Los Angeles herald., 1906-12-02

ttOn DOtn 0edfLly lnuoTSeu tne mOVe-
ment to have the government appropri-
ate $50, 100000 annually for the prosecu-
ton Of development work, has aroused
the national legislators to the extent of
the popular demand. Congressman r.
r. Burton Of Ohio, chairman of the riv-
ers and harbors committee of the
house, is at present at Hot Springs,
We, a health resort much affected by
official Washington, and is making
plans for a meeting of his committed
to consider the question before the fall
of Speaker Cannons gavel opens the
session. A number of congressman have
have disappeared from here to reap
pear In the lobby OF the Homestead
motel at the watering place, and pres
sure is being brought to bear on MIR.
Burton to have his committee give to
waterways improvement the considera-
ton It's importance should command.
Representative Rodenburg of Illinois,
one of the arrivals is enthusiastically
In favor of the "lakes-to- the-gulf"
canal project, while score of others
are declaring that commerce in their
especial districts is suffering because
OF lack of transportation facilities. The
convention Of the National Rivers and
Harbors Congress here December
ana Will offer an opportunity for the
capitalization of these demands, and it
is believed that the Federal govern
ment will be aroused to the necessity
for setting vigorously to work to REM
edy the neglect of nearly q half cen
tury given over to the development of
railroads to the exclusion of all rival
methods of transportation.
Demands for American wood and
wood products suddenly seems to have
sprung from the four quarters of the
world. In the last nine months exports
in this class have increased 80 per cent
over last year, according to the bureau
of statistics. During the nine months
the value of these exports was $61, ,000,-
900. A decade ago the total exports
reached only $92,000,000. The bulk of
the exports is classed as boards, deals,
planks, joists and scantling. The next
largest item is furniture, for the United
States product seems to have met the
fancy of buyers abroad.
1t is doubtful If one person in 100000
in these United States ever noted that
the stars of the coinage of the country
have six points, while the stars of the
flag boast only five. 1t remained for a
Massachusetts woman, who wondered
at the inconsistency, to raise the que5-
ton, and this week Acting Director Of
the Mint r. F. Preston explained the
reason for the difference. 1t seems that
when the coinage was first made re-
course was had to English heraldry, in
WHlCH SIX pOlIllS OT u6llOle d SLdl,
and this style was accepted by the
fathers of the country, who were Of
English stock and looked upon heraldry
as being little short or divinely in
spired. When 1t came to the question
of designing the flag, it is known that
George Washington was a member of
the committee, and his views probably
dominated his colleagues. Washington,
1t will be remembered, sported a coat
of-arms, and on the insignia of his
family the stars have only five points.
1t is undoubtedly true that the wash
ington" stars were copied for use on
the flag. However, Director Preston
uncovers other "star'' discrepancies.
The stars on the great seal of theaUnit-
ed States and on the presidents seal
are five-pointed, while the seal of the
house of representatives shows six
pointed lumlnaries.
Much discomfort is being expressed
with the ruling of the interstate COM
merce commission prohibiting the IS
suance of passes to land and immigra-
ton agents. Protests are beginning to
pour in on the commissioners, especial
ly from the west 1t is contended that
these land and immigration men, while
not actually employees of the railroads
should be permitted to travel free be-
cause of the good they do in settling uE
and developing the sparcely settled
states. However, the law is the law,
and so long as the Hepburn bill prohib-
its the giving of free transportation to
others than employees Of the railroads,
the transportation companies will pe
compelled to observe the prohibition.
Delegates Waskey and Gale, the first
two representatives Alaska ever sent
to Washington, have reached the CAPT.
tai. In addition, Governor w. B. Hog
gait, the energetic young executive of
the nations farthest north territory, has
also arrived, and the claims of Alaska
likely will be pushed at the coming ses-
sion. Both Mr.. Waskey and Mr.. Gale
are miners, having amassed comforta-
BILE fortunes in the gold bearing sands
and rocks Of the far north. Governor
Hoggatt also is a MINER but he has had
a varied career, for he was successfully
business man, naval officer and gold
seeker before taking on the authority
of ruler over Uncle Sans rich posses
sion.
The deadly disease discovered recent
ly in Guam is giving the medical men
of the United States army and navy
much uneasiness. The malady attacks
and mutilates the face, and in many in
stances spreads to the limbs. 1t is
more frightful than leprosy. Although
1t has been traced back to 1921, it has
spread and grown more virulent during
the last eight years, or since the Amer
lean occupation of the island. This is
due to the failure of the Americans to
isolate the victims effectively, and as
the disease is more contagious than
leprosy the spread has been rapid. The
matter has been brought sharply to
the attention of the authorities here by
the appeal of Commander Potts for
money with which to fight the epidemic.
Unless the sum of $4,000 year is forth
coming, says the commander, he will
be compelled to release not only the
victims of this disease but the lepers
as well, for the colonies cannot be
maintained at less cost. The matter
has been taken under advisement, and
there is little doubt that the necessary
money will be allowed.
1t would not be surprising If congress
took up seriously licensing plan as a
means of curbing the big trusts. There
is little doubt that the trust question
will be discussed at length at the COM
ing session, and some legislation along
the same general lines as laid down
in the meat inspection and pure food
bills is not unlikely. At the present
time the packers are not compelled to