davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
SEEK HOUSE REFORM
Leaders Would Revise Present
Appropriation System.
CONGESTION OF BILLS NOW
Must Be Rushed Through or Left
for the Extra Session.
BOTH PLANS Unsatisfactory
New Scheme May Be Devised Soon to
Provide for Division of
Public Funds.
CONGESTION OF BILLS NOW
BOTH PLANS UNSATISFACTORY

The congestion of appropriation bills in
the House has put Democratic leaders to
urging a sweeping reform in the appro
priation system and seeking a way of ex-
Treating the House from its present po-
sitiop without making a record for ex-
penditures.
With half dozen OF the main appro-
priation measures piled up and the ag-
gregate of appropriations threatening to
run far over the billion ..s>k the lead
ers find two plans available.
Either the appropriation bills, as franz
ed. with their vastly increased totals,
must be rushed through in the few re-
naming days of the session, or the
House must go OH record as being unable
to complete its work. and allow the ap-
preparation bills to 80 over until the spe
cial session. Neither course is taken as
fully agreeable
New System Desired.
In the face of this dilemma. the leaders
are demanding that before the next
House settles down TO make its appropri-
ations system be evolved to provide for
the division of available public funds to
the various purposes for which money
must be expended.
Representative Fitzgerald chairman of
the appropriations committee: Represent
ative Sherley OF Kentucky. former
Speaker Cannon and Minority Leader
Mann are among those who insist that
reform is necessary.
Representative Sherley is the author of
Il resolution to place all the money to be
appropriated by Congress under the con-
troll of special budget committee"
which would appOrtiOn the funds to the
various apprOpriating committees.
Economy Advocates Busy.
The economy advocates on the demo-
cratic side of the House were active to-
day in their criticism OF the general plan
of appropriations but they made the
STAG, ZOO, 600 naval appropriation bill their
special object of attack.
Opponents of large navy, following a
series of conferences. We're prepared to
attack the two-battleship provision of the
bill, and there We're many threats of fill
busters to prevent the passage Of the bill
at this session.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Refugees Flock From City.

Long before daylight steady stream Of
.:l2ees. for the most part belonging To
the lower classes, but also comprising
s...uy OF the better elements, poured out
Of ,ne denseiy populated district in the
4tiShborhood of the rebel lines.
orders had been given TO the govern
utent troops not to oppose the evacuation
If the district by these non-combatants.
Great crowds OF them filled the streets
staggering under the weight OF bundles of
bedding and other personal effects. Sick
people were carried away on the shoul-
,lers OF their relatives. Aged women tot
tered feebly along, causing their fright
ened relatives much delay in their panic
stricken flight.
Many of these people had nowhere to
20 and were absolutely destitute. Most
OF them found refuge in churches
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Plea of Gen. Felix Diaz for Recognition as
Beligerent Is Refused by
Ambassador Wilson.
GOVERNMENT TO DYNAMITE FIVE
BLOCKS TO AID ARTILLERY FIRE
Rebels Prepare to Contest Advance Planned
by Federals-She1l Wrecks Convent,
Many Inmates Being Killed.

MXCO CITY February IIhe sixth day OF fighting IN the
the Mexican capital brought dn'nuon III the eccnes
battle appreciabe had been made By
thousands errorstricken
ants grown Indifferent who but all the city
this that side the other might bring
termination terrible artillery duel which has wrecked the
much loss OF life and misery
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Sentiment for Intervention
Now Steadily Gaining Among
Better Classes of MexiCanS

MEAlCO CITY, February u - Five
DAYS OF fighting in the streets of the cap
itsl have, in my opinion Of close obsery-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
MAJ Affect Graft Case.

The tragedy may have an important
bearing on the graft Investigation now be-
ing pushed by District Attorney Whit
man. Purcells testimony, given last Fri
day, resulted in the suspension of two
police captains, and his story was being
counted on as the basis of indictments
With him in a cell charged with homi-
eide. his testimony may be invalidated
Mr.. Whitman was apprised of the situa-
ton this morning, and will hold a con-
ference with the prisoner today with a
view to determining whether there is
back of the tragedy anything that does
not appear on the surface
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Mississippi Improvement.

