davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Commerce Commission Also
Makes Radical Changes
in Regulations.
WEIGHTS OF PACKAGES
IN ZONES INCREASED
Of Particular Interest to Merchants
and Shoppers as Christ
mas Nears.

Radical changes in the parcel post regu-
lations, requested by Postmaster General
Burleson. yesterday were authorized BY
the Interstate commerce commission The
Postmaster General is authorized to4.re-
duce the rates in certain zones. to In
crease the weight of packages within the
first and second zones from twenty to
nifty pounds. and to increase the weight
limit for the remaining zones from eleven
pounds to twenty pounds. to admit books
weighing more than eight ounces 10 the
parcel post at regular zone rates and
allow shipments of gold. gold bullion and
gold dust in Alaska and TO and from
Alaska at "A rate of cents an ounce or
fraction for all distances.
The interstate commerce commission
gave out copies of its letters 10 Post
master General Burleson authorizing
him to make the changes. The increase
of the weight limit in the first and second
zones is of particular interest at tins
time to merchants and others on account
of the availability of the parcel post tol
sending Christmas presents.
III seems obvious. said the letter OF
chairman Clark. informing the Post
master General of the commisslons s ac-
tion. that the service TO the public Will
he promoted by these changes, provided
the revenue from the service is not less
than the cost thereof. Your experiences
and statistics seem to show clearly that
the revenue will not be less than the cos
nj he
Evening star., 1913-12-07

or less shall be l cent for each TWO
ounces or fractional part thereof, AM on
those weighing in excess of eight ounces
the zone parcel post rates snail Apply
The commission directs that ! commum-
cate to you that consent.
1T seems appropriate to direct atten-
ton to the fact that the maiiers OF large
numbers of the heavier catalogues who
have objected to this change have urged
that If the change Is to be made its ef-
fective date be made sufficiently late to
afford them opportunity to adapt them
selves to the new conditions. In one in
stance about three months has been sug-
gested and in another instance six
months.
The request to admit gold in Alaska to
the parcel post was recommended to
promote the service to the public and
more nearly insuring revenue from the
service adequate to pay the cost
thereof The order of the commission
prescribes that the gold shall be inclOsed
in sealed package. weighing not more
than eleven pounds, that the same must
be registered at the office of mailing. and
that the rate Of postage shall be cents
an ounce or fraction for all distances.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
TO VOTE ON CURRENCY
FROM DECEMBER 17-2O
Senators Confidently Expect
Bill to Pass Before
Christmas.

That the currency bill will become a
law before Christmas was the confident
expression of democratic leaders in the
senate last night. They believe that it
VIII be possible for the Senate to reach
a unanimous consent agreement for a
vote on the currency bill by December
IL or at the latest by December 20
The republicans. while insisting that
they will debate the measure as fully
as possible. do not believe that the de-
bate will be long drawn out Senator
Smoot of Utah reiterated a statement
made on the floor of the Senate recent
ly that the bill would be passed before
December 20.
1t is the plan of the democrats to OBJ
tain the consent of the republicans to
set "a date for vote as soon as pos
slble. Senator Smoot said that he did
not think unanimous consent agree
ment would be possible until after the
debate had been running for week
and the republicans could determine
ABOUT the amount of time which they
would require for debating the meas
ure. He said however, that he did eX-
pect such an agreement finally would
be reached
The passage of the Kern resolution
yesterday. calling for daily sessions
from 10 o'clock in the morning until IL
O'CLOCK at night, with a two-hour recess
for dinner, means that the Senate will
nave eleven hours each date to discuss
the Dill The senators can get through
with great deal of discussion in that
time. 1t was pointed out
After the bill has been passed, and
sent TO conference. it is believed that
no great amount of time will be neces-
sary Tor an agreement between the two
houses. As soon as the measure is out
of the way Congress will take its
usual Christmas recess
Evening star., 1913-12-07
PRIVATE DOCKS NECESSARY
Provision for Battleships Following
Their Passage Throuph Canal

The necessity for suitable dry docks
10 care Tor the great battleships of the
Atlantic fleet after they pass through
the Panama canal into the Pacific has
caused Secretary Daniels to adopt the
unusual course of seeking authority
from Congress 20 contract with private
dock owners for such service The un-
fortunate collapse of the great Pearl
harbor dock, which was to be tha
mainstay of the navy on the west coast
and the inaccessibility of the Mare Is
land navy yard until great deal of
dredging has been done has reduced
the naval resources on the west coast
TO one dock at Puget sound which is
entirely too distant from the Panama
canal to meet naval needs
Therefore Secretary Daniels wishes to
enter into contract with private corpo-
ration which already owns some docks
at the entrance of San Francisco har-
Dor 10 construct another great dock
capable of handling the naval dread
noughts on the basis of a guaranteed
compensation in so many thousand tons
of naval docking per annum.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Situation Held Serious.
DUTY UPON SPLIT PEAS.
Tariff War With Germany Is Again
Predicted.

