Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-06
CAPITOL TOPICS.
Fertilization Estimates.

The Speaker laid before the House today
communication from the Secretary Of
War submitting additional estimates Of
appropriations for armament of fortifica-
tons, $4,000, and for Watervliet arsenal
West Troy, n. Y, $500.
For n Public Building.
A subcommittee of the House committee
on public buildings today decided unani-
mously to report favorably a bill introduced
by Mr.. Leisenring of Pennsylvania for a
public building at wilkesbarre, Pa The
bill was amended by reducing the amount
appropriated to $4,000.
A Favorable Report.
The House committee on the judiciary TO-
day voted to report favorably the Senate
bill TO withdraw from the Supreme Court
jurisdiction of all criminal cases but those
involving capital punishment, and to con-
Ter 1t on the circuit courts Of appeals.
National Homes for Volunteers
The Speaker laid before the House TODAY
the annual report of the inspector general
OF an inspection of the several branches of
the national nome for disabled volunteer
soldiers. The financial affairs are found tn
be in satisfactory condition, a considera Die
surplus remaining at the end of the wear
he average number of members cared for
curing Inc past year was lS. AZ which the
report says, nearly equals The combined
strength of our infantry and artillery ,rhe
hummer OF persons cared for has Increased
al the average rate of 192 per wear and
,he institutions are, in consequence. great
ly overcroWded
Many of the inmates at the time of in
spection were. sleeping on floors, in attics
and Easements. and places not originally
lntendec Tor sleeping purposes a system
oI outdoor reEef is recommended, the cost
of such relief to not exceed the amount
expended upon actual inmates Of the in
Stitutions-
Disbursements to Agricultural Col.
leges.
lie secretary of the Interior today trans
mitted to Congress a report of the dis
bursementS made under the act to annlv
portion of the proceeds of TIE pubiic
lands to the endowment and support of
colleges for the benefit of agriculture and
the mechanic arts. The states and terri
tories are now entitled to receive the sew
enth instaliment of sd 900. The total sum
d:sDursad Tor this purpose last year was
81 It's HsJ.
Guns and Gun Carriarcs.
Inc subcommittee on Notifications of the
house appropriations committee devoted
two hours today to conference with Col
Bliss, who appeared as the REPRESENTATIVE
Of Secretary Lamont. Much of the discps-
son hinged upon the question of providing
Tor all the appurtenances of guns when the
suns are built Col. Bliss explained that
the department has not yet been able TO
secure satisfactory Carriages for the To-
inch guns, suitable carriages for and 10
inch guns having been found only recently.
The best carriages for Finch guns now
obtainabie work only within an arc of 10
degrees.
The department might use the he;.v,
gun lifts. but these are very costly, and
Col. Bliss predicted that practical car
uyt1 will -;tk,;
arc will be constructed within a wear or
two.
In the meantime, he recommended the
government should proceed with the build
ing OF guns ana provide carriages after
ward, particularly as carriages can he
made in a much shorter time than guns
This was the policy followed in getting
up the eight and twelve-inch guns