HONORED GUESTS. Fuller, Alger and Sawyer Welcomed. UNION LEAGUE RECEPTION. _ Governor Markham Could Not Be Present. VERMONT PRAISES CALIFORNIA. | A Witty Speech by General Alger Brings Forth a Funny Story From Vermont's Governor. A reception was given by the Union League Club at their rooms in me Palace Hotel last night to Governor Lev! K. Fuller ol Vermont, General ltussell A. Alger of Michigan, ex-Senator Philetus Sawyer of Wisconsin and Governor Mark- ham. The Governor of California, how- ever, failed to appear, and his telegram of regret was read by Judge Carpenter, who introduced the several distinguished visi- tors to the club and welcomed them to its hospitalities. The affair was purely in- formal, and owing to the short notice not as many were there as migbt have been. About it o'clock Judge Carpenter called for order. He said he had been delegated by Governor Markham to convey to the club his regrets for his unavoidable ab- sence. He read a lengthy dispatch from the Governor, in the course of which the executive said he wished to especially mention his old and esteemed friend. Philetus Sawyer, whom he considered one of tbe most remarkable men in the Re- publican party. During his term of office j he had had 20C0 bills before the House. twelve only not being passed, and those because they were too late to be reached , on the calendar. Concluding the dispatch I Jut.ge O.rpenter added on his own be- j ban: "Jt is to be recretted that the Gov-, erq'-r is not here, as he is an influential j member of the club and one who as Gov- ernor has been honest, prudent, conseiva- tive and effective throughout his adminis- ! tration. The three cuests of the evening; show the saying that republics are un- ! grateful is not always so. These men have enjoyed the public confidence in a ma.ked decree. Senator Sawyer should be especially dear tn Western people, as he has always labnrpd in our behalf." k Judge Carpenter referred eulogistical!}' tn Governor Fuller, whom he introduced. The Governor responded in an eloquent and patriotic speech. He referred in touching terms to the good old State of Vermont, s»id he was delighted to rub shoulders with the great men of the West, and dwelt on the marvelous growth of the fair, which was advertising the State alli over the world. He said the people were to be coagratulated. Referring to the growth of the State, Governor Fuller said there wa* but one life between him and ' the man who Lr.st found gold. When he ; came over the plain a quarter of a century ] ago he iret people who told him how a ' quarter of a century before they had seen a man riding toward tiie East with the aews that gold had been found. "I dent feel jealous." said the Governor, | "that Tiy own old State does not square in ; acreage with your?, but it is God's country after all." He concluded his eloquent speech with the remark that the day was not fir distant when English would be the general tongue of the earth and Americans i k the dmi inant race. Ex-Senator .Sawyer declined to speak, \u25a0 but through Judge Carpenter assured the clob ihat he considered the members Btricily init. General Alcer lollowed in a ; yerywiity speech in which he represented bimsa f as a California!! and i.-.vited Gov- j ernof Fuller to give up his Vermont home i and 'ome to California. In such an event, Gemral Alger saul, he would be willinc to sill him all the limber land he needed and take his note payable at any time. Hesaid that at the fair Governoi Puller line" tried to make the Verrronters home- ' sic*, but that now he seemed as if he ; would half like to remain here. Governor Fuller responded to General j AVer's witty remarks by a funny story, \ wiich elicited roars of laughter. John M. Francis, proprietor of the Troy i Times, was called upon and made a few j r»niark?, saying he was proud of New Tork and that ibe State elections proved ' Jew I'ork'a e'.aim to be an empire State, rod testified to the integrity of her convic- tions. He said there was evident tendency : I ;.ll over tiie land toward the uprising of j our industjies. This concluded the pro-! ceedmgs of the evening, aud for an hour or more the members chatted in little groups about the rooms. Music enlivened the evening during the intervals between tbe speeches. General Alger leaves for ! Los ADgeles this morning and Governor Fuller will leave shortly for Portland, j Among those present were: Colonel William Macdonakl, Major D. i E. Miles, Joser.ii S. .Spear Jr., J. B. Han- ford. A. !'\u25a0 Williams, Tire* L. Ford, A. G. Booth, Major Georjje 11. Pippy, General John F. Sheehan, W. E. Jlnle, Genera! Kobert A. Friedricb. A. W. Spear, L. G. F. Atkins, F. A. Vail, C. M. Jenniue?, A. 11. Vail. Colonel S. D. Laidlaw, M. R. Higgins, Dr. William M. Lawior, J. J. Evans. Judg« M. Coonev, Samuel llaslett, j Dan T. Cole, Dr. O. F. Westpbai. C. A. Fuller, Jesse 13. Fuller, Monroe Green- wood. General William U. Pratt, Edward T. Donnelly. Dniry Melone, Frank L Coombs. General W. H. Brown, Josepn ; LI.. Tharp, Juige J. C. B. Heubard, W. G. | Taffinder, Wilham lrelau Jr., Jt K. Masten, Dr. Nat T. Coulson, Samuel J. llendy, Judge Edward W. Belcher, Judee T. B. McFarland, W. E. Brooks, A. C. Hamilton, Captain J. C. Currier, John J. Wirtner. L. H. Clemen'. John T.