Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-19
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence.l

numerous In some localities as to sug-
gest the necessity Of some means of
preventing this premature withdrawal
from the military service.
Most officers who submit reports on
the subject give reasons for the de-
sertions, but no explanation appears
quite convincing. 1t is certain there is
a dissatisfaction with the service. or
course, in the case Of recruits the rea
son for desertion may be attributed to
the realization of the mistakes they
have made in enlisting, but losses in
the artillery, for instance, on the Pa
cific coast cannot be explained In that
manner. On this point General r. z.
Hughes says:
They certainly indicate a 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-
quired has been 30 greatly reduced, and
with judicious 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 II
| ho ararvhpdu 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 $3.19 annually.
The postofflce here took in 1924, ,246 last
year. These figures are all the more
remarkable when one considers the
amount of franking done here, which is
enormous. To New York belongs the
second position in the per capita e1-
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 a 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
tric bell for the purpose Of summoning
servant. Whenever Tom is fastened
up In the dining room he Immediately
jumps on this button and pushes 1t with
great yigOr until some one arrives and
lets him out. Whether by accident or
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 Emmet Urell Major Fred G.
Hodgson and G. Leyburn Shorey, Off
cials 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 po-
sitions in the Philippines. When the
Spanish War Veterans met In Detroit
several months ago, resolution asking
that action of this kind be taken was
passed. The president will take the
matter up and will probably act favor
ably upon the request.
Receptions at the White House.
81 have no doubt that all the recep-
tions this winter will be held In the
White House." Colonel 7. A. Bingham,
superintendent of public buildings and
grounds, remarked. THE building is
in such condition that 1t will be possi
BILE to hold large functions there, but 1t
certainly will be a good while before
it is completed. The incompleteness of
the executive mansion will not dis
courage the president, however. II he
decides to use 1t for large company,
he will drive the workmen out, have
some canvas laid and hold his recep-
tion. He is not the sort to borrow
trouble over decorations which are not
complete"
The President's 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 a new church to worship In,
located next to the old chapel. The
new house of worship is called the
Grace Memorial church, and the indi-
cations are that the new edifice will
be ready for the church congregation
by the holidays.
Well Fed Animals.
The United States government Is one
of the largest buyers of meats. vege-