The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1905-03-02
Letter From Washington.
What the Presidents Inauguration Means
to the National Capitol. Maine Men in
Evidence. Gov Burleigh and the Omni-
bus Public Building Bill

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bus Public Building Bill.
Correspondence of The Journal.
WASHINGTON, D. e., Feb. 81. Within on.
ly few days this city's population of white
people will be doubled. 1t has now about
200, 600 whites not to mention an additional
hundred thousand negroes. On Saturday,
March 4th. it is anticipated there will be
200, 600 more white people within the con-
fines of the District of Columbia The ar
rivals will be from every State and from
nearly every county in the land. There
will also be onlookers from every civilized
nation on the globe. The number of for
eigners visiting Washington is constantly
increasing and probably at least 1000 for
eigners will be here to witness the Presi-
dents Inauguration. 1t is great event for
all tourists the world over.
1t is not difficult to imagine how longest
ed the city becomes, although it is surpris-
ing with what ease the doubling of the city S
population is handled. The proposition is
about the same to Washington as it would
be to Belfast if 1000 people were suddenly
to arrive at the Maine Central station and
by all the boats and other transportation
lines touching there. Most of the visitors
will be here about three days, and some
much longer. Not only is there lively de-
mand for lodgings of every price from 81. 90
day up to $40 and even more day, but
there is also largely increased demand for
eatables of every character. The increase
,rin hat
Washington is costlier place to dwell in
than any other city in the country during
Inauguration week
There is no other city in the country, and
no other occasion, where sdch great throng
assemblies OF course New York City con-
stantly has mighty throng of visitors
within its limits but nothing like an inaugu-
ration crowd, and furthermore New York
has much larger hotel facilities than Wash
ington. But clearinghouse keepers and
others willing to rent rooms reap small
harvest The Inauguration of President
is golden opportunity for them. OF course
a large majority of the people who come
spend individually but little money, and yet
the aggregate left in Washington on such
an occasion will be as much as S2,00O,-
600 or $3,ooO,OOo. This big sum finds its
way into numerous channels and makes the
pulse of business at the capital city throb
for several weeks. The shopkeepers and
tradesmen benefit to no small extent, but
makers of souvenirs and dealers in such
things as travellers buy dispose of enormous
stocks and usually at good prices.
Representative Burleigh has accepted an
invitation to serve on the reception commit
tee on the night of the inaugural ball. Its
chairman is Mr.. Crosby S. Noyes, the vet
eran editor Of the Evening Star, a native of
Minot, Me-, and one of the most substantial
and respected residents of Washington.
He has asked the more prominent men of
Congress and also several local citizens to
serve on that committee. They will go to
the pension bureau Saturday evening,
March 4th, and be on hand, not only to well
come President and Mrs. Roosevelt on their
arrival, but also to see that all possible is
done for the comfort and convenience of
these and other distinguished visitors
Here in Washington it is regarded as a dis
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reception committee.
Several Maine people along the coast
have evinced an interest in legislation ask
ed for by the Department of Commerce and
Labor, requiring motor boats to be inspect
ed the same as steam vessels of larger build
Following the investigation of the Slocum
disaster several recommendations for strict
er inspection Of all kinds of boats were
made to Congress. However, thus far all
efforts to have inspection of motor boats has
failed. So much opposition to it has de-
veloped that the Department of Commerce
and Labor has practically dropped the sub
ject. Senate and House committees in
charge of such subjects have favoraby re-
ported several bills affecting the inspection
of steam vessels. 1t is practically certain
that more severe legislation in that direc-
ton will be enacted at this session. But it is
also certain that no legislation calculated to
affect the hundreds of little motor boats
such as one sees along the Maine coast will
be passed The bill which the Department
of Commerce first had in mind provided
that all boats propelled wholly or in part by
machinery should be regarded as steam YES
sells within the meaning of the law. That,
should it become law, would make every
little gasoline boat subject to regulations
that steamboat inspectors enforce. A year