The Springfield herald., 1910-02-11
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

The Senate has confirmed the nomi-
nation of Charles ID. Ford, register OF
the Denver Land office.
Nollie Smith. the colored candidate
from Wyoming. failed in his examina-
ton for West Point. the appointment
being won by Joseph Palmer, also OF
Cheyenne.
The treasury department has accept
ed the offer of ]. A. Bronstein of 49,
100 for the buildings on the site OF
the proposed new postoffice building
at Denver.
The official estimate of the Depart
ment of Agriculture on the number OF
meat cattle in the country shows 2,100,-
900 less cattle and 6.3G5.O00 less hogs
in the country on January 1st than
were estimated year ago.
Surgeon Charles F. Stokes has been
confirmed by the Senate to be surgeon
general and chief of the Bureau of
Medicine and Surgery in the Navy De
partment, with the rank OF rear admi-
raj.
A bill exempting certificates of in
debtedness and requiring the payment
of the principal of Panama canal
bonds. previously passed by the
House, was acted upon favorably in
the Senate.
Attention is directed, in an official
report by Rear Admiral Schroeder. in
command of the Atlantic fleet now en-
gagged in practice maneuvers in Qua
tanamo bay, Cuba, to the remarkable
fact that more than $500 men in the
fleet cannot swim.
The administration program, as re-
vised by leaders of the Senate and
House and approved by President
Taft. is said to include statehood for
Arizona and New Mexico. postal saw
irgs banks, authority for the Presi-
dent to withdraw public lands, court
of commerce and federal incorpora-
ton measure.
The substitute public lands bill re.
ported by Senator Nelson provides:
THAT the President may, at any time,
in his discretion, withdraw from set
tlement, location, sale or entry, any of
the public lands of the United States
and reserve the same for forestry, wa
ter power, irrigation, classification or
other public purposes to be specified
in withdrawal and such Withdrawals
and reservation shall remain in force
until revoked by him or by an act of
Congress. The secretary of the inte-
rior Shall report all such Withdrawals
hereafter to Congress at the beginning
Of its next regular session.
A bill has been introduced in the
Senate by Senator Hale authorizing
the President to appoint Commander
Robert L. Peary, discoverer of the
North pole, rear admiral in the navy
ard place him on the retired list.
The Civil Service Commission an
nounces that an examination will be
held March 10th and 18th to secure
eligibles to fill about a hundred cleri-
cal places in the forest service. In ad-
dition to the usual places, examina-
tions will be held at Salida, Colo,
Santa Fe. N. NJ, and Rock Springs.
Wyo.
John ]. Vertrees of Nashville, leader
of the Tennessee bar, Democrat and
warm personal friend of President
Taft, has been asked to take charge
of the case for the defense" in the
Ballinger-Pinchot congressional inves
tigation.
After short but torrid open hear.
ing, followed by an executive session
of an hour, also filled with dissension,
the House committee on merchant ma
rine and fisheries voted 10 to Z to re-
port favorably the administration ship
subsidy bill as introduced by Repre-
sentative Humphrey OF Washington