The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-02-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, Feb. nth, 1909.

washington, feD. 6tus A0VS'
The news that the Italian ambassador
and Signora des Planches will soon oc-
cupy the handsome residence recently
purchased from Mrs. Phoebe A. Hearst
Is greeted most cordially by society. The
Hearst home is one Of the most beautiful
residences in the city, and as the ambas-s
sador is fond Of entertaining and Is sE
ready a favorite, IL Is anticipated that his
new home will prove another OF those
charming rendezvous for which Wash
ington is famous. The former ambassa-
dor, Baron de Fava, usually resided In
New York.
To satisfy very general curiosity as
to the costume which will be worn by the
American representatives at the corona
ton of Edward VII, have ascertained at
the state department that 1t will consist
OF ordinary evening dress, except that
knee -breeches and black silk stockings
will be worn ip lieu of trousers. This
costume was agreed upon many years ago
ln conference between the state depart
ment and the British foreign Office, and
has ever since been worn by American
representatives when attending court.
The Americans will be the only persons
90 attired, all others not in uniform be-
ing required to appear In court dress, with
cooked hat, sword, etc. The United
States naval and army officers will, OF
course, wear full uniform.
Since the passage by the house of rep
resentatives of the majority anti-oleomar
garine bill, no legislation of Importance
has been undertaken by that body; but
to-day the repeal of the war revenue taxes
will be taken up. Much interest centers
In the ways and means committee, which
Will take up the question of Cuban reci-
proclty to-day. I saw Chairman Payne
this morning, but could elicit from him
only the fact that the committee "would
see what 1t could do without injury to
American interests" There Is no doubt
that majority of the committee is op-
posed to granting any concessions, on
principle, but the pressure from the
White House and the senate end OF the
capitol is so strong that some measure
will probably be reported.
The Philippines bill is still under con-
sideration In the senate and some time
has been devoted to the permanent census
bill. The former, and possibly the latter,
will probably be disposed Of this week.
The president Is again at the White
House and is completing his verdict In
the Schley case, which will probably be
made public soon.
"A vigorous effort is being made In the
house of representatives, to secure the
passage of a bill providing for depart
ment OF mines and mining, and Repre-
sentative b. d. Woods of California, the
author of the bill, lie leaving no stone un-
turned to secure that end. The measure
providing for the establishment Of de-
partment of commerce and labor seems
likely to pass the present session, and
makes Mr.. Woods all the more certain
that he can secure the passage of his bill.
Speaking on the subject to-day he said !:
"There Is every reason why the govern
ment should recognize the Importance Of
this industry by establishing department
to represent it, with cabinet officer at
its head. The mining interests OF the
country produced wealth in 1899 to the
amount of $976, ,800,00 Is that not rea-
son enough In itself why there should be
a department to represent these gigantic
interests ? Again, there are hundreds of
thousands of men employed In the mines
Of the country. Their interests should be
safeguarded as only q department Of the
government can guard them. We have a
department of agriculture to watch over
and protect the interests of the farmers,
to investigate improved methods, to de-
termine what are worthy of adoption and
what are not, and so save the farmers
themselves millions Of dollars. This de-
partment further investigates foreign mar
kets. Why should not the mining inter-
ests have all these helps and safeguards
They deserve them. They contribute mil
lions to the wealth of the country, and
they deserve recognition and the greatest
possible protection that the government
can afford them. The addition of an Inn.
mense area Of new territory in the Phil.
ippines, Porto Rico, etc., all of it doubt.
less rich in mineral wealth, Is an added
reason for the establishment of such a
department"
The senate to-day, In executive session
ratified the treaty providing for the pur.
chase by the United States Of the islands
of the West Indies belonging to Den.
mark, without amending it In any partic.