exterior to give
the appearance of solidity, won't last long, even
though it is not shaken by anything more dis
turbng than a passing street car.
DR.. Nakamura says some wholesome things
about building methods in San Francisco, and his
words right to the point. In reconstructing the
city ii would be we'll for every one to keep his wise
advice in mind. Dishonest mortar and houses
with visible means OF support ought to be ruled
out in New San Francisco
The San Francisco call., 1906-06-20
KEEP THE STREETS CLEAN.

San Francisco's neglected streets are becoming
almost great eyesore the piles OF debris OF
the burned district But while the debris cannot
Immediately be removed the streets can be cleaned
up and kept sprinkled. The one is unavoidable and
can be borne with fortitude; the other is prevent
able and is difficult to endure.
Especially is this of the cross streets of the
unburned district where much teaming is being
done. These streets, along which lumber-laden
wagons constantly making their way, are
treated to clouds OF dust with every passing team.
The houses OF the vicinity yellow with it and
II fills the clothing of the people. These conditions
prevail on Fillmore street and on Van Ness avenue
to a marked degree. Ladies called to those thor
oughfares on shopping errands fortunate if on
their return home they do not find that their
clothes have been completely ruined.
1t is within the power of the Board of Public
Works to abate this nuisance The streets outside
the burned district at least be ordered cleaned
UP; cleaned they can be kept clean, and they
can be sprinkled. In this work the board would
unquestionaby have the hearty cooperation OF the
residents and property y-owners OF the district.