Montreal daily herald, 7 décembre 1894, vendredi 7 décembre 1894

[" MORNING EDITION, TELEGRAPH MATCHES \u201cHIGATYSEVENTHYEAR NO.238.CANNOT EXCUSE - THEIR LAXITY.\u2018VERDICT IN THE STREET RAILWAY BUILDING INQUEST.MESSRS.HOPKINS, GRAVEL AND McLAUGHLIN TO BE ARRESTED.The Jury Recommend That Building Regulations Be Aniended.At 6 d\u2019clock last night the jury, who were holding an inquest into the cause of death of the workmen employed in the construction of the Montreal Street Railway Company's building, rendered their verdict to Coroner McMahon.They held that the death of Adolphe Leblanc, Joseph Marquis and Regis Pauze was caused by the collapse of the Street Railway building.\u201cWe think that the collapse was due to lack of yeasonable precaution, which should have been exercised in the construction of the said building by Edward C.Hopkins, architect ; Ant.Gravel, engineer of the Dominion Bridge Company, and Joseph McLaughlin, foreman of the Domi- pion Bridge Company.We cannot excuse them for this laxity in the performance of their duty.We recommend to the civic authorities that they amend the regulations which relate to buildings i» Montreal, in order that catastrophes may be avoided in future.\u201d .The Coroner then thanked the jury, remarking that they had done their duty well, much better than a New York jury had performed their dutics lately under like circumstances.In the afternoon Professor Bonin, of the Polytechnic School, gave evidence in the matter.He had prepared a report.The columns and girders were sufficiently strong but the wall was not sufficiently thick to support the weight imposed upon it.It was constructed like the generality of the walls here.cement should have been used instead of the ordinary mortar.A granite block instead of a plate at the base of the columns would have been a precautionary measure to avoid danger; but a wider wall was necessary.; Mr.Peter Alexander Peterson, Chief Engineer of the Canadian Pacific Railway, bad examined the Street Railway building, and he had prepared a report.The accident was due to the failure of the brick wall to support the weight; it was badly designed and it was much too weak.Good bricks, laid in cement, should not be subjected to more than twelve tons to the square inch.This was not good brick work, and the mortar, which he examined, crumpled in his hands like mud.He doubted that the mortar could have even compared favorablv with mud.He was more surprised that the accident had been averted so long than that it had taken place.He found spaces and 1uterstices between the bricks.The columns were strong and good.Though his investigations were made twice since the accident, he held that the bricks should not be loose, as they were when he saw them.The moisture, to which the mortar was subjected, would have rendered it better.The mortar to be used on a building should be made of Portland cement and good sand.Lime mortar isno good.Only the old buildings of Men- treal are built with good lime mortar; in the majority of our buildings the mortar is |\u2019 like mud.Mr.Vandelet, Civil Engineer, found the columns and girders very strong; the wall was weak.The fact of the columns not being vertical would not cause a collapse, as they were solidly joined together.George Massey, C.E., believed that the accident was not due to faulty iron-work; the slight deviation of the columns did not occasion the disaster, as they were solidly riveted in one mass.The enllapse was due\u2018to weak brickwork, which had been weakened still more by the openings destined to receive doors.It was uselsss for the weight to be laid on it.The mortar was bad.Mr.Edward Lusher, Secretary - Treasurer of the Street Railway Company, testified that James Ross, the President of the Company, was not a director of the company in August, 1892, he was re-clected on November 7th, 1894, During the greater part of that time he was absent from the city.Mr.Lusher admitted that Mr.Ross was a large shareholder of Street Railway stock as well as of Dominion Bridge Company stock.As secretary, Mr.Lusher never heard of any thing going wrong with the works.\u2018 Emery Lafontaine.C.E., and Francois Charles Laberge, C.E., testified on behalf of Mr, Brunet.They stated that the ironwork was faulty.If the wall succumbed, it was because too great a weight was Tlaced upon it.If the ironwork had been good, the wall would have supported it.The Coroner then addressed the jury.The questions to consider were, whether the workmen, into the cause of whose death the inquest was held, had been killed by the collapse of the building.If so, was the collapse due to faulty construction.The jury should not excuse people, because thie latter had no bad intentions; an omission must be blamed.The law Says that whoever erects anything, which ay endanger life, must take all reasouable Precaution to avoid danger; otherwise such Person is criminally responsible.There could Le no doubt that the Wall was weak ; all the witnesses Bgreed on that point.The conduct of Me- aughlin, who complained, shows that he new of the weakness.The precautions, Which should have been taken, were those that a reasonable man would not neglect.T.Brunet erected a wall as good as any that could be erected in Montreal.Mr.opkins did not take the trouble to see