Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-08
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.l
Washington, D. c., April 8.

Washington, D. c., April 8.
In order to have everything in readi-
ness for the prompt Inauguration OF the
work on the Panama canal on large
scale, the United States is about to take
control of the property of the French
company without waiting for the ratifica-
ton of the treaty by Colombia. Adyices
received by Mr.. Herran, the Colombian
charge d'afaires here, and by the State
Department from its minister at Bogota,
coincide in declaring that there is no
doubt that the Colombian Congress will
ratify the treaty. There will be some
opposition from politicians who will OBJ
iect 10 the extent of the control given
the United States over the canal zone.
but the great mass of the people are
heartily in favor of the treaty,
and are electing a majority of both
houses of Congress pledged to vote
for it. 1t requires only A majority
vote in each house to ratify the
convention. The final vote is ex-
pected about June Is. Under the
circumstances the United States Govern
eminent has determined to start the pre-
liminaries necessary to assuming control.
Special commissioners have been APP
pointed, consisting of Admiral Walker,
General Haines and Professor Burr, all
of whom are members of the old canal
commission and will be members of the
permanent commission to complete the
canal, who will leave New York tomor-
row for Colon. This commission will
appraise the work that has been done
by the French company since 1t made Its
offer to sell the canal to the United
States for $40, 900, 900, and will direct
the labor from now on along the plans
of the United States commission rather
than the French company. Since the
French company made its offer to the
United States it has kept constantly en-
ploved a force of $3.50 men. They
have been engaged on the great Culebra
cut in bringing it down to certain
level. The plans of the French com
pany and of the United States commits
sion are identical in this respect, but
that point having been reached there is
from now on a slight variation and the
United States proposes to have the
balance of the work along its own lines.
Senator Daniel has appointed the fol-
lowing to Annapolis: William 7. Trux-
ton, Warrenton, principal; alternates,
Riley +. Mcconnell, Gate City; Dun
can Cory, Staunton; Christopher &.
Kerr, WarrentOn. The Navy Depart
ment allows now but three alternates,
changing the rule requiring five.
The rain made heavy track at Ben
ming again but fairly large crowd at
tended the races there today. The Vir-
ginia horses have so far done well for
their owners.
Acting Postmaster General Wynne
authorizes a denial of the report that in
the matter of the investigations pending
in the Postofice Department he had
transcribed any powers or that there
was any differences between himself and
the Postmaster General. He says if any
errors of omission or commission, or
worse, exist in the department, Post
master General Payne can be depended
upon to meet the situation fully.
The local police have been requested
to lookout for and arrest John II. Giles,
who is wanted at Louisa, Va, for the
alleged larceny of $50.
The building at 9244 Water street,
occupied by Weaver & Kengla, soap
manufacturers, was wrecked today by
the explosion of fat vat. Robert Col
den, an employee, was blown into the
lack yard through a hole in the wall
rent by the explosion, but he was only
slightly injured.
The stewards of the Washington Jockey
Club. after investigating the charge against
w. II. Barrett, trainer, that he had offered
J. Jones bride TO pull the horse True Blue
in favor Of Meistersinger. have decided to
refuse him all privileges of the track for the
remainder of the meeting. and to refer his
case to the Jockey Club for final action.
George Beauchamp, who is wanted by the
New York authorities for the larceny Of
$500, was arrested here early today.