No increase was made in the House
appropriation of S6.cOO,OOO for the i'm
provement OF the lower Mississippi, but
Senator Burton's provision regarding the
examination of the upper part of the riv-
er was adopted with notifications. This
amendment directs the Mississippi river
commission to make All examination of
the streams between Cape Girardeau,
Mo-, to Rock Island. ILL.,. with a view to
such improvements as will promote nav
igation. develop water power and protect
property adjacent to the river from dam
age by flood. One hundred thousand dol
lars is provided for this work.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
WILSON REFUSES DIAZ'S PLEA.

Diaz morning asked for recognition begeent by the
informal Ambassador Will
son stating he complete control of the city
Wilson replied promptly the rebel leader explain
ING that while Dazs might correct
trained he able the
He added that he assured BY President
dero the government remained iii control.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Rosenthai's Partner.

Purcell was at one time a partner in
gambling of Herman Rosenthal. for
whose murder eX-Po,ice Lieut. Charles
Becker and four gunmen are in the
deathhouse at Sing Sing.
Since his testimony against. the system
Purcell told the police today. he had been
stunned by his friends as 'squealer''
and bounded by the cops" Even his
wife was ashamed of him. He became
morose, sullen.
L guess You want me- said the gam
bier, following the shooting, as he slouch-
ed up to the desk at a station house near
his apartment.
For WHAT demanded the lieutenant
For murder said Purcell.
Then he told his story.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Federals Are Reinforced.

Expert observers declared that D4az
had the advantage OF position IN some
aspects but that the federai commander
had an immense superiority i'll numbers
md could count on practically unlimited
snrnunition and supplies. Diaz also IS
Ell crowded with ammunition for the
present.
President Madero last night received
r.,..e reinYorcements. Further bodies or
rroops were expected today. Gen bitil-
piet was officially reported To nave asheu
.,.,nission from the department of war
III, leave a colonel in command or ms
to,ce az Toluca and come TO the eapitai
With a portion of his men. Gen. flVera
! on the way from the state OF oaNaca
With 500 federal soldiers.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Both Sides Are Firm.

The conference committee of railroad
managers went into secret session early
this morning; the firemen's representa-
tives remained at their hotel. Neither
side would yield an inch. While the me-
diators would mcc,..> no statement - =
known that they regard the situation as
elave.
The strike order. which, if circulated.
would call out within forty-eight hours
the firemen on fifty-four lines in the east
has already been printed and is i'm the
hands of w. s. Carter, president of the
brotherhood.
Charles T. Neill. former United States
commissioner of labor. arrived in the city
today to assist, if possible. Judge Martin
\. Knapp of the United States Com
merce Court and G.. w. ". Hanger. who
has been acting as commissioner of labor
while Mr.. Neills reappointment is held
up in the Senate.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
DEADLOCK Of F|REMEN
REACHES ACUTE STAGE
Federal Mediators Fail in
ParIeys-Strike Order Is
Already Printed.

NEW YORK. February 14.-\otwith-
standing assurances that further confer
ences looking to a settlement We're to be
heid, 1t became known today that the
deadlock between the railroads of the
east and their 81 ,00D firemen is more
acute than at any time since the nego-
tlationS We're opened
At noon federal mediators. trying to
bring both sides together admitted that
they had no further appointments for
parleys, and it was thought probable that
they would return to Washington to-
night. unless there We're developments
during the afternoon
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Half-and-Half Plan Recognized.

