Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-14
CAPITAL CHAT.
Maine Delegation Work.
log for Peary's Promotion.
GOV. Bur|eigh Secures $685.
900 foI Stockton ha1bor Work.
skowhegan Party at Capital on
Way Home from Abroad.

Washington, ID. O., FEB. l3.-tSpe-
ciaD. Congress is now really getting
busy" There is still room for i'm
provenent, for the tasks ahead loom
large and one hears talk about the
session lasting well into June, per-
',ars into July There is still much loss
Of time and energy in marching to the
tops of Legislative eminences and then
marching down again. Debate is in or
der in both houses to an unusual eX-
tent. This is due to the fact that the
really big matters have not been
brought forward. The days must be
filled in somehow till the appropriation
bills or some of the Presidents bills.
particularly his interstate commerce
bill. are reported out of committee and
placed before Senate and House for
consideration.
The Maine members Of the House
have all joined forces with Representa-
tive Allen in helping along his bill to
place Commander Robert r. Pearv,
civil eneineer of the navy, upon the
retired list with the rank of rear adj
miral of the highest grade. AS resi-
dent Of Eagle island Commander Peary
is a constituent of Representative Al
len, but all the Maine people feel that
ne is a general resident of the State
a sentiment that the Maine members
of the House reflect in their efforts tc
have Congress accord him distinguish
ed recognition for his services to the
country in discovering the North pole.
The Maine members have been talk
ing the bill up ever since Senator
I,In ccf oh in,
splendid fashion, without a dissenting
vote and thus set an example which
the House is expected to follow.
Very much depends upon the House
committee on naval affairs If it makes
a unanimous report in favor of such a
hill rs Mr.. Hale had passed in the
senate and as Mr.. Allen has introduced
in the House. it would almost certainly
pass and become law. But it is certain
the bill will have some opposition in
the House committee. 1t will be head
cd there by Rep. Ernest w. Roberts Of
Chelsea, Mass, a native of Madison
Nc, who thinks there is no reason
for placing Pcary on the retired list
with the rank of rear admiral Mr..
Roberts has not indicated whether he
49, tt'fNV al dSSiESSiNS SIdl1u OF
whether he will content himself simply
with stating his opposition
The fact that the navy department
is in favor of the legislation will help
Naval officers who graduated at An
napolis are very clannish and never
a"e, as class, particularly chunlmy
With the civil engineers who come in
as civilians. The ruling officials of the
navy have not liked it that civil en-
gincer. like Peary, should gain such
distinction as he enjoys because of
his Arctic achievements and accord
insly have given him credit grudging-
~ Probably quite a contingent or the
navy would have been very glad in
deed if Cook had proven his claim to
prior discovery.
But there is now a strong popular sem
timent in favor of Commander Peary and
it is all the stronger because of the In
Justice that was done him. When he first
returned from the pole there was a great
outcry against him by the adherents of
DR.. Cook. He was criticized for having
denounced Cook as fakir. Now that the
truth of his statements has become APP
parent there is just as strong a pro-
Peary sentiment in the House as there
is in the country and the time is ripe for
getting through some legislation in his
behalf
1t will be exceptional if the House puts
the bill through in the same form as it
was passed in the Senate. But in that
case Senator Hale will be one of the con-
ferees and can be depended upon to look
out for his distinguished Maine constitu-
emit .A,ss
Governor Burleigh is gratified at the
action of the House rivers and harbors
committee in appropriating $4,000 for
dredging a channel 800 feet wide and 25
feet deep at Stockton Harbor, one of the
arms of Penobscot bay. This promises
better facilities for Stockton Springs,
known as Names new seaport, where
millions of Bushels of Aroostook potatoes
are to find an outlet to distant markets
The governor took the matter UP with
the rivers and harbrs committee several