Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-30
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Minor Scenes and Incidents Sketched
on the spot.

Minor scenes ana Anctuents sketched
on the spot.
The tendency OF people troubled with a
surplus to burn money has taken q firm
grip on Uncle Sam and he is doing a stunt
in that line unrivaled in magnitude and
economic results. While the average mortal
burns money for individual pleasure, your
uncle does It to save coal bills. During
the top-notch price Of coal which prevailed
during October the bureau OF engraving
and printing was kept warm by burning
each day about $40, 900 worth OF retired
bonds, paper money, postage stamps and
like evidence OF wealth issued by the gov
eminent. AS an Offset to this costly heat
the bureau credited up a saving of $3.50 in
coal.
Beginning with July, 1901, following the
repeal Of the stamp tax on bank checks,
telegraph and telephone messages, and aug
mented this last July by the repeal Of all
stamp taxes. the treasury has been redeem
ing the revenue stamps remaining in the
hands OF purchasers throughout the coun-
try. The stamps have been shipped in
wagonloads, a considerable portion OF the
bulk being made up of the blank checks
upon which the stamp was impressed. Car
loads and tons upon tons of this stun have
been shipped to Washington and stored in
the treasury.
During the fall large numbers OF settle
ments have been made, enabling the re-
moval Of the stamps represented by the
payments. AS fast as a wagonload Of stamps
was released 1t was hauled over to the
bureau and shoveled into the big incin-
orator built solely for this purpose.
In the latter part of September. while the
process Of destruction was going on, and
while the officials of the Treasury depart
ment we're racking their brains to figure
out a fuel supply for the various bureaus,
the engineer at the bureau of engraving and
printing was seized with an inspiration.
He suggested the utilization of the wagon
loads OF stamps and stamped checks for the
purpose Of producing steam. The thing
was tried.
While the o~ficials who ordinarily are
charged with the duty OF witnessing the
operation Of burning the stamps stood by
to see that the stamps all went into the
furnace, the fireman and engineer expert
mented. 1t was found that about two parts
Of coal to one part OF stamps and checks
made a combination producing splendid re-
suits.
And so. day after day. the big wagons
transported boxes and bales OF stamps and
stamped checks to the bureau and the
stokers sandwiched a layer Of several thou
sand dollars worth Of government securi-
ties between a few cents worth Of coal. At
the end Of the month it was ascertained
that an average of a ton of coal daily had
been saved through the use of the high
grade fuel, a total saving of $3.50 for the
month, estimating coal at IS a ton.
Elliott Woods, superintendent Of the
noRtfal aN TaahNn1k 1n@Ia-Az AAoA A.
building is bubbling over with wit and
humor, prompted by the coal famine. He
mentions some Of the suggestions for fuel
which he has received from visitors:
Storing the heat from warm Debates"
"the seasoned timber from which cabinets
are selected" "planks from political con-
ventions;" some of the dried old fossils
in the senate;' logs which are rolled by
all MEMBERS" "the protected cradles OF
our infant industries" and the steps
which are always taken to remedy all mat
ters."
More than 900 chrysanthemum plants are
on exhibition at the flower show opened
at the Agricultural department building
this week. They embraced 122 varieties.
All we're propagated In the hot houses of
the department and many OF them are
ITluupuS OF the BaTueneT B SClSuC6 anu bhllls
The largest and handsomest plant is mis-
named Black Hawk, for the blossoms, which
are twelve inches in diameter. are white
with a pink center. A bunch OF this va
riety was cut and sent to President Roose-
welt. The Japanese minister, Mr.. Takahira,
has been one OF the most enthusiastic visi-
tors at the exhibition, the chrysanthemum
being his national flower. 1
Washington Is nat mad. Housekeeping
apartment fats are springing up in all
quarters. but chiefly the northwest dis
trict. More than forty large fats have
been completed since January /, 1901, a
score of others are In course of construc-
ton. and several others, larger still, are
planned.
The rapidity with which these fats, when
ready for occupancy, have been filled has
been remarkable. Heads Of families have
had themselves booked for quarters in the
new ones months before their completion.
The rents are about the same as those of
the houses previously occupied by the fat
tiers. 1t Is clear, however. that the fat is
the cheaper at the same rate, because in
II there is no expense for heating or water,
and there are economies in other directions.
Washington has just found these things
out. Consequently the fats are full, with
a constantly increasing demand for more.
The site Of the new Hay fats is at the
corner Of Connecticut avenue and L street,
in the fashionable quarter Of the capital,
only four blocks from the White House, and
less than three from Colonel Hays own
residence on Lafayette Park. The building
will have a frontage on each street Of APP
proximately $50 feet, and is to be eight !
stories high. The floor space is to be cut
up into nearly 800 rooms, grouped into
ninety-hve suites OF f1ve-room fats.
FLOUTING HOME RULE.