The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-19
OUTLOOK IS BRIGHT FOR THE DEMOCRATS  Mir. Underwood Talks of Work
 of Congress MANY BILLS SIDE TRACKED On Account of Republican Extrava- gance They Had to Begin Cutting
 and Left Out River Improve
 ments Appropriations.
MANY BILLS SIDE TRACKED

Congressman Oscar W. Underwood has returned from Washington, and will be in Birmingham until after the fall elections He has been in attendance on the long session of congress which recently ad- journed, and talks Interestingly of the actions of the body and the general polit- ical situation. Yesterday he said:
 T regret very much that at the long session of congress the republicans would not allow the rivers and harbors appro- priation bill to come up. This admins tration has been so extravagant it is working to decrease expenses just now as much as possible. Its appropriations have run far in excess of other adminis- trations, and for that reason the party would not allow the rivers and harbors bill to come up. I regret it. for we would certainly have gotten a nice appropria- tion for the work on the Warrior river locks and dams. For the same reason they would not allow the public buildings appropriation bill to come up at the long session.
 Would Have Helped Bessemer
 ''If the public buildings bill had come up, I think that we would have secured an appropriation for a new public build ing at Bessemer. The cry of too much money already spent. however, prevented this bill from being reported
 'The republicans have promised that these two bills shall be brought up at the short session. and I am in hopes that they will be passed through the house and the senate. Owing to the fact that the senate generally holds up the rivers and harbors appropriation bill I some what fear that 1t will not be passed at the short session, but am living in hopes. There seems to be no doubt about the appropriations for the Warrior river inn provements and the Bessemer building If the two bills are brought up
 Named for Birmingham.
 Secretary Moody of the navy, has promised that one of the second class cruiser which is now in the course of construction, shall be named 'Birming- ham, and this will be quite an honor for our city. Of course Birmingham will be expected to present the cruiser with a handsome silver service, but there is plenty of time for that, as the ships will not be ready for launching for about three years. The law requires that the first class cruisers and battleships shall be named after the states and rivers, and the second class ships, all from 4000 to 5000 tons displacement shall be named after the cities. It is one of these vessels with a displacement of probably about 7500 tons that will be named the Birming- ham. Owing to the fact that these ves- | sells are far superior to the older bat tleships and heavier cruisers, it will be equal to having one of them named Bir- mingham.
 T received a letter from Washington today stating that an inspector of the postoffice department would be in Bir- mingham within the next few days to investigate the matter of placing about dozen rural free delivery routes in Perry. Bibb and Jefferson counties. I have had applications for these routes on file for some time, and the depart ment has promised to send the inspector as soon as possible.