Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1905-06-29
NOTES FROM WASHINGTON
Especial Correspcndence.)

Trial Of Cruiser@Orders have been
given at the navy department for the
omcial trial Of the protected cruiser
Charleston. built by the Newport News
Shipbuilding company, OF the coast
OF New England. June %. After the
vessels crews are standardized she
Will be given four-hours' run in the
open sea to determine her speed. The
Charleston has displacement OF 97OO
tons and an indicated horsepower OF
$1,000 and carries IA guns in her main
battery.
Disappearance Of Maekerei-w II.
Jordan, collector of the port of Glouc-
ester. Mass. and Benjamin A. Smith
Oh the board OF trade of that city
talked to the president the other day
concerning proposition to have the
bureau of fisheries investigate the
reasons for the gradual disappearance
OF mackerel from the waters of New
England. II is probable that the sug-
gested inquiry will be made. as il is
regarded as highly important that
New England fishermen should learn
movement Of the fish.
Against Expulsion Laws-The presi-
dent also held a conference recently
with about 30 members of the Amer
lean Asiatic association, representing
the cotton textile industry and the
iron and steel trade of the United
states. who presented a formal pro-
test against such an enforcement of
the Chinese exclusion laws as might
imperil the export trade of this coun-
try with China. 1t was pointed out
tnat the commercial organizations OF
China were threatening to boycott
American-made goods. especially cot
ton and steel products, unless ar
rangements were made whereby
chinese merchants. students, literary
men and travellers could enter the
United States without the serious
difficulty which they now encounter.
Training Ship Renamed-The an
nouncement was made at the navy de-
partment last week that the Chesa-
peake. the training ship at the naval
academy. had been rechristened the
Severn. Capt. Schroeder. chief OF the
bureau of naval intelligence. suggest
ed the desirability of giving the ship
new name. In his communication
on the subject he said: I'm our early
history We had Chesapeake whose
career was most unfortunate. Many
ether ships which flew our young flag
handed down imperishable records.
but not one name among them has
been revived in our new navy until
very recently in the cases of the
school ships now building. Now, dou-
bly, is 1t to be regretted then that
the name should be perpetuated of
the vessel which furnished a UNIQUE
instance of United States ship low
ering her flag to an enemy of equal
strength" Severn was suggested as
II Is the name of the river flowing
past the academy grounds.
For Philippine RaiIways-The war
department has made public the I'm.
vitations. signed by Secretary Taft.
for proposals for the construction of
railways in the Philippines under the
act OF congress passed in February
Tor that purpose. An elaborate
scheme OF transportation is involved.
The Philippine government agrees to
protect the grantees against iadrones,
insurgents, rebels and outlaws. One
half of 1 percent from the gross earn
ings is to be paid to the Philippine
government as taxes. The prospectus
cites the provisions of the law
guaranteeing interest for 30 years at
percent upon the first lien bonds. but
II Is provided that not more than ST.
zo0.OOO shall be paid in interest in
any one year. Bids will be received
only from individual citizens or CO
partnerships of the United States. or
of the Philippines. or from railroad
corporations organized and existing
under the laws of state. or the
United States. or the Philippines.
No Law Against Uniforms-The
law. officers of the war. department.
have recently discovered to their
great surprise and disgust, that there
is no law under which they can pro-
hibit any person from wearing the re-
gulation uniform Of the army or navy.
III such person cares to wear IL. The
war department has been wrestling
"''h s"N NHSt VI OH army OmCer WHO
was permitted to resign for the good
OF the service" but who still persists
In wearing the uniform OF his rank.
IL was first believed that he could be
compelled to discard the honorable
shoulder straps. but after the law was
carefully studied IL was found there
was no provision under which such
action could be taken. AS the matter
now stands any civilian with the bad
taste so to do, and the money with
which TO pay for IL. can wear the uni
form Of the lieutenant general OF the
army. although there Is but one man
In the country entitled to wear that
particular kind Of apparel
Congress OF Commerce RI.
Metcalf. secretary of the department
OF commerce and labor. Is planning
great congress OF manufacturers
and shippers. to be held in this city.
Mr.. Metcalf Is convinced that the
American captains of industry have
been so busy multiplying their for