The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-01
Especial to News and Observer)

Washington, D. c., Oct. 31.-There are
today in North Carolina. in actual oper
alton, just exactly 400 free rural delivery
routes There had been up to October LIST,
500 petitions for routes fled. Of these
400 were established and are now in sue
cessful operation. 2S2 were reported ad
versely and the other 317 are pending.
OF these 400 routes, Congressman W. W.
Kitchin, of the Fifth district, got the
largest number, 81. Next comes Congress
man Pou. of the Fourth district with As,
and Congressman Thomas. of the Third,
with A. The other districts have routes
as follows: Ninth, 46; Eighth, A; Sixth,
40; Second. 81; First, SO; Tenth, %; and
Seventh. 26.
The first year medical class of the
Columbian University has elected as its
president William Alexander Boyd, OF
North Carolina.
On Friday evening, Mrs. A. B. Hunter,
of ST. Augustine, Raleigh, made a short
talk on the work of that school before
| the Womans Auxiliary of the Episcopal
church.
| DR. s. Westray Battle and DR.. James a.
Burroughs, of Asheville, and Dr.. r. H
Lewis, of Raleigh, who have been here
| this week attending meetings of the
American Public Health Association, lett
| for home Friday.
The President is now busy with the
preparation Of his message to Congress.
! Though by no means completed, it has
progressed far enough for the knowing
ones" in administration circles to be busy
with forecasts of the subjects with which
/ it will deal and how they will be treated.
Upon the message, as upon the action
o. no
shadow of the coming Presidential cleo
ton Nothing is to be said in the one
or done by the other that might endanger
! the result of that contest. For this rea-
son the document will be exceedingly con-
lservative-for an emanaton from the
strenuous Roosevelt. The control anG reg
ulation of trusts. Il subject THAT occupied
"a prominent place in his last message, viii
| be entirely overlooked in tins one, or re-
felred to only to point out the laws pass
ed by the last Congress and to say that
no more antitrust legislation should be
enacted until these are given a full and
thorough test. The tariff question also,
will be conspicuous by ito absence, Repub-
| lican leaders having already decreed tina:
there is to be no tariff tinkering" unit!
after the election is safely passed. For
! like reason there is to be no additional
| financial legislation at this session. and
hence little will be said touching the sub
iect in the message. In his last message
Mr.. Roosevelt was decidedly of opinion
that some material changes in existing
currency laws were desirable. especially
such changes as would automatically sup
| ply every demand. But Congress did
nothing then, and the election is 700
near at hand for it to risk doing any
thing now, and so in his forthcoming
message the President will sing a small
| low note. if indeed he sings at all, on the
currency question.
On the theory that the further away
from home he can get in discussion Of
public questions Just now the better-for
his candidacy-he viii have much to say
in his message OF conditions in the
Philippines and Of legislation for ours IA
sular possessions generally. Under this
head also, will be included Alaska. IN
which Mr.. Roosevelt is just now greatly
interested He will of course congratulate
the country on the recent verdict Of the
tribunal on the boundary question and call
attention to the great advantage its set
Element will be to prospective business
enterprises in that territory. 1t Is well
known that considerable legislation for
Alaska is part of the Republican program
this winter. and the President will urge
that its development depends as much
upon enactment of this legislation as upon
definite settlement of the boundary dis
pute.
The isthmian canal question will be dis
cussed at length. Negotiations between
this country and Colombia will be review
ed and the prospects of securing the de-
sired concessions stated. But, 1t Is be-
Geved no recommendations will be made.
Naturally this will consume much space,
and it is possible that it may be elimin-
ated from the regular message and be
sent in as a special message In response
to a resolution that it is now understood
Senator Morgan will introduce early IN
the special session.
Of greatest general interest, however