Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-06-07
From Washington.
rcorrespondence of the Alexandria Gazette.l


rcorrespondence of the Alexandria Gazette.l
Washington, d. c., June z.
Friends of Senator Joseph w. Bailey,
If Texas, state that he has been selected
bv the democratic national committee to
act as temporary chairman of the st.
Louis convention and that John Sharp
Williams, of Mississippi, minority leader
in the House of Representatives, VIII be
permanent chairman.
New York has been selected as head
quarters for the republican congressional
campaign committee. Arrangements
have been made for leasing rooms in the
St. James building, where the com
mittee had its offices two years ago. The
committee may not open its quarters
formally until after the Chicago conven-
ton. Al least, very little will be done
prior to that date. The time and atten-
ton of Chairman Babcnck are much en-
crossed in the Wisconsin factiOnal fight,
and he will not be able to remain Id
New York to manage affairs until AFTER
The national convention. Even alter
that it is probable Mr.. Babcock will be
required TO devote much time TO his own
district in the event that Governor La
Toilette decides to run another repuDli-
can candidate there.
When Congress reassembles aud the
question is put to it by the Navy De
partment as to the legislation required
Tor obtaining and securing control OF
one system of wireless telegraphy for
the coasts and insular possessions of this
country, opposition will be made by the
War Department. As matter of fact
General A. w. Greeley, chief of the
signal corps of the army, is already
committed to opposition to any such
scheme as that advocated by the navy.
lie SAYS that it is absurd and impracti-
cable. He argues that all but one com
pany may be driven from the coast OF
the United States, continental and
insular, but so long as steamship
companies prefer and employ another
there is no redress and the adoption
of one system to the exclusion OF all
others would be a detriment. More
over, he points out, that beyond
the three mile limit lie high seas and
that one country cannot hope successfully
to control that expanse The navy has
tentatively adopted the Telelunken sys.
tenn and proposes to make that exclusive
within zone $40 miles radially distant
from any point on the coast. ltssystem,
however, so far has proven effective for
only 20 miles at the outside. Mean
while, the ocean going steamers have IN
stalled the MarcoDi instruments and that
company refuses to exchange with Inc
Slaby-Arco system or any modification
of il. such as the Tclelunken. The shore
.tations OF all systems in competition
with the Slaby-Arco may be abolished
but this will not relieve the situation, in
General Greeley opinion, so long as the
steamers continue to perter and to use
the Marconi. There is considerable
friction among the various departments,
navy, war, treasury aud agriculture, over
this wireless question.
President Roosevelt stated yesterday
in the most positive way that he would
stand by his choice of Secretary Cortel-
you for chairman of the republican ma
lionaI committee. in spite of the opposi-
ton of in Huential party leaders.
United States Consul General Frank
II. Mason, at Berlin, has sent the State
Department a report Of some remarkable
speed trials upon fourteen miles of track
between Marienielde and Iossen. The
first trials we're with electric motor cars,
which Mr. Mason reported some time
since. The last tests were with steam
locomotives. The electric cars attained
speeds of 1882 miles per hour, or near
ly two miles per minute; without undue
strain on the working parts of the
motors, the tracks or discomfort to the
passengers. The steam locomotives reg
istered from 80 to S5 miles an hour.
Among the incidental demonstrations made
by the tests was the fact that with the pneu-
matte brakes now in use on the German vesti-
bule cars. il required full minute and dis
tance of /. 1913 wards TO stop train OF six cars
running at rate of 50 miles an hour. Trains
running at the rate Of 80 miles an hour are
able to stop within a distance of 1873 yards.
According TO the experts, the electric high
speed trains are very little cheaper to operate
than fhoca proDallad nv steam