Gilpin observer., 1899-06-01
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
AND DEPARTMENT NEWS.


Of the volume is given to facts con.
cerning the rivers of the West, partic-
ularly those used in irrigation. The
Missouri river and tributaries In Mon.
tana and Wyoming are described and
figures of the available water inserted
A large number of measurements OF
the head waters of the Platte river in
Colorado were also given, and the inn
pOrtance Of its stream to the develop
ment of Nebraska shown. In u similar
way the Arkansas river is described
and data bearing upon the great prob
lem of interstate water placed on rec
ord. the Kansas farmers claiming that
irrigators in Colorado were taking the
water which belongs to them. Similar
conditions are shown to exist on the
Rio Grande, the waters of which are
not only claimed by Colorado and New
Mexico. but also by the Republic of
Mexico, giving rise to an important
International contention.
Washington scientists predict that
compressed air is going to be the mo-
tive power for automobiles in prefer
ence to electricity, gasoline or any 9TH
err method, and there are already sever
al patents pending which apply COM
pressed air to wagons, buggies, car.
riages, cabs. bicycles and other We
hicles, as well as street cars. A promi-
nent western manufacturing concern
has designed simple, inexpensive and
apparently effective method of moving
n vehicle by means of n tank of COM
pressed air concealed under the seat,
and promises to supply the attachment
to any vehicle at cost not greater
than $40. 1t does not propose to man
ufacture the vehicles themselves, but
is getting ready to furnish the tanks
and the necessary apparatus to car
riage and wagon builders at cost not
greater than the sum named. 1t is so
arranged that it can be applied
to any vehicle at slight expense
The tank of compressed air can be
taken out and refilled or another sub
stituted in two or three minutes, and it
is proposed to furnish tanks, filled
with compressed air, by express or
through bicycle dealers. carriage deal
ers or ordinary grocers. Pumping sta
tions will be established at convenient
intervals, at which empty tanks can be
exchanged or refilled. and for an emer-
gency pump will be attached to every
vehicle as a wrench is now, which in a
pressed air to carry the vehicle three or
four miles to the nearest pumping or
tank station. The ordinary tank will
contain sufficient force to carry 1t fifty
miles.
The Post says: General Otis has in
formed the War Department that he
will be satisfied If the army under his
be kept at maximum Of
10000. The President will give him
this number. The situation in the
Philippines was the subject Of an ex-
tended conference to-day between the
President and Adjutant General Cor
bin. In view Of the more or less alarm
ing reports which have been sent to
the United States from Manila, 1t Is
important to know that the President
does not share in the anxiety which
these dispatches have nearly created.
General Otis has kept in close touch
with the authorities here, and II he
was in tight position, which the
press reports seem to indicate, 1t is
felt that he would not hesitate about
making his dilemma known. On the
contrary. the advices received from
him show that he is not in need of a
largely increased army. lie has cabled
that press reports Of activity Of the in
surgents south of Manila have been
greatly exaggerated, and he thinks 30,-
600 men will be ample to meet all re-
quirements. The present strength of
the army in the Philippines, including
volunteers who are still in the service,
is 10000. When the volunteers return,
some 24OOO regulars will remain. or
5000 less than the number estimated
as necessary by General Otis. The re.
Inducements now en- route to Manila.
or under orders to depart, will bring
the total regulars up TO the required
figure, but as there will be consider
able loss through sickness 1t is pro-
posed to decrease the companies now
stationed in garrisons in this country
to the minimum and Increase the com
panies in the Philippines to the maxi
mum.
A newspaper correspondent speaking
of the revenues of the government
says: The monthly report of the con-
dition of the government finances,
which will be issued from the treasury
tomorrow. will show unprecedented
prosperity. The revenues from all
sources exceed the expectation of the
HloSt ShHSulue. luty ~ ItE
cent. greater than the estimate submit
ted to Congress. and 1t is uusally the
other way. The receipts from import
dues under the Dingley tariff laws are
considerably In excess of the predic-
tions made by their author when he
was trying to get votes for the bill in
the House of Representatives. and the
proceeds of the war tax are beyond the
highest calculations. Yesterday was
was not an unusual day, yet the re-
ceipts ut the treasury from ordinary
sources were only SG5.0OO less than So
0O0.000 and the receipts for the month
of May. with one more day to hear
from. will exceed S41 100000. Already
there is an excess of S2.255.545 over ex-
penditures. and the disbursements
have been unusually henvy-$3S. .2's,-
600 for twenty-seven days. This In
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