if the hecessary precautions were taken; he trusted to Gravel, and Gravel trusted to Um.All the experts were unanimous in tating that they would not have placed sich iron work on a wall.The architect Should Lave seen to this, but heneglected to te so.But this does not better the posi- lon of the Dominion Bridge Company; they Œuewthevicesof the wall.Unless there wusa a Sonable excuse, the parties are crimin- ÿ responsible.wal] ners excuse is that he had to erect a and dccording to orders; the Architect fused oe Bridge Company should have re- = build on bis wall, had they found wanted could not support the weight they os to place upon it.Brunet could not ei one to know anything of this what 1 Had he not properly executed et © was ordered to do, then he is .7 and he must be placed under arrest, the ts remarks apply to McLaughlin; rave, r Fou also cloak himself behind ever oc 8 regards Mr.Hopkins, did he an (plain to Lhe Street Railway Combe ver it the work was not satisfactory; Bridge 0.complained of the delay of the order te Pa pany- Had he an excuse?In would p nd McLaughlin guilty the jury ave to declare that what he was charged to do, he had not well done, As regards the wall, he complained to Gravel ahout it, and that exonerates him in regard to that matter.Lt would be impossible to find the Bridge Company responsible criminally, though they might be held civilly; they can_only be blamed through their officials, and the jury had only to deal with these officials.After more than an hour\u2019s discussion, the jury returned the above verdict.Warrants were immediately issued by the Coroner for the arrest of Mr.Hopkins, Mr.Gravel and Mr.McLaughlin, They will appear in the Police Court this morning at 100\u2019clock.Bail wiil likely he aecepted.The accused were not arrested last night.DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS Decides on Subjoets of Legislation for the Session.Washington, D.C., Dec.6.\u2014At the close of to-day\u2019s Democratic caucus, Senator Faulkner, the Secretary, gave out the following ; The Democratic caucus directed the \u201cSteering Committee\u201d to prepare an order of business which would present for the consideration of the Senate the follow- mg subjects of legislation : A bankruptey bill; a bill for the construction of the Nicaragua canal; a currency bill; bills for the admission of Arizona and New Mexico; a bill involving the interests of the Indian Territory; for the consideration of the joint resolution of the House of Representatives for the election of United States Senators by the people, and such other measures, including the appropriation bills, as the Steering Committee may deem important.That in their report of the caucus, the Steering Committee shall provide the .order in which the above subjects of organization shall be considered.JOHN BURNS COMING, Trades and Labor Council Preparing to Receive Him.The Central Trades and Labor Council held their regular meeting at the Ville Marie Hal} last night.Credentials of delegates from Assemblies Parthe- nais No.1,081 and Electric 1,405 were accepted, The Legislative Committee gave report re-interview with Chief of Police, concerning enforcement of Sunday closing by-law and they were directed to take such action as might be necessary.Dominion Assembly sent invite to the 12th celebration of the establishment of the Knights of Labor in Montreal, after some discussion it was accepted.The feature of the evening\u2019s proceedings was the visit of J.Wilson Becker, better known as the Boycotted Pullman Switchman, who was the fifth leader of the celebrated strike at Pullman; he gave an enthusiastic resume of the history of the strike and the labor movement in America, which occupied over an hour in delivery, and was listened to with rapt attention by the members, who had mustered in unusually large numbers.A communication from the Toronto Trades and Labor Council, asking the cooperation of Montreal in making arrangements for a lecturing tour Ly John Burns, the English labor leader, in Canada, caused considerable excitement and discussion, Several addresses emphasizing the importance of securing \u2018\u2018Honest John,\u201d were made, several of the delegates having personally known and worked with him during the great dock strike in London some few years ago.It wus ultimately resolved that a special committee ot ten be appointed to co-operate and arrange for his visit to Montreal, and the corresponding secretary was instructed to notify the Toronto Cour- cil.The Committee wi) meet early in the week for preliminary arrangements.Lady Aberdeen Will Attend, Lady Aberdeen has consented to attend the annual meeting of the Montreal Maternity Hospital at 93 St.Urbain Street this afternoon at 3 o'clock.OBITUARY.Orillia, Ont., Dec.6.