The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1899-08-31
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER

Although largely increased expendi-
lures will be necessary to keep the army
up to 100000 men Secretary Gage is
confident that no trouble will be found |
in providing the money. The treasury
cash balance amounts TO $l74,0OO,OOO |
above the gold reserve, and receipts are
almost meeting the expenditures. lie
does not think an issue OF bonds will be |
needed.
The treasury bureau Of statistics has
issued a map showing the need of an
Isthmian canal to accommodate the
commerce Of the United States. 1t
shows especially the routes followed by !
steamships in commerce between east
ern and southern ports OF the United
States and OF Central AMI South
America and the western coasts Of this
country. The United States now has
less than 10 per cent Of the trade OF the
Pacific coast OF South America
Twelve . inch Sims-Dudley dyua-
mite guns and ammunition are being
loaded for transportation to Manila 10y
way OF the Suez canal Lieut. Buchey
who is in charge, has been ordered,
while on his way to Manila, to inspect
the mountain batteries used by Eng
land, France and Holland in similar
native warfare.
Commissioner OF immigration Pow
DERBY has finally decided that Mrs J.
M Todd, British subject, who is now
in the San Francisco pest house suffer
ing from leprosy, shall be sent back to
the Hawaiian islands and confined in
the leper colony there.
When the post Office department
moves into its new building on Penn
sylvaniu avenue next month It's present
quarters will be transferred to the gen
eral land Office and the Indian bureau
But rs there is no available appropria-
ton for the expenses ot the transfer
those departments are not likely to
move until spring.
Indian Commissioner Jones has re-
placed a number OF women superinten-
dents OF Indian schools by men, reduc-
ing the position OF woman. lie thinks
the work OF superintendent to arduous
for a woman, rs it includes supervision
Of the farming, herding of cattle, gar
den work and all the details Of the man.
agement. There are now but eight
women occupying such positions.
War department officials are much
pleased with the success which has at
tended the organization OF the Porto
Rican battalion of United States volun-
teers, which is the first and so far the
only one OF the kind in the United
States army. The officers are Ameri-
cans, and gay the natives promise to
make excellent soldiers
The quartermaster's department is re-
fitting three OF the largest army traut-
ports used in the West Indies for use in
transporting the new regiments to Ma
Mia. They will be fitted with metallic
folding hunks, three in tier, with
shower baths and reirigeratng appa-
ratus for coll storage. There will be n
hospital with an operating room, isola-
ton ward and diet kitchen. Two e.
pound rapid-hro guns will I've mounted
forward on the spar deck and two aft
One OF the first matters that will oc-
cupy congress will be the proposed re-
vision OF the rules in order to restore to
the members OF the house much OF the
powers now held by the speaker. 1t is
likely that the committee On rules will
be enlarged to seven members, chosen
by the majority, and that the old rule
will be adopted requiring the speaker
to recognize the member first claiming
the n lor. Mr.. Henderson iayors the
changes.
A rise Of two cents per pound in the
price Of beef during the last two weeks,
although the prices paid farmers for
cattle are about the same as last year,
has created q general demand in the
cities Tor some action to break up the
so-called "cattle trust This combi-
nation of the packers with headquar-
tiers, though not in form a trust, ye, is
able 10y contracts with the mllrol Is TO