The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-08
MEN WHO PROFIT by WAR.
Washington Crowded with People
Who Have Things to Sell to Uncle
Sam.
From the New York Sun.


From the New York Sun.
Washington, April 3.-"Gee whiz! To
hear these fellows talk, you'd think war
was coming in fourteen mlnutes"
Republican statesman In the confidence
of President Mckinley nodded toward a
group in the Riggs House this afternoon
and uttered this remark in snappy tones.
The group was made up of industrious and
energetic citizens who are here to sell I'M
Gle Sam anything from a ship to a gimlet
For a number of weeks Washington has
been besieged by these people They are
arriving by every train. 1t is believed that
the week at hand is to be the most exclt-
ing one i'm Washington In thirty years. T he
enterprising citizens with things TO sell 10
the government tumble over each other In
the corridors of the hotels. They Iostle
statesmen at the Arlington, Shoreham,
Chamberlins, and Wizards, and lnfest
the navy and war departments. Contrac-
tors camp followers, and suffers are every
where. In numbers they are like briga-
der generals after the war. The capital
of some is represented by hundred-dollar
bill Behind others there are millions. Up
to date only the hotels have been benefit
ed. All landlords are serene and placid.
They look comfortable. There isn't a fur
rowed brow in the lot. The enterprlsiag
and industrious citizens with ships and
coal mines and pork to sell 10 the govern
ment are expectant. AT times they are
anxious This Is when a peace wave is
over Washington. This is invariably fol-
lowed by war wave, and then the enter
prisng and industrious ones are almost
as calm and wholesome-looking as the
landlords. Not quite, of course, but pretty
nearly so. The landlords are sure winners
now. The other fellows are still both
cred by hopes. 1t is all very interesting
to those not familiar with the excellent
rules of commerce and trade
One group of energetic citizens Is almost
violently assertive that should occasion
require, it can contract to furnish our
army and navy with the meatiest and fat.
test pork ever slaughtered. Another group,
while perhaps not so violent, Is .neverthe-
less equally positive in it's assertions that
fu the event of a brush with the dons, IL
can provide the government with the stur-
diest flour, cornmeal and oats ever miled
or grown. So it goes on all day long from
early morning TO far into the night. In
cidentally more or less grog is drunk
Sometimes IL is hot apple toddy and at
others 1t is cold apple toddy. Some OF, the
gentlemen who are here TO aid the govern
ment in the event of fight, prefer en-
sings, and not a few are partial 10 brandy
smashes. There is a sort of patriotism,
though, among the majority, and they
stick TO good old American rye. It may
not be uninteresting to give in detail few
of the commodities and products, other
than ships and coal mines and provisions
and gimIets the energetic citizen would
like to sell to the government should hos
tilities break out. Here they are: Boots
and shoes. anchors, avis, shoestrlngs,
horses. mules, wagons and wagon wheels,
tents. knives and forks. spoons, kettles
stoves, lanterns, tin cups and cans. blan-
kets. flannel. liniments, soap, cloth for ma
rine and infantry uniforms, revolvers, all
cohol. coffee, condensed milk, bareback,
rome and Irvine, shovels. picks and axes.
And not q few folks are here who have
for sale projectiles, torpedoes and arms
and ammunition of the most destructive
and deadly character. on week days the
Senate and House restaurants are throng-
ed with the representatives or
manufacturers and other bust
ness men Of all degrees
and station. foreign and home bred. They
represent. more than anything else. the
tireless energy incident to business COM
petition and the almost limitless resources
of the United States. 4