Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-08-15
COMING IN FAST.
Inquiries About Chinese
Labor on the Isthmus.
It Is Not Expected Cinnamon
Will Get TO Work This Year.
Experiments at Camp Roosevelt Establish
Military Value Of wireless TeIegraphy.

Washington, Aug. 14.-Scores of APP
plicatiOns for information concerning
the proposed contract for $500 Chinese
laborers have already reached the
isthmian canal commission and indica-
tons are that hundreds Of persons are
planning to make bids for this contract
in the hope of realizing a small fortune
from it. as several bidders did on the
recent issue Of Panama canal bonds.
But prospective bidders without extern
sive financial backing will be much dis
appointed when the specifications for
furnishing the Chinese are made pub
lie. 1t will be required by the com
mission that large certified check
shall accom- aiy ZACH bid. The am Unit
Of this check will probably not be less
than 100000 and bids not accompanied
by such guarantee of good faith will
not be considered
Advertisements for proposals
| TO supply the Chinese labrr-
crs must be published for 20
days and consequently no pro
posals will be opened before September
u at the earliest. Several months will
be required To get the Chinese to thi:;
| country, after the contract has been
awarded. Consequently. the commas
eioner> do not expect to have the Chin
csc labor on the isthmus before Janu-
airy. 1907.
An opinion OF the attorney general
has been asked by the war department
as to the application of Section of the
sundry civil bill in the purchase and
handling of supplies, known as sales
stores" for the commisSary department
of the army. This section requires a
detailed report to be made within 30
days after the end Of the fiscal yea
of all moneys received from any source
whatever arising from the sale Of pub
| lie property. TIL" commsSary depart
ment tranSactS Il business amounting
to nearly $3.0O0,00O year at the COM
missary stores throughout the cOun-
| try.
| The money to carry on this business
| is borrowed from the regular annual!
| appropriation and is returned to that
| fund frcm time To time. 1t would &c
ulIir,4 an elaborate set OF books ana Il
| great many clerks To keep an account
| of this business IN such shape that a
| detailed statement could be made of
every transaction. The sale of a tooth
brush would require the same detail as
"A transaction involving hundreds of
! thousands of dollars. The department
has called the attention of the depart
mert of justice to certain provisions of
law relating to ccmmissary supplies
which. it is believed. would exempt
that department from the section which
would cause so much trouble.
| satisfactory results With wireless APP
lparatus are reported to the chief signal
l in, WaShipUtnn from am =
Roosevelt at Mount Gretna. Pa. Unie!
the direction of captain Gibbs of the
signal co3I,s there has been installed
lat headquarters a set of wireless IN
l%truments and station erected. TNu
other sets Of instruments are also in
use and arr. sent with principal dctach
ments of troops when out on march
or in maneuvres. From distances %.
10 Or nor" miles when halt is made
la wireless apparatus is brought out
land within five minutes or less, mes
lsages are exchanged with headquarters.
Kites are uSel from these outlying
temporary stations and it has been
demonstrated that direct and quick
communication can be established.
| On some occasions the signal corps
goes ont with the cavalry. carrying the
apparatus Win tnetil anu iiioNihS ~
| a rate which would render impossible
the Stringing of wires in order to KEEP
in communication with headquarters
nv wireless, communication can be had
| at any time with headquarters.
The demonstrations at Camp RooS"-
| welt Indicate that hereafter. armies
i'm the field and troops making rapid
marches can maintain communication
7 with 4 base or with headquarters by
wireless telegraph with very little
trouble.