Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-22
TODAY AT THE CAPITOL.
The New Navy and Other Topics Be-
fore the Committees.

Secretary Tracy, Admiral Shufeldt and Capt
Davis of the navy outlined their views upon the
policy that should govern this Congress in
the work of building up the navy before the
Senate committee on naval affairs this morn
ing. The Secretary's remarks were in
accord with the recommendations con-
tanned in his annual report. He
advocated the building of eight line-of-battle
ships at a cost OF S5,000.000 each. This
would give us feet with which We could meet
the navies OF other powers in offensive warfare
The steel building works OF this country were
In position to supply all the material needed
for these ships within six years. Admiral Shu-
feldt argued against the utility OF the monitor
type of vessels for modern warfare and Capt
Davis took issue with him.
CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIVE BILL.
The ways and means committee made some
technical amendments in the customs admins
trative bill this morning and will make an
effort to, secure its consideration in the House
as early as possibie-probabiy today.
THE HOUSE RESTAURANT CONTEST SETTLED
The House committee on public lands has
settled the hot contest for the proprietorship of
the House restaurant. There were fifteen as
pirants in the field. They awarded the prize to
Mr.. Robert p. Emerson OF Michigan.
NEW YoRK's WORLDS FAIR PETITION
The Vice President this morning laid before
the Senate the petition of the New York legis-
lature asking that the exposition Of '92 be 10
Gated in New York city.
AGAINST CUBAN NEGOTIATIONS WITH SPAIN
The Senate committee on foreign relations
today ordered an adverse report to be made on
the Call resolution requesting the President
to open negotions with Spain for the purpose
of inducing that governmest to consent 10 the
establishment OF u republic in Cuba.
MAI. PowELLs IRRIaArIoN PLAN.
The Senate select committee OH irrigation
and reclamation of arid lands held an extended
session last evening to hear Maj. Powell, the
director of the United States geological survey.
Maj. Powell made long statement, during
which he explained, by the aid of maps, the
drainage areas of the arid region, the artesian
well districts and localities ami at some length
elucidated his views on local irrigation districts
III connection with the drainage areas of the
region. The major read to the committee
quite a lengthy bill drafted by him, which pro-
vides for topographic and photographic sur
vey of the arid region for the segregation of
the same into irrigable, pastoral and timber
lands, the two latter to remain the property of
the United States for use by the people of irri-
CATION districts. The bill provides for federal
control over interstate waters and the forma-
ton Of water districts under the control of the
states and territories.
THE SENATE AND THE WORLDS FAIR.
As soon as the speeches recently made before
the committee are IN type, Senator Hiscock
will call meeting of the Senate quadro-cen-
tennial committee and endeavor to get a
worlds fair bill before the Senate as soon as
possible.
SENATE POSTMASTER APPOINTED
Mr.. Stanley PIummer of Maine has been ap-
pointed Senate postmaster to fill the vacancy
caused by the resignation of Mr.. Ellsworth
Wood.
NOTES.
The House committee on accounts today
agreed to report a resolution to the House pro-
viding for the following additional employees
for the House document room: An index clerk
assistant file clerk. a laborer and page
This increase of force Is made Necessary be-