STRIKERS ARE GAINING, BIG R. R. COMBINATION, CORONER'S VERDICT, RICE'S CONDITION, PHILLIPS LIBRARY, AND A. P. MCGRAW LETTER

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, May 22, 1901.

STRIKERS ARE GAINING.

Many More Firms Grant Machinists' Demands.

BROOKS SHOPS CLOSED DOWN.

When Machinists Struck President of Locomotive Works Ordered the Whole Establishment Closed, Affecting About 2,000 Other Employes.

   DUNKIRK. N. Y., May 22.—Because 700 machinists employed at the Brooks Locomotive works struck yesterday for a nine-hour day and, a 12 1/2 per cent increase in pay, President Frederick H. Stevens directed Superintendent McNaughton to issue an order closing the works until further notice. This throws 2,600 mien out of work.

   The Brooks company is one of the firms included in the American Locomotive company and it is impossible to say how long the lockout will last. The locomotive works is the principle industry of the town and its closing will be a serious blow to business men.

   The machinists went to work at 1 o'clock yesterday and asked the shop foreman if their requests made a few days ago would be granted. Receiving a negative reply all the machinists walked away, led by Jacob Bernhardt president of the Dunkirk union.

   WASHINGTON, May 22.—President O'Connell says that advices received at headquarters here indicate that an early settlement of the trouble between the machinists and employes [sic] will be effected. Information at hand showed that during yesterday over 120 firms settled by granting the nine-hour day.

   Mr. O'Connell said that so far as he knew about 6,000 men are out in San Francisco and about 3,000 in Cincinnati. In Chicago nearly all the important shops have settled with the men. The reports from the South, he said, show that all through that section settlements are being affected.

   Half the firms in Philadelphia, he said, have come to terms and the others are expected to follow suit. There has been no news of a clash anywhere.

   Both navy and war departments are apprehensive as to the effects of the machinists' strike on government work now in progress. The navy department received word that the strike had spread to large private yards on the Pacific coast where a number of war vessels are under construction, and it is expected that Eastern yards having naval ships to build also will be affected. The war department was informed that the strike was likely to stop work on the two naval transports Egbert and Rosecrans, now repairing on the Pacific coast. Secretary Root asked the navy department to assist in forwarding the work pending the tie-up, and Acting Secretary Hackett of the navy ordered that the two army transports be taken to the navy yard at Bremerton on Puget Sound for the completion of their repairs.

 

Some Firms Grant Demands.

   BOSTON, May 22.—The striking machinists feel greatly encouraged by yesterday's developments. Three firms, employing 150 men, conceded the strikers' demands. A conference will be held today with President Winslow of the United States Shoe Machinery company, which includes sub-companies employing 1,300 men, and if the men's demands are not conceded before 6 p. m. every man will go out.

 

Delirium Tremens Causes Death.

   ELMIRA, N. Y., May 22.—Frank N. Preston of Ithaca, who was assaulted and badly injured Saturday night by Fred P. Tucker, proprietor of a cigar store and manager of the Waverly baseball team, died yesterday afternoon in the hospital at Sayre, Pa. The superintendent of the hospital states that cause of death was delirium tremens.

 

John D. Rockefeller.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Big Railroad Combination.

   John D. Rockefeller, the Standard oil magnate, is credited with having completed a railroad deal which gives him a through line from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the plan is to reduce the time between New York and San Francisco by from fourteen to twelve hours. The road's connections will be as follows: New York to Buffalo, Delaware, Lackawanna and Western; Buffalo to St. Louis, Wabash; St. Louis to Pueblo, Col., Missouri Pacific; Pueblo to Grand Junction, Col., Denver and Rio Grande; Grand Junction to Ogden, Utah, Rio Grande Western; Ogden to San Francisco, Central Pacific.

   This will be the shortest line across the continent by many miles and it is believed that it will be popular with travelers for passenger traffic because it goes through temperate climes the whole distance. Mr. Rockefeller has been about three years in getting control of all of these roads and now that he has accomplished his purpose some changes may be looked for ion the way of better equipment and better service all along the lines.

 

Indian Education.

   During the quarter ending April 1, 25,860 pupils were enrolled in the various Indian schools of the country. The number of pupils is greater in these schools by 1,865 than in the corresponding quarter a year ago.

   Slowly the old prejudice against learning the white man's ways and his language is disappearing. Lack of knowledge of English isolates the Indian. There is but little literature or learning in his own language, provided he could read it. His written language has been reduced to writing by the missionaries and teachers and it is a strange language to him [when] set down in characters.