\u2014R.Brammer, a pioneer manufacturer, proprietor of tho Victoria Foundry was found dead in bed this morning.Deceased was at his place of business the day previous in apparently good health.Heart disease was the cause of death.To-Morrow\u2019s Heral The Story of the Building Operations of Montreal dur- the past year will be continued in next Saturday's Herald.The Illustrated Supplement will give pictures and descriptions of \u2019 The Private Residences Sk built in this city during the past twelve months.A large number of very handsome houses have been erected, and of these halftone views will be given, together with complete descriptions x Advertising +, à à © Owners and Agents of houses to rent or to sell, as wellas Architects, Builders, Contractors, Decorators and House Furnishers will find this an excellent medium for reaching people.A limited amount of space will be reserved for advertising.x sree esse Order Papers Early.Those desiring copies of this issue should take the precaution of ordering them \"through newsdealers, or at the Herald Office, early in the week.> ese sess THE HERALD, 603 Craig St.TELLPHONE 348.MONTREAL DAILY HERALD, FRIDAY, D ECEMBER 7, 1894.MORNING EDITION, TELEPHONE MATCHES PRICE ONE CENT.SNEERS AT REFORM.ALD.PREFONTAINE AND THE GOOD GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, AN ELEVATED RAILWAY ON COMMON AND COMMISSIONERS STREET.Ald Wanted for the Anti-Toxine Ine stitute \u2014 What Jas Been Done About the Gas Deals?The City Council met yesterday afternoon, and adopted a report giving the Belt Line Railway permission to use the streets of the city.\u2018The vote was almost a strictly party one, Ald.Rainville being the only member to vote with the English minority.The debate was a quiet one, except for a passing reference to the Good Government Association.The latter part of the meeting was burdened with amendments and sub-amendments, and seven divisions were taken before the main motion was put.Ald.Lyall presided for the first time since his appointment as Acting-Mayor.A petition from the new Anti-toxine Institute asking for aid was referred to the Health Committee.Black Diamond Assembly Knights of Labor petitioned for the establishment of a reading room and a labor bureau for unemployed workingmen.Referred to the Finance Committee.Ald.Smith asked what had been done about the Consumers Gas Company.Ald.Marsolais replied that an amendment was proposed to the charter giving the city power to do the lighting itself.Ald.Smith\u2014\u201cI want to know what steps have been taken to proceed against the Consumers Company for not carrying out its contract with the city.There was not as much interest taken to protect the city as had been shown in Cote St.Antoine.\u201d The first order of the day was the report of the special committee on electric railway on the petition of the Montreal Island Belt Line Railway Company.Ald.Marsolais tried to get the report on early closing put first but failed.The City Clerk read the report, recommending that permission be granted to the Belt Line to run through certain streets,and its adoption was moved by Ald.Prefon- taine.Ald.Smith said that we have here one of the most beautiful cities on the continent, and one destined to become the chief commercial city in North America, provided its affairs are administered in a proper manner.The aldermen were there to conserve the rights of the citizens, not for the purpose of granting valuable franchises to the detriment of the citizens.There were companies and schemes on every hand which were certainly not for the benefit and interest of the city.Montreal seems to be a milch cow for any set of men who might want to get up a money-making scheme, Instead of being a benefit the Belt Line Railway would be the reverse.He instanced the immense sums of » money which the elevated railway in New York had to pay as damages, and said that the proposed company could not do anything of the kind.The streets of the city are already greatly impeded by street.railways, and the Council would not be justified in granting the privileges asked for.Under the Railway Act other companies were obliged to expropriate property to make a right of way, but this Company wanted to use the public streets, He quoted a legal opinion which he obtained from Atwater and Mackie, that the Council is not bound to approve of any route which the Company may lay out along the streets or river front of the city, nor to lay out any other route.If the city saw fit to grant its approval of any route, the Companies\u2019 Act reserves the right of the city to levy a money considera- tinn for any franchises granted.Ald.Smith also read a protest by the Good Government Association against the scheme, and concluded by saying: \u201cBefore I sit down, I will object to any shareholder of the Company voting here to-day.\u201d Ald.Hurtean said he was interested in the project, but would vote for it.The line would be of great advantage to the city by giving transfer facilities between one end and the other.The company had no desire to dispose of their charter.As for the look'of the railway he preferred to see a railway properly constructed according to the plan than the present dyke.Ald.Rainville found fuult with the report for not stating whether the line was to be a surface one or an elevated one.If it was to be a surface road he would vote against it, but if elevated and the citizens were otherwise protected he did not see that they could object to it.Ald.Penny designated the project as only one of a series of schemes sprung upon the public.The dyke had injured the street already, and this railway would be much worse, It was the duty of the Council to refuse to grant the petition of the Belt Line.Ald.Prefontaine made a long speech.The moment anything came from