New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-02
THE DAWN WASHINGTON

greeting their colleagues on the Expendi-
lures Committee with the approbrious ques-
ton. Looking for sls?'' which refers, OK
course, to the slS expended for repairs en-
Paymaster Merriams boat. which the Ex-
penditures Committee widely advertised as
a scandal, only TO find that Mr.. Merriam
had paid $50 for the work, and that they
had been introduced to a mares nest by
discharged employe.
STILL SMELLING. - The Democratic
sleuthhounds have followed every scent
which they believed led to a scandal until
they are now almost in despair. and are
ready TO treat with all seriousness every
wildgoose story which may be brought to
their attention. A new investigation was
proposed TO the House to-day by Repre-
sentative Ssson, OF Mississippi, who has
heard that there may be scandal in the
acquisition by the government Of the land
| between the Capitol and the new Union
Station. Mr.. Slsson intimates that certain
members OF Congress are financially inter-
ested in the land about 10 be purchased
although he is exceedingly Judicious and
mentions no names In his resolution. When
Congress provided for the purchase OF this
land q delegated the duty to a commission
composed Of the Vice President. the Speak
er and the Superintendent Of the Capitol
Mr.. Sisson wants this commission instruct
ed 10 desist from all further efforts TO
acquire the land until committee COM
posed Of three Democratic and two Repub-
lcan Representatives shall have conducted
an exhaustive investigation Of the owner
ship of the land the government desires.
A SMELLING Representative
Baker, Of California, has conceived
scheme for an Investigation which VIII
cause a nifty little junket and may insure
delightful sojourn at high altitude dur
ing the remainder Of the heated term Tor
Mr. Baker and others fortunate enough 10
secure places on the investigating com
| mittee which he proposes. Mr.. BAKER
would investigate all outdoors. 90 to speak
and would conduct his investigations on
the ground Mr.. Baker believes, accordlnS
to the resolution he has introduced, that
the land laws are unjust that claimants
TO portions OF the public domain do not
have half a chance, and that something
should be done for them. He Is not sure
Just what this something is. and he Would
therefore, have the House authorize COM
mittee. with Mr. Baker as chairman, 70
travel at government expense over all por-
tons OF the public domain. Incidentally
he would have this committee authorized
20 investigate waterpower conservation
and kindred policies. so that any place the
committee may wish to visit may be IN
cluded within the broad terms Of the reso-
luton. As the source Of waterpower IS
generally high up in the mountains, this
would make Il perfectly proper for the
committee 20 spend August and September
In the higher Rockies, gradually descend
ing as the weather at lower attitudes De-
came more attractive. and, as the pubic 40
main is of somewhat wide extent, the COM
nittee could doubtless occupy Itself until
about December l. all at the expense OF
the unfortunate and already depleted con
tngent fund Of the House.
A GREAT DOCK.-The Secretary Of the
Navy has received reports that the great
drvdock at Pear Harbor. Hawaii. is near
ing completion. This dock, when complet-
ed will be SCI feet long, 10 feet wide and
"a feet deep At first Congress. unwilling.
as usual. to make any provision for the
growth and progress Of the modern bat
tleship, appropriated only 100000 for THIS
dock. and required that 1t should lie OF
materially smaller proportions. Later. how
ever 100000 additional was appropriated
and the result will be a dock capable OF ac-
communicating any battleahp now building
or likely 10 be built in the near future
haga af
Harbor will be not less than S6siOV, the
greater part OF which will be expended on
The repair shops. Provision is also being
made for marine barracks. naval hos
pital and a coalinS plant G. u H.