The Press., 1903-04-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, March 30, 1908.

to your correspondent as much pleas 81
with the progress made in the establish
ment of the silk industry In this country.
At the present time there is imported
silk to the amount of $50, ,00O, 900 annual
ly. The secretary believes that In time
j this entire amount will be produced with
In the borders Of the United States. DR..
Howard, who has the matter In charge,
has just returned from Europe, where he
procured large quantities Of silk-worm
eggs and young mulberry trees, and these
are being rapidly distributed, together
with instructions for growing both. AL
ready some italian experts In Georgia
have set out $4,000 mulberry trees, and
more will come to this country and estab-
lish an extensive silk producing colony
when the trees come into bearing. Sever
al Italians are now on the ocean bound for
this country and will settle in South
Carolina, where, under the direction of
the department of agriculture, they will
establish an extensive mulberry nursery
from which cuttings will be distributed to
all who ask for them. The secretary has
ordered three reels of European make,
one Of which Is to be put In operation In
the department In Washington, one at the
| Tusk ogee institute and the third at such
point as may be deemed most convenient
for the largest number of silk producers.
For the first year the secretary will buy,
and pay European prices for, all the CO.
coons produced, and thereafter he hopes
the product will be sufficient to establish
market In this country.
The president has authorized much
needed investigation In the postof1ce de
partment and has announced that 1t would
be carried to conclusion regardless of
political "pull' or influence. There has
grown up In the department system of
abuses, due largely to the growth of the
country, and especially of the free delivery
system, without the reorganization of the
department which should have accom-
panied the increase of responsibilities de-
volving upon certain divisions. For some
time it has been In the power Of certain
officials to grant numerous favors to
members of congress, thus placing the
latter under obligation, and when ever a
reorganization has been attempted politi-
cal influence thus obtained by these offic-
ials has been exerted to frustIat the
effort. This situation has continued until
now there are grave charges Of corruption
made against the heads of these divisions,
and 1t is even alleged that a ring has been
formed which has prof1ted by the sale of
every supply sent to a-country postoface,
every mail box placed on free delivery
route. etc. Already strong pressure haa1
been brought to bear on the president to
curtail the current investigation, but he
has declared himself determined to probe
the matter to the bottom.
There Is also an extensive reform In the
treasury department being worked out by
Assistant Secretary Armstrong. The re-
organization of the entire customs service
has been undertaken. Assistant Secretary
Spaulding has been removed, Walter s.
Chance Is said to be slated for transfer to
less responsible position than the one
he now holds, as chief of the division of
special agents, the assistant treasurer at
Chicago, William P. Williams, is likely
to go, and a general shaking up US impend-
Ing. Wilbur F. Wakeman of New York
who gave the department much informa-
tion with regald to the now famous silk
frauds, Is still In close touch with the
department, and 1t is believed that when
the present renovation is concluded the
proved, although the president may have
lost some influential political friends as a
result of his insistence on the appoint
ment of men with unsullied records.
Secretary Root has made public report
of the war college on the best method Of
putting into effect the new militia law, and
the secretary hopes that all militia officers
will send for copy of the report and sub
NIT any criticisms they may have to offer.
General Young, president Of the war col
lege, says that there Is nothing In the law
whereby coercion is authorized and every
state Is free to use its discretion about
putting the law into effect, but In those
cases where state Oh territory Is unwill-
ing to comply with its conditions the Sec
refary of war Is free 10 omit that state or
territory in distributing the annual federal
appropriation for the assistance of theI
national guard. AS, In the opinion oil
Secretary Root and General Young, the |
law will not only benefit the United Stats |
as whole, but will materially increae
the efficiency of the militia In each stat,
there Is every reason why the states ad
territories should hasten to conformto
Its provisions.
Representative Brooks of Colorado, he
new representative-at-large, received q
severe shock this week. Assuming tat
the old method of distributing fedtal
officers still prevailed, he wrote to he
secretary of the interior stating that Ro
clerks had been dismissed for solicihg
campaign funds from other clerks. Ar.
Brooks requested that the clerks bfe-
instated at once, and reminded the sere-
tary that, as representative. at -largeIhe
should control the patronage Of the sate.
The secretary replied that there wouAbe
no reinstatement Of the offending clelks
and failed to recognized Mr.. Brooks riat
to dictate in the matter of patronage. te
was informed that his recommeHlatihsl
would always receive attention bit uatI
appointments would continue to bs mde
for the best interest Of the department
There Is grief at West Point thse
balmy spring days, and 1t Is all due to lel
presidents approval of a court marsl
sentence dlsmissing Cadet Berry Of Ki-I
lucky. This Is not that Cadet Berry 9s
so exceptionally popular, but because sI
dismissal Is blow at what the cadel
consider the rights Of free born Ameri6
soldiers, the right to smoke cigaretH.
Young Berry Is dismissed not becauseP
smoked cigarettes himself but becauseeI
WAS n sort Of ttf0noQO nv which fh0 0t%