Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-12-09

predecessor On the one or two occa-
siors when he has appeared at local play
houses, he has been restless and has left
before the production was finished. Mrs
Roosevelt cares more for the stage and
gen,rally seer the play to the end Among
the cabinet officers Attorney General
hnax Is the most regular attendant. In
fact he aid Mrs. Knox are quite cen
frnied first nighrers' Lyman ]. Gage
and MIR. VANDERBILT used to go 90 every
thing when they were in Washington.
Senator Hanna contributes regularly 10
the box office. as do Senator Beyeridge
and Senator Lodge But the best pat
rons are the diplomatic corps and the
set which train with the Countess Cas-
sinis When in the city the Letters go TO
everything that l. good, and the De Ko-
vens have box for the season.
-.--:-
The mania for illustrations has taken
such hrm hold upon the government
officials who get up annual and other pc
riodic reports that Ghe powers save been
compelled TO call a halt. Half-tone pho
tographs have been inserted in almost
everything in the line of report until
they threaten to become Illustrated mag.
A. tAS A-ftlAAtAiltnA VI kASAtGW3-
ture a rule has been issued that only
Illustrations which are absolutely neces-
sary to illuminate the text shall be per
mitted. The War Department has be-
come so voluminous with its pictures and
language that it takes ten large volumes
2f l,O0O pages each 10 compass the an
nual history and Recommendations. Books
on forestry, irrigation and other special
lines of research are being illustrated
mess extravagantly, some of them being
on fne glazed paper, with wide margins
and all but de luxe bindings
49,
The nineteenth annual report Of the
United States civil service commission
announces progress in the competitive
system, including rural free delivery. a
portion of the field services of the War
Department, the census Office permanent
employees and the employees appointed be-
cause of increased work during the war
with Spain. OF 0H,029 persons examin-
ed, 14,9S3 received appointments, rein
statements or transfer, a large increase
over any preceding year. Legislation APP
plying the merit system to the District
OF Columbia is recommended.
"s--:-
TIE annual report of the general land
office shows that 10, 4SS535 acres of pub
lie lands were disposed of during the
year, an Increase Of nearly 100000
aeres over last year. An increase of
14,OtOOOO acres OF forest reserves Is
notes and the withdrawal and proper po-
licinE of the forested lands during the
year is shown to have made the work
self-supporting aGG means of revenue.
Besises this, it han placed needed timber
supplies within lawful reach Of the pub
lie. Great progress in reforestation is
reported.
-a---:-
Tbs annual report of Gen. A. w.
Greeiy. ohief of the army signal corps,
says that 1,121 miles Of land lines and
submarine cables have been put into OPP
eEGtiSn in Alaska during the last two
years. Considering the nature OF the
country and its reuoteness, this 10 said
to be phenomenal improvements in
Cuba consist Of system of $500 miles,
connecting all points IF Importance. Total
miles in Philippines is 1926 submarine
cables and 5,10S of land lines.
-:---:-
Admiral Taylor Of the bureau Of navi-
cation says in his annual report that the
navy is in need of 1860 more officers,
and as the graduates from the laval
academies do not fill the demand, recon-
mendh an increase Of one midshipman
for each Congressman and Senator, one
from the District of Columbia and ten
annually at large. The officers on our
battleships average IL. as compared to
33 in England, 26 in France and 20 In
Germany.
-.--...
In his annual report Secretary of War
Root recommends the following: The re-
establishment of the army canteen; con
solidation of the supply departments of
the army; general staff; the organiza-
ton Of State troops as Il second line of
defense; more liberal appropriations for
the training Of militia in the field with
regular soldiers, and the establishment of
camps Of instruction in the North, South.
East and West
-:---.-
An improved musket has been adopted
by the army, which, though weighing
only nine and half pounds, considerably
less tlian the German and Maaser, has
greates velocity and penetration. The
rod bayonet is one advantageous feature
1t ligltens the weight Of the gun and
dispenses with the bayonet and scabbard,
in place of which iatrenchng tools may
be carried by the soldier
-:---.-
Admiral Dewey. who is TO be in charge
of winter maneuvers in West Indian wat
ers, has decided to give the men as many
holidays as possible to compensate for
the hard work Of the summer and To
make chem anxious 70 please. The squad
rons will scatter ag Christmas. for i'm
stance and go to convenient ports, the
men to be given weeks holiday.
-:--.-
The Navy Department issued an order
TO the Naval Academy at Annapolis re
dueing the usual four-yea course to three
years. The change. which was made be-
cause Of the pressing need Of naval Off
GERS, went into effect Immediately. This
plan does not shorten the length Of ser
vice OF a midshipman. which has always
been six years.
-:--:-
An oficial report from Robert Witch
orn, government inspector, was made
public at Washington which discIoses
a scheme by which certain steamship
lines are securing Europe for Ineligible
emigraats, taking them 70 Canada IN
order that they may tbas get into the
United States illegally
-:-..-
Figures by the treasury bureaa Of alta
tistics show the total exports for Septsfn-
Der, 1902. to be $115a21 ,9S4. the largest
ever shown for this month With the ore
exception of September, 1900. when the
high ueter mark was 100000 mere.
-.-:-
The Uniged States Navy Department
II to ask bids for the construction Of a
floating dry dock for the Philippines, to
oe builg here and 6osted to its destina-
ton. It win have capacity to raise a
16.000-t9n battleship.
-:--.-
Ii Ii announced by the general land
Office az Washington the sale Of cubic
lands has increased tile irrigation fund
TO $9,5C0000.
-:=.-
Tha animal reporf of NecOnd Aagisf-