New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-26
LIGHTS OUT ON PIER
Darkness BaIkS Customs Men in
HOb0ken for a While.
MANY OPERA SINGERS HERE
Kaiser Wilhelm II Passengers
Tell of Trials Of French
Railroad Strike.

The present material civilization seemed
on the point of colapslng last night to the
storm weary passengers of the Kaiser WI
helm H. Fresh from struggle with the
French railroad Ce-up and attenuated from
seasickness. they had hardly sighed their
relief at landing, when every light on the
North German LLOYD pier in Hoboken
winked out Utter blackness blotted from
sight the antlike activity Of the customs
inspection. and life On that vast pier. lit
tered with humanity and baggage, became
suddenly static.
Not cry. not even a Eroan, escaped as
the frosty are lights sputtered and sank
and died. But the clatter of baggage
trucks and the buzz Of conversation ceased
on the instant. Not a soul moved and not
a person spoke. bound and gagged for a
second by the blanket of darkness. Then
gradually little sounds Of mirth and con-
sternaion and a cautious stirring about
gave life TO the apparent void. Eyes be
came more and more accustomed TO the
gloom. feebly lighted by the big windows
along each side of the great room, and
baggage began TO scrape about.
Some Of the passengers took out canes
fitted with little electric lamps. Matches
were lighted and fifteen minutes after the
arc lights had failed kerosene lanterns be
gan TO appear. One gray-haired woman
lighted her way about with a tallow candle
if she were going TO bed in the country
Even dark lanterns flashed and one man
had a carriage lantern.
But for the half hour. from $50 to SIS,
that darkness reigned il was impossible
for the customs inspectors 10 continue
their work. General Nelson H. Henry. Sur
veyor Of the Port, who had personal charge
OF the baggage inspection. couldn't even
pick out those men from the regiment of
inspectors scattered over the pier whom he
wanted to dispatch TO the Chicago of the
French Line. He could only see that no
baggage was removed under cover of
darkness, and console himself with the
thought that no one could put the respon-
sihil1y for the incident on the customs ser
vice.
A feed wire in the street outside caused
the whole trouble by burning out. Until
this could be remedied by the men of the
Hoboken plant which supplies the piers
the passengers must needs guard their
treasures from possible theft. Many a
woman sat in suspicious stiffness on a
pyramid Of baggage and regarded darby
every human shadow that approached or
passed.
Miss Mary Garden, ne opera singer. was
one of these. She didn't str a foot. she
said. during the StyEian half hour. Finally,
when the lights fared and sputtered on
again and cheers greeted the rafters. her
father, little man with a gray vandyke,
came tripping along with lighted Ian
tern. which he Vas loath TO put out. Il am
Diogenes looking for an honest man." he
chirped, and the singer gave him a tired
smile
A few passengers had their baggage in
spected and got off the pier before the
lights went out bat President Nicholas
Murray Butler Of Columbia University was
not one Of them. Dr. Butler was returning
from a summer spent on the Continent fol-
lowing his appearance in Berlin "a the rep
resentatiye OF Columbia at the centenary
celebration Of the University Of Berlin He
was eager for news or the political stua-
ton. and. although he said he would take
no active part in politics this fall, not even
having a vote, for the first time since he
was twentv-one years old, he ventured a
few opinions covering the national stua-
ton
The most hopeful thing that has hap
pened in American politics in years. if
seems 20 me-" said he lis the nomination
Of President Wilson by the Democrats Of
New Jersey and that OF Judge Baldwin by
the Democrats Of Connecticut. Now We r.
going TO have two parties. which is en-
couraging To all citizens. no matter what
marty they belong to. Judge Baldwin is a
man Of the highest type. and SO is DR. VIII
son Both are conducting their campaigns
on a high plane / understand dealing in
politics. and not in personalities What
difference does il make whether a man had
an uncle in a trust or not? We want 10
know the principles on which a candidate
stands
Dr. Butler said he had attended the ar
filtration court at The Hague which decided
the Newfoundiand fisheries question. and
met there the representatives Of both coun-
tries.
Europe considers the Hague decision
epoch making" he added. They were in