The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-02-23

chair and cried: "Mr. President, II
rise to change our vote from Mr.. Chase
to Mr.. Lincoln" Lincoln was the
nominee.-The.. Union.
WASHINGTON NEWS LETTER.
Washington, Feb. 19.-"Economy
is an administration slogan at present.
The appropriation bills are beginning
to come over to the senate from the
house, and the retrenchment idea is
noticeable in the reductions being
made. Some of the items left of are
being put back by the Nebraska sena'
tors, the appropriation for the Indian
supply depot being one instance.
Others may be saved by watchfal care.
Indeed it il not at all sure that there
will not be some new public buildings
for Nebraska. But it is going to take
some hustling.
The Nebraska men are keeping
busy, however. Legislation passed the
senate last week which will call for the
expenditure Of few thousands out of
the u. S. treasury for a fish culture
station in Nebraska. Senator Burkett
got the bill through, and will try to
keep the item in. If it passes the
house, $4,000 will be expended in
Nebraska by Uncle Sam in breeding
and growing fish to stock the streams.
Already, however, the economical
program Of President Taft has present.
ed an obstacle to the enactment of
legislation dear to the hearts Of the
| Nebraska delegation. 1t has given
| rise t, q curious situation with refer
ence to a bill which Mr.. Taft very
| strongly endorsed when he was secre.
tary of war,-that of increasing the
size of the signal corps and making a
regular arm of the service.
The Nebraska men are interested
because the headquarters Of the signal
corps are in Nebraska. To increase
the size of the signal corps would.
therefore make Nebraska the base of
operations in experiments with aero
planes and other flying machines
which the war department is trying
out. Last year in a letter to Senator
Burkett. who introduced the bill. Sec
rotary Taft set forth at length the i'm.
portance of increasing this branch of
the service. and urged that the bill be
passed. As president, however, he is
put in the position Of being slow to
endorse bills calling for new appro-
priations. and his precise attitude can.
not be determined. He has not yet
indicated just how he feels about the
bill now, but within few days he
will probably be called upon to do so.
Major Squier, who is practically at
the head of the signal corps. and who
last summer made many flights in the
Wright machine, had long confer.
ence with Senator Burkett last Thurs.
day, outlining the situation and advis.
ing an interview with the president
with q view to having him adhere to
his former recommendation as secre.
tary. Senator Burkett has arranged
to see Mr.. Taft and it may be that the
bill will yet 90 through.
The same difficulty will have to be
net in connection with Senator Bur.
kett's proposal to buy tract Of land
near Ashland for rifle range for the
use of the troops at Fort Crook. The
matter is now before the appropria.
tions. The signal corps is before the
military affairs committee. With
Senator Burkett on one and Senator
Brown on the other committee, Ne
braska will have distinct advantage
in the fight that will have to be made
An interesting study in types Of
American citizenship MSS presented
last week by two young Nebraska meu
who we're in Washington on leave
from different eastern colleges. Both
young men were comely, we'll groomed
polished in appearance. and seemed
fairly representative of the cultured
American college man. Each has VOL
lsurels in his studies. One has q rart
. tenor voice, is a member of the Har
ward glee club and a singer in one Of
, the Hubs exclusive churches. Thu
other is the winner Of many athletic
victories, has done 100 yards in ter
! seconds, fiat, has played football 70,
four years, and is q star on his collegs
, track team. Both met at the com
} mittee room of one Of the Nebrasks
. men in congress. On whom they cam.