Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-12-15
WASHINGTON LETTER
fspecial Correspoudeace.l

numerous in some localities az to sug-
gest the necessity of some means Of
preventing this premature withdrawal
from the military service.
Most officers who submit reports OIL
the subject give reasons for the de-
scrtions, but no explanation appears
quite convincing. 1t il certain there is
a dissatisfaction With Ike ser ice or
course. in the ease OF recruits the rc:l-
son for desnrtiou may be attributed to
the rcaliznt .on of the mistakes they
have made in enisting. but losses in
the artillery. Tor instance. on the Pa
| cific coast cannot be explained in that
| manner On this point General Il. Z.
| Hughes says:
"They certainly indicate lower Or
| der of men than those enlisted prior to
1898. 1t would appear to be wise
policy to try to select recruits with
greater care now that the number re-
uuired has been so greatly reduced, and
with judicio,Is activity Of recruiting Of
| ficers it seems possible to raise the
standard of accepted recruits by look
ing more carefully into their character
and previous course of life
Washington Leads In Letter Writing
The first place among American cities
in the number of letters written and
correspondingly in the amount OF post
al tariff paid to the national govern
ment belongs by right to Washington.
1t is explained here by the pleasant if
conceited argument that everybody in
Washington has friends. Probably the
people who visit the capital annually
and write to their friends about 1t con-
tribute a large share to the enormous
postal revenue collected in the District
of Columbia. The per capita expendi-
ture for postage of the residents of
Washington amounts to So. 10 annually.
The postollice here took in $924,24G last
year. These figures are all the more
remarkable when one considers the
amount of Thanking done here, which is
enormous. To New York belongs the
second position in the per capita ex-
penditure for postage, the annual rate
in that state being $2.76, 43 cents be-
hind that in the District of Columbia.
Senator Depew's Cat.
Among the cats that may compete in
the Washington cat show is hand
some gray fellow belonging to Senator
Depew. The cat bears the name Tom.
1t is not known whether, Or not he is
named for the senator's distinguished
colleague. from New York, but it can
be said that Tom is clever and tricky
and devoted beyond measure to- his
master and mistress. That Tom can
think can scarcely be doubted. He is
very sagacious and frequently outwits
his master. 1t is said he has learned
to smile at the senator's jokes.
Tom has learned trick that is often
shown to guests at the Depew home.
Under the dining room table is an cleo
trio bell for the purpose of summoning
servant Whenever Tom is fastened
up in the dining room he Immediately
Jumps on this button and pushes it with
great vigor until some one arrives and
lets him out Whether by accident OF
otherwise, Tom has learned that when
ever the button under the table is push
ed some one enters the door, thus open
ing it.
In the interest of Veterans.
Colonel Emmett Urell, Major Fred c.
. Hodgson and G. Leyburn Shorey, Off
|, Gals of the Spanish War Veterans, saw
the president the other day to urge him
to place under the civil service all
Spanish war veterans who are now
serving the government in clerical pc
sitions in the Philippines. When the
Spanish War Veterans met in Detroit
:, several months ago, resolution asking
: that action of this kind be taken waf
passed. The president will take the
matter up and will probably act favor
ably upon the request.
Receptions at the White House.
II have no doubt that all the recep
lions this winter will be held in the
White House," Colonel T.. A. Bingham
superintendent of public buildings and
grounds remarked. THE building Ii
{ in such condition that it will be posi-
BILE to hold large functions there, but il
certainly will be good while before
: it is completed. The incompleteness OF
, the executive mansion will not dis
u courage the president, however. If he
decides to use it for large company
he will drive the workmen out, have
G some canvas laid and hold his recep
ton. He is not the sort to borrow
trouble over decorations which are moi
complete"
The Presidents Church.
President Roosevelt and his family
since they came to Washington have at
tended the little brick chapel Of the Re
formed church, Fifteenth and o streets
northwest. but now the president will
soon have new church to worship In
located next to the old chapel. The
Y new house Of worship is called the
. Grace Memorial church. and the indi
I cations are that the new edifice will
q be ready for the church congregation
7 by the holidays.
Wall Fad Aniunals