Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-01-08
FROM WASHINGTON.
correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette

| Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, d. c., January 8.
A small army of florists and greenhouse
men is hard at work at the White House,
putting it in shape for the diplomatic re-
ception this evening and by the time the
electric lightsiare switched on in the even
ing the newly remodeled home OF the
President will be scene of beauty. Inc
reception to be given in honor oil the
diplomatic corps, will bring into use LOT
the first time the new entrance on the
eastern side Of the White House Ouests
will leave their wraps below stairs, then
proceed. by way OF the grand staircase, to
the first floor Crossing the spacious
yestibule, they will pass in turn through
the waiting room, the private dining
room, the Red Room and the Blue Room.
IS they enter the last named apartment
III y will receive cordial grasp of Thea
/ tesident's hand and greetings from Mrs.
Roosevelt, Miss Alice Roosevelt and the
Cabinet ladies. They will leave the
White House by retraceing their foot
tsteps down the staircase to the basemen.
and out by the new eastern entrancer
2, 900 invitations have been sent out 10
tonight's function.
1t is understood in diplomatic circles
here that Herr Won Holleben, the Ger
man Ambassador, has received a favora-
BILE response to his application for an
indefinite leave of absence on account
of his health, and that Baron Speck Won
Sternberg will be sent to Washington by
the German government as charge daf-
flares ad interim. Won Sternberg was
formerly German charge here and is
great friend of President Roosevelt.
Recently he spent two weeks at the
White House as the personal guest OF
the President
Miss Dorothy Smart, second daughter
of Colonel Charles Smart OF the medical
department of the army, left her home
here without warning on Friday last
and entered the Convent of the Sacred
Heart at Kenwood, near Albany. The
news has created profound sensation in
social circles. She left Washington in
order to avoid the very ardent wooing OF
young Venezuelan lover.
Mail qdyices from Manila tell of the
seizure there of 50, 900 counterfeit Next
can dollars imported from China.
The coal situation became the subject
of discussion before the House committee
ON merchant marine and fisheries today,
with the result that a resolution will be
introduced in the House, asking Congress
TO authorize the committee TO investigate
the entire subject of coal transportation.
A case of smallpox was discovered this
morning at the Hamilton Hotel, Joseph
O. Thompson, a brother of Representa-
tive Thompson of Alabama, was the VIC
tim. He came here Saturday from Biz
mingham and was taken i'll on the fol-
lowing day. The health officials removed
Mr.. Thompson to smallpox hospital as
soon as the case was made known to
them, and quarantined his brother, who
had visited him.
The various local coal dealers have
been notified to appear before the Senate
district committee and answer questions
regarding the exorbitant prices for coal.
Senator Stewart intends making search
ing inquiry.
Edward P. MacLean, United States Vice
Consul General at Paris, whose death by
pneumonia was reported to the State Depart
ment this morning, has been in the consular
service ever since 1870. His work has been
continuous and he has held the position of
Deputy or Vice Consul General at Berlin and
Paris, besides several minor positions.
The fight for the contracts for the construc--
ton of the armored cruisers Washington and
Tennessee continues at the Navy Department
with unabating energy. The Newport News
Shipbuilding Co., of Virginia, the Meran
Bros. Shipbuilding Company, of Seattle and
the Bath Iron Works of Maine have been de-
clared entirely out of the contest because
their bids are too high. The competition seems
to have narrowed down to. the New York
Shipbuilding Co., Of Camden, Wellington
Cramps & Sons, of Philadelphia and the
Union Iron Works of San Francisco.