The Delta independent., 1903-01-02
WASHINGTON NEWS AND
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

many's attitude at Manila was plainly
ground Tor apprehension and believes
our navy should at least keep up with
Germany's program. He thinks Con-
gress should give us six fighting ships
at this session.
The President and Mrs. Roosevelt
entertained number of friends at din
ner Christmas night. The table was
Set In the newly furnished state dining
room. The guests included Senator and
Mrs. Lodge, Mr.. John Lodge, Captain
and Mrs. Cowles, Mr.. John Elliot Of
New York, Mrs. Chas II. Davis, Miss
Davis. the Messrs. Davis and Mr..
Robert Ferguson.
United States Treasurer Roberts said
December 26th that SO far during De-
cember 81 10000 in currency had been
transferred to New Orleans against de-
posits in New York. 100000 to San
Francisco and sl,369, 900 to Chicago.
These figures are over 81 500, 900 below
those for December. 1900. and about
$2.OoO0OO below those for last Decem-
Der. No large additional transfers are
expected soon
The President has committed the
sentence of Jesse Snider. who was con-
victed In the western district OF Ar
kansas for robbery and sentenced to
Imprisonment for twenty years in the
Detroit House OF Correction, to impris-
onment for ten years. on the recon-
mendation of the district attorney and
judge. for the reason that the prison
er was a mere boy at the time of the
offeDsc and was led into ii by gang
of older criminals.
The House committee on public
a
omnibus public building bill for intro
duction at this session to provide
buildings in cities and towns where
sites have been purchased by virtue OF
prior legislation. but no provision
made for buildings. The bill will also
provide for extending the cost limit of
buildings under construction and
found inadequate for the needs of the
cities where located.
At the homes OF the Cabinet officers
Christmas Day was quietly observed
while among tho embassies and lega-
uons elaborate preparations had been
made for celebrating. Official dinner
parties were given by the British and
Russian ambassadors. The Argentine
minIEter and wife gave a children's
party at the legation. while the minis
ter from Peru and his wife entertained
4 number OF Peruvian students in the
various schools and colleges of the
United States,
Having been Informed by the consul
of Costa Rica in New Orleans that a
lottery under the name of 'loteria de
la Boncnccnciu Publica of Carrlllo. Cos
tn Rica." has been advertised by means
of circulars as being established there.
the Costa Rira legation sees proper TO
state that no such lottery exists in any
part Of that country. Instructions have
been given TO the consuls OF Costa Rica
In the United States to bring this mat
ter TO the attention OF the proper au-
thorItics and to properly warn the
public.
Minister Squiers has cahlcd the
State Department tha; no special ses-
sion of the Cuban Senate Will be called
prior to the rcnssembling OF the is
land Congress after the holidays The
suggestion has been made that such a
session Of the Senate might be held
during the holidays for the purpose OF
passing on the reciprocity treaty be-
twccr the United States and Cuba. but
according TO the information received
from Havana this intention has been
abandoned. and the measure will come
before the Cuban Senate in regular
form In January.
The Geological Survey has been re
aucsted by several western congress
men To devote y portion OF the funds
available for reclamation Of arid lands
under the new irrigation act TO cS-
perimcnts with artesian wells. II these
experiments should prove what is eS-
pectcd. great areas OF land would be
made productive that neither bitches
nor reservoirs could reach. The French
colony In Algeria. on the edge OF the
Sahara, has made n success with arte-
Yinn wells. In California, thousands of
acres. once considered worthless. have
become remuncrative through the use
of artesinn water. and are as produc-
tive ms any In the state In Hawaii, the
people have dclvcd for this supterra-
mean flow and found water in abund-
ancc clause OF the irrigation act
authorizes construction of artesian
wells and the Geological Survey is in
ciincd to grant the request and TO con
duct a series OF experiments in arte-
sian well digging In eastern Wyoming.
the Dakotas. eastern Colorado. western
Kansas, and other portions OF the arid
and semi-arid West
The following telegram was sent out
from Washington December 23rd: Peo-
ple all over the country who nre send
ing Christmas gifts to the Roosevelt
children may as we'll be frankly told
very few of their offerings will ever be
seen by the intended recipients. all
such presents from sources not salts
factorily identified will be opened. in
the ordinary course Of business. by the
White House clerks. and most of them
will find their way eventually to Wash
ington hospitals and other charitable
institutions. Strangers are not encour-
aged to bestow gifts upon the Presi-
dent or members of his family. Though
n polite acknowledgment is Invariably
made, Mr.. Roosevelt would much pre-
fer that such evidences Of good will
should be omitted. Nevertheless. many
express wagon loads OF merchandise of
every Imaginable kind, from candy to
boxes Of cigars. and from dolls to bas-
kets of wine, will be dumped at the
.a<~,. - tho nvo~ufiva rnanaiOn during