The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-01-03
NOTES FROM WASHINGTON
Especial Correspondence.) }

Cross society for many years, on
Christmas celebrated the Seth ami
versary OF her birth. Active in body
and mind she Is now quietly living at
| Glen Echo, near this city. She re-
mains, as during her entire life, cheer
ful and optimistic The American as
sociation OF the Red Cross was formed
In 1881 and Miss Barton was chosen
It's first president, which position she
! occupied until the reorganization OF
| the society two or three years ago.
| Additions to Forest Reserve-The
| president has signed proclamation
creating two additions aggregating 49,
| 600 acres To the San Gabriel national
forest in southern California. The ad-
slopes and foothills of the San Cab
riel mountains and protecting the
stream flow on the territory known as
the San Gabriel watershed on which
Pasadena, Pomona, San Bernardine
and a number OF smaller towns are de-
pending for water supply. These ad-
ditions will bring the total area OF the
San Gabriel national forest up to G33,-
295 acres
Philippine Tariff BilI-The Philip
pine tariff bill, on which hearings Will
be begun by the house committee on
ways and means in the first week after
the reconvening OF congress after the
holidays, is similar 10 the measure in
troduced by Representative Payne and
PASSED by the house in the last con-
gress. II admits to the United States,
free of duty. articles wholly the prod
uct OF the Philippines except sugar, to-
bacco and rice, on which duty
amounting to % percent of the present
rate is provided for Mr.. Payne has
had requests for hearings from repre-
sentatives OF practically the same in
terests that were heard two years ago.
He proposes TO give ample opportun-
ity for all interests 10 present their
views. 1t is known the bill will en-
counter strong opposition in the SEN
ate.
Old Fight Revived-Not for many
years has the navy been so much up
over the Brownson resignation and the
things which have led up TO it. So far
the great majority of naval men at
Washington are ranged on the side OF
Admiral Brownson rather than on that
Of Admiral Rixey. But it is perhaps
natural that the Brownson partisans
should outnumber the RiXey adher-
ents. because there are more line than
staff officers on duty in Washington,
and mems opinions are governed by
their prejudces. This Brownson-
RiXey trouble is really at bottom re-
vival of that never-ending fight be-
tween line and staff. The line Off
GERS. the men who fight the ships,
think the staff officers, engineers and
surgeons and paymasters are useful In
their place, but that place is not on
the bridge OF ship. In other words,
the engineer should stick TO his engine
room. and the doctor to his sick bay.
and the paymaster to his office. but
when il comes to handling the ship or
fighting her. TO exercising the func-
tions of command. that should solely
devolve upon the men brought up and
trained TO command that is, the line
officers.
Speaker Cannon Opposed-A few
days ago Speaker Cannon took anoth-
er whack at the proposition that wash
ington shall be made the most beauti-
ful city in the world. even If ii takes
all the money in the treasury to do the
Job. The speaker on several occa-
sions has admitted that he is not
greatly impressed with the beauty
spot" plans of the artists and archi-
tects for the Improvement of the Dis
trict of Columbia. In the first place.
the senate did not consult the house
OF representatives In making provision
for the organization of commission
of experts to outline a plan for the de-
velopment of the national capital.
This was a tactical oversight, for IL is
well known that the Speaker is in
clined 10 guard with Jealous eye the
rights of the body over which he pre-
sides. and that he reseDts any effort
on the part of the senate TO rob the
house of it's right 10 voice in mat
ters within its jurisdiction. Second,
the plan of Improvement contemplates
the expenditure of more money than
will be required for the digging of the
Panama canal. For many years
Speaker Cannon was chairman Of the
committee OH appropriations. He be-
came accustomed TO dealing in large
figures but was staggered when he
learned what was wanted by the COM
mission of experts. II is related that
after the plans had been prepared for
the so.called Improvement and devel-
opment project the commissioners had
an interview with the Speaker. After
they had fully explained their ideas
about parks. buildings. piazzas. monu-
ments. boulevards. etc. MIR. Cannon
wanted TO know about how much is
this thing going to cost?' Quiet pre-
vailed for nearly minute, when one