davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
SENATOR PERKINS TELLS
OF WORK HE IS DOING

Senator Perkins has written a letter
to the chamber of commerce. which was
read at that body's quarterly meeting
yesterday, reviewing national legisla-
tion enacted by the present congress
affecting San Francisco and California.
He said that efforts would be made
TO secure appropriations for a million
dollar subtreasury building, replacing
the Preside barracks and offices with
modern buildings and reconstructing
the marine hospital. He declared that
the growing Importance of San Fran
cisco had been recognized at Washing
ton
Professor Carl C. Plehn, secretary OF
the state commission on revenue and
taxation, spoke ON the constitutional
amendment providing for tax reforms,
which was passed by the legislature
last year and will be voted upon by
the people November 3.
Following his address the members
voted to call Perkins attention to the
need of repairs on the postoffice build
ing.
Details of a trip on May % to Stock
ton, Sacramento and points along the
Northern electric railroad were ar
ranged in executive session. The trip is
intended to stimulate trade relations
and will occupy two days.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
TAKE CARE OF BABY"
SAYS NOTE OF SUICIDE

OAKLAND. April 21.-A brief note to
his wife and the tell tale burns of car
bolic acid on his lips explained to the
police the reasons and the means which
brought about the suicide or Frank NJ.
Pence, a carpenter, aged 81 years.
whose 1ifeless body was found under a
tree in Fifty-ninth street, about half
a mile east of College avenue. this aft
ernOOa.
L can get no work and am unable
to support you. You will be better of
without me. GOodby. Take care of
the baby"
This was the purport of the note.
The acid was evidently taken about
noon. although Pence's body was not
discovered until nearly 5 o'clock.
George Robinson saw the body early in
the afternoon. but he supposed ID was
some one under the influence of liquor
When his suspicious became aroused
he investigated and telephoned the
coroner. Pence lived at 1858 Diamond
street
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
BRYAN GREETS HIS
RETURNING FAMILY.

NEW YORK, April 21-Rounding out
a day that had pleasant beginning
in the welcoming of his family return
ing from a sojourn in Europe, and then
carried him on flying trip to Trenton,
N. j.. for a brief speech, William J..
Bryan returned here tonight and ad-
dressed the civic forum on The Broth
erhood of Man." at one of the largest
gatherings eyer assembled in Cooper
Union. Bryah's lively day was ended
at midnight when he made a brief ad-
dress at the supper Of the Missouri
society.
bryan made the trip to New York
to greet his wife, his daughter, Mrs.
Ruth Bryan Leavitt, and her two chill
dren, Ruth and Bryan Leavitt, return
ing on board the steamer Minnehaha,
which arrived early today. Mrs. Bryan.
Mrs Leavitt and her family will prob
ably leave for Nebraska tomorrow.
While the steamer was in dock little
Bryan Leavitt mischievously hid under
stateroom berth and a long search
led by his anxious grandfather de-
fayed Bryan on board, and he missed
his train for Trenton.
A large audience greeted him at the
Trenton opera house, when finally he
reached there this afternoon. In his
speech he advocated election of United
states senator's by the people direct
and characterized Secretary Taft's pro-
posal for the reasonable regulation of
trusts" as feasible as the regulation
OF burglaries by law"
Several hundred people were turned
away from Cooper Union tonight un-
able to find seats, and when Bryan
arrived he was greeted with applause.
He said in part:
| have devoted the best of my life to the sci
ence or government, but / recognize that no
matter as ne how good government may be, we miss
its blessings II we do not do right as individuals
no matter how much may be absorbed in
issues and methods of government, we cannot be
indifferent to the many kinds of work to be car
RED on am glad to show my interest in and
sympathy with the object of uplifting the ind-
viduai and advancing the good of the community
Here is my definition of civilization: The har.
monious development of the human race phys-
cally, mentally and morally, a development of
the threefold, man. When reach perfect de-
velopment Of all citizens we will have perfect
civilization. Until we do, civilization must
necessarily be imperfect We a part OF CIV
ilization and we have an influence great or small
In fixing the level Of civilization. AS present
such higher attainment of the three requisites
so DO we raise the level Of the nation and civil
ization.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
Army and Navy Orders