   The Indian, very truly says the Democrat and Chronicle, although in contact with the whites since the discovery of America, has made less progress than the African, stolen from the wilds of Africa and brought to America seventy years ago. One reason is that the enslaved African was not isolated, but was brought into immediate contact with the whites and obliged to learn the English language and English customs. If he learned by any chance to read, the whole range of English literature was open to him.

   The Indian, proud and isolated, held to his own tongue and customs in the midst of a wonderful civilization that he did not and could not comprehend. But the proud exclusiveness and isolation of the Indian are giving way and in twenty-five years he will be fit for citizenship and participation in public affairs. There have been notable exceptions to the isolation and ignorance of the Indian. [Ely S. Parker, to name one—CC ed.] These are sufficient to show his high capabilities.

 

VERDICT OF CORONER.

Townsend Was Murdered, Robbed and His Body Placed on Track.

   Coroner E. M. Santee has rendered his verdict in regard to the death of Joseph Townsend:

   "The said Joseph Townsend was walking down the Lehigh Valley railroad tracks between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening of May 11, 1901, from the Dryden lake in the town of Dryden, Tompkins county, N. Y., to North Harford, Cortland county, N. Y., and when at a point opposite what is known as the Purvis woods he was feloniously assaulted by some person or persons not now positively known to this coroner and killed, after which he was robbed and his body placed upon the track of said railroad company just after the northbound passenger train had passed and before the southbound train reach that point. He had been fishing with five other colored men, who are exonerated from all blame in the matter."

 

MR. ALBERT RICE'S CONDITION.

Able to be About, But has no Recollection of Past.

   Mr. Albert Rice of Cincinnatus, who was so terribly pounded about the head in his barn on the night of May 3, has so far recovered as to be down to Cincinnatus village last Monday with a load of potatoes. It was not thought at the time that he could possibly rally, hut his constitution seems to be of iron and his recuperative powers wonderful. But while he seems to be gaining physically he has no recollection of the events of that terrible night, nor of some of the matters immediately preceding it. His friends have inquired of him concerning his pocketbook and he says he has mislaid it. They have also asked him if he remembered how much money he had in his pocketbook when it was mislaid (?) and his reply is "How can I tell anything about it till I find the pocketbook?"

   There is no clue or trace of the tramp who is believed to have been responsible for the condition in which Mr. Rice is found. As time passes and no clues are found the fears increase that nothing will ever be heard or seen of him by the officers of the law.

 

THE PHILLIPS LIBRARY

TO BE ERECTED BY GEORGE W. PHILLIPS AND DAUGHTER

In the Village of Homer—Large and Centrally Located Lot to be Provided and a Handsome Building to be Constructed Upon This at a Cost of $10,000—Prospects of an Endowment at a Later Time.

   Some months ago The STANDARD noted the extent of Mr. George W. Phillips of Homer to erect a public library building for that town. Plans at that time had taken shape to such a limited intent that little more could be said of the matter than merely to mention the project. But Mr. Phillips has been quietly continuing his arrangements till now there is a definite statement that can be made.

   In the first place Mr. Phillips has associated his daughter with him in the enterprise. Together they will devote $10,000 to the erection of a building. A lot has been purchased on Main-st. directly across from the park and churches on which to place the building. This lot is known as the Bowen property, and was known formerly as the Hitchcock property. The old house that stands upon this will be moved off. This house is one of the oldest in Homer, having been built in 1805. The lot has a street frontage of 72 feet and runs back to the river bank, a distance of 26 rods. Mr. Phillips has secured plans for the building from Architect Russell of Syracuse, and these plans are much like the new Newark, N. Y., library building. If these plans are followed and in all probability they will be, the building will be 50 feet across the front and extend back 40 feet. The material far it has not been fully decided upon but Mr. Phillips favors stone. If this is not used gray brick will be used. The matter of building one or two stories high is not yet fully decided upon. If a two-story building is erected, the second floor will be fitted up for a lecture room. The reading room will occupy the whole front of the lower floor and back a distance of 25 feet. Back of this and separated from it by a rail will be placed the book stacks.

   It is Mr. Phillips' plan to give the village of Homer a deed of the lot and building as soon as the building is completed, the library then to be placed in the hands of trustees to maintain. The library will bear Mr. Phillips' name and he intimates that he intends to endow it upon his death.

