Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-06-13
FIR ON WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of Alexandra Gazettel

dntlltll tOHlOiIOW lOi lut iiiob UNIV a.
the history OF the annual flag day"
exercises held at the postoffice. The
ceremonies will be held on the third
floor balcony overlooking the court
where hangs the biggest American flag
in the world, 70 by Al feet Postmaster
General Hitchcock will preside over the
ceremonies. which will include patriotic
airs by section of the U. S. Marine
Band, and songs by local choir singers
and the postoffice clerks. The build
ing is mass of flags and banners in
anticipation of the celebration.
The president today by official pro-
clamation turned over to the open
public domain 203, 635 acres more Of
Pinchot's forest lands. The elimina-
tons are from the Wallowa National
Forest in Oregon. They are the result
of a careful examination made by the
department OF agriculture during the
past summer, which disclosed the fact
that these areas were either open grass
lands with very little timber or timber
ed lands so largely alienated that
further administration by the forest
service was considered impracticable.
They are not needed for watershed
purposes, and are not considered to be
chiefly valuable for national forest
uses. The eliminatiOns Of lands from
national forests under the Taft admin
istratiOn now totals nearly 2,OOO,OO
acres.
The Annual Review OF Foreign Com
merce of the United States, just issued
by the Department of Commerce and
Labor. reveals some footsteps in
Southern progress that are OF great I'M
portance. Comparing the exports of
1899 and 1909 it is found that those
from Gulf ports nave increased 10 per
cent in the 10 years. The exports from
Atlantic ports increased only Il per
cent during the same period. OF the
seventeen Atlantic ports showing either
large or small increases during the ten
years, seven are Southern ports.
The details of score Of cases OF
alleged prosecutions in this country OF
political refugees by the Mexican
government were today laid before the
House committee on rules which is
hearing the resolution OF Representa-
tive Wilson, dem. Pa for an investi-
garion of conditions along the Mexican
border. John Murray, a newspaper
man of Los Angeles, Cal, connected
with an association of labor papers, told
the committee that in Mexico the mill
tary guarded the polls aud later an
nounced the results of the elections.
He said that the Liberal party Of Next
co who are fighting for a reform of
Mexican justice, were denied the right
to hold conventions.
President Taft directed today that
several warships 90 down New York
bay to meet Mr.. Roosevelt and fire the
presidential salute of q guns when his
steamer heaves in sight. The South
Carolina, the newest of the battleshlps
in full commission, will be
anchored off Ambrose Light at the
head of the channel with five torpedo
boat destroyers. At the firing Of the
salute they will fall in line and escort
the steamer as far as the quarantine
station With the cavalcade will he
the Dolphin bearing Secretary of the
Navy Meyer, Secretary of Agriculture
Wilson and Captain Butt, who had been
designated by President Taft to carry
his message of welcome to Mr.. ROOs-
welt. A naval display Of much greater
proportions would have been arranged
| i'm Mr.. ROosevelt's honorhad If been pos
sible. The ships OF the fleet are now at
their home stations undergoing repairs
and cannot be completed in time to
permit their going to New York. 1t
was President Tafts own idea that
Mr.. Roosevelt should have the pres-
dental salute when he came in sight
of his own land and the naval escort
was ordered at his own direction.
A hearing on charges made against
Geor,e w. Padgett, nominated by the
president to be United States marshal
in the Maryland district, was held by
subcommittee Of the Senate committee
on judiciary today Half a dozen wit
nesses appeared before the committee
to give their reasons for opposing Pad
gets appointment. A delegation Of
10, led 10y W. A. Plat, chairman of
the city republican committee, and ex-
Mayor Tamanus were at hand in favor
of Padgett.
The Navy Department has asked the
clearing of four British ships, which
have been hired to transport coal from
the Atlantic coast to the naval station
at Honolulu. The law expressly states
that no foreign vessel can transport
either passengers or freight from one
American port to another, but by a de-
cision by former Attorney General
Bonaparte made at the time of the
round the world trip of the battle
ship feet, it was made possible for ships
flying foreign flags to act as colliers.
Secretary of War Dickinson left for
an extended trip through the south
and west today, accompanied by Gen.
". IL. Carter, acting chief of staff,
and General Allen. He will attend
the tournament al Nashville next week
and will review the troops. He will
be given a barbecue at Andrew Jack
sons home on Tuesday, after which
he will leave for Chicago.
President TAFT may take trip to the
middle west about next October to de-
liver number Of political speeches
setting forth the accomplishments OF
the administration up to the present
time. He tentatively decided on the
trip today. but is not yet certain about
it. He will go to Cincinnati in Septem-