Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-22
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria GaEetta.
WASHINGTON, Nov. %.

between the contractors for the moni-
tors Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida
and Wyoming and the Naval Board of
Construction to determine the feasibil-
ity of increasing the size Of those YES
sells within the limit of cost fixed by
Congress. The four companies held a
meeting in New York last Saturday
and pooled their interests for the pur-
pose of making the government pay
high price for the proposed changes.
This was met to-day by warning from
the Secretary of the Navy that the con-
tracts for the original vessels which
have not yet been commenced will be
snnulled altogether unless the builders
came to terms and recommendation
will be made to Congress for an inyes-
tieation of what is termed the ship
builders conspiracy with view of pre-
venting them from bidding upon subse-
ouent nationalsvessels. To-day's meet
log was marked by acrimonious debate
and unsavory charges were freely made
by naval officials, but no defuite de.
cision was reached. The contractors
are the SCOTS, of San Francisco, Lewis
Nixon, of Elizabeth, n. j., the New
port News Company and the Bath Iron
Works.
Capt. VIM. S. Hodges of Co. D, Dis
trict of Columbia volunteers, to-day in
his examination by Col. DENLY of the
war investigating commission, testified
as follows regarding the sickness and
death of Sergeant Dobson: "Dobson
was so anxious TO march home with
the regiment that he made every effort
possible to conceal his condition, and
even went so far as to request that
telegram be sent to his mother inform
ing her that he was not seriously sick
and in no danger. He burst into tears
when told that be must go to the hos
pital. There was q difficulty in procur-
ing an ambulance to take him to the
hospital, and usually orders for ambu-
lsnces had to wait from "a to is hours.
There was confusion in the hospitals,
as no record was sent there. Captain
Hodges spent whole day looking for
man and did not find him. The sur
geons, however, always sent slip Of
paper indicating the malady. The
captain thought that either DR.. Pyles
or DR.. Cox should have given the GER
ifcate. Captain Hodges also explain
I'd how DR.. Cox happened to mark
Dobsou for daty. 1t was a mistake,
and il occurred because Dobson was
not reported sick on that day. Capt.
Hodges discovered the mistake and
had ii corrected, and Dobson was
marked quarters" His name had not
previously bsen on the sick report.
Congressman Berry, of Kentucky,
says that Coin" Harvey, appointed to
get subscriptions to conduct the cam
paign of 1900, is meeting with great
success. Col. Berry says that the plan
OF raising dollar a month from demo
Gratis until the close of the next presi
Dental campaign will accumulate a
large sum. The money as fast as re
ceived is sent to trust company, and
not dollar can BIO taken out except
upon the order of Senator Jones, of Ar
kansas, chairman of the national demo.
cratic committee; Senator Allen. of Ne
braska; Ex-Gov. Stone, of Missouri,
aud Senator Teller, of Colorado. ave
will need money for organization"
said Col. Berry, land it will be neces-
sary to have a considerable campaign
fuud with which to fight Mark Hanna
two years hence" Col. Berry is posi-
tive that the democrats will wage a
very determined contest. He thinks
Bryan will undoubtedly be the nomi-
nee for President in 1900 and that the
party has splendid chance for victory.
People from Fairfax county, Virginia,
here today say that when the dirt road
from the Aqueduct bridge to Alexan-
iria, which is hoped will become Mt.
Vernon Avenue, shall be completed,
their county will be asked to build
Straight road from the south end of the
electric railroad bridge across Hunting
creek to Mt. Vernon, and that then
Washington street liz Alexandria will be
extended to the North end of Huntir g
creek bridge, so that there will be
continuous smooth road from Washing
ton to Mt. Vernon. Messrs. Clements,
Henderson and Hume OF Alexandria
county are urging the secretary of War
10 recommend TO Congress an appro-
priation for q bridge across the Poto-
mac, at Arlington. If they succeed
Mt Vernon Avenue will be assured.
A large government hospital has now
been established st Fort Myer near
Arlington, the old cavalry riding school
building being used for that purpose,
to which sick soldiers from the South
ern camps are being sent 10 large mum
bers, about four hundred being already
there. It is also proposed that large
cavalry force be stationed there, and,
for the convenience of that fort and
hospital it is said bridge at Arlington
will be necessary.
a meeting of some of tine property
owners aud other promoters OF Alexan-
dria county, Va, was held here this
evening to consider the proposition to
bond the county for the improvement
of the roads therein.
On Christmas Day Rear Admirol George
D ,wey will become the ranking officer of the
United States navy, bsiug next in line of
prom )tiou to Rear Admiral Francis NJ Bunce,
whose retirement was announced to-day.
Andrew Carnegie was among the Pres-
dents visitors to-day. He said upon leaving
the White House that he was opposed to
holding any distant possessions by this coun-
try. Il believe" he continued, that we
should continue the policy that has made this
the greatest nation on earth, and I believe
that no nation is good enough to govern an
other and no man is good enough TO own sn.
other. I hope if anybody in the Philippines
tries to shoot down the natives that the ma
tives will shoot them down." When asked as
to Englapd's experience, he said Englands
weakness was in her colonies, In India, he
said, 10000 men were constantly required