   Mr. Phillips came to Homer from near Syracuse in the year 1850, and engaged at once in the mercantile business in which he was very successful. In this business be continued for the long period of thirty-five years. After retiring from this he became president of the Homer National bank, serving in that capacity until the two banks of Homer consolidated about a year ago. Since then Mr. Phillips has not engaged actively in business.

   The very generous gift of Mr. Phillips and his daughter is greeted with much enthusiasm by Homer citizens. Mr. Phillips spoke to a STANDARD man with modesty and some hesitation regarding the means by which he is able to give this fine gift to his home village, but said that whatever he had of this world's possessions had been gained in Homer and he wished to do something for his town that would be a permanent benefit to the place.

 

The Frontenac on Cayuga.

   The steamer Frontenac, thoroughly overhauled and refitted, will run Decoration Day to accommodate the crowd that will want to see the [Cornell] regatta. Boat will leave Renwick dock in ample time to see the race. Regular trips on the lake will begin Monday, June 10, the time schedule remaining practically the same as last year. The new management promises to make the boat even more popular than last year. The city office of the Cayuga Lake Transportation company is 156 East State-st., Ithaca, N. Y., where may be found W. B. Georgia, superintendent, who will give rates and make dates for picnics, excursions, etc.

 

Cortland Traction Co. Park and Pavilion located on Salisbury Hill. Entrance by trolley across Elm Street bridge.

ATTRACTIONS AT THE PARK.

Deer Park—Bear Pit—Monkeys—Dancing—James Walsh in Charge of It.

   The Cortland & Homer Traction company announces that the park on the east bank of the Tioughnioga river will be opened next Friday night for the season. A large force of men has been diligently at work for a few days, and the park has been cleaned up and thoroughly renovated and will be in better condition this year than ever before.

   Mr. James Walsh will take charge of the park and it will be his aim to make it instructive and entertaining for all and especially the children. Under Mr. Walsh's supervision [the] public may be assured of good service and attention. The park will be made more attractive than ever before and many permanent special features have been secured. A deer park is all staked out for the occupancy of several fleet-footed deer, a pit and stockades for a bear is contemplated and a cage of monkeys will also be a fixture in the menagerie that the park manager will have for exhibition. Three or four good swings will be placed about the park, and everything that go to make a suitable place for the whole family to go to for a day's outing will be supplied.

   Friday night the hall at the park has been secured by Dillon Bros. for a private dance. Saturday night the hall will be open for dancing and, McDermott's orchestra has been secured for the season to furnish music.

 

"Buffalo Bill" Cody.

''THE WILD CIRCLE."

Buffalo Bill's Wild West Increases in Size and Splendor Every Year.

   The Wild West has extended so far west that it has met the East. Buffalo Bill has followed. He has already included Arabs and Cossacks, Filipinos and Hawaiians. Now the Boers have been taken in, and with other new attractions.  It has become a Wild East as well as a Wild West. The exhibition has become so broad as to reach nearly around the earth, and perhaps the Wild Circle would be a better name for it.

   The remaining title, "Congress of Rough Riders of the World," is more appropriate than ever before. Of course, it is a well known fact that the words "Rough Riders" were first used by this organization. This season an extra effort seems to have been made by the management to secure special features, and they disclose one that is admitted to be the greatest spectacular production concerning warfare that was ever before attempted, especially by a tented exhibition. It is termed the Battle of Tien-Tsin, a striking representation of the rescue of the representatives of the different powers, who were held prisoners for some time in Pekin. This affair requires the services of over 600 men, who battle as if in reality, thus giving the spectacle a more stirring effect. The scaling of the walls is in itself a most picturesque affair, especially at the finish of the spectacle. This production will be here [Cortland] on Friday, June 14.

 

ROAD MACHINERY.

A New and Important Industry in the Village of Groton, N. Y.

   The little village of Groton is rapidly becoming one of the liveliest centers of industry in this portion of the state. The latest addition to the enterprises there was the establishment of the Conger Manufacturing company's plant.

   A short time ago this company was organized with a capital stock of $250,000. The Hon. Benn Conger is president of the company and his brother Frank Conger, the manager of the Groton branch of the American Bridge company, is vice-president. As soon as the company was formed immediate operation began for the building of the plant.

   Already three large buildings with dimensions of 60 by 144 feet have been erected and two more are in the process of construction. Road making machines will be the principal output of the plant. With the universal agitation of the Good Roads movement to carry on the work has become very great.