The half-and-half principle is most
sturdily advocated in the committees re-
port on the measure, written by Seantor
Curtis
I'm this BILL AIr. Curtis says: Your
committee has recognized the half-and-
half plan In the District of Columbia, and
has restored the item providing for the
payment of the interest and sinking tuno
on the funded debt to hs usual place In
the appropriation bill, and in the same
language used in former bills for many
wears 1t seems to your committee that
this question was settled years ago, and
has been recognized each year since.
1.-The act approved june IL. 1913, COLI
tains the following provision:
ITO the extent to which Congress sha!l
approve of said estimates, Congress shall
appropriate the amount of 80 per centum
thereof and the remaining 90 per cen
tum of such approved estimates shall be
levied and assessed upon the taxaDle
property and privileges Of said District
Of Columbia
''When the question Of paying interest
on the sinking fund was nrst sunmit.ed IN
the sundry civil appropriation bill IT was
most carefully considered. and after a
very vigorous discussion IL was settled III
favor of the half-and-half plan. This was
considered fair at the time, as SHOWN o.
House document No. 1878. Fifty-fourtll
Congress, first session. The untaNed
property of the United States in the
District OF Columbia, exclusive or streets'
eyenues and alleys, was given rs $lSe.-
tE)S. 1Sl, while that OF ine cltiZeiiS ""s
but S191 All. .S0i.
..The courts have construed the act Of
1878 as an organi. act. intended to dis
pose of the whole question OF a govern
ment for the District. Ii Is declared py
its title to be AN act 10 provide "a per-
manent form OF government for the Dis
trict" and In the case OF Eclllon agt.
District of Columbia d35 L. s., 24S), in
this act, the court says:
..'It is not one act in a series OF legis-
lation, and to be made to mt into the
provisions of the prior legislation. but Is
q single complete act, the outcome OF
previous experiments and the final juds-
ment of Congress AZ To the system of
government which should obtain.
Washington the Nations Capital.
1T has been respectfully declared by
those in authority that the District is a
creation Of the Union for it's own pur-
poses; the city OF Washington is not a
mere city of the District. but it is the
capital of the greatest nation on earth.
and the people of the United States are
In 1t as such. 1t is recognized
as the seat of the national government.
1t is not necessary to state the Dement'S
which are enjoyed by the government in
the city of Washington. 1t is enough to
saw that it participates i'm all the benefits
which result from the expenditure of the
money collected as taxes in the District.
Upon investigation IT VIII be found
that of the GIL acres taken for the city.
5 100. or five-siXths of the whole, were a
rift to the government, and the grounds
Ipon which the Capitol. the Executive
Mansion and all original department
bniidings stand did not cost the govern
rnsnt a dollar or the gill acres, 3.606
Continued on Fifth Pase)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
ACT RESULT OF QUARREL
Tragedy Follows Family Ruction
Lasting Nearly All Night.
GOES TO POLICE TO SURRENDER
Staggers Into Station and Hysteri-
cally Tells of Crime-Deed May
Affect Graft Inquiry.

NEW YORK, February 14.-James Pur-
cell, the veteran gambler. who testified
before the aldermanic committee last
week that he had paid police graft over
period of seventeen years, quarreled
early today with his wife in their apart
ment and began shooting. Mrs. Purcell
tainted, but wild bullets struck their thir-
teen-years1,.,,- daughter Agnes. who lay
covering ia bed. and killed her almost
instantly. Thinking that he had murdered
both women. Purcell surrendered himself
to the police and was locked up
The gambler was so hysterical when he
staggered into a police station that he
was unable to give coherent account of
the affair.
He and his wife had quarreled nearly
all night. he sobbed. until he at last lost
control OF himself and rushed at her with
a revolver. Four shots were fired two
or which struck the girl. One pierced her
breast and right arm another pIovei
through her left arm. Her body was
taken to the morgue
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Would Then Hustle Troops.

If they begin that he will hustle troops
go and by the most direct route, even
not then for the purpose of Intervention,
unless Congress directs. but as protec-
ton to Americans and foreigners gener-
ally.
1t will be up to the army and navy as
to the quickest and best way to get
troops there. but the undertaking will be
severe one. From Vera Cruz to Mex
leo City is $50 miles. the nearest possi-
BILE point, while from other places the
distance is much greater.
The Presidents information from Con-
gress Is that there is no sentiment there
for Intervention unless the MeXicanS defy
all rules of international amity and all
thought of obligations to the citizens of
| other countries
Grows Apprehensive.
The ,ent became quite apprehel,-
sive las. Isn't when q report was sent
out that all wires from Mexico City had
been cut. He feared that might be the
beginning OF murderous onslaught on
Americans He did not go to bed until
:; o'clock this morning. awaiting all the
news to be had.
! The President, il is known, will prefer
not even to have the responsibility OF
! sending protection force into Mexico
without submitting the whole question tC
| Congress. and should events appear to
| warrant Intervention, which he still hopes
| will not be the case, he will seek to have
| Congress act before moving a soldier.
He realizes that the sending of troops
| across the line would be practically a
| declaration of war and that Congress-
| would be compelled by public sentiment
to approve the action and follow with
| further provisions to support those going
| in 'by others. For that reason it will be
f! only the direst situation threatening
Americans that will compel the first step
| by him.
Cabinet Meeting Today.
| AT the cabinet meeting today the Mex
| lean subject was hardly touched upon
Secretary Knox having no important
| kilograms from American officials in
| Mexico and the main news being that OBJ
| tanned from press dispatches
| The President referred some of his
] callers to letter which he wrote from
| Augusta, Ca, nearly two years ago t.
] Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood chief-of- -staf
the order mobiliZing troops then on the
Texas border. In that letter the Presi
| dent said:
! MY determined purpose is to be in
position so that when danger to Alneri
| can lives and property in Mexico threat
ems. and the existing government is rem
dered helpless by the insurrection, / car
| promptly execute congressional order.
to protect them. with effect
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Total Appropriations. A

