The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1906-11-02
Washington Chat
Special Correspondence.

Compared to the great exodus of
clerks during previous elactioHs, few
government employees in Washington
will journey to their respective
homes next month to exercise the
right of citizenship. The principal
reason for the number being SO small
IS because the railroad companies have
not granted reduced rates except to
cover eastern states and even in these
the reduction is exceedingly slight.
Voters whose homes are west of the
Ohio river will be compelled to nav
almost the full fare both ways. This
action of the railroad companies is un-
usual, especially in view of the fact
that this is the first year that passes
have not teen obtainable, thus prac
tically assuring good revenue from
the throng of employees who would 60
were the rates reasonable. Both DO
iltical parties have brought all kinds
of pressure to bear on transportation
officials in order to secure the old time
concessions, but deaf ear has been
turned to all thsir pleadings. The
leaders are still hard at work in the
matter and feel that something may
yet result to "help the cause" in the
different states.
1t was an odd looking delegation of
Apache Indians that crowded the
waiting room Of Secretary of War
Taft's Office on Wednesday. They
were there IN the hope of seeing that
official to plead with him for the re-
tuin of their tribe to the happy hunt
ing grounds from which they were re-
moved twenty years ago. The secre-
tary was busy at the White House
when they called, so the Indians
squatted in real Indian fashion and
kept watch, as it were, for the return
OF the heap big chief, but as the time
passed and he failed to appear, they
grew restless, walking around the
room, yawning and making queer
noises in their native tongue. They
represent body of Apaches captured
by General Miles in New Mexico and
by him removed to Indian Territory,
where they have been ever since as
prisoners of war. In reality they
have had all the freedom they desire,
except they are not allowed to return
to the scene of their former misdeeds.
Secretary Taft finally arrived and
after listening to their tale of woe,
promised to place the case before the
great father in the White House. This
seemed to satisfy them and they
tludged out in single file, wrapped to
the neck in gaudy blankets.
1t has always been a problem for
the postoffice department to easily and
safely remove sacks of mail from fast
moving trains. The plan long in use
by railway postal employees is to toss
the bag out the car door. Some times
it lands near the railroad station and
at other times it is hundred yards or
more away. Frequently people have
been injured by being struck by the
flying bags and often the bags are lost
altogether, More than 100 inventions
in the shape of arms to remove the
bags as the train runs at high speed,
have been placed before the department
during the past five years. none have
ever received a thorough test. It is
for this reason that special commits
sion to examine and test the apparatus
has been appointed by Postmaster
General Cortelyou. The commission
is composed of three Washington post
al officials and postmasters from four
large cities who will inspect inven-
tions all over the country. 1t is
thought possible that some of the
contrivances may prove efficient in
hapdling the bags, and if some lucky
in 7entor hits it right, fortune awaits
him at the hands of Uncle Sam.
AS yet the twin storks-real live
storks--have not made their expected
visit to the White House, although
they have been eagerly awaited tor a
week. Every time an express wagon
has been seen approaching the execu-
tive mansion, the employees rush to the
door or windows, but each time they
have been sadly disappointed and now
the question is, Are the storks really
coming?' These two birds, SO the
tale runs, arrived in New York from
q ermany about ten days ago, and are
consigned to President Theodore Roose-
welt, washington, D. c.. but as to
who seut them no one seems to know.
Some say they are a gift from the
German emperor while others claim
that some other faderland admirer of
the President is the donor. 10 either
case, the sending of these birds to the
nations chief has but one meaning in
the customs of Germany which is to
express an invitation to the president
for him to visit Germany either now
or in the future. When the twin
storks finally arrive at the White
Huose they will in all probability be
greatly admired and petted for few
days by the Roosevelts and then sent
TO the National Geological park to be
placed with the collection Of bears
coons, peafowls and all the other
animals that have been presented to
the president from time to time.
The famous poison squad"-that
daring body of men, who lived for six
months on food seasoned with borax
and other acids, and who were il
charge Of Prof. Wiley, chief chemist
xufll