-Sulli- van, M. M. Estee, F. P. Hooper, Madison Bibcock, \\. D. Ilolcom. John C. Kirk- patrlck, W. T. Y. Schenck, Colonel Used Jones, Colonel J. M. Lilchh'eld. Dr. C. G. Kenyon. A. Y. Trask. J. E. Barry, E. S. Flury, Colonel C. S. Forbes, R. D. Silver, N. \V. Fisk, Captain EL A. Morse, 1). P. Durst. Alexandei Gordon, Thomas Mor- ton, Clarence G. Stone, H. C. A. Gibb?, W. A. Tolehard, John H. Heeler. John If. Francis (proprietor Troy Times), A. L. Cnetiain. Judge H. C. Dibble, General W. 11. L. Barnes, Colonel .T. F. Burgin, Dr. H. K. Brown, W. B. Hamilton, W. 11. Pond, Senator Philetus Sawyer, Colonel Dillingham, Colonel Jefferson E. Doo- iittle, W. S. Duval and John H. Durst. "GOVERNORS FULLER AND ALGER AT THE UNION LEAGUE. JAMES' NEW ORDER. A Compromise Between the Denman and Kogers Measures. In response to the 1000 invitations issued by the Board of Supervisors to the citizens of San Francisco to give reasons why the water rates should be reduced, and to at- tend a meeting of the Water Committee of the board which will be held this morn- ing, a number of letters were received by ! Clerk Russell yesterday. Some of the ! writers, and they are in the majority, state that they believe that water rates are ex- ' oibitant and should be reduced- Others j say they have no complaint to make | against the water company, holding that ! present rates are satisfactory. The meeting of the Water Committee to- day promises to be an interesting one. as a large number of citizens are expected to be present in response to the invitations issued. Supervisor James has compiled a cora- l>roiuisp water order which he will intro- duce. The order of the Supervisor from i the Eleventh Ward appropriates part of : both the Denmau and Kogers orders, al- ready explained. The Denman house rates are adopted, i with tli"change that instead of a half the i Spring Valley Water Company be allowed !to charge three-quarters the rates on sec- j ond floors that is charged on trouud floors, the rates being particularly applicable to flats. The Rogers meter rates are incorporated in the order, bu: the charge for meter rates is reduced from 30 cents tn '_*) cents per 100 cubic feet. There are a few oiher minor changes in the order. Supervisor James calcinates that this order will reduce the revenue of the com- pany about 57.J.000. NO MORE CANVAS. Steam Power Wanted for Whalers. Steam Fleet Getting Ready for De- parture—Wind-Jammers Will Soon Pass to History. The sound of the hammer and crunching of the saw have for five weeks past en- livened the neighborhood of Howard-street wharf and filled the air with the hum of nautical industry. Beside tbe wharf is tied the old whaling bark William BejritN, which is being con- verted from a lubberly sailing craft into a trim spick and span looking steam whaler. In the blow of tbe hammer old salts re- quire no very extensive flight of imagina- tion to convince them that they hear the death-knell of tiie sailing vessel as a whale- cbaser; in fact, the metamorphosis of the Baylies marks the first 6tep toward tbe relegation of ttie "wind-jimmer." One by nne the old-time whaling barks have yielded ud their ghosts of canvas tv the death thrust made at them by modern ship-pronelliug inventions. The time lor the departure of the steam whalers has arrived, the Meet of this year being augmented by tbe addition of tbe converted sealer Alexander and the wind- jammer Baylie?, while the canvas-spread- ers have "gone up Salt Creek" (lome, per- haps for good), practically as well as theoretically. Last year only ninety vessels all told constituted the whaling fleet of our coun- try. Of this number about thirty-two are s learners. Ten years ago the steamers could be counted upon the fingers of one's hands. At New Bedford and San Francisco oil- buntera are rapidly becoming convinced ot the necessity of doing away with the .