davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
ENGINEER CREDITS MOSES
WITH USING ELECTRICITY
Describes Brazen Serpent as a
Lightning Conductor

1t is generally agreed that the an
cient Egyptians had some knowledge
of electricity. but that the IsraeIites
had any such knowledge has never been
put forward as yet. But an engineer
of Munich has written an article in a
German review to prove that the Is
raeliteS were electricians. Or, at least
if the Israelites were not, Moses was.
The Munich engineer considers that
the brazen serpent that Moses set up
was nothing else than lightning con-
ductor, and that the serpents against
which it guarded the children of Is
rae1 were the lightning itself, says the
London Globe. But his most curious
speculations are those in the ark of
the covenant and of the terrible death
which menaced any sacrilegious per-
sons who ventured to touch it.
He aff1rms that the ark with its
metal plates was in reality a huge
leyden jar charged with electricity. and
that its discharge was powerful enough
to kill a man. Only the initiated could
approach it with impunity, and that i'm
punity was obtained by the metallic
robes of the priests, which reached
down TO the ground, and carried off
the discharge of electricity.
The engineer quotes many passa ges
from the Old Testament in support of
his theory. and it is quite possible
that Moses, who had learned much of
the magic of the Egyptians, had ac-
quired knowledge of electricity.
which in later years was forgotten by
the successors of Aaron.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
CIVIC BODIES WILL
HOLD CONVENTION
Improvement and Promotion
Clubs to Consider Plan of
Federation

ALAMEDA, March 31-The first con-
vention of improvement clubs in the
east bay cities to be held will be that
which will be called to order at the
headquarters of the North Side i'm
provement club in Mckinley park,
Buena Vista avenue and Walnut street,
tomorrow night. The main business to
come before the convention will be the
proposition to form a county fedora
ton of promotion organizations. The
convention was called by the North Side
club.
Organizations that will be represent
ed the convention and the delegates
from the same are as follows:
East Oakland Heights Improvement club, Oak
land-Prof Henry Kower.
Ashby improvement club, Berkeley. f.
Short, E. b. Parsons.
Pioneer improvement club. Fruitvale-P. j..
Rourke, c. A. Renner, William Wetmore:
Santa Fe improvement club Oakland-Messrs.
Johnson, Zickendorf, Waterhouse.
son. A. H. Weber
North Hill club, Berkeley-A ]. Merry. NJ. B.
Smith
South Berkeley cub-A c. Wood.
Citizens league, Berkeley-Dr. Il. o. Brink,
NJ Nj. linda.
Central improvement club, Oakland-W. B..
Thomas, R. d. Montgomery.
Civic League of Greater 0akland-George In
graham, w. S. Shaw, G. Larsen.
First ward improvement club, 0akland-A L..
Young, William II. Conner
Hopkins street improvement club, Fruitvale-
Fred Heard
East End improvement club, Alsmeda-C. T.
Hol65rook; L. ]; kearney. J. A. Hoffman;
Mackie Harry Sheramsky Dr. F. A. Martin.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
SCHUETZENVEREIN HAS
BANQUET AND MUSICALE
Sharpshooters Receive Medals
at Annual Feast

OAKLAND, March 31.--The Oakland
Turnverein gave it's annual banquet and
entertainment in honor of the Schuet-
zen section in Germania hall last night,
attended by more than 300 guests. The
musical department of the organization
furnished program under the direc-
ton of Professor Albrecht.
Col. Theodore Gier who holds the po-
sition of captain in the Schuetzen
verein, presided at the banquet
Medals of honor were bestowed upon
those who had distinguished them
selves before the target, as follows:
Herman Windler of the champion class,
H. w. Kleinenbroich OF the first class
and Bernard Brunje, who made the
three best centers on the target.
Captain Siebe of Shellmound park,
where the shooting contests take place,
was called upon to answer to a toast
by Gier
Others who responded to toasts in
cluded Mrs. Julius Evers, Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Loeffier, Mr.. and Mrs. Windmill
len, Albert Engelhardt, J. a. Stirn,
Capt. Ludwig Siebe, Miss Louise Siebe
and Oscar Dittmar.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
EVENTS BORDERING OF SAN FRANCISCO
BURGLARS EMPLOY
MODERN METHODS
Use Wagon and Team to Deplete
Stock of Store OF Oak
land Grocery

