The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-08-09
WA-iglNGTCN LETTER
Especial Correspondence.1

meLt Of the District Of Columbia has
begun. The foundations have been
completed under n separate contract.
and all is in readiness for Mr.. James
L. Parsons. the contractor for the su-
perstruct ure, to raise the marble walls
which when completed will constitute
n Of the handsomest buildings in the
national capital. The granolithic floors
Of the endorsement We're completed
previous to the advent Of the builders.
Congress after much persuasion and
argument appropriated the muniicent
sum Of 8 2,5O0,0OO for the District build
ing. OF this sum $55O,O00 was expend-
ed for the site at Fourteenth street
and Pennsylvania avenue. $4,000 for
the foundations, and the marble will
cost 100000. Mr.. Parsons has agreed
to complete the building for $685. 900.
This totals about ~$2,375.OOO, leaving
$125,OOO for architects fees, machin-
cry and other ~incidentals.
Foreign Warship at the Capital.
The Italian cruiser Dogali, used as
q training and school ship, came up the
Potomac q few days ago and anchored
just below the city. She has PAS men
and boys on board fresh from an ex-
tended cruise In the West Indies. The
Dogali Is the second warship Of a for
eign power to fly her flag in sight Of
the capital, the first being also an
Italian vessel, the Amerigo vespucci.
which came up the river in 1898 and
for a time frightened the inhabitants
along the banks, who thought she was
a Spanish battleship coming to bonn
bard Washington.
The New Persian Minister.
The new Persian minister, General
MortezA, khan, has created something
Of Il stir in washington by the rich
ness M S-orEeousncss Of the house
decorations he brought from Persia.
The embassy in Eighteenth street is
said to contain some of the handsomcst
and most expensive Persian rugs.
draperies and cmbroideries ever seen
In Washington. One room is partic-
ularly beautiful, every foot of floor,
wall and ceiling space being covered
with antique rugs.
General MorteZa Is a rich bachelor
and is anxious to become acquainted
with the people here. He is handi-
capped by not being able to speak a
word Of English. But he is most hos
pitable and on the slightest preteXt
will invite aclUaintances to the en-,
bassy and rrgale them with rare and
curious sweets from the far east.
General Morteza has some of the
costliest medals and decorations worn
by any member Of the diplomatic
corps. One is particularly beautiful
and was given to him by the shah OF
Persia. 1t contains a miniature por'
trait Of the shah, studded with dia-
monds, and is the highest form of dec.
Grafton bestowed by that potentate on
any Of his subjects.
Hard to Rob Uncle Sam.
It is practically impossible to rot
Uncle Sam Of any Of the actual cash In
his Golfers. Eight years ago when tic
cash in the treasury was turned over
to Treasurer Roberts 1t was discov.
cred for the first time In the history
Of the nation that there had been some
tampering with certain great bags OF
coin. Investigation proved that some
Of the bags containing silver dollars
had been opened. i few dollars eX
tracted from each md an equal amount
Of leauen Slug1 substituted. Thus the
bags would pass the weighing tcsl
which has been used for them. II
turned out that between $500 and $500
had been taken and that a cOlored
man who had been in the service 70,
many years hau invented and carried
out the plan Of opening the bags ant
substituting !caden slugs for the silver
The White House Force.
Assistant Secretary Forster remains
In charge Of the White House office:
during the absence Of Secretary Loci
and the president, with a part Of thu
clerical force. The Office will remain
open during the summer. That portion
open to the public between the hour:
of II and l o'clock will continue to b'
accessible during the summer months
AS the cards of admission have onl,
been procured during the hours named
during the occupancy Of the preslden
it will probably be nov even easic
to gain admittance. The living room.
Of the presidents family are closed.
Washington Pace Kills.
DR.. L. c. Macdonald, one Of the hes
known physicians, who has a world
wide acquaintance with public men
! in discussing the death Of Secretar,
Hay said, "l'ublic men here suffe
. from the aggregated disadvantages o
a sedentary life with it's we'll know
dietic errors" lie quoted n remark O
. Senator Dolliver on the death Of Thorn
1 as b. Reed, as follows:
' Official lie in Washington, with it
2 social side features, is n hotbed TO
! Bright's disease and early graves"
DR.. Macdonald added:
"Some time ago a cabinet officer sal
q to me, "A good digestion and moderl
craftsmanship should go together i