The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-22
n Has Been Pruned by Senator Fair
banks. Committee, but the In
dianapolis Item Remains.
MANY MEMBERS INTERESTED
AND THEIR NUMBERS MAY PREVAIL
AGAINST THE SPEAKER.
Bill TO Reimburse Governor Durbin-
Operation on the Eyes of Repre-
sentative Watson.
star Correspondence of the Journal.

correspondence
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21-The name
"Fort Benjamin Harrison" which II was
announced some time ago would be given
the military post to be constructed near
Indianapolis, will not be changed. Presi-
dent Roosevelt made this announcement
rather emphatically in an interview which
Col. Russell IS. Harrison had with him at
the White House. The remarks of the
President were so plain on the matter that
II will no doubt put an end to the discus
sion as to what name the new post shall
bear.
This afternoon Colonel Harrison went to
the White House TO pay a call by special
invitation of the President He had ex-
pected to make only a social visit, but the
President took occasion to bring up the
subject Of the Indianapolis army post. He
expressed regret, as he said, that there are
people in Indiana who think he did not
know his own Inind when he named the
post Fort Benjamin Harrison" The
President then told Colonel Harrison that
he had been a great admirer of his father,
recalling that General Harrison gave him
his introduction into national politics. In
the exercise of his authority as commander
fn-chief of the army he took occasion to
pay tribute to General Harrison's men,
Ory by naming the post for him. The Pres
ident said he would have been glad to have
expressed himself on this question in this
way before, had the opportunity offered.
Nothing" he said, ''could induce me TO
perform act that would be so discour-
teous to General Harrison's memory as
20 change the name which have given to
q ha tIo
unanimously request me to alter my deci-
sion I would not do so.''
Considerable pressure had been brought
20 bear on the War Department to change
the name of the post to Fort Hackleman
Representative Watson, at the request of
friends OF the late General Hackleman,
went to the War Department some time
ago to see what could be done about hav-
ing the post named Hackleman He was
given to understand that If both the SEN
ators and, In fact. the entire delegation in
Congress, would sign a request to name the
post after General Hackleman the request
would be seriously considered. Mr. Wat
son has not had opportunity to confer with
the other members OF the delegation in re-
gard TO the matter. On file in the adjutant
generals Office Is a letter written to the
War Department by a daughter of General
Hackleman who is in California urging
the department to honor the memory of
her father by naming the post for him.
xxx
The Senate committee on public buildings
and grounds of which Mr.. Fairbanks Is
chairman, this afternoon completed the re-
modelling of the omnibus building bill that
came from the House committee, and on
Monday it will be reported to the Senate.
AS the bill came from the House commit
tee 1t contained appropriations for some
thing like s6,000,0O0. 1t was not deemed ad-
visable TO pass it through the House first
and then send it to the Senate, for it was
likely to come back loaded down with
amendments that would endanger its safe
ty- As completed by the Senate committee
the bill recommends several hundred thou
sand dollars less appropriations than in
Its original form. The 100000 for Indianap-
oils is undisturbed. The $1,000 for Bedford.
Ind, goes out, as the committee decided
10 consider no new propositions in the
way of purchasing sites, etc. 1t is believed
the Senate will pass the bill, and the next
thing will be to get it through the House.
In the last day or two rumors have come
from the House that Speaker Henderson
was not favorably disposed towards the
bill. Representative Hemenway said to-
night that he believed the bill would go
through. There is enough pork about it
10 float it," he remarked. BY pork" in
the bill he meant that sufficient number
OF members were interested i'm the meas
IRE TO get IL through the House. He thinks
Speaker Henderson will not oppose the
bill as strongly as has been reported he
would. If the bill is defeated indianapolis
can give up hopes of securing 100000 for
the north front this session. Representa-
tive Overstreet said tonight he thought
the bill would have safe passage through
the House
Senator Fairbanks this afternoon intro
duced amendment to the general de-
ficiency bill to reimburse Governor Durbin
10 the amount of S1.566.52. part of which
sum was paid out by him in defending a
damage suit brought against him while in
Florida in command of the One-hundred-
and-SiNty-first Indiana Regiment in the
Spanish American war. Colonel Durbin
found IL necessary 10 order some refresh
ment stands closed for the moral welfare
OF the soldiers. and when one proprietor
declined TO close Colonel Durbin stationed a
soldier IN 'front.' of the shack. practically
closing the place He was sued for DAM
ages by the proprietor. The remainder OF
the amount was expended in the erection
OF hospital and garbage burner
Representative Watson, of Indiana. is
suffering keenly with his eyes tonight,
having been part OF the day under the sur
geons knife. He found IL necessary to
have his eyes operated on. on account of
some unusual condition OF the muscles
which condition. has existed almost since
boyhOod. and which began I'm a rather un-
usual way. When younger man Mr.. Wat
son had a great fondness for reading by
lamplight. and IL was his favorite way 70
SIT in a rocking chair and read. Sometimes
he would rock and read for hours under the
Rloy of the lamp. IL was discovered that
this constant rocking and constant chang
ing OF focus brought about arrangement
af the muscles OF the eye. He Is not sure