Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-08-04
From Washington.
[Cor. espondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington. ID. c., Aug. 4.

Washington, " ", aug Il
There is a probability that the demo-
cratic congressional committee will in
aupurate an attack on one of the big
trusts without awaiting the action Of the
administration. The trust in question
is the so-called tobacco trust and the
moving spirit Behind the proposed cam
paiep is Congressman Gaines, OF Ten
nessee. Mr.. Gaines has been making
an investigation of tobacco trust methods
in Tennessee. Kentucky, Ohio, West
Virginia and Connecticut, and has writ
len to Chairman Cowherd placing him
in possession of many Of the facts. The
question under consideration is whether
or not the congressional committee shall
lend its powerful aid to the investiga-
tors and take action after the investiga-
ton shall have been completed. The
feeling at headquarters here's extremely
favorable to the project. If the infor-
nation that is to be gathered will war
rant it, the complaints to be made will
be submitted to the Department OF JUS
tice. to compel action by that branch OF
the government. Another plan sug-
gested is to submit the case directly to a
district attorney for bis action, without
the Intervention OF the department at
Washington.
President Gompers, of the American
Federation ofLabor, called at the White
House this morning to introduce Presi-
dent o. COnnell, of the International AS
ISOLATION of Machinists, and delegation
of his craftsmen who wished to lay before
President Roosevelt petition for a
Saturday half holiday in all the navy
wards. The subject of an increase OF
wages was also preached. President
Roosevelt told his callers that he would
take up the matter with Secretary Nor
ton. 'The refusal of the packers to meet
the strikers was very i'll advised stand, y
said President Gompers, when asked
about the strike situation in Chicago. 81
am of the opinion, however, that the
strike will not spread to any extent.
There must be an end to it somewhere,
and / hope that it has been almost
reached"
Secretary Metcalf was in consultation
this morning with the members Of the
federal investigating commission, who
have been looking into the Gen. Slocum
disaster and who have finished their
work in New York. The commission
will 90 over the testimony here and sub
sequently prepare a report, containing
its findings and recommendations. One
of the results of the investigation will be
recommendation to Congress providing
for an extention of the now inadequate
steamboat inspection service and the
payment of more suitable salaries. The
case of the Grand IRepublic, sister ship
of the General Slocum, whose life-saving
apputenances are reported to be in
deplorable condition, will be referred to
the Collector of the Port at New York, in
order that such steps as are possible un.
der the law may be taken by him and
the District Attorney.
The Treasury is on the point OF break.
ing up what seems to be an ORGANIZED
gang of smugglers VINO nave peeh pIins
ing into the United States clothing from
Canada without the payment OF duty
Over a hundred prosecutions are in pros
pect. Boston seems 10 have been the
main distributing point for the clothes
and two arrests have been made there
The body of James w. Humphrey
white, "a years of age, of Anacostia, al
attendant at st. Elizabeth's Insane Asy
lum, was found by Nelson Green, col
ored, living in Hillsdale, early this morn
ing, near the Baltimore and Ohio rail
road tracks. Humphrey was struck by
train No. 1872, in charge of conductor
Stuner and Engineer Tyler. His body
was taken to the morgue and the coro'
ner notified. Aninquest will probably bt
held today.
Col. ike Hill, of Ohio, who ha;
been the democratic whip in the HOUSE
for the past quarter-century, is in thu
city and wants to bet that New York
and West Virginia will GO democratic a
the next election.