Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-01-18

turning TO Hampton Roads The
Denver. Captain Colwell, is ordered on
cruise through the Windwsrd islands.
This will lead her in the direction OF
Trinidad. where she will doubtless observe
the actions of the French cruisers. The
Dominican feet will have only two
days' sail to the Venezuelan coast in case
there is justification or need for snow
Of force by American war vessels. In
addition to this the next two weeks viii
see the strongest aggregation OF Ameri-
can battleships and srmored cruisers ever
assembled 10 fighting trim in the CARR
bean sea. While the ships OF Admiral
Eyans's armada will be 10 the neighbor-
hood for purposes of drill, they would
still be available for business if occasion
should warrant.
T'oultney Bigelow, the correspondent
whose criticisms on the management OF
Panama canal affairs brought out the
statement from Secretary Taft that he
had been on the Isthmus only % hours,
WAS therefore not qualified to pass upon
the questions of engineering, labor con-
ditions. etc. which he discussed in his
article, WAS examined today by the Sen
ste committee on interOceanic canals.
Invited to give statement OF conditions
on the Islhmus, Mr.. Bigelow stated that
he was somewhst embarrass I'd in appear
ing in respectable company after having
teen characterized as sensation mong-
err. but he would take a few minutes
to put before the committee a statement
as to his experience and standing. He
said he was a professor 10 the Boston
University, and named the various
books OF which he was the author. AS
% his personal observations he admitted
that he had only the best part oftwo days
on the Isthmus, but he was there long
enough to warrant all tina. he had written.
Mr. Bigelow was proceeding to give bis
impressions" when Senator Knox re-
quested the chairman TO get the witness
to copfine himself to the facts on which
he based his article. "Well, here's
TACT" said Mr.. Bigelow, 'thst many
eminent engineers have declined to be-
come connected with the Panama canal
enterprise, because Of government inter
ference" The committee then adopted
resolution that he should be compelled
10 give the name. Bigelow said: "You
may put me on bread and water, or may
condemn me to Colon, but you can not
compel me to divulge my confidential
sources of information" ThereupOn the
committee went into executive session
to decide what should be done with the
cOntumaciOus wltress.
Representative Davey, of Louisians,
today or behalf Of the minority of the
House committee on interstate and
foreign commerce, introduced the mi
norily railroad rate bill in the House.
The most important point of difference is
that it provides for the substitution OF
reasonable" rate, instead Of treason
able maximum" rate, for rate declared
to be unreasonable.
Yelled threats against the President
were uttered today when the question of
Corrupt fund.- to defeat the admins
ttatiou statehood programme, came up
again before the House committee on
territories.
Pure food advocates succeeded after quel-
ling considerable opposition in getting reso.
lntion adopted by the National Board Of
Trade calling upon Congress to make pure
food law. Frank d. LaLanDe, of Philadel-
pha, was elected president: Charles W. Bur-
rows, of Cleveland. and Samuel q, Douglas,
Of Nashville, Tenn. ice.presidents; and Will
liam r. Tucker. of Philadelphia, secretary
and treasury.