Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-01-23
CAPITAL CHAT.
Mrs. Hale Entertains at
Most Enjoyable Lunch.
Boothbay Harbor Fish Hatchery
Reports Good Season.
Congress Has Now Well Settled Down TO
Work Of the Session.

Washington, d. c., Jan. 22.-(Spec-
iaD.-Mrs. Hale, the wife of the senior
senator from Maine, gave very en-
joyable luncheon Saturday at their
residence on Sixteenth street. 1t was
a unique luncheon, in that no other of
the kind vas probably given here, as
all ,the. senatorial wives were invited.
The tables were beautifully decorated
and Mrs. Hale demonstrated anew her
capabilities as a charming hostess.
Mrs. Fairbanks, wife of the Vice
President, and Mrs. Sheridan. widow
OF Gen. sSheridan; Mrs. Burleigh, Mrs.
Littlefield, and Mrs. Powers, wives of
the three Maine representatives, and
Miss Allen, daughter of Representa-
tive Allen of Maine, and Miss Briggs
and Miss White, granddaughters of
Senator Frye. were likewise invited.
Representative Burleigh and the
other members of the Maine delega-
ton have received from United States
Fish Commissioner Bowers a letter
setting forth the operations of the new
fish hatchery at Boothbay Harbor;
Maine. He shows that the work OF the
and promises to keep the members of
the delegation Informed as to the pro-
gress of marine cultural work in
Maine.
f. w. Cronkhite of Cornville, Me-,
has forwarded here petition for an
extension of the Rural Free Delivery
service from Skowhegan to that town.
Gov. Burlcigh has forwarded the re-
quest TO the post Office department
and asked Fourth Assistant Postmas1
ter General DeGraw to place the petit
ton in the hands of Special Inspector
T. p. Boutelle of Bangor for an in
veStigation and report.
Representative and Mrs. Burleigll
were recently invited to dinner by Ex-
Senator and Mrs. J. B. Henderson to
meet the Vice President and Mrs.
Fairbanks. Representative Burleigh
also attended recently reception Civ
en- by Speaker Cannon to members of
the House and others. Representa-
tlves Littlc!icld. Powers, and Allen
were also invited and attended the re-
ception.
Congress is now we'll settled down 70
its work. Business is being..dispatch-
ed at both ends of the Capitol. The
first of the appropriation bills has just
made its appcarance-the urgent de-
ficiency bill. 1t will be followed at
regular entcrvals by other apprOpria-
ton or supply bills. till ii have been
disposed of. BY that time the end of
the session will be near. For the Sen
ate will soon take up it's tasks of pass
ing these bills and it has become
automatic in Washington that Con-
gross can not be kept here after the
appropriation bills have passed. One
reason is that the items on those bills
carry appropriations for various pro-
Jtcts in Congressional districts, which
members have a personal interest in
seeing passed. Nothing will keep most
members in Washington longer than
to see that their constituents secure
some appropriation from Congress.
At present the appropriation commit
tee and several other committees that
prepare appropriation bills are hard at
work getting the measures ready for
consideration. Almost every day many
government officials can be seen troop
ing towards the Capitol, generally with
a bundle Of papers in hand. They arc
going to the House for a committee
hearing. They have to tell the commit
tees why they want certain apprOpria-
tons and why those appropriations are
necessary to the running of the gov
eminent. Almost invariably more is
asked for than Congress grants. Much
however. depends upon the official who
asks for appropriations. The commit
tees like business methods and when
an official can satisfactorily explain
explain how the moneys have been
used and can present a strong argu-
nent for the further expenditures-in
short. if he shows a familiarity with
the workings of his bureau or depart
ment and seems to be making an intel
ligent use Of the government funds. the
disposition of Congress, especially of
the committees that prepare appropri-
alton bills. is to vote something like
the amounts estimated. Committees
every year have Il lot of trouble with
ignorant and arrogant officials. Some
of these officials think they have as
much right as Congress to say how
much shall be spent for a given Dur-
pose. In times gone by they have not
hesitated when Congress withheld the
sums asked, to go ahead and incur in
debtedness. later going to Congress for
deficiency appropriation. The sort
Of abuse has now been largely correct
ed by stringent legislation.
The program is to dovetail the appro-
priation bills; in between the purely leg
islative measures, such as statehood
and Philippine tariff. The latter bill re-
ceived the support the other day of the
entire Maine delegation in the House.
In the Senate it goes before the Philip
pine committee, Of which Mr.. Hale is
the second Republican member.
Although he is not a member Of the
interoceanic canals committee. Mr..
Hale has been taking prominent part
in lo,I-;np offer canal Do4+or- 1>ha