   The company will manufacture many machines of a new pattern together with large steam rollers, stone crushers and the like. It is now expected that the plant will be completed within a year. The employment of some 400 men will be necessary at the outset. This will somewhat increase the population of the village and all business enterprises there will derive more or less benefit from the new industry.—Ithaca Journal.

 

LETTER FROM A. P. MCGRAW.

CONSTANTINOPLE DAMASTE, May 1, 1901.

En route from Beirut, Syria, to Italy.

   DEAR FRIENDS—Taking the French line steamer Equateur from Beyrout, we found a very direct route and fast run to Constantinople in a little over three days. The waters of the Mediterranean were calm blue and most delightful, the weather as during our entire trip, made to order. In no way could we perfect the arrangements more satisfactory. The steamship was heavily loaded with passengers and was quite steady, although the most of us had to undergo a slight change, as our physical nature required, passing from inland to sea voyages. We passed near the island of Cyprus and along the Asia Minor coast which was plainly in view. On our left we saw a beautiful sunset over the shores of Rhodes, and in order to take on freight, mostly wine, we stopped at the island of Samos, in the Greek village of Vathy and wandered about its most interesting and beautiful slopes. We saw from a mountain height here the island of Patmos.

   At sunrise we saw the large and prosperous city of Smyrna and taking the New York Centrally [sic] equipped railroad went to Ephesus with two cars of donkeys for us to ride upon from the depot to the ruins of ancient Ephesus. Here, the vast extent of territory covered by the ruins of what once must have been extremely beautiful, showed us clearly that the hand of man cannot endure, while God's works of nature alone is perpetuated. The great temple of Diana of the Ephesians, the theaters and stadium, the gymnasium and baths, the custom house and immense archways, exhibit some of the most stupendous and beautiful works of architecture, but now a mass of ruins and overgrown with cultivated fields.

   Constantinople is next reached and the sail up the Bosphorus to the mouth of the Black sea, a visit to Scutari, the ancient Chalcedon, after passing the examination of the doctor in the Dardanelles and gorgeously flitting about among the Grecian isles and skirting the plains of Troy. Our next point to reach is Piraeus and Athens, where we see Eleusis, the bay of Salamis and the remains of the temple of Ceres; also the Acropolis, the the temple of Jupiter and the museums. Then on to Corinth, crossing the canal connecting the gulf of Corinth with the gulf of Kalamaki; Patros next and Olympia; the island of Corfu and the land of Brindisi, where we take train for Naples and I expect to then visit Rome, and leave either from Genoa, or Southhampton for New York reaching there about the first of June.

   Many of the party separate at Athens, and journey over Europe in different ways. The surprise is that the large party of forty should keep so well and have such perfect harmony and happiness together for three months and no sad news from their homes, except in two cases—the one a death of a young child and the other that of an aged friend. Truly the Auburn seminary tour, escorted by Prof James Stevenson Riggs, through the Holy Land is a decided success. Very respectfully, A. P. MCGRAW.

 

BREVITIES.

   —It rains with ease in these days, and how all vegetation grows.

   —The Moravia baseball fair has been postponed from May 30-June 1 to June 13-15.

   —There will be a meeting of Canton Cortland, No. 27, Patriarchs Militant, tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock.

   —The Rome-Cortland baseball game, scheduled for this afternoon at Athletic field, was postponed on account of rain.

   —New display advertisements today are—Boy Phenomenon, Magnetism, page 4: M. A. Case, Suits and skirts, page 6.

   —Binghamton claims to have an intimation that the Lackawanna railroad shops are to be moved from Scranton to that city.

   —A business meeting of the Epworth league of the First M. E. church will be held at 8:30 o'clock tomorrow evening at the church parlors at the close of the prayer meeting. A full attendance is desired.

   —All members of the festival chorus are requested to meet at Taylor hall for rehearsal this evening at 8 o'clock. As no new members will be accepted after June 1, all singers wishing to join the chorus are urged to do so at once.

   —Bishop F. D. Huntington will be at Grace church on Friday afternoon of this week at 3 o'clock to administer the rite of confirmation. The service will include sermon, evening prayer and confirmation. The public is invited.

   —The benefit concert last night for the Cortland City band was a success both musically and financially. A large attendance greeted the band boys at Taylor hall and all were pleased with the entertainment. Nearly every number received an encore. About $75 was netted by the band which will be used for uniforms.