WASHINGTON, April 21.-Army or
ders: Captain Laroy S. Upton, First
ihfantry, is relieved from treatment at
general hospital Preside of San Fran
cisco, and viii proceed TO Vancouver
barracks, washington, and report to
commanding officer for duty pending
arrival of his regiment at that station.
Captain Charles M Bundel, Sixteenth
infantry. is relieved from treatment at
the general hospital, Presidio of San
Francisco. and will proceed to join his
proper station.
First Lieutenant Willis Z. Mills,
Twenty-fourth infantry is relieved
from treatment at the general hospital
Preside Of San Francisco, and will
proceed to join his proper station.
Navy orders: Passed Assistant Sur
geon c. n. Fiske, orders to Washing
ton. D. c.. revoked; continue treatment
At United States naval hospital, Mare
island. California
Assistant Surgeon T. X Koltes is
detached from duty at navy yard. Mare
island. California. to Connecticut
Second Lieutenant Frederick w.
HeHley Thirteenth infantry. Will join
his regiment at Fort Leavenworth.
:. Colonel alexander b. Dyer, Fourth
eld artillery. viii proceed to Berenda
purchase horses for the Fourth
reld artillery
Passed Assistant Surgeon c. y. Fiske.
when discharged from treatment at the
naval hospital at Mare island, TO go
home and granted sick leave for two
months.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY
TESTS PURE FOOD LAW

SAN DIEGO. April 21-About 200
physicians were present this morning
when the thirty-eighth annual session
of the California state medical society
was called to order by President
George II. Evans of San Francisco.
The address of welcome was deliv-
cred by DR.. F. r. Burnham of this city
Papers were read by DIR. William 3.
Wheery of San Francisco, DIR. Rupert
Blue of the United States marine hos
pital service, DR.. Dudley Tate of San
Francisco and DR.. Lincoln Cothran Of
San Francisco.
Pure food laws and adulteration
were the subjects of paper by Dr. F.
E. Mattison of Pasadena, who this noon
entertained at luncheon at which
there was no chickens in the chicken
croquettes, no lobster in the lobster
salad. no lemons in the lemonade and
nothing else was right according to
the menu.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
PROF. HOWlSON TO
defer RETIREMENT

BERKELEY, April 21. - George
Holmes Howison Mills. professor of
philosophy in the University of Cali
fornia, one of the most eminent thlnk-
ers and philosophers in the United
States, whose retirement from the fac
uIty was recently announced, will not
forego the active duties of the class
room, according to his announcement
TO his class in philosophy today
II had intended to retire from the
faculty of the university, said Pro-
fessor Howison. but 1 find that con-
ditions are such that l shall INSTRUCT
my classes next year"
The announcement has been received
with great interest both by the faculty,
by whom Professor SHOwison is es-
teemed for his profound scholarship.
and by his students.
Few savants have as high standing
among thinkers and philosophers as
Professor Howison. who is well known
in the realm of thought. and Presi-
dent Wheeler's recent announcement
that he was to relinquish his position
as head of the department of philos-
ophy was heard with the deepest re-
gret.
Professor Howison's wish TO COM
plete works dealing with a new systeE
of philosophy is said to have been the
reason for which he asked the regents
to permit him to leave the chair. of
philosophy which he had held so long.
According to the announcement made
in class today; however, his plans have
been changed and he will. conduct his
courses next year at the university as
formerly. Just what changes brought
about a reconsideration the savant re-
fused to discuss.
For more than 20 years Professor
Howison has been head of the depart
ment of philosophy. His learning has
won him world wide recognition. Pres
ident Wheeler considers him one Of the
eminent men of the faculty ard one
whose place would be difficult to FILL.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
WILKINS RELIES ON
.LAWYER'SARGUMENT
McIsaac Announces No Testi-
mOny VIII Be Presented to
Disproye Murder

OAKLAND April. 21.-No witnesses
were called in behalf Of Mark ~ Will
kins today when his trial for the al
legged murder OF Vernie Carmln was
resumed in Superior Judge Meivins
court. following the close of the prose-
cution at the last session OF the case.
Attorney H McIsaac announced that he
would present no testimony. as he did
not believe the charge against Wilkins
had been established and there was
nothing to refute. His action was
in line with a motion made last week
TO dismiss the case against Wilkins
which Judge Melvin denied after
heated argument.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Dona-
hue made his opening argument. finish
ing late in the afternoon. Donahue
went over the testimony in the case in
an endeavor to show that Wilkins
murdered the woman TO gain posses
sion of her diamonds and money. He
laid stress on the testimony of Peter
Burns, a boy who said he saw the
grave in the stable from which the
body of the woman was subsequently
recovered at least four days before her
death. and the circumstance was en-
phasized as proving that wilkins de-
nberately planned the alleged crime.
The theory Of suicide on the part OF
the woman was amplified by McIsaac.
11S al - uCV tHdI HeI ulSpOSluvH was
changeable and subject to extreme
moods. and that broOding over her
relations with Wilkins and the GER
tainty of disgrace which she faced had
induced her to commit suicide, and tina ,
Wilkins had merely sought to shield
her memory from the shame she had
dreaded while living
District Attorney Brown will make
the closing argument tomorrow. and it
is expected the case will go to the jury
before night.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
BIDS ARE IN FOR
OAKLAND HARBOR
Government Soon to Let Com
tract for Dredging Basin
Across the Bay

