The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-04-18
Is, 1901.
WASHINGTON LETTER
Tsnecial Correspondence. ]


rivals have gradually diminished. This
has been particularly true in the past
two months. The largest number last
wear came in the summer and autumn.
DR.. A. B. Richardson, the supcrin-
tendent of the institution, says that
there are but so soldiers from the Phil
Ippines now under his care. These are
mostly the residue OF those received
during the whole time Of military OPP
eratIons In the east. They form less
than half of the les soldiers now left
from those received In the Cuban and
Philippine operations. The superin-
tendent states that the greater part OF
the cases received from the east sell
dom remain at the institution more
than q few months. Most of them are
in very good condition when they reach
this country. owing TO the change OF
environment and the long sea trip. so
that few bad cases are received at all.
Insanity in the majority of these cases
is due to fever, heat and exhaustion,
while the rest are more often the result
of insanity previous to entering sery-
Ice. Dr. Richardson says that the cases
due TO fever are many less than In the
Cuban campaign. but that the other
temporary cases due TO heat and ex-
haustion are more numerous He con-
siders this hardly surprising In view OF
the fact that most of the volunteers,
unused to hardship and the incidents
of army living. are brought into sur
roundings full of danger and into an
entire change of climatic conditions.
Our Fine Gun Factory.
With the growth Of the American
navy there has come a vast Increase
in the means of supplying the equip
ment of modern warships, and no.
where Is this better Illustrated than
right here In Washington. where is
located one Of the finest gun factories
In the world. The Spanlsh-American
war brought to the attention Of those
I'm authority at the navy yard here the
necessity Of increased facilities for the
VI W aA
congress has needed the demand. The
men Of 20 years ago. when the gun
shops at the navy yard were Enclosed
under four roofs. would hardly recog-
nize the modern factory Of today
which stands at the foot Of Eighth
street southeast.
There are now over so buildings In
the yard. and few of the old structures
are standing. The old breech mechan-
ism shop, which until 1890 held the
offices Of the ordnance department, is
soon TO be demolished. and a modern
building In keeping with the progress
of affairs will take its place. At pres
ent there remain only the shellhouse,
the laboratory and the metal testing
house, formerly the old magazine Of
the early structures. These will proba-
bly, give way TO up to date buildings
within the next year or so. and then
the equipment of the yard will be COM
pIete from a manufacturing standpoint,
though there will not be room enough
for the output of the establishment.
He Claims ThIrty-fve Cents.
MIR. Frederick e. Rittman. auditor for
the war department, receives many
queer letters from people who have or
think they have claims against the
government One came recently from
a man In New York, who stated that be
had a civil war claim for 80 cents
which he hoped the government would
pay, with accrued interest.
In his letter be said that he bad for
merly presented his claim and that 1t
had been partially settled. but that this
amount yet remained unpaid. An inves-
tigation of the records disclosed that a
number of years ago the New York
man had been paid 20 cents as settle
ment in full Of his claim. Mr.. Rlttman
advised him that the records of the de-
partment did not show that be was en-
titled to receive 80 cents and that If he
expected 10 collect he would have to
prove his claim.
Would Leave Team at the Door.
Senators Cullom and Mason. driven
by an ancient negro and crowded into
an old might liner" cab. came up
Pennsylvania avenue the other after
noon. A friend stopped them at Four
teentb street.
"Whither?" he asked.
"The senators of the imperial state
of Illinois are now on their way TO
call on the chief executive" Senator
Mason replied.
"Huhr' said the friend. 81 should
think the senators from the imperial
state Of Illinois should have at least
two horses to their conveyance when
going on such distinguished errand."
ut doesn't natter" Senator Cullom
put in. I'VE shall not take the rig into
the White House"
Under an order issued by the war
department the Porto Rican volunteer
regiment viii be mustered out of the
United States service on or before the
ganized In accordance with special
provision OF the act for the reorganiza-
ton OF the array. The statute pro-
vides for the organization OF a regi-
meDt Of three battalions, composed en-
tlrely of natives of the island Of Porto
Rico and differed by officers detailed
from the regular army Of the United
States.
Colonel Charles +. Humphrey, who
has been chief quartermaster with
General Chaffee In China, has been or
dered to the Philippines. He viii make
a tour of the islands. visiting various
posts. and return to Manila about June
l to assume the duties OF chief quar-
termaster in the islands. relieving Ma
for Miller. CARL ScHoFIELD.