davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17
SAYS
WIND IS NEVER
SERVED AS GAS
Hearing Before Supervisors
Causes Protest for Company
When Consumer Interrupts
Experts Ordered to Investigate
Meters and Complaints OF
Improper Charges

many women carrying babies i'm their
arms. Supervisor d'Ancona opened the
proceedings by announcing the pur-
poses Of the investigation and then
called on Britton for a statement.
Statement by BrittOn
L assume that we are not the only
company involved, began Britton. IL
IS g matter of some pleasure TO have
the theater Of complaints transferred
from our Office 10 the board Of super
Visors. You win have an opportunity
10 see what the gas company has to
endure through the winter months It
SIS usual to have complaints during the
winter We never hear of them in
summer.
This company courts the fullest in
vestigation Of its business in every
degree. our books are open to you.
We are human. We do not claim to
be errorless. We do make mistakes.
We have an army of employees who
are also human and liable to error.
think there is not a person here who
has not made some error.
The manufacture of gas is not such
q mysterious thing as the papers would
lead you TO believe, nor are the meters
such monsters"
Gas AnaIyzed Daily
After explaining the gas processes
Britton continued:
Our gas is analyzed every day
three times q day. II the gas does not
give good light. it is due to some local
cause The meter is an instrument of
torture. so called by consumers. with
which we have practically nothing TO
do They are placed by US as they are
bought from Nthe eastern manufac-
turers. A large proportion Of the
meters register against the company.
They are so constructed as to make il
practically impossible to register
against the consumer. OF $1,000 con-
sumerS less than One-tenth of ! per
cent are in a complaining mood"
At this point came the purring sound
OF Wind. wind" and Britton was quick
TO take UP the challenge.
The gentleman mentions wind" he
said. Il would not mention this ordf-
narily, but it has been mentioned in
the papers We know that every act of
ours has been honest and above board
and I challenge anybody to show other
wise
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17

Continued From Page L
Rising of the Moon
Following the Grafton by Hon. Dan
fel c. Deasy Miss Lottie Crawford sang
an Irish song which was enthusiastic
cally received; little May Doren sang
song in a sweet childish voice and
gave a Gaelic dance; Charles Couture
in a beautiful voice sang an eloquent
Irish song. Then there was a recita-
ton, Jimmy Riordan." by John Ken
nedy, three splendidly rendered solos
by Miss Lily Burns. and some fine Sc
lections by the California quartet. con-
han and Joachim
The piece de resistance came in the
form of a pretty Irish playlet, "Bren-
dams Return in which z. j. McCOr-
mick, John Kennedy. Charles Couture.
Miss Julia White and Miss Kitty Col
Inn, n ad artq
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17
Star of Sea Entertainment

Three thousand persons, many of
them members of the Star of the Sea
parish filled the Chutes theater last
night to enjoy a splendid entertainment
that had been planned by Father
Organ in honor of ST Patrick's day.
The affair was of double significance.
terday Father Organ became pastor
of the Star of the Sea church.
The celebration differed in many re-
spects from many entertainments given
in honor of Ineland's patron saint. 1t
was composed chiefly OF music and
Irish dancing and for that reason was
an ideal commemoration.
Among the prominent persons who
participated in The entertainment were
Mackenzie Gordon, the prominent ten
or; Neal Power, who delivered a brief
grafton, and Miss Agatha Cotter in
strumentalist. The Gaelic dancing ex-
am Hazel Allen and Cecile Rogerson.
Eileen Horgan, Dulcie McGlynn and
Johanna Lynch.
The program was as follows:
Concert, League of the Cross baud, Ernest G.
Williams leader; chorus of school children
(under the direction of Miss Fannie Ryan, (al
"0Donneu Aboo" Oh "God Save Ireland -
e r The Star spangled d.. FseltSton
Gaelic dance, the Misses Pearl and Hazel Allen
tenor solo, Mackenzie Gordon. (a) The Town
Neal Power; violin solo. Irish airs. Miss Lo-
retto Jonarius; flute solo, Killarney" Miss
Agata Cotter; triO-Miss Loretto Jonarius (vio-
lin), Miss Agata Cotter (hute). Miss Joan Bsld-
win (piano): vocal selections Miss Eta oBrien
harp solo. Irish airs Miss Joanna kinSinger
Irish four hand reel-CeciIe Rogerson. Eileen
Horgan, Ducie McGlynn. Johnna Lynch; piano
solo. grand opera. Mike Bernard: tenor solos
(a) believe Me-" (bl I'm on to Philadei-
phia," Mackenzie Gordon; fancy hornpipe, Miss
Marie Schou.
Pay Tribute to Saint
With music OF their beloved Emer-
aid isle, national dances and a stirring
oration by Frank j. Kierce. the well
known attorney, the parishioners of ST
Charles Borromeo's church paid a true
Irish tribute last night to the memory
of st. Patrick in Union hall, Capp anC
Sixteenth streets. The hall could not
hold, let alone seat, all who attended
St Patrick's day will be observed al
ST. Francis church in Vallejo stree
this evening with appropriate cere
monies. Rev. Father r. Caraher, the
church's eloquent pastor. will deliver
an address upon the subject of Ire
lands Emancipation" There will be Z
program of sacred music rendered anc
solos will be sung by Charles Bulett
and Charles Couture.
There was another large assemblage
of people in the building trades temple
auditorium to enjoy the second enter
tainment given by the Mission Dolores
parish in honor of st. Patrick There
was an address by Supervisor George A
Connolly and the program of the even
Ing included the same numbers that
were given Monday night.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17

