The Springfield herald., 1901-07-26
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

Commissioner Evans, of the pension
bureau, in his report of pension busi-
ness transacted for the fiscal year end
ing June Both last. says it compared
with 1900 as follows: THE appropria-
tion for the two years was the same.
S144. 100000. for each year. The eN-
penditure for 1901 was S13S, ,G3l ,494, an
excess over 1900 of SG9354. During
the year the pension roll was increased
to the extent of 4 4.30J names, making
total of 99T ,S33 The deaths among
pensioners numbered 3S,0S2 in 1901, OF
2.275 more than in 1900. For the year
1910 claims We're filed on account of
the SpanishAmerican war. OF these
7.S06 We're allowed and 1901 were ad-
Indicated and rejected"
Secretary Long has given out the ma
iority report of the Naval Board of
Construction on the design of the sea-
going battleship of which plans are to
be submitted to Congress next Decem-
Der. The plan of the battleship as
submitted follows: Length, 400 feet;
beam, 76 feet; mean draft. ~ feet, u
inches; displacement. 15,5Go tons. This
displacement will give Il ship consider
ably larger than anything in the pres
ent navy. The speed will be nineteen
knots, and an indicated horsepower
of 10000. The battery recommended
by the majority is to consist of four
twelve-inch guns. two ten-inch armor-
ed turrets, twenty seven-inch guns in
easements and twenty three-inch guns
The machinery is protected by ten
inch armor belt.
A comparison of conditions before
and after the passage of the anti-cnn-
L., r,, t.,l,
ed by the United States army statsti-
clans after September 1st. AT the end
of this month General Merriam WILL
through Colonel Narnum. ndjutant
general of the Department of the Colo
rado, have the commanders at the
army posts in this department report
the number of new saloons and drug
stores established near the posts since
the new law went into effect, the num-
ber of cases of drunkenness. absence
without leave and other Irregularities
which can be directly charged to liQ-
our. These will be compared with sta
tictics prepared just previous to the
time the anti-canteen law went into ef-
feet. Many of the army officers think
that intemperance has increased under
the new system and that the inquiry
will result in the re-cs,ablishment of
the canteen.
The Postoiiice Department thinking
that the general public has not become
thoroughly appraised of the fact that
postage stamps are now being issued
in bound books. has directed all post
masters in the United States to exhibit
ut Il conspicuous place in their offices
large notices announcing this fact. In
the larger cities these stamp books
have become well known, and are al
ready in great demand, because be-
tween each sheet is an oiled which pre-
vents one stamp sticking to another.
Moreover. the books are of II vest pock-
ct size. and are readily carried about
But there is Il desire TO spread these
books in the country districts. as well
as in cities, and to this end, all rural
| free delivery carriers are to hereafter
keep an ample stock of stamp books on
hand. in order to supply all customers
In like manner. they have been direct
| ed to fully acuuaint the patrons OF
their routes with the fact that stamps
are sold in this form. This innovation
| is highly meritorious. and affords q
great convenience to users of stamps
| hence the extra desire on the part OF
| the department to widen the field OF
| their usefulness.