Evening star., 1899-02-03
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Nearly Two Hours Session Of the
Presidents Cabinet.
CONDITIONS At HAVANA REPORTED
A Large Number of Callers at the
Executive Mansion.
ST. LOUIS WORLDS FAIR

President McKtneys cabinet remained in
session hour and three-quarters today.
Postmaster General Smith was absent. A
report from Gen Ludlow reviewing the
sanitary conditions in Cuba was read and
discussed, and there was satisfaction eX-
pressed that the document showed an i'm
proved state of sanitary affairs for tie last
month over the previous one. The report
was as follows:
Death rate for January reduced 40 per
cent below last year. Causes, sanitation of
streets and houses. cleaning local points
of infection. vigilance in watching and
isolating infectious cases, medicines and
supplies to sick and food to starving.
There was an Interchange of good feeling
over the success which attended Mr.. Por-
ter's mission to Cuba.
The important question of improving the
sewer system in Havana was taken up. and
it was decided to prosecute the work at
once. Accordingly it was determined that
the President would at once cable Gen.
Brooke to ascertain what part of the work
can be done and completed and covered up
before the rainy season begins, this in
formation being required in order that the
awarding Of contracts may be governed in
telligently.
Presidents Nephew NOmiated.
Mckinley, who was lieutenant in the Sth
Ohio Volunteers during the late war, was
today nominated to be a second lieutenant
in the cavalry arm of the regular army.
He mas been visiting the White House for
some time.
Proposed Worlds Fair in st. Louis.
The early callers at the White House this
morning included Senator Fairbanks, Sen
ator Ekins, Representative William Alden
Smith, Gen. Joe Wheeler and Mr.. Richard
C. kerens of St. Louis. The latter was ac-
companied by ex-Gov. David r. Francis,
Breckenridge Jones, d. p. Robinson, pres
fdent of the st. Louis and San Francisco
railroad: Charles W. Knapp, proprietor of
the st. Louis Republic. The gentlemen
came with the view of obtaining executive
and congressional interest in the proposed
worlds fair to be held in St Louis in 1903
to celebrate the centennial anniversary of
the Louisiana purchase. The delegation
We're much pleased with their reception by
President Mckinley.
1T will be an event" said ex-Gov. Fran
els, ''in which every citizen of the United
States should take substantial interest, and
its International character will command
the attention of the whole world
air. Eikins on Army Scandals.
Senator Elkins departed just as the cabi-
net members We're assembling. He said he
had been talking with the President over
some Senate matters. When asked if he
thought any action would be taken, as an
nounced this morning. toward the suspen-
sion or relief Of General Miles from his
command Senator Elkns smilingly stated
that he knew nothing on the subject. Il
have been Secretary of War" he remarked
and am fairly familiar with such things as
army scandals. But, really, / know moth
ing about the affair you mention"
Secretary Alger was the first of the cabi-
net ministers to reach the White House.
He followed by Attorney General
Griggs. and then Secretary Gage and Secre-
tary Wilson came together.
Reform school Trustee
Before the cabinet met President McEin-
ley signed the appointment of Samuel w.
Curriden. to be a trustee of the District
reform school, to fill the vacancy OCCASION
ed by the death of the late n. w. BurcheII.
Qualification at MIR. POrtcr's Success.
Much qualification is felt in administra-
ton circles over the successful result of
Mr.. Robert p POrter's mission to Gen
Gomez, and the assurances that have been
received in the past tWentyfour hours
that the Cuban army will disband without
further negotiations upon the receipt of the
s. 900, 900 Mr.. Porter was authorized to
offer, are regarded as making the future
problem of the island considerably easier
to solve. The fact that the fund will be
distributed and accepted as relief meas
ure instead of a direct payment for serv-
ices rendered is also regarded with extreme
satisfaction. removing, as it does, any pos
slble basis for the foundation of any claim
that might be made that the payment was
virtually recognition of the Cuban re-
public.
The President has signed the bill au-
thorizing the construction of a bridge
across the Savannah river from the main
land of Chatham county to Hutchinson
Island.