Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-05-22
GOSSIP FROM THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL.


(By the Journals Special Correspondent.)
Since viewing the Naval Pageant
at jamestown, President Roosevelt has
been giving consideration to the nam
ing of the two battleships of the
Dreadnought type, for whichthe con-
tracts are soon to be awarded. Ac-
cording to the custom, the ships will
be given the names of States.
Most of the States have been honor
ed already, but there remains Dele
ware, Utah, North Dakota and New
York that have no war vessels named
for them. New York is eliminated
for the reason that there is an armor-
ed cruiser named for the city of New
York. When Oklahoma qualities as
State, it will give the Navy Depart
ment one additional name to draw upon.
While the President has not taken
any decided action, it is thought likely
that Delaware, the second smallest
State in the Union, will be honored
by having one of the greatest battle
ships named for it, and that Utah will
be the other State so honored. An
effort has been made to induce the
President to authorize the remaining
of the cruiser New York, and to call
one of the battleships after that
State, but it is not probable that the
movement will succeed. Eventually
the war vessels of types smaller than
battleships of the first class must be
renewed if the present plan is carried
out.
MONEY FOR FARMERS.
If the farmers in all parts of the
country will only take advantage of
the denatured alcohol law, enacted by
Congress year ago and amend this
year, it will be of immense profit to
them, is the claim made by the ex-
perts of the Agricultural Department.
1t is pointed out that there is no rea-
son why private stills should not be
eventually in as general use in the
United States as they are in Germany.
In that country last year 9O,0O0, 900
bushels of potatoes were used by the
farmers for manufacturing 10000, 900
gallons Of alcohol. This was used for
light, heat and fuel, practical appli-
ances being in high state of perfec-
tion. In this country, with the in
telligence of the farmers and their
native industry, it is believed that
alcohol will largely supplant oil, as
far as the farm is concerned. The
final regulations for the carrying out
Of the law are now being made and
will be announced by the Com
missioners of Internal Revenue about
July lst. A booklet covering the
entire subject may be obtained of the
Agricultural Department, free of cost.
To farmer, it is we'll worth possess-
ing.
NATURALIZATION LAW.
Plans are under way by the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor, in CO.
operation with the Department of
Justice, for putting into effect the
machinery for carrying out the
naturalization law of June last and
the regulations Hereunder made by
the former department. Stringent
precautions against fraudulent
naturalization are provided in the law
and ample jurisdiction given to the
courts for setting aside and canceling
certificates of citizenship on the ground
of fraud or that such certificates were
in any manner illegally procured. The
bureau of naturalization will work in
cooperation with the district
attorneys Offices, particularly in
the cities where applications for
citizenship are most numerous. The
officials having the work in charge are
now in readiness to leave Washington
for the various cities for the purpose
of setting the machinery in motion
and it is expected that in three months
from now 'he law will be in full
operation. Only competent persons
will be selected to represent them in
the enforcement of the law and they
will be held responsible to the authori-
ties at Washington for the work.
UNIFORMS FOR POSTMASTERS.
Postmasters throughout the country
send many suggestions regarding postal
affairs to the officials of the Postoffice
Department, many of which, when
adopted, lead to the betterment of the
postal service, but the latest sugges-
tion, that made by a postmaster in a
western State, takes the prize for
novelty anc has caused no end of COM
ment in the Department. The Wester-
ner suggests that postmasters be re-
quired to wear a regulation uniform
while on duty. He claims that the
uniform would add dignity to the Office,
and be quite convenience to strangers
who call at the bostoffice to see the