and the pressure in all parts of the
city.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17
Average" Bills Estimated

bills with the consent OF the consumer
The city's inspector, S. A Byrne, in
formed the committee that he lacked
the proper facilities and apparatus to
make the necessary tests.
In answering the protests that had
been filed Britton said that the re-
sponsibility lay with the weather.
"An these differences" he said. ARE
in and about the month of January.
The weather in January was abnormal.
There was never month in this city
with less hours of sunshine and more
days of rain and low temperature. All
of these conditions go to make for
an unusually large consumption of
gas. People stay at home. They light
the gas at $3.50 or o'clock in the af-
ternoon. The hours for the use of gas
in January of this year were fully three
times as great as in 1908.
Supply Proves a Puzzle
There were days in January when
we were puzzled to make enough gas
TO supply the demand. I venture to say
that the business of many people of
the city fell off tremendously during
January because of the rain. People
didn't so out"
Britton then produced his sunshine
maps. He asserted that the weather
had added 40 per cent to the bills. In
January, he said, out of possible 100
per cent there had been but II per cent
Of sunshine.
He remarked, incidentally, that the
company kept tab on the sale of gas
stoves throughout the city.
A. NJ. Hunt was asked by d dAncona
to suggest a means of locating the
trouble. Hunt replied that he believed
the climate played some part In the
difficulty, buD expressed the opinion
that the low pressure in certain locali
ties would account for the high bills.
He explained that with low pressure it
required a greater amount of gas to
accomplish results than was necessary
when the pressure was normal
Meter Tests Ordered
Hunt advised that the city inspector
be afforded the proper facilities to make
the necessary tests.
Britton objected that there were no
districts where the pressure was too
low.
Cory agreed with Hunt and thought
the trouble largely due to a fiuctuation
of pressure.
Supervisor Johnston suggested that
the company's agents should be dis
armed OF the monkey wrenches with
which they force the collection of bills
Britton answered by saying that the
company had lost $4,000 last year in
bad debts.
The committee conferred after the
formal hearing and decided to employ
Hunt and Cory for period of three
weeks or a month, at a total compen-
sation of $3.50 for the two, to make
the necessary investigation. The COM
pany has offered the use of its lab
oratory and instruments The two ex-
perts viii look over the company's
complaint tags. will make the neces-
sary inquiries into each case. and will
make tests OF the quality of the gas
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17

asked them to give me an old one
Mrs. D. c. Dillon conducts an apart
ment house at 1887 Sacramento street
Her bill leaped from $40 to $3.50 and
she is still trying TO learn the reason
why. The company threatened to shut
off the gas unless 500 was paid on ac-
count Immediately.
A. G. Giles of 131 Buchanan street
objected TO a bill for $7.20.
You couldn't have pulled 81 worth
of gas out of those pipes with cork
screw" said Giles CAS- long as we
have a law to regulate the speed of
bicycles and automobiles, we ought to
have a law to regulate the speed Of
gas meters he continued.
Giles also objected to clause in the
contract which gave the company the
right to make additional charges if it
chose.
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17
SONS OF ERIN IN
CITY OBSERVE DAY
Many Celebrations to Be Held
in Honor of st.
Patrick