•ailing fleet altogether, and it is not at all unlikely that w'tlnn the next five years li.o-e of the whaling barks aud ships that have not become too ancient to jus'ily their being converted will be transformed into steamers. The meant whaler could best be handled and fitted out from San Francisco. This fact has by degrees dawned upon tbe owners of "blubber-hunters." It was sixty years ago that the first whaler vislied this coast. At that time, owing to Hie absence of transportation facilities. New Bedford owner* consid- ered it highly impracticable to fit vessels out from this city. In fact the scheme was not even dreamt of. Twenty years later lhe«e same New Bedforders commenced to become interested in San Francesco's advantages as a harbor and supply sta- tion. To this city is due the honor or sending out one of the first steam whalers. It was the liiwhead. With feverish interest the whalers and shlD-owners watched for the return of the steamer. Sho got back to port in 18x2, Jo;:dnd to the water-line with bone and ml, and immediateiv lite first latal blow at the antiquated whaling bark was registered. Tl;e news of the success of the bowhead was flashed across ttie continent. New Bedford shio builders and owners com- menced to do a little thinking. They anally conceived, built and launched the Belvidere. which in 188.3 started out from the Atlantic side in quest of whale oil. The Baylies willgo < n the drydock in a few dnys to have her machinery put in. The whaling steamers Tiiresher and Jessie 11. Freeman will ship crews to-day. —_ » «. «. Morton's Midwinter Fair Express., , I'ackaKAi, baggage, I etc., called for and de- livered r to the exposition grounds at low rates Offlces— l7 Geary street, 408 Taylor street and Oakland ferry depot. I^*ll AN ODD CRAVING. Women Who Eat Raw Cornstarch. CANNOT DO WITHOUT IT. But It Is Slowly Undermining Their Health. A YOUNG LADY WASTING AWAY. The Habit Grows Before the Victim Knows It and Cannot Be Shaken Off. "Give me a paekace of cornstarch, Dlease," said a lady in an uptown grocery- store a few days ago, "and never mind wrapping it up." The clerk did as requested and the lady at once tare off a corner of the box and poured out a quantity of the white powder into her gloved hand. A youoK girl who accompanied her icoked surprised at the performance, but was almost dumfouuded when the lady transferred the chalk-like substance to her mouth and swallowed it ravenously. "I tried hard not to do that, dear," the lady said to the elrl as they were leaving the stote. "but I couldn'c help it. You know I eat cornstarch all the time, and have got to have a box or so ol it every day. I haven't had any since last night, and I was so hungry for it that I nearly died." "But don't you think it a bad habit that is likely to be injurious?" asked tbe girl, with a curious expression as she looked at her companion. "Yes, sometimes Ido think it a bad habit, but I don't see how it can be injuri- ous, because it is nothing but a pure nour- ishing food, and yet I often thiuk it must be hurtful, because 1have such a craving for it, and when I have eaten a lot 1 get so awfully sleepy." Tbe lady and her companion went up the street, but a Call reporter, who had overheard tbe conversation, stopped to question the grocer in regard to what he knew about people eating raw cornstarch. He didn't know much, never having eaten any himself, be said, bat he know several women who consumed large quantities of the stuff. "It doesn't hurt them, though." he said. After finding one constant eater the ad- dresses of a dozen more were obtained, all residing within a few blocks of Sutler and Polk streets. All the women were willing to talk, and what they said is sufficient to warrant the statement that the habit of eating cornstarch is an evil in the land. All the women who acknowledged hav- ing the habit were in the upper classes ot society, and two of them are acknowledged leaders. Some of them made an effort to control the haDit, and nothing could be told from their appearance that they were not in the best health, but others ate all they could get and very little of anything else. Give them cornstarch and they were happy, but they had the appearance of opium-eaters. The worst cs>se foand by tbe reporter was thnt of a lady of. perhaps, ;>O years of age. She acknowledged that she was a slave to cornstarch, and, if she did not have it, suffered the tortures of a whisky drunkard deprived of liquor. In appearance this lady was like a corpse. Her skin was as white as wax, and her eyes were sunk deep in her head and had heavy black rings around them. She had no more flpsh on her bones than a consumptive in the last stages. "Ob, it tastes so good," she said, taking a spoonful of ccrnstarcb from a box, "and makes me feel so warm. Besides that, I can sleep so well after eating it. It is a positive fact that after eating a box of cornstarcb I can sleep fourteen hours without waking." "Don't you think it hurti you?" asked the reporter. "No." answered the lady, taking another spoonful. "It is harmless stuff and very nourishing. 1 have a littlestomach trouble that the doctor is treating me for, but he doesn't seem to do me much good." "Have you told him you eat such quan- tities oi cornstarch'. 