The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-14
FOR RIVERS AND HARDORS.
REPRESENTATIVES, JONES MAKES
A INDIGESTION.
Proposes Authorization of Sale of
Abandoned Machinery and Appii-
ances by the Corps of Engineers
whiIe They POSSESS Market Value


WASHINGTON, Dec 1s-Represerta-
tive w. l.. Jones has submitted propo-
sitfon to Chairman Burton, of the rivers
and harbors committee. looking toward
its insertion in the river and harbor bill.
suggesting a change in the law so as to
authorize the sale of abandoned machn-
cry and appliances by the corps of engi-
neers.
Mr.. Jones stated to Chairman Burton
that when the United States gets
through with a plant of any nature 1t
cannot be sold until it Is abandoned.
Often articles of first-ciass quality have
to be kept until rotted or rusted beyond
repair before being condemned and sold.
The government thereby loses some reve-
nue. that might be saved and turned over
to the river and harbor AMI other inn
provements The officer has to keep this
on HIS property returns, sometimes Tor
years, before the inspecting officer can
condemn II. 1t may be necessary 10 pay
rent for a place In which to store ii all
this time. or to pay Waterman to look
after 1t. AS 1t is now, 1t is nuisance.
An Instance Cited.
He calls attention TO the abandoned
Improvement of the upper Snake river
In Eastern Washington which was in
operation about ten years ago, and says
they have the old boilers and engines on
to run the Burley drills, etc The boil
ers are still good" says he. but rust
ing away rapidly In the fortification
works locomotives. cars, engines. boilers,
concrete mixers and various other imple-
ment for this class of work have been
bought. Some day not far off the fortifi-
cations work will be completed Then
this plant. which, at the time of closing
down the work would have a market
value, has to be kept until such time as
1t becomes worn out or rusted out, and
can be condemned
Following Is a copy OF the provision IN
closed with his communication to Mr..
Provided, that the secretary of war
may, with the advice of the chief of en-
ton, or by tender to the highest bidder,
any buildings. sheds. warehouses. ma
ever nature the United States may be-
come possessed of by reason Of the I'M
provement of its rivers and harbors. or
construction of Notifications: provided,
that the money derived from said sale
be placed to the credit Of the appropria-
ton from the funds OF which said articles
have been purchased. or now belongs to,
and IL the project for Improvement, under
which It was purchased be compieted,
then the funds are to be turned back into
the general fund OF the treasury
Teachers for Philippines.
A matter that is not generally under
stood by citizens of Washington and the
country at large II the appointment of
teachers or superintendent Of schools in
the Philippines For the sake of obtain
ing information for the large number OF
requests for appointments as teachers
in those islands. Mr. Jones called upon
Commissioner Harris, of the bureau Of
education, in. regard to the matter, and
was informed that the administration OF
school affairs In the Philippine islands
was under the control of the local school
authorities Hon. r. w. Atkinson has
public Instruction of the school system.
as organized by, the military. governor
and the Taft commission, and has cen-
trial Office at Manila. As the commits
sioner does not think there Is any. person
in this country with authority to pass
upon the qualifications of applicants for
positions In these schools, II is necessary
that applications should be made direct
TO Mr.. Atkinson. the general superintend-
ent
Mr.. Atkinson did not enter upon the
work OF superintendence until the first
OF September last. and there are as yet
no reports In the department. concerning
the conditions or needs Of the schools.
Through the efforts of Congressman
Jones the clerk hire at the Brewster.
Okanogan county, postoffice Will be In
creased from $3.50 to $3.50 a year. begin
ming January /, IDOL
Proposed Forest Reserve.
A petition against the inclusion of any
portion OF the territory OF Ghelan county
in the proposed forest reserve, signed by
several hundred residents and taxpayers
OF that section. has been tiled with the
secretary OF the Interior by4Representa-
tive w l.. Jones. Heading the list OF
signatures IL DR. j. Il. shore of Leaven-
worth Wash. The petitioners state that
this section is fertile and progressive
pars OF the state; that II Is agricultural,
pa storal and mineral. and Is not SO valu-
able for it's timber as to make u instiii-
able In placing 1t within a forest reserve.
MIR. Jones made very strong plea
against the proposed inclusion by the de-
partment, and requested that no action
be taken In the matter until he had OBJ
tanned further data.
IL IL probable that no further action
will be taken by the department until
after consultation with Mr.. Jones,
II is the practice here in the East for
states TO raise q certain sum for geo.
logical improvements, and then have the
director az geological survey appropriate
a like sum, the whole to be expended
under the direction OF the government.
Representative w l.. Jones and the di-
rector OF the geological survey have been
In consultation several times since Mr..
Jones came here. looking toward the CO.
operation Of the department with the
state uf Washington When MT. Jones
secures sufficient data on the subject he
will present the whole matter 70 the
state legislature and II Is hoped that a
considerable amount will be furnished
to be used In this way