Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-04-23
n1rs or wAsH1NeroN LIE.
Minor Scenes and incidents sketched
on the spot.

Minor scenes and Incidents shetched
on the spot.
The unknown army has been the sub
jet Of much controversy in discussing the
forces engaged in the civil war says
Pension Commissioner Warner In the wash
lngton Herald, hut never until the Nc
Cumber service pension bill became law
was there a means OF determining anything
about it's extent. The unknown army has
come to be 80 called largely because its
members did not apply for pensions. This
they did not do on account of various rea-
sons Of delicacy pride or Indifference, but
most OF these causes have been removed
by the passage OF the service law and
most OF the unknowns-those who have
never heretofore asked for pensious-are
coming to the front.
II think everybody will be surprised at
the limited number there are Of them. so
far there have been about $4,000 applica-
lions under the new law, but OF these
only a littlo over / per cent are In the
shape Of original applications, or, In other
words. applications Of the hitherto I'M
known possible pension claimants. Ger
tainly, the entire number will not exceed
5000 The other $4,000 applications are all
for increase and were made by men whose
names have been on the rolls in the past
Mr.. Warner Is OF the opinion that the
great bulk OF applications on account OF the
McCumber law has been received. When
the law first went into effect the applica-
lions were received in enormous quantities
as many as 10000 coming in In one day.
The number has now fallen TO about 1000
a day and is rapidly diminishing. The re-
ceipt OF so many applications has occa-
stoned corresponding increase OF labor In
the ONCE, but by shifting the clerical force
to meet the special demands it has not
been found necessary TO augment the list
Of employees.
The records Of the pension office show
that 2s51 Of the civil war pensioners died
in February, but there are still 652,4SS Of
them on the pension rolls.
Druggists throughout the United states
are still in doubt about some provisions OF
the pure food law. Many inquiries are
reaching the Department of Agriculture
concerning the use Of the word com
pound" in names of drug products. There
seems to be a general impression that this
word can be applied as a corrective to
many misbranded products. The depart
ment has just held that In no case can
preparation be named after an ingredient
or drug which is not present. 1t is held
that the word compound should not be
used in connection with name which In
itself, or together with representations and
designs accompanying the same. would be
construed as a form Of misbranding under
the act It is held that IL a mixture Of
drugs is named after one or more but not
all the medicinal constituents present In
preparation. the word compound" can be
used in connection with the name, pro-
vided the active constituent after which
the product is named is present In an
amount at least equal to that Of any other
active medicinal agent present. As an eN-
ample, It is pointed out, that II product
Is named after the actual constituent
strychnine, the strychnine or one Of It's
salts should be present in SUFFICIENT amount
to produce the prepondering medicinal eff
feet Of the preparation.
Completed records made by clerks of the
senate and house show that the last con-
gress-the F1fty-ninth--did more talking
than any other in the history OF the coun-
try. Their researches go back fourteen
years, or to the Fifty-second congress.
The latter congress filled ESQ pages Of
as against 4,S10 for the F1fty-ninth. In
the Fifty-second congress 1923 bills were
introduced, but the Fifty-ninth set a new
figure with 1881 The Flfty-second con-
gress was in session $40 legislative days
and passed 1893 public and s24 private bills.
The Fifty-ninth was In session 2T legis-
lative days and passed 500 public and 6,24S
private acts. Most OF the measures known
as private acts are for the correction Of
military records or the grant of pensions.
No congress ever passed the number OF
bills that were made into law as the Fifty
ninth. II appears that such a thing as a
dlshonorable discharge from the army or
navy. uncorrected by legislative act will
soon be a positive curiosity. Congress is
not only generous to the nations fighting
men in the matter OF pensions, but It is
also charitable in the matter OF expunging
from the records anything set down against
their conduct.
Plain mister is good enough for high
officials OF the Postofice department; gen
eral" and like titles are tabooed. This
rule followed the grave and long discus
sion OF the best title for the postmaster
general and his four assistants, Mr.. Hitch
cock, MI McClesry, Mr.! Degraw and Mr.
Lawshe. To address Mr.. Meyer as post
master general" and each one OF the as
sistants as assistant postmaster general
was voted a waste OF much government
time. The title general now applied by
everyone who has speech with ohicialdom
at the Pastofnce department was voted to
be a misnomer. This plain, every day
American title OF Mr." was then sug-
gested and adopted. The Mr." rule is to
be strictly enforced.
The second assistant postmaster general.
Mr.. McCleary, was the first to obey the
new order of things.
General" began a caller.
Mister, II you please" was Mr.. Nc
Cleary's interruption. That's the new or
der. We must correct everyone" and soon
the title of general in the postal service
will be a thing OF the past.
A special train Of thirteen cars pulled by
engine 1913 carried New Yorks Thirteen
club TO Washington for its annual banquet