The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-03-19
Washington Whisperings.

OF the Leading business men OIL the Hdtloiii
boards of trade, chambers of commerce,
and other trade bodies, which has taker
the liveliest possible interest in bringing
about an annual river and harbor bill Of
generous proportions, has again taker
up the cudgels against the repeal of that
portion of the Panama Canal act relating
to free tolls for American ships engaged
in coastwise trade. A letter has recent
w been sent out to all the thousands Of
members of the big waterway organiza.
ton stating the merits of the contro-
versy which has been revived through
President Wilson's expressed desire fol-
the repeal of the free tolls provision OF
the act and calling upon these members
to express their views, whether in favor
of the American or the British conten-
ton, Great Britain insisting that the
Hay Pauncefote treaty has been violated
through the free tolls provision Of the
Panama Canal act. The referendum
which the National Rivers and Harbors
Congress has instituted will be watched
! most closely as it will give fair refiec-
ton of the will of the people on this very
vital question.
An episode that tickled official Wash
ington immensely occurred at the recent
brilliant reception at the White House
by President and Mrs. Wilson to the
Army and Navy. 1t is an episode that
at first blush seems ungallant to repeat,
but nevertheless it is going the rounds
OF the drawing rooms here by reason of
the unpopularity of the ''lady in the
case" who is the wife of cabinet officer
under former administration. She
was cordially and generally disliked dur
ing her regime and made so many out
spoken and powerful enemies that at
times the situation grew SO serious as to
cause surprise that the cabinet officer
did not resign his portfolio. But he did
not, and at the recent White House re-
ception this lady was conspicuous
figure. Through the courtesy of the
First Lady of the Land the ex-cabinet
hostess was invited to the sacred pre-
cincts of the Blue Room. She took her
place directly behind her own successor,
one of the most gracious and winning of
the present cabinet, and, not content
with this conspicuous place. the lady
gave expression to unpleasant remarks
and criticisms which were overheard by
number of the guests.
An acquaintance from the last admin
istration greeted her with pleasant re-
mark about it's seeming little strange
not to see her in her old place, and one
speech led to another until the lady her
self shrugged her shoulders and said: ga
case of every dog has his day" TO which
ungracious remark statesman of fame,
boiling with suppressed anger, brutalIy
blurted out, eyes, and cats, too, and
then walked hurriedly away, the lady's
eyes swapping blue fire after his retreat
ing form. He would not have SAID it in
the last administration, but all the wom-
en- who heard it, except the victim her
self, ''just ached to hug him." as one
expressed it.
''Girl Wanted" was the sign for some
months about the home of the famous
pure food expert, DR.. Harvey W. Wiley,
the former Chief of the Bureau of Chem
istry of the Department of Agriculture,
but on a recent morning the sign Ia fig
urative one, of course) was removed, for
a boy arrived, the second 'pure food
baby" The first one, Harvey w. Jr.,
is not yet two years old, but is pronounce
ed a wonderful success in every way.
The second son of the ex-government
chemist, who is now in his 10th year,
bids fair to be just as great a success.
He tipped the scales at ten pounds at his
birth, and his famous father is the proud
est man in Washington. However. the
"Girl Wanted" sign in the Wiley home
has not been destroyed; it is held in re-
serve for the future, says the optimistic
septuagenarian.
Vice President Marshall is acquiring
reputation in Washington society as the
after-dinner speaker of this administra-
ton. The vice president is nothing if
not progressive, although he always has
been happy and felicitous speech-mak-
er. Mr.. Marshall has even progressed.
so far as to acquire broad black ribbon
attached to his glasses, feature of a
recent administration less Democratic.
The ribbon gives the vice president an
added dignity, although it is criticised by
some of the super critical in Washington
as not savoring of Hoosierdom or of
Democratic simplicity.
Children Cry
FOR FLETCHER'S
G ASTORIA
uNAIHtIf MN HAD