Assistant Secretary of the Treasury
Hamlin, in charge of customs. last night
issued an order to collectors declaring
that countervaiing duty amounting to
about 20 cents hundred pounds should
be laid against importations of German
split peas. This order was issued be-
cause Germany grants what is practically
bounty of that amount to German
manufacturers of split peas and Congress
wished to protect the American manufac-
turer. whose business has been seriously
threatened by the Germans.
similar order was issued under the
Payne law oy former Secretary of the
Treasury MacVeagh and many predic-
tions were made that it would result in a
tariff war.
The war failed to materialize, but the
predictions were renewed last night. The
order issued yesterday also provides for
a slight countervailng duty on wheat
flour from Germany.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
BRISK DEMAND FOR OYSTERS.
Vessels Have But Little Trouble in
Disposing of Cargoes.

Receipts Of oysters from the river and
bay beds were fairly heavy the past
week, but the demand also was good, and
vessels arriving were able to sell ou,
their cargoes of oysters and leave again
after stay of only day or two in port
Yesterday the demand for oysters was
quite brisk, and unless there are ar
rivals of oyster boats this morning the
supply at the wharf market is likely to
be rather light when the Sunday visitors
go to the wharf today for their weekly
feast of freshly shucked bivalves.
Late yesterday afternoon there were but
three vessels at the wharf with oysters
aboard, and their combined cargoes
amounted to but little over 800 bushels.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
EFFECT OF NEW TARIFF
ON PHILIPPINE TRADE
Subject Discussed by Gen.
Mcintyre, Chief of the
InsuIar Bureau.
Products Entering United States
Free of Duty-Progress in
Education Noted.

Interesting features of the annual re-
port of Gen. Frank Mcintyre, chief of
the bureau of insular affairs. are con-
tanned in the discussion of the effect upon
the insuIar possessions Of the new tariff
limitation upon the quantity of sugar
and tobacco that might be exported to
the United States was removed. so that
these products are now entering the
ports free of duty. Another measure
of relief to Philippine business permitted
exports to the United States from the
islands by transshipment, whereas the
exporter formerly was limited to direct
shipments.
OF Importance to Trade.
OF great Importance to the American
trade was the abolition of export duties
upon Philippine products, which deprived
the American manufacturer of Manila
hemp of the differential formerly granted
him. by reason of the fact that he was
exempted from the payment of an ex-
port tax on hemp. whereas the foreign
manufacturer was required to pay that
tax. That law has relieved the Philip
pine producer of an annual tax of APP
proximately S1,JOOOOO. two-thirds of
which went to the Philippine treasury.
Gen Mcintyre regrets the failure of
Congress to enact a law permitting the
use of foreign material to the amount
of 30 per cent. in Philippine products en-
titled to free admission to the United
States He says this would have given
a much desired stimulus to the en-
broidery and lace industry in the islands,
which. through the schools. is being
developed.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
ALIEN LAND ROW UNALTERED.
U. S.-Japan Controversy Said to Be
lust Where It Started.

Ii was inferred in official circles here
yesterday that the channels of diplomatic
correspondence between Japan and tile
United States over the California alien
land law have been exhausted and that
any action looking to an adjustment OF
the tangle must result from new move
by one power or the other.
The correspondence was exhaustive and
the latest note presented by Japan many
weeks ago remains unanswered 1T ihe
State Department for the reason, il is
said. that despite the numerous ex-
changes. the controversy remained ex-
actly where il was al the start. IL Is
understood that Japan throughout main
tained that its treaty rights We're invaded
by the law. while the United States argued
as persistently 10 the contrary
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Carriers Want to Be Paid.

we can conceive of no opposition TO
the Increased weights and reduced rates
proposed except from the carriers that
transport the mails. We have had some
objections from them on the ground that
the increased weight should not be per-
nlitted until provision for additional COM
pensation to the carriers has been made.
This commission has no jurisdiction of
and no duty To perform in connection
with the contracts between the Post
Office Department and the transportation
companies for carrying the mails. The
commission. therefore directs ME to say
that ii consents to the following changes
tor which YOU have requested Its con-
sent:
10 reduce the rates for the third zone
from { cents for the first pound and ,
cents for each additional pound TO .
cents for the first pound and cents for
each additional pound.
ITO reduce the rates for the fourth
zone from cents for the nrst pound and
4 cents for each additional pound TO 4
cents for the first pound and / cents for
each additional pound
ITO reduce the rates for the fifth zone
from cents for the first pound and
cents for each additional pound to s
cents for the first pound and cents for
each additional pound.
TO reduce the rates for the sixth zone
from 10 cents for the first pound and .
cents for each additional pound to .
cents for the 1irst pound and cents for
each additional pound.
ITO increase the weight limit for the
rrst and second zones from - pounds to
- pounds.
TO increase the weight limit for the
remaining zones from II pounds to 70
pounds.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Efficiency Alone to Rule.

