Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-21
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.

Washington, ~. u, req. IL
The anthracite coal strike arbitrators
remain in daily session at the rooms OF
the interstate commerce commission,
but thus far but little progress has peeh
made. Rumors have been published TO
the effect that there has been an agree
ment on certain points of the coming
award. such as five per cent increase
in wages, an eight hour day, ana sne
method of adjudicating future diiler-
ences. but all these stories are oihciaily
denied sThus far we have not come
10 an agreement on single point, said
Recorder Carroll d. Wright today.
eve have not reached any of the de-
tails whatever, but have confined our
selves to a discussion of the general sit
uation."
Representatives of the New Panama
Canal Company here deny the report
that the company will extend beyond
March 4 the option which this govern
ment holds on their property. If the
treaty now under consideration by the
Senate is not ratified before that date,
thew will hold that the option has ex-
pired. If the treaty is ratified, that fact
will be accepted as guarantee, and the
property will be sold to the United
states for $40, 900, 900, the price agreed
upon. Wy
The corner stone of the Army War
College. an institution having for spur-
poses the training of officers In the hlgher
branches of military science, the develop
ment of inventions and new schemes OF
national defence, and the working out OF
great problems of organization, transpor-
tation and supply, was laid today. For
the erection of the building and the i'm
proyement of the grounds about it Con-
rress appropriated 81, 260, 900. The site
Is that of the old Washington Barracks
ON the river front. Between the War
College and the water will be placed the
statue of Frederick the Great, the gift OF
Emperor William of Germany. The cere-
monies began at 1870 this morning.
Masonic rites were followed in the lay
ing of the stone, under the auspices o.
the Grand Lodge of the District
of Columbia. An imposing military
display accompanied the exercises
in which 1000 troops took part, the
music being furnished by the Sec
ond Cavalry and the Engineer bands.
President Roosevelt was escorted to the
grounds by troop of the Second Cav
alry. the national salute being fired as
his carriage entered the enclosure
Among those who witnessed the cere-
monies were the Supreme Court OF the
United States, the diplomatic corps,
members of the Cabinet, representatives
from the Senate and House, and Other
distinguished officials of the government,
the invitations being limited to !, 200.
Bishop Saterlee pronounced the invoca-
ton and was followed by President
Roosevelt, who spoke of the great adj
vantage to be derived by the country
from the project now so auspiclously be-
gun. Secretary Root, who has person
ally devoted much time and labor to the
development of the project, was the mex
speaker. He was followed by Maj. Gen,
Young. President of the War College
and who has been selected as the mex
Lieutenant General commanding the
army, to succeed General Miles. Ther
came the formal laying of the corne
stone according TO the impressive Mason
ic ritual, after which Bishop Saterle'
pronounced the benediction.
Representative Gaines introduced in tn
House today resolution directing thu
President to furnish Congress with ;
statement of the character and cost o
the recent improvements of the Whit
House, and authorizing him to have tn,
work of improvement investigated by ex
perts to determine whether or not tn
work meets the contract requirements
Another resolution by Mr.. Gaines call
on the Superintendent of the Publi
Buildings and Ground to inform tn
House as to what disposition was mad
of the relics and furniture after the rem
ovation.
The Senate steering committee held ;
meeting this afternoon to discuss tn
situation and as aresult oftheir delibera
tons Senators Spooner and Gallinge
are now engaged in preparing an en-
tirely new omnibus statehood bill whicl
is to be offered as basis of agreement
The new plan is to admit four States
Oklahoma at once, Arizona when is ha
800, 900 inhabitants, New Mexico whel
it has 500, 1000 and Indian Territor.
when the Indian lands shall have beer
allotted in severalty and a certain fixe
population, not undetermined, has beei
reached.
Compromise on the statehood question
still being talked of in the Senate but is NEE
ing with as many obstacles as has the origina
Omnibus bill The latest proposition is
admit New Mexico and Oklahoma as Nv
states, with provision that Arizona shall
elevated to statehood in 1906.
The Navy Department has heard from tn
missing collier Alexander which left Sa
Juan for Norfolk but met with an acciden
her shaft having been broken.
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Senate spent the entire day i
o-oo,,k;,o coca;o,, yacfardou ond OF 40