Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-30

being less than half what it was in 1860.
The death rate however. is still very
heavy, and In 1909 ~, 425 persons sue
cumbed in England and Wales. The dis
ease is even more deadly in Ireland, but
there an active campaign, lnaugnrated
by the Countess of Aberdeen, has been
going on for some years and conditions
are improving.
Home rule. Walsh disesta blshment and
the suffrage question all promise to be
eclipsed in the house OF commons pN the
danger to the members shilling or twenty
five-cent dinner. There has been great
strain upon the finances of the kitchen
committee of the house and Col LOCK
wood its chairman. threatens to make up
the twelye-thouSand-d ollar deficit by rails
ing the price of the dinner. Now that
each member of the house is receiving a.
salary of $1,000 a year the legislators may
be compelled to pay at least the actual
cost Of the dinner they consume
Receipts Not Increased.
Col. Lockwood declares that the re-
ceipts of the kitchen have not increased
since the members began to draw pay,
but he intends to get some of this money.
even if it means the upsetting of one of
the most cherished perquisites of par
Lament.
The dinner was originally established
for tine benefit of the labor members, but
when the other commoners saw what
their labor colleagues were getting for
their money they deserted the a-la-carte
table, until at the present time fully two
thirds of the house partakes of the cheap
dinner.
The American government has been
looking about London for a home for
the embassy. but. it is understood, has
decided not to make any purchase at pres
ent. very complete report as to the
residences available has been sent to the
State Department.
Heretofore the residence of the ambas-
sador and the embassy offices have been
established in separate buildings. Should
the United States government decide 10
purchase a residence it Is understood
that the office and living quarters of the
embassy would be in the same house.
This would necessitate a very large build
ing for while the STAFF is not large, the
Americans have to receive a great many
more visitors than do the ambassadors
and ministers of the European powers
Estimated Cost.
In the first place there have to be sep
arate rooms for the ambassador and his
three secretaries and two attaches and
couple of extra rooms for the use of visit
ing officials Then there are the clerks
and. still more difficult to find. large re-
ception room where the hundreds of
Americans who visit the embassy during
the summer can be received.
In addition to the offices the ambassa-
dor must have very large. convenient
house. where he can entertain on behalf
of his country.
1t has been rather difficult to find the
right house. but one has been offered to
the government which would be emil
nently suited for the purpose. The cost
of the necessary land and residence has
been estimated at anywhere from $500. 600
to S1,Oo0.00O.
Fair to Be Revived.
Bartholomew fair. which was held at
West Smithfield. in London, from 1873 to
1875, will be revived at the shake
speare's England exhibition which will
be held under the management of Mrs
George Cornwa His West daughter of the
late Leonard Jerome of New York, at
Iearls Court. this summer.
The charter for the original fair was
granted by Henry | to the famous monk,