Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-10-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington, ID. c., October 8.

Washington, ~. ", OctODer -
President Mitchell's letter declining
to accept President Rooseyelts offer to
appoint special commission to inyestl-
gate the miners grievances and to do
all in his power to carry out the recon-
mendations of such commission, If the
miners will return TO work at once, was
made public this morning. Mr.. Nit
chell states that he appreciates the re-
sponsibility resting upon the miners but
bearing in mind their experience with
the operators in the past, and inasmuch
as there is no law to enforce the findings
of the proposed commission he has to de-
cline to advise a return to work simply
on the hope that the operators might be
induced or forced to comply with the
commission 5 recommendations
The report from Boston that Secretary
Shaw intends to retire from the Cabinet
was vigorously denied at the Treasury
Department this morning The Secre-
tary is now on short speech making
tour in New England.
William Dougherty, bookbinder in the
Government Printing Office, as an out
growth of lovers quarrel, shot and kill
ed his sweetheart Miss Amelia Fisher,
and then committed suicide at noon to-
day at. the young lady's boarding house,
6O9I 4th street northwest. Miss Fisher
was also employed in the Government
Printing Office. Dougherty was APP
pointed to the government service from
Green county, Pa, and Miss Fisher from
the District of Columbia.
The Presidents outing yesterday was
so beneficial to him that his physicians
gave their permission for its repetition
today. Accordingly, with Mrs. Roose-
velt he left the temporary White House
shortly after noon fora long drive through
the northwest section of the city. 1t is
the Presidents intention should his leg
continue to improve, 10 90 to Oyster Bay
next week.
The first business session of the Seth
annual encampment of the G. A. r.
was called to order at nine o'clock this
morning at the First Congregational
Church. There are 1853 qualified
delegates, including past department
commanders and various other depart
ment officers. Gen. Eli Torrance, in
opening the encampment, read his an
nual address in which he referred
feelingly to the loss of President Nc
Kinley and reported that as a result OF
the appeal made to G. A. r. posts
throughout the country, SO, 223, 20 had
already been contributed by veterans to
the Canton memorial fund. A large
portion of his address was devoted to
the subject of pensions. Referring to
the report of Adjutant General fowler,
the COMMANDMENTS stated that the
total membership of the G. A. r. on
June 80, 1902, was 263, 745 and that
the decrease in membership had been
less than for any year since 1898, not
outstanding the death loss had been
greater than at any period in the history
of the order. The number of deaths
during the year was 8, 800.
1t is believed here thst unless today's con-
ferences in New York should give definite
promise of an early settlement of the coal
strike, President Roosevelt will go ahead
and appoint the commission proposed by him
for She investigation Of the entire situation,
despite Mr.. Mitchell's refusal to send the
miners back to work. Commissioner of
Labor Carroll ID. Wright has an appointment
TO meet the President tomorrow to 90 over the
latest aspects of the situation with him.
Frank Martin, of indianapolis, will prob
ably be the next commander-in-chief of the
Sons of Veterans now in session here. His
name is the only one thus far proposed, and
the sentiment of the convention seems to be
unanimous for him. Election of national
officers will be held tonight.
Congressman Flood, of the Tenth Virginia
district was here yesterday. He is confident
of reelection and says that Senators Daniel
and Martin are making telling speeches in
his district and that both are making friends
and both will surely be returned to the Senate.