Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-01-31
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence


else has led to a sensational story that
he was nearly blinded by being struck
over one eye with stick. The presi-
dent did receive a slight bruise on his
forehead, two or three inches above the
left eye. but he laughs 1t the thought
that there should have been even
mention of the bruise, several of which
may be expected at each play ut this
exercise. The president has been play
ing single stick nearly every day for
two months with General Leonard
Wood, with whom he rides, walks and
goes through other exercises. When
the president and General Wood begin
to play single stick, the understanding
is that each is to do his best and that
there is to he no sham. SO they attack
each other with the earnestness Of
genuine opponents. General Wood left
the bI-uise ON the president that has
caused the story that the latter was
nearly blinded. The presidents boys
play single stick and DO it in n rough
and tumble fashion. If one of them
complained of a bruise from the exer-
cise. the president would probably
chide him for his complaint. Single
stick is a broadsword exercise with the
swords left out and represented by
sticks. The faces of the players are
protected by helmets and the bodies by
padded jackets and cuirasses. Every
part of the body is brought into lively
exercise. Despite the projections. a
bruise is often received by one or the
other of the combatants. particularly
if they play with zeal and strenuosity.
Would Increase Naval Strength.
Rear ADMIRAL John Crittenden Wat
son, In discussing the increase of the
navy. said: eve have reached out to
the other side of the globe and unless
it be the intent of the nation, which l
strongly doubt, to willingly submit to
humiliation we have certainly got to
provide for what the future, through
our widened interests, will surely
bring. The safest and sureSt means of
reaching that state of preparedness is
by building as rapidly as possible
naval force equal to our coming needs.
Personally 1 should like congress to
give us at least six heavy fighting craft
at this session, and four of them 1
should elect to be battleships of the
type of our Connecticut.
~ think too much stress is laid upon
the item of speed in armored cruisers
and 1 do not think their logical employ
ment is that of scouts for the battle
fleet. \ much cheaper and Il more eff
cient style of craft can be designed for
hnt nd eli nd I
heartily advocate putting the difference
in the true elements of the fighting line
that is, the big, heavily armored bat
tleships. l think our naval construct
ors have evolved remarkably fine or
der of craft in the battleships Connect
icut and Louisiana, and l think con-
gress will do wisely in authorizing the
construction of ten more between now
and the end of the next five years"
White House Pictures.
Most of the pictures that We're re-
moved from the White House during
the repairs and alterations are now
back, and it is believed that there will
be satisfactory arrangement of them
when they are all in place. OF course
some changes have necessarily had to
be made. notably in the east room,
where the new decorations will not adj
NIT of the hanging of pictures. A num-
Der of the pictures have been hung in
the red room, and the effect is very
pleasing in every way. As rapidly as
possible the others will be hung in 9th
err portions of the building. This APP
plies to the oil paintings of presidents,
about which there has been some talk,
and to the pictures of the wives of pres
identS also.
Presidents Bear Zoo.
President Roosevelt's Christmas pres
ents included the most motley and I'M
doubtedly the most extensive collection
of bears of every size and condition to
be found within the confines of the IN
ion. These bears came from all over
the country and range from the small
est dancing bear in wood or ivory cary
ing to the most intricate mechanical toy
yet devised in this particular sphere of
animal representation.
The president fuIly aDDreciates the