Evening star., 1902-01-22
HENRY EVANS, Druggist.

mittee, and an amendment was offered
emitting those words.
The resolution was then discussed. Mr..
Parsons Of Philadelphia was opposed to the
proposed change in the rate Of postage as
long as the revenues of the Post Office De-
partment were less than the expenditures.
The tendency was toward an increase in
government expenditures, he said. and he
cited as one instance OF that the rural free
delivery. He did not Believe the farmers
cared anything for the rural delivery serv-
Ice. They came to town, anyway, for their
mail. He read letter from ex-Postmaster
General Smith,. which pointed out that the
wise policy was to wait until the depart
ment became self-sustatning. He also re-
ferred to changes which we're being made
to reduce the expenditures of the depart
ment.
Mr.. Finley Presents Figures.
Mr.. Finley, in speaking OF Mr. Smiths
version as expressed in this letter, said the
statement would not bear analysis. and he
quoted figures which he said he obtained
from the department, afid which he claimed
showed that even after the estimated re-
duction in expenditures Tor 1902 there would
still be a large deficit, SO that the prospect
Of bringing up the revenues Of the depart
ment to self-supporting basis Is still In
his opinion remote one.
Another word was added to the discus
sion by Mr.. Parsons, who said that the war
taxes We're still a. burden and the pressure
from that source ought to be removed be-
fore the proposed reduction could properly
be made.
Another delegate was of the opinion that
the first-class letter rate was not burden
some to the great mass Of people. but they
did feel the weight of duties and other
taxes. In his opinion the proposed measure
was in favor Of a comparatively few.
The vote on the adoption of the report
was by viva yoce and there were only
few voices heard when the negative was
called. ri .'--s-.-. ..-.-a .-'..,.
Early Action on Isthmian Canal.
The report of the committee on the 18TH
milan canal was presented by the chairman,
Daniel w. Taylor of Wilmington, Del. It
urged upon Congress the importance OF
early action looking to the construction OF
al isthmian canal. and reafirming the past
action of the board in this particular. The
resolutions declare that such a canal should
be controlled by the United States and
SHOULD be held absolutely neutral for the
use OF all nations excepting such as may,
at any time. be at war with the United
States. Congress is urged to acquire the
fee simple not only Of the right Of way
through which the canal passes but such
further land upon such side as may be nee
essary to maintain and control the same
for all time to come.
There was some discussion in regard to
the use of the phrase "fee simple" and It
was argued that the words Gin perpetuity"
would answer. 1t was developed moreover
that the delegates wanted the ownership OF
the canal to be without doubt in the Unit
ed States 1t was suggested that the phras-
ing might be left with the members of Con-
gress who would have to make the con-
tract and the report was adopted without
change.
Approval of Metric System.
A report from the committee on the
metric system was made by Mr.. Murray.
which tha of he
Of the metric system Of weights and meas
ures and urging the passage Of the bill
requiring the adoption of this system in all
departments Of the government. The re-
port was adopted.
The report of the committee on trans
portation. which was adopted. urged upon
Congress the adoption of such amendments
as Will prevent false labelling and falsely
classifying articles of merchandise trans
ported by the carriers: the establishing
and maintenance of associations among
stable and awfuy pabshsa sG sates to BE-
approved by the interstate commerce COM
mission. Approval of the bill known as
the anti-scalping bill was stated and an
amendment to the interstate commerce act
to enable the commission to enforce its
findings. ~ 4
Forests and Afld1 Lands.
The committee on forestry and arid lands
reported resolutions indorssng President
Roosevelt's message In the forestry inter-
ests. and Mr.. Clifford Pihchoe, the chief of
the forestry division. was asked to address
the board. He said the, forests sustained
an industry second only to agriculture in
Importance. and is fundamental. as the me-
cessity for wood is imperative. He said
that In spite Of the incyeasfQ use OF iron
in shipbuilding, wood is more largely used
than ever before. As soon as 1t is UNDER
stood that q forest Is factory for wood:
that 1t can be used as b supply, and that
1t is as bad business to destroy forest
as 1t would be to destroy q factory. there
viii be no difhculty about the preservation
OF forests. Mr.. Pinchot spoke briefly, but
had the close attention OF the board.
The other section OF the report relating
to the reclamation OF arid lands was then
read whioh urged the Importance and value
OF this proposed work.
Mr.. Geo. H. Maxwell, the secretary OF
the National Irrigation Association. was
asked to address the board and he spoke
OF some specific cases where 1t is proposed
to apply the irrigation principle. In his
opinion the schemes proposed came clearly
within the scope of the powers Of the
United States. while the advantage to the
government and the public are very great.
In one instance, he said. q single years
product from regiaiple land would nav the