Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-18
NATIONAL TOPICS.
Strong Measures to Be Taken On the West
Point Hazing.- Other Features.

Strong Measures to Be Taken On the Wes
Point Hazing- Other Features.
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE Senate
committee on military affairs, today,
discussed the question of chaZing at
West Point Military Academy and
there was a unanimous expression of
opinion in Reproduction of the practice
and to the effect that those guilty OF
it should be summarily dealt with.
The question came up in connection
with the Military Academy bill and il
was decided to incorporate the follow
ing provision in that bill as an amend
ment:
Under the direction of the secretary
of war, the superintendent of the Unit
ed States Military Academy shall make
and enforce such rules and regulations
as will prevent the practice of hazing
and any cadet found guilty of partici-
pating in such practice shall be eX-
PEELED from the academy and shall not
be re-appointed to the corps of cadets
therein nor to the army OF the United
States"
The question was taken upon the
suggestion Vi SeIdloT w dIIcii anu NiS
orously pressed by him as well as by
Senator Cockrell and Harris. The bill
with the amendment will be reported
to the Senate, tomorrow.
The board of naval construct ton, to-
day. took up for consideration the pro-
position submitted by the department
by the Newport News and Bath COM
-. = . .t.in f,ny
ifications for the sheathed battleship
of certain items. with a view to bring
ing the cost of the ships within the
ability of the companies to accept. The
board showed a disposition to yield
to the contractors on a number of min
or points, mainly relating to the hull
Of the ships, but insisted on the re-
tention of the electric lighting plants,
which items aggregate about $4,000,
and were the particular subjects of at
tack by the contractors. If the Secre-
tary approves the action of the board
in this manner it will be necessary to
again submit a proposal to the con-
tractors based on this finding and if
they cannot accept that proposition,
then a reimbursement on amended
plans may be necessary.
Senator Foraker made another effort.
today, to secure the confirmation of
James s. Harlan as attorney general of
Porto Rico. but on account of the want
of a quorum made no progress.
Senator Morgan, today. gave notice
of an amendment he Will propose to
the ship subsidy bill providing for an
| income tax.
An amendment to the Nicaragua
canal bill requiring that the cement
used in the construction of the pro-
posed canal shall be manufactured in
| the United States, was. today. intro
duced in the Senate by Senator Pen
rose.
The mandate of the United States
| supreme court in the Nicely case was
! issued, today, and turned over to the
| attorney general, to be forwarded tC
| the district attorney for the southern
! district Of New York. If no further
| steps be taken in Neely's behalf before
| the writ is presented to the New York
| court, Nicely will be sent to Cuba in
| compliance with the courts decision.
The agricultural appropriation bill
| carrying about 100000 is practically
| completed. Aside from the usual pro-
visions it probably will contain plan
| of encouragement in the agricultural
| department. The plan contemplated is
| the formation of four new bureaus, OF
| plant industry, soil, chemistry and for
| estry respectively. These are now in
! operation as divisions. The change is
| approved by the secretary of agricul-
| ture in the interests of efficiency of
administration. Prof. Moore of the
weather bureau. was heard, today. in
answer to questions raised by members
| of the committee on the sufficiency of
storm warnings particularly those
| prior to the Galveston hurricane. He
! showed by the records that the bureau
detected the storm when it first APP
peared in the West Indies and gave
continuous warnings of it's approach.
Adiutant General Corbin has received
| word from the commanding officer at
Dapidan, Mindanao. F. L., that he has In
| his possession a male black deer of spe-
| cies native to that island. whose peculiar
ity it is to bark and bay like hound
| Authority is requested for the transporta-
ton of the strange animal TO the United
tSates with a view to his being placed in
the geological park at Washington
| The consequences of the disturbances
| in China are being seriously felt in the
silk and tea trade. states Consul Hughes
at Coburg, Germany, in a communication
TO the state department. While the est
mated Chinese production of silk FOR last
year is estimated at 1929 700 pounds. vel
! the uncertain conditions of business make
:. it rather risky to import Chinese goods
4 This has caused a demand for Syrian silk
| goods. Unfortunately the present silR
/ crop in Turkey is not very good. so thai
a rise of prices is probable The tea trade
states Mr.. Hughes, is in similar posi-
ton. Insurance companies refuse to in
sure Chinese goods, while banks have
ceased to advance money on this kind OF
merchandise. The Ceylon tea planta tons
concludes the consul, will benefit by these
conditions.
| Although the Presidents progress to.
wards recovery from his recent attack OF
/ grip has been uninterrupted. ii Is prop
| able that. acting upon the advice OF Ut
| Rixey. his physician, the official recep'
tons which were announced for the win