Items of Interest June 26, 1902 Issue

Items of Interest

Orders have been issued by the Navy Department to fit all ships of the North Atlantic station, now undergoing repairs, with spars for receiving wireless telegraph messages. This is part of the preparation for the war practice to take place in the West Indies next winter by the combined North Atlantic, South Atlantic, and European squadrons. Before installing the wireless apparatus on each ship Admiral Bradford will conduct experiments at Washington and Annapolis, and between these two points, to determine the relative merits of four wireless telegraph systems—one English, one French, and two German.

Postmaster-General Payne is urging the passage of a bill providing for the adoption of some form of postal currency. He thinks that postal checks should be provided which would be more easily obtained and cheaper than the present money order. The extension of the rural free delivery requires a cheap, convenient, and safe method for transmitting small amounts through the mails. Postal checks would be available in those sections not heretofore covered by the money order offices or the banks of the country.

In response to the Senate resolution calling for information as to the cost of the war in the Philippines, Secretary Root says the total expenditure up to date (June 19) is $170,326,586. The expense of the war is really less than this, he states, as the cost of large and valuable properties which still remain on hand in the Philippines for use, is included in the above amount.

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