Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 July 1905 — WASHINGTON LETTER [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON LETTER

(Special Correspondence.] The death of Secretary Hay will be felt in one of the enterprises of Washington about which little has been known and which has a distinctly philanthropic aspect. Mr. Hay was one of the moving spirits in the organization of the Washington Housing association, which had for its business the building of comfortable, spacious and modern tenements suited for the crowded sections of the city, where the working classes and those of moderate means have for many years been at the mercy of hard conditions in the peculiar landlord system in vogue in the capital. The society was started by a number of men prominent in official life three years ago. The District government lent its aid to the movement by forbiddlng the use of alley property for tenements.

This served to increase rather than lower rents for the poorer class of people. Then Secretary Hay and several of his friends came into the organization and gave it an impetus by the investment of large sums, which has resulted in the construction in all parts of the city of hundreds of houses planned on the flat system, but with only two stories. The rents are based on a 3 per cent return to the stockholders. This brings the rentals down to about half those charged by real estate agents generally throughout the city. The tenant who takes approved care of the premises receives at the end of every year one month’s rent free.

Mr. Hay invested upward of $1,000,000 in this philanthropic enterprise. He kept his connection with it quiet if not secret, and few knew that it was to his money that, the success of the association was in large measure due. New Naval Herniations. The wearing of swords aboard ship on ordinary occasions has been practically abolished by the new wording of the regulations respecting their use, a woven service revolver belt and revolver taking the place of the sword. It is explained by the department that a sword is an unhandy weapon under modern conditions on board ship or in boats and that it serves no useful purpose on occasions other than those of ceremony. The sword will be worn, however, at ceremonies and at infantry and artillery drills on shore. Navy’s Baa on Foreigners. The regulations governing visitors going aboard vessels under construction have been revised so as to give such permission only to those known to the senior officer present as American citizens of good standing and repute. Visitors representing foreign governments or known to be other than American citizens, it is provided, shall not be permitted to go aboard such vessels except by permission of the navy department and then shall be accompanied by a naval officer on duty at the navy yard or works where the vessel is building.

X»w Medal of Honor. Acting Secretary of War Oliver has issued a description of the new medal of honor. It Is a five pointed star made of silver, heavily electroplated In gold, and has as Its central figure the head of Minerva, sj mbollzing "wisdom and righteous war.” An open laurel wreath enameled In green encircles the star, and the oak leaves at the bases of the prongs of the star are likewise enameled In green. The medal is suspended by a blue silk ribbon spangled with thirteen white stars, representing the original states, and this ribbon Is attached to an eagle supported upon a horizontal bar. Upon the bar appears the word “Valor.” The reverse side of the medal Is en graved with the name of the person honored and the place and date of the service for which awarded. Printing Office Fnrnitnre. Visitors to the government printing office frequently comment on the larg? amount of massive oak furniture scattered through the various branches of the plant, the natural wood finish and neat and serviceable appearance of the pieces attracting particular attention. It is said that no printing office in the world is so completely furnished with working conveniences as the big United States Institution in this city, vfliat is termed the “carpenter shop” being largely responsible for this state of affairs.

What was once a plain everyday carpenter shop has been gradually transformed into a modern manufactory, expert cabinetmakers, finishers, painters, woodworkers and laborers being represented in the establishment under Superintendent A. A. Bundy. Modern machinery Is in use, and the best grades of wood In stock enable them to turn out any article which may be desired In the office in that line. All work Is turned out of the rough lumber.

Carlo Sam’s Meaey. Uncle Sam for the first time In eight years began to count his money on July 1, a job made necessary by the recent change in treasurers. The gold, sliver, currency and bonds approximate >1,300,000,000, and it will take three or four months to complete the task.

About 5,000 tons of coin will be counted. There are >150,000,000 In standard sliver dollars, >8,000,000 In gold coin, >100,000,000 in United States notes held as reserve to replace those now tn circulation when they become unfit for further use, >25,000,000 tn gold certificates held in reserve, >75,000,000 In silver certificates held In reserve, >550,000,000 in bonds held as security for national bank circulation and other minor items, aggregating between >1,200,000,000 and >1,800,000,000. The count eight years ago showed >750,000,000 In the vaults. In the count the coins will be tested by weighing rather than by actual count CARL SCHOFIELD.