Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-04-08
CAPITAL JOTTiNGS.


day night with a Master Mason's
apron. The ceremony took place at
the Naval Lodge. A. F. and A. M. the
apron being presented by Human
Lodge of Baltimore, which was the
guest of the Washington body. The
President entered heartily into the
ceremonies, which in view of his pres
ence were made exceptionally elabor-
ate.
In what is believed to be an effort
to divert some of the export grain traf-
fic which usually moves through Can
ada. to some of the Atlantic seaports
in the United States, the trunk lines
operating from Buffalo to the seaboard
have filed reductions in their grain
traffic with the Interstate Commerce
Commission. The reductions will apply
only to grain for export. Reductions
recently have been made by the Ca
madam lines over which the commits
sion has no jurisdiction and the rates
filed Thursday by the American roads
are to meet that competition.
Two American Negroes on March 26
last were assaulted and wounded by
the commanding officer at Panzos,
Guatemala, while he was intoxicated,
and later they were thrown into prison,
and their friends were refused permits
sion to dress their wounds. The Unit
ed States ministers who reported the
matter to the state department. was
instructed to insist upon prompt and
adequate redress The consular agent
at Livingston will attend the trial. This
is one of number of cases which have
occurred in Guatemala within the last
few months where Americans were
victims.
Representatives of the striking en-
plOyes of the Bethlehem Steel Works
had their innings before President
Taft Thursday. David Williams, chair
man Of the executive committee of the
strikers and John Loughrey. one of
the officials, were introduced to the
President by Rep. A. III. Palmer Mr..
Williams told the President that con-
ditionS in the steel plant were unbear-
able. The President asked the strik-
ers to submit their case to him in writ
ing so that he could give it formal con-
sideration. adding that if there was
any proof of defective work for the
government by the Bethlehem concerns
he would Immediately investigate.
The seizure of the Lark and Esfuerzo
the American owned vessels. which were
captured recently on the east coast of
Nicaragua by parties claiming to be
acting in the interests Of DR.. Madriz. is
likely to form the basis for claims
against the Nicaraguan government. Ac-
cording to information received oy the
state department these vessels when
seized were engaged in legitimate coast
wise trade, distributing merchandise to
their owners branch depots on the
coast There is now reason to believe
that the seizures were the wrongful
acts of private parties. for which Madriz
denied all responsibility. He ordered
their surrender to the commander of the
United States ship Paducah. who in turn
will deliver them to the American con-
sui at Bluefields.
Winifred r. Dennison, assistant attor-
ney general of the department of justice,
is on his way to New Orleans for con-
sultation with District Attorney Charlton
r. Beatty. who has charge of the inquiry
being made there by the federal grand
jury into the alleged differentiation or
mosquito bar netting from Nottingham
and st. Gall. For some time past In ac-
cordance with the announced policy of
Secretary MacVeagh of making an inqui-
ry into conditions at various ports, espe-
cially regarding sugar importations, the
treasury has had agents at work in New
Orleans. 1t had been alleged that there
were frauds in the under weighing of SUI
gar at that port such as were discovered
at New York. Secretary MacVeagh said
Thursday. however. that as far as he was
aware no irregularities of that kind had
been revealed there.