Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-21
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Discussing Appointment of a New Fish
Commissioner.
Bowers the Probable Appointee-
Executive Mansion Holiday
Season Saddened,

Senator Elkins saw the President yester-
day and again today regarding West Vir-
ginia offices. 1t is learned that a lively
fight Is being made on Senator Elkins'
candidate for fish commissioner to succeed
Commissioner Brice Mr.. George NJ Bow
ers Is the West Virginia man who will re-
ceiVe the appointment, it Is said. The
basis of the fight against Mr.. Bowers is
that he does not possess the scientific at
tainments which the law makes 1t neces-
sary that the fish commissioner should
have. Senator Elkins does not apprehend
that the fight will be successful and in
forms the President that Mr.. Bowers is
we'll qualified In every way. Mr.. Bowers
has been studying matters pertaining to
the position for six months. The Presi-
dent, 1t is positively asserted, will nominate
Mr. Bowers in January.
Senat ors Cullom Frye and Baker were
callers at the White House prior to the
cabinet meeting
The President is saddened at the death of
his cousin Mrs. Charles r. Miller, in Can
ton, yesterday. Her death Is blow to
both the President and Mrs. Mckinley as
she was one of the most beloved of their
relatives. The President made up his mind
yesterday afternoon to go to Canton to at
tend the funeral. but at last decided not to
go because of the pressure Of business.
The death of the Presidents mother, fol-
lowed by that of Mrs. Miller, will bring
about numerous changes in the Christmas
program at the White House. 1t was at
first intended to have number of guests
and some lively festivities for the young
people, Misses Barber and Duncan, who are
guests at the White House. This will all
he changed and the few guests will be in
innate friends Of the family. =
Discussing the Currency.
Representative McCleary of Minnesota.
one OF the prominent members of the
banking and currency committee of the
House. was visitor who spent some time
with the President this morning discussing
currency affairs and the outlook for legls
lat:on of that description.
The President is deeply interested in the
situation, but will not say much until the
atmosphere clears. He does not care to
become involved in the controversy which
has begun on the subject of Secretary
Cages bill and its probable fate. In his
message ne advised that Secretary Cages
views be given the most careful considera-
ton. For himself, however, the President
made only few recommendations. These
he will stand by and would like to see them
become law.
The House banking and currency COM
mittee has before ii a bill embodying the
recommendations of the President. When
introduced it included other phases Of The
currency laws, but was at last trimmed so
as to contain only the recommendations of
the President. This bill may be reported
to the House in It's present shape. A por
ton Of the committee is in favor Of the
I'LL and wants immediate action. Another
portion favors the bill, but wants delay,
in the hope that some features may be
added which will give additional popular
ity.
The opinion begins to crystalline among
White House callers that Congress will
first act on d bill which contains the Presi-
cents views.
Gifts for the President.
Joseph P. Smith, director of the bureau of
American republics. has sent President Nc
Kin1ey some beautiful Spanish mackerel
caught by him. Owing to ill-health, Mr..
Smith went to Florida some time ago. He
Is at Palm Beach, and is successfully
spending some of his time fishing The
President and Mr.. Smith are close friends
and the former enjoys the product of the
latter'S line.
Francis b. Loomis. the Ohio man who
was made minister to Venezuela has sent
f1n l..,r I~~r