OAKLAND, April 21.--The chamber
of commerce is in receipt of a letter
from Brigadier General A. Mckenzie,
chief of the engineering department of
the United States army, acknowledging
the receipt of bids for the Oakland har
Dor work and stating that the award
of the contract will be made as soon
as the proposals can have full consid-
Grafton.
The completion of the work in the
harbor will be of inestimable value to
the Oakland water front, as 1t is pro-
posed to dredge the basin to a depth
of 80 feet so that vessels of the largest
size may be able to dock at the Oak
land wharyes. Bids for dredging the
harbor were sent in to Lieutenant Coli
onel Biddle in San Francisco some time
ago and were at once forwarded to
Washington.
Under the last federal appropriation
for the Improvement of the harbor,
which was based upon government
survey made eight years ago, only
$515.0oO is available for the work to be
done, whereas the lowest bid Submitted
was 100000. The old survey :, only
called for a maximum depth of 25 feet,
but a bill has recently been passed di-
recting the war department TO make a
new survey of the local harbor and
alter the depth of the channel so that
the largest sea going vessels may be
able to enter and dock with safety.
1t will be some time before this sur
vey can be made, however, and it is
proposed to proceed with the work of
dredging to the desired depth of so
feet in the hope that a further appro-
priation will be authorized in time to
allow the work to be completed with
out delay.
The contractors who have sent in
bids for the dredging work have been
notified by officials of the Western Pa
cific railroad that the company is will
ing to pay a good price for the silt
or dredgings that will be taken out of
the bay, which will be used for filling
In the railroads property on the water
front. 1t is expected that the money
thus obtained may be sufficient to en-
able the entire contract to be COM
pieted without waiting for a further
appropriation from the government.
The governments advertisement for
bids stipulates that the work must be
done under two contracts, and 1t is
probable that both jobs will be begun
at the same time with the idea of
fastening the completion of the work
as much as possible.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
DECIDES DEAL WAS
GAMBLING IN STOCK

A suit growing out of an extensive
sugar stock transaction by the late
Fred A. Wickersham, who died in June,
1901, was decided by Judge Seawell
yesterday. The action was instituted
by Edward Pollitz, broker, against
Mary c. Wickersham, as executrix of
the will of Frederick Wickersham for
$33.514, the price of 500 shares of Homo
kaa sugar company and 500 shares of
Paahau sugar company stock purchased
by Pollitz for Wickersham four months
before the latter's death. The executrix
resisted the claim on the ground that
the contract was an Illegal one, stock
gambling on margins or for future
delivery being prohibited by .the con-
stitution. At the same time the execu-
trix sued for the return of the $50
shares of Honokaa stock deposited as
security for the deal.
Judge Seawell held yesterday that
neither party could recover, as the con-
tract came within the inhibition of the
constitution.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
MARKS CLOSE OF
SHOTGUN FEUDS

