The evening times., 1899-03-17
GENERAL aWAS1INGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

VIII Putnam Acceptable was stated
at the Congressional Library today that
there was &tilH some doubt as to Herbert
Putnam's accepting the Librarianship. Il
hardly think tKat the President would have
appointed Mr.. Putnam" said an official of
the Library today" without some assur-
ance that he would accept but his silence
is quite reHlarkable He should have come
on to Washington before this / have
heard that Mr.. Putnam was negotiating
with the Boston people to have his salary
raised to $1,000. If this is done, l pre-
sumo that Mr. Putnam will find some pre-
text for declining the Presidents tender of
80, 900 position.
Governor PinEree's Party.-The Buff
falo convention which is to launch new
party on the sea of politics will, II is un-
derstood, be under the exclusive control
of Governor Hazen S. Pingree, OF Michi-
gan. The idea originated with Pingree
and it has for it's object the nomination OF
Pingree for President. No name has been
selected for, the new organization and 1t Is
suggested that it take the name OF its
founder Politicians in Washington are
only taking languid interest in the move
ment. Judging from the list of names
attached to the call for the Buffalo con-
vention, said an official today, Il should
say that Pingree had rounded up good
share OF the cranks belonging to both the
old pafties. Think of Atgeld Eugene v.
Debs, Pettigrewi and Carl Schurz sitting
together on the same platform. II Pingree
can corral all Of the political cTanks of the
country he will be entitled to the ever
lasting gratitude of both Republicans and
Democrats. He would be really rendering
his country service"
Chicago Mayoralty Fight.-The
mayoralty contest in Chicago this spring
| is attracting general attention. The result
may have some bearing on the Presidential
campaign next year. The Republicans
have nominated prominent business man
| by the name of Carter. Mr.. Carter is un-
known politically, but this is rot always
a handicap. The Democrats yesterday re-
nominated Chicago's present mayor, Car
ter Harrison. Mayor Harrison has been
suspected of cherishing an ambition TO dis
place Mr.. Bryan as the Democratic stand
ard bearer next year. If he should be re-
elected mayor OF Chicago by an increased
majority it is believed that his friends will
go to work in earnest to groom him for
the Presidential race. Harrison went to
New York during the last mayoralty cam
paign in that city and spoke for Mayor Van
/ Wyck. The latter can hardly do less now
than to return the compliment by going
out TO Chicago and make speech for Har-
rison. In view of Tamany's attitude to-
ward Mr.. Bryan and other Democratic
| leaders. it is said that Van WyclSs appear
ance in the Chicago contest might do May
or Harrison more harm than good. The
election Will take place early in April.
Industrial lCommfssion--It is under
stood that the Industrial Commits
sion willf shortly begin an investigation
of trusts, with a view of suggesting some
legislation to Congress upon the subject
The Commission" said one of the Com
missioners today. . is not hostile to trusts:
that is. we are not going at this enquiry
with the sole object of smashing trusts.
What We viii try 10 do is to investigate
the subject impartialIy and hear both sides.
II may be that trusts are in some re-
spects beneficial If so, they should to
that extent at least be protected. The
trust problem is a most serious one. In
my opinion, IL is the gravest question that
confronts the American people today.
Since the 1st of January, this year. over a
billion dollars of capital have gone into
trusts. Very few people can comprehend
the magnitude of a billion dollars-one
thousand millions. AT the present rate the
entire business of the country will be un-
der the control of trusts in very short
| time
If We do not settle this problem now in
some satisfactory way the chances are that
there will be tremendous uprising by the
I! people which may endanger the safety OF
| the Republic. We will complete our in
| vestigation OF the subject in time 10 make
full report to Congress next December.
| believe that there should be some lesis-
lation looking to checking the enormous
power of trusts. In my judgment the
Presidential campaign next year Will prob
ably be decided on the trust issue. II is
! likely to overshadow every other question,
not excepting expansion. The people are
more stirred up ever this matter than
some Of our political leaders imagine