1 " asked the reporter. "Why. no," answered the laily in sur- prise. "What difference can that make? Cornstarcb is nice, and I am auro it can do me no barm." Any number of women who are victims of the cornstarch habit were to be found, but none of them conld see how the stuff ceuld hurt them in any way. Most of thorn were in a perfect state of health ap- parently, and the symptoms of the use of cornstarch seemed |to be about the same to each of them. All acknowledged that the craving was uncontrollable at times, and that a spoonful of starch would be preferable to a dish of ordinary food prepared by the best cook In the world. The first feeling that starch was wanted was a sense of coldness all over the body and a ravenous hunger. If the feelin? was gratified a gentle warmth was soon ap- parent, and if a larger quantity of starch was eaten the hands and feet became hot and a languor took possession of the senses. Sometimes the hands and feet swell, and the desire for starch continues until sleep comes. Most of the victims had no desire for any other food as long as they could get starch. "Ididn't like enrnstarch at first," said a young lady of 18, now a confirmed eater, "but a friend wbo used to eat it gay* me a little every day until at last I bought some fnr myself. Now I must have it, and mamma does not care. She says she would rather have me eat that than candy." Each victim had a different story to tell of tbe way the habit took held of therr", but all acknowledged fhat the effect was very great. "Any way it is harmless stuff and can't possibly hurt me" was tiie way all of them consoled themselves for giving way to their peculiar taste. The effect on some of them did not up- hold their statement that it was harmless, »o a visit was made to Dr. Jerome A. Anderson and his opinion asked on the subject "Well, that's tbe worst 1 ever heard," said the doctor, when the cases were ex- plained to him. "But women do acquire the queerest habits. I have had patients who had a constant desire for charcoal, paper, slate pencils, etc. But this gtarch habit is something new, and now that it has come to me it may be the explanation of several peculiar cases of siarcb dyspep- sia that I have treated." "Do you think that eating itin large quantities would produc; bad results?" asked tbe reDorter. "Most decidedly," replied the doctor, "and the action of starch is exactly as you say It has nllected these ladies. But itwill very likely go farther with most of them." At this point the doctor took dcwo a a large book on physiology and turned to a chapter devoted to starch. "You see," he said, "starch is a hydro- carbon— i hut is. a heat-producer— and con- taining no nitrogen too much of it will burn out the system. Not an ounce of fat will ever be produced from starch and a person eatinc it will simuly waste away. Tne Indy you speak of as being so white and wasted is really dying." Here the doctor turned to several pages devoted to the result of certain experi- ments on starch as a sole food. Dogs and pigs fed on an exclusive starch diet died in a few days. Several physicians who tried it on themselves could keep it up a very short while when their health commenced to break down. "I can easily understand." said tbs doc- tor, "how such a beat-producer as starch could create a craving, but it will surely break down the health of all who indulge it. Those who have an unnatural craving for cornstarch had better get over it or they will soon be where they won't want it or anything else. Too much of any one food is sure to produce one thing, and tbat is death. RATES ARE QUIET. All Eyes Turned Toward the Santa Fe. The Withdrawal of That Road From Both the Western and Local Passenger Associations. The decision of Chairman Caldwell of the Western Passenger Association ad- verse to the demands of the S&uta Fe will be followed, as announced by telegraph, by the withdrawal of the company from the association. In this city it will have the further effect of causing the same company to sever all connection with the Local Passenger Association, and it is understood that this action is to take effect on the l.'.tb inst. "The position of the Santa Fe now," re- marked a prominent railroadman yester- day, "is such that it must either right or completely back down from the position it has assumed. There is no middle course open. All ixternal appearances would seem to indicate that there will be a con- tinuation of the war, but the meeting of President Reinhaidt with the other offi- cials of the Santa Fe which is about to be held may result in a backdown." So many inquiries are made as to the original cause of the trouble between the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe that a statement of the former company's side of the case is herewith given, accompanied by a diagram which will be foun<t useful in civmg tiie reader an insight into the merits of the contest. "1-irst-class passengers holding single trip or round trip tickets, either via Port- land or Ogden. have for years been given the opportunity of route from San Fran- cisco or Stockton, en route to Los Angeles, with full knowledge of all connections, without any