OAKLAND. March 31.-Burglars with
wagon and team looted A Tavano's
grocery at Spring street and Redwood
road of all the stock early this morn
ing. Tavano, who lives not far from
his shop, heard a noise at the store at
about 3 o'clock. and hastily left his
house to investigate. When he reached
the street the burglars were driving
away, and Tavapo found his door open.
He notified the police. and though q
watch was kept for the thieves no one
was arrested.
The robbers had evidently been at
work for some time before Tavana was
aroused. The grocer found his shelves
had been cleaned of most of it's stock.
and considerable quantity OF stuff had
been removed from a rear stOrerOOm.
This is the third annexed districs
shop that has been robbed by burglars
who use a wagon in which to haul
away their booty.
The Pioneer barber shop, at 3214 East
Fourteenth street, also in the annex.
was robbed last night of cigarette pa
pers and tobacco and of a box of cigars.
The police found a sheet from pocket
notebook, bearing the name Harold
written in a boyish hand. laying on the
floor. None Of the valuables in the
shop. nor the cash till was touched,
and the police suspect that boys broke
into the place to get the smoking ma
terials.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
OAKLAND ELKS WILL
GIVE THEATER PARTY
Orpheum to Be Scene of Big
FraternaI Gathering

OAKLAND, March 31.-Oakland lodge
of Elks No. III will give its annual
theater party at the Oakland Orpheum
Monday night. Harry S. Anderson,
chairman of the committee Of arrange
ments, and Charles F. Lee, secretary,
have concluded arrangements with the
Orpheum management, and, several spe-
cial features have been promised in ad-
dition to the regular vaudeville show,
among them being moving pictures
showing the Elks in procession at the
national meeting in Philadelphia.
The house is to be decorated with
flowers. national flags, bunting and the
Elks colors. There will be many visit
ing Elks, and the committee will see
that they are made comfortable.
The Elks' portion of the proceeds
viii be added to the present surplus,
the total TO be used in sending dele
gates to the national Elks' convention
in Detroit.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
HAS NARROW ESCAPE
IN GAS EXPLOSION
Elmhurst Grocer Looks for
Leak With Candle

OAKLAND, March 31.-Charles Meyer
grocer of Elmhurst, narrowly es-
capped losing his life last night when
the gas main in front of his store
blew up, wrecking the street and set
ting fire to the sidewalk. Detecting the
odor of gas as he was closing his store
at East Fourteenth street and Noun
tain View avenue. Elmhurst, Meyer
went to investigate with a lighted
candle. He found the leak, OF rather
the leak found him.
The explosion rocked every building
in that part of the city and many
rushed into the streets, fearing that
it was another earthquake. When
Meyer recovered his senses he found
himself on the steps of his store, to
which he had been hurled by the force
of the explosion
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
HEREDITARY BEADLES IN
FRANCE AND ENGLAND
Poet Chatterton's Father FOr-
sock Place to Teach School

