Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-05-04
From Washington.
correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, d. O., May 4.

Washington, ID. O., May 4.
One of the bids on Ellis Island privi-
leees opened at the Department of Com
merce and Labor yesterday is puzzling
the officials of the immigration Bureau.
II is the bid of the American Express
Co. on the privilege of exchanging the
foreign money presented at Ellis Is
land by the immigrants. All the other
bidders exact certain rates of exchange,
VARYING from one-ffth to one per cent.
The American Express Co. offers to make
the exchange at current Wall street
figures free of charge and pay the gov
eminent 81, 200 per annum additional.
The bids have not yet been scheduled
and the awards will not be made for
some days.
Theofice of administration ofisthmian
canal affairs has received cablegram
from General Davis, Governor of the
canal zone, reporting more cases Of yell
low fever among the American en-
ployees there.
Secretary Taft has decided TO appoint
Paul Charlton, of Nebrasks, to the posi-
ton of law officer of the lnsular Bureau
which will become vacant when Judge
Magoon, the present occupant proceeds
to Panama to take up his duties as Gov
ernor of the canal zone.
u. S. Minister Allen, at Seoul, Korea,
has reported to the State Department
that he has at last succeeded in securing
the dismissal from Office of Paing Han
Chun, magistrate Of Pengyand. 1t
seems that this individual has been the
subject of many complaints from Amer
cans on the ground that he has been
extorting money, and expressing the
people.
There is another row on among the
South and Central American diplomats
who control the Bureau Of American re-
publics, over the selection of VIM. G.
Wells, of this city, as chief clerk of the
Bureau. One of the disappointed candi-
date has protested against Wells APP
pointment on the ground that there was
no proper civil service examination held
of those applying for the position. The
result of tbss protest has been to hold w
the confirmation of Wells.
The most important convention of railroad
men ever held in America was formally
opened here this morning when the Seventh
International Railway Congress held its first
meeting at the New Willard Hotel. There
were present representatives Of the railroads
of every country in the word in which rail
traffic forms any important function In the
| lite of the people. The gathering was one OF
/ the most representative ever assembled IN this
city. The congress is properly an institute,
thc members Of which are governments and
railroad companies. European governments
which exercise q direct supervision over rail-
| road affairs are represented by high officials,
while the operating companies have sent high
officers to Join in the discussions Of the multi
| tudinous problems TO be studied for mutual
benefit by the five sections into which the
congress is divided. This mornings opening
meeting was held in the New Willard ball
room, and until the closing ceremonies the
| delegates will not meet again in q body, the
| sectional meetings forming the major portion
Of the programme Nice-President Fair
banks delivered the address of welcome on be-
half of the American people. Mr. Arthur
| Dubois, president of the permanent commits
sioh of the congress and director Of the rail
ways Of Belgium, responded on behalf Of the
delegates. lie was followed by Commissioner
| III. Il. F. mcfarland, of the District of Co
lumbia, who repeated the formal welcome to
the national capital which he extended to the
delegates at the opening Of the American
Railway Appliance Exhibit yesterday. Stuy.
vesant Fish, president of the Illinois Central
Railroad, was introduced and in his capacity
as president of the American Railway AssO-
citation spoke for the railroads Of the United
States in welcoming the congress to its first
session IN this country. At the conclusion OF
! the speech making. officers were elected to
ofiiciate during the sessions of the congress to
be held during the coming ten days.