Items of Interest September 1, 1906 Issue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

According to a statement issued by the chief clerks of the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Congress at its last session appropriated for the fiscal year 1907, $879,589,185.16, or $59,404,550.20 more than the sum appropriated at the preceding session. The largest item is contained in the appropriation for the Post Office Department, the amount allotted being $191,695,998.75. The next largest, $140,245,500, was given for pensions, or nearly twice as much as was allowed for the support of the army, and over $40,000,000 more than was granted for the navy establishment. Of the net increase of $59,404,550.20 over 1906, it is stated $42,447,201.08 was for the Panama Canal, the balance being accounted for through the appropriations for the carrying out of the meat inspection law, continuance of contracts for river and harbor work, reorganization of the diplomatic and consular service, and extension of the rural free delivery service.

Specifications for bids to furnish Chinese labor for the construction of the Panama Canal were issued last week by the Isthmian Canal Commission. The basis for bidding is for twenty-five hundred coolies; but the Commission may call for additional Chinese laborers, should the experiment be successful, up to two thousand per month, after four months previous notice to the contractor. Chinese laborers will be required to work ten hours each day. Overtime will be paid in excess of ten hours, and for all the work upon Sundays or holidays at the rate of time and a half.

It is proposed to organize, at the International Congress for the Expansion of the World's Commerce, at Brussels on Sept, 7, a permanent polar research commission and a general polar assembly, with a central committee. The congress will aim to bring about an international agreement on disputed questions in regard to polar geography; to make a general effort to reach the poles; to systematize scientific polar research, and to promote the study and publication of the results of polar expeditions.

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