protest or objection from them. "While it has not been the practice to give passengers starting from Los Angeles to the East, via Portland or Ouden. the opportunity of going through San Fran- cisco, this right has never been by agree- ment waived, and it is claimed is an inher- ent une and was never questioned until September last, and then by the Atcbiion, Topeka and Santa Fe Company, who simply demanded that assurances should he given that the right would not be exercised, otherwise tr<ey would cut trie rnie, yet during all this time passengers have been ticketed from San Francisco through Lns Angeles to the East via the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fs Com- pany's lines. "The accompanying sketch will graphi- cally display the contention and plainly illustrate to the public that the Southern Pacific properly contends that both side trips must be discontinued or both conceded and this contention contains everything winch the Santa Fe people attempt to jus- tify their reduction in passenger raien; for every other question of division of rates, etc., raised by the Santa Fe is capable ol easy solution, and if not agreed to by joint conference the Southern Pacific Company have expressed willingness to submit to arbitration." Inquiry as to the status of the tkht still continues brisk at all the offices, but there are probably some rampant estimates of sales of tickets emanating from a few of the representatives in this city. P. \V. Hitchcock, general agent of tbe Union Pacific, said yesterday that his office had just sold t*vo tickets since the war was dp- clared last Friday, and as the Union Paci- fic is one of the most direct routes to the East from this city and some of tbe other roads are making claim to sales of hun- dreds, there is a manifest difference in the business, as claimed, which persons not familiar with tbe "peculiar proclivities" of some of the railroad representatives will find it difficult to understand. The Southern Pacific display for the Midwinter Fair arrived yesterday and whs immediately taken out to the grounds. It consists of an oldtime engine, passenger- car and boxcar and the latest improved products in the three departments of traf- fic accessories. The National Association of .Ticket Agents will hold Its annual meeting in Los Angeles in April, and arrangements are now being perfected for the transportation of the members. . . E. J.lWaugh, traveling passenger agent of the Rock Island, with headquarters in Portland, is In the city. S. W. Eckles. assistant general freight agent of the Union Pacific at Salt Lake, arrived in the city yesterday. . M. C. Kimberley, general superintend- ent or. the Northern Pacific, went to Mon- terey yesterday. II." B. Ledvard, vice-president and general manager of the Michigan Central, has gone to Monterey. The Destitute Unemployed. Captain McFee of the Salvation Army, who has taken charge of the care of desti- tute unemployed at the old Hall of Rec- ords, under a resolution of the Board of S npervisors, made his first weekly report yesterday. Accordine to his statement tbe total cost of caring for the homeless was as follows: 2412 beds at 2 1 /, rents, g(JO .50; 4'M'A meals at 5 cents, $248 20; total, $;M)8 50. This makes an average co«t to the city of 844 a day. Under the old system of providing for the destitute at the City Prisons tbe cost to the city was L75 a day. Against the Supervisors. John Ij.Mevers, who sued the Mayor and members of the last Board of Super- visors for damages on account of tb« es- tablishment of a certain grade on Polk street, near the bay, lost bis suit in the court, » ut was nwardea costs, amounting to S<> : ' ••o, and yesterday an execution for this sum was issued against the twelve members of the last Board nf Supervisors and tbe estate of the late Mayor bander- son. The amount to be paid by each is » trifle orer $4. COMIC-OPERA NIGHT. The Vienna Prater Was the •\u2666Mecca" of the Musical. There was scarcely applauding room in Franz Joseph Hall yesterday evening, so great was the crowd that had flocked to hear the "comic-opera night" of the Vienna Prater orchestra. Excellently as the light and pretty music was, however, performed it did not arouse the same amount of enthusiasm that the more serious Wagner programme elicited last week. Indeed, it was evident that, much as the audiences who attend tbe prater concerts enjoy light music, their warmest admiration is reserved for greater works, Ltezft Second Hungarian Rhapsody, w.iich was played as an encore to "The Beautiful Blue Danube." created the fu- ror of the evening. Every who one has beard the Vienna band play this brilliant work was evidently delighted to bear it acaiu, for the opening bars were greeted with a burst of delighted applause. As usual Franz Hell all but made his nueeelhorn speak In the songs he played. The audience wanted "Si vous|n'avez rien a