Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington. d. O., April 9.

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The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is
contemplating changes in its route be-
tween Pittsburg and Washington that
will shorten its line and eliminate
many heavy grades. Col. Thos. b. Davis,
brother of former Senator Davis OF
West Virginia, whose homeis sin Keyser,
West Virginia, is in the city and makes
the statement of the proposed changes.
Cumberland, Maryland, is to beeliminat-
ed from the main route which will run
through Keyser. The railroad shops at
Cumberland and Piedmont will be re-
moved to Keyser.
The wind and sunshine have consider
ably dried up the track at Benning, so
today the races were not run in so much
mud as on yesterday. The attendance
today was good. The amateur cup race,
gentlemen riders, will be run today.
Rear Admiral Coghlan cabled the
Navy Department today from Puerto
Cortez that conditions in Honduras are
rapidly assuming peaceful aspect.
Secretary of War Root today mailed
to each of the military departments COM
manders letter ordered them to ascer-
tain from the governor of the several
states within Retrospective departments
their wishes in regard to the participa-
ton of the organized militia in maneuv-
ers or field exercises with parts of the
regular army during the year. The
Secretary of War announces that upon
the completion of the muster and in
spection of the organized militia, already
ordered he will take up the allotment Of
the 81, 900, 900 for in the recent militia
act.
A peculiar feature of the refunding
operations now in progress is noticed by
the I reasury officials. OF the $9,O9O,-
800 three or four per cent bonds actually
deposited at the Department to be re-
funded into two per cents's only 50. 49,
200 have come from the national banks.
The remained has come from outside
holders and dealers in bonds, the ex-
PLANTATION being that these people have
been quick to recognize the exchange as
profitable transaction. During the
eight working days since the refunding
began there have been more than $l6,-
600 bonds offered. If the same rate is
maintained the entire hundred million
called for by the Secretary will be re-
funded before the first of June.
Gen. JOS. O. Breckenridge, Inspector
General of the Army, will be promoted
to the grade of Major General of the line
next Monday and will be Immediately
retired.
The Postofiice Department this morning re-
ceived number of letters charging certain
postmasters with having attempted 10 convert
official influence into a merchaniable COM
modify. In several instances the explicit
charge of selling positions is made. These
communications, with all others bearing in
any manner upon the conduct of the depart
ment, nave been turned over to Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General BristOw, who has
in charge the official investigation now in
progress. When Postmaster General Payne
returns from his outirg, the results, as far as
reached. will be laid before him. 1t is the
intention then to notify those against whom
charges have been preferred to appear and
make answer il is said at the pOstoffiee that
there is to be no formal announcement of the
outcome. Those against whom any charges
are finally sustained will be given an oppor-
tunity voluntarily TO retire. They will be
dropped one by one and their positions hlled
in some quiet but effective manner.