West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1906-09-27
OUR washington LETTER
this Government Prepared for TrOu-
bic IL Cuba and 10 Settle ii on
Short Iotiee Necessary.
the y. y. RATE LAW TO BE EN-.
FORCED BY THE lSTERsTATE
COAnERCE COMMISSION
The nsst Inspection Law May Pro.
hib,s All Foreign lmportaiions.

dictate that the situation in Cuba
hss been At all improved by the ar
rival OF Secretaries TAFT and Bacon,
40 the representatives of this govern
meat. This country has almost
troubles enough Of its own withou;
having to act A. peace maker for
the turbulent republic of the south.
O6cials both Of the State and War
Departments profess to look upon
the situation with a very hopeful
eye aad..attke. 1t will be a matter
OF o9p q fsE days before President
Pslu3S asd seaator zelayas. the
soafssssd, sepfesentative of the in
surgthty. are brought to satisfactory
term1.sss-k .ssit
Atihe same time this government
10 overlooking no chance in view Of
the fact that 1t may be forced to
assume the role of armed mediator
between the opposing forces. Four
bsitisships have been ordered Cuba
vsrf hinge the beginning of this
vest ard plaas .have been discussed
for transporting an army which is
vsriously estimated from 5000 men
upward. II such a force should
have ~ be transported. it would be
Aeesssiry to buy or hire ships for
their accommodation. The transport
Summer 10 the only vessel of the
sort now available on the Atlantic
cosss and two more transports
which are now on their way from
the PHILIPPINES have only just entered
the Red Sea and will not be availa
BILE for three weeks. Not more than
1000 men, per transport can be sent
even on the, short journey from
Tampa to Cuba SO that this would
involve . very large outlay on the
part b. the United States If we are
forced 70 play, policeman in the
Pearl Of he Antilles.
ons other serious feature of the
situation 10 that Generals Barry and
Duvall have been ordered home
from Germany. where they were
attending the army maneuvers, sup
possdly in expectation of their being
assigned TO duty in Cuba. 1t is
said also that General Frederick
Funston has been selected by the
President, for supreme command in
essesa army has to be sent south.
He is. now on his way from the
stated Washington, where he was
In command, but it is not known
whether he will FIRST come to Wash
isgton. OF proceed direct to Tampa
sad thence to Key West and Cuba.
Cenersl Funston has the advantage
OF being throughly familiar with
Cuba, having served there in the
issargent army during the last re =
vslstlon. He 10 we'll known among
the Cubsns, enjoys their respect
cad confidence, aud speaks Spanish,
vhieh is an advantage in that lati-
|tuds.
Important regulations have been
issued By the Interstate Commerce
Conmission in regard to passes
sad excursion rates under the new
Railroad Rate Law. Not everyone
10 fortunate enough to be able to
ride on passes, but almost all sooner
or later are able to take advantage
OF excursion rates and there may
be some satisfaction for the general
public In the decision Of the comis-
sIoa that railroads may declare ex.
eursions rates without first giving
the commission thirty days notice
OF their intention. On the other
hand, although they have been
earnestly requested by the railroads,
The Commission has refused to allow
the roads to issue Interpretations
IN return for Services. This
sounds the death knell Of the free
pass CRATER, for had that loop-hole
been left open, the railroads would
have been able to issue transpor.
tstion In return for services of any
soTt In spite of the strict injunction
OF the lay that no passes we're to
be issued except to certain stated
employees of the roads.
The Commission mas disappointed
The railroads considerably in the
ssy that they have been interpret
Jog the Rate Law. There we're a
rood many features Of the law whic |
vsFs disssteful to the roade but they |
vsFs 10 hopes that the Commission
BY literally constituting the law would |
'snder II 90 unpopular as to soon
asesssiss,s its repeal. On the other
Rad, the Commission had been
sEing advantages Of every discupt-
on grsnted IL to interpret the law
y ssasbly a. It can for the benefit
10Th Of the railroad and the shipper.
The sIeursiop decision just mention.
ID 70 one instance and so far as the
'ublie is concerned, is very inn
'ostsnt instance OF what the Inter.
tsis Commerce Commission Is
a