The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-10-23
At Washington

A committee called at the White
House the 10th inst. and presented to
President Roosevelt a G.. A. r. badge
commemorative of the National Encamp-
ment. The badge is of solid gold, hand
somely embossed and engraved.
Orders have been issued by the War
Department directing that the regular
army be reduced to minimum size, as
authorized by law, 90, 600 men. With
the practical cessations of outbreaks in
the Philippines, it is believed that this
can be done safely. The present size of
the army is about $1,000 men. The
cavalry and artillery will be reduced to
the minimum basis, except around Fort
Leavenworth, where the commands will
be kept of full size for educational
reasons.
Secretary Shaw telegraphed instruc-
tions from Chicago, Friday morning, to
the treasury department to give notice
that he would purchase for the sinking
fund, that day and Saturday, any United
States per cent, bonds of the loan of
1925 at a rate of 1879 and interest to
date of purchase.
The following auth oritative statement
is made regarding the commission to
arbitrate the anthracite coal disputes:
1.-THE commission is so constituted that
1t will require a two-thirds vote to settle
any point upon which there is dispute"
That means that commissioner Wright
the recorder, is not to be regarded as
member of a commission in passing upon
questions at issue before it. An official
of the war department with a great deal
of experience said: I'm all military
boards and courts the recorder has no
vote, but he is the man who runs the
board" col. Wright will keep the
records, summon witnesses, carry out
the orders of the commission and, per-
haps, prepare its report under instruct
ions.
Nearly ten million letters went to the
dead letter Office last year. Over $4,000
persons carelessly dropped. letters with
out addressing them, while 156,S31
neglected to pay the postage.
The first official function performed
by Sir Michael Herbert, the new British
ambassador here was the signing with
Secretary Hay, of the amendment to the
reciprocity treaty with the Barbados, ex-
tending the period of time allowed for
the ratification of that convention for
Blk InOnlub from llt ZOlu lubldni, WHlCn
carries it over the approaching session
of Congress. This is the last of the
British West Indian and Central Amer
lean treaties TO be extended.
While Pres. Roosevelt was unable to
go to Oyster Bay to register his vote for
the November election, he will 60 home
to vote. The President is progressing
finely toward complete recovery and
now is able to move about without
crutches or even cane, but his physi
clans have advised him not to travel any
distance for at least two weeks.
Sir Robert Bond, the prime minister
of Newfoundland, is here to pursue
formal negotiations for the renewal of
the Blaine Bond reciprocity treaty of
1891, between Newfoundland and Great
Britain and the United States. The
first interview between Secretary Hay
and Sir Robert took place, last week,
and the arrangement of a reciprocity
treaty was discussed informally then
and at several subsequent interviews.
In his communications with the State
Department, Sir Robert will be assisted
by Sir Michael Herbert, the British am
bassador, who is already in the pre-
mier's confidence.