Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-21
BITS OF WASHINGTON LIFE.
Events ana Incidents Brighten tn
Midsummer Dizziness.

Events and Incidents Brighten the
Midsummer Dizziness.
oficiaIs OF the Navy department evince
keen interest In the results Of the trial trip
made by the steamer Mariposa, from San
Francisco to Tahita and return, using crude
oil for fuel. Reports from San Francisco
pronounce the experiment a success, but
the department has yet to hear from the
naval officer who was detailed to watch and
report on the experiment. This Is one of
the tests undertaken by the department to
determine the feasibility Of using oil as fuel
en- war vessels. Sufficient progress has been
made to determine that It may be SO used.
The element Of danger, however, has not
been entirely overcome. This danger arises
from percolation throughout the ship OF
combustible oil gases, which thus far those
making the tests have not been able to
overcome. The Importance Of these tests
lies in the fact that II It is shown petro-
leum can be used with safety and that the
Objectionable feature Of heat too intense
for fremen to bear can be overcome, the
United States navy will lead every other
naval establishment in the world in its
ability to provide cheaper, more powerful
and mere cas!ly obtained means 90 arlng the
furnaces OF men-of-war.
When liquid oil was first investigated a
few years ago for fuel purposes It was es-
timated that the locomotives of the
Pennsylvania railroad would consume more
oil than the total output OF the United
States at that time. Since then, however,
there have been discoveries OF oil fields
which have enormously Increased the sup
ply available for all purposes.
The government report on the subject
shows that the total output of petroleum
for the whole world in 1900 was 1856, 900, 900
barrels. The production in this country
for the same year was SO, 900, 900 barrels,
but in 1901. as the result Of the exploita-
tion Of the Texas oil fields, the output in
creased to 100, 100000 barrels, or more
than Ave times the total output Of the
world for the previous year. There seems
to have been an enormous Increase also
in the worlds output.
There are now at least 200 wells in
Texas alone, which up to a recent date
have developed a capacity OF from so, 900
to 1900 barrels a day. It is estimated
that about 1000, 900, 900 gallons a year come
from the Texas oil fields alone. A more
general uBetof oil for fuel purposes would
undoubtedly hasten the development Of the
Wyoming fields. q ,eonsummation Of in
cslculablel value ITO the west.
"Ofhcials in the medical department OF
the army" says the Washington Post, ARE
considerably concerned over the great need
Of army surgeons at this time. 1t devel-
oped yesterday that there are now forty
nine vacancies in the department. and the
prospect Of filling them in the near future
is far from bright. An examination for as
sistant surgeons in the army with the rank
Of first lieutenant is to be held in this city
at the Medical museum September 8, but
1t is not expected the results of this test
will materially relieve the situation. Only
thirty applications for entrance to the ex-
animation have yet been filed, and expert
ence has shown that from this number the
department annot expect to secure more
than five recruits at the outside.
"Brigadier General W. H. Forwood, sur
geon general OF the army. in speaking of
the matter, called attention to the difficulty
which the department. encounters in secur-
ing suitable material for it's ranks. I'VE
need men Of culture, refinement and edu-
cation" he said, men Of professional abil-
ity, and. despite the large number OF medi-
cal schools throughout the country, the de-
partment finds 1t very dificult to secure
such men.
This lack Of army surgeons at this time
Is especially embarrassing TO the depart
ment IN view Of the spread OF cholera in
the Philippines and the consequent demand
from the army in the east for medical
assistance. An assistant surgeon in the
army is we'll cared for. His salary is 81, 800
a year, with allowances, and his rank that
Of q hrst lieutenant, mounted"
During the last few weeks there has
been put In circulation a new postal card
with the portrait Of President Mckinley to
s~upplant the long familiar picture OF
Thomas Jefferson. The new card differA
from the old in almost every ~way-design,
device. color, size and texture. The old
bun color has given way to a very light
shade of gray. In place Of a single vignette
Jefferson supported by a laurel wreath
inclosing his name-there are now two.
At the left is the national eagle. with the
words, United States OF America. " disposed
above and below II. At the right a profile
portrait shows the left side OF Mr.. McKin-
ley's face. Below It Ia printed "1s4s-
McKinley-1sO1." Above appear the words.
Postage one cent"
Another marked change is in the device.
Where the old card had the solid black
frame inclosing the white letters Of the
words United States Of America" above
this Postal card one cent" below the mes
sage. "This side is for the address only"
there now appears a large empty space.
then in very large letters Postal Card"
above which stands The space above is
reserved for postmark." underneath are the
words. The space below is for address
only" all three together forming a sort OF
link between the two vignettes.
Held the Marrying Record
Rev. Thomas Coehrane. minister OF the