Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-02-27
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II,

lasnlonaple auulence the mower oi tne
capitals debutantes and danes in
theatricals and tableaux. Fabulous
prices have been paid for boxes and
the long list Of patronesses, which Is
headed by Mrs. Roosevelt's name and
includes those OF the leaders of society.
insure gratifying success.
The feature Of the entertainment will
be the presentation of "Ths Reward OF
written by Mrs. Burton
Harrison, with Miss Jennie Pearce, OF
Boston. in the leading role. Mrs,
Harrison has come to Washington to
direct the presentation. The proceeds
will. Of course, be devoted to charity.
Another notable event in the interest
Of charity Of equal social Importance
will be the lecture on the evening OF
February goth, on king Lear" by DIR.
d. j. Stafford, the famous Shakespear-
ian interpreter who sacrificed what
would have been a brilliant histrionic
career to enter the Roman Catholic
priesthood. Mrs. Roosevelt's name also
heads the list Of patronesses for this
event.
The news that the Italian Ambassador
and Signora des Planches will soon
occupy the handsome residence recently
purchased by Mrs. Phoebe "A. Hearst,
is greeted most cordially by society.
The Hearst home is one OF the most
beautiful residences in the city and, ss
the ambassador is fond OF entertaining
and Is already fsvorite, it is antici.
pated that his new home will prove
another OF those charming rendezvous
for which Washington is famous. The
former Ambassador, Baron de Fava,
usually resided in New York.
To satisfy a general curiosity as to the
costume which will be worn by
the American representatives at the
coronation Of Edward VII, have ascer-
tanned at the state department that it
will consist of ordinary evening dress,
except that knee breeches and black
silk stockings will be worn in lieu OF
trousers. This costume was agreed
upon many years ago in conference
between the state department aud the
British Foreign Office court. The
Americans will be the only persons so
sttired, all others not in uniform being
required to appear in court dress with
cooked hat, sword, etc. The United
States naval and army officers will, OF
course, wear full uniform.
Since the passage, by the house Of
representatives, Of the majority anti.
oleomargarine bill no legislation Of
importance has been undertaken by that
body; but today the repeal OF the war
revenue taxes will be taken up. Much
interest centers in the ways and means
committee which will take up the ques.
ton OF Cuban reciprocity today. l saw
Chairman Payne this morning but could
elicit from him only the fact that the
committee would see what it could do
without injury to American interests" "
There is no doubt that u majority Of the
committee lie opposed to granting any
concessions, on principle, but the
pressure from the White House and
from the senate end ofthe capitol is &c
strong that some measure will probably
be reported.
The Philippines bill is still under con-
sideration in the senate and some time
has been devoted to the permanent
census bill. The former, and possibly
the latter, will probably be disposed o.
this week.
The president is again at the White
House and is completing his verdict In
the Schley case which will probably b,
made public soon.
A vigorous effort is being made in the
house Of representatives to sec1re th'
passage of a bill providing for a depart
ment Of mines and mining and Repre-
sentative S. d. Woods, OF California, tn,
author Of the bill, is leaving no ston'
unturned TO secure that end. Th'
measure providing for the establishment
OF a department Of commerce and labo
seems likely to pass the present session
and makes Mr.. Woods all the more Ger
tain that he can secure the presen
passage OF his bill. Speaking on tn
subject today he said. "Thero Is ever
reason why the government shoul
recognize the importance Of this in
dustry by establishing a department I
represent it with cabinet officer at il
head. The mining interests Of th
country produced wealth in 1899
the amount Of t976 900, 900. Is that nj
reason enough in itself why there shoul
be department tn represent thet
gigantic interests2 Again there al
hundreds Of thousands OF men employe
in tse mines of the country. The
interests should be saiegusrded as onl
a department OF the government ca
guard them. We have a departme
Of agriculture to watch over and pr
tect the interests OF the farmers. to il
vestigate improved methods, to dete
mine what are worthy Of adoption al
what are not, and 50 save the farme
themselves millions Of dollars. III
department further investigates ioreis
markets. Why should not the mimi
interests have all these helps and sai
guards? They deserve them. Th'
contribute millions TO the wealth OF Il
country and they deserve recognize
and the greatest possible protection tn
the government can afford them. T
addition OF an immense area OF M
territory in the Philippines, Porto Ric
A etc, all Of it doubtless rich in miner
/ Z. $1,000 L.. - .