Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1900-03-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.
The Revenue Cutter service-A Va
Gallon For General Otfs-A Mar
keI For Fish Scales.
Ispecfal correanondence1

Especial Correspondence.1
Another attempt is being made to
place the officers of the United States
revenue cutter service on a footing
more nearly equal to that enjoyed by
officers OF the navy. For years past
various efforts have been made to pro-
vide 3 sdst system OF promotion and
retirement for officers of this service
n a rate of pay better suited to the
work performed by them The splen-
did work lone by officers III vessels
Of this service during the Spanish war
has served to draw favorable attention
to il. and the number of congressman
who are daily coming out in favor of
legislation TO still further promote its
efficiency is steadily growing.
II anything. the duties of these Off
GERS are much more arduous than the
work Of naval officers. and they have
practically no shore duty. While the
cutter service is under existing law d
part of the civil establishment. it Is
and always has been regarded and
treated as a part of the military force
OF the navy. Its vessels are armed
cruisers. otiicered by men bearing com
missions OF the president who are In
every way as thoroughly equipped for
sea duties as the graduates of the Naval
academy. One of the first acts Of Pres
ideul Mckinley at the breaking out of
the Spanish al was to transfer the
vessels of this service to the control of
the secretary of the navy. One of tit
unjust features OF the present law /
that relating 10 advancement in "a
service. If Il rCve-ot o9lctl
lncapacitatci f.
10 be placed ou
t~hree-foCrth$ pay lis
hlled. AMI he canine be rtt.,-L ~,
ducing the number of mel aitl
for duty and doubling up h work o.
those who are on the active list. What
is wanted is an amendment to the law
permitting the removal from the line
OF promotion of all officers now on
waiting orders. thus making ROOF Tor
the promotion OF the young men of the
service.
A Vacation For General otis.
The president hopes that the new
commission will start for Manila IN
time 10 reach the Philippines In May
He is anxious that civil governments
be established in the other islands the
same as already exist in Negroes An
other reason why the president wants
the commission to get TO WORK is mat
be is anxious to let Genera Otis have
a vacation and come home for a rest
and a visit TO his family. General Otis
went to the Philippines on less thar
"a hours notice. Soon after Admiral
Dewey's victory. when il became nee
essary to reinforce the navy with the
army, the president looked around for
q general to take command. General
Otis was selected n morning. and
the same afternoon a telegram was
sent ordering him to leave at once
for Manila. General Otis. who was
ut Denver, packed his runk and
left that city at midnight for San
Francisco, being on his way within
less than IL hours after receiving his
orders. Since then he has not seen
his wife or family. He has now init
mated that he would ike to have leave
to come home to see his family. and
h president and secretary of war are
anxious to grant his request
A Market For Ftsh scales.
Fish dealers Of this country will hnd
q market in France for fish scales.
which have been without commercial
value hitherto. According to Consul
Covert at Lyons, there is a great de-
mand for them. They are used in the
manufacture of artificial pearls and
other by the recently dis
covered method of a French chemist
The supply is much less than the De
mand. and IL Is said large quantities
will be used and a good price paid for
them. The consul says:
The scales should be sprinkled with
salt as soon as they are removed from
the fish and packed In tin cans Any
specimens sent TO this consulate VIII
receive careful examination. and the
results. with any suggestions that may
be made and particulars of prices Of
fered. viii be duly reported
1T Is believed here the sale OF these
scales will result in establishing an
important business In an article that
now has no commercial value"
4 Room For the Blind
The late John Russell Young estab
lished while he was librarian OF con
gress. at the invitation Of some Wash
iuSton ladies'. a hall for the use OF
blind readers and later provided en-
ter nment for the blind. we'll known
persons reading selections from theii
own writings or performing on must
cal Instruments or singing. There Is 3
number of blind persons in this city
and to some of the readings or recita
tons they came in considerable mum
bers- Blu, tie entertainments prov
=. Ae g@.se n attractive TO those y
could es a. to sAose who could Z
The naInle4 Of readers of th- boSA
made for the blind is larger than ons
world belteve. iNAaing from the turn