Continued From Page L
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17

II had a new meter" said Armant,
and they told me that the new meters
read faster than the old ones, so I
The San Francisco call., 1909-03-17

hogany case, which was damaged in t
injured in the least, and the case has b
now almost beyond detection. The reg
of $4,000. Fully guaranteed.
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06
TWENTY THOUSAND cANARles

More than 10000 canaries are
brought from foreign lands and sold
each year in this country, according
to Suburban Life for December. The
greater portion of all the cage birda
sold in this country come from the
Hartz mountains. More than 300 years
ago, a sailing vessel from the Canary
islands, having on board large mum.
ber of small birds of that island, was
shipwrecked off the coast of Italy
Those on board liberated the birds
before going ashore themselves, and
the birds flew to land, where many
OF them were captured and bred for
their beautiful songs. They were very
small birds, having rusty greer
shade of color in their plumage, and
their beautiful voices were all there
was TO recommend them. Since ther
the bird raisers of foreign countries
have, from these crude originals, de
veloped beautiful specimens of many
shapes and various shades of coloring
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06
FRENCH TREATY WINS
IN HOUSE AT OTTAWA


OTTAWA, Ont, Dec A.-Canada has
reached for the rich trade which the
United States now has with France in
agricultural machinery. by vote of
1o7 to 80 the house of. commons has
ratified the supplemental Franco-Ca-
madam reciprocity treaty. Its APPROX
al by the senate is assured, and
through the British government rati
ted to the terms of the intermediate
Canadian tariff and France will re
ceive special concessions on wines.
A dozen other nations will auto
matically receive the same rates
through the most favored nation
treatment France hopes to gain in
lines in which the United States has
Sc 100000 of trade with Canada
Whether this constitutes discrim-
ination against the United States must
be decided by Washington. The most
important concession given by France
is the minimum rate on agricultural
machinery. The United States sells
France $1,000 out of the 10000 ma
chimes now annually bought. This con
cession to Canada amounts to $50
on reaper and proportional amounts
on other machines, so that American
machines outside the harvester trust
which has factories in Canada, fear
IdieaStrous cnmnetition
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06
GENERAL NEWS FROM ALLISON.
AIlisou, Colo, Dec. 9. 19O0.

Allison Colo, Dec. 9, 1909.
On account of the absence of the
threshing machine which was sent to
the upper country earlier in the sea
son. threshing in this vicinity has been
somewhat delayed. The machine is OIL
the ground again, however, and pre-
vious to the late storm was making
the grain fly fast and furious Yield
is proving much larger than last year
and the price much better which is u
double good fortune for the tillers of
the soil
Nothing doing in the boom line at
Allison these days, but very steady
growth in population is being main.
tanned The latest settler on the
ground being new son at the home
of b. f. Thomas. He is understood
&c be comely young man of stalwart
proportions, fashioned somewhat after
the pattern of his papa and husky
enough to aid materially in the devel-
opment of the big ranch opposite town.
Being the first boy the parental pride
is pardonable and The Herald joins
In the congratulations.
otto Binkley and family of Rocky
Ford are recent arrivals who expect
to find fame and fortune IN this ia,
vored spot they have rented the Dr
| Pollock ranch for the coming year.
Buck brothers hold the distinction
of being the most successful potato
| farmers in the vicinity of Allison
They harvested 1000 sacks from O
twelve-acre field of the festive tubers
and are realizing handsome price
for same, because of the exceptionally
fine quality Their success will nC
doubt have tendency to increase the
acreage which we regret TO state ha.
heretofore been neglected.
Allison also proved herself in The
lead in the matter of Mexican beans
this year, the yield being unusuall!
heavy.
F. Mentzel raised a fine car of po
tatoes also this year. They were o
the fancy white variety and brough
a large price on the Silverton market
where they were sold to one of tn,
large mining companies.
+, NJ. Engler has undertaken tn,
development of the bee industry In ,
small way and reports gratifying re
suits. Notwithstanding the unusual,
long rainy season his bees storet
away large amount of the succulen
luxury and increased their number II
a very prolific manner. lie contem
plates branching out more extensively
another year.
A certain young lady of the bewltch
ing type and residing not far from
Allison seems to be doomed A youn,
admsrer who has an eye for the beau
tiful and penchant for poetry wrote
the following small ode to her lady
ship recently while under the spell:
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06
NATURES GLORY SEEN
IN LAND OF SEQUOlA
(By William E. Curtis, Correspondent

