Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-08-21
News From Washington.

currency for the week ending to- day, amounts
to S445, 500; shipments of fractional currency
S736,S93; notes, S5O5, 574; the treasurer
holds in trust as security for national bank
circulation, 363, 1885, 300 and for public de-
posts, Sl5, 69l, 500.
The internal revenue receipts to-day were
$780, 9l, and for the fiscal year to date 1921, =
gl6,5Gl: outstanding bank circulation $780,
S16,9l9.
The subscriptions to the new loan to day
were 1866, 900, and the full amount of sub
scriptions to date are SO, 600, 900; the balance
in the treasury at the close of business to-day
| was as follows: Coin, 800, 07G 900; currency
S4,524 600; certificates, l8,924.OO0.
Inspectors Report of the Westfield Elk.
plOsiOn.
The board of inspectors appointed by Sec
rotary Boutwell, to inquire into the cause of
the Westfield explosion have made report
in which they exculpate inspector Mathews
from all blame, and recommend that each
steamer have on board supervising engine er
and captain.
The explosion in our opinion was caused
by defective sheet in the lower side of the
boiler in which was flaw, portion of which
no doubt existed at the time of the construc-
ton of the boiler, and could not have been
discovered by an internal inspection. We
believe that the explosion was produced by
pressure not much in excess of ~ pounds
Robinson, the engineer, was guilty of direct
and wiltul violation of the law in carrying
more steam than the inspectors certificate
allowed, and as Superintendent BREASTED had
the responsibility of employing all hands,
including the engineer, it is but right that he
should share the responsibility of the explo-
sion with the eng ineer. In view of the above
facts we would suggest that no person be
hired for position as engineer that cannot
write, and in order to insure strict conformi-
~ to the requirements CT inspectors cirtii-
Gates in reference to the amount of work
ing pressure allowed, the responsibility we
think should be on the engineer in charge
and that carrying steam in excess of that
by law to be sufficient cause for revocation of
his license, and on each vessel propelled in
whole, or in part by steam, carrying passen-
gers, there should be one individual held re-
sponsihle as master, and not as in cases of
our various ferries, one name appearing as
master of all boats of the company As re-
CARDS material in the construction of marine
boilers, we think that ample provision has
been made for the future in steamboat law
| approved February 2Sth, 1871.
Secretary Boutwell, has issued circular to
collectors of customs and inspectors of steam
vessels, relative to the PRONUNCIATION of the
act of Congress relative to steam vessels, and
the rules and regulations adopted by the
board of supervising inspectors, in which the
department takes occasion to enoin upon
| collectors and inspectors, the importance of
| requiring prompt and strict compliance with
all provisions of the act of Congress, and the
| rules and regulations now to be promulg gated
upon the part of all concerned. the said act
| and rules being in full force and effect. AT
tention is also called to section so, of the act
| of July 2Sth, 1870, requiring every steamer
| carrying passengers to be supplied with at
least two copied of the act, and the necessity
of early supplying such steamers Herewith
Supervising inspectors are directed to issue
such instructions to their respective local
| boards they may deem necessary to secure
prompt enforcement of all provisions of the
| new steamboat law, and the rules and regu-
lations adopted in accordance Herewith A
circular has also been issued to supervising
and local inspectors of steam vessels, an
nouncing that the department is now supply
ing local inspectors with bound copies OF
blank certificates for masters, mates and
engineers of inferior grades, and proper in
structions are given concerning the new Sc
ries of licenses thereto. Druggists and pro-
prietors of soda fountains, who manufacture
raspberry and ether syrups for their own foun-
tains only, and who do not sell or offer for
sale, or remove for the consumption of such
syrups, are not, in the opinion of the com
missioner of Internal Revenue required to
| stamp them.