Efficiency, it is understood, will be the
rule in appointing appraisers of merchan-
disc in the customs service throughout
the country. These appointments, as
we'll as those of men who are to collect
the income tax, are strictly business
jobs. and politics will not be considered
in any way in making the appointments,
it is declared.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Value of Philippine Exports.

Exports to the United States last year
amounted to $l9,S4S, $50 and were 81 per
cent of the total. as compared with 43
per cent in 1912. Sugar shipments, which
We're the leading factor in that decline,
show a falling off approximating
S5.OOOOOO
Steady and encouraging advance has
been made during the year. Gen. Nc
Intyre says, in education, especially in
the higher standard of instruction in
English; better school buildings and
grounds are provided, and there is
marked Improvement, he states, in the
American and Filipino personnel of the
bureau, in the efficiency of the admins
trative side of the work, and In the
physical training of the pupils. The
teachers secured from the United States,
Gen. Mcintyre says, have been, almost
without exception, of splendid character
and excellent preparation Filipino teach
ers have been assigned to positions OF
greater responsibility. and 115 are serv-
ing as supervising and assistant super
vising teachers, and twenty-one as in
duStrial supervisors.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Work of the University.

In view of the complete organization
of the Philippine University, the policy
of sending Filipino students to the
United States in large numbers for their
undergraduate work is being discon-
tinued, and provision has been made for
the appointment of a limited number OF
Evening star., 1913-12-07

graduate work. to take two-year to four
year postgraduate courses in Europe and
the United States.
Athletics is being encouraged. with
favorable results, and in a far eastern
OIympiad in Manila last February, in
which teams from China, Japan and the
Philippines took part, the latter con-
testants were victorious in every COM
petition, except base ball.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Sailed Around World % Times.

NEW YORK. December 6. = Capt.
Charles Z. Halsey. who for more than
half a century was master of whaling
vessels and sailed around the world TWEEN
ty-two times. died at his home in Orange
n. j., today. He was ninety years old.
Capt Halsey ran away from home and
shipped as a cabin boy on a whaling yes
sci out of New Bedford, Mass, for
trip into the Arctic. The ship became ice
bound and for a while the crew faced
starvation.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
DISPLAY Of ACTIVITY
IN CHRISTMAS BUYING
Liberal Response on Part OF
Public to ''Shop Early"
Appeal.
Retail Merchants Association Plan
ming for Efficient Service Dur
ing the Holiday Season.

Christmas buying is expected TO start
in earnest in the retail stores of Wash
ington tomorrow. The liberal response
on the part of the public to the shop
early" movement. il is declared. is great
ly appreciated by the sales forces in the
Washington stores. BY a continuance of
this cooperation on the part of the pub
lie they will be saved from extra hours
of labor during the week before Christ
mas.
Signs of Christmas are increasing on
every hand in the downtown section.
During the morning and afternoon hours
the thoroughfares are thronged with hu-
manity bent on early preparations for
the holiday season. The impression is
growing that the 1913 celebration viii
be marked by quite substantial expires
sion of the spirit OF the yuletide season
Run on Novelties.
The shops are having a big run or
toys and seasonable novelties, while ths
selection of substantials for wear and for
home adornment. intended for delivery
on Christmas eve, is increasing in volume
daily.
There is a movement among the mem
bers of the Retail Merchants Associa
Evening star., 1913-12-07
THREATENED STRIKE
TEMPORARILY HAL TED
Employees Of English Postal
and Telegraph Systems will
Take Vote.
Expected to Walk Out Christmas.
Railway Men Reject Offer of
the Companies.

LEICESTER, England, December g.
The threatened strike at Christmas of
the governments 100000 postal and tele-
graph employees will probably be averted,
but the movement will only be postponed
as a result of the action Of a conference
today, in which 200 delegates, represent
Ing 22,OOO members of the postal organi-
cations, participated.
The delegates adopted resolution re-
Jecting the report of the government
commission. This report favored a slight
increase in the salaries Of the employees.
At the same time the men pledged them
selves to push their original demand for
a 10 per cent increase of wages through
out the service.
The strike proposal was debated at
length, and the meeting finally decided
to leave the decision to general vote
of the members of the organizations.
Appeal to the Ballot.
The conference decided to oppose the
government candidates at all parlia-
mentary elections until the demands of
the postal employees are met, and the
delegates decided to select four candi-
dates to contest constituencies on the
platform of improving the conditions
under which the postal employees work.
There has been much agitation among
the postal employees for a general strike
at Christmas week. while the postal work
is heaviest and most important, but to-
days action of the conference makes
necessary a general vote of the employees
on the strike question, and it is doubtful
whether a strike can be organized in
time to become effective by Christmas
time.
Evening star., 1913-12-07