(By William Il. Curtis, Correspondent
of the Chicago Record-Heraid)
WASHINGTON.-P Shoup of the
Southern Pacific railroad has recently
been making an exploration of won
derful country which lies in the east
ern part of California, southeast Of
the Yosemite valley, and the great
National park. and the other day in
relating some of the experiences, he
said:
Between the Yosemite region on
the north and where the Kern river
breaks through the great divide in the
south, are the highest mountains of
the Sierra range, and indeed. of the
United States, outside Alaska. Nor
are the mountains the only remarka-
BILE feature. Within this section lies
the finest portion of the greatest con
ferrous forest on the globe, the high
est mountain peaks of our country
proper. and the greatest of our glacier
carved canyons.
"The Sequoia national park contains
a greater number of big trees, the Sc
quota elgantea, than exist outside of
the park altogether, If we except the
Tule river groves. The tree General
Sherman which have measured, con
tains probably more feet of lumber
than any other living tree. II is 101
feet in circumference at the base, and
tapers very gradually upward to its
top some 800 feet above ground. In
the same forest are not only scores
but thousands, OF large trees, but less
than 1000 having diameter exceed
ing fifteen feet. Nor are these the
only large trees. Specimens of the
red fir, which | myself measured, are
between seven and eight feet in diam
eter, four feet above the ground. Here
are great yellow and sugar pines. at.
tainins heighth of 200 feet. and
fine cedars. and, in the higher alti
tudes. the brilliantly colored, s,nrdy
storm-beaten juniper and mountain
pine.
THE western slopes OF he Sierra
are forcsted with wonderful trees
towering from 200 TO 325 feet high
dense enough almost. to exclude the
sunlight, with little underground be
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06
promoting good cheer.

l
The second church function was
| the dinner given in the lecture room
OF the Presbyterian church last even
ing by the ladies of the church to
the male members, the purpose being
to get the men together to discuss
the proposition Of organizing Church
Brotherhood 1t was about Z O'Clock
when some forty of the male members
of the church. with two or three in.
vited guests, sat down to a most
delicious spread just the kind the la
dies of the church know how to pre-
pare After paraking one could not
help but be in cheerful mood. When
the inner wants OF the company had
been supplied Mr.. l.. p Main arose
and informally told about the need of
such an organization. He recited some
of the benefits to be gained, but for a
general outline called on C. T. Hop.
kins. Mr.. Hopkins made a very in.
teresting talk concerning the organi-
zation and operation of such broth
erhood by the Pueblo church to which
he belonged The men who assem-
bled under similar conditions as last
evening and the organization formed
with about seventy members, the
Brotherhood being composed not only
of members but of those affiliating
with and attending church services.
II worked wonders for the spiritual
growth as well as financial end of the
work 1t brought men together who
never met otherwise, resulting In an
organized system of work that proved
successful. Each and every one was
given work TO do and as a result the
attendance was increased and the
cause of Christ advanced In many
ways The first year of the organiza.
tion $1,000 was given to missions,
while the usual church deficit was
passed up and sinking fund created
to be used in case of emergency. The
Brotherhood being social, brought the
ship as lodge or club work Other
speakers followed, among them Rev.
Mr. CroZier, who called attention to
The necessity of work of the charac cter
Indicated. II was the concensus OF
opinion that a brotherhood would not
only be beneficial for the Presbyterian
church but for every church oreaniza
tion in the city with occasional gath.
erings of the combined bodies. II was
pointed out that, while politics would
be absolutely barred, that the organi-
zation should be one for civic right
eousness in our city and by or
ganlzation conditions greatly improved
| in many ways, and a motion to this
effect carried unanimously, resulting
In the election of C. T. Hopkins, presi-
| ident, G. A. Selleck vice president and
l.. p. Main secretary and treasurer
| While bylaws aud constitution were
discussed no action was taken, ad
journment being taken to Wednesday
evening, Dec. 10, to perfect the or
ganization. II was after 10 when the
company adjourned with the best OF
good fellowship prevailing.
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06
"our eyes have. met.
Our lips not yet;
But, Oh. you Kid.
I'll get Won vet"

