Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-08-09
From Washington.
lCorYsspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.
Washington, Aug. 9.

VI
face through torpedo tube from the
submarine PorpOise while she lay under
20 feet of water, may come in for mild
reprimand for the reckessness displayed
in his achievement. Ensign Whiting
had an idea that a man could escape
from a disabled submarine by msk-
ipg his way out OF the torpedo tubeP.
To prove this he, himself, made the
experiment. By graspiDg the rim OF
the outer lid as it was opened, he
was pulled psrlly out OF the tube de.
spite the thrush of water and succeeded
10 shooting upward to the surface.
10 discussing the achievement naval
officers ere OF the opinion that had his
plans gone amiss CT had he lost his grip
on the outer lid be would almost inevit-
ably been drowned 10 the tube, there
would have been no way of discovering
this until the beat was brought to the
surface. The general opinion Is that
not only Ensign Whiting but the other
officers and members OF the crew were
blsmewortby In not preparing for such
a contingency. The achievement is the
frat of its kind in the United States
| navy and may lead to the invention Ct
some device to enable the crew of snb-
marine to escape 10 case of accident. 1t
is an open question, however, whether
or not greater caution could not have
been displayed in the demonstration
Whiting is an athlete and hiss been
noted for his swimming.
Tho crop report of the bureau OF
statistics OF the Department OF Agri-
culture, issued today, estimates that the
average condition Of corn on August l
was 81 4 rs compared with SO 3 last
month, 50 8 on August l, 1908, and
| 80 6, the average on August for the
past ten years. The report also esii-
mates that the preliminary returns indl-
cate q winter wheat yield OF about
lis s bushels per acre, or a total OF
432. 900, 900 bushels, as compared With
la 4 and 4S7, 9OS. 600 bushels respecli-
vely, last year. The average quality OF
the crop this year is estimated at 1913
as agalnst'9O.l last year.
The departments estimates from the
condition of spring wheat on August ]
was 81 6, ~ compared with 81 last
month. S0.7 on August l, 1908, and
Isl. the ten.ytar average on August l.
The japanese Ambassador, Baron
KogOro Takahirs, called at the State
Department today to announce his de-
parlure for Japan and TO secure inior'
nation regarding the operation OF the
maximum and minimum tariff law in
he new bill. He will leave Washing
on tomorrow for Seattle, by way OF the
northern route. Although if has been
announced that he is returning to his
own country merely TO assist in the
preliminary negotiations for a new
treaty of commerce with the United
States, it is taken for granted in most
quarters that he will not return. Am
bassador De Ia Barrs of Mexico also
called at the State Department today
| He will leave shortly for vacation il
the AdirOndacks.
Hides which were imported under TIT
DingIey law but were placed ia bonded
warehouses can now be taken out with
out the payment of duty. II is the samt
With the Philippine cigars end a few
other articles made free in the new Law
out which would have paid duty unde
the Dingley law and which, having
oeeu kept in warehouses, sre regarded
technically still os foreign goods because
| lhey have not been taken out for use II
this country nor actually delivered TO tht
coDsignees Decisions to this effect wer'
made today by the Treasury Department
in response to kilograms Of inquiry. Al
goods ia bonded warehouses pay the RAJ
Of duty prescribed in the law 10 force a
The time that they are removed
Thus cargoes Of silk or wines or th'
higher grades of cotton cloths that MAJ
have been imported under the Dingle.
} law bat which have been left in bOnC
, will have to pay the higher rates i'm
posed by the Payne-Aldrich law WheI
thew are taken out for consumption. TIL
only inquiries received today related Il
J hides and Philippine cigars held il
! bonded warehouses. From New YOrE
and Boston and Newark and Jerse.
City where the warehouses are numer
GUS came the inquiry as to the tr'atmen
10 be accorded hides imported prior Il
August and since STORED. The orde
was sent to release them all free of duty
, As the average duty on each one OF tn
a imported hides under The old law wa
4 | from 81. so to 50, and as there are an
derstood to be Thousands of hides j
bond, the ruling will mean the saviu
= Of thousands Of dollars to the lestbe
D., manufacturers. Large quantities of IN
a Philippine smoking materials are ais
-, being Withdrawn and placed on sale. Al
though Saturday WAS only half dsy i
y the customs offices over 81, 0O0,0 0O {
8 revenue was collected there on that d.
under the new Law.
China's inclination to yield 10 Japa
q in the Autung-Mukden railroad disput
/ was confirmed today in official advice
received ct the State Department. 1t
understood that China will ioterpose n
further objection to the rebuilding OF tn
< road bn, certain questions sppertainin
! | to Jurisdiction will be left open fc
q fIrtner discussion.
Acting Secretary of the Interior Wi
son today designated 1858, $40 scrt
more of land in Montana, as comm
e within the enlarged homestead act, !
0 that state, making total up to da'e
25. 466. 200 acres so designated In Nor
tana.
4 A tab is to be kept on the clerks |
. the Treasury Department to show VII
are efficient.
4 The Postofice Department today put Il