Evening star., 1898-03-12
NO word HAS COME
The President Not Informed BY the
Maine Court Of Inquiry.
Is IGNORANT OF ITS VERDICT
No Better Posted Than the Humblest
Citizen.
REPORTS ION PROGRESS OF WORK
Cabinet Members Assemble at the
White House.
ACTIVITY CONTINUE

The President has received no in
timation OF what the court of inquiry
into the Maine disaster will report.
The President has not had word
from any man directly or indirectly
connected with the court, either as to
the trend of the testimony or the
opinions of the members of the court.
The President, it can be stated fur
ther, would consider it highly unbe-
coming to obtain any advance in
formation as to the findings, as he
desires that the courts verdict shall
be above all suspicion of being in
fiuenced. Upon the verdict of that
court will probably hang momentous
action-action on which it is desired
to have the approval not only OF this
nation, but of the world.
Secretary Long, Secretary Alger,
Secretary Gage, Representative
Dingley and others close to the Pres
ident today condemned the publish
ed stories OF advanced information
being received as utterly false, and
as having no foundation.
The President today feels as keen
an interest in what the board will re-
port as the humblest citizen OF the
country, and today expressed to the
cabinet his deep interest. He is at
sea as much as anybody.
1t is not denied by prominent Wis
itors to the White House that each
man has his belief as to what the re-
port OF the board will show, and it is
thought that on these expressions OF
mere belief have been founded stories
that the administration knows OF the
findings.
Reporting to the President.
There was a long conference at the
White House today. the participants be-
ing the President and Secretaries Alger
Long and Gage. When these officials ar
rived, shortly after 10 o'clock, the Presi-
dent entered the adjoinii & room where had
assembled a number of congressional vis-
itors, and. shaking hands with each VS.
itor. said he would be engaged for u good
while and would be unable to see any one
Ia detail.
The conference with two of the cabinet
officials continued for about two hours
Secretary Long did not remain more than
half Of that time. Secretary Long was ac-
companied by Commander Bradford, chief
OF the equipment bureau of the Navy De-
partment- The President had asked for a
report from the equipment bureau and this
was furnished by the Secretary and COM
rnander- Details Of everything. even to the
supply of coal, Were given, and the condi-
tion presented was satisfactory. All this
happened just few minutes before the
presentation of the Spanish minister
Work of the War Department
tie President received a detailed report
from Secretary Alger as to what is being
Gone i'll the War Department General
Alser went TO the White House by reauesf
TO make this report. The President takes q
keen interest in these matters and listened
1ttenuVely to an explanation cf the War
Departments ideas of what is necessary to
be done
The reception by the President of reports
from the War and Navy Departments in
dicGtes how closely he is keeping in touch
with the preparations throughout the coun-
try.
Fortifying the rortagas.
At the close of Secretary Alger's report
discussion followed, Secretary Gage TAX
ing part. in regard to fortifying the Dry
Tcrtugas- 1t is now a quarantine station,
In charge OF the Treasury Department.
Secretary Gage will consent to turning the
island over to the War Department If IL is
thought advisable to use 1t as fortified
place. The matter was left undecided, open
to = decision to be hereafter reached
The National Defense Appropriation.
Secretary Gage discussed the subject of
money from the Cannon resolution. The
President is anxiCUs that the public shall
krow in the future what was done with
every penny OF the money now being spent
and 10 be spent For that reason it has
been decided that Secretary Gage will keep
separate account OF the Cannon appro-
pTiatio-s- The expenditures will not be
rixed up with the ordinary expenses OF
the government and of the War and Navy
Departments.
In the future, with the expenses open to
any one for investigation. there will be
no opportunity for political capital.
The cabinet officers who took part in the