The Holly chieftain., 1900-06-22
THE nA1lontL CAPITAL.

made the last change in the battleship
circular which he will probably issue
| to shipbuilders. Five identical ships
will be called for. The first three
ships have been named the Pennsyl-
/ vania, New Jersey and Georgia, and
| the names Virginia and Washington
are proposed for the others.
/ Postmaster General Smith went to
the White House Saturday for 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
I Santiago battle and that Admiral
| Schley was in command of n division
! of the feet. Also the cruiser New
York, the flagship of the squadron, was
In the fight. This will give Sampson
and the crew of the New York share
of the prize money.
The opening of the Fort Hall reser-
vation in Idaho to settlers is regard
ington as the beginning of new era
for western investors. 1t is believed
that the opening OF this reservation
will be of incalculable service to the
states bordering upon Idaho and that
I 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 the arid and semi-arid states.
The Navy Department Will advertise
for proposals for supplying face-har-
dened arInor 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. Hay
! ing been assured that much better
/ terms could be extended by the armor
companies II the contracts We're for
1 large amounts OF armor, the depart
ment will test this by providing in the
advertisements 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 postoifice department,
II is said that 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
II conditions continue to improve II
will be feasible to limit working hours
throughout the service TO eight hours
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 1890 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 We're nearly fifty per cent. larger
than those of the corresponding
months of 1898, while our total produc-
tion for 1898 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 larger production than the
British figures for the same period.
Lieutenant Commander ]. G. 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 at
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 1t
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.
The Navy Department has decided to
establish coaling station of the sec
ond class Mt San Diego, California.
This decision has been reached upon a
report from Captain Field of the Ran
ger. announcing the results OF sur
vey of the harbor at that place recent
1x- mn do hN- htn, no -
that the minimum depth of water over
tho har nj low lido 10 txyantr orx, foo4