At La Martyre. France, a commune
in the reimbursement of Brest, is fam
lily named Balbot. For $50 years mem-
bers OF this family have filled the posi-
tion of beadle OF the parish church OF
the commune. The present beadle is
Guillaume Balbot. and he has held his
Office for so years. He has six children
-four sons and two daughters. The
ages of the sons are 80. %, Is and u
years, respectively, so. as far as can
be seen, there is no likelihood of this
dynasty OF beadles becoming extinct.
England possesses an example far
more renowned. For nearly two CEN
turtles the sextonship of the beautiful
church OF ST. Mary Redcliffe in Bristol
had been held by members of a family
named Chatterton. says the London
Globe. Sprung from this obscure eX-
traction was the figure destined TO hold
a unique place in the history of Eng
lish literature. Thomas Chatterton, OF
Rowley poems fame.
Chattertons father aspired to a pO-
SitiOn above that of sexton, and at the
time of the poets birth was master of
the Pyle street school at Bristol, but
the boys uncle was stiII sexton IN
the imminent room of the church Chat
terton represented that he had found
the opens Of one Thomas Rowley, a
prereformation priest Dodsley re-
fused to print the poems, Walpole was
deceived by them. Gray discovered the
hoax and every one Is familiar with the
tragedy in Brook street. Hclbern. Some
can even remember IL much as il was
in Chatterton's time.
Documentary evidence exists that
Chatterton was not a desirable boy,
but as Professor Mason has pointed
out he ought never to have been al
lowed to commit suicide. Perhaps the
responsibility for the tragedy must
rest upon Barrett, the surgeon and his
torian OF Bristol. He was glad to avail
himself of ChattertOn's assistance, and
in his folio edition today we see how
Chatterton hoaxed the surgeon with his
of the elevations OF Bristol
signed Thomas Rowley
Barrett simply patronized
Chatterton for what he could get from
him, whereas, as Professor Mason
points out, he could have driven him
over to Clifton and introduced him to
the youngest Of the sisters who kept a
ladies' school there. She probably
would have sympathized with the
poor young poet. and the poems OF
Hannah Moore might now have been
known to students of English Iitera-
ture under another name.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
ORDER OF OWLS BUILDS
NEW NEST AT MELROSE
Charter Members Given ObIipa-
tion by Oakland Hooters

OAKLAND, March 31.-What will be
known as the Melrose nest of the Order
OF Owls was organized last evening
at meeting Of charter members at
Souza's hall, in Forty avenue
Those in attendance were given the
obligation by members of the Oakland
Nest. s. Bachrach officiating as supreme
deputy grand president; W. T. VahI-
berg, grand fnvocator; A. n. Sheldon
grand warden, and o. d. Brown, grand
sentinel.
After brief history of the order
had been read and the members of Mel
rose nest had been congratulated, Off
GERS for the ensuing term were elected
as follows:
r. j. Silva, past president; Fred r.
Bramman, PRESIDENT S. Goldstein, vice
president, G. w. Scaddan, invocator:
Harry King, secretary; George ]. Krat-
tiger, treasurer; w. E. Putnam, war
den; William Souza, sentinel, and NJ f.
Thomas, picket.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
TWO YEAR SENTENCE
FOR YOUNG FORGER
Son of Former Pennsylvania
Jurist Refused Probation

OAKLAND, March 31.-Edward T.
Black, who is the son of a former
Pennsylvania supreme court judge. was
given a two year sentence at Folsom
penitentiary today for passing a ficti-
tious check, by Judge Brown The
sentence came after a lukewarm rec
ommendation for probation by Proba-
tion officer Ruess, in which Black was
described as third rate risk for
probation.
Captain of Detectives Petersen re-
fused to recommend probation, saying e
that the young man had lied and had
shown no signs of repentance.
Black passed a bad check for SEQ on
local cigar merchant When he was
arrested it was found that he had
passed number of other bad checks
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
WANTS TO INCREASE
PARK MEMS WAGES
Commissioner Ed0ff Declares
That Pay Is Inadequate for
NeceSsarieS of Life

