The record-union., 1897-09-15

drO harbOr.
WASHINGTON, Sept 14.-Great in
terest attached to the Cabinet meeting
to-day on account of the various i'm
portant questions pending and the fact
that If was the first meeting in some
weeks. Every member of the Cabinet,
except Secretary Long, who is out of
the city, reached the White House
promptly at IL O'Clock, and each had
with him an unusually large number
of papers and documents relating to
matters pertaining to his department.
The morning session was devoted al
most entirely to the consideration of
the Union Pacific, presumably the ad-
Visibility of taking an appeal from the
decree of the United States Court at
Omaha for the sale of the property un-
der the foreclosure proceedings. The
members of the Cabinet were very reti-
cent, an injunction having been placed
on them not to talk of the matter at
this time, but it was stated that an an
nouncement relative to the course the
Government would pursue might be ex-
pected in the course of ten days.
The Cabinet also discussed the San
Pedro. Cal, harbor project, and Attor-
ney-General McKenna rendered an
opinion which will be formally promul-
gated, which is to the effect that Sec
retary Alger should proceed under the
law to carry out the project of build
ing q breal1Water and making other
improvements at San Pedro.
The Civil Service decision in the
Wood case and it's effect on the law
was also informally talked over. Meth
er the decision on discriminating sec
tion % of the tariff act nor the Cuban
or Hawaiian questions were mentioned
at the meeting.
The condition of affairs in the Klon-
dixie and danger of persons who have
started for the gold fields without an
adequate supply of provisions are mat
ters about which the members of the
Administration have a great deal Of
anxiety. and there will be a possibility
of affording relief to these persons. AS
sietant Secretary of the Treasury Van
derlip said that he and the Secretary
had given it much consideration, but
he was at a loss to see what could be
done The Administration has no mon
ey at it's disposal that can be legally
expended on a relief expedition and
the physical conditions of the country
in Alaska are such that it would be
impossible to do anything if there was
plenty of money to draw on.
Though there was a full discussion of
the Union Pacific Railroad matter, it is
learned that no decision was reached
as to the course to be pursued by the
Government, and it is presumed that
no announcement will be made regard
ing il until a definite conclusion is
reached.
Some differences Of opinion upon
matters of detail exist between Secre-
tary AIger and Attorney General Nc
Kenna over the San Pedro project, and
it was left to these two Cabinet Of
ficers to adjust their differences of
poinion and then to make a statement
for the benefit Of the public
Secretary Alger adverted to the
probable necessity for relief measures
for the benefit of Americans who have
rushed heedlessly into the Klondike
gold fields but the discussion of this
matter was informal and fruitless of
results.
The President is clearing up all i'm
portant matters as to which Cabinet
consultations are necessary for the
purpose of taking another vacation as
soon as possible, but it was said this
afternoon that he would probably be
delayed here by pending business
longer than he had anticipated when
he returned.
With reference to the KlondilQe rush,
Secretary Alger laid before the Cabinet
several kilograms urging relief for
stricken Ivospectors, including one
from the citizens of Tacoma, repre-
senting that distress existed already at
Dawson City, stating that starvation
had begun and praying that a revenue
cutter with supplies be sent to St Mi
chae1 and distribute the supplies to
those in need of them. The discussion
made it evident that the Cabinet was
not quite clear that the Government
authorities had warrant Of law for
furnishing supplies, but Secretary Al
ger teIegraphed to Senator Perkins Of
California, who is interested in a line to
Alaska, asking him If he would under
take to deliver a shipload Of supplies
at St. Michael. IF he found that the
law will not permit the Government to
send supplies, then relief will be fur
nished by private persons in order that
a horror may not grow out of the rush
for gold Some consideration was also
given to the practicability Of get
winter trail via Dyea.
The Government viii now go ahead
with the construction Of a breakwater
at San Pedro and viii push the work
on the project, though some matters
yet remain open for adjustment.
After the Cabinet meeting, Secretary
Alger, in answer to inquiries, authoriz-
ed the following statement: you can
say that on the 9th Of August I re-
ceived at Lake Champlain an opinion
from the Attorney General which was
in effect that I would be justified in
building the breakwater at San Pedro
and spending as much money as is
necessary for that purpose without re-
gard to the improvements of the har-
ber The work will be advertised for
in due time, in accordance with that
opinion"
Senator German says he cannot be in
,7,,oad +o ak pOlificS during vacation