me dire." and they encored till they got ft. Itis repeating what has been said before to remark that the orchestra excels in operatic music. An overturo by Yon Suppp and a fantasia upon Offen- bach's works were performed with par- ticular brilliancy. The second part of the programme was a military concert, in which various oper- atic selections and a march by Johaon Strauss aroused great applause. FUEL EXHAUSTED. The New City Hall Liable to Be Turned Into an Ice Chest. Many of the heads of departments at the City Hall yesterday complained of the shivers. Inmost ot the offices it was very cold, for the reason there was no coal to build fires with on account of the stand taken by Contractor Eobetts to furnish no more coal until be is guaranteed payment of his bills. There is no coal at all on band in the basement of the hall, and to- day the elevators will be stopped unless fuel can be supplied. The heater 3 algo will fail to give out their usual amount of caloric for tbe same reason. Until tb« Supervisors find some way of adding to the fuel fund, clerks and deputies will have to stand tbe cold. Mayor Ellert yesterday took the bull by the horns and ordered a ton of coal, for which he will pay out of his contingent fund. The heads of other departments whose private offices have been kept at the temi erature of summer days, will be compelled to pay for coal out ot their own pockets, or wait until the Ftnauce Com- mittee of the board can find money to pay the coal contractor. The City and County Attorney is now considering the legality of transferring the $2000 collected from special i rivlleges to the credit of the fuel fund for public buildings. Paulsell Held to Answer. W. E. I'auisell, alias J. KlNewrose, was yes- terday held to answer before the Superior Court by Jud«e Joachimsen in $5000 bands on the cliai i-e of robbery. Paulsel! and a con- reoerate held up nve men inCarroll &Webbei's f aio-iooms, 620 Matxet stiei-t, In the emly inoi mug of February It*, and took nearly $5000 out of the safe. Faulsel! w;is chased nnd cap- luiect, but hts companion escaped. About $500 ot the stolen money, which was scattered on the street, was recovered. Important. Salvation Oil, tbe greatest cure ou earth tor pain, is only -sc. BULLS AND BEARS. May Wheat Takes a Sharp Decline. CONSIDERED A BIG TRAP. The Bears View the Fall Suspiciously. DEALS ARE MADE CAREFULLY. Partridge Suspected of Being at the Back of McGlauflin & Co in the Attempt to Corner. Another day of unrest has passed in the San Francisco Call Board Exchange. Bulls and bears in the pit are no longer brothers. Fraternal ralations for the first time since the big Dresbacb aeal have been ab- solutely laid upon the shelf, and in their stead suspicious glances, business looks and a general fear of one another prevail;;. May wheat, as told exclusively iv yes- terday's CALL, is the cause of all the ex- citement. The bulls, composed of the firm of L. W. McGlauflin & Co. and a dozen or more brokers in their employ, are in command, and although called by the "long" firm only a deal they practi- cally at the close of yesterday afternoon's session were in control of the situation and the owners of a corner on wheat. The balance of the members of the board form the bears, aud with very few exceptions are short ou May wheat, which for seven months past they have been sell- ing to tne bull firm without realizing until too late that their "spot" lor delivery would not cover their deals by about 80,000 tons. Now, within two months of delivery, May wheat lias gone up in many instances 10 and 12 cpnts higher than when sold and the "shorts" must be delivered or settlements of contracts made by May 2. To buy wheat to fill the "shorts" is out or the question. Not by this is it to be understood that there is a scarcity of wheat in the State, for on the contrary there is an abundance. The predicament in which the bears find themselves is that a greater portion of the contracts on May delivery that are now held by McGlauflin were .«old when May wheat was at a much lower figure on the board than it is liable to go again. Most of then contracts were bought at $1 01 to 81 05, and if the May delivery falls between now and May 2 be- low a much higher hguie than these pur- chase prices it will be a big surprise to the bulling firm and a considerable number of the bears. The sessions yesterday might well be called anxious one*. The amount of trade wp.s not voluminous, being for the entire three sessions only 0100 tons. Of this amount there is no way of telling how much was purchased by McGlauflin & Co., as the principal amount of their trading during tbe day was done through brokers. The deals of the principal bull himself and his partner, Kticene A. Bresse, gave no idea of their operatlona. One minute they were selling the other buying in an effort to get tbe "shorts" worked up to a bidding or selling heat. At the close of Monday afternoon's ses- sion May wheat was Si 13%, having been pushed up by the bull syndicate during the session to SI ir,!