The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1906-02-16
NOTES FROM WASHINGTON
Especial Correspondence.)
Regulation of Hazino Punishment

President Roosevelt in a letter 10
Chairmen Hale and Foss, respective
ly OF the senate and house naval af.
fairs committees, urges that legisla-
tion be enacted at the present session
OF congress to regulate the punish
ment for hazing at the na avlacad-
emy. The president points out that,
in some instances IL is manifestly un-
just to subject midshipman convict
ed OF haZing TO dismissal, as fire.
quently the punishment is dispropor-
tionate TO the offence committed. He
suggests, further that II is an error to
try midshipman accused OF hazing
in all cases by court-martial. His
idea Is that the power to deal with
such cases ought to be lodged in some
administration officer or body TO deal
summarily with the cases.
WaIlace's TroubIes-John F. Wal
lace was before the senate inter
oceanic canal committee the other
day and made statement regarding
the severance of his relations with
the canal commission. In ii he spoke
OF the violent attack of Secretary Taft
and Mr.. Cromwell, the only basis of
which was difference of opinion be-
tween himself. Taft and Cromwell as
10 his right to decide when he
thought the welfare of the enterprise
and his own justified his resignation.
He was liable to be dismissed at any
time by telegraph. He came north
TO have a private talk with Secretary
Taft, which was denied. He asked to
be excused from any statement as to
the type of canal until he had read
the majority and minority reports of
the consulting engineers.
Against Alcohol Tax-The voice of
New England was heard protesting
against the present tax on alcohol at
hearing upon the Roberts and other
bills providing for its removal before
the house committee on ways and
means last week Professor Rufus
+. Herrick of Winchester, Mass, told
the committee his objections as a
scientific man to wood alcohol being
handled by workmen on account of
its dangerous properties. He exhibit
ed samples of wood alcohol the fumes
nearly driving members of the com
mittee from the room. Ex-Governor
Bachelor Of New Hamnshire, presi-
dent Of the national grange, pleaded
for the removal of the tax on denat-
uraliZed grain alcohol in the interest
of the farmer. Walter l.. Lummus
of the Commonwealth Manufacturing
company of Lynn spoke in favor of
free alcohol for use in the arts and
industrials
For Army mprovement-Secre
Taft has sent to congress drafts Of
bills providing for the Improvement
of the army by the increase of 5000
artillerymen and reserve of 10000
men who have served in the ranks.
One of these measures provides for
a separation Of the field from the
coast artillery, retaining the corps or
ganiZation for the latter. The coast
artillery Is increased by officers and
men necessary for the torpedo defenc-
es of the harbors, and an attempt is
made by increase of pay to remedy
the present impossibility of retaining
highly trained men. The total in
crease in both arms provided for is
5000 men. and the estimated cost for
the first year is $2,000,000. In addi-
tion there will be an estimated eX-
pense of s5,500,000 for barracks, gun
sheds, etc, TO cover a period of five
provide a partial reserve for coast de-
fence i'm case of actual or impending
war.
New Industry for New Ensland-A
big New England acreage of poppies,
capable of supplying ali drug stores
between the two oceans with opium
and morphine, is the picture held up
by DR.. b. r. Galloway. chief of the
bureau of plant industry in the depart
ment Of agriculture. A series of eXpe
riments in raising drug plants has been
under way at the Vermont experiment
station for two years. DR.. Galloway
says these experiments have now pro-
ceeded far enough TO warrant the state
ment that the poppy will flourish in
New England About S5.000,000
worth of drug plants are imported into
this country annually" declared Or.
Galloway recently. Il am speaking of
drug plants which probably can be
grown here. Many of them grow here
now. hut only as weeds. II cultivated
they would have commercial value.
The men detailed from the department
of agriculture To the Vermont station.
have been experimenting with henbane
as well as with the poppy and the re-
suits have been very gratifying"
The Treasury Deficit-The deficit
in the national treasury is taking care
of itself most modestly. Ii is already
greatly reduced. with strong proba-
billy that IL will have disappeared from
sight altogether before the close Of the