Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-05-02
FROM WASHINGTON.
A Crank Captures the Chair
of Mr.. Proctor.
UNCLE SANS CASH ACCOUNT
Ship Planking to be Admitted Free
of Duty-An Important Decl-
sion on Patents.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.
WASHINGTON, May Lacy, the newly
appointed Comptroller of Currency, for
mally assumed the duties Of that Office
to-day.
CRANK INTRUDER.
A crank walked into the office of the
Secretary of War to-day, and taking the
Secretary's chair opposite to Genera
Bennett, who is acting as Secretary, de.
dlared that he was Secretary of War
having been appointed by Cleveland
The officials humored the man who
busted himself in giving orders and dis.
charging the Appointment Clerk, until
police officers arrived and took him in
charge. He was identified as a man
named Baker, who had taken charge OF
the police headquarters, few days ago,
in similar informal manner.
SHIP PLANKING EXEMPTED.
The Treasury Department has decided
that the so called ship plankiDg imported
for use in the cons truction of American
vessels is entitled to free entry, notwith-
standing the fact that the importer is not
a shipbuilder, but merely an importer of
merchandise for sale.
UNCLE SANS CASH BALANCED.
The following is the debt Statement
Issued to-day: Interest bearing debt
Principal, 1908, 1928 ,602; interest, $6,547,
31S; total, 1910, 1920. Debt on which
interest has ceased since maturity: Prin-
cipal and interest, s2,OS6, 1892. Debt
bearing no interest, $3.50, 7S8, 755. Total
debt: Principal, 81 ,665 $40, 1l2; interest,
6,702, 495; total 1,672 ,O51 ,607. Total
debt, less available cash items,
$l,157, 2S2; items, $1,157. 2S2, $40 !;
net cash in Treasury, $50, 677, $50; debt,
less cash in Treasury, May 2, 1889,
81 ,101 zoe, 42S; debt, less cash in Treas
ury, April l., $1,114 ,6S3, 1858; decrease of
debt during the month, $83, 078 ,265; de-
crease OF debt since June 30, 1888,
$63, 979, 22S; total cash in Treasury, as
shown by Treasurer's general account,
$619,990,S1
AN IMPORTANT PATENT DECISION.
Commissioned Mitchell, of the Patent
Office, to-day rendered an important de-
cieion, in interference, in tbs case of Dan.
iels VS.. Morgan, which involves the ques-
ton of the right of a Patent Commissioner
to grant or not motion for the rehe airing
OF case finally disposed of by his prede-
cessor, excepting in cases of fraud, errors
in computation or discovery of new evil
dence. On March 300, Commissions Hall
awarded priority of invention to Morgan
and four Jays later, on a motion for re-
hearing, set the hearing for April 10th.
At that time it was fully understood by
him that his successor was to take
charge of the office April LIST. On April
10th the motion came up for hearing be-
fore Commissioner Mitchell, and counsel
for Morgan asked that it be dismissed,
as it asked for the rehearing of deci-
sion of the former Commissioner upon
the same facts and evidence upon which
the decision was based. The matter was
argued at length and taken under con-
sideration. Commissioner Mitchell now
rules that the duties OF the Commissioner
are in part of an administrative and in
part of judicial nature and, while the
rule limiting the right of an administra-
tive officer to review his predecessors
decisions may be applicable to him in an
administrative capacity, it is equally
clear that it 10 not binding upon him in
the discharge of his judicial duties. The
motion to dismiss the motion for rehear-
ing is, therefore, overruled.