New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16
IN AND OUT OF CONGRESS-.
EIGHT NEW WARSHIPS TO BE READY
BY JULY /.
CALIFoRNIANs URGING RIVER AND HARBOR M
MISREPRESENTATION SEEKING PAT
ENT Observation-Disclosures DING
LEY FAvORS MONETARY
CONFERENCE.-THE SLACK

CASE UP AGAIN.
Washington Feb. l5-According TO progress re-
ports made to The Navy Department with reference
to the condition of naval vessels now under con-
struct.on there Is a strong probability that eight
new warships will be ready for service by July !.
These are the battle-ships Massachusetts, and Ore
gon sisters of the Indiana. now in commission; tho
coast-defence vessels Monadnock, Puritan and
Terror and the gunboats Nashville. Wilmington and
| Helena The Monadnock Is almos; compete. and
will be placed in commission IN a few weeks The
Terror is within per cent OF completion. and the
Massachusetts within per cent. OF the others. the
percentages of work done are "a for the Nashville:
Wilmington and Helena IS for The Oregon, ana ~
each Of the other vessels now being built follows:
Cruiser Brooklyn. 70 per cent; baiue-ship Iowa; 81:
No. 10. 81 FIVE other gunboais less Than o. x sub
less than g. steam tug No. o. 20
The committee room OF Representative Loud. OF
California was the scene this morning OF an en-
thusast!c meeting OF about dozen Caliornians
All the members OF the California delegation In
Congress- including the two Senators were present.
as were also H. j. Corcoran. Of Stockton: william
Johnston Of CORTLAND: DR.. J. T. Mclean. OF Ala
media: f. McGettingen. OF Vallejo; W. T. Golfer. Of
San Jose, and Mr.. Greaves. OF Redding. The six
men named the delegation selected at a conven-
ton called IN California in December to seek Gov
eminent aid In inA proving the Sacramento and San
joaquin rivers and their tributaries as well as the
harbors Of San Francisco, Oakland and Vallejo
1t Is the intention. II possible to secure appropra
tons for building jetties and dredging nc rivers
by the United States engineers. The meeting this
morning held to talk over the alton. and TO
a hearing is given the Californians by the River
and Harbor Committee OF the House
The Speaker laid before the House to-day COM
muncat,on from Secretary Herbert requesting an
appropration OF 1000 to enable the Navy Depart
ment to test methods of throwing high explosives
from guns on board ship with ordinary velocties
| In recommending the allowance Secretary Herbert
savs that II is desirable to safe method OF
throwing large charges OF high explosives carrying
safely the necessary decorating compound. az me
obs have been presented he says which only be
tested under special authority.
The Sneaker laid before the House to-day an esu-
mate of appropriation OF 100000 submitted by tho
Secretary of the Interior necessary to continue
the survey Of the lands Of the five civilized tribes
In Indian Territory.
A communication was received by the House to-
day from Secretary Morton requesting the allow
ancc Of a director In chief OF scientific bureaus
and Investigations" with a salary OF sCVo a year
The House Committee on Rivers and Harbors to-.
day heard a delegation from ST. Louis in support
of a bin authorizing ]. NJ. Mason and W. NJ Samuel
and their associates to improve the channel OF the
Mississippi River between st. Louis and Nicksburg
Miss, the work to be paid for by the Government
Mr. Samuel explained the Importance OF the work
to business interests and guaranteed TO maintain
navigable chanel throughout the year between the
| points named II not his purpose to interfere
| with the work for the permanent Improvement OF
the river which he regarded as OF the greatest I'M
portance. Lloyd G. Harris. representing the Lum-
| bermen's Exchange and Nathan Cole, representing
the citizens OF ST. Louis. Endorsed what Mt Samuel
said and urged the committee to consider the propo
OF 100000 year to reimburse the company Tor us
work.
| Daniel Drawbaugh and his representatives, were
before the Senate Committee on Patents to-day ad-
vocatng the passage OF a bill which will enable him
| TO 20 before the Patent ONCE and prosecute his
claim for telephone patent from which he has been
debarred by reason of the finding OF the fatent
Office that his invention was In use for more than
two years before his application was ned Draw
| baugh contends that 1t was only IN use as an ex
detrimental affair and not commercially, as required
hv The law His alleged invention IL similar to those
| on which the Berner patents. now In the supreme
Court, are based
| Chairman Dingey of the House Ways ana Means
| Committee believes that before this Congress ad-
iourns a resolution will be adopted inviting the lead
tho countries OF Europe TO send delegates TO another
| International conference. looking to an agreement
fora larger Of silver. He thinks that the senti-
oart n ong the German and English people in favor
~ an international agreement Is stronger now than
II has been in the past and he believes II not I'M
III DIV mai those countries. well as others In Con
,inentfa Europe, will accept the invitation OF the
n.ed states If Congress enacts the necessary lesis
| laton.
The Slack case came up again to-day In peti-
| 49, ~ Judge Hagner to modify his recent order per-
,,,,,q Mrs Slack to see her children two hours
nach day. The petition was refused by the court
-, ,ho original order stands. The Court also over
,.a n,ea by Mrs Stacks counsel that the decision
- Sew-Jersey Court in her favor should be SO
applied her children is 80 ,s e OF Mrs
oi pcih nrovided In the viii of their father and on
si h,h; ne Court had decided against Mrs Slack
| tDos,naetor-General Wilson has denied the prvi-
| 49,, r,aus 10 the Nine Marion Toilet Ar.
80, the Toilet Manufacturing Company inc
81, .rt company ana the Nine, Caroline Marion
Art school Of brooklyn n T home eoh butt after
vertHed 10 CIV. Tai,ed 10 keep its contract.