the Kast End it was put down as a scheme.This was no more & scheme than any other works which were a benefit to the city, as this would be.The line was needed, and the Grand Trunk would now have a connection with the East End.Ald.Pre- fontaine was particularly severe on the opposition of the Good Government Association, which he called \u201cthe Goody-goody Reform Association,\u201d Ald.McBride pointed out that the report made no reference to the motive power to be used.If a line operated by steam was to run through the streets they might as well be closed.» Ald.Stevenson protested against the Line.Was it necessary?Had anyone asked for it?Was the business of the city so great that the line was needed?Had either of the big railways countenanced it?It was said that it would benefit the city, but that wag said of other schemes.Montreal was fleeced and humbugged in a manner that no other city would stand.The Water and Power Company and the Consumers\u2019 Gas Company, the latest fizzle, were to benefit the city greatly, but where were they today?The \u2018\u2018sckeme,\u201d to use the word which seemed to cause such discomfort to the other side, was opposed by all the influential business men of the town.Ald.Robert\u2014\u2018\u2018Who are they?\u201d Ald.Stevenson\u2014\u2018\u2018The Board of Trade, the Good Government Association \u2014\u2014\u201d Ald.Prefontaine\u2014*They have no legal standing.\u201d Ald.Stevenson\u2014*\u2018I am not so sure of that.\u201d Ald.Prefontaine\u2014\u201cThey are not a public body.\u201d Ald.Smith\u2014\u2018\u2018They are a very important public body, and you have no right, sir, to cast a slur on them.\u201d Ald.Prefontaine\u2014\u2018\u2018They insult me right and left, and I have the right to answer them, and I will, If they can show that [Continued on Page 8.] BOOMSTICKS DUTY.AMERICAN LUMBERMEN INTERVIEW MINISTERS AT OTTAWA, AN INTIMATION OF IMPENDING TROUBLE IF IT IS NOT REMOVED, Mr.Bowell Thinks Boomsticks Come Under the Head of the Mant factured Article.(Special to the Herald), Oitawa, Dec.6.\u2014The duty on boom, sticks, which has now become an international question, was divsussed between a committee of «the Privy Council of the Dominion and a big delegation of American lumbermen, who were accompanied by local representatives in the business, in the office of the Minister of Trade and Commercs this afternoon.While no definite result was arrived at there iS little doubt but the result will be a remission of the duties by the Government in the meantime and a change in the tariff act if that is necessary to make the law mcre definite on the subject next session doing away with the duty altogether.Hon Mackenzie Bowell, minister of Trade and Commerce, occupied the chair and around him sat Messrs.Foster, Ouimet, Costigan, Daly and Angers, The American delegates whose names have already been published were accompanied by W.R.White, Q.C., Pembroke, brother to Speaker White, who is acting as their Canadian counsel, and who was the first speaker in their behalf.Congressman T.Weadock, from Michigan, who is their American counsel, was along with them carryinz a very carefully prepared brief.There were also present United States Consul-General O'Reilly and George Perley, Wim.A .derson, Levi Cran- nell, J.W.McRae, representing the lumbermen of the Ottawa Valley.Mr.J.R.Booth, Mr.McRae expluined, was too ill to be in attendance, but he, as well as all the other lumbermen were in sympathy with the views entertained by the delegates as to the irritation caused by the imposition duty.Mr.White, in openin : the case for the delcgation, pointed out that the duty was first imposed in May or June, 1893.Objection was taken to it and the result was that there was nothing further heard about it until May, 1894, when the duty was ordereu to be collected.No definiteaction was taken until September last when orders were given to have the booms seized and booms owned by the Spanish River Towing Co.were seized although that had beei.denied.All the formal acts of seizure might not have been gone through, but they were neverth less seized to all intents and purposes as Mr.Carrington, President of the Company, would fully explain.He went on to show that the duty was improperly imposed no matter what section of the tariff w 8 1 ken under which it was asked to be levied.Iv would takea big stretching of any of the clauses to show these booms ought to be taxed as \u2018\u201c\u2018package\u201d or as manufactured timber.Some 40 per cent of the boomsticks were Canadian.