Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-25

The subcommittee on Notifications of the
House appropriations committee is making
thorough study of the question of Notifications
and coast defenses. They have an immense
amount OF literature on the subject and are go
ing over it carefully. The Tilden letter, urging
the necessity of coast defenses, will probably
not have much weight with the committee,
and they are likely to bring in bill much in
line with those that have been passed each year.
giving two three hundred thousand dollars
to keep the old Notifications in repair, instead
of appropriating seventy-fve or a hundred mil
lion, as the army engineers recommend.
General Forney, the chairman OF the sub
committee, expressed the opinion that there
would be no large appropriation for the fortifi-
cations this session. He said he did not think
there was any necessity for ii. The country
was in no danger; the moral force of fifty
not fortifications we needed now; it was guns.
There for fort without ordnance.
We could prevent any hostile vessel or fleet
from entering any of our rivers; we had guns
s snoussnS Soa,o yards snA s sss. could
The only thing he said was A that thes might
stand outside the harbor and shell New York,
or Boston, or Philadelphia. But the danger of
Smelling don't amount to nything," he said
81 was boy at the battle of Vera Cruz. We
poured shot and shell into the city for three days
and when we took the place. driving the Next
cans out, we could not see that any damage had
been done. The MeXicans got frightened.
Americans would never have given up the city.
saw. then that a good deal of bombarding
might be done without much damage"
ado you think we will get some new guns?"
Undoubtedly. We must have guns. We
shall probably start on ten and twelve-inch
guns and then get to making eighteen inch"
"Witl there be a government gun foundry eS-
tablished at WaShington?'' asked The STAR. -
'Oh, yes; 1 think 50. We must. We must
have some modern guns, he replied.
The nrOSDacfS that the foundry at the
Washington navy yard will be thoroughly
equipped for the mandatory of modern gum
for 1t, and the character of work that has been
done there already with the imperfect plant
they have. is quite astonishing, and has very
favorably impressed Congress-.
The President and the WOrkingmen.
HE SAYS THAT THE EIGHT-HoUR LAW SHOULD
BE ENFORCED TO THE LETTER.
At recent meeting of the committee on
labor of the House OF Representatives, state
ments were made that the spirit of the eight
hour law was being openly violated. ignored, or
evaded in certain of the government depart
ments, and Chairman O'Neill was empowered
to present to the House resolution of inquiry,
directed to the various Secretaries, asking in di-
rect terms whether the law was being enforced
by them. Pending the Introduction of the reSo-
luton Mr.. O'Neill sought an audience with the
President. which was granted Saturday after
noon, and lasted for over an hour On the
matter of the eght-hOur law the President
Said
II believe that the law is sound and good
one, and that it should be enforced to the letter
have no information regarding instances of
its violation or evasion, but if such instances
are presented to me will see that the abuse is
remedied and the full spirit of the law enforced.
which understand to be to pay men in the
government employ for eight hours work daily
what is paid outside of the government EN-
ploy for full days work. The government
cannot afford to set the example of non-en-
forcemenL and non-observance o. its own enact
ments." The President added: 81 appreciate
the effect upon the mechanics of the country
of the constantly increasing use of labor-saving
machinery, and can think of no more prac-
tical relief for the unemployed surplus labor
do not hesitate to say that am heartily in
| favor of any feasible plan for the encourage
ment and assistance, If need be, of prospective
American settlers upon the public domain by
the general government" The President then
expressed his views upon the subject of the
occupation of vast tracts OF public land by
foreign capitalists.