The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-02
CONGRESS STYLES.
Congress is in No Hurry to
Leave Washington.
In Spite of the Intense Heat it
Lingers On.
ARM0R PLATE FPATD.
ARMOR PLATE FRAUD.
Navy Department Scored Sue
cesses in Every Other Line

WASHINGTON, July g. Especial -
The man who knows it all has been tell
ing US for 10 days that this sort of weather
was all we needed to make the senate hur-
~ itself and all congressman anxious TO
get away. The weather has indeed beaten
the record, but the senate has been slower
than ever. Even In the senate chamber,
with tho fans going the mercury has
marked from IS to 81 on several occasions,
and in the shadiest places on Pennsylvania
avenue il has ranged from 80 to 80 and
back for five hours. AS natural result,
almost every ono who could be spared has
gone from the city, yet several noted inva-
lids have returned and in feeble way are
moving among us. Hon Jerry Simps y
who distinguished himself at Berkeley
Springs by gaining ID pounds in 10 days,
came into the house on the hottest day Of
the season but one and was received with
a literal storm of applause On his desk his
friend. Secretary Morton, had placed in
honor of his return about the finest array
Of flowers seen in the house this season
Mr.. Simpson remained but an hour or so,
recorded mis- vote ia favor Of the Hatch an
tioption bill and returned to Berkeley for
another week or two.
The Invn1ids.
General Henderson of Iowa has also re
appeared in the house, but his appearance
IS not very promising. He has suffered
much and long from the latest operation
made necessary by his old wound, and
grave doubt is admitted by his friends as
to whether no can regain strength here
sufficient for any service this term Major
Powell, late director OF the United States
geological survey. is gradually regaining
strength after the severe surgical operation
on the stump of his left arm Although
lie was under the surgeons knife nearly
three hours and lost flesh and strength rap
idly for several days after the shock, he
in forms his friends that the Or1nr1ffOr7
2 success and thinks he is recovering as
fast a. could be hoped He has suffered
much Of late years, but the indications
now are that he viii be entirely relieved
Tt is remarked thai there is much less seri-
GUS sickness among congressman and OIL
cials than there was in the early spring.
When this week opened, the family of
the secretary of war was the only one of
the higher official circle in the city, and
they Will go in a day or two to New York
and thence ut a later date to the seaside
The vice presidents family VIII pass the
early port ON OF the summer at Cape May,
while Mrs Olney viii 20 to New Hamp-
SHIRE Mrs. Hoke Smith to the Shenandoah
valley and Miss Morton, who does the So
cial honors for her father, the secretary Of
agriculture, viii go TO their home in Ne
braska for the season Mrs Carlisle, who
has returned from a cruise on the Maple,
viii probably remain with her husband
all summer, as the emergencies Of finance
will compel him to remain in or near
W'ashin 1tOn, but they expect to take many
short trips TO neighboring resorts Mrs
Gresham's latest conclusion also is to re-
main here most of the summer, she and
tho secretary of state taking their rest in
a short trip as occasion offers. General and
Mrs Schoicld. with many others not Of
official rank, viii 10 to Yellowstone park
for large portion Of the hot weather.
Remarkable ProjectiIes.
In the general breaking up caused by
the Wholesale discharges Of employees and
the transfer Of many army officers to dis
tant posts there is but one department. in
which ali is satisfaction, and that is the
navy Although the investigation into
the frauds practiced in the armor furnish
ed by Carnegie ~ 90. has developed some
very queer things, in every other line the
navy department has scored Successes Of
the most gratifying character. The last
trials at Indian Head developed a streDg
the new and old processes of preparing
plates which are almost incredible. An old
plate IL inches thick, of nickel and steel,
but not Harveyized- was the target, and
lib inch Carpenter prOjectile weighing
I. 100 pounds was fired directly through it
and through the wooden backing. Anoth-
er shot or the same size not only went
through the : inches of nickel and steel
and the backing but though the sand
butt and 300 yards into the woods beyond.
tflitkt AL WIS AOlHu almost As KOOu as new.
a Wheeler Sterling shell of the same di-
nensions was also fired through the plate.
The ordnance used was the 13 inch gun of (
the latest improved pattern, which has
been ironically christened the Peace I
maker" IL is claimed that in the ordinary
range Of n naval battle the sPeacemaker''
could drive these shells through the great
est battleslip owned by any foreign nation
Rather an expensive amusement too, as it /
is said to cost $500 for each shot.
Irrigation Tor Arid Lands.
Despite the intense heat of the last fort /
night prophecies OF q speedy adjournment |
arc not SO frequent as they were Several /
committees have taken on fresh activity, /
ana there really seems to be more pressing |
business before the house than month /
ago. The committee on irrigation of arid |
lands, after hesitatinR long, has at last con
scented 10 approve Adr- Sweets bill, and /
it has been reported to the house with rec
that tt pass. 1t approprfates I
1928, 600 for survey and estimate of tho 4
cost of reservoirs and canals in all the -
states and territories where reclamation is I
TO be possible on a large scale, the I
amount to be distributed among the IL I
Early in the session Chairman Cooper was /
very much opposed TO any action, and q 4
were with him, but they have 4
yielded to pressure to tine extent indicated /
After n long and diligcnt study Of the I
subject, having heard every body who advo- 4
Gated the scheme and received protests
from very many who opposed it, the com +
mittee on the District of Columbia IS in
clined TO favcr the general plan for COM
prehensive improvements. 1t involves a I
large issue q bonds-congress may put it as
low as S., 00O 600 or as high as SIS, OO0. 900 /
land. a great extension Of streets, with 4 4
at least CT the proposed boule-
ward. III chs plan be adopted in its present
form. the first section of the boulevard
viii be built along the north side of tho
city