\"They were used as such far a time and afterward were sawn up with the other logs.Without these booms the steam tugs would not be of any value.In fact they were part and parcel of the tug just the same asa barge for lumber was or the tow rope.The United States Government did not impose any such duty, and its imposition by Canada might lead to an interference with free lumber which would injure the whole trade.Mr.Foster \u2014 Then there is no duty charged on the booms in the United States?Mr.Weadock\u2014The United States has never charged any duty on them.The boomsticks have always been treated as logs in the United States.Mr.White resuming, said that if the law did provide for the collection of the duty, then advantage should be taken of the provisions of the law which enabled the Governor - General -in-Council to remit such duties as were deemed to be oppressive, Mr.Bowell said that the booms were not seized.He sent a telegram to the United States Government informing them that they were not seized.That was the information he got from the Customs Department.Mr.White explained that the Collector of Customs, Mr.Fletcher, had informed Mr.Carrington that they were under seizure; and that if he did not go good for them then they would be taken to a place nearer his office.Mr.Carrington was held responsible for them.Mr.Meadock\u2014The date was set for the sale of them.Mr.Carrington said that the company of which he was president was a Canadian Co.He explained how the logs were seized by the Collector of Customs and he telegraphed to Mr, Wallace to have the sale postponed which was done.The reason given by Mr.Wallace in 1893 for the duty was that the booms were used in the coasting trade.That was not correct.The booms wers not so used.Mr.Foster\u2014About 40 per cent.of the boomsticks are Canadian.Mr, Weadock next addressed the Committee, traversing pretty much the same grounds covered by Mr.White, and showing that the spirit of the idea of reciprocity in lumber produced between the two countries was violated by the imposition of such a duty.The stumpage dues imposed hy Quebec were removed because it was shown to be unfair, and no matter how it was viewed the duty on booms was, simply another way of imposing an export daty on logs.These booms were part and parcel of the vessel.They were not intended to be consumed in Canada, and entered into competition with nothing that was produced in Canada The United States imposed no duty on boom-sticks in the past, but even if they had done the tariff of 1894 was clear upon that point.He went on to say that the Wilson tariff and the old tariff was similar.Mr.Carrington\u2014Yes.Mr.Daley\u2014Where are the bo omsticks made ?Mr.Carrington\u2014Wherever we find a snitable log, sometimes in one place, sometimes in another.The majority of them are perhaps made in Bay City, Mich.,, but it would be impossible to tell whether the logs taken for the purpose are American or Canadian.Small sticks will not do for towing on the lakes.The mills and property of our Company are on the Canadian side.Capt.Boutell, who was engaged in the towing business, showed that the boom- sticks were used purely for towing across the lake.Mr.Foster\u2014In the old tariff cedar was Charged 15 per cent., but it is now 25 per cent.under the Wilson tariff.Mr.Weadock thought this was a mis « lantinnnd on Page Teen, STORY OF À CRIME.HEBERT'S RELATIONS WITH THE WOMAN WHO SHOT HIM.HE GAVE HER UP BECAUSE OF HER DISREPUTABLE LIFE.On His Wedding Day She Swore to Kill Him\u2014The Inquest, (Special to The Herald) Sherbrooke, Que., Dec.6.\u2014Whatever fabric of defence Hebert\u2019s murderess had woven was completely torn to shreds at the inquest this morning, which was held at the home of the victim\u2019s father.The evidence brought in was very strong and left no doubt as to the intention of the acomsed.It was shown that she yesterday afternoon had tried to kill the unfortunate Hebert with a butcher-knife.That she had long ago decided to kill him is shown by her actions for the past ten or twelve years.A brief but sensational story of Hebert\u2019s intimacy with the woman was given the Herald correspondent this morning by one ob his relations.Hebert became acquainted with the prisoner about twelve yearsago and paid her marked attention, He would have married her had he not heard of her conduct with other men.His family strongly objected to the marriage and Hebert rather than displease his family gave up the woman.Two or three mouths went by without his seeing much of her.At last one day she was taken sick and sent for him.She pleaded with him to marry her, promising to reform.He said she would see after she had adopted a new mode of life.She recovered and for some time her conduct was very, good, but old friends and haunts soon, brought her back to her former disreputable life.Hebert even then would have married her had she given up her friends.Finally, sceing that all his efforts were useless, he gave her up, and a few months later married another young lady.On the very morning of Hebert\u2019s wedding the Begin woman, in the presence of some ten people, swore that she would kill him.\u2018He will never die a natural death,\u201d said she.\u201cI will kill him as sure as Lam living.Remember this.\u201d These threats were reported to Hebert, but he paid no attention to them.When his wite died a new intimacy sprang up between the pair, and again she renewed her pleadings of marriage.Hebert wiways refused.It has come out since the murder that the attempted to take his life at least four times within the last four years.She once tried to kill him on the Lennox- ville road where they had gone driving.Fifteen days ago she entered Hebert\u2019s stall, and picking up a cleaver said : \u2018Joe, you see this don\u2019t you?Well, if in two weeks\u2019 time from now we are not married, 1 will split your brains with it.\u201d Yesterday morning at her father\u2019s home she kept repeating to every one that this was Joe's last day on earth; that she would kill him in the