:, OAKLAND, April 21.-Superior Judge
T. w. Harris of the Alameda county
bench has returned from Martinez,
where he presided over the apportion-
ing of the Sobrante grant among 80
claimants. The territory has its south
ern boundary on the summit of Grizzly
peak and also runs along the Berkeley
hills on the east line of the row of
gum trees, which is the most famous
landmark on the east shore ofs~~the
bay. The proceedings mark the clos
ing stages of shotgun feuds among the
squatters of the region 40 years ago,
which were afterward carried into the
courts to drag along for over a quar-
ter. of a century.
The Sobrante grant was a great sec
tion of land which was not included in
the grant Of surrounding land made by
the Spanish crown in the early days,
but was given by the Mexican govern
ment to Victor and Jose Castro when
the oversight was discovered. BY that
time the land had been settled and the
squatters defended their homesites
with shotguns. and afterward gave
legal battle to the heirs of the Castros.
Recently the matter had been so far
concluded that the amount. paid by
each settler has been ascertained and
the apportioning has been carried on
with the idea of determining how much
land was purchased by the money to
which the present holders are entitled.
The tract has been surveyed, and
Judge Harris is passing on the hold
ings of 80 defendants and the owner
ship of 5000 acres of land. The prob
lem has been to define the proper area
and to locate it about the improve
ments on the site. Further action will
be taken in June. Judge Harris has
been sitting in the absence of Superior
Judge Wells. who considered himself
disqualified, as he once had client
who figured in the litigation.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
MANY ASH PLACES
AT FLEET BANQUET
Committee Prepares for 400 Of
icers and VIII Try to
Seat Outsiders

OAKLAND, April 21.-Detailed ar
rangements for the banquet to be given
in honor Of the officers of the Atlantic
feet by the people of Oakland in Idora
park pavilion have been completed.
All officers who are able to be present
win be invited. AS there are about
500 officers in the feet only half of
that number may be away from their
vessels at one time and the committee
is preparing to entertain at least 400.
Around the banquet tables will be
gathered the highest naval dignitaries
OF the nation, including the secretary
S. Sperry. Rear Admiral Dayton. Rear
Admiral RobIey D. Evans, Rear Ad-
miral C. NJ Thomas, Rear Admiral C.
S. Sperry, Rear Admiral Rayton, Rear
Admiral Swinburne, captains of battle
ships, commanders of the cruisers and
armored cruisers, besides the officers
OF the torpedo boat destroyers, torpedo
boats. gunbeats and auxiliary cruisers,
with visiting naval attaches, govern
ment officials and military officers.
MANY SEEK PLACE AT TABLE.
Although the price of banquet tickets
has been fixed at SO a plate. the de-
mand for reservations is so great that
the committee in charge is trying to
OF outside guests.
During the stay Of the fleet in San
Francisco bay the flag of the secretary
Of the navy win float over the st. Mark
hotel, which for the time being
will be the headquarters of the navy
department of the United States. For
NAL orders have been issued to the
naval officers by Secretary Metcalf
notifying them of the selection Of Oak
land as the secretary's headquarters
throughout the fleets stay.
WILL AUGMENT FUND
An active effort is being made by the
members of the newly formed Oak
land real estate association to raise
more money for the entertainment of
the feet. Today a set of resolutions
adopted at the last meeting of the
realty men was drafted and prepared
for distribution among the property
owners of the city. The resolutions
dwell upon the Importance and signifi-
cance Of the visit of the feet to Oak
land and appeal to the citizens to aid
the finance committee Immediately.
Decoration Of the city hall in honor
of the fleets arrival was decided upon
at the meeting of the city council last
night and a special appropriation of
S4S9 was authorized.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
MORE RAINFALL TO-DAY,
THE EDICT OF McADIE

Tantalizing clouds hung over the en-
tire state yesterday but according to
the United States weather bureau off,
Gals san Francisco and vicinity was
the only section blessed materially
with rain. although the upper part Of
the Sacramento valley and Los An
geles received a few drops. San Fran
cisco was dampened to the extent of
five one hundredths of an inch.
Professor A. G. McAdie, the optimist
Of the weather bureau, said last even
ing that rain could be expected today,
but there must be an atmospheric de-
preston before the rain can fall
Last night the wind shifted to the
south and colder weather may be ex-
pected today. Reports from Fresno
and Sacramento yesterday were that
rain was expected there, but none had
fallen.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
BAPTISTS Plan FOR
COAST CONFERENCE

