Middletown transcript., 1904-06-04
WASHINGTON LETTER

II WASHINGTON, D. G., May 2Sth, 1904.
THE reports of general sagging in bus
iness, which reach this'city while un.
doubtedly exaggerated, cause some un
easiness in political circles. There is
what Mr.. Samuel Gompers president of
the American Federation of Labor, calls
a reaction" quite natural after the high
tide of prosperity. He keeps in touch
with labor, and feels sure that the general
prosperity will continue, and that any,
thing like panic is many years off.
That his views have weight is evident
from the fact that the President invited
him to the White House yesterday for
prolonged conference. During the past
year this country has sustained great and
extraordinary financial losses by flood,
fire, an unusually severe winter, the cot
ton boil weevil and other pests, the fall
| ing off OF imports, the drain upon gold
and the numerous labor troubles. These
things combined, which are neither
political nor partisan, have producted a
condition of serious thoughtfulness on
the part of political managers. But, as
Senator Foraker of Ohio, who is in this
| city, says, there are no fundamental diff
ference among Republicans, and Presi-
dent Roosevelt is popular. His views on
| public questions are we'll known. The
season is propitious for good crops, and
there should be no falling off in prodution.
The greatest liability is the possibilities of
industrial and labor situation.
| ~
Two questions of considerable import
anee confront the Panama Canal Com
mission-how to raise the funds and
whom to employ to do the actual work of
constructiou. As to the financial problem
Secy. Shaw proposes to issue $130,000,000
of canal bonds, to be taken up by the peo
| pie. The bonds will contain portrait of
the late Senator Hanna, and when they
are put upon the market, the admirers of
the Senator, and those who have been so
anxious for the canal, can manifest their
patriotism by rolling up huge subscrip-
ton. The labor question need not be
settled for some time yet as couple of
years will be needed to prepare the plans
and specifications. At present it looks as
if tens of thousands of Chinese coolies
| will have to be brought to the Isthmus.
A white man cannot bear up under the
climate while digging in the trenches.
Much of the work might be done by
electric light, after sunset. 1t has been
asked if the hour law of 1892 will apply
to this government contract? Admiral
Walker says to adopt this law would pro-
long the construction of the canal for
couple of years.
~
| Post Office matters continue to occupy
much attention. The verdict OF ''not
guilty." in the Tyner-Barrett conspiracy
case, came so quickly and decisively in
| favor OF the defendants, as to cause much
surprise, when it is remembered how the
aged General and / is brilliant nephew,
have been scored right and left, in Con-
gress and by the press. At the same
time it is gratifying to the Administration
to have it judicially decided that there
was no conspiracy in Gen. Tyner's bureau
in the Post Office, and that neither he
nor his assistants, allowed get rich quick
concerns and other fraudulent enter
prises, to make an unlawful use of the
mails. So both sides are vindicated.
1t is now announced that the Post Master
General intends to take steps to eliminate
fIom newspapers Objectionable patent
medicines and other advertisements.
Each case is to be treated OH Its merits.
If there are any harmless nostrums, poss.
IDLY they will be permitted the use of the
mails. But it has been discovered that
many tonics, bitters, gold cures, COM
pounds for women, and such like medi-
cines contain large per cent of "alcoholic
food, anywhere from 10 to Al per centum.
People who drink. these medicines are
really indulging in intoxicating stimu-
lants.
~
President Roosevelt has recently given
another example OF his courage and vigor
in ordering the laws to be enforced.
The soft coal smoke nuisance has for
long time been unlawful in this city.
While private individuals were enforced
to obey, high government officials con-
tinued to defy the law. Among these
were those in charge of the Treasury, the
Post Office, the Land Office and the
Weather Bureau. Huge volumes of black
smoke poured out of the chimneys of
these buildings, much to the disgust of
all nearby residents and the disfgure-
ment of the city. The roof of the Post
Office is an inch thick with black, uncon-
sumed carbon. Finally the Presidents
patience was exhausted, and he ordered
the government officials to obey the the law
s'If the old chimneys are not suitable for
smoke consuming he said, "tear them
down and build new ones that are.'
~
This reminds one of the all embracing
and premptory order which the Presi-
| dent issued not long ago about enforcing
the law in Nebraska against the sheep
and cattle growers who fenced in public
lands for the exclusive use of their focks,
contrary to law. The President COM
missioned Col. John S. Mosby, special
agent of the Land Office, to go to Ne
braska and cut down the fences. Once
on the field. ak in hand, he went to work
with such vigor that CONSERVATION spread
among the cattle men, and a small
physical, if not a political revolution,
came near being the result But the
work was we'll done, as far as it went.
When the Secretary of the Interior
called Col. Mosby to Washington, he was
received at the White House with dis
tinguished consideration. A few days
since, for his gallantry in the field, he
was made Asst Atty. Gen. in the Depart
ment of Justice, at an annual salary of
So, 400. The president loves streuous
man.
*x*
Many Senators and government off,
cials remain in town. Senator Cullom is
one. He says the fight in Illinois is