The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-01-26
RIVER IMPROVEMENT
Estimates Concerning the Missis-
sippi and Big Sandy Rivers.
THE PUBLIC LANDS OF HAWAII.
House Committee Hearing Evidence About
Their DispositIon-I'osrd Of Ordinance
Reorganized-Clark Investigation-
Dend dsOldirra-Custnms.

Washington, Jan. 23.-Gen. Wilson,
chief of engineers, yesterday sent to
the house the report of the commits
sion appointed to prepare "a project
for improving the southwest pass of
the Mississippi river. The project
will cost $6,OOO,O0O and contemplates
chanel 1000 feet wide and 3j feet
deep throughout the pass, the con
struction of two jetties, with sills
across the Cubitte gap, the jump and
Baptiste Collet's canal and the closing
of the outlets below the forts. The
board reports that a ship channel can
be open within three years and the
work completed in five years. Gen.
Wilson also sent TO congress a project
for improving Big Sandy river in Ken
lucky and West Virginia, and an csti-
mate of S4,7Oj, 900 for the large num-
Der of locks and dams which would be
required.
The Public Lands of Hawaii.
Washington, Jan. 23.-The house
committee on territories yesterday
gave hearing upon the subject of
disposition of the public lands of Ha-
waii. Mr.. Hermann, commissioner of
the public land Office, favored placing
the lands under the public land Office
and his attitude was opposed by Will
liam Owen Smith, attorney general of
Hawaii, and other Hawaiians. II. w.
Wilcox, native Hawaiian, spoke in
general approval of the bill, but
urged that the provision as to the
IL hng
lands, he claimed, rightfully belonged
to the heirs of the old line of kings.
Gilbert f. Little, a Hawaiian attor-
ney, presented the views of the small
property owners and Americans in
Hawaii and incidentally took occa-
sion to sharply criticise the present
administration.
board of q d"ance Reorganized.
Washington, Jan. 23.-The secretary
of war issued an order almost en-
tirely reorganizing the board of ord
nance. Gen. Miles, who is eN ohicio
chairman of the board, is the only
member of the former board retained,
II is said that there is no especial
significance in the action of the Sec
retary of the war in this matter, be
yond desire to recognize the su.
prcme importance of the board, which
is charged with the duty of protecting
our extensive sea coast from foreign
attack, and to include in its member
ship the best military talent possible
under existing conditions of the ser
vice.
The Invsstisatiou OF Senator Clark.
Washington, Jan. 23.-The senate
committee on privileges and elections
held but brief session yesterday on
account of the non-appearance of wit
nesses. President Smith, of the Mon
tana national bank, and Representa-
tive Murray, of the Montana house
of representatives, were the only wit
nesses on the stand. Mr.. Smiths tes-
timony was immaterial. Mr.. Murray
testified that he was offered $4,000
to vote for Senator Clark by persons
whom he considered representatives
OF that gentleman.
Dead Soldiers from Santiago.
Washington, Jan. 23.-The remains
of 46 soldiers recently brought to
this country from Santiago will be
buried at Arlington cemetery with
full military honors Wednesday morn
ing at II o'clock.
Estimate for Collecting the Customs.
Washington. Jan. secretary
| Gage has sent to congress an estimate
of S7,S72, 900 as the cost of collecting
| the customs during the next fiscal