The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-07-30
Washington Whisperings.

WASHINGTON. July q. What was a
suspicion has now become settled con-
viction, that a small group of senators
have formed an offensive and defensive
alliance to defeat the River and Harbor
Appropriation bill. which has been drag
cling along in the Senate since June 18th.
Senator Burton of Ohio, former chair
man of the Rivers and Harbors commit
tee of the House, seems to be in charge
of the opposition to the bill. having
taken up nearly all the time thus far
given to the consideration of the bill,
which carries in round numbers some
! fifty-three millions of dollars.
In. notable interview given to the
press, General Dan C. Kingman, chief of
the Corps of Army Engineers, came out
f1at-footed in support of this measure
which has become the target for Sena-
tor Burton's shafts, in which the distin-
guished head of the engineers said that
there was, in his judgment, ''less than
one-half of one per cent pork in the
River and Harbor bill" and he believed
it was freer of questionable appropria-
tons than any waterway improvement
bill heretofore reported from the two
committees of Congress charged with
river and harbor matters.
You have no idea how the sentiment
calling for the improvement of our rivers
and harbors has grown in the last few
years, unless you come from the district
in which | live and which borders upon
one of the great natural thoroughfares
of the country, said ex-Congressman
Illinois.
''The National Rivers and Harbors
Congress and the great commercial bod
les of the cities interested in the ques-
ton of cheaper transportation are large
ly responsible for this awakening.
ANY senator, in my judgment, who
would attempt to talk such bill to death
would be inviting his own political ruin. "
An eviction, that had much of the So
lemnlty that characterized the seizure of
the humble homes of the Irish peasantry
for non-payment Of rent, was recently
enacted in the Nations capital, when
Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood was dispossessed
of her home in which she had lived for
forty. years, her goods set out in the
street, and the only woman who ever ran
for the presidency was forced into lodg-
ings far removed from the scenes of her
former activities. Mrs. Lockwood's
home was purchased last December by
the New England Casualty Company. 1t
was believed that friends would come to
the assistance of the aged suffragist and
champion of international peace, but not
enough money was subscribed to hold the
residence for one of the notable women
of the century, and SO, in the twilight of
her life, the veteran worker for the well
tare of women has been compelled to
erect her lares and penates in another
place and in different part of the city.
When the old fighting frigate, the Con-
stelation, the oldest ship in the Ameri-
can navy, arrives in Baltimore harbor
for the National Star-Spangled Banner
Centennial. to be held during the week
of September Och, it will be the 117tl an
niversary of her launching in that har-
Dor, so famous for its clipper ships. The
ancient vessel will be towed from New
port, Ri de Island, to the navy yard in
Brooklyn, where she will be put in sea-
worthy condition for her trip down the
coast and up the bay to the Patapsco. At
ter the celebration incident to the birth of
Francis Scott Keys immortal tribute to
the flag, the Constellation will come to
Washington to find permanent berthing
in the historic Potomac, shrine for the
thousands of visitors who come to the
Capital of the Republic throughout the
year.
Striking facts regarding our forest re-
sources, their values and their waste,
are condensed in an eight-page, illus
trated circular of the American Forestry
Association just published. The lumber
industry is said to employ 735, 900 people.
to whom are paid annually 1857, 900, 900
in wages, the value of products being
81, $50, 900, 900. The forests of the coun-
try cover $50, 900, 900 acres.
An average of 70 human lives are sac
rifced annually in the forest fires, says
the circular, and loss occurs of $685.
900, 900. Damage from insects and tree
diseases, which follow fire, costs each
year s5O,oOo,0OO The cost of destruc-
ton resulting from floods is not esti-
mated, but is given as countless mil
lions"
hot