ton to develop more fully the spirit ot
civic interest. IL is pointed out that Ger
tain interests in Washington have been
in the habit from time TO time OF maklns
purchases out OF town of goods that
could just as well have been procured IN
the local Establishments. The business
men OF the city exert reasonable effort
TO attract additional capital to the city.
and IL is felt that il is time to further
encourage a spirit of local self-help by
Eiving preference 10 local merchants.
City pride. il is declared. should CONS
before all else. IL is claimed that the
prices for commodities in Washington are
as reaSonab Bile as are any in the country
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Threat of Dismissal.

The Postmaster General. Herbert Sam
uel, in his last interview with the leaders
of the postal employees organizations
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Plans for Good Service.

The retail stores OF Washington have
made elaborate plans 10 give specially
good service during the Christmas sea
son. The up-to-date merchant realizes
that service Is a prerequisite to success
full endeavor in business. and the Retail
Merchants Association is endeayoring TO
encourage this factor
At the annual meeting OF the associa-
ton. TO be held IN January, a talk on
Service" will be given by r. &. Graham.
president of the National Electrical Sup
ply Company, who is treasurer OF the
Retail Merchants Association.
Joseph Strasburger. chairman. has
called a meeting of the shoe section OF
the association for next Thursday even
ing at = o'clock at 1202 r street. when
matters of Importance win be discussed.
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Divided as to Books.

On the matter OF admitting books
weighing more than eight ounces the
commission stated that il had received
great number OF Endorsements of this
proposal and also had received a large
number Of protests against it. A great
many Of these protests. however, ii was
declared, obviously were based upon the
misunderstanding that the change con-
teFnplated application of parcel post rates
% PACKAGES of books weighing eight
ounces or less.
The commission declared lit seems OBJ
vlous that the change will promote the
service 10 the public and insure revenue
from the service adequate to pay the
cost thereof. and the commission there
fore feels impelied to consent to the
changes proposed, to wit:
That the classification of articles
mailable and the conditions of mailabil-
ity De changed so as TO admit books to
the parcel post; and
That the rate of postage on parcels
containing books weighing eight. ounces
Evening star., 1913-12-07
FOR NEW HAVEN
Attorney General McReynoIds
Would Like to See Speedy
Regeneration of Road.

NEW YORK, December 6.-Following
his recent conference in Washington with
Howard Elliott, chairman of the board
of directors of the New York, New
Haven and Hartford railroad. Attorney
General McReynolds tonight gave an in
terview here in which he expressed hope
for the regeneration of the New Haven
system.
When Mr. McReynolds was asked if he
were an optimist regarding the New
Haven outlook he replied that he was
distinctly hopeful, and it must be TAX
en- into consideration that this hopeful
state of mind, to a considerable degree,
was inspired by his great desire that
transportation conditions in New Eng
of such a popuous and important sec
ton be delivered from conditions that
are most unsatisfactory.
Situation Held Serious.
In the Attorney Generals opinion there
was never a more serious situation in the
history of railroading in this country
than that now in New England. 1t has
to be corrected, he is of one mind on this
point. and the chief fundamental OF his
attitude is that if the present control
ment will receive every encouragement
and cooperation from the Department of
Justice, and that he, the Attorney Cen
eral, will be vastly more pleased than II
he is forced to attempt the correction by
q long litigation
Evening star., 1913-12-07
Railway Employees Reject Terms.

LONDON, December 6.-Many of the
1000 employees of the Great Western rail-
way. who have been on strike since Wed
nesday, refused today to comply with the
terms of the agreement drawn up yester-
day by the union leaders at a conference
with representatives of the board of
trade. The men regard the conditions of
the agreement as unnecessarily onerous.
Besides providing that neither James.
the locomotive engineer who started the
strike by refusing to haul merchandise
which had been handled by Dublin strike
breakers, nor Reynolds, another promi-
nent agitator, shall be re-employed. the
terms insist that all the men must ex-
press their regret and subscribe from D
cents to 60 cents each to the Swindon
Hospital. The employers are not re-
quired to pay them for the time they
were on strike.
The strike was never sanctioned by the
union officials.
Evening star., 1913-12-07

threatened that IL there was a strike all
the employees who quit their work would
be permanently discharged. but the men
hope to be able to make a political issue
of their demands and to gain the support
of the large trade unions.
The government is making tentative ar
rangements to enlist the services of mill
tary telegraphers to take the place of
strikers. in case of need, as thd French
government did during the great rail-
road strike in that country in October,
1910.