Charlevoix county herald., 1905-09-16
WASHINGTON LETTER
Especial Correspondence.l

4
ington about which little has been
known and which has distinctly
phllanthropic aspect.
| Mr.. Hay was one Of the moving
| spirits In the organization Of the Wash
| ington Housing association, which had
| for its business the building Of com
| Portable, spacious and modern tene-
ments suited for the crowded sections
| OF the city, where the working classes
many years been at the mercy of hard
conditions In the peculiar landlord sys-
| tenn in vogue in the capital.
The society was started by a number
of men prominent in official life three
years ago. The District government
lent its aid to the movement by for
bidding the use of alley property for
tenements.
This served to increase rather than
lower rents for the poorer class OF
people. Then Secretary Hay and sew
eral OF his friends came into the organ
ization and gave it an impetus by the
investment of large sums, which has
resulted In the construction in all parts
Of the city of hundreds of houses plan
ned on the fiat system, but with only
two stories.
The rents are based on a 3 per cent
return TO the stockholders. This brings
the rentals down to about half those
charged by real estate agents generally
throughout the city. The tenant who
takes approved care of the premises
receives at the end of every year one
months rent free.
Mr.. Hay invested upward Of 81 ,000,-
600 in this philanthropic enterprise. He
kept his connection with it quiet if not
secret, and few knew that 1t was to
his money that the success of the asso-
citation was in large measure due.
New Naval Regulations.
The wearing of swords aboard ship
on ordinary occasions has been prac-
ticaIly abolished by the new wording
of the regulations respecting their use,
a woven service revolver belt and re-
volver taking the place of the sword.
1t is explained by the department that
a sword is an unhandy weapon under
modern conditions OH board ship or in
boats and that it serves no useful pur
pose Oh occasions other than those of
ceremony. The sword will be worn,
however, at ceremonies and at infantry
and artillery drills on shore.
Nayy's Ban on Foreigners.
The regulations governing visitors
going aboard vessels under construc-
ton have been revised so as to give
such permission only to those known
to the senior officer present as Ameri-
can citizens of good standing and re-
pute. Visitors representing foreign
governments or known to be other
than American citizens, it is provided,
shall not be permitted to go aboard
such vessels except by permission of
the navy department and then shall be
accompanied by naval officer on duty
at the navy yard OF works where the
vessel is building.
New Medal of Honor.
Acting Secretary of War Oliver has
issued description Of the new medal
of honor. 1t Is a five pointed star
made of silver, heavily electroplate1
in gold, and has as its central figure
the head Of Minerva, sy mboliZing wis
dom and righteous war;" An open lau-
rel wreath enameled in green encircles
the star, and the oak leaves at the
bases of the prongs OF the star are like
wise enameled In green. The medal is
suspended by blue silk ribbon span
gled with thirteen white stars, repre-
sentlng the original states, and this
ribbon is attached to an eagle support
ed upon horizontal bar. Upon the bar
appears the word "Valor."
The reverse side of the medal Is en-
graved with the name Of the person
honored and the place and date of the
service for which awarded.
Printing Office Furniture.
Visitors to the government printing
Office frequently comment OF the large
amount of massive oak furniture scat
tered through the various branches Of
the plant, the natural wood finish and
neat and serviceable appearance Of the
pieces attracting particular attention.
1t is said that no printing Office in the
world Is so completely furnished with
working conveniences as the big Unit
ed States institution in this city, what
is termed the carpenter shop" being
largely responsible for this state of af
fairs.
What was once a plain everyday
carpenter shop has been gradually
transformed into a modern manufac-
tory, expert cabinetmakers, finishers,
painters. woodworkers and laborers