Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-27
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS
A Petition for Money to Complete a Kind
Of Air Ship.
A Defect Discovered in the Medical
BiIl-0ther Measures of Local
Interest.

James Selden Cowden, who Is a resident
of Virginia, and a sojourner in Washing
ton, made his appearance anew as petit
toner to Congress today. He has hereto
fore asked the national legislature 10 lend
its ear and It's sid TO many original pro-
jects, such the construction of great
canals, dykes, jettes, railroads end such
enterprises, and he has always shown a
conmendable desire TO give progress
slight push Gnd hurry her along. Today
the assistance Of Congress was invoked
for tho perfection of flying machine.
The petition. which was presented ard
read at length by Nr. PETER, is ~ folsoxs:
ITO the Congress Of the United Stztes:
Your undersigned petitioner would most
respectfully apply to your honorable body
for such financial encouragement as you
may deem appropriate in the development
of his plan Of navigating the air upon the
than upon the principle Of i've bird in
the air. Your petitioner would further
stGte that he Is financially unable to per-
feet his invention, but with, say, $1,000
ard four months time, he can construct an
airsh.p that will move through the air at
the will Of the OPERATOR and not other|fse,
when finally perfected. Your petitioner
would still further ask this confidence and
consideration at your hands in view OF the
fact that the Congress Of the United States
did appropriate the sum Of 5000 for the
development Of the Morse system OF the
magnetic telegraph. And he will
pray"
The petition was referred TO the commit
tee on the library. 1t IL not ieemed prob
ebie that favorable action will be taken
before consult alton is had with Profe essor
Langley, whore work on the problem OF
aerial navigation has progressed to the
point where success seems to he within
reach. 1t may be that Mr. Langley, in
whom Congressman. as rule, have great
confidence. has certain views as to the
practicability OF constructing the sirship
on the lines of a live fish in the water"
that II will be worth while hearing before
any money is given to Ar. Cowden.
TO Incrcase Letter Carriers Pay.
Senator Mitchell of Oregon today made
a favorable report from the committee on
post Offices and post roads on The bill to in
crease the pay Of letter carriers In cities
OF over 1900 population. 1t provides that
for the first year of service the rate shall
be 5000; second year, $500; third year.
HoGo: fourth year, Sl,2o3. It is TO take ell
feet June 80.
Defect fn the Medical Bill.
It will he necessary to withdraw the Dis
trct medical bill from the President and re-
submit it to the conference committee. 1t
has been discovered that by gn error an
amendment was left in the bill which the
This was the amendment exempting the
students Of medical colleges now enrolled
from paying the examination fee required
of all others. 1t was not the intention Of
the conference committee to make this ex-
emption and the change will be made.
To Investigate Dismissnls.
Mr.. Low has introduced resolution IN
the House providing that committee of
five members shall be appointed by the
,,-hn 1,,f, = han h1- 6irSt To
investigate and report generally to next
session of the Congress all the material
facts and circumstances connected with
the removal. reduction and resignation of
chiefs of division, clerks and employees
of every grade since March 4, 1893, in The
departments Of the Treasury and Interior,
and in the various Offices under the said
departments; to investigate and report
generally all the material facts and cir
cum stances connected with employees ap-
pointed to Office in either the said de-
partments, or in the various Offices "nder
cit her said departments, since March 4,
the appointment of such employees during
said period without civil service eNamina-
ton, ard which are now included within
the executive orders of the President eX-
tending the civil service regulations.
The Gas Bill Conference.
The conferees on the gas bill were unable
to agree Yesterday afternoon and further
Senate representatives are stubborn in hold
ing out for the sliding scale of reductions
covering a period of five years, while the
members Of the House on the conference
are equally irsistent upon the adoption Of
the House bill fixing the rate al 81 thous-
and. 1t is possible that compromise may
be reached whereby the sliding scale shall
operate over period of three years instead
OF five, starting at S1.1o.
To Amend the Liqnor Law.
Senator Mcmillan today introduced bill
to amend tie local liquor laws. prepared
by the District Commissioners, modifying
the existing statutes in the following par
ticuars: To increase the rate of license for
bar rooms from $500 to $500 per annun
and for wholesale leala-s from $3.50 to
$3.50; to license local brewers and to make
local brewers and agents selling in The Dis
trict the products of breweries located out
side of the District liza ble 10 payment of a
license as such.
The Commissioners, in their letter of
transmittal, say that the first provision,
raising the license fee, is recommended by
a ma iority of the board.
~O----
SECRETARY LAMoNT,s LETTER,