The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1898-02-10
washington Letter.


tween America and Europe beugn Quite
a number of well informed persons are
disposed to regard the partial shutting
out of American fruit and the threatened
shutting out of American horses by Germ
any as the first blow in that war. The
administration, however, does not take
that view of it. 1t is rather inclined to
treat the matter lightly pending an inves-
tigation, which is being made. Congress
is disposed to treat it more seriously, the
senate having adopted resolution call
ing upon the department of State for in
formation. The total value of all the
American fruit sent to Germany has not
in single year exceeded 81 100000 but
the outlook for increasing it very largely
was considered very promising before the
German government began to hamper it.
The trade in American horses In Germany,
although comparatively new has already
grown to large proportions, and is rapid
ly growing. This government is slow to
believe that Germany is actuated by a
spirit OF retaliation, but should it be con-
WINGED by It's investigation, it will speed
lily show that retaliation is a two handed
game.
There is said to be difference of
opinion between President McKinly and
Speaker Reed as to the advisability Of
the house passing financial bill at this
session. Mr.. Reed thinks the voting
down Of the Teller resolution by the house
was sufficient to put the party on record
against silver, and that it would be wiser
to have the house finish up the regular
business of the session and adjourn as
soon as possible, than to have the financial
debate that would be necessary to put
through financial bill along the line re-
commended by the presidents message !;
While Mr.. Mckinley thinks that it would
be better for his party to further empha-
size its position by having the house pass
financial bill. Although some persons
are predicting that this difference of
opinion will lead to trouble, the chances
are that it will not. Mr.. Reeds position
is endorsed by the strongest men of his
rarty in the house, and the chances are
that he will have his way, and that the
president will not insist upon having
bill passed.
The house committee on labor has
fsvorably reported bill amending the
eight hour law In such way that it can
be enforced (for various reasons. princi-
pally lack Of jurisdiction, the law has
only been enforced in spots, and no where
very rigidly) TO the house, and will try to
get the bill voted upon.
1t is now known that Jerry Simpsons
speech about the London label in Repre-
sentative Dingley's hat which that gentle
man said was put there by the American
maker to catch the dudes who were will
ing to pay extra for anything labeled
London, was prompted by representative
Hepburn, of Iowa, who never looses an
opportunity for a joke. He accidentally
saw label in the hat and told Jerry to
be sure to make a speech about it. He
did, and now some Of the republican
members are expressing fear that the
London label in Mr. Dingley's hat will be
heard from oftener than his explanation,
especially in the rural portions of their
districts.
Instead of being offended at the numer-
GUS jokes that are told about the auto
oro%1o V,oouDor IN x7kioh b1o r,,re EI1o bo,,eo
Speaker Reed is constantly adding to
them. His latest was gotten off in a
street car on Representatives Hicks, who
was absent when the house voted on the
Teller resolution. Mr.. Reed was in the
car when Mr.. Hicks came in. AS soon as
he saw him, the speaker said clicks,
come here" and when Mr.. Hicks stood
before him, he continued, using the tone
Of an irate school master clicks, you
didn't come to school last Monday after
noon. Have you brought an excuse from
your mother?" The joke was so apparent
that everybody in the car, including a
number of congressman, joined in the
shout of laughter that followed, and Mr..
Hicks forgot to answer the question.
Commissioner Evans, of the pension
bureau, has the courage of his conviction
as shown by his attack on the present
system of medical examination of ap-
plicants for pensions and of pensioners, oi
which he said: the examining boards are
extensive, inefficient, and swayed by
political and local influences. There ought
to be only one corps Of examining physi.
clans and surgeons that would travel from
one state to another at advertised times
to examine old soldiers. Then they would
not be swayed by local likes and dislikes
as they are now, nor by the congressman
as the local boards are now" AS an ex.
ample of the kind of work done by these
boards, Mr.. Evans cited the case of an
old soldier that he personally took to
Philadelphia and had examined by four
boards, no one of them knowing that he
was to go before the other. They each
rated him differently, the ratings running
from nothing up to 1924 month. Asked
whether there would be fight If he tried
to get the present system abolished, Mr.
Evans replied: "Well, guess there
would. Congress as a whole would sit
down on the idea so quick it would make
my head swim and only congress could
bring this change"
| ----
Adolph Luetgert, the sausage maker
who has been on trial at Chicago for the
murder of his wife, was found guilty O
murder Wednesday and was sentenced tt