Middletown transcript., 1907-11-23
WASHINGTON LETTER

WASHINGTON, D. c.. November Is, 1907.
THE admirable address with which Ser
retary Root opened the Peace Confer
ence OF the Central American Republics is
receiving the greatest commendation on
all sides, as in it Mr.. Root again empha-
sized the necessity Of that policy which
he regards as the keystone of interna-
tional agreements. His argument was the
same in substance asthat urged so effec-
tively in support OF an international per-
nanent court of arbitration, by the chair
man of the American delegation at the
Hague The Secretary insists that 'sThe
mere declaration of general principles,
the mere agreement upon lines of policy
and, conduct, are of little value unless
there be definite and practical methods
provided by which the responsibility to
keep the agreement may be fixed upon
some definite person. and the public sem
timent of Central America be brought to
bear to prevent its violation" This ar
gument, it is maintained, is sound and il
especially applicable to the conditions
which obtain in Central America, where,
as Secretary Root so ably sets forth only
the selfish ambitions of individuals pre-
vent these people from living together in
harmony. and where is found every tie of
sentiment, relationship, religion and as
piration 10 weld these republics together.
-
There seems to be all almost unanimous
demand from the people of Washington
that Congress at its coming session,
should authorize the purchase of all the
property on the South side of Pennsyl-
vania Avenue not now owned By the gov
elment the space to be used as a site for
various government Office buildings and
it is believed that such legislation wt'u'd
meet with the hearty appro.ai vi Tue
people throughout the country and would
not be criticised as an extrayagant expen-
diture. Strangers in Washington inyari-
ably express amazement at the insignifi-
cant buildings to be found on either side
of the Avenue from the Treasury to the
Capitol with the exception Of the Post
Office building, the Municipal Building,
and few hotels and newspaper buildings
which are excellent samples Of the archi-
tect's art It is maintained. and justly,
that whatever makes for the beauty of
this historic ayenhe is OF great benefit to
the Nation as whole.
*x*
Postmaster General Meyer has ex-
pressed himself as greatly delighted with
the boom the postal savings bank prOpo-
sition is,getting and be believes that Com
gress will take up the matter seriously
this session aud that there will be mighty
little, opposition from sources that have
opposed the plan heretofore.
~
Mr. Harry St. George Tucker, President
Of the jamestown Exposition is in WASH
ington this week aud when it was sug-
gested to him that the exposition be kept
open until December Is, when the feet
sails for the Pacific from Hampton Roads,
he said lie was delighted with the idea
and that the board OF governors might
seriously consider the proposition. 1t is
expected that the departure of the big
ships will be an event that will attract
thousands OF people and while the matter
has not been taken up officially there is
some probability that the grounds will
be kept open until the feet sails.
~
The Presidents I'm God We Trust"
letter has aroused 10 little antagonism
among a certain class of people in this
city and it now appears that thereis, after
all, some authority for the inscription.
But, in spite of this fact, the more intelli-
gent contingent in Washington all express
the hope that the Presidents dictum will
stand aud that Congress will not be be-
seged to restore the inscription on the
tribute money" OF the country.
~
From advices which have reached the |
government from official and unofficial |
sources, those foreign corporations and |
governments which have obtained conees-
sions from the Chinese government for
the construction Of railroads and other |
public works, are experiencing no little
difficulty in the prosecution of their en-
terprises. Officials here claim that |
American interests 10 China are being |
watched carefully by our representatives
there, aud that any alleged violation of |
their rights are promptly reported to the |
State Department. The opposition to |
the Foreigners and to their work is said |
to extend alike to the Germans, the
English and especially the Japanese.
~
Among the prominent men who are al
ready beginning TO make flying visits to
Washington, and presumably to the
White House, is Andrew Carnegie, but
when asked what brought him to the
Capital at this time he faeetiously replied:
"The Congressional Limited" It is un-
derstood, however. that he has come here
10 keep in touch With sbs peace confer,
ence, as be has taken q great interest in
the effort to bring about lasting peace in
Central America and has given $3.50, 600
Of the s., ,OOO, 600 fund that viii erect the
new building on the Van Ness site in thi'
city.
JUDGE FAvoRs WOMEN LAWYERS
Chief Justice Lore saYsit i one OF the
inisfortunes Of women that the fair sex
cannot be admitted TO practice law in this
CO.. 1rrI Ia n, Ilrast sfyl,nrtnr pa