The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-02-21
NOTES FROM WASHINGTON
Especial Correspondence.)
Cemetery Privilege Extended-In

cemetery privilege cStcnoeO-ln
order 10 remedy what appeared
10 be a discrimination against the en-.
listed personnel of the army, navy and
marine corps, General Oliver, acting
Secretary of War, has issued an order
extending TO the wives Of all such men
the privilege Of interment in a nation
al cemetery. Heretofore such privil-
ege was limited TO the wives of Off
GERS Of the military services.
Lincoln Day ceIebration-The s9th
anniversary OF the birth OF Abraham
Lincoln was celebrated here under the
Joint auspices of the Grand Army Of
the Republic and the United States
Historical Society, assisted by the Wo-
mans Relief Corps. Harry A. COL
man president of the United States
Historical Society, called the meeting
10 order and made an address. Among
the noted men who delivered address,
es were Vice-President Fairbanks
Speaker Cannon. Associate Justice
Harlan OF the United States supreme
court. Representative Dawson of To-
wa and others.
Wants Ransom Money from Turkey
Ellen NJ. Stone. the American mis-
sionary who was captured by Bulgar-
ian brigands near the town OF Dunn
bala in the autumn Of 1901 and subse-
quently ransomed, called upon Sec
retary Root at the state department
recently and urged him to make a
demand upon the Turkish government
for S66,000, the amount Of the ransom
paid in her case. She wanted that
amount returned TO the persons in this
country who contributed it by popu-
lar subscriptions. Secretary Root
promised to examine the record in
this case which was disposed OF before
he assumed his present Office.
Only Americans on "GoId RoIl''-
Secretary Taft has ordered that here
after none but Americans shall be
put on the gold rolls" of the Isthmian
canal commission. The effect of this
order will be that skilled labor on the
isthmus, hereafter will be American
citizens. Such foreigners as may be
among those now so employed and
whose numbers include a dozen or
more nationalities will not be disturb
ed. but as fast as any vacancies oc-
cur they will be filled by Americans.
The order is the outcome Of represent
ations made 10 the secretary Of Amer
ican machinists, who objected TO the
employment in responsible places at
good salaries of citizens of foreign
countries.
Summer War Manceuvres-The war
department has announced its sched-
ule of manoeuvres for the coming
summer in which regulars and ma
! tional guardsmen will take part New
| England troops will manoeuvre from
! June Is to June 25 at Pine Plains. n.
! Y, one regiment each from New
! Hampshire, Massachusetts and Con-
nectiCut. and one battalion from Ver-
mont. with the regulars. The latter
will comprise % companies of infan-
try, 10 troops of cavalry and two bat
teries Of field artillery. The camp will
| be commanded by the general COM
handing the department of the East,
now Gen. Fred Grant. but he may be
succeeded by Gen Leonard Wood be-
fore the date of the manoeuvres.
Private Secretaries orsanize-The
secretaries Of congressman, particulars
" Of the house members, are about 10
organize in effect, a labQr union. The
first meeting OF those who stand be-
tween the statesmen and their constit-
uents was held recently in the new
House Office building. The main pur-
pose of the secretaries is TO strike for
their full salaries. Each congress
man receives $500 year 70 pay for
secretary. The money is paid TO the
congressman, who signs a certificate
that he turns over the full amount &c
his secretary. The secretaries asso'
citation tells a tale Of $500 drawn
from the public --easury and $500 paiC
20 some stenographers during the ses
sion. Another version is one of sl5O'
paid 10 the wife or daughter of tht
statesman The association OF cen
: gressional secretaries wants these EN-
> ployes placed on the government pa!
roll in their own names.
Government Contracts for Airship
Three heavier than air flying ma
chimes. capable OF carrying two per
sons. remaining an hour in the al
and travelling at least sc miles al
hour. have been contracted for by tn
United states government. They ar
10 be built by A. Nj. Herring of NeN
: York. the Wright Bros. of Dayton, o
u and !. r Scott Of Chicago. Design
ed for use by the war department. the
will be ready for trial before The en-
of the year. after which he govern
y ment expects to rut them to immediat
. use in the drills Of the army. Sec
y, retary Taft has officially approved IN
- plans Of the airships for which cor
tracts are awarded The Wr.gt
Bros agree TO supply a more elabol
ate machine than the others, at
. cost OF S25.O0o. The machine, bui
on the principle Of the airships whiC
T, they already have constructed,