Evening star., 1933-03-12


Y.:. the progress Of the
Imperative. second trial of those
accused Of prnfiting by improper ma
nipulation of postal star route ccn-
tracts. The Star of March Z, 1888
says:
THE Citizens Committee. Of which
John w. Thompson Is chairman, Is de-
sirous of having the cases Of the ex-
detectives brought to trial as soon as
possible. It is thought that unless the
cases are advanced on the calendar OF
the new term there will be long period
before the hearing can be had and this
will afford opportunity for operations
which past experience shows have been
the committee, therefore proposes to use
every effort to have these cases assigned
for an early trial and Mr. Wells, the at
torney, will be authorized to take the
necessary steps. The preparations on
both sides for the coming contest are
going on steadily, but quietly. The frst
point gained in the indictment OF the
ex-detectives will not avail II all the evi-
dence cannot be brought out in the
trial. The resources at the command OF
the ex-detectives are sufficient to enable
them to make q strong fight. Most OF
them are men Of considerable property
and they can rely on the help OF others
whose interest it is to get them on.
THE uneasiness which has prevailed
in police circles since these Develop
ments began has not subsidized and now
the indications from the Commissioners
office are eagerly watched. The main
element of uncertainty Is as to what the
new Commissioner will do. There sre
several courses which he should pursue.
but he has given no indication OF bis
intentions and has not expressed him
self very freely as to recent events and
their bearing on the District govern
ment. It Is not doubted, however. from
his character that he will, when he gets
into position, cooperate to the fullest
in the effort to break up the gang OF
affiliated thieves and detectives who
have been preying upon the community
SO long"
The Star watched with interest all
moves toward the adoption OF the con,
Telegraph Wires forms Of electric
to Be Buried. ve.l years 8 aso as an IN ~
dication Of what might be done In
Washington to this end. In Its issue
of March 8, 1883, it says:
"The Western Union Telegraph Co.
has bought q half interest IN an under
ground system for laying wires and its
president announces that after fair
trial. If the results are satisfactory, the
Western Union will substitute the sub
terranean for the aerial wires, as Tar
as the former can be made available.
The letter Of the president containing
this announcement was read at meet
ing of the Philadelphia City Council,
but there was nothing in 1t to mdlcate
that the policy Of the company as TO
underground wires was to be conmeo 10
that city. On the contrary. the Terms
of the letter convey the idea that the
plan contemplated is to be general and
not local In all the cities of the coun-
try the hostility of public sentiment 70
air-strung wires Is so manifest that the
telegraph and telephone companies real.
ize that it is not to be longer resisted.
X
Half o century ago . CALAMITY
prophet named Virgins stirred the
c.,.:. country deeply by nus
pronbet disasters, which were ere
1ToPnet' never verified. The Star
Of March 10, 1883, says:
NOW that tNc pcfAo0 AAco " "Ne
Rins for the occurrence OF most extraor-
binary commissions Of nature Is passing
by-as everybody Of common sense sup
posed It would pass-without any more
notable elemental disturbance than Is
likely to take place in any part Of the
month Of March, the press Of the ccun-
try owes 1t to itself and It's readers
to nay no further attention to that
pretentious humbug and his absurd
predictions. He has had q prominence,
both in the newspapers and the public
mind, altogether, out Of proportion to
his consequence, in any point OF view,
and one which. In the face Of the In
telligence usually accorded the human
family. Is o little difncult to understand.
chief that may have resulted from 1t,
It must be admitted that the good
nature Of journalism II largely re-
spousible. Buttthat = past. Let at