OAKLAND, March 31.-Park Commits
sioner James P. Edoff introduced a res
olution at the meeting of the board this
afternoon to increase the wages of
employees who are hired by the day.
He had the approval of City Auditor
George Gross in the matter and sup
ported his motion with the statement
that the wages now paid were not
sufficient for the men, considering the
present increased cost of living, to pro-
vide the necessaries of life"
Edoff proposed that the head
nurserymen should be paid from $3.50
to 81 a day; park keepers, SO to $3.50 a
day, and assistant park keepers or
laborers S2.75 to SO a day This was
approximately theswages paid several
months ago, when the commission made
reductions to prevent deficit in the
park fund.
Gross had informed Edof that the
fund would allow the increased wages
without making it necessary to draw
upon the current appropriation of the
park department.
Edoffs resolution was laid over for
one week, when Gross is to inform
the commission whether the new
budget can contain money for the
hiring of 10 more men in the park de-
partment. Then the question of higher
pay and of more help will be detr-
mined.
President Manuel and Commissioner
Gould differed from Edoff today in their
views on the subject of higher pay.
Manuel held that the city should pay
as much as other coast cities for SINH
lar work Could termed the wage
question a business proposition and
said that he had little sympathy with
Edoff's more compassionate view of the
subject.
The commission received three sets
of plans for a new boathouse, drawn
by unlicensed craftsmen, in a COM
petition held by magazine. The plans
Were fled.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
HIBERNIAN DIVISION
PLANS ANNUAL DANCE
Popular Women's Auxiliary to
Give Big Entertainment

OAKLAND, March 31.-The Ladies'
auxiliary, division No. l, Ancient Order
of Hibernians, will hold its fifth annual
ball at Castle hall Saturday evening,
April 3 John ]. O'Connor. Irish dancer,
accompanied by his daughter, Irene,
will execute some difficult fancy step
dancing, which will be the feature of
the evenings entertainment. The
evenings program has been arranged
under the following committees:
Arrangements-Alrs. NJ. Bowen (chairman)
Mrs. D. Tuohey, Mrs. ]. Cox. Mrs. NJ Towne
Miss NJ. Healy, Miss Annie Phillips, Mrs j.
Bennett and Miss NJ. Mccarthy.
Reception--Mrs. D. Tuohey. Mrs NJ. McAvey,
Mrs. c. Connerton, Mrs. J. r. Kelly, Mrs K
Sanderson, Mrs. NJ. Curtin. Mrs. NJ. Bowen Miss
A. Flynn. Miss A. Wynne and Mrs. J. Cox
Floor cenmittee-John J. O'Connor floor man.
sgerl, James Walsh tassistant), John Cox J. R.
Kelly, Frank Yoell William S. PIN, Victor Me-
Carthy and r. j. Desmond.
Foor committee-E. j. Murphy and R. j.
Heaney.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
Marriage Licenses

OAKLAND. March 31.-The following mar.
riage licenses were issued today;
Axel A. Johnson, %, and Amanda X Lind
stron. is. both Of Berkeley.
Nieoli Fossano. 81, and Marie Pomesi, 25, botl
Of Oakland.
Charles H. Hutcbins. 50 and Elizabeth G.
Mills. g. both of Oakland
Frank z. Bull. 27. and jamie Z. Noble, %
both of San Francisco.
Lynwood E. Brizel, "a, and Belle ArchambauIt
Do both of Oakland.
Louis T. Huntington, 81. and Lena Horn, 10
both Of Alameda.
Joseph H. Livesey, 45, and Nellie Fagen, Al
both Of San Francisco.
Irving N. Fox. 81. Louisville. Miss. and Mae
Sigler, II. Melrose.
Edward X. Taylor, 4s and Anna R. sizer, a4
both of Alameda.
both Of Berkeley.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
GRAND JURY FILES
ITS FINAL REPORT
Many Recommendations Made
by InquisitOriaI Body Before
Being Discharged

