The times., 1897-04-11

As soon as he had climbed up, he cried
out TO me that a fire was coming; and
before he reached the ground the top OF
the tree was afire. We ran for clearing
and escaped injury No, 1t is not likely
that we shall plant pine trees, bot we may
in time, plant spruce ana some or The
hardwood trees In the German Empire
when man cuts down one tree lie must
plant another That is the law we
don't do things that way. We move too
rapidly To stop for tree planting when we
cut timber But there is not such danger
of the destruction Of the forests as people
think. When we first began to cut tim
Der in Michigan we thought the supply
would not last ten years. That was more
than quarter OF century ago
Gen. Anger told me he had determined
Just one question of policy in regard to
tie War Department before coming to
Washington.
II intend to make myself personally
familiar with everything in my depart
ment as soon as possible" he said. Il
don intend to have anythingin my charge
which don't know all about"
Are you familiar with the present sys-
TEN of coast defeuces?''
Reasonably familiar The whole theory
of coast defence has changed since the
war We have learned that no masonry
would stop shot from modern gun, and
the forts which were under construction
then were aban doned. shall have to make
q study of the new system and shall do
it as early as is practicable, visiting Sandy
Hook with competent experts and study
ing the whole matter thoroughly 1 have
been looking over the Blue Book, and | see
that the river and harbor improvement
work keeps very large number of men
busy. L shall have to give a great deal of
thought and atten ton to that matter, 1
suppose"
Are you familiar with the proposed i'm
crease in the army, and the battalion for
nation which Congress has had under con-
sideration?''
..In d general way only. 1 shall have to
look into it further before expressing an
opinion. AS / said, the policy of the de-
partment is to be determined when [ have
made myself familiar u-ithits work"
Gen Aleer was too busy before March a
to give much time or thought to depart
ment affairs Before he left Detroit he
had to acknowledge the receipt of $500
letters and kilograms Of congratulation.
He had great deal of other special
mail, some of ii relating 10 affairs.
Although the patronage of his depart
ment does not include more than three OF
four places, he has had more than 5000
letters asking for his influence in getting
appointments in other departments. Since
he took charge Of the department. he has
TO civ Dl
tion to all this correspondence, Mr.. Mason
his private secretary, sifts out what is
personal and submits it to the Secretary,
but other mail is answered formally in his
name If he tried to answer personally
ali the letters he receives, the Secretary
Of War would have no time for anything
else. AS it is, the dictation of letters
and conferences with public men " ho call
to see him consume the major part OF
his time His visitors are not all men W iIo
come on public business Gen. Alger has
had for many years "a wide acquaintance
among public men, and all his old friends
in Washington have called to congratulate
him on his appointment.
Secretary Alger has taken the home OF
eX-SecretaTy Lamont and he expects tt
live there through this Administration. 1t
is q plain, substantial, ,old-fashioned, double
brick house, painted yellow. 1t faces La
fayette Square and, across the square, the
Executive Mansion, 1t is near Corcorau
House, the home of the Brices, which it is
reported Mr., Hanna will take 1t is q
modest house compared with the one in
which Secretary Alger lives in Detroit.
His Detroit home is near the business CEN
ter of the city, and only one square from
the Wabash Railroad station. He prefers
to live near the center Of activity, and
his fine house stands opposite the site Of
the first house in which he lived when he
came to Detroit.
Gen. Alger has his wife and daughter
with him. He is expected to entertain
handsomely. III fact, with SO many
wealthy men associated with the new
Administration, Washington society is
looking forward to four very gay win
ters; and not the least share of its re-
| lance is placed in Secretary Alger.
GEORGE GRANTHAM Balm.