Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-04-14
From Washington.
Of the Alexandria Gazette. ]
Washington, d. O., April Ia.


Washington, d. O., April ID.
With a view to forcing the direct issue
- to weather bis pet naval programme
f four new bRttIeships should go by the
board, as threatened, President Roose-
Welt sent stirring message to congress
this afternoon, in advocacy OF bis plan.
ITO provide for but one or two battle-
ships a year" he says, "is to provide
III 1t this natiou, instead of advancing,
shall 20 backwards 10 naval rank
and relative power among the great
nations. Such course would be an
wise for US If we ironted merely on
one ocean, aud it is doubly unwise
when we front on two oceans.
As chief executive of the nation, and as
commauder-in.c of the navy, there
is imposed upon me the solemn respon-
sibility OF advising the Congress OF the
measure vitality necessary to secure the
pesce and welfare Of the republic in the
event of international complications
which are even remotely possible. Hav.
ing 10 view this solemen responsibility l
earnestly advise that the congress now
provide four battleships Of the most ad-
vanced type"
The refusal of The American boy OF
stsy upon The farm is considered by
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson to be
national menace. In al address de-
livered last night to the Eastern Manuel
Training Association, the secretary de-
Glazed that because of this fact the cost
Of farm products is steadily advancing
and ne predicts that the time wss fast
approaching when the common PEOPLE
cannot afodr to eat meat at sill and the
poor people would be unable to pay for
bead. 81 want to see the girl who
can cook a meal before she sits down in
the evening to play the piano" he said,
'I would also be glad to see her able to
take a twenty mile gallOp on horseback
after she has done 1t.
An excuse for setting back the pro-
position to remove the tariff from wood
pulp and print paper was furnished the
opposition to the proposal in the House
yesterday, by a letter from Attorney
General BOnspsrte, declaring the ina
bility of theDepartnent OF Justice at this
time to furnish proof of paper trust,
which is alleged to control the highly
increased prices of this commodity.
An epidemic believed TO be plague is
raging in La Gusyrs, the capital Of Ven
ezaela according to dispatches received
at the State Department today from the
American Consul at that place.
Today sees the close Of the Benning
spring meeting and as things now look
probably the end OF racing FOR good and
all at this track. The horsmen generally
are gradually coming TO the opinion that
Congress will pass the Sims bill and put
the Benning course out OF business.
Representative john Dalzell, of Penn
sy lvauis, the apostle OF protection In the
House, has been the butt of another
newspaper joke, so he claim. He told
his friends at the Capitol today that he
had been elected delegate to the Chi
csgo convention, irsesd Of being de-
festtd, as reported, and furthef that he
hsd led the ticket by more than 1000
votes.
OF over 1876, S44 people in government
employ, exclusive OF postmasters and
their clerks, and mechanics, nearly
IA 600 are women aDd 1852 negroes.
Although half The total are under 35
years of age 1877 are over 80 years; 465
over rs years; l, 557 over 20 years, snd
4, 964 over 65 years. This is shown 10
a census bulletin issued today.
Confefees on the widows pension bill
reached an agreement yesterday by
adopting the bill practically in the form
passed by the House. Ii INCREASES from
IS to $l2 per month the pensions OF
widows of soldiers of the Mexican
Iodian and civil wars and will increase
the eusion list about sl2, 900, 900. II is
estimate ! that over $50. 900 widows will
bs benefited by this act. An amend
ment was added to the bill repeating
that section of the present law Shich
prohibits widow who has an income of
more than $3.50 a year from drawing
pension. Now that tho confeTees have
agreed on the hill, action will be taken
in both branches of Congress to secure
the adoption Of their report and get the
measure TO .hsPresident for bis approval,
for it will become a law as soon IS his
signature is attached.
The condition of Thomas McCreary,
who was shot by Representative HeaiD,
was unchanged this morning.