The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-27
War Department Officials Pleased at the
Rapid Progress Being Made.
FULL STRENGTH OF THE ARMY.
Mana-The m Santiago
Comptroller of the Currencv-General Wood Uncertain
AboutR Remaining n Army-New Commander
forP OF Princpe-Tcsmony
Befor the Inc dus Conn

Before the Indus
Washington, June 24.-Brigadier Cen
eral Leonard Wood, commanding the
department OF Santiago, was at the
war department today.
Speaking of the outbreak of yellow
fever in Santiago, General Wood says
he has a cable from Captain Gilmore
explaining that the cases originated IN
what is called the Army and Navy
bar" a liquor place of bad repute in
the slums, which it has been found
necessary to close several times. This
place was started and named by some
Americans and is the resort for the sea-
faring men and women from the north
coast of South America, and the is
lands of the Caribbean sea. The SOL
diers stricken with the fever had been
frequenting this place, and the belief
is that they became infected from some
of the persons they met there. Gen
eral Wood says it is sometimes impos-
silbe TO tell where the fever comes
from.
When asked as to the prospects Of
his leaving the army, General Wood
remarked that nothing definite had
leave the army in time of war;" he re-
marked. He has received several al
Turing business offers, including the
presidency of the Washington Traction
and Electric Company, of this city.
AS to the presidents alleged desire
that he remain in charge of Santiago,
he said he did not discuss that subject
with the president to any extent
General Wood expressed a wish to be
present at the reunion Of his Rough Rid
ers, but said his time was too much
occupied to allow him that pleasure.
REPORT ON FIRE AT PENSACOLA
NAVAL STATION.
Lieutenant B. s. Neuman, command
ing the marine battalion at the naval
station at Pensacola, Fla, has for
warded a report to Acting Secretary
Allen on the assistance rendered by the
battalion in the recent fire at Fort
Pickens. He praises the celebrity with
which they responded to the call and
the admirable steadiness which they
maintained throughout the fire while
subjected to intense heat from the burn
ing debris. Had it not been for this
detachment, says Lieutenant Neuman,
the fire would have gained great head
way aud much government property
would have been lost, as this was the
only adequate stream on the fire. He
specially mentions the work of Passed
Assistant Engineer Price and Mr..
Chambers, electrical engineer of the
navy yard. In forwarding this report
Commander Reisinger takes occasion
to express his appreciation of the work
of this detachment
ORDER AS TO TRANSPORTATION
OF SICK SOLDIERS REVOKED.
An order of the war department Of
last August relating to the furloughs
and transportation of sick and wound
ed soldiers to their homes has been re-
voked. The order was issued to meet
exigencies in the transportation OF vol
unteers who were without proper pa
pers and detached from their COM
mands.
A RESIGNATION.
Lawrence o. Murray, deputy control
Ter of the currency, has resigned his
position and will leave for New York
tomorrow to enter the services OF the
newly formed Trust Company of Amer
lea.
TO COMMAND PUERTO PRINCIPE.
Colonel Edward Moale, Fifteenth in
fantry, has been assigned to command
the department of Puerto Principe,
Cuba, relieving Colonel Louis II. Car
penter, Fifth cavalry, who has been or
dered to join his regiment. When Coll
onel Carpenter was assigned TO the de-
partment he was a brigadier general
tered out.
ARMY RECRUITING sATIsFAC-
TORY.
Rercl uiting officials at the war de-
partment say the work is progressing
with pleasing rapidfty. Recruits have
been received at the rate OF 1000 per
week for the past three weeks. and
there are now at San Francisco about
5000 recruits awaiting transportation TO
old soldiers, and the others are being
rapidly drilled and broken in. The ar
my is now practically recruited UP to
its legal maximum OF $1,000 men. but
it is understood that the recruiting at
the present rate will be kept up for
some time, or al least till the depart
ment receives further advices from
General Otis.
THE INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION.
There were two witnesses before the
industrial commission today-A. C..
True, director of the office OF expert
ment stations, and George X. Holmes,
a statistical export, both Of the depart
ment of agriculture.
Dr. True advocated the government
employment Of travelling professors for
the benefit OF farmers institutes, and
advised instructions, especially in rural
schools. as preparation for agricultural
instruction. The movement for agricui-
tural education in the United States.
ne said, Is only part of a worldwide
movement. including Egypt and Tur-
key. He pointed ont that all this meant
competition for the trade of the world.
Mr.. Holmes submitted detailed statis-
tics and showed the average per capita
earnings of farm laborers was 1927.
without board, against 1927 paid to per-
sons in domestic service, $427 to miners
and $445 in the mechanical arts. He