Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-01-02
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington. ID. c., January 2.

One OF inc SuuJctlo uioNuooNN ~ Vs..
cabinet meeting today was the feasibility
of procedure by this country with the
construction of the Panama Canal under
the rights derived from the Panama
Company. The proposition is that the
United States go ahead with the work,
aud when Columbia shall get ready to
,reat. do so. 1t is said that the conces-
sion of the company is ample, for the
United States desires at the present time,
and that possession will force Column
bia to all other concessions neediul.
Venezuelan affairs were also discussed at
the meeting. 1t is understood that the
answ or of Castro to the counter PROPOSE
lion of tie powers upon arbitration con-
tanned condition that the matter be
submitted to an American republic for
Adjudication. Since President Roosevelt
declined to ac! as arbiter, this country
could hardly recommend the plan If any
other American republic was to act This
decision was based principally upon the
belief that the powers would be unwill-
ing to accept any of the American
republics save the United States.
The report from Europe that Castro $
condition was not endorsed by the United
States was therefore well founded. Pre-
,ident Roosevelt having withdrawn at the
advice of his cabinet on the arbitration
has wholly severed this country from
participation in the adjustment lie
could not, for this reason, consistently
endorse the proposition of Castro to refer
the matter to any American republic.
Considerable time was devoted to dis
cussion of the Southern post-office ques-
lion arising out of the protest against the
appointment of Postmaster Wick COLOR
ed), at Wilson, NC.
The tremendous demands in the United
States for manufactures of iron and steel
IS illustrated by statistics of imports just
issued by the Treasury Bureau of Stats
tics. Although the iron and steel pro-
duotion in the United States was far
greater during 1902 than was ever before
recorded, the imports of the same class
of goods also ran up to higher figures
than have been reached in the last dozen
years. For the eleven months of 1902
ending in November, the importrtions Of
iron and steel are more than doubled In
value, those of the corresponding months
Of the preceding year. For the full
year the importations will be fully S4O,-
900, 600. Pig iron importations in
creased from million and a half to
nearly $4,000, 900 in value; ingots,
blooms and bars from a little over mil
lion to over 81, 900, 900 and machinery,
showing an increase over one million.
The only decrease was in tin plate, the
value of the importations of which fell
about 81, 900, 600 to SO, 603, 426, and the
the quantity from one hundred and fifty
millions to one hundred and twenty mil
lion pounds.
Several papers of interest were read
today by members of the American AS
ISOLATION for the Advancement of Science,
now in session here. w. l.. Moore,
chief of the weather bureau, spoke
of the good work done by that
branch OF government service, laying
special stress upon the lives and money
saved by its system Of storm signals on
the coast, and of frost and food warn
ings. The volcanic destruction in the
West Indies was discussed by Prof. L. c.
Russell, of the University of Michigan,
stereopticon illustrations being used to
show the effect of the eruptions. 1t was
generally held that the islands which
have been the scene of the recent havoc
are almost of volcanic origin, and similar
,henomena may be expected at any
time. The loss of life at st. Pierre was
caused by scalding from the clouds OF
superheated steam charged with hot dust.
Prof. B. 4 Fernow, director of the col
lege of forestry of Cornell University,
spoke on the outlook of the timber sup
ply of the United States.
Four cases of insanity among employees
of the Pension Bureau within three
years has led to the formation of a theory
that there is something in the work the
victims had to do tending to upset men
tai equilibrium.
At the office of the Washington, Alex
audria and Mount Vernon Railway
Company this afternoon, Superin-
tendent Colvin said there was no sign of
the new switch for King street in Alex,
andria. 1--WE look for the switch and
appurtenances to it," said he, Eat any
time, and when it comes we shall speed
it over with sufficient force of men to
put it down quickly. Then perhaps the
hub-bub over our vexations will pass
from this to something else later on in
the year."
The freight traffic by ferry between
this city and Alexandria is gradually in
creasing. The passenger traffic, how
ever, is no longer what it once was.
During the absence Of Mr.. w. s.
Schonei, agent at this end Of the line,
who with his bride is enjoying honey
moon in New York and Boston, Capt.
James J. Punch, of the Columbia, Is
filling this Office, while Capt. j. Z. Nc
Cracker, is acting in his place.
The Navy Department today received
dispatch from Admiral Dewey dated
San Juan, December 81, and stating
that the combined squadrons had re-
assembled at Culebra. The ships had
visited various West Indian ports and
had been most cordially welcomed. The
feet is continuing tactical exercises.
E. Bradley, coal passer, was drowned by
the sinking of the Newarks's steam cut
to by collision with torpedo boat.
According to Treasury Department