Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-21
WEEK ENDING APRIL 70, 1908.


WEEK ENDING APRIL &c, 1908.
The greatest calamity known in the his
tory of this country visited San Francisco
and the region encIrciing it in the form OF
an earthquake and FIRE. killing hundreds.
injuring many more, leaving in all prob
ability 100000 persons homeless In that city
alone and infiicting monetary damage va
riousiy estimated at from $30o.0oo.ooo to
$JeO.oCo,000; the fire that completed the
damage wrought by the earthquake de-
stroyed about three-fourths of the city and
forced the citizens to take refuge in the
parks, where they were cared for by the
United States army stationed there, sub
scr1ption lists were started in almost every
large city IN the country and the response
to the call for aid was generous and spon-
taneous; earthquake shocks were also ex-
perienccd at Los Angeles and Honolulu,
Hawaii, but no damage was inflicted.
President Roosevelt sent a special mes
sage to Congress scoring Judge Humphreys
for his immunity decision in the beef trust
cases, and calling upon Congress to prevent
such an attempt to make the law farce
his declaration In favor of a graduated tax
on immense fortunes aroused great inter-
est; the President decided to send Secretary
Metcalf to San Francisco to advise regard
ing the relief measures.
Secretary Taft completed an exhaustive
statement concerning Panama canal affairs
and stated that the intention is to build q
lock canal. Secretary Bonaparte announced
the official program for the John Paul Jones
ceremonies at Annapolis. The Senate and
House passed a joint resolution appropriate
ing 81 .000. 000for the relief of the California
sufferers; the House passed the national
quarantine bill and bill giving the govern
ment greater power in appeals like that in
the beef trust case, and discussed the Dis
trlct of Columbia appropriation bill Lieut..
John H. Hudgins. Lieut.. Joseph w. Graeme
led hV an,
explosion in the battleship kearsarge Off
the coast Of Cuba; Rear Admiral Evans ap-
pointed a special court to investigate the
accident. The trial of Representative Spen-
ger Blackburn, charged with accepting fees
for practicing before the departments at
Washington, came to a sudden termination,
Judge Nathan Goff of the United States
circuit court instructing the jury that evil
dence sufficient to convict had not been sub
mitted by the prosecution and ordering the
defendant acquitted.
Two negroes accused of assaultng a
white girl and a third. charged with muir
der, were taken out of the Jail at Spring
field, Mo. to the public square, hanged
from an electric light tower and burned.
Foreign.
Advices from st. Petersburg confirm the
report that Count White has won his fight
against M. Durnovo, and add that the en-
peror has promised to dismiss the minister
of the interior before parliament convenes;
Russia succeeded in getting 5 per cent
loan of S40,Oo0,CG0. which will be issued at
IS; the constitutional democrats elected to
the Russian parliament divided on a polit-
cal program, but they united in favorng
autonomy for Poland; so far as known the
Easter festival in Russia was not married
by any antf-Jew.sh excuses; the strike
/. sttua ton al Dena1m, France caused strife
or siege to be declared hard fighting oc-
CURED near Lens, where strikers tercely
resisted the troops, many persons being
injured in the cavalry charge; Mount
Vesuvius continues ara lively quiet and
Easter was celebrated in Naples with UNI
usual fervor; two old women were rescued
at Ottajano. after having been entombed
Tor six days; 1t is stated that 100 persons
were killed by the earthquake in Formosa
last Saturday; anarchy again broke ont
in Fpint-a-Pitres Guadaloupe where
masked bands are lootfng; Bishop Bashford
stated that the reports of Chinese disturb
ances were greatly exaggerated
In the District.
The District of Columbia appropriation
Dill was reported to the House; It carried
$3,lol, 2S7.15 exclusive OF the water depart
ment, or So13.o94.47 less than the current
appropriation; its consideration was begun
In the House. several of the items of the
bill resulting in extended debate; President
Roosevelt in message to Congress recon-
mended modal insurance law for the Dis
viding for the construction of a building on
the land bounded by c. 18th and 18th streets
and Pennsylvania avenue for the DEPART
ments of Justice. States and Commerce and
Labor 1t was stated that Mrs. Minor Nor
ris would testify before the subcommittee
of the Senate committee on post offices and
post roads which is to make an inyestipa-
tion of her recent ejectment from the White
House. Societies, organizations and the
public generally of the city RESPONDED Ill.,
orally to appeals for aid for stricken San
francisco. The national congress of the
Daughters of the American Revolution met
In annual session at Continental Hall: the
twenty eighth annual meeting of the Con-
gregational Association of New Jersey was
held; the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity held It's
annual convention. James Fortune was
held by a coroner's jury for the killing by
stabbing of Ida Watson colored William
P. Lees. sixty-three years old, committed
suicide by taking poison; James Dent, col
ored. twenty-four years old, committed sui
eide by shooting; George Woody fifty-six
years old. attempted to suicide by cutting
his throat. Contractor Joseph Pearson was
killed by fall from a building In course of
construction. Miss Elizabeth Wood was
drowned by the overturning of a boat at
Dixie Landing on the Potomac river Will
liam Holmes, eolored. died from injuries re-
ceived In being kicked by a horse. Among
those who died were DR.. Louis MackaIl a
prominent physician of Georgetown, and
Charles w. Proctor, a well-known member
of the local detective force.