The Delta independent., 1901-08-23
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

has decided to SO extend the expsri-
ments as to include gasoline and steam
vehicles. The experiments were orig
inally confined to electrics because OF
the belief than their batteries would
make them of great service in operNt-
ing field telegraph and telephone lines.
Edward v. Shepard of Massachu-
sets, chief clerk of the patent office.
has been summarily dismissed us the
culmination of an investigation by
Commissioner Of Patents Duell, in con-
nection with the disappearance of Ger
tain moneys contained in unclaimed
registered letters returned to the Office
Mr.. Shepard entered stout denial OF
criminal intent and offered to make
good any shortage. At the same time
he rendered his resignation, admitting
that the loss was due to careleSsness in
his office. He was not permitted to re-
sign.
A census bulletin shows that Alas
ka's total farm wealth June /, 1900
was $15.6SG, of which S2,196 was in
vested III livestock, $500 in imple-
ments and machinery and S12,SOO rep
resented the value of buildings and
other improvements. Buildings have
been erected on nine of the twelve
farms in the territory. Preparing the
soil for cultivation has been the chief
item of expense In opening farms, be-
ing in some instances $40 per acre.
The twelve farms have n total acreage
of 159 acres, and vegetables are the
principal product.
Word has been received from Wash
ington that the Department of the In
terror has decided to make no more for
est reserves until Congress meets and
revises the law. A few months ago the
National Live Stock Association called
the attention of the department to the
fact that certain people were taking ad-
vantage of the ignorance Of officials to
have worthless lands set aside us forest
reserves and then relinquish them to
the government for lieu script, with
which they could take up valuable az
ricultural and grazing lands The gov
ernment, having Investigated. has come
to the conclusion that 1t Is time to call
a halt. So fragrant have been the at
tempts to obtain something for nothing
that Secretary Hitchcock has determin-
ed to recommend the establishment OF
no more forest reserves until Congress
has had an opportunity to amend the
law in regard to the exchange of lands.
For some time past the officials OF
the Treasury Department have had un-
der serious consideration the problem
OF how to prevent Chinese from cross
ing the Mexican border into the United
States. A conclusion has at last been
reached, which 1t is believed will 20
long ways to the solution of the mat
ter. Under the treaty between the
United States and China immigrants
from the latter country are allowed to
pass through the United States to any
other foreign country, provided, how
ever. that the treasury officials are sat
isfied their passage through this coun-
try is for the bona fide purpose Of tak-
ing up a residence in another and not
for the purpose of ultimately attempt
ing to return to the United States.
During the last few years many thou
sands OF Chinese have been landed at
the port Of San Francisco, under al
legged contract to work on plantations
and railroads in southern Mexico. II
the Chinaman is under contract to per
form labor in Mexico he may present
his contract as evidence of good faith
but in case of his failure to satisfy the
officials he will not be permitted to
land. II Is expected this order will
have the desired effect OF keeping out
a large percentage OF Chinese who will
go to Mexico with the real purpose OF
ultimately crossing the border into the
United States.
Commissioner Yerkes, OF the internal
bureau, says regarding the re-
turn to bankers Of imprinted checks
and drafts requested that the Internal
revenue bureau cancel each check in
such n manner as to render its further
use possible, and then return the same
to its original owner. They were in
formed that under the existing law 1t
seemed impossible to comply with
these requests. The commissioner says
the extent to which these checks and
drafts are being sent In for redemption
shows that large pecuniary loss will
fall upon banks and owners II the
checks and drafts are destroyed after
refund Is made for the stamps therein.
adding: "Under existing laws 1t Is not
r,ossible to return these Instruments to
the owners, but this department will
proceed as rapidly as possible to con-
slider these claims and redeem and
make refund to the owners Of the
amount due by reason of the stamps
imprinted, will cancel these instru-
ments so as to allow their future use;
will store the various checks, ana VIII
request Congress at its next session
to pass law under which 1t will be
possible and legal to return these
drafts and checks to the claimants and
owners. 1t is understood that the
banks will also make the same request,
aud in this way, it Is believed, speedy
action may be had"
The State Department has cable
gram from Mr.. Rockhlll Mt Pekin, re-
porting that the draft of the final pro-
local has been agreed upon. A tariff OF
Ave per cent. nd valorem, effective, will
he nut in force two months after the
signing of the final protocol, excepting
on goods shipped within ten days after
signing, md will continue until the con
version to specific rates has been eject
ed by the expert commission. The Chi
nese free list will include rice. foreign
cereals and flour. gold and silver bull
lion and gold. This inclusion OF flour
in the free list is Of much Importance,
DurtHn nna of Ghfnnnra