The Mena star., 1899-07-06
BANKS IF TIE COUNTRY.
Comptroller Dawes Desires the Con- dition of All Financial Institu-
 tions on a Single Date.
GAGE AND ALGER SOMEWHAT HOSTILE.
The Recent Political Move of the Secretary of War Emphasizes the AntagonIsm of the Secretary of the Treasury Little Doubt That Secretary Aiger Win Re- sign-The Twelfth Census.

Doubt That Secretary Alger Win Re-
 sIgn-The Twelfth Census.
 
 Washington, July 4.-Comptroller Dawes had special reasons for the date fixed for the last call upon the na- tional banks for the report of their condition. He fixed the date at June 50 because it is the close of the fiscal year and because he has made an ap- peal to the officers of the banking de- partments in all the states to obtain their reports for the same date. He thus hopes to be able to present a bird's-eye view of the exact banking condition of the country, national banks, state and private banks and loan and trust companies. on single date. This has not been done in any previ- ous report by the comptroller. The summer report last year on the part of the national banks was called for on July 14 and for 1S97 on July 23. The spring report was made earlier this year than usual and nearly three months have elapsed since the date on which it was fixed. Comptroller Dawes began his correspondence with the state banking officials soon after com pleting his last annual report. He found a cordial welcome for his propo- sitions from most of the state officials, and one or two even wrote him volun- teering support when they heard of his plans. Reports have been printed from the state and private banks in the annual report of the comptroller for a number of years, but they have been for various dates, scattered through the spring, summer and autumn. They have not been without value, since they have afforded gen eral indication of the banking condi- tion of the country during the year, but their value will be greatly in- creased, in the opinion of financial students, by having them all for the same date. The consent of the officials in the states having large state and private banks to the adoption of a uni form date for the reports has been given in every case. and it will be possible in the comptroller's report for 1899 to compare directly the relations between the state and the national banks and the deposits of the state banks in the national institutions.
 Gage and Aiger Somewhat Hostile.
 Washington, July 4.-The presidents tact and graciousness are drawn upon severely to maintain apparently agree able relations in his cabinet. Between Secretary Gage and Secretary Alger there exists a feeling of strong and growing hostility. To the friends of either it is not concealed. The two secretaries have always been somewhat antagonistic. They have taken op- posite sides on many questions be- fore the cabinet. Their dislike for each other has been matter of growth. But the recent political move of Secre- tary Alger has emphasized the un- friendliness. There is little doubt that Secretary Alger will go The only question, seemingly, is whether the change shall take place shortly or shall be held mp until the annual reports of the war department are completed and handed in. Gen. Alger's friends insist that he ought in justice to himself to remain in the cabinet until these re- ports are made
 The Twelfth Census.
 Washington, July 4.-The average increase in the population in the United States for each decade since the first census has been about 12, 900, 900, but Director Merriam estimates that the twelfth census will show an increase of not over 10000, 900. He places the population for 1900, in round numbers, at 72, 900, 900. The slight falling off is undoubtedly due to the restriction of immigration. It is expected that all the volumes of the twelfth census, save a few dealing with special lines of in- vestigation, will be ready for distribu- tion within three years from the be- ginning of the work in the field. The cost of the next census, it is estimated, will run up into the neighborhood of csn nnn
 The largest war tax paid by one concern at one time since the en-