<4. At tho informal session at 10 o'clock yesterday May wheat opened at Si 11%, went to SI 13 and closed at SI 12*4. pbr cental. At tbe regular ses- sion, 11:15 a. Kh opening price 81 12%, closing $1 11%. At the 2 p. m. session, opening Sill's, highest Sill's, closing SI ll s /4. December. 11:15 A. m.. opened Si 11%. highest Si 11 r;. dosed $1 11*4. At 2p. m., opened SI 11 !4 highest SI 11%. close Si llVi. all per cental. Tbe Chicago market opened in May wheat 51% cents per bushel, closed tin',. New York, opened U% cents per bushel, closed 64. London, quoted 25s 6d per quarter. The situation at the present time is com- plicated. As yet the flurry is only local, but with a hanging on for a few days at yesterday's prices or a move ud ttie prices in other markets will be affected. Besides this it will tend to tighten the supply on hand in the country by giving an incen- tive to the farmers to hold on. As to who are the "shorts" much specu- lation Is indulged in. George W. McXear most positively denies that, to any consid- erable amount, he is behind. While he has sold a largo number of tons of May to McGlauflin &Co., which apparently makes him short, he says that he haa on hand almost, if not enough, "spot" to make his contracts good. Each operator on the board has the same story to tell, but there is an air of uneasiness over all. Who is behind tbe big bulline firm? is a question that is being asked in little groups that huddle together on the floor aud dis- cuss the matter between the sessions. It Is certain that some hidden hand is di- recting the manipulations and furnishing the capital for the squeeze by the firm. They themselves may have an interest in the deal, but not an exclusive one, itis be- lieved. Several names ere sunken of in this connection, among which is that of Chicago* Board of Trade King Part- rftlge, who for several weeks has been a visitor on tbe coast. To all appearances this would be errone- ous, for seldom, if ever, is the shrewd operator's face seen upon the floor. Yet notwithstanding this there are those who claim to have a knowledge of conferences between Mr. Pardridge and the head of the bulling firm. At yesterday's session the most com- posed figure present was L. W. McGlauf- lio. Never once during the brief momenta of their duration did he open or close a deal. With a paper in his hand, leaning against the wall, he satisfied himself with taking notes and occasionally indulging in a subdued whisper with his partner. Eugene A. Bresse. It was quite apparent that ttie intention of the firm was to let the market decline, thus giving a great incen- tive to the "shorts" to wake up aud get to trading. McGlauflin will tiy to hold tbe fort and keep the price where it is or higher until time for a settlement of his coutracts. When asked yesterday afternoon how lone he was booked for a bull he replied: "Just until itis time for a settlement of tbe contracts we hold." "Is it your intention to bull the market until time for delivery?" "Yes, sir, it is. We are in a position where we can do it, and we have not gone Into this deal without knowing where we stood. We have plenty of money to pay for every contract we buy on the spot In gold coin, and will do it if the time should come when it was demanded." "Are you in this deal on your own. ac- count or as a broker?" "1 have never claimed that our house was a brokerage one exclusively. If I see anything good lam going to take hold of it, aud I saw something good in this deal we are now engaged in." "Well, are you in it all foi yourself or are you brokering in part for some one else?" "Well, 1 don't mind telling you that there are others in tbe deal with us and that together we have an abundance of capital." "Who is in the deal with you?" "That is a leading question and I must refuse to answer." "To what price do you expect to see May wheat go before you settle your con- tracts?" "That is a very hard question t* answer, but I firmly believe that it will be over to-day's prices or I would not be buying." "What is your foundation for the belief that you have a sure thing on this deal?" "Because 1 believe in May wheat and not In freight rates, as was tbe case in the Dresbach deal." "What is your belief of the amount|you hold short?" "That is hard to tell, but I should say 80,000 tonß." "Have you a corner on the May sup- ply?" "I don't call it a corner. No. I call it a deal. What it willdevelop into later on I don't know. Of course I .believe we are practically in control of the May wheat market, and before we are through will make it warm for some who when selling 'sbori' to us thought they were getting the long end. We knew all along what we were doing, and the last two* days is but the beginning of an end that is to