Gilpin observer., 1901-07-25
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

Commissioner Evans, of the pension
bureau in his report of pension bust
ness transacted for the fiscal year end
ing June Both last, says it compared
with 1900 as follows: THE appropria-
ton for the two years was the same,
S144,OOO,O0O. for each year. The eX-
pendture for 1901 was $13S, ,G31 .494, an
excess over 1900 of $69,354. During
the year the pension roll was increased
to the extent of 4,305 names. making
total of 997.S33. The deaths among
pensioners numbered 3S0S2 in 1901, or
2,275 more than in 1900. For the year
1910 claims We're filed on account of
the Spanish war. OF these
7.S06 were allowed and 7,091 We're ad-
judicated and rejected"
Secretary Long has given out the ma
1Ority 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-
ber. The plan of the battleship as
submitted follows: Length, $50 feet:
beam. 76 feet: mean draft. "a feet. 6
inches; displacement, 1880 tons. This
displacement will give a 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 arInor-
ed turretS, twenty Seven-inch guns in
easements and twenty three-inch guns.
The machinery is protected by Il ten
inch armor belt.
A comparison of conditions before
and after the passage of the anti-can-
tppn law Inv (nnuraSs will ha ta httln T.
ed by the United States army statisti-
clans after September list. AT the end
of this month General Merriam will
through Colonel Varnum, adjutant
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
tctics prepared just previous to the
time the anticanteen law went into eff
feet. Many of the army officers think
that intempcra ace has increased under
the new systcIa and that the inquiry
will result in the establishment of
the canteen.
The Postofiice 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
at 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 a 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 acquaint the patrons of
their routes with the fact that stamps
are sold in this form. This innovation
Is highly meI-itorious, and affords Il
great convenience to users of stamps.
hence the extra desire on the part of
the department to widen the held of
their usefulness.