Evening journal., 1903-10-08
WASHINGTON LETTER
[sneolnl correanondence.l

department has received from Iro- /
fessor NJ. Il. Jaffa of the University OF
California the results Of some interest /
Ing experiments conducted by the lat
ter as to the value Of fruits and nuts
when these articles constitute an in
tegral part of the diet. Nine dietary
studies and thirty-one digestion exper
iments were carried on. In a majority
of the dietary experiments fruit and
nuts constituted all or almost all of the
diet. The results have been entirely
satisfactory and demonstrate that
fruits and nuts possess enough nutri-
ment to sustain human life. Professor
True of the office Of experiment sta
tions says the investigation emphasizes
the fact that both fruits and nuts
should be considered as true foods
rather than food accessories. a fact
which is commonly overlooked.
Studies were made of the dietaries
Of five fruitarians. two women and
three children. The experiments showed
in every case that. though the diet had
a low protein and energy value, the
subjects were In apparently excellent
health and had been so during the five
or eight years they had been living in
this manner.
Wnshington's Filtration Plant.
The contract for the proposed water
filtration plant was let nearly six
months ago, but there was a long de-
lay in starting actual work, and very
little progress was made for a time
after work was finally begun. The
ponderous steam shovels, however,
which have been busily engaged dur
ing the last month have excavated an
immense amount Of material, and with
the present rate Of progress it is be-
lieved the plant will be completed by
Jan. /, 1908. the time originally set by
congress. Then all of the water used
in this city will be drawn from these
filter beds. which are located near the
Soldiers home grounds. The wait has
been a long one, but now there is real
cause for congratulation. The pro-
posed system is regarded as unques-
tionably the best and most carefully
designed ever installed in this country
The delay for the most part may be
said TO have been due TO the conscien-
tious efforts OF those in charge to leave
no stone unturned toward making the
filtration plant Of the national capital
a model one in every respect.
MacArthur on DesertiOns.
General Macarthur, commanding the
department of California, in his an
nual report says ON the subject Of de-
sertions: zone thousand three hundred
and forty-four men deserted during the
fiscal year. OF this number o. we're
from the permanent garrisons In the
department and represent approximate
" 1912 per cent of the main strength
thereof for the year. The remaining
43O were from recruits, casuals and
regiments passing to and from the
Philippines
"In the light of past experience and
Of present conditions 1t seems appar
ent that the United States as a nation
must accept desertion as a necessary
evil unless enlightened public opinion
can be induced to realize that it is moi
only inimical as 1t affects the army as
q separate organization, but in remote
consequences is a menace to the sta
bility of our institutions through its
cOrrupting effect upon the military
ideals Of the population that mus
furnish the improyised troops upor
which the republic must always rely
in time Of war"
Government Printing once.
The multiplicity OF controversies II
I the government printing Office from
time TO time has suggested that th'
office might be administered witt
more gratifying results II 1t werl
placed in some one of the executive
departments. The difficulty over tn,
status of Assistant Foreman Mile
has emphasized this opinion of late
, and it IS said on good authority tia
the president has concluded that
would be wise to place the office in tn
department Of commerce. This will
make Secretary George B. Cortelyol
the executive official in control of tn
Office and lead TO a number of change
in the method Of administering tn
work of the printing Office.
owe Holiday to PoIecat.
z The other night n strenuous poleca
T. wandered down from the capitc
= grounds and entered the census build
E ing, passing by a slumbering watch
{ man. The guardian dreamed that h
p was being smothered by gasolin
= fumes and awakened. He saw tn
G polecat nosing around among som
: documents relating to vital statistics.
= Supposing 1t to be an ordinary ca
q the watchman threw n paper weigh
T with good effect. lie hit the cat.
b As result Of the confusion that 70
Z lowed a considerable portion of th
census building could not be occupie
the next day. and a large detail {
clerks was given a holiday ut govern
n ment expense.
?. The Remains OF John Paul Jones
y Secretary Moody's attention has bee
J. called TO the fact that no monumei
K marks tho grave Of John Paul Jones
II Paris. In the event that the remail
Is Of the distinguished naval hero ca
J. be found Secretary Moody viii order
" war ship to France 10 bring the
Il home.
Scouts at Worlds Fair.
Under instructions from the adjuta
general Of the army provisional ba
talon Of Philippine scouts. compos'
.. OF the Fourth company OF Maoabebt
~ the Twenty-fourth Ilocanos. Thirtio
Tagalogs and Forty-seventh VisayaT
Ily will be organized for duty at the f
.es Louis exposition.
10. cTniss For FaoiRe sqEadr9n'