Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-11-23
FRANCHISES IN CUBA
President Mckinley Thinks the Is
land Hurt by Refusing Them.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK REPORT.
A New Certificate Issued by Commissioner
Powderiey to Cattlemen Going Abroad
Yesterdays Offerings Of Bonds
to Treasury Department.

POwderiey to Catflemen Going ABROAD
Yesterdays Offerings Of Bonds
to Treasury Department
Washington, Nov. 17.-After careful
consideration of the subject the presi-
dent has decided to make no recon-
lnendations to congress at the approach
lag session touching the repeal OF the
legislation which had prevented the
granting of any franchises in Cuba.
The administration has become con-
vinced that much serious harm has
been worked to the best interests of
the island by this legislation and that
the attempts of the government of the
United States to forward the develop
ment OF the industries Of Cuba and adj
vance the condition OF the people have
been greatly hampered by the inhibi-
lion which prevents the building of
railroads or wharves, the construction
of bridges, of water and sewer conven-
iences and all that class of semi-public
works which give employment to many
persons both in construction and oper-
alton. The attitude of the administra-
ton officials in refusing to approve the
numerous applications for franchises
which have been made has exposed
them to severe criticism, based upon
the presumption that they were clothed
with discretionary powers in passing
upon them. This has been particularly
the case in regard to the Cuban cable
and telegraph system, problem
which confronted Secretary Alger soon
after the adjournment of congress
which passed the Foraker resolution
prohibiting the granting of franchises
in Cuba. The secretary was fully dis.
posed to allow competition in that line,
but his attention having been drawn
to the expressed intent of congress
the matter, after being discussed in
the cabinet, was referred to the at
torney general for his opinion. That
official at once decided that there was
no possibility of doubling the inten-
ton Of congress, and, therefore, the
president felt obliged to refuse to
allow any competition in telegraphs
and cables which involved the extern
sion Of granted right to the competing
parties, and directed Secretary Alger
to abide by the decision. 1t appears
that these facts must be laid before
at the approaching session,
though it is certain that the president
and Secretary Root will not feel it in
cumbent to do more than to let the
facts speak for themselves, and will re-
frain from making any recommended
tons on the subject.
REPORT ON YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK.
Washington, Nov. l7.-Acting Super
Wilcox, of the Yosemite ma
tional park, in his annual report rec
that the government buy out
the owners of the patented lands with
in the park limits to remove the great
source of trouble and destruction.
Other recommendations are the fixing
of penalties for violation OF the park
obtaining authority from
the state of California to esta blish
camp FOR troops within the Yosemite
valley for patrol purposes, a permanent
camp to be constructed at Wawona; a
systematic burning of fallen and dead
timber to prevent forest fires. and
some decisive action to prevent divert
ing the waters flowing into the park.
The report says the deer within this
government preserve are fairly plenti-
full and tame; bear, quail, squirrels and
trout are numerous and mountain
lions and lvnxes are in evidence.
CERTIFICATE FOR CATTLEMEN.
Washington, Nov. 17.-Commissioner
General Powderley, Of the immigration
bureau, has issued circular to all
officials interested TO the effect that
cattlemen sailing from points of the
United States must be examined at
ports Of departure and described in
form Of certificate which is mailed by
the examining officer to the United
States consul or consular agent at the
foreign port Of arrival, which certif-
cate is used by such officers to identify
such cattlemen upon their application
for return passage to the United States.
This certificate takes the place Of a
former one, the delivery of which to
cattlemen made it possible for him to
dispose of it to aliens who were not en-
titled to land in this country.
THE BOND OFFERINGS.
Washington, Nov. Ftp to the
hour of'closing the department yester-
day afternoon Secretary Gage had re-
ceived reports from three sub-treas-
uries on the offerings of bonds under
the secretary's offer of Wednesday.
These were New York, $780, 200; Bal
timore, $4,000, and Cincinnati, $2S, 700,
making total Of Ss,94l, 900. These
figures are rather higher than expected
by the officials, although they looked
for high offerings on the first day.