The state herald., 1903-01-02
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

our navy should at least keep up with
Germany's program. He thinks Con-
gress should give us six fighting ships
at this session.
The President and Mrs. Roosevelt
entertained number of friends at din
ner Christmas night The table was
set in the newly furnished state dining
room. The guests included Senator and
Mrs. Lodge. Mr.. John Lodge, Captain
and Mrs. Cowles, Mr.. John Elliot OF
New York, Mrs. Chas. H. Davis, Miss
Davis, the Messrs. Davis and Mr.
Robert Ferguson.
United States Treasurer Roberts said
December 26th that so far during De-
cember 81 1,466,000 in currency had been
transferred to New Orleans against de-
posits in New York. 100000 to San
Francisco and $1,369,O00 to Chicago.
These figures are over $1,500,000 below
those for December. 1900, and about
$2.000.000 below those for last Decem-
Der. No large additional transfers are
expected soon.
The President has commuted the
sentence of Jesse Snider, who was con
victed in the western district OF Ar
kansas for robbery and sentenced to
Imprisonment for twenty years In the
Detroit House Of Correction, to impris-
onment for ten years. on the recon-
mendation Of the district attorney and
judge, for the reason that the prison.
er was a mere boy at the time OF the
offense and was led into 1t by gang
OF older criminals.
The House committee on public
buildings and grounds is preparing an
omnibus public building bill for intro
duction at this session to provide
buildings In cities and towns where
sites have been purchased by virtue of
prior legislation. but no provision
made for buildings. The bill will also
provide for extending the cost limit of
buildings under construction and
found inadequate for the needs OF the
cities where located.
At the homes of the Cabinet officers
Christmas Day was quietly observed
while among the embassies and lega-
tions elaborate preparations had been
made for celebrating. Official dinner
parties were given by the British and
Russian ambassadors. The Argentine
minister and wife gave a children's
party at the legation, while the minis
ter from Peru and his wife entertained
q number OF Peruvian students In the
various schools and colleges of the
United States.
Having been informed by the consul
OF Costa Rica in New Orleans that a
lottery under the name Of "Loteria de
Ia Benefcencia Publica of Carrillo. Cos
Ia Rica." has been advertised by means
OF circulars rs being established there.
the Costa Rica legation sees proper TO
state that no such lottery exists in any
part Of that country. Instructions have
been given to the consuls OF Costa Rica
in the United States to bring this mat
ter to the attention of the proper au-
thorities and TO properly warn the
public.
Minister Squiers has cabled the
State Department that no special ses-
sion of the Cuban Senate will be called
prior to tie reassembing OF the is
land Congress after the holidays. The
suggestion has been made that such
session Of the Senate might be held
during the holidays for the purpose Of
passing on the reciprocity treaty be-
tween the United States and Cuba, but
according to the Information received
iIOiu IthNhnh tuib iHttHtlou Hds Deen
abandoned. and the measure will come
before the Cuban Senate In regular
form in January.
The Geological Survey has been re-
Qucsted by several western congress-
men to devote a portion OF the funds
available for reclamation OF arid lands
under the new irrigation act to ex-
periments with artesian wells. IL these
experiments should prove what is ex-
pected. great areas OF land would be
made productive that neither bitches
nor reservoirs could reach The French
colony In Algeria. on the edge of the
Sahara. has made success with arte-
sian wells. In California. thousands OF
acres. once considered worthless, have
become remuneratiye through the use
Of artesian water. and are as produc-
tive as any In the state. In Hawaii. the
people have delved for this supterra-
mean flow and found water In abund-
ance. A clause OF the irrigation act
authorizes construction of artesian
wells and the Geological Survey is in-
clined to grant the request and to con-
duet n series OF experiments In nrtc-
sim well digging In eastern Wyoming.
the Dako,ns. eastern Colorado. western
Kansas. and other portions OF the arid
and remi-nrid West.
The following telegram was sent out
from Washington December 23rd: Pco-
plc all over the country who are send
Ing Christmas gifts 10 the Roosevelt
children may as well be frankly told
very few Of their offerings will ever be
seen by the Intended recipients. all
such presents from sources not salts
fnctorily Identified Will be opened. In
tho ordinary course Of business, by the
White House clerks. and most OF them
will ind their way eventually TO WASH
ingion hospitals and other charitable
institutions. Strangers are not cncour-
aged 10 bestow gifta upon the Presi-
dent or members Of his family. Though
n polite acknowledgment In invariably
made. Mr.. Roosevelt would mitch pro-
fer that such evidences OF good will
should be omitted. Nevertheless. many
express wagon loads Of merchandise Of
every imaginable kind. from candy TO
boxes OF cigars. md from dolls to has
kcis Of wine. will be dumped Mt the
door Of the executive mansion during
the week. and the problem of getting
rid Of the stun will emunrrnnn tho cler-
icni force for quite while. or pres
rntB the Roosevelt children will get a
plentiful supply from relatives rnd
friends, and KrlHs Kringie may be ,x-
pected TO descend the White Ho lac
chimney next Wednesday niaht with n
sack heavy enough 10 elicit not un-
justianblc grumblc from the klndi.rut