Evening journal., 1903-09-17
LETTER
Especial Correspondenco. I

nation. Turning to the records, he pro-
duced figures showing that in the year
1900, when the census enumerators
were at work, there were 2,040, 1872
children born in the United States and
the total number Of deaths reported
during the same period was 1,o39,O94.
In other words, there were 1,O10,03S
more births than deaths.
Does that look much like race sui
cideT" inquired Mr.. King. You must
bear in mind also that these figures do
not represent the exact number Of
births and deaths in that year, for the
reason that our data were incomplete
because there is no uniform and rigid
law requiring the registration Of births
and deaths. Birth statistics are the
most incomplete and unsatisfactory of
any we have to deal with, while death
statistics more nearly represent the ac-
tual number of persons who died. The
number of unrecorded births is, there
fore, undoubtedly larger than the num-
Der Of unregistered deaths, giving still
stronger proof that we are not dying
race"
Mount Vernon Mansion CrumbIing.
In an effort to preserve from further
decay the tomb and mansion Of George
Washington at Mount Vernon a force
of men under the direction of Superin-
tendent II. II. Dodge is treating the
limestone of which the tomb is built
with a vulcanizing process which 1t is
supposed will make it waterproof and
imperishable Similar treatment will
be given the stone foundation of the
mansion.
Some time ago Superintendent Dodge
noted that the stones Of the old tomb,
the one built by General Washington,
in which his body and that of his wife
rested until 1881, were in such condi-
tion of decay that with a penknife or
even with a finger nail one could easily
scrape away large surfaces of the
stones They had decayed owing to
damp climatic conditions. Further in
vestigation disclosed that the sandstone
foundations of the historic mansion in
which General Washington lived were
undergoing a like process of disintegra-
ton and that with small effort they
could be made to crumble. 1t is evi-
dent that if the process now being
used on the stones is not a success the
foundation will have TO be replaced or
the building will collapse perhaps with
in two years.
Assistant Secretary oliver.
General Robert Shaw Oliver of New
York. successor to Assistant Secretary
Of War Sanger, has been formally in
Quoted into Office and IS now perform
ing his new duties. General Oliver will
be acting secretary of war until the re-
turn of Secretary Root or the qualih.
cation of that officials successor in the
event Of separation from the depart
ment before his return from Europe.
The organization of the general stafi
relieves the assistant secretary Of much
routine labor that previously required
/ his attention. The secretary is also
relieved of many matters relating tC
the army and its personnel that were
under his exclusive jurisdiction before
the general staff was created. anC
while the secretary is made the imme
diate representative Of the commanded
in chief and as such may issue orders
TO the army through the chief of staff
it is reasonably certain that the acting
secretary will not be called upon Otter
to take the initiative in matters relat
ing to the military administration oi
the army.
Back to Wnshing gton.
President Roosevelt and his family
will return to Washington Sept. 26 4
nothing occurs to interfere with thi
present arrangements. The summe
home at Oyster Bay viii be closed a
that time and again Washington viii
be the home Of the president. With tn
president will come Private Secretar,
Loeb and the clerks who were trans
ferred early in the summer to Oyste
Bay.
The presidency is the only ofiic'
which follows the incumbent. Durini
the absence Of a cabinet official from
Washington some one is left TO act il
his stead However, wherever the pres
ident goes there goes the executive @
the nation, and enough clerks must b.
taken along to transact the busines
coming before him.
Darrinx Diseased Immigrants.
Commissioner General of Immigra
ton Sargent will in all probabilit.
adopt new policy in the near futur
TO prevent immigrants afflicted witt
'the two dreaded contagious diseases o
trachoma and favus from gaining ad
mission into the United States Tn
plan he is now considering is the ap
pointment of medical officers connecte'
with the public health and marine hos
pital service 10 be stationed at all foI
eign ports of embarkation to make
medical examination Of emigrants VIII
intend coming to this country. MI
Sargent said at present these two dis
eases are often not recognized by thos
on board vessels, and many passenger
develop the diseases before arriving a
their destination by coming in contac
with those so afflicted.
DertiIIon system Extended.
Chief Wilkie OF the secret service ha
completed the installation Of the Bel
tillon system of criminal identification
in the twenty-five districts into whic
the service is divided in the Unite
States. Mr.. Wilkie has had an exper
give instructions to his agents in eac
Of these districts. He says that it rs
: quires at least two months for a ma
/ 10 become proficient in the use Of thi
p form Of criminal Identification.