The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-23

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was in the nature of an explanation of GER
tain tables prepared by him, and which
were referred to by Special Agent Saylor,
who had appeared before a committee of
the House. Mr.. Preston stated that his
company was doing principally fruit bust
ness; yet IT owned sugar business in
Cuba which it established last year. In
response to a question by Senator Teller
Mr. Preston stated that he was one Of
syndicate owning 175, 900 to 10000 acres Of
decided upon, he said, as TO what DISPOSE
ton would be made of this property.
The President to-day sent the following
naval nominations to the Senate: Assistant
surgeon, H. c. Curt. passed assistant sur
geon; Lieut. W. j. Sears, lieutenant COM
mander: Lieut. j. A Bell lieutenant com
mander; Lieutenant Commander Edward
F. Qualtrigh, commander; Pay Inspector
Ichabod G. Hobbs. pay director.
E. A. Moseley, secretary of the Inter-
state-commerce Commission, was before
the House committee on interstate and for
eign commerce to-day in relation TO the
safety appliance bill, regarding which the
committee has been holding hearings for
several weeks. Secretary Moseley stated
that under the present safety appliance law
a great saving of life had resulted. He be-
lieved that the present law should be
amended. Asked if the railroads generally
complied with the requests of the Inter
state-commerce Commission for the repair
of found to be defective, he said he
was glad to say that there was only one in
stance where road refused to comply
with the notice of the commission, and
that was a narrow-gauge road not engaged
in interstate business.
Representative Bartholdt, of Missouri, to-
day introduced a bill for the erection here
of an equestrian statue of Baron Steuben
and appropriating $4,000 therefor. The
statue is intended as a recognition of
Baron Steuben's friendship for the United
States.
The Republican senator's are Still
ferring among themselves at each conven-
lent opportunity on the question of Gu
ban reciprocity. A majority of the Repub-
lican members Of the Senate committee
on Cuba have evinced a disposition to ac-
cept the House provision of a reduction of
20 per cent. with the provisions for the re-
peal of the differential duty refined
sugar omitted, but il is understood not to be
their purpose to present any report 10 the
Senate the question until they are as
Sured of the support of a sufficient number
of Republican senators 10 secure the pas
sage of the measure recommended. There
is a considerable contingent of Republicans
from the beet-sugar producing States who
still hold out against any legislation along
this line, and who will probably continue
10 occupy that position.
Secretary Hay and Mr.. Spiroz, the Mex
lean ambassador, this afternoon signed
a convention providing for the arbitration
of the famous Plus claim based on the APP
plication of the Catholic church in Cali
fornia for overdue interest on trust funds
in the custody of the Mexican government.
The claim involves about 81 600 900 and is
the first cause TO go before The Hague
tribunal in any form. Under the terms of
the agreement each Of the parties will select
two arbitrators and they will choose an
other from the eligible list of The Hague
tribunal who shall sit as umpire. Ii is
expected that the treaty will be ratified
by the Mexican Congress, now in session.
in time 10 permit the arbitrators to meet
in September next.
General Greedy to-day stated that the
signal corps telegraph lines in Cuba a few
days ago were transferred to the repre-
sentatives of the government of Cuba Re
ports to him show that when the Au!eri-
can army occupied Havana in January.
1893, there was expensive and ineffi-
Gent telegraph system of about 900 miles
in extent. The signal corps of the army
has reconstructed and extended this sys-
tenn and this government turned over to the
republic of Cuba about $500 miles OF tele-
graph line. The system has brought into
the Cuban treasury within the past year
about 100000 In the way Of receipts.
A bill for the relief of the Interstate and
West Indian Exposition at Charleston, S.
c., was introduced to-day by Representa-
tive Latimore. The bill carries appro-
priation of $4,000 for the purpose of pay
ing the Indebtedness Of the company
A bill was introduced by Senator Lodge
to-day providing for the removal of the
battleship Maine from the harbor OF
Havana and the recovery OF the bodies OF
the American sailors who sank with the
vessel The bill appropriates 100000 for
the purpose.