butt Oh, 9pu fNlh'
I'll get you yet
e. l.. Buck and family left Thursday
for an extended visit in Kansas, after
which they will go to California for
the winter
Frank Anl OF Denver is receiving
building material for the erection of
new dwelling on his claim east of
town Frank has abounded faith in
the Allison district and is proving his
convictions by getting his shoulder TO
the wheel and settling down 10 bust
ness.
A. L. Fisher was Out from Durango
Wednesday on irrigation business Mr..
Fisher is interested in new ditch out
on the Piedra.
Thomas Hayes visited Durango on
business this week
County Superintendent Fifield of Az
tec visited the Horner school just over
the line in New Mexico Wednesday
Miss Nina Brown, teacher of the
aIllbOn SCnDtbs spent eih9oif'ho -
cation at Bayfield,. She reports con
tinual round of pleasure and says a
young man up there gave her some
real candy.
Lars Larson, the local contractor
and builder, is up from Rosa for a
few days this week, He has been
putting in the frame work, fixtures
and glass front for the new Cande-
laria store at Rosa While at home
this week he started work on large
granary on the Wicklem ranch which
is 70 be stored full OF wheat 10 be
held for the spring market
Emory Brown reports the sale of
his ranch east of town at handsome
profit over the price paid for it short
lime ago
S. c. Cove is putting the finishing
touches on the Howe and sconeld cot
tage A new brick fireplace just add
ed TO this modern structure adds much
TO its appearance in addition to the
added comfort which II gives. Mr..
Cove is an artist in his line and as a
result OF his handiwork the Misses
Howe and Scofield will soon be able
to boast of one of the handsomest
country residences in the southwest.
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06

pearance Is = lose ground in every
way. An untidy man is dreadful
sight, but he is a pleasing picture com.
pared with the slipshod woman. Sure.
ly you can spare thirty minutes n dav
10 keep yourself booking well AT
night bathe the face with warm wa.
ter, a correct complexion brush of bris.
ties and neutral soap. Afterward
apply orange flower skin food, which
will not only rub the wrinkles away
but will produce surface of soft fine
texture and a healthy glow. Nex,
morning dash on cold water and biz
of pure powder. AT night brush the
hair thoroughly. Never let any rag.
ged wisps hang about your face after
the hair is dressed.
It's foolish to be serious and It's
stupid TO be wise
The girl who is about to become
engaged makes a perfectly reasonable
deduction to the effect that she should
take nobody's advice but her own con.
cerning matter that concerns nobody
but herself. However, she cannot do
herself the slightest injury if she liz.
tens to what her mother has TO say
Mother, having been married for
twenty years. may know what she is
talking about. The young girl is like
the actor on the stage who plays his
part but who really hasn't much of an
understanding of the story of the
drama. Let mother talk. She may
tell you something. And perfectly
good young man will be Just as good
six months from now. He may even
improve.
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06

Last year small lot of shelled corn
of a new kind to this country was sent
TO the department of agriculture from
Shanghai 1t proved TO nave qualities
that make II valuable in breeding n
corn adapted to the hot and dry con
ditions of the southwest. The plants
raised in the test averaged less than
six feet in height, with an average of
twelve green leaves at the time of
tasseling. The ears average 5ls inch.
es in length and A l-3 inches In great.
est circumference, with sixteen to
eighteen rows of small grains. On
the upper part Of the plant the leaves
are all on one side of the stalk in.
stead of being arranged In two rows
ON opposite sides. Besides this, the
upper leaves stand erect instead of
dropping, and the tips of the leaves
are therefore above the top of the
tassel. The silks of the ear are pro.
duced at the point where the leaf
blade is Joined to the leafs heath, and
they appear before there Is any sign
OF an ear except a slight swelling.
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06

Although Farman and Paulham have
quite frequently taken their wives on
flight In their Farman blplanes, mel.
ther of these ladies' has essayed to
fly alone. 1t has remained for the
Baroness de la Roche to become the
hrst aviatress. After receiving sew.
eral lessons from NJ. Chateau, the in.
structor employed by the voisin
Frares at Chalons. the baroness made
short initial flight of about 400
yards. The following day this titled
lady flew twice around the parade
grounds distance of about four
miles--in rather gusty wind. After
the FIRST few turns she was able to rly
the machine without any trouble what.
ever. and seemed to have the biplane
under perfect control. This flight
Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-06

In many Chinese and Asiatic cities,
the law requires that every house
have at Jeast one cat. and large ware
houses and similar places. must have
several, Since the Inauguration OF
this system few years ago there
has been remarkable reduction in
the number OF rats running rampant
and no less rapidly falling off In
the visitation Of the bubonic plague
and its results. Clearly the cat. as
an exterminator OF the dread disease
has all serums and antitoxins beat
out.