Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-01-11
Interview on the Subject Occupies But
Few Minutes Of Time.
SIGNAL CORPS BILL FAVORED
Results of Russo.Japanese War Dem.
onstrate Importance Of Service.
FISH HATCHERY FOR NEBRASKA
Congressman Pollard Seeking some
Method of Getting Valuable Intor-
nation Into the Hands of
Farmers of Country,
CFroh a staff correspondent)

GNrom staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Jan. lO.-(specisl Telc-
Eram)-The nomination OF Benjamin +,
Thomas to be postmaster at Omaha to sue
oeed Henry l.. Palmer viii go TO the senate
Monday. Today Senators Burkett and
Brown saw the president with reference to
the Omaha postoffice aud within few
minutes he intimated to tho senator's that
he would appoint whoever they recon-
mended The cabinet was just about TO
convene when the Nebraska senators hap.
pened into the cabinet room, aud as Post
master General Meyer was there the sena.
tors at once went into the subject Of their
call. There were no "ifs" or "ands" about
the matter and no explanations It was a
request that the recommendation of h. r.
Thomas for the postmastershp at Omaha
to succeed Captain Palmer he ratified and
the president with frankness met the re-
quest of the Nebraska senators by stating
that the desire for Thomas appointment
would be granted Captain Palmer had
placed on file a large number OF lctters
from leading citizens OF Omaha, patrons
of the office, favorable to his reappoinl-
ment but B. r. Thomas had larger
number OF recommendations on file. besides
the endorsement of party workers. and this,
coupled with the exceedingly friendly in
landed the plum for Thomas
"It was as easy as rolling off log to
secure Thomas appointment. said one Of
the senator's, "and we even did not have
time to thank the president for his cour-
tesy. The cabinet met Immediately after
our interview with the president and the
postmaster general and the incident was
closed"
1t is expected Mr.. Thomas will come "a
Washington as soon as he Is confirmed Ia
take up with the postoffice department
matters in relation with the Omaha office
So far as the deputy postmaster is con-
cerned 1t is understood that matter will bo
left to Mr.. Thomas
signal Corps Bill Popular.
Senator Burkett Is greatly elated over the
manner I'm which his bill to enlarge tho
signal corps has been received, not onlr
| by the army but by tile United states son
ators who have expressed themselves III
favor of the measure Before the ntroduc-
tion of the bill Mr.. Burkett had long
interview with Secretary Taft who un-
hesitatingly said the department would
support the project. Later on Senator
Burlxett and General James Allen, chief OF
the signal corps, had conference with the
war secretary and as a result the Burkctt
bill which means much for Omaha, was
| introduced.
General Allen, speaking OF the bill, said
| 1.-THE marked Importance OF the signal
corps as displayed in the recent Russian
Japanese war illustrates the necessity for
| expanding that branch of our service. We
now have about 1,GO men, but wo are short
in Cuba, the Philippines, Alaska and. In
! fact, have not enough men anywhere to
do the work properly
I'VE need more men for army manou-
/ vers as the work OF the signal corps is OF
! primary Importance in these events. Com
munication must be had at all times. The
| Japanese who learned from us, had an
exceptional signal service during the late
war. and the work accomplished shows the
necessity for making our corps more
efficient by enlarging It,
"The bill introduced by Senator Bur
kett will make no changes In the signal
corps other than increasing the quota of
officers and men. The additional offieers
required will be drawn from other branches
Of the service on four years detail as is
done now When the corps was established
a certain number of officers were provided
| for, additional Officers to be detailed for
! four years required.
Omaha the Principal Post.
at Omaha we have our principal post.
where we have a company OF about 100
men ready for duty wherever required, but
this is too small a number to accomplish
much. We should have about 400 or 800
men there. We are building an aerodome
at this post. and aeronautioa1 work will be
pushed as rapidly possible. Europe IL
giving a great deal OF attention 10 this
work, and its value in warfare Is unqucs-
/ toned.
In the annual appropriations recon-
mended we have an item OF 100000 for bal
looms, and | think there will be a great
many bids for balloons and air machines
specifications for which have been sent
! out"
! Recognition of Home Guardsnieu.
Representative Pollard today introduced a
bill providing for Recognition OF the mll,
| tary, service of officers and enlisted men
in certain states and territories who served
during the civil war. The bill is intspds,t
to cover officers and enlisted meg w v
| served as state guardsmen, etc, a1N grant
them an honorable discharge from such
service provided that the status thus s'vsn
them shall not give them any rights 20
prosecute a claim for pension. The reeI
ments thus called out were never tegilar,y
mustered into the service of the Uhlte
States and I'm reality did little other lban
home guard duty, bat surviving membe-s
OF these organizations would like 10 have
the fact known in an official manner that
they stood willing TO go 10 the front hai
necessity required a.,
Some Minor Bills.
Senator Burkett's bill providing for IN.
establishment Of a fish culture station I'm
Nebraska has been favorably reported from
the committee on fisheries. The bill has
the endorsement OF the secretary Of com
nerce and labor aud will undoubtedly
pass at this session.
The house committee on Indian affairs
has authorized favorable report on a
bill recently introduced By Rrepresenta-
tive Parker to authorize the sale and dlsbo
sition Of the surplus ana unallotted lands
IN the Cheyenne river and Standing RBck
Indian reservations and making provision
10 defray expenses
Representative Hall Of South Dakota o
dan inf cd