The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1903-12-30
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence

tr1ct commissioners have received nu-
merous communications from individu-
ais and citizens associations of the
District relative to the proposed use of
white granite instead of white marble
in the construction of the new Union
station in Washington. In nearly all
OF the communications Is protest
against the construction Of the termi-
nal building out OF white granite.
Commissioner mcfarland stated re-
Gently that the District authorities are
of the opinion that under the provi-
sions of the act Of congress authorizing
the construction of the Union station
they have discretionary powers as to
the kind Of material to be employed.
A paragraph in section of the act
providing for Union railroad station
in Washington states that 1.-The termi-
nal station contemplated in this act
shall cost not less than 100000 and
shall be monumental in character, and
the plans thereof shall be subject to
the approval Of the commissioners of
the District Of Columbia"
Protest Against Marine Band.
President Miller of the National Fed
Grafton Of Musicians called on the pres
ident the other day, accompanied by
Secretary Moody of the navy depart
ment, to protest against the acceptance
by the Marine band Of engagements Of
private or public nature for which
the organization receives pay. Presi-
dent Miller states that his organization
vigorously resents the private work
which the Marine band is allowed to
do. He submitted a paper giving his
views and the feeling of the Fedora
ton Of Musicians, and the president
said that he would give the whole mat
ter his consideration.
Mr.. Miller contends that members of
the Marine band are well paid for their
services by the government and there
fore should not be allowed to accept
special engagements which deprive CT
villains Of that which justly belongs to
them. In the recent Chicago celebra-
ton, in which the Marine band took
part and received scale pay, $500 other
musicians refused to participate, and
Mr.. Miller declares that in the future
that course will be followed wherever
and whenever the Marine band is en-
ployed at a private function.
General Corbin VIII Be Missed.
General Henry G. Corbin will be
missed in the war department It is
generally conceded that no other man
knows SO much about the army, the
war department and its relations to
congress and the public as General Cor
bin. 1t has been his good fortune to
have served as adjutant general dur
ing the Spanish war. He acted as chief
OF staff to the president and military
aid to the secretary of war. Some one
suggested to General Alger when the
war clouds were lowering about that
some good officer was needed as mill
tary secretary. Alger mentioned the
matter to Corbin.
There won't be room for such man
| and myself in the same building" he
replied. II will be all the military sec
rotary you need"
He was. Not only that, but he was
| chief Of staff in effect and virtually
commanded the army subject to the
president and secretary of war. That is
all the chief of staff does now.
An Interesting Exhibit.
Some interesting work is now in
progress in the Smithsonian laborato-
r1es in the way Of preparing an exhibit
OF fish and reptiles for the St Louis ex-
position. Perhaps the most remarkable
part Of the exhibit will be collection
Of models of deep sea fishes enlarged
to ten or twenty times their natural
size. Many fish inhabiting great depths
are very small, yet at the same time
exceedingly curious, and 1t is with
view to exhibiting their remarkable Or
gans that reproductions are being made
Of large size.
Potomac Improvements.
The work Of improving the Potomac
river below Washington under the pres
ent project has been completed, and
General Gillespie says no further ap-
preparation is required therefor. A
channel only 200 feet wide is, however,
regarded as rather contracted for a riv-
, of the width and importance of the
Potomac and especially in view Of the
location of the Washington navy yard
upon its shores.
It is believed that an increase in
width Of this channel to 400 feet will
soon be authorized by congress.
October Dencit.
The comparative statement Of the
government receipts and expenditures
shows that for the month Of October,
1908, the total receipts were $780, $685.
213 and the expenditures S51, e01 ATS,
leaving a deficit for the month Of $4,-
e47, 265. With the exception of the
month Of July there has not been
monthly deficit since April, 1899. The
principal falling of in revenues is in
customs, where the receipts were $22,-
s59, 1862 as against 500, TAI, 700 for Octo-
Der, 1902.
Sargent's Portraits.
Sargent is "all the rage" in Washing
ton now as portrait painter. 1t is
quite natural that he should be. With
in the year he has painted full length
picture Of the president Of the United
States standing at the foot Of one Of
the White House stairways. Then, too,
he has reproduced Mr.. Leslie NJ. Shaw,
the secretary Of the treasury, in
striking attitude, with his feet apart
and his hands thrust deep down in his
trousers pockets.
Agriculture Asks $4,000 $50.
Acting Secretary Moore Of the de-
partment Of agriculture has completed
the estimates Of the appropriations
needed for the next fiscal year. aggre-
eating $1,000, $50, exclusive of $780,
GOO for agricultural experiment sta
tons. The aggregate is an increase
Of $761. 720 over the appropriations for
the current year.
CARL SCOFIELD.