The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-25
TO DREDGE SAVANNAH RIVER.
CAPT. GILLETTE AUTHORIZED TO
SPEND $4,000.

Whole of Unexpended Balance of
Appropriation Cannot BE Used, but
War Department VIII BE Liberal.
Capt. Gillette to Advertise for Bids
TO Dredee the Lower Part of the
Harbor-senator Taliaferro, Rep
resentative SparISman and CoIlec-
ter mcfarland Call on the Presi-
dent aud Get "A Roosevelt Greeting.
Washington. Sept. 24.-Representa-
tive Lester who is here on his way to
join Mrs. Lester, at Warrenton, Va,
took occasion to call at the White
House and pay his respects to Presi-
dent Roosevelt, and assure him of the
interest, the people of Savannah take
in his administration, because of his
family connections there. Col. Lester
ascertain the status of the work in
Savannah harbor. Having been away
from home for a considerable period, he
is anxious to know what progress has
been made toward inducing the Secre-
tary of War to authorize the expendi-
OF the appropriation for Savannah
harbor now on hand.
In the absence of Col. Mckenzie of
the engineer corps, who had the SUBJ
ject in hand Col. Lester was referred
to Col. Lusk. The latter stated that
the secretary has concluded that the
law does not permit the expenditure of
al lerfn
In Savannah river, but there is a dis
position to be liberal in providing suffi
cient funds to keep the work in prog
ress until Congress can act further in
the matter. Col. Lusk informed Col
Lester that Capt. Gillette has been au-
thorized to expend $4,000 during the
present fiscal year, and that he has
been empowered to advertise for bids
to dredge the lower part of Savannah
harbor, in addition to the work being
done by the Cape Fear dredge, which
was recently sent to Savannah to
aid the other government dredge
now in operation. The extra dredging
is to be done in the vicinity of Long
Island crossing. Col. Lester expects to
return to Washington within the next
few days, after Col. Mckenzie returns
from his leave of absence, and confer
with the War Department officials
further on this subject, so important
to the commercial interests of Savan-
nah.
A Florida Delegation Calls,
Among the callers upon President
Roosevelt to-day, was a Florida dele
cation, including Senator J. p. Talia-
ferro, his brother, Representative
Sparkman, and Collector of Customs,
Macfarland, of Tampa. Their inter-
xr;o r,-ith he 90
prior to Cabinet meeting and they re-
ceived a characteristic Roosevelt greet
ing. In reply to their congratulations
and well wishes, he assured them that
it was very gratifying and encouraging
to receive so many friendly evidences
from representative men of the South,
as well as from other sections of the
country, and expressed the hope that
this administration will be in the in
terest of the whole country.
Representative Sparkman called at
the Treasury Department to ascertain
what progress is being made in the
direction of beginning work upon the
new public building to be erected at
Tampa. Congress has appropriated
1925 900 for the public building, and it
was understood that work would
probably begin by the first of January
next. Thus far the advertisements for
bids have not been published, hence
Mr.. Sparkman fears the work may be
delayed. 1t is understood that the de-
partment will shortly advertise for
bids so that the work may begin as
originally intended. Mr.. Sparkman
also called at the postoffice to look af-
ter several postal matters in his dis
trict, and also the extension of the
rural free delivery service at various
points. The Florida contingent left
for New York tonight to witness the
international yacht races.