Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-06-13
Montpelier and others. A banquet was
served and social hour passed.
WASHINGTON MATTERS
Grent Canals Proposed by the Inland
Waterways Commission--A Demo-
cratic Presidential Scheme
Exposed.

Members of the Inland Waterway.
Commission and others interest ed in W alter
way development are regarding wit
satisfac elton the plans being completed fo-
an extended system OF canals from
Indiana Harbor to a point between Gary
and Michigan city. These canals are
held necessary to the development of the
steel and iron industries lying just soutf
of Chicago, and to accommodate which
the U. S. Steel Corporation undertook
the building Of a town. The first surveys
provide for waterways fifty miles in
length, to cost 100000 and engineers
already are at work In the interest of the
New York, Pttsburg, Chicago and In
dianapolis capitalists, who will finance
the plan. According to the advices re-
ceived here the main channel is to he $50
feet wide, with lateral canals 200 feet r
width. uniform depth of "a feet is to
be had, and turning basins 800 feet in dia-
meter will be constructed at intervals of
two miles. The work is a mammoth one
and 1t Is estimated that It will require
ten years to complete it. This gigantic
| undertaking merely goes to show the
faith of American capitalists and Amerl-
and business men in the question of
| waterway development. and the great i'm
| portance this form of Internal improve
ment bears to the future prosperity of
| the country This sentiment is due In
| large measure to the missionary work OF
| the National Rivers e. Harbors Congress
This organization of business men and
| shippers, hailed from every state and
territory of the Union. finally has sue
ceeded in awakening the American people.
| and through them the Congress of the
United States. TO the crying necessity ex-
| listing for added means OF transportation
| to handle the country's growing COM
merce, and to supplement the overcrowd-
ed railroad lines. TO keep up this interest
and strengthen the organizations and
boards appointed by the President the
National Rivers & Harhors Congress is
making renewed efforts to increase its
already large membership. Captain j.
F. Ellison. its secretary. Is calling TO the
attention of such individuals and shippers
as are interested in the problem. but who
arc not members, the fact that the
membership fees are very low, and urg-
ing them to join and lend their moral
support 10 the work.
A DEMOCRATIC SCHEME.
Many reports are reaching Washington
that there is a scheme under way to raise
the cry of Corporation against any
candidate who shows signs of strength
sufficient 10 jeopardize the chances of
Secretary Taft for the nomination next
year. The plan is understood to have
eminated from democratic sources for the
purpose of creating Infusion in the re-
publican ranks. It Is reasona bly, certain
that Secretary Taft would not permit any
such tactics to he used in his behalf and
as he Is a man who has a mind of his own
1t would not he safe for his friends to try
them. Adherents of Nice-Presdent Fair
banks, Speaker Cannon and Senator
Knox, the three candidates who are sure
of the delegations from their own states
seeking to run down the source of the
rumors and counteract the effects Of any
such plot.
PER CAPITA OF CIRCULATION
The per capita circulation OF money in
the United States is at very high mark.
On June it reached the greatest amount
ever attained in the history of the country
On that date the per capita circulation
of money in the United States was 342o.
and an Increase of 4 cents during the
month of May 1907. The per capita of
June 1 IS based or an estimated popu-
lation Of S5.955,ooo persons. On June of
last year 1t was s32,45, and on January
!, 1907. it reached s3373
BEvERrDGE DISTURBED.
Senator Beverldge has stirred up a |
pretty mess through declaration that |
cowardce was displayed by army officers
in the Philippines. Apropos of the unveil- !
ing at indianapolis on Decoration day of |
the monument OF General Lawton. the
Junior senator from Indiana published an
interview of some personal Impressions of
General IIawton on the fighting line. This
interview appeared some weeks ago and
in II Senator Beveridee described an
officer of General Lawton's staff az being
badly frightened at the taking OF Tevtey
and skulking in the line with teeth chat
tering until Beverage felt sorry for
him Senator Beveridge was not popu-
lar on his trip OF inspection in the Philip
pines and was know to the army as
Senator Balloon" The officers of the
army are prevented by the regulations
from making any reply to United States
Senator. but so much bad feeling was
stirred up by the charges of Mr. Rever-
idge that II is not at all unlikely that an
official inquiry will be made As matter
OF fact, the battle Of Teytey which Sem
ator Beverage describes as being a fierce
and sanguinary affair, was really nothing
more than a skrmish. Only one column
Of troops, with which Senator Reveridge
was not present, saw anything Ike a fight
at all. This was General palrs COM
mand which In a brisk, if brief engage
ment lost three men killed and eleven
wounded, The only other casualties suf-
fered by other columns in the assault on
Teytey were through heat prostrations.
The army is thoroughly stirred I'D over
the matter and 1t Is likely that Senator
unfortunate reflections on the |
lighting men will not be allowed to re-
main Unanswered.