Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-01-05
From Washington.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette. J
Washington. ID. c.. Jan. 3.

Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette. J
Washington. ID. c.. Jan. ..
Owing to the widespread criticism of
The Panama Canal Commission, coupled
with rumors that the President has de-
termined to diminish if not entirely do
away with that body and himself take
more active charge Of the canal con-
strnctiou, it is not improbable that the
members of the commission will under
take a system of statements for the
pnbIic. publishing from time 10 time
accounts of the work and TO a large
degree doing away with TIE atmosphere
ol silence which has surrounded the
work on the isthmus during the past
eioht months. So far Admiral Walker
and the other commissioners have pad
no attention TO the attacks and rumors OF
executive disapprObatiOn have worried
them not in the least The time has
come however in the opinion OF nearly
all when it is necessary that the com
mission appear in its true light, as well
az the work as far accomplished, IN order
to eradicate a fast growing sentiment
that the job is being botched. Oh the
ten millions voted by Congress for the tirst
installment of construction money, but
81, 800, 900 has been spent. 1t Is urged
hat with this money vast deal OF WORK
and preparation has been accomplished,
vet TO have done more in the same period
would have meant waste of money and
no work done. 1t is stated that every
member of the commission has been
working bis best and there HASN'T been
bit of loafing done.
The principal meeting OF the Amerl-
can Forest Congress was held this alter
noon at the New National Theatre,
which was crowded to hear President
Roosevelt, Ambassador Jusserand, and
several railroad presidents, senators aud
big cattlemen who made up the program.
President Roosevelt took for bis subject
ssThe Forest Life of a Nation" he
Was introduced to the audience by sec
rotary Of Agriculture Wilson, who pre-
sided. Secretary Wilson then introduce
ed Ambassador Jusserand, Who he said,
represented a country where greater
progress had been made in scientific
forestry than in any other. Howard
Elliott, president of the Northern Pacific
Railway. talked of the dependence OF
business interests upon the forest, while
f. f. Weyerhauser, president OF me
Weyerhauser Lumber Company, dis
cussed the numbering interests and the
forests. Senators Bard, Of California, and
Warren. Of Wyoming, each had subjects.
The cattle interests were represented by
f. j. Hagenbarih, president OF the
National Livestock Association.
Republican leaders in the House are
somewhat exercised over the resolutions
introduced by Representative Baker OF
New York, calling for an explanation OF
Secrela y of the Navy Mortoa's alleged
action. when a railroad official in grant
ing secret aebates, in violation of the
antitrust Law. The judiciary committee
to meet, probably on Monday, and ac-
clrding to the present programme, the
MAORI of the committee will order that
the re 0 utions be reported to the House
with the recommendation that they be
tabled. 1t is unsafe, the leaders believe
to allow the resolutions to come
before the House as privileged
matters, through any failure of the
judiciary committees to act upon them.
Representative Bakers desire, it is
understood, is not altogether to harass
the republicans. He wants to place his
democratic colleagues on record as well.
When the judiciary committee, in the
early part of this session, by a unani-
nous vote, agreed 10 table his resolution
for an investigation of the steel trusts
Mr.. Baker was incensed at the turn
down his political associates gave him.
Ii is his intention, it is understood, to
ask for a record vote on the resolution to
table. His democratic colleagues can
give it to bin. To effectively play the
role of "trust busters" he says, they
will be compelled to support him.
The nomination of William ID. Crum,
tn be collector of customs at Charleston,
S. c., was today reported iayorably by
the Senate committee on commerce.
This is the nomination that has been
fought for the past two years by Senator
Tilman because Crum is negro. Mr..
Tilman will not continue his opposition
further than to make speech against
the policy of appointing negroes to office
in the southern States. 1t is understood
that after the Senate has confirmed the
nomination, Crum will resign TO make
way for a white man of President Roose-
velPs own selection. Crum's original
appointment was made by President
Mckinley.
An effort will be made by Representa-
tive Mahon, of Pennsylvania, to have the
House adopt a resolution apprOpriating
$50 900 to be expended in the purchase
OF food and medicinal supplies for the
Port Arthur sufferers. the supplies to lie
rushed to the fallen city on a govern
meat TRANSPORT. The members on both
sides of the House are now being sound
ed to ascertain whether there is any OPP
position to the plan. II opposition de-
velopes the resolution will be withheld.
EiftV-EiUhth Congress-.