Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-12-12
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial COrrespondcucc.l

Fresh water sailors recruited from
the vast middle west and trained on
the great lakes promise to become a
highly important factor in the United
States navy Of the future. To aid in
their development there is Il strong
feeling in Washington that the Rush
Bagot treaty of 1917. which limits to
almost nothing the naval force of Great
Britain and the United States on the
great lakes. could be so revised, or its
interpretation So agreed upon. that
warShipS suitable for training purposes
may he permitted to cruise the great
inland seas. where storms rise quickly
enough and the sea waves are sutli-
cicnily heavy To give the raw recruit
ample opportunity 10 acquire the "sca
habit
The proposed naval training station
at Lake Bluff. on Lake Michigan, near
Chicago. affords an excellent site for
shore barracks and a drill ground, and
il possesses Il first rate harhor, where
the recruits may he trained in ships
cutters. But this is the limit for train
Bagot agreement is altered.
senator Fairbanks Is anxious that
the sittngS of the joint high commits
sion which failed several years ago to
satisfactorily adjust existing differ
cnccS between the United States and
Canada shall be resumed. If he is able
to bring this about, the Rush Bagot
.l,.l 4
mission with an idea to its revision.
The naval committee of the house,
which will consider the establishing of
the training station ON Lake Michigan
at an early date. will also consider
necessity for change in the existing
agreement.
Lost Idea.
Rice Alexander Pierce of Tennessee
had just concluded an impaSsiOned
speech of five minutes in which he
had torn 20 tattcrS the Republican par
tvs tariff position as revealed in its
efforts in behalf of Cuba. The Hon.
Ike Hill. Democratic whip, succeed
cd in reaching him to offer conSratula-
tionS before he had taken his seat and
''That was Il great Speech said Hill,
but Will" you were talking an idea
came 10 me that would simply swamp
'cm. They couldn't get away from it,"
"Lrt me have it quick" said Pierce
IN ask for another minute"
Hills browS contracted, and he gave
an imitation of an undCrstudy in Il
heavy thinking part.
"QTick." said Pierce. 'Somcbody els
will ask for the floor
Colonel Ike scratched his head fol
moment and appeared to be in pain.
by George. Rice" he said. DO
know that idea has slipped my III
cntircly:"
4 New Version.
The House Couundrum club had
short sitting the other morning. il
as the president. the Hon. Thomas Il
of Ohio. was about to state the obj
of the meeting the Hon. Fred Land
of Indiana hilttcu in and said, "Ivc Got(
a new one
"Wcll:' said all the members expect
antly.
W I'n IL Il uthiI not IL uOoI.
Great heavens" groaned President
Kyle. Has it come to this? Young
man, the fact that you have been in
congress only a few days saves you.
That is the first conundrum that ever
was
"Is that sn:" said Landis deiiantly.
"WcIl. then, what's the answer"
"Whcn it's aiHr," whispered the unit
cd membership, with avcrted faces.
"Wrong.' shouted Lands trium
phantly. "lou follows are not so good.
When lis Il ncgrcss.'
The Parish lee Claim.
Information obtained at the treasury
department indicates that the comp
troller of tile treasury will decide ad-
vcrScly the famous Parish ice claim
which comcS from southern Illinois and
which received attention in congress
last winter. The auditor for the war
department allowed the claim. amount
ing 10 SlSn.06o, for ice brought from
Lake rcpin. Wisconsin. during the civil
war During the investigation of the
poStollicc scandals Mr.. Rand. PoStmaS-
ter General Paync's confidential sccrc-
tary, WAS charged with lobbying the
ease before congress. Mr.. BriStow in
his report of the investigation cXoncr-
atcS Mr.. Rand not only ON this charge,
but on all others made against linn.
viii settle With Friars.
Adviccs reaching the war department
from Manila Indicate that before he
Governor Taft will have succeeded in
settling one of the most veXatiOuS prob
lens connected with the acquisition Of
the Philippincs-namcly the adjust
mcnt of the claims of the friars for
their extensive property holdings in
the islands. Negotiations To this end
have been in progress Mt Manila be-
tween Governor Taft and Mgr. Guido,
the papal delegate, ever since the gov
crnOr's return to the islands from
Rome, Tho frlarS have reduced their
price from S14,0O0,000 to $G,OOO.OOO.
To IEprOve Rural Delivery.
Rural free delivery carriers will be
Interested in bill introduced in the
senate by Mr.. Cullom providing that
rural free delivery routes shall not in
any case exceed twenty-five miles in
length aud mat the carriers shall re-
ceiNo a compensation of $500 Il year in
stead of 5000 as ut present. represent.