AS framed by the Senate committee on
commerce the bill carries total appro-
priations OF 46.572,35S which is S5,7OO,-
600 more than was appropriated by the
bill as it passed the House. 1t is about
S2O,OOO,OO0 more than the appropriat N,ns
Of last year.
AAoong the important increases of ap-
preparations recommended by the Senate
committee are:
Providence river and harbor. Il. L..
1927. 900, of which amount 100000 is
cash: Flushing bay, y. Y. $235. 700 cash;
North river channel of New York har-
bor S450.U0. S200.O0o cash: harbor of
refuge at Cape Lookout. n. c.. 81 1G0.0D
100000 cash. channel from Galveston
harbor to Texas City. sl6O0.OO0. $4,000
cash; San Diego harbor, Cal. S3SS. .OJU
for a new project in addition to the $50,
600 allowed by the House on the old
project; Tillamook bay, Ore. S:sO7, ,OoO
100000 in cash. the appropriation be-
ing made upon the condition that the To-
calities benefited snail contribute S407.-
Geo: Columbia river from the foot Of the
Dallas rapids to the head of Zellile falls.
S6cO.000; Saginaw river. Mich. S1Oo,CO0;
Cleveland. $o1,O0O: York spit channel,
Baltimore harbor, Nd. $205OOo.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Presidents Position.

The President has distinct purpose to
refrain from anything like Intervention
unless the Mexicans should begin attack
ing Americans because they are Amer
leans or attacking foreigners generally be-
cause they are foreigners.
Simply because Americans happen to get
in the line Of fire OF the opposing armies
and are killed or because an individual
rel between the two Ia no Ground for in
tervention in the mind OF the President
On the other hand, the President is set
in his determination that the fighting
Mexican elements must not initiate the
Chinese at the Boxer uprising by attack
ing Americans in body or merely be-
cause they are foreigners.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
Generous to School System,

The Senate committee has been gener-
Gus in providing new schoohouses and
new parks for the National Capital. Pro-
vision is made for a new one-million- two
hundred-thousand-do Central High
School by an appropriation OF $500. 900 TO
begin the construction; for a new Ave
hundred and fifty thousand dollar ID
Street High School by an appropriation
OF $15O,OlO for starting work. and for q
new SiXteen-rOOm grade school I'm what is
known as the Park View section west Of
the Soldiers Home
Other amendments provide for new
parks in the Klingle valley and along the
Piney Branch valley, and for the pur-
chase Of land on the banks OF the Ana
costa river to aid i'm the reclamation Of
the AnacOstia flats.
The committee, by another amendment.
would have Congress direct the Com
missioners to prepare plans and esti-
mates for the establishment of bathing
beaches In the tidal basin
In the way OF market improvements
the Senate committee makes provision
for the building of shelters for the farm
erS produce market at 10th and B streets
at cost OF So, 600 and for the operation
of the fish market as a municipal market.
One important change in the organiza-
ton of the District government is pro-
posed in an amendment providing that
tine corporation counsel of the District
shall be appointed by the President, sub
ject to confirmation by the Senate.
A lump sum appropriation of $1,000 for
the TaLOma Park Branch Library.
amounting to one-tenth of the gift from
Andrew Carnegie for the construction OF
the library, is made.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14

