, 1900-06-21
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.

Postmaster General Smith went to
tho White House Saturday for a con-
sultation with the President before
leaving for Philadelphia. The draft
OF the platform prepared by him was
submitted TO Mr.. Mckinley. The con-
ference lasted almost three-quarters of
an hour. Mr. Smith then left for
Philadelphia
The Court of Land Claims has off,
cially decided that Rear Admiral Samp-
son was In command of the fleet at
Santiago battle and that Admiral
Schley was in command of a division
or h fleet. Also the cruiser New
York, b flagship of the squadron, was
IN the light. This will give Sampson
and the crew OF the New York a share
or the prize money.
The following dispatch was received
at the State Department Tuesday:
"Chin Kiang, June 12.-Secretary of
state: Large numbers natives organ
lied secret society, halted here. People
very apprehensive. No protection.
Want cruiser. Martin" Mr.. Martin is
b consul at Chin Kiang, and his tel
egram Is h first news received here
to indicate the spread Of the Boxer ag-
1tadon In that section of China. Chin
hlang Is one of the most important
treaty ports in China. 1t is about 125
miles from Shanghai.
Director Merriam of the census is of
the opinion that the first information Of
the census will be about the city Of
washington. He expressed the belief
that the population of this city will be
about 10000. The work of the enum-
orators has proceeded satisfactorily.
AS soon as h returns are in n condi-
Ion to be made public, Director Mer-
ram Will announce daily bulletins.
Big cities will be heard from first. The
counting of people in these populous To-
calltes should be ready for announce
ment In about w weeks.
The opening of the Fort Hall reser-
walton in Idaho to settlers Is regard
ed by western business men in Wash
tngton as the beginning of a new era
Tor western investors. 1t is believed
that the opening of this reservation
VIII be of i~ncalculable service to the
states bordering upon Idaho and that
all mining states, as well as Colorado,
Utah, Wyoming and Montana, must
reap richly from the opening of this
reservation, which, 1t is believed,
marks the beginning of new legislation
for b arid n semi-arid states.
The Navy Department will advertise
for proposals for supplying face-har-
dened armor of the best type for battle
ships now building, for the protected
cruisers already authorized and for
the three battle ships provided for in
the new naval appropriation bill. Hav-
ing been assured that much better
terms could be extended by the armor
companies If the contracts were for
large amounts of armor the depart
ment will test this by providing in the
advertisement for the submission of
bids Of three classes, namely, for sup
plying 10000 tons of armor; then for
10000 tons, and finally for supplying
10000 tons. 1t will be for Secretary
Long to determine If the figure Is rea-
sonable. II not, he must build an ar
NOR plant.
In addition to changes already an
nounced by the postoffice department,
It is said hat a number of other i'm
provements will be in effect during the
next fiscal year. The increased appro-
priation, 1t is said, will enable many
more clerks to take the fifteen days
leave of absence contemplated by law
and an emergency fund will be placed
at the disposal Of first-class officers
for extra assistance during the holi-
days and other times when there is a
large increase of business. The post
office officials have strong hopes that
If conditions continue to improve it
will be feasible to limit working hours
throughout the service to eight hours a
day, beginning with the fiscal year,
July !, 1902.
The remarkable increase in coal i'm
portations from the United States,
coupled with the fact that we became
In 1899 the worlds largest producer of
coal, gives special interest to an elab-
crate discussion of the worlds coal
product, published by the bureau of
statistics Of the Treasury Department
in the April number of the Monthly
Summary of Commerce and Finance.
Expectations of coal from the United
States In the ten months ending with
April were nearly fifty per cent. larger
than those of the corresponding
months of 1893, while our total produc-
ton for 1893 was not only the largest
in our history but larger than that of
any other country in the world. For
the first time the United States figures
show a larger production than the
British figures for the same period.
Lieutenant Commander ]. @. Colwell
just relieved as American naval at
tache in London, is under investiga-
ton for failure to obey orders of the
Navy Department. A court Of in
quiry is sitting for this purpose al
Washington. Lieutenant Commander
Colwell received orders to report on a
certain date in the United States, pre-
liminary to going to the Philippines.
He failed to report, and sent an explain
alton that his condition was such, in
consequence of an operation, that It
was inadvisable for him to travel. 1t
is alleged that he subsequently placed
himself under medical treatment in or
der to Justify his explanation. The
department believes Colwell had tried
to evade his orders, so as to remain
longer In London. The court is ex-
pected to submit its findings in a few
days.
Baron Hermann, agricultural expert
Of he German embassy, has studied
the meat inspection bill recently passed
by the Reichstag, and says: The new
law will require two separate inspec-
lions in the German empire. First, an
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