The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-07
High Authorities Claim It Cannot Be
Done After Peace is Declared,
PROMOTION FOR DR., BRANSf0R0
Captain Lamb Introduces a Bill to
Make Him Surgeon in the Navy.
The Memorial Bridge Well
Thought Of Norfolk Navy
Yard Men After Over
time Pay.

w lO-Nr ItNb O-DB'NthAs
Chairman Hull of the House Military
Affairs Committee expects to get the
army bill ready In time to report 1T to-
morrow. He will ask that the regular
army be increased to a total OK lOo'vO
men. | am reliably Informed that 1t is
hoped to raise the strength Of the army
to IA. 900 before the matter is finally set
tied To hold down the opposition to
the big army increase threats are being
made that 1t will be necessary to hold
the volunteers in the service indefinitely.
On the other hand it is promised that IL
the congressman will be good and give
their consent to the increase each member
shall have the appointment OF two sec
ond lieutenants in the regular army.
This would mean an increase OF between
200 and 500 second lieutenants.
1t is not apparent just yet now TINS
bait will take. but the developments OF
the next few days will doubtless show It's
effect
CAN'T HOLD VOLUNTEERS.
With regard to holding the men con-
siderable difference of opinion exists.
The enlistment was for two years or
during the war with Spain. or course
the war continues technically until peace
Is proclaimed by the two nations. IL Is
claimed by high authorities in botn par
ties that after peace is formally declared
the President is without authority 10 re-
tain the volunteers I'm the service. Seha-
tor Foraker was quoted some weeks ago
at some length on this point In a news
paper interview
HOW MANY ARE NEEDED.
REPRESENTATIVE Hay to-day made an et-
fort to introduce a resolution OF INQUIRY
as To what towns In the Islands OF Porto
Rico. Cuba and the philippines VIII re-
ot,ire TO be garrisoned by soldiers OF the
United states; how many soldiers will
no reouired FOR the service; and how
many soldiers will be required for the
United states proper. Objection was
made TO the present consideration OF the
resolution by Mr.. Hopkins, OF lliihois'
so Mr.. Hay will have TO try again
TO PROMOTE DIR. BRANSFORD.
Representative Lamb to-day introduced
q hill to authorize the President 10 ap-
noint Passed Assistant Surgeon John r.
Bransford. u. s. N, a surgeon In the
navy OF the United States, and tnen place
him on the retired list. IL IS set foF,h
that this will not cause an increase IN
the active list nor do injustice 10 any
other officers by placing him before theni.
DR.. Bransford lives In Chesterheld
countv Va. near Richmond He was ap-
pointed assistant surgeon in the navy
lime 26 1872. and resigned in 1890. Last
March he volunteered for the war with
Spain and was appointed acting assistant
surgeon on MAY 4th, and passed assistant
surgeon September 2lst His services on
the converted yacht Gloucester was
recently told In The Times. For his
valor and disregard of danger in the line
of duty and voluntary service at the
guns and on watch duty, DR.. Bransford
was especially mentioned by Lieutenant
Commander Wainwright I'm his reports
of the service i'm the Cuban campaign,
including the remarkable fight Of July
3D. I'm which the Gloucester sank the
two Spanish destroyers.
THE MEMORIAL BRIDGE.
Some months ago Representative Rixey
introduced a bill Ito provide for the con-
struction OF a memorial bridge across
the Potomac river from Washington to
Fort Myer and the National cemetery at
Arlington" In his last two reports Sec
retary Alger has earnestly urged that
the bridge be built. This morning the
Committee on Interstate Commerce gave
a hearing, and Mr.. Rixey accompanied
by delegation from Alexandria and
the District of Columbia, presented the
case The members of the committee
seemed 10 regard the proposition with
favor and an early and favorable report
of bill, with possibly one or two amend
ments. is confidently expected.
WORKED OVERTIME.
Representative Wise has petition from
employees of the navy yard at Norfolk
setting forth that they cheerfuly worked
overtime during the war with SPAIN add
ing several hours TO daily legal require
ments and also Sundays, and asking that
they be paid for their extra service Just
as is done by private concerns. He has
presented the petition to Secretary Long
and expects to get n bill through Con-
gress this session to pay them.
REPEAL PART OF REVENUE LAW
Representative Otey to-day introduced
bill to repeal sections TO 26. Inclusive
and section y OF the war revenue law
and to direct the Secretary or the Treas
ury to redeem all stamps sold and not
cancelled. without discount.
Major Otey introduced other bills for
the payment Of war claims. as follows:
r. +. Vaughan. East Radford. Va 1915:
r. w. Donnelly, Roanoke, Va. sl.6i2. 20;
heirs OF Mrs. Lilly =. Douglass. formerly
OF Madison county Ala. s9753.7j. and
W r. Pefater $3.50.
Representative Llnney introduced a
bill TO establish a term of the Circuit
Court Of the United States for the East
ern District OF North Carolina for the
cities Of Newberne ana Elizabeth City.
The Court of Claims has reported to
the House on the claim OF James Duncan
for s. SSs for property taken in Fauquier
county. Va, during the civil war. that no
payment has ever been made.
SWANSON BROWN CONTEST.
Representative Walker, or Virginia,
chairman OF Elections Committee No, 2.
is expected TO return TO the city this
week. and an effort will then be made
10 have the contest OF Brown for Swan
SONS seat taken up. Mr.. Swanson does
not seem to bs in the least apprehensive
over the result
The Civil Service Commission was un-
able TO hold tie examination scheduled
70 be held at Chester. Pa, Saturday. for
the position Of stenographer-typewri
hecanse there were no applicants.
The commission announces that here
after there will be but one examination
IN stenography and typcwriting., for an
h~,robas of the service whether At WaSfs'