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

|
to be considerably increased in num-
her ut an early date. The western dis
trict, which has headquarters at Dem
yer, will be diminished by putting
Minnesota. Montana and the Dakotas
in n northwest district, with head
| quarters at st. Paul. The superin-
tcndent of this division will, however,
not necessarily be from any part of it.
The Postoilice Department has con-
tracted for an increase of the postal
! service in Alaska that will provide
| quicker time between Seattle and Cir
| Gle City and intermediate points, and
| furnish direct steamboat service to
Sitka and Valdez, and the allAmeri-
can overland route. The scheduled
time is shorter than ever before. The
contract runs from October 1st to
June 30th.
September 1st there will be a gen
cral shifting about of supervisors in
the Indian school service in the west
ern states. a. o. Wright, now at
tached to the First district, including
Colorado. New Mexico, Utah, Kansas
and Oklahoma. is to be succeeded by
Frank NJ. Conser. Mr.. Wright goes 10
the Third district, including South Da-
kota and Nebraska. The Fourth dis
trict, now under COnser, is to be given
to Charles II. Dickson. This district
includes Wyoming, Montana, Idaho,
oregon ami Washington. Dickson va
Gates the place TO be filed by Wright.
Secretary Long has given out the ma
jority 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 battleslip as
submitted follows: Length, 45D feet;
beam, 76 feet; mean draft. 24 feet. q
inches; displacement, 1850 tons. This
displacement will give 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-can-
teen law by Congress will be tabulat-
ed by the United States army statisti-
clans after September 1st. AT the end
of this month General Merriam will,
through Colonel Varnum. adjutant
general of the Department of the Colo
RADIO, 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-
IA nf snS nf Ittn al
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 eff
feet Many of the army officers think
that intemperance has increased under
the new system and that the inquiry
will result In the re-establlshment 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
mt a 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 vest pock-
ct size, and are readily carried about.
But there is n desire to spread these
books In the country districts. rs well
ns 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 ncquaint the patrons OF
their routes with the fact that stamps
are sold In this form. This innovation
Is highly meritorious, and affords a
great convenience to users of stamps.
hence the extra desire on the part OF
the department TO widen the field OF
their usefulness.