come." SCENE IN THE PRODUCE EXCHANGE. DOG AND COWARD Pet Phrases Banded Twixt Two Fencers. ANSOT INSULTS NAVARRO. The Italian Threatens to Send His Seconds. BUT INSTEAD WRITES A NOTE. He Challenges Ansot to Fight, but the Latter Says the Custom Is Obsolete Here. A blood red spot is visible over tbe horizon of the fencing world. Professor P. Navarro has threatened to fructify some green sward with the hot blood of Professor Tronchet, renowned as a fencer from Padua to Pasadena. Not satisfied, however, with slaking his tblist for blood by letting that of Tronchet, he is now after the gore of Professor Henri Ansot of the California Fencers' Club. The tension is something terrible, and unless the gentlemen meet soon their nervous system can never hold out. The trouble between Navarro and Tronchet occurred at a fencing bout in the Olympic Club, of which Ansot was a spectator. Ansot criticized the Italian freely — so much so that Navarro nuickly challenged him to a bout with the foil?. The two met at 1318 Van Ness avenue — the California Fencers' Club— on Monday night. The same thing happened as hi the Tronchet case ; Navarro refused to keep the distance of his thirty-six luches of steel, with the result that Ansot got mad and hustled bis adversary from the club. As be waltzed unwillingly into the cold night air Pro- fessor Navarro hissed : "I willsend my seconds to you, sir !" "We are in America now," responded the other cheerfully, "where duels are Dot allowed." Yesterday afternoon Ansot received the followingcartel by the prosaic and plebeian method of special delivery : Sir \u25a0. As you clearly refused my challenge, saying that we are iv America. 1will tell you thai, between a French leucing-master who forgot himself, Infilling a guest, and a gentle- iii v wbo ts refused tlie only reparation duo Him, there is ouiy oue thing left to do, aud that is to devote to you in tbis letter the name of coward. I*. Navarbo. The receipt of the missive caused all the hot Gallic blood of Ansot to boil. Quickly be seized his pen and indited the following answer: Sir : You promised to send your seconds to- day, and as 1have seen uobody yet my auswei 13 tliat you are a dog and a cur. H. Ansot. "What Navarro will do now itis hard to say," Ansot said to a reporter yesterday. "Navarro said be would send hia seconds. He shows bis ignorance of tbe polite art of dueling by communicating with me. Tbe oniy proper way to duel is to leave all the business to the seconds. My principal second is tbe ("unite Moreau de Bauviere, and he knows it. That letter is a direct breach of etiquette. If he wants to tight in Mexico I willacccmodate him. I can- not afford to go to France, and if we fight here we will be arrested." "Well, if Professor Navarro sends his seconds in the regular way what will be the result?" "Oh, tnen we'll arbitrate." "But supposing Professor Navarro won't arbitrate, what then?" '•AH. then we will fight." said Professor Ansot, and a determined look stoJe over his face. As to Navarro he says both Tronchot and Ansot are eaipet knights. He has no use for all their fancy thrust and parry business. He says be wants blood for the insult offered hi w, and that give him a fair field and no favors he would dye every blade of grass witbin an ell of the fight a deep crimson with their craven gore. Louis L. Tronchet. Henry Ansot. SHE MUST GIVE UP. A Sister Who Is Not Satisfied With Her Legacy. John J. Murphy, special administrator of t.*e estate of John Murphy, deceased, tiled a petition In tne Piobate Court yesterday, asking that Mrs. Honora McConnick, sister of the de ceased, be compelled to turn over some $4000, alleged to belong to the estate. It lappears that John Murphy died at St. Mary's Hospital ou February 4 last. He left an estate of the value of $25,000. The story N that three d:iys before Murphy died his sister, Mrs. McCormick. arrived here from Auburn. I'iacer County, to muse him. In some vvav she procured from him bank-books and other papers, estimated at the value or $4000. The administrator claims that Aiuruhy could not have intended to make bin sister a present of this mouey. asm his will he distributed tbe whole of his property, including that supposed to be tnlV!r<i. McCoimick's possession, to various relatives. Mrs. McConnick Is a legatee uuder tne will to the tune of $7000, but It is claimed that she desires to keepJhe f 4000 as well. Juiige Colley has iAed an order to show cause why Mrs. McCormick should not be com- pelled to account for this money so obtained from her brother. Weak Lungs are cruelly racked, aud tbe general strength gradually wasted by a persis- tent, deer-seated cough, which Dr.D. Jayne's Expectorant may be relied on to cure. You will derive certain benefit from it also IItrou- bled with euliei astlinia or bronchitis. THE MORNING CALL, SAN FRANCISCO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1594. 3