OAKLAND. March 31.-The grand
jury, having completed its labors. was
discharged today by Judge Brown after
II had made fits final report. 1t had
been in session II months and held 81
sessions during that time. indictins
Two men-John s. de Lancey. attorney
for former Public Administrators Gray
and A. J. Flood, Gray's clerk.
The report is a voluminous one. II
criticises q number OF abuses and rec
ommcnds their adjustment and gives
a summing up OF the results of its
labors.
Without mentioning names, contrac-
tors doing street Improvement work in
Oakland were sharply criticised for
concealed oveccharges TO property
owners. The grand jury recommends
that no contract for street work be
approved unless il clearly appears on
the face OF Il just how much the work
is 10 cost per lineal foot. The city coun-
ell. as the result Of the grand jury
investigation of this subject, has taken
the matter up.
The buildings of the county infirm-
ary came in for strong criticism. They
were characterized as a disgrace 10
Alameda county and as "dilapidated.
inadeQua te- and insanitary." Many of
A-lf ola anu A-lAl III tttAtlIAANS - DAA0 n.y.
with death if @ fire should break out
and the recommendation is made that
thev should be torn down and suitable
buildings erected within the city of
Oakland.
A claim for s2s5 for road work al
leaed 20 have been done by :. Ameral
in the Plessanton road district should
not be paid. according TO the report, as
Ii is a gross overcharge for which
Peter oxen, former road master Of that
district is responsible. According to
testimony that was given at the inVes-
tigation Of the claim, it was shown
that Oxen was to get this money HIM
self although the claim was made out
il Ame~aTs favor. oxen has resigned
should not pay the claim, the grand
Jury declares. and should cut other
claims in which oxen and Ameral ng-
sured.
other recommendations made by the
grand jury report were as follows;
Chinese lottery gamblers should be
given jaii sentences oftener instead OF
heing permitted to forfeit bail; the
city council Of Oakland should pass
an ordinance providing for better ire
protection in theaters; civil service
should be established IN the police and
fire departments, and the board OF su-
pervisors should be more careful or
the quality OF paper purchased IN
books OF record
The janitOr service OF the county
buildings came in for a share of con-
demnatioa. The buildings were found
to be in q -deplorable condition
Among the unfinished business IS
that Of the nuisance caused by slaugh-
ter houses Many Of these have
changed their manner of conducting
their establishments so that they are
no longer offensive, but others nave
failed to heed the orders Of the grand
i,srv. which makes the recommendation
that the next grand jury take the mat
ter up.
The next grand jury will probably
not be impaneled for two months.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
STUDENTS WILL HONOR
VISITING GRADUATES
English Club Admits Richard
Walton TuIIy and Others

BERKELEY, March 31.-The English
club, the organization which controls
literary and dramatic activities among
the students, will let down the bars
this year and admit to membership in
the organization a number of leading
lights of the coast who will visit the
campus again during the celebration
of the jubilee in May. The club re-
Gently voted to admit as honorary men,
bers Eleanor Gates Tully, Richard Wal
ton Tully, Elmer Harris and about a
dozen other writer's, and they will be
initiated with about 10 undergraduates
some time during the semi-centennial
celebration.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
DACHSHUND PREY TO
TERRIERS IN PACK
Four Bulldogs Terrorize North
Berkeley by Organizing

BERKELEY, March 31--F'our North
Berkeley bull terriers are hunting IN a
pack, have terrorized the nelghborhood
and. as a crowning exploit, have killed
= dachshund belonging to Henry Suer-
mondt Of 1911 Spruce street. Suer-
mondt has made a complaint about the
dogs. and today Edel Hecht, living at
Arch and Eunice streets, appealed to
chief Of Police Vollmer TO send out a
hunting expedition after the atayistic
brutes.
The dachshund which fell prey to the
hunting terriers was a thoroughbred.
worth $3.50 He ran afoul Of the pack
in the street, and the four bulls at
tacbed him. His owner went to the
rescue, but had only a dogs carcass
left when he had put the terriers TO
flight.
Chief Vollmer has been apprised that
the dogs keep in their pack of four
and infest all the streets OF the hillside
neighborhOOd.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
MEMORIAL PLANNED FOR
FLORENTINE NAVIGATOR
Credited by Many With Discov@
cry of the Hudson

