Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-10-03
Woodstock Business cardo
NOTES from WASHINGTON
Especial Correspondence.)

verse comment ON the proposal to in.
stal wireless telegraph outfit on the
Washington monument will cause Sec
retary Metcalf of the navy depart
ment to veto that scheme which was
precented to him by Commander Gle
land Davis. The secretary said that
II the navy decides to make the expe-
riment of sending wireless messages
over distances running as high as 5000
miles 1t will erect a suitable tower
and not go counter to public sentiment
by using the monument for that pur-
pose. Secretary Metcalf thinks so
well of the claims and the facts pre-
sented in arguments for the new appa-
ratus that he will probably ask con-
gress for the money wherewith to
erect tower.
To Honor Aeronauts.-While Orville
Wright lies on a bed OF suffering In
this city, to which he was brought
with the serious injuries obtained in
the tragedy at fort Myer when his
aeroplane was smashed and Lieut.
Selfridge, his companion, was killed,
his brother, Wilbur Wright, has been
making new and more convincing DEM
onstrations in France of the virtual
conquest of the air which these two
American aeronauts have achieved
After the greatest and most recent
exhibition in France the American
ambassador, Mr.. Henry White, who
was present, and who in the name Of
the American people congratulated
Mr.. Wright, expressed the belief that
their countrymen should present to
the Wright brothers a fitting testi
monlal. Mr.. White made the apt sug
gestion: IF Germany honors Zeppe-
lin, why should not America honor the
men who have opened new page in
the history of the world?" 1t is ma
tural and welcome question. 1t would
be altogether appropriate for the most
generous people in the world to give
enduring expression to their proper
pride and appreciation of the extraor-
dinary achievement by which the
American aeronauts have reflected
such lustre upon the American spirit
of scientific research and experiment
and have added so signally to the
worlds sum of scientific knowledge
and power.
Col. Stewart to Be Examined--Col.
William F. Stewart of the coast artil-
lery, whose case, because of his de-
tail to the ungarrisoned post at Fort
Grant, Arizona, has been before the
public for some time, has been or
dered to appear before a retiring
board here where he will be exam
ined as to his disability, it's nature
and whether 1t was incurred in the line
of duty. This action by Secretary
Wright is the outcome of the physical
examination of Col. Stewart by q
board of officers at Fort Huachuacha,
Arizona, when he appeared recently
at that post for the purpose of taking
the test ride of so miles directed by
President Roosevelt. That board re-
ported that the colonel was practical
ly blind in one eye, and that because
of this and the additional fact that he
had heart trouble he was incapable for
military service. The privilege of TAX
ing the ride was denied Col Stewart,
the examining board in its report de.
claring that to do so would endager
his life. Col. Stewards exile" to Fort
Grant dates back a year. Before being
sent there, however he was given an
opportunity while at Fort Barrancas,
Fla, to retire, but to this offer Col.
Stewart replied: IF appointed briga'
der general will retire; If not will re
main on duty"
The Presidential Statlon--During
the absence of the chief magistrate
from the capital, the finishing touch
es have been put upon the great rail-
way terminal. 1t has been called the
Presidential station because, for the
first time in an edifice of this kind,
special apartments have been set
aside for the use of the president
when he is beginning or ending rail-
road journey. Although the new sta
ton has many points of distinction,
being, for instance, the largest and
costliest railroad terminal in the
world, its most notable novelty is the
presidential suite. No other ruler Of
a republic has ever had such facili-
ties. Indeed, no foreign sovereign has
had apartments Of equal luxury and
conveniences. The aim has been to
make the state suite" as different as
possible from the royal apartments in
European stations and at the same
time to have 1t in keeping with the
dignity Of the United States as a great
railroad country. The presidential
suite might almost be said to be mon
umental in character. The aim has
been to make it one of the SHOW
p.aces" of a tourist mecca. This pres
idential suite will fill long-felt want.
Conditions at Uncle Sans seat OF
government are not, to be sure, paral-
lei to those in the leading foreign
capitals, where ruling sovereigns are
constantly exchanging visits and
where the arrivals and departures OF
royalty result in great crowds. Never
theless, distinguished visitors arrive
at The capital from time to time,
bound for the White House, and they
must be given an official welcome OF
formal character. Our recent presi-
dents have been great travellers, and
II has become the custom to invest
with more or less ceremonial features