Items of Interest February 3, 1906 Issue

Items of Interest

Secretary Shaw, though a firm advocate of civil service, in a public address favored a fixed term of six years for all Government employes in Washington doing routine work, after which period they shall be ineligible to reappointment. His idea is to give the largest possible number of young people an opportunity to live in Washington, partaking of its educational advantages, but not to provide life tenure in the public service, except to certain specified experts in the scientific and other bureaus. Discussing the proposed pension plan, he said: "Thirty years in a Government position, which thirty thousand others have desired, is no justification for demanding a pension at the hands of those who have been excluded."

Bids were opened at the Bureau of Insular Affairs of the War Department last week for contracts to be made by the Philippine Government for the construction, maintenance, and operation of railroads in the Philippine Islands as provided by act of Congress. The plans provide for the construction of railway lines on the islands of Luzon, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Leyte, and Samar, whose aggregate mileage is estimated at 1,233 miles.

Yunchung Kim, who has represented Korea diplomatically at Washington as secretary and charge since last June, called at the State Department last week to say farewell to the officials, thereby terminating the independent existence of the Korean legation in Washington. The records and property of the legation have been turned over to Mr. Hioki, the Japanese chargé.

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