The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-19

GREAT BRITAIN MAY ASK
IN VAIN FOR CONCESSIONS
Her West Indian Possessions
Probably Will Be Placed on an
Equality with Cuba.
MAJOR DERBY SPEAKS
He Is Opposed to Improving the
Wabash River Above Vim
cennes at Present.
specia, to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-No official adj
vices have been received at the State De-
partment TO the effect that Great Britain
desires TO be placed on an equality in re-
spect to the admission of sugar and tobacco
from her West Indian possessions, as the
United States has given Cuba by the reci-
procity treaty. But there are expectations
that such a request may soon come. 1t
would not be the first time that 1.-The ia
vored nation argument has been advanced
by nations when the United States has en-
tered into reciprocal relations with some
country. It was brought up when reel
procity with Hawaii was effected. But the
State Department officials insist that there
is no ground for such a claim on the part
of Great Britain. 1t has been the policy of
this government to consider her reciprocal
arrangements with other nations as In no
sense an intrenchment on the favored ma
ton treatment. The United States regards
reciprocity as a bargain for which some
thing is given for equivalents. and not a
gratuity. While the existing treaty with
Great Britain, made in 1915, provides against
determinations in duties against one coun-
try by the other, and all the benefits of the
favored nation treatment. it is asserted by
the department officials, and this view is
shared by senator's. that unless Great
Britain is prepared to make, on behalf of
the West Indies or Canada, substantially
the same concessions to the United States
as Cuba made, she will have no ground for
claiming the concession which Cuba has re-
ceived. In the treaty Of 1915 a special ex-
ception was made in respect to the West
Indies and Canada, calculated to be favor
able to just such conditions Of reciprocal
trade. But even obtaining the trade con-
Britain would be willing that any of her
possessions on this hemisphere should adopt
the provisions of the Platt amendment.
The proposition to improve the Wabash
river above Vincennes to Perrysville Is not
favored at this time by Maj. George Nee.
Derby, whose report was submitted to the
House to-day. Major Derby says: 1.-THE
Improvement of the river above Vincennes
to Perrysville on such a scale as to MAKE 1t
of value to commerce would be an expen-
sive undertaking which does not seem to
be justifiable in advance of the improvement
of the lower reaches of the river. There
is practically no commerce above Vincennes
at present. and the Improvement above in
advance OF one below could hardly be ex-
pected to give rise to any. For the fore
going reasons / would recommend at pres
ent a survey Of the Wabash above Vim
CcuICo W DC III lIiipIONc-
ment of the river below Vincennes has
made such progress as results in establish
ment of any considerable regular traffic on
the river, the extension of the improve
ment above Vincennes to Perrysville and
above Terre Haute would probably be feas-
ible."
The Senate committee on public buildings
and grounds to-day authorized Chairman
Fairbanks to make a favorable report on
$ho hill rpoLin1 ~, nnrnnrfofin or e. 0nn nm
for the purchase of a site and erection of
a building for the departments Of State,
Justice and Labor. The purchase of the old
Corcoran art gallery site, bounded by La
fayette square III street. Seventeenth street
and Pennsylvania avenue, or any other
suitable square in the vicinity is directed.
The bill names as members of the building
committee the president pro TEN. of the
Senate, the speaker of the House, the Sec
rotary of state. the attorney general, the
chairmen of the Senate and House COM
mittees on public buildings and grounds.
Representatives Hemenway, Overstreet,
Crumpacker and Fred Lands left for In
dianapolis to-day. Representative Holiday
will start for home tomorrow.
1t will be discouraging news to the cities
in Indiana for whose benefit bills have been
presented in Congress for the erection of
federal buildings that at to-day's meeting
of the Senate committee. of which Mr.. Fair
banks Is chairman, II developed that the
sentiment is adverse to any attempt to
get through bills for new buildings at this
session. While there was no formal deci-
was an established policy of Congress-. The
work In behalf of public buildings will,
therefore, be conducted along lines to put
them to the front at the next session.
E. NJ. Tracewell. of Kansas. is the guest
of his brother. r. J.. Tracewell, controller
Of the treasury.
Walter S. Penfeld, OF Auburn. son OF
Judge Penfield, will leave on Sunday for
Indiana, where he will remain a short time,
then proceeding to Seattle, where he Will
engage in business.
Representative Holiday to-day introduced
a bill for the relief of Mrs. Rebecca Gregg,
of Vigo county, whose name was dropped
from the pension rolls on the discovery
that her marriage took place while her
husbands first wife was living; Mr.. Holli:
day believes that this Is a worthy case, and
that Mrs. Gregg's name should be restored
to the pension roll.
Senator Fairbanks to-day introduced a bill
providing increased salaries for rural car
rlerS. Inc measure Is comprehensive and Is
understood to follow closely the ideas of the
postal officials relative TO compensation fol
carriers on rural routes. 1t divides the car.
riers into three groups, as follows: First
year of service, $500; second year, $40; third
and subsequent years, Sl5. An annual leave
of fifteen days is authorized, and it is pro
vided that while the regular carrier is or
his vacation his place shall be filled by
a substitute, who shall receive pay at the
rate of 5000 a year.
There is a strong probability that the
committee on rivers and harbors will order
a favorable report on the survey of In.
diana harbor. proposed by Representative
Crumpacker. Doubt Is expressed, however
that the survey can be completed in TIM
to permit an appropriation at this session
James Pro, postmaster at English, Ind.
is charged with activity in politics in VIC.
lation of the rules of the postal service. A
postofice inspector has been ordered Il
English TO make an investigation and re
port.
Heber c. Hathaway has been appointed
regular carrier and Charles C. Clase substi
tute in the rural free delivery service a
Claypool, Ind. Also Frank Williams. regu
lar and Charles II. Davis substitute a
Fountain City. Ind.
New Serum.