OAKLAND. April 21.-The second Pa
held in the First Baptist church of this
city May IL to Is inclusive. The larg-
est problems that confront the church
and the community in general will be
brought up for discussion before the
conference. Among the topics that
will be treated are the oriental prob
lem, state convention methods. denomi-
national education, practical Sunday
school extension and the laymens
movement. Secretaries of state con-
ventions will give thorough discus
sions of the Baptist situation. One of
the significant features of the confer
ence will be a visit to San Francisco
by all the delegates for the purpose
of investigating the needs of the Bap-
stist churches in that city.
Baptists of the Pacific coast consider
the conference will mark an epoch in
the life of the church west of the
Rockies. The leaders of the church
declare that there has arisen a sort of
Pacific coast consciousness among the
BaptiSts, who now, more than ever
before, realize their own unity and the
common problems that affect them and
the other denominations of the western
states.
The conference will be opened on
Tuesday evening, May IL, with an ad-
dress of welcome by Rev. Homer ].
Vosburgh. D.. D., pastor OF the First
Baptist church Rev j. Whitcomb
Brougher, ID. D., president of the con-
ference. will respond for the visiting
delegates. On the same evening ad-
dresses will be made by Rev. Charles
r. Brown, pastor of the First Congre-
gational church of Oakland. and David
Starr Jordan. president of Stanford uni
versity.
The session of Wednesday, May Is,
will DC opened with a Moments Of
Meditation" service conducted by Evan
gelist II. Wyse Jones of MeMinnville,
Ore. Following this will be a dis
cussion on THE Present Baptist Situ-
alton on the Coast" Other interesting
sessions will be held on the following
days and some of the most gifted
speakers in this section of the country
will deliver addresses.
A special rate of fare and third
will be available for visitors to the
conference on all railroads in Califor-
MIA and on the Southern Pacific south
B of Portland. and west of Ogden and
Ell Paso. The dates of sale on the
Southern Pacific will be from May 2
to Is inclusive, good for return if pre-
sented between May II and Is inclusive.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
''BABY JOHN" HAS
GUARD AT SIDE

OAKLAND, April 21.-"Baby john
Martin, a prisoner by virtue of the
Indictment for arson in Weaverville.
which will not be dismissed until the
conclusion of the trial of Mrs. Isabella
Martin, is kept under close watch at
the city prison to prevent him being
spirited away. He takes his meals at
a restaurant in the care of Detective
Harry Caldwell, who is always armed.
and he attended Easter services in one
of the churches with his bodyguard.
He expects a gruelling examination
when Mrs. Martin appears in the police
court next Friday morning for her.
hearing and said today:
IF she gets to ask questions she VIII
try to trip me up, but / don't think
she can. There is one question she
asked me in Weaverville which is very
confusing and she viii try to ask 1t
again
The boy refused to tell what the
distressing query was. He also ex-
poets unmerciful treatment at the
hands of Attorney Frick for the de-
fense.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
CARTOON |SFfATURE
OF BLUE AND GOLD

BERKELEY, April 21.-A bold car
toon. showing President Roosevelt and
President Wheeler in ring togs en-
gagged in a boxing match Is the fea-
ture of the Blue and Gold, the class
annual of 1909, which made it's ap
pearance on the campus Of the uni
versity today. The originality and
ulty action upon Editor Clayton and
Manager Mikel. who are responsible
for the book
The American eagle in the cartoon
stands on a chair in Rooseveit's corner
and backs him with shouts of dee
lighted" while the California bear
from .Wheelers corner hurls back in
defiance his familiar saying, 1T is
good to be here" President Roosevelt
wears the stars and stripes, while his
California opponent wears the Cali
fornia CO. of his college.
! The cartoon is based upon the inter
View which President Wheeler recently
gave e. v. Bray of the Polydeucean
boxing club, who asked his support Of
the boxing exhibition to be given by
the club. President Wheeler said to
Bray at the time that he admired box
ing and that he and President Roose-
welt had engaged in a match during
WheeIer's last visit to the national
capital.
Another cartoon in the book by VIII
GreenlaW represents Commandant John
II. Nance of the cadets mounted on the
California bear leading the university
cadets against the Japanese. This
drawing won Greenlaw the first prize
AS was expected, the art work in the
Blue and Gold Is. the best ever seen
in publication by junior class. The
half tones and class pictures are es-
pecially good.
The San Francisco call., 1908-04-22
GRAND JURY CONSIDERS
DIR. BLUES RAT CATCHERS

DR.. Blues rat crusaders and their
methods of clearing backyards, tearing
UP sidewalks and destroying hiding
places for rodents, which have aroused
the ire of many citizens. were taken
up by the grand jury yesterday in re-
sponse to a number of complaints. No
action was taken, but the grand jury
declared that the matter would not be
dropped. City Health officer DIR. r. G.
Broderick testified as to the progress
of the work and the necessity for the
tactics observed.
A havensfor the II lepers who were
refused admittance to Molokai island
by the Hawaiian government was also
discussed. Selection of a site in New
Mexico, where the victims of the dis
ease might be segregated, was sug-
gested. The grand jury will meet
again Monday