The evening times., 1899-08-10
OFFICIALS ON VACATION
A Quiet Season i'm the Executive
Departments.
The Machinery of Government Nov
ing slowly and Little Important
Majority of the Bureau Chiefs of
the Navy Absent From the City.

Except for the activity prevailing al the
War Department in preparing for the
movement of troops to Manila, the ma
chinery OF government in Washington
moves very slowly now and little business
of Importance is being transacted. Many
OF the higher officials have left town for
long vacations. Not in many years have
SO many of the Governments chief func-
tionaries been absent from Washington,
and each week adds TO the list Of officials
of less prominence seeking recreation
The fact that official Washington had been
almost continuously on duty here for the
last eighteen months, is, in measure,
responsible for the exodus.
Word comes from Lake Champlain that
the President finds ii so agreeable in the
North that he and Mrs. Mckinley have de-
termined TO remain there until September
J. Secretary Roots visit, when plans were
consummated for a vigorous campaign in
the Philippines, renders the earlier return
of the President unnecessary, as, apart
from the military questions pending, there
are no subjects demanding immediate at
tention. Business in the departments has
become so systematized that il moves
along almost as wen WIN ALS NhACAo eibSCAh
as present and in charge. The summer
months tighten the labor of the bureaus.
and the absence of Congress prevents
heavy calls for information, which requires
the exclusive time of hundreds of men
and women TO furnish
Compared TO the excitement and rush of
last summer, the Navy Department is in a
state of tranquility and inactivity such
as ID has not enjoyed for ten years. There
Ia, ,b,fv = hn of+
tion of the navy outside Of the cruise OF
the North Atlantic Squadron along the
New England Coast, where time is diveded
between the summer resorts and target
practice at sea. The troubles in Central
and South America, which might have
given the service opportunity for some ae-
tiyity, have apparently disappeared, and,
save for the apprehension that some injury
may be done to American interests IN san
Domingo. there has been no occasion for
despatching warships south. The Secreta-
ry OF the Navy has gone North for six
weeks vacation and Will not return until
the middle of September. Practically all
the bureau chiefs are away.
Admiral Crowninshield is abroad, osten-
sibly inspecting naval stations, but is prob
ably devoting some attention to sightsee-
ing and other pleasures.
The legal head of the Navy Department
is also resting after year Of hard work,
and business in his department is now al
a standstill. The Ordnance Chief has for
gotten about guns and armor for the pres
ent and is deyoting his days TO pleasanter
things. Admiral Hichborn has gone 10 AT
lantic City for the month to avoid quar-
rels with the other members OF the Board
OF Construction and TO rest preparatory to
attacking designs for the new battleships
when they come up for consideration in
October.
Captain Bradford. the equipment officer
OF the navy, says that the navy has l00.-
600 tons OF coal on hand and he feels ht
can leave Washington for month witt
confidence that the service will be well sup
piled Admiral Melville, who gets intt
trouble with Admiral Hichobrn on man!
occasions, is in the city and says Wash.
ington is comfortable enough for hin
when all the other bureau chiefs are away
The War Department is not deserted Il
so great an extent and il is doubtful il
many Of the department heads can take
extended leave. owing to the enormous
amount of work involved in getting q
large army equipped and ready for trans
portation TO Manila. General Miles will
leave this weeek for York Harbor, after
several satisfactory interviews with the
new Secretary. The length of his stay viii
depend upon the manner in which his ad-
vice is treated by the new Secretary II
is thought Secretary Root will wish tc
consult him freely upon matters pertain
ing to army administration. For this rea-
son he viii probably take only a short va.
cation during the summer
Secretary Gage finds Chevy Chase suit.
ed to his taste will be the only Cabinet
officer who will not leave the city durinz
the summer. Practically all the othel
Cabinet members are either away or art
preparing TO go away. Not until the re.
turn OF the President will affairs in the