Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-08-23
From Washington.

Correspondence OF the Alexandra OaZette.I
Washington, ID. c., August %.
Secretary Bonaparte, has turned the
Bennington court of inquiry report over
to Capt Diehl, judge Acknowledgement
of the navy. The secretary will have
conference with Capt. Diehl later upon
the subject of action to be taken on the
courts recommendations, principally
that relating to courtmartial proceedings
against Ensign Charles T. Wade.
president Roosevelt has requested re.
port upon the Bennington disaster"
said Mr.. Bonaparte, land it will be pre-
pared and sent to him 10 the next three
or four days" Ii is more thar likely
that some change may be made in the
engineering department in the navy as a
result Of the Bennington explosion. The
former institution in the navy known as
the engineer corps, composed Of boiler
and engine experts, which gave way to
officers of the line detailed for engineer
duty, may be revived. Since the catas-
trOphe at San Diego critics of the present
system have been active in recalling the
arguments made against the abandonment
of the old policy Of employing civilians
with special experience with marine
boilers and engineers. This aspect of
the question may occupy prominent
place in the information now being pre-
pared for President Roosevelt.
Changes have been made by the Navy
Department in the programme of enter
tainment for Prince Louis of Battenburg
and his officers and men OF the British
cruiser squadron which will visit the At
lantic seabOard this autumn. The first
plans contemplated the principal festivi
ties taking place at New York early in
October 1t was announced today that
the squadron will be received at Newport,
II. l., in the latter part Of October or
early in November. While the social
season will have closed by that time at
the Rhode Island resort, the magnitude
of the occasion will probably cause
sort of after season and the British Of
fcers will find plenty doing. The ships
will probably visit New York and the
American sailors may still have a chance
to spend some of the $40, 600 cOntribut-
ed 10y the crews of the North Atlantic
squadron as an entertainment fund show
ing their British blue jackets the Bowery
and Broadway.
The Navy Department has determined
to hold the final John Paul Jones Obse
quies April "A, 1906, the anniversary OF
the great sea captains defeat of the Brit
ish ship Drake. Secretary Bonaparte
has conferred with Admiral Sands, super
intendent of the Naval Academy, and
are already afoot Tor the
celebration. 1t was found inexpedient
to hold the final ceremonies this fall, al
though the 23rd of September the an
niversary Of Jones's greatest achieve |
ment, the sinking Of the Scraps, was
considered as an appropriate date. A |
French squadron will visit Annapolis for
the celebration.
Prof. +. NJ. Freeman, Of the University |
of Minnesota, has been employed by the
Bureau of Plant Industry to devote his |
entire time to the study Of rusts Of the |
cereal crops and grasses. He has won a
reputation for Investigations Of this kind |
both in Minnesota and in Oxford, Eng
land, where he did graduate work. His
headquarters will be in Washington.
Democrats here today from Virginia
say that a strong ticket was nominated
at the primaries in that State yesterday
and that 1t is conceded that all the can
lidates nominated will win.
Some people here from Virginia say
they believe Governor Montague will at
Inc end of his term 60 to New York and
enter into the practice Of law in that
,ity, but this belief is not generally en-
ertained.