notable instance of a real dis
coNerer railing to receive credit for
his achievement, is that of Giovanni
Nerrazzano, the FlOrentine navigator.
That he really discovered the Hudson
river IN 1924, proved by his log and
would seem to be conclusive. But
how far up the river he sailed has
always been a matter OF doubt
That he did sail into New York bay
sufficiently to see and describe Man
haitian island is certain. SAYS the Lon
don Globe. Hudson explored the river
that bears his name So years. later. in
1909 The reason that Hudson re-
ceived the credit for il is to be found
in the fact that the early settlers were
Dutch and English.
They knew all about Hudson. few il
any of them had ever heard Of YER
razzano. Eager to claim credit for a
man of their own race. historians dis
missed Verrazzano with a line. while
they told in fun the story OF Hudson /.
discovery.
Therefore. while the Italians OF New
York are disposed to give Hudson
credit for all he did. they resent the
manner in which their compatrfot's
fame has been neglected. Conseauent
ly. they propose to give expression To
this feeling by presenting to the city
of New York monument from the
hands Of Ximenes, the famous Italian
sculptor, in honor of Yerrazzano.
Irish inventors have perfected en-
broidering machines which successfully
rival the finest hand work of the women
of that country at much less cost
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
PROFESSORS PREPARE
FOR SUMMER SURVEYING
Engineers Go to Santa Cruz to
Make Arrangements

BERKELEY. March 31-Prof. T. B.
Sears of the department of railway en-
gineering Of the university and Prof.
Charles Gilman Hyde Of the depart
ment Of Sanitary engineering left today
for Scott. creek. where they viii in
spect the site of the summer camp of
the university class in surveying.
The university recently acquired the
property for a permanent camp and
the engineers Will go in advance of the
students this year to make arrange
ments for their summer session work
in the mountains near Santa Cruz.
water supply system will be in
stalled with a filtration system for
drinking purposes.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
FOREMAN USES STONE
TO GOVERN HIS GANG
Railroad Laborer Causes Arrest
of Boss for Battery

OAKLAND March 3I.-John Whelan,
foreman Of d construction gang for the
Santa Fe railroad. was arraigned be-
fore Police Judge Samuels this morn
ing on a charge of battery brought by
Nick Lazandis, one OF the gang, whom
Whelau struck on the head with a stone
yesterday afternoon when a few Of the
workmen rebelled at the boss au-
thority.
Some Of the workers rushed at
Whelan, and the foreman used the
stone TO protect himself
Lazandis went to the receiving hos
pital for treatment, and later swore
cut a warrant for Whelan. The fore
man gave bail.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
PENINSULA HOTEL READY
FOR VACATION SEASON
Especial Dispatch to The Call

SAN MATEO, March 31.-The re-
opening of the Peninsula hotel here
April will mark the beginning of the
vacation season of 1910. A large con-
tingent of the society folk of the bay
cities has already reserved quarters
for the entire summer and the season
promises to be brilliant. The Peninsula
has achieved a remarkable success.
which is fully deserved, as the hotel is
undoubtedly one of the finest resort
hostelries in the entire west.
The San Francisco call., 1910-04-01
HEALTH OFFICER STOPS
BURIAL OF A HORSE
Railway Laborers Have to Take
Carcass to Marshes
I'll n:.A.I-L 4. I'll. eli

CORTE MADEIRA, March 31.-Be-
cause they attempted to bury an cleo
trocuted laundry horse here last night
section hands of the Northwestern Pa
cific railroad aroused such storm of
protest that they were forced to load
the carcass on freight car and bear
it away under cover of darkness to the
Greenbrae marshes.
They had prepared grave by lam
tern light behind the freight shed and
were about to bury the horse, when
they were discovered by Health Officer
Scouler, who stopped the burial.
The laborers thereupon selected a
site in the rear of the home of N. P.
Clam, contractor. Clam raised his
voice in chorus with others, who
guarded their yards against the un-
welcome grave diggers.