The Mena star., 1899-06-22

Washington, June 21.-The presi- dents plans for putting into service the 5000 provisional troops author ized by congress have been definitely formed. At the war department pre- liminary arrangements are being made so that when the order is given the plans may be executed quickly. These preliminaries are all dependent upon an 'if." Heads of department bu- reaus say that the president has not yet determined that the 35.- 900 will be needed The presi- dents plans contemplate no call upon governors for state troops. They don't look to the acceptance of tenders of state organizations. These provi- sional regiments are to be organized with careful disregard of state lines. State pride and local associations are very we'll when large army is to be raised and when patriotism runs high. But on this occasion, if the president concludes to make up the remainder of the provisionals, the desire is to en- list the regiments as much after the methods of the regular army as possi- ble. When he decides that the time has come the president will announce the names of men selected for officers of the new regiments, from colonels down to captains. Colonels and lieuten- ant colonels, majors and captains will be scattered so that the officers of a single regiment will represent several states. The officers will proceed to re- cruit their regiments, and the regi- ments will be made up of men so scattered that there will be no identif- cation of the organizations with any locality.
 The Taxation Of Ar,nS4 Canteens.
 Washington, June 21.--It is improb- able that the war department will ac- cept as final the decision of the Penn sylvania state court declaring that the army canteen is subject to state taxa ton. The officer in charge of the can teen at Camp Meade appealed to the war department for assistance for defending the case, and the department. approving of his application, trans mitted it to the department of justice with the request that an officer of that department be assigned for the pur- pose. 1t is believed that the decision was rendered before the defense could be prepared. The principle involved is regarded as important, and it is sig nifcant that the Pennsylvania deci- sion is directly in conflict with the formal opinion of the court of claims in the case involving the canteen. That court decided that the canteen was ''one of the instrumentalities of gov ernment" and therefore exempt from taxation.
 Explosion at Fort PicEens.
 Washington, June 21.-Secretary Long has received a dispatch from Capt. Reisinger, commandant of the Pensa- cola, Fla, navy yard, which says: Fire and heavy explosion at Fort Piel1ens Have sent fire apparatus and working force to assist.n Fort Pickens is one of the defenses in Pensacola harbor Forts Baronicas and Warning ton being the others. Batteries H and l., First artillery, are stationed at Baronicas and Picl1ens. Later advices stated that one of the old-style maga- zines exploded. One man was killed and four others badly injured. The loss will reach S75, 000
 No Colonial Census.
 Washington, June 21.-Director of the Census Merriam says the census of Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines will not be undertaken unless specific authority for the work is granted by the next congress. The census act as passed. aside from the United States proper, provided only for taking the census of Alaska and Hawaii.