Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-09-20
GOSSIP
AT THE
CTPITAL
Negro Troops, Waterways and the
Vancouver Race Riots

washington, Sept. 2O.-"WANT-
ED-Location somewhere within
the borders of the United States
where negro troops will be well
coined. Address Uncle Sam, Wa,
Department, Washington, d. C."
This advertisement may yet have to
be inserted in the newspapers OF the
country by the military authorities
of the United States, unless some
community can be found that will
welcome the black troops. The war
department is seriously troubled
over the intense dislike shown for
the negro soldiers In all parts OF the
country, and It is determined that
there shall be no repetition OF the
Brownsville affair. An order Issued
this week will bring home from the
Philippines the Twenty-fourth in
fantry. After canvassing the coun-
try and making careful note of the
sentiment in different quarters, the
department practically has decided
on stationing the regiment at Fort
Ontario, Oswego, N. Y, and Madi-
son Barracks, near WatertOwn, N.
Y. It is believed that less opposition
will be met with there than in any
other section that could be selected.
Under the law, four regiments in the
regular military establishment must
be made up of negro troopers. The
men make excellent soldiers when
there is lighting to be done, but they
have not proved themselves to be
lambs In the piping times of peace.
or while kept inactive in camp. If
some patriotic American citizen can
come forward with a plan for the
solution of the trouble he will earn
the warm gratitude of the war de-
partment. Obviously, nothing will
be done by congress toward chang
ing or modifying the law at the COM
Ing session. Negroes have votes.
And votes are something to cultivate
on the eve of national campaign.
II would seem that the admins
tratlon is taking the most decided
steps to stimulate interest In the
country In the question OF water
transportation. President Roosevelt
goes on his trip down the Mlsslsslp-
pi river, from Keokuk, Iowa, TO
Memphis the latter part OF this
month, and will deliver an address
at the Deep Water convention 10 be |
held in the latter city. John Bar
rett, director Of the bureau OF Amer |
lean republics, stopped off in Chicago |
n day or so ago TO boom the ques-
tlon and point out the necessity that
exists for getting the waterways of
the United States in preparedness to
carryy the greatly increased traffic
that will come as n result of the
opening OF the Panama canal. Ac-
oording to Mr.. Barrett, once the
lsthmaln ditch Is completed the value
OF products the South American re-
publics Will be purchasing from for
elgn countries will approximate
$500, 100000 a year, As the Ma
tional Rivers and Harbors congress
all along has contended, the United
States must be in a position to mar
ket Its goods in the cheapest trans
portation fashion, II It hopes to cap
ture any of this trade. Both Presl.
dent Roosevelt and Mr.. Barret ad-
dressed the organization at its last
convention in this city, heartily en-
dorsing its objects. which is to in
duce the federal government to ex-
pend not less than $50. 100000 a
year on river and harbor swork.
Vast as this sum is. II will be only
one-tenth of the yearly trade of the
countries to the south Of the United
States.
ofiioial Washington is smiling be-
hind It's hand over the trouble John
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