The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-02-26
TREND OF EVENTS
AT WASHINGTON.
Transpiracies of Note, News and
Views OF National Interest.
CORTELYOU TAKES HIS SEAT.
Head of New Department of Commerce
for the First Time Takes the Seat Re.
served for Him.---NO Details of New
Department yet Discussed.

Washington.-At recent cabinet
meeting Secretary Cortelyou attend
ed as the head OF the new depart
ment OF commerce and labor. He
was given cordial welcome bv
both the president and the other
members and was assigned the seat
at the foot of the cabinet that had
beer reserved for him. Mr.. Cortel-
you's elevation to the cabinet adds
snother lawyer to the body. At the
meeting there was nc discussion of
the details of the new department,
but In day or two Secretary Cor
telyou will communicate to congress
his recommendations as to the new
department, the estimates of appro-
priation through the secretary of
| the treasury. Secretary Moody
brought to the attention of the cabi-
net the subject of construction of
war vessels now building. He SUBJ
mitted report on the matter from
Admiral Knowles and he was au-
thorized to make public the report
together with a letter which he
himself had sent to the president on
the subject. Secretary Wilson in
formed the cabinet that the appear
ance of the foot and mouth disease
had been reported in Northwestern
Mexico by the British consul located
at Potosi. The secretary has sent
agents of the department in Mexico
to investigate the matter.
1t is matter of comment in Off
cial circles here that perhaps, with
out intending it, Germans are aid
ing the Venezuelan ravolutionists
in refusing to return at once Presi-
dent Castro's ships. Word has been
received here that the German com
mander has informed the Venezue-
Ian government that the ships will
be turned over to them at Port of
Spain this week. In the protocols
it was provided that all ships should
be returned and it was the intention
of the allies representative here
that the return of the vessels should
occur IL Venezuelan waters where
they were captured. President Cas-
tro has no navy to prevent the revo-
lutionists importing arms and am
munition.
It is reported here that the an
thracite coal strike commission has
come to a decision on three ques-
tions which are Of great interest
both to the miners and operators.
It is said that they have decided: l,
that miners shall have increase OF
not less than nor more than 10 per
cent; 2, that the companies and the
miners must agree on fixed days
work for every man so that each
man shall be able to work eight
hours; 3. that future rates or other
matters on which there may arise
dispute shall be decided by a COM
mittee of the operators and the mi
rers. This report could not be
verified in any particular.
One Of the bills that will probably
be passed during the last days of the
session is the RurIeson bill for the
collection of cotton statistics by
means of a tax of one mill on each
bale. There is practically no oppo-
sition to the bill in either house of
congress as far as Mr.. Burleson has
been able to learn. Director of the
Census Merriam has been consider
ing plans by which the bill can be
put into operation. and he is salts
fed that it will enable him to secure
very accurate returns from cotton
gins at a much less expense than
that involved in the present system.
If the system is found to be satisfac-
tory for cotton statistics. it can be
applied to the collection of other
statistics, including wheat.
Bishop Blank, of Porto Rico. held
long conference with the presi-
dent and talked about conditions in
Porto Rico. a few DAYS ago.
Congressman Moon, OF Tennessee,
is said to be blocking many merito-
rious bills in the house by objecting
to the consideration of measures out
side of the regular order.