Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-11-08
Washington Gossip

Washington Gossip
There Is a disposition among some
members Of congress to look with ia
vor upon a general plan looking to the
better pay OF clerks and the more
humble employees Of Uncle Sam. and
it has been suggested that IL such a
scheme were zealously advocated by
the cabinet some progress might be
made.
Practically the entire membership
Of the appropriations committee of
congress sailed from New York this
week for the Isthmus of Panama,
whore they expect to spend about
eight days investigating the accounts
Of the bureau of labor and supplies.
and other things needing the attention
of the committee. They Intended to
throw as much light MS possible upon
the actual conditions In Panama, and
one OF the objects which The commit
tee has in mind. Il Is claimed. Is Ia Sc
cure greater economy In the eXpeudi-
lures on the isthmus.
II has beef The policy % Secretary
Root 10 strive at all times To obtain
an even flow Of promotion in the
diplomatic and consular service. so
that every official would be inspired
10 his highest efforts by the certainty
Of reward By advancement, n It Is
the present disposition OF the admin
islratiOn 10 adhere TO this plan in the
ease of the Berlin embassy. although
the announcement OF the intended re-
tirement Of Ambassador Tower has
brought out several applications for
the post from various PERSONS not now
in the diplomatic service.
At the cabinet meeting this week
the financial situation. naturally. oe-
cupied much of the time Of the presi-
dent and his secretaries It was the
first session. since presidents return
from his southern trip, that Secretary
Cortelyou had been able to attend,
and of course his colleagues We're ea-
ger to hear what he had to say about
conditions inkthe business n finan-
cial world. VIII characteristic breV-
ity the secretary reported that the m
formation he was receiving was most
%renssuring and justified the belief that
there was an Improvement all along
the line.
Congress Is again to he besieged by
members Of the cabinet for an in
crease OF salaries-this time. for their
assistants. This increase is under
to apply 10 first assistant secre-
taries only. II Is expected each cab
met official will recommend 10 on
gres. in his estimates for the next fis-
cal year, that the salary Of his as
secretary be increased to
t6 600 per annum There are several
secretaries To whom the adj
vance is of no Importance, as they are
men OF wealth, but forlthe most part
they are men whose chief. or only
Incomes are their salaries
The president was overrun with peo-
pie from Oklahoma the early part Of
his week, presenting friends who
federal offices I'm the new
state or advocating the claims of 9TH
ers. ana unon Secretary Garfield's
young and able shoulders President
Roosevelt has placed the greater part
OF the responsibility of selecting the
officials to be appointed In the
OF Oklahoma. The secretary t.,
consequently. giving the greater part
OF his time To that duty. The rea-
for the presidents course Is found
In the fact that, ~ secretary Of the
Mr.. Garfield has a charge
Of affairs in oklahoma and Indian
Territory. and will continue 20 adj
the affairs Of the Indians
even after the territories become Il
state. There are two United States
Judges. two marshals and two district
attorneys 10 be named.
In n letter Ia Secretary Mctcalf.
Representative G.. r. Littlefield. of
takes shark issue with the de-
,ision OF the attorney general. that
foreign vessels carrying American
,oal from one United states yort TO
mother, for the use OF the navy. are
Exempt from the penalties prescribed
for violation Of the coastwise ship
ping law. Mr.. Littlefield attempts to
'hoW. by legal argument, that the at
.orney general proceeded upon a fun
lamental misconception OF the char
tcter Of the statute he was constru-
Inc when he held that the government
vas not bound by the coastwise ship
ping act, though not particularly
therein. lie declares that the
condition demonstrates that
Inc enormous sums that have been
expended IN creating a navy are likely
la prove to have been improvidentlN
expended. as we have provided for no
sufficient cargo-carrying marine.
services We have a right 10
compel In a time Of real eXigency TO
beck the navy supplied with coal, mu-
Of war and other supplies.
wherever IL may have occasion 60 go.
A hattieship without coal Is little bet
ter than "a painted ship on a painted