Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-25
CAPITAL CHAT.
Continued from Page One.)

.:hether that was not d Maine island
,tld VII. n Senator Frye's attention was
called ~ it he said Duck Island was
Maine territory. The charts were con-
aul,"f and this was fully established.
Senator Gallingcr conceded the point
but there Will ne no jealousies or rival
ries over jurisdiction of the lighthouse
bill. Both the Senators are likely TO
work for its passage, which speaks
well for the prospects Of the lighthouse
In that connection all Congress gener-
ally takes it for granted that the
Portsmouth Navy yard is in New
Hampshire, simply because it is known
as the Portsmouth YARD. But every
little while some man Of the Maine
delegation takes occasion 10 emphasize
that the Navy yard is on Maine soil
and it could with more propriety be
known as the I\ittery Yard. The
Maine delegation in Congress nave al
ways taken quite IN active interest in
the yard as have the New Hampshire
delegations and the Congressman from
the two states have always worked
shoulder to shoulder in getting appro-
priatiors for it.
Senator Gallinger, of New Hamp-
shire, is member of the Naval Com
Inittee Of which Senator Hale is chair
man. Mr.. Gallinger is The only phySi-
elan by profession in the Senate and
some people high in official station took
it for granted that he would therefore
side with Admiral RiXey. the Presi-
dents physician and chief of the
Navy Bureau of Medicine, in the con-
troversy as TO whether or not medi-
cal officer should be allowed 70 COM
mand hospital ship. DR.. Gallinccr
and DR.. RiXey are good friends and
DIR. Gallinger sometimes dimes at Dr..
RiXey'S house.
The other day a very big man in the
administration asked Senator GallinSer
if lie would not see DIR, RiXey and dis
cuSS with him some of the latters
plans for legislation by Congress on
the subject of command OF hospital
ships.
Yes certainly Senator Galiinger re
piled, Il shall he very glad I" talk with
my friend Rxey on that subject but my
lnclinatIons to side with my friend.
Senator Hale. You know he is chairman
Of committee on which | am mem
htl. He and | work together in double
harness pretty we'll and l feel like taltinl,
his side Of this Rixcy- Brownson CON
troversy.
Senator Ciullingcr ,iid talk with DIT
Rixey ahont the right of medical officers
to command shin. but Senator Hale has
not lost a supporter.
Senator Hale has been in consultation
recently with a number of prominent
navy officers OF the STAFF and tho lire.
talking about the provisions ot his bill
to increase the efficiency of the navy |
All this has been in preparation for tie |
further consideration OF that measure
which vii! be taken up as soon rs he can
get free from the committee work on the
currency bill. Meetings OF Senate Com
mittefs are held in the forenoon and 1t
is not practicable for them u begin be-
fore 10 O'Clock. Therefore one committee
meeting is likely to spoil a forenoon and
there is no time to enter upon other
meetings. The Senate and House convene
at noon and it is n rule of both bodies
that committee sessions shall cease at
the noon hour. Senator Hale. however.
is gathering the ideas of men influential
in the administration of the navy. includ-
ing bureau chiefs. SO that he may nave
az VOL prepared measure al possible
when his committee sits down to the
table to deliberate over its provisions.
Two Maine, brothers, both retired army
officers. are spending considerable time
at the Capitol this winter. They are
Mai. Gen. Henry c. Merriam and Capt.
Lewis Merriam. who served in volunteer
regiments from Maine during the Civil!
War and afterward entered the regular |
a number OF years Capt Merriam is
interested in a bill. which he has been |
Tying ,Sa, to get Congress to pass for years.
officers OF Civil War service. who We're |
retired with the rank of Captain. the |
"a OF major. 1t was only by a ruling |
OF or the War Department on some legisla- |
o o,8n aoou- the retirement of Civil War |
"itl .1rs that Capt Merriam lost his pro- |
motion. He Is the spokesman OF quite a |
mn of retired officers who are in 4 |
ike predicament
me Inc brothers. however. both enjoy the |
"ons;InSr,h hiround the Capitol and spent |
toIisiucranle time there every week OBJ |
i Snry'hg ne proceedings. They formerly
nvtd AT Houlton but now spend part OF |
every summer down on the Maine Coast
Mai. Gen. Charles Haywood. Of TIL,
M M 0oiIsi a native of Waterville and |
me ON! nia1or general of the Marine
Corps IS passing the winter in WASH |
inston. He has been retired several years
during which time he ana Mrs Hevwood
have been travelling in the United states
and in Europe. They arc going south
now in a few weeks.
lion. Seth NJ. Carter Of Lewiston, has
h..n here OF business at the Post ONO,
otpce Department and Hon. Forrest
Goodwin of SkowheGan and Hen La
yard Smith of Madison on business at the
Departments Mayor John w. Fosler Of
SkoWheSan is another Maine visitor in