Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-08-16
From Washington.
correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.I
Washington, Aug. l6.


rCorrenondende Of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, Aug. 10.
Secretary of War Taft today issued
an order placing the clerks OF the Wal
DEPARTMENT on the same footing al
those of Others departments of the COVER
ment with reference to the Saturday
halt holiday. Heretofore a War DE,
partment clerk who wsDted TO take OF
the whole of Saturday was charged with
fuIl days absence to be deducted from
his annual leave. Other departments,
in similar circumstances. only charged
their employees with q half day, the
afternoon holiday being regarded as
legal right and not part OF The annual
leave. The decision Of the Secretary
meaus difference Of about ak full days
in the course of the summer which have
up to now been taken from the annual
leave OF War Department employees.
With regard to the report that def
mite agreement has been reached be-
tween this country and Great Britain
concerning the Newfoundland fisheries
which will enable the American fisher
men 10 pursue their vocation without
trouble from the Newfoundland govern
menl during the present season, 1t was
said at the State Department today thai
the matter has not yet reached thai
stage. The negotiations are proceeding
amicably with every appearance thai
they will be soon concluded satisfactorily
but the final agreement has not yet been
made.
The government is considering what
action is to be taken to safeguard It's
loan of one million dollars to the James
town Exposition. 1t has defaulIed on
the first semi-montbly payment OF 500,
900, due August /, and all indications
point to default in the second pay
ment of q similar amount, due today,
Assistant Secretary Edwards OF the
treasury department, who has been al
jamestown for a week, is in New York,
where it il said he is comforting with
certain financial interests back of the
Exposition Company. 1t is understood
that be will later take the matter up
with Secretary Oortelyou, nOw at his
summer home on Long Island.
Nothing has reached the departments
here to indicate that japanese seal
poachers are contemplating raid upon
the Pribyl of Seal islands, including the
salt houses of the North American
Trading Company where pelis are stored
awaiting shipment. If the company has
any such information it has carefully
concealed it from officials here.
An important change affecting both
the army and navy has been suggested
by military officers and is under con-
sideration by Secretary of War Taft. Il
is said that the coast artillery which is
row a branch of the army, should be
transferred to the control of the Navy
Department.
f. s. Curtis, of NJ. Vernon, o., has
b en- appointed Chief Clerk of the Navy
Department to succeed b. i. Peters,
deceased. He had been Peters assistant.
A court martial has been ordered to try
Capt Herbert J. Hirschrger of the Marine
Corps, on the charge of neglect Of duty. lie
is alleged 10 have intrusted stOrehOuse keys
TO subOrdinates as the result e which a
shortage occurred. The court wi j meet ct
the New York navy yard next Wednesday.
s. F. Curtis, OF Mount Vernon. o., has been
appointed Chief Clerk Of tie Navy Depart
ment to succeed B. F. Peters, deceased. He
has been Peters assistant.
Secretary Of War Taft has arranged for Il
conference tomorrow with Major Sp ncer
Cosby, of the engineer corps, who his charge
of the Washingt Aqueduct, which includes
the Conduit road, the reservoirs. etc , for the
nurpose of reaching conclusion as to what
action shall be taken TO curb the activities Of
Marshall Collins who has been holding up The
automobiles of diplomats AID others at Glen
Echo because they were exceeding the speed
limit.