St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-02-12
DIR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Especial Correspondence

nv Jackson place, Seventeenth and II
streets and Pennsylvania avenue, just
north of the state, war and navy de-
nartment building, is under discus
sion by the senate committee on pub
lie buildings and grounds. Senator
Fairbanks, the chairman Of this COM
1nfttee. some time ago introduced a bill
in the senate providing for a building
on this site for the departments Of state
and Justice That bill has been under
discussion, and it has already been de-
cided by the committee that such a
building should contain offices for the
president of the United States, so that
it will probably be styled the execu-
tive, state and justice building.
The square just north of Pennsylva-
MIA avenue, between Jackson place
and Seventeenth street, is regarded as
admirably suited for a building in
which the offices of the president can
be located. 1t is contemplated to con-
struct between the building and the
White House a tunnel, so that when
the president desires he can pass from
his office to his home without going out
of doors. This tunnel will be lighted
by electricity and ornamented in such
a way that it will appear, in fact, no
different from a beautiful corridor in
the building.
After White House Rats.
A new rat catcher has come to town
bent on DISCRIMINATING the rats at the
White House. He's willing to work
by the day, job or scalp. His card
reads: "W. B. Linthicum, Professional
Rat Catcher. All Work Guaranteed"
Linthicum, who came here from Bal
timore, is a constituent Of Represent
alive Wachter. He saw Mr.. Wachter
AMI offered to send at once for his 'in-
struments" - eleven ferrets and five
dogs.
For heavens sake, don't bring them
to the capitol" pleaded Mr., Wachter,
who at once wrote Secretary Cortelyou
asking that the president consider
Maryland in distributing any patron
age connected with the rat killing in
dusry
Linthicum claims to be the cham
pion rat killer of the world. He esti
mates that he has exterminated more
than a million rats.
Il could clean out that White House
in few days" he said. Linthicum will
remain in town until he hears from
Secretary CorteIyou.
Rat traps, rat poisons and rat killing
suggestions continue to pour into the
White House.
An unconventional President.
The other day the president para
iyZed some old conservatives by being
seen in the street playing ball with
some boys. The president didn't know
who the boys were, and it did not make
the slightest difference to him. They
were having a fine time when he came
along and the sight Of their joy was
too much for him. He promptly asked
to be let in, and the first thing the boys
knew they We're playing ball with a
president of the United States who did
rot approve of the particular curve
they affected and began teaching them
a new one. For ten minutes he delight
ed them and apparently himself and
then went on his way, while the young
sters cheered him off.
1t is that sort of thing that astonishes
official Washington until it is holding
its breath in wonder. They never saw
the like before, and it flies in the face
of anything else they ever heard of,
and nothing but the presidents per-
sonal popularity saves him from severe
criticism.
His pet expressions also come in for
much comment, as many of them are
those popular as rule among country
folk and rarely heard in the city. He
edited some persons who We're with
him in the cabinet room the other day
by exclaiming, "By gosh" and in the
space Of two hours he had used it a
number Of times, interspersed by land
sakes," to which was sometimes added
"alive."
EIkins' Luck.
The elevator conductor heard three
bells. 1t was the senatorial signal. At
the same instant came another three
bells. The man glanced at the indicator
and saw that one signal came from the
basement and the other from the top
foor. 1t was evident that two senator's,
one at each end of the shaft, were in a
hurry to get to the senate to answer the
roll call.
The elevator cage was between the
TWO extremes The man at the rope
did not hesitate. Taking coin out Of
his pocket. he gave it a spin and COW
cred it with his foot. "Heads up tails
DOWN. he said.
The coin had fallen head upward.
The elevator assembled to the top story,
and that is why Senator Elkins reach
ed the senate chamber ahead Of Sena-
tor Quarles.
District Wants Loan.
Congress will be asked to lend the
District 100000 for necessary pub
lie improvements. The list Of items
embraces filtration reservoir for Pc
tomac water, a complete system Of
sewage disposal, improvements of the
streets, roads and highways of the
District and the reclamation of the
AnOIpCf;o al