The Press., 1898-02-10
wmahlnms0n Letter.
Washington, Feb. [, lssA

Has the predicted industrial war be- tween America and Europe beugnT Quite a number of well informed persons are to regard the partial shutting out of American fruit and the threatened out of American horses by Germ any as the first blow in that war. The however, does not take that view of 1t. It is rather inclined to treat the matter lightly pending an inves- tigation, which Is being made. Congress Is dispoeed to treat it more seriously, the senate having adopted a 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 a single year exceeded $1 ,0O0, 900, but the outlook for increasing 1t very largely was considered very promising before the German government began to hamper 1t. 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 1t be con- vinced by It's Investigation, 1t will speed- fly show that retaliation Is a two handed game.
 There Is said to be a difference of opinion between President MoKinly and Speaker Reed as to the advisability of the house passing financial bill at this session. Mir. Reed thinks the voting do,.yv, S1S tha TalIar rao0l,,tIon hv tho housa was sufficient to put the party on record against silver, and that 1t 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 a financial bill along the line re- commended by the presidents message; While Mir. Mckinley thinks that 1t would be better for his party to further empha- size its position by having the house pass a financial bill. Although some persons are predicting that this difference of opinion will lead to trouble, the chances are that 1t will not. Mir. 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 favorably reported 6 bill amending the eight hour law in such a 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.
 It is now known that Jerry Simpsons speech about the London label in Repre- sentative Dlngley'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 joke. He accidentally saw label in the hat and told Jerry to go and look at 1t, knowing that he would be sure to make a speech about 1t. He did, and now some of the republican members are expressing fear that the London label in Mir 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- ous jokes that are told about the auto- cratic manner in which he runs the house, Speaker Reed is constantly adding to them. Ills latest was gotten of in a street car on Representatives Hicks, who wAs absent when the house voted on the Teller resolution. Mir. Reed was in the car when MT. Hicks came in. As soon as he saw him, the speaker said: Hicks, come here," and when Mir. Hicks stood before him, he continued, using the tone of an irate school master Hicks, 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 Mir
 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, of 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, Mir. 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 $24 a month. Asked
 whether there would be fight If he tried to get the present system abolished, Mir.
 Evans replied: Well, I guess there
 would. Congress as a whole would sit down on the idea so quick it would mak e 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 oi