The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-15
LIVE TOPICS ABOUT TOWN.

Probably the tttosto expensive and the
most beautiful book shat has ever been
issued by the United STATES Government
has lust been brought out by The Fish
Commission" said Commissioner G. NJ
Bowers at the Ebbitt House yesterday.
THE Fish Hawk returned from her cruise
around Porto Rico about nine months ago.
and since that time the specimens she
brought home have been studied by ex-
perts. and the d:.ta collected on the trip
arranged by scientists. We have been de-
layed in getting out the work chiefly be-
cause of the trouble of printing it, 1t re-
uuired most careful, delicate work No
public document ever before issued has
had such elaborate illustrations.
The volume is one of 3OO-odd pages. and
in addition to the black and white draw
ings, of which it contains many there are
about fifty full-page pictures in color done
by the most artistic processes of reproduce
ton. The pictures of fishes and marine
vegetation are extremely Ifelike, and will
probably be the most valuable contribu-
tons of their kind ever made to science
The result of the Fish Hawk 5 eXplora-
ton of Porto Rican waters was most
satisfactory. Hundreds of new species OF
FISH were found. none however, likely to
interfere in any large degree with the
staple fishes of our coast. such as halibut.
cod, mackerel, and the like. The fishes of
Porto Rico are highly colored, and grace
fully formed, but when it comes to edi-
bility they are practically of but little
value
Work on the Carnegie Library has so
far progressed that 1t is expected within
a months time the cornerstone can be
laid. The entire foundation has been fin
ished and the work is now being inter
fered with somewhat because of delay in
the arrival of stone from the quarries in
Vermont Within week or so the stone
for the first story will be on hand and 1t
is expected to complete the stone work on
the outside of the building by September.
The details of the ceremonies attendant
upon the laying of the cornerstone have
only been casually discussed by the trus-
tees. 1t is expected, however, that the
stone will be put in place early in April.
IL has already been prepared under the
direction of the trustees and contains
ample space for the usual documents, pa
pers. coins, and so forth which it is ex-
pected will be deposited inside.
Scientists interested In social questions
are preparing to gather In Washington
in April. circular announcing the
general meeting of the American Social
Science Association has just been issued.
The date for the opening of the session
is Monday evening. April Is, and 1t will
continue until Friday, April 49, The first
meeting will be given over to memorial
addresses on the life of Charles Dudley
Warner, who was once president of the
association, There are four departments
in the ssociation-jurisprude health
education, and art and social economy
and day will be devoted to each. Among
those who are expected to contribute
papers are Oscar c. Strauss. William G.
Robinson, Eugene Smith. John W. Foster.
w. II. DAILY, Booker T. Washington,
Frank b. SonbOrn, and DR.. William r
Harris. United states Commissioner of
Education.
Capt. George W Streeter, of the Ter
ritory of Lake Michigan which is CON
tiguous and approximate to the City of
Chicago, but not part thereof" has by
no means given up his intention of get
ting recognition for his Territory at the
hands of the Government. He is remain
ing in Washington fixing UP his fences
and making friends among department
officials.
Il am not going to allow my plans to
be thwarted by the use of red tape" he
said last night in the lobby of the Ebbitt
House. Il know what | want and my
people have rights which everybody, even
Congress, ought to respect l am not
though of course the Territory of Lake
Michigan wants to be represented in the
national councils What we want is the
protection of the United States Govern
ment. We want to be taken in just as
Texas was Nine years ago we organized
a government. Now We want to be taken
into the United States and it is only Con-
gress that can keep US out And I don't
think Congress wants to do that. / have
talked with a great many Senators, and
they tell me that | have case that can
not be controverted. Both the Illinois
Senators are with me.
1.-THE Territory of Lake Michigan is in
a most peculiar position. Whenever the
city of Chicago sees fit it makes use of
us, but whenever We want protection or
assistance from Chicago, We cannot get
il. That is the reason we want to be
Territory in our own right and be prop
erly annexed to the United States"
Captain Streeter says that he is the SOW
ereign of the Territory of Lake Michigan
by right of discovery, and by right of
construction. Il was wrecked on the is
land and lived there in my little boat
cabin said he Then | started to ex-
tend my territory and the contractors
were glad enough TO dump the dirt from
their cellars into the lake near me. The
city of Chicago. the board of health. and
the State all tried to prevent it, but not
one of them could do anything. The only
person who could have stopped the Cxpan-
sion was the Secretary of the Navy. end
he might have claimed that | was OBJ
structing navigation. But he did not, and
| would have built up the whole lake If
the dirt had held out
Captain Streeter says that the popula-
ton Of his territory is now 10. II have
sold many lots of land, and about 100 new
buildings are going up this year. | still
have 210O lots left, and they are as val
liable as any real estate in Chicago.