Amador ledger., 1908-02-14
LETTER FROM
WASHINGTON

lubI6 10 ilhbly W Db very llLJl6
done at this session of congress in
the way of legislation carrying appro-
priations. Chairman Tswney of the
house committee on appropriations
has made the announcement that there
are indications of deficit in the
revenues of over 500, 600, 900. The
Inference IS unavoidable that there
will be an exhibition of economy on
the part of congress to offset, in a
measure, this lack of revenues, trace
able IN part to the stringency in the
financial world. 1t has already been
given out that there will be no rivers
and harbors bill, and there is likely
to be no public buildings bill, al
though San Francisco wants money
very badly for a sub-treasury site and
building, San Diego would like funds
for public building, and other cities
also desire improvements at govern
ment expense. Congressman Engle-
bright has been trying to get some
buildings for cities in his district,
and congressman Smith has intro
duced bills for buildings at Riverside
and Santa Barbara. These are not all
by any means as every district in the
state could make use of government
money for river and harbor improve
ments and pubic buildings. The re-
representatives. who have introduced
bills for buildings have been asked
by the committee to report fully on
what they desire, aud to give data
showing what necessity exists for the
improvements they ask for. 1t is
hoped that If congress does nothing
more it will provide for surveys OF
various river and harbor projects and
possibly provide for the purchase of
land for certain buildings, notably
for the sub.treasury in San Fran
cisco and the public building in San
Diego. 1t was supposed last year
that the war department would give
up block of land in San Diego
| which it is using as a mule corral,
but it refuses to do so on the ground
that the land is likely to be needed
for strategic reasons at some time or
other, and it refuses to exchange it
for any other land except certain
pieces, which would cost about $50. :
600.
Senator Flint has introduced bill
for the construction of launch, or
cutter, for use at San Pedro by the
customs service. This causes one of
to reflect that the business of that
customs districts, with headquarters
at Los Angeles, has increased very
greatly IN the past few years. Col
lector Cornelius W. PendIeton, who
was formerly speaker OF the Cali
fornia assembly and we'll known as
an able member of the Los Angeles
bar, was In Washington last week aud
he zstated that the business of his
office had more than doubled in the
past fourteen years yet.there had been
practically no organization in the
staff or any increase in salaries in
all that time. Last October when he
| appointed four additional inspectors,
to be paid when they were employed,
! there was some citicism in certain
quarters, but the treasury department
merely inquired regarding the necess-
ity OF the increase in the force. Nh
Pendleton made satisfactory show
ing and when he came on in person
he was allowed, dependent On the
passage of congress of the deficiency
| appropriation of some SSU0, 900 asked
for by secretary Cortelyou, the addi-
tional men, another clerk and an in
crease in the pay Of practically all
his tried and trusted staff.
Assistant secretary Reynolds, who
has direct jurisdiction over the Gus
toms, gives collector Pendleton warm
! commendation as ali able official who
, does things. His administration of
! his office is reported to be very salts
! factory.
Few regulations made by any
branch of the government have Great
ed such widespread comment and
even opposition as the so-called Cir
cular 76, relating to regulations for
/ preparation of food products Two
classes of people have been especially
| concerned over it, one being those
who have used such preSeI VatiVes as
! benZoate of soda in putting up jams,
! jellies, catsups, pie filings and SINH
lar goods, and the other being the
molasses men of Louisiana and tho