President Taft today when asked as to
the Mexican situation made it exceedingly
clear 1t was his duty to place troops
where. if Congress shall direct. they can
enter Mexico to protect Americans. but
that at this minute he has no intention of
putting up to Congress the responsibility
of Intervention; that he has not thought
of how he would word a message to that
body; that he has not directed Secretary
Knox, as wild stories intimate, to prepare
a history Of the Mexican struggle SO far,
with the many outrages perpetrated upon
Americans and their property. that it may
be ready for Congress, and that he is pay
ing not the remotest attention to the de-
mands Of few yellow Journals for inter-
ventiOn.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14

The government was reported during the
morning to be preparing to raze with oy
Mantle four solid blocks consisting most
ly of residences just east of the rebel
positions between the arsenal and the
national palace to obtain Il better sweep
for the heavy fire of the federal artillery
Soon after o'clock a convent fVe
blocks beyond the national palace was
wrecked by a shell from rebel gun ana
a number of its inmates We're killed.
Many shrapnel shells from the rebel ar
tillery fell around the cable ONCE tne
American Club and other Duiiuinss III
that vicinity. Others reached their mar
the national palace. at the emu OIL the
line of streets.
Shift Fire From National Palace.
Ar about Q o'clock the rebel gunners
turned their attention away from tne
-iona, palace and onto the federal pat
+arias near the British legation. from
which the government sufhe's
pouuding them numerically
-rbn fire from the rebel batteries kept
,,o rarv RAPIDLY throughout the morning.
hnt az about 10 o'clock decrease "as
noticed in that from the government ar
tillery. ..,. ,oa.y n,
The rebels opened the battle toaas d.
%
rhe direction of the federal concentration
points. IL had been expected thaI tue
foderals would attack first.
The first salvo from the repel iines Mtas -
followed quickly by a series OF othefS III
rantd succession. Then the machine guns
and rifles be. an their whir anu pattcr' t'e
lire being concentrated where government |
rroops were gathering. The federal guns
did not delay in making vigorous repS.
Advance on Rebel Lines Planned.
Bv : o'clock the firing had settled
into steady fusillade. All around the
arsenal the fash of the field guns ana
ouick-frers was incessant. FedeFai
officers declared that their men were
preparing to make a forward movement
on the rebel lines.
Diaz made preparations 10 cohtes'
very inch of the advance OF the gov
,r,nept troops as he indicated ne
would do in his reply to the president
ultin,atum He told the government
that his followers preferred 10 dle at
fIla;1 posts rather than surrender. They
v-ould not ask clemency.
la many of the churches speclaI sefN-
ICES were held by the clergy for the
restoration of peace TO the capital
thousands OF refugees knelt IN the oid
offices and joined in the prayers. at
ihe same time trusting not ittie 10
the heavy wallis for protection against
diving projectiles-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14
INCREASE OF THE TOTAL
ALLOWED IN HOUSE BILL
Borland Plan of Paying for Street
improvements Stricken Out.
AMOUNT CARRIED. $1l,eos, ,sse
provision for Submitting TO Con-
troller of the Treasury Question
Affecting Sinking Fund and
Interest Eliminated.

senator Curtis, chairman of the Sen.
ate subcommittee on District appropri-
atiofS, today reported the annual Dis
tfict OF Columbia appropriation bill To
the senate. AS it passed the House II
appropriated $lO.72053i for the munici-
pal government of the National can
itol Amendments made by the senate
provide additional appropriations or
sss5,35o, increasing the total carried
by the measure to s1l 6U3, $50 As re-
ported to the Senate il is $l,270.4Os6O
less than the estimates submitted To
Congress by the District Commis-
sioners
IN acting on the bill, the Senate com.
nittee on appropriations stood absolute
iy by the half-and-half principle in
meeting the expenses of the National
Capltal. and its report. written by SEM
ator GURUS, contains strong indorse-
ment of that principle. The House pro-
vision allowing the controller Of the
treasury to pass on the application of
the principle to the payment OF the old
debt OF the District was knocked out
by the Senate committee.
There was also eliminated by the Sem
ate committee the so-called Borland
amendment assessing the cost of street
improvements against abutting property.
Here again the committees report
denies such a change should be made
holding that the proposal would be un-
fair to small property owners and In
violation Of the half-and-half principle.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-14

Unsettled and warmer tonight.
Saturday fair and warmer; mod
crate variable winds.