Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-04-16
From Washington.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria GaEette.l
Washington, April 10.


Germ today over technical problems pre-
sented By the fatal accident on the battle
ship Kearsarge last Friday which csused
the death of Lieut.. John M. Hudgins,
turret officers in the forward thirteen
inch turret, where the accident occurred,
and Lieut.. Joseph w. Graeme, target
umpire, together with five seamen. The
accident can only be considered as fur
ther proof that rapid gun practice with
the big rifles entails dangers OF unlocked
for ignition of powder charges, all the
causes of which cannot be ascertained
except at the cost fatal experience.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion today decided the case of j. W.
Moran and Son, of Lamar, Mo-, against
The Missouri Pacific Railway Company,
and the st. Louis, Iron Mountain and
Southern Railway Company in favor OF
the complainant. The commission held
that the rate of forty-two cents per 100
pounds for the shipment OF flour from
Lamar to Hope, Ark, is grossly unrea-
sonsble and that a reasonable and just
rate therefor would be eleven cents. The
complainant was awarded reparation
amounting to 1888.
The annual easter Monday egg
rolling festivaP' took place today on the
White House lawn. Several thousand
children brought their decorated baskets
10 the grounds and from 9 a. m. until |
u. m. raced and shouted and played
rames to their hearts content Grown
people were neither invited nor wanted
because it was children's day, but many
Of them managed to get inside the gates
by chaperoniDg little children. Those
who had no children Of their own and
could borrow none peered smiling!y
through the iron fence surrounding the
grounds and derived good deal OF en-
ioyment from that. In the afternoon the
Marine Band gave a concert for the
grown folks on the elipse south of the
White House An extra large force OF
policemen was on hand early in the
morning to take care of the huge crowd
of youDgters and keep watchful eye
upon the little lake in the center OF the
grounds. Fakirs of all sorts were on
hand outside the grounds long before 8
O'Clock. President and Mrs. Roosevelt
came out on the south porch to smile
upon the young merrymakers, and now
and then Archie or Quentin Roosevelt
made their appearance in the crowd.
They we're not allowed TO linger long in
the crowd, however, but were soon cor
rallied by their guardians and compelled
TO retire to the interior of the White
House. The White House gardeners
will require several days cleaning up
the wreck. But no one objected to that
fof the children had glorious time, and
when old Sol smiles, as be did today on
the annual festival, no amount OF work
is considered too strenuous as an after
msth.
The Society of the Daughters of the
American Revolution met in its fifteenth
Continental Congress this morning in
Continental Hall, tie handsome memoir
ial structure being erected as the home
OF the society, practically at The foot OF
the Washington monument. Mrs. Donald
Mclean, as president-general, called the
convention TO order. She was graciOusly
received by the Daughters, not only at
the hall but wherever she has appeared
during the ante-cOngressional functions
While the hall has not been completed,
| the interior is much more comfortable TOR
the congress than it was year ago when
the congress convened in the structure.
Seldom had a congress met with such
seeming good feeling among the Daugh-
ters. The calm is alarming to the wIso
ones. There is no president-geueral to
elect this year, Mrs. Mclean holding Of
fee for another year. Two honorary
vice president generals Iare to be selected
and ten vice president generals, but I'M
fortunately for those who do not enjoy
congress without fight, many of these
will be reelected. Some of the bellig-
erent ones tried to get some life into the
congress by the montana matter" but
the national board of managers, by re-
naming in session Saturday night until
long after midnight, practically vindicat-
ed Mrs. Walter Harvey Weed, vice
State regent of that State, from the charge
of fraud in election. That leaves barely
the constitutional questions in this case
to come before the congress Members
of the entertainment committee are hav-
ing their troubles. 1t all came out when
the congress adjourned for lunch this
forenoon. The committee had endeagor-
cd to get caterer to serve lunch TO
the Daughters in the hall, but none
could be procured for love or money, at
least, for as much money as the Daughr
ters were willing to pay.
Mrs. Mclean dressed in white gown
and carrying American roses was escort
ed to the platform this morning by w.
Hamilton Bailey, OF the Sons of the
American Revolution. Mrs. Teunis
Hamlin, chaplain general, offered pray
er. Mrs. Mclean delivered her address
of welcome.
Response TO the address of welcome
were made by several delegates, includ-
ing Mrs. Murphy. of Ohio, who practi-
cally renominated Mrs. Mclean for a
second term. "Ohio is for US, who can
be against us" said Mrs. Mclean as
Mrs. Murphy sat down.
Mrs. G. w. Fairbanks, who as presl-
dent general presided on the society for
several years was suspicious by her ab-
sence She will not attend the Congress
this year. they say. "She left town
nurnoselv - her onpOnents saw.