The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-12-27
WASHINGTON.

In December 16, as secretary Of the
treasury in the presence of the Vir-
ginia delegation in congress and a
group of government officials. The
oath was administered by Judge
James Hay of Virginia of the court Of
claims, for many years a colleague of
Mr.. Glass in the house.
Sweeping reductions in long dis
lance and toll telephone rates by. the
adoption of basic charge of 6A mills
a mile, airline mileage, and half the
day rate for night service up to mid
night, and one-fourth the day rate
after that hour, are announced by
Postmaster General Burleson. They
become effective next January q.
Taps" to the volunteer system Of
raising armies in war time by the
United States was sounded here by
Major General EnOch H. Crowder.
provost marshal general, in an address
to the retiring members of 189 New
York draft boards. He earnestly ad-
vocated that the selective service sys-
TEN should become the permanent
method of raising American armies. in
the future.
Abandonment of all construction
work in progress or projected at So
called tent camps" originally laid out
for mobilization of the national guard
and later used for general training
was ordered by the war de-
partment.
Government ownership. of telephone
and telegraph lines was advocated in
the house by Chairman Moon Of the
pOstoffice committee, who introduced
the administration measure c0ntem-
plating government purchase Of the
utilities.
Loading of two more vessels with
cargoes for Russia and completion Of
for continued shipments
through January and February by the
United ...States-Russian bureau, Inc,
was announced Saturday by the war
trade board. d"
The resignation of 172 additional Of
ficers and 4845 men by General Per-
shing for early return home was an
nounced Saturday by the war depart
ment. The largest unit included is the
Fifty-frst regiment coast artillery.
with 70 officers and ITO men.
The state department was advised
Friday that passenger train between
Vera Cruz and Mexico City was
wrecked by Mexican rebels. There
were no casualties and the report did
not identify the rebel band.
Damage caused by the burning Of
the power house at the Hampton
Roads, Va, naval base will not exceed
$4,000, the navy department an
Friday on estimates received
from the commandant
Plans for resuming general trade
with parts Of Russia and Finland were
disclosed Friday by an announcement
from the war trade board that appli-
cations now will be considered for I'M
port licenses for commodities. the chief
Of which are platinum, various hides
and skins and fuels, sulphur and var
lous kinds Of seeds. Shipments will be
made to Pacific ports on vessels allO-
Gated to the United States-Russian bur-
eau, incorporated, of the war trade
board, under conditions to be defined
by the board.
BY a vote Of 1913 to 70 the house
passed bill providing salary increases
of $500 year for each Of the 13l
judges Of the United States district
and circuit courts and the court Of
claims. The measure now goes to the
ienate. District and court claim judges
would receive $500 year and circui!
judges $500.
Negotiations have been begun by the
United States for the purchase Of
property rights on the island Of Ia.
bOga, at the Pacific entrance of the
Panama canal in Panaman territory.
It is said that the plan is to add to the
canal Notifications six batteries Of
coast artillery and post Of 5000 men.
The cost Of the property rights, it is
said, will aggregate $15,00O.OO0.
Low flying and acrobratics by mill
tary aviators during celebrations in the
vicinity of cities, towns and buildings
are forbidden under threatened penal
ties in an order by the war department.
A department announcement said in.
crease in the flying accidents on home
training fields since the armistice had
made action necessary.