The citizen., 1911-12-08
WASHINGTON.
Legislative and Gem
eral Topics from
the Capital.
Washington, December /, 1911.

washington. December +. 1911.
In the department estimates submitted
to Congress TODAY, S225 600 is asked for
the maintenance of the Tariff Board for
the coming fiscal wear. Democrats OF the
House who fought the creation OF the
Board and have announced their intention
to carry on tariff revision independently
of its recommendations. are reported 10
be planning an attack upon this appropri-
alton
The estimates include also a request
for SIS. 600 for the Administrations econo-
my commission, which has been seeking
10 bring about reform in the conduct of
business in the various Government de-
partments. The usual S25,o to deffay
the Presidents travelling expenses is ask
ed
Another appropriation sought is one OF
/ 81, 600 for an oil painting of President
i Taft, including frame. to be hung in the
White House
Postmaster General Hitchcock asks
$50. 600 for establishing an experimental
parcels post limited to halt pound pack
ages and S., 600 for an air mail service
| experiment by aeroplane or other devices.
The estimates of the Treasury Depart
ment for running the Government during
of Sal. 2S3. .o2I 43. as compared with the
amount appropriated for the fcal year
I9II-IoI2 The total amount estimated
for all expenses of Government is S745,-
S34 sos. This amount does not include
the appropriation for the Post Office De
partment, which is expected to be self
sustaining. The appropriations made by
Congress for the present fiscal year aggre
gated S767,2IS.4S5
Accompanying the estimate for public
buildings and grounds is note explaining
that 10 care properly for public buildings
already authorized by specific appropria
ton. further appropriations of SIS ooo. 600
would be necessary. The Secretary of
the Treasury does not include this sum in
his estimate AS members of Congress
usually are careful to secure definite as
suranCe that buildings in their respective
districts are 10 be provided for, the proba
bllty IS that the 81 5, 600 ooO will be includ-
ed in the appropriation bill finally passed,
which would cut down the apparent saw
ing considerably.
Decreases are shown in the estimates
submitted foi the pension fund, conduct
of the executive establ shment and for the
Department OF Agriculture. Substantial
increases, however, i'll estimates asked
for the military and naval establishments
almost offset the other savings
For work on the Panama Canal s45
500 900 is estimated, an increase of nearly
81, ,ooo,oo over the appropriation for the
present year This does not include ex-
penditures for tortiicati0ns of the Canal
Zone, the estimates asking an appropria-
tion of S. SO, $50 10 be expended for army
foriicatonS aud mine stations in the zone.
. For this purpose last year S, 900. 600 was
appropriated.
Under the military establishment head
: an increased appropriation OF 81 500 ooo
is asked for SEA coast artillery. The
total estimate for ioriihcalions and other
: works of defense is ST. 2IS S99, nearly
81. 600. 600 more than was spent this year.
Secretary OF the Navy Meyers estimates
propose continuance of the two battle
ship naval program, although the esti-
mates are $1,000 600 less than this year s
appropriations. so far as increase o. the
navy is concerned. To continue work or
the ships now under construction and be.
gin construction OF two battleships and
two colliers, with provisions for equip
: ment, S24.323.475 IS asked.
The estimates recommend the appro
priaiion OF $2o, 46o,43 for the improve
ment of rivers and harbors, practically al
OF it TO be expended on projects already
: begun or authorized. This is about $500.
900 less than the appropriation for the
present year
Postmaster General Hitchcock esti
mates that it will cost him $500. 938463 tc
run the postal service next year This is
about s.. SOC. 900 more than the Depart
ment expended this year.
T., osE-r ja,,yr.,,,apte Of.
ment the running expense estimates show
: little change IN totals.
As a result Of secret conference of Mary
lands Democratic organization leaders al
the Offices of United States Senator Smith
in Washington today, il was decided thai
there should be no extra session of the
Legislature, that no effort should be made
to gain two thirds majority by unseatine
Republicans. and that no contest SiiouiC
be made on the Governorship 1t was
determined, however, to strip the Repub
, lean Governor during the six days thai
Governor Crothers will remain in the
I Governors chair after the Legislature
copvenes of some OF his more importan
| appointive powers.
A committee composed of Attorney
General Straus, Congressman Covingtor
Z, and Joshua Miles will prepare bills which
! it is proposed TO push through the Legis
lature, so they can be signed bv the
Democratic Governor. One bill will
make the present State Roads Commits
sion a permanent body and will take away
from Governor Goldsborough his power
Of removal. Another will reduce the
Board of Police Commissioners OF Balt
more from three 10 one member and pro
vide that he shall either be appointed BY
the Mayor or elected by the Legislature
: A third bill will provide for non-partisar
boards Of School Commissioners through
out the couniies. which will prevent Gov
ernor Goldsborougn fiom Republcaniz
ing these boards.
i
Conference of Educators at Nor.
i folk.
/ Twenty five hundred people were r
! attendance upon the Virgil Educationa
!. Conference held in No TX. Virginia,
under the auspices OF 'irginia State
q Accoriattot, t...c,-p1i.2r ret