New-York tribune., 1899-07-26
PRICE THREE CENTS.
ROOT MEETS THE CABINET.
NEW SECRETARY INTRODUCED TO HIS
FUTURE COLLEAGUES.
HE ALSO HAS A TALK WITH SECRETARY
ALGER-IN HEARTY ACCORD WITH
THE ADMINISTRATIONS ~

ALGER-IN HEARTY ACCORD WITH
THE ADMINISTRATION 'E
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
Washington. July 25.-Elhu Root, the new
Secretary OF War. brought to Washington all
that caution and secretiveness that characterize
the trained lawyer. Without having dropped
more than sentence or two. he returned to
New-York this afternoon, and no one knows
what he said to the President and Secretary
Alger or what advice he received from them.
Unintentionally, Mr.. Root caused a good deal
OF surmise at the White House last night. In re-
sponse to the Presidents message asking him TO
run over to Washington Mr.. Root replied that
he would be pleased to do so, and that he would
be here on Monday evening. 1t was taken for
granted that he would arrive on the Congress
sional Limited at S:25 o'clock. But he did not
come on that train. There was no information
at the White House. and the President was In
utter ignorance Of the movements OF his new
secretary. Some light thrown on the sub
ject about o'clock. when Senator Elkins ar
rived from New-York, having come the
Limited. Mr.. Elkins wanted to the President
In the interest OF constituent who desires an
Army appointment, and he went at once to the
White House on that errand. 1t was Mr. Elkins
who told the President that Mr. Root was not on
the train. He also recited the fact that a mes
senger boy. apparently anxious to see Mr.. Root
had hurried to the train in Jersey City and ap-
pealed TO the Senator to tell him II Mr.. Root was
on the train. This led to investigation, in
which 1t was discovered that Mr. Root was not
aboard. After the train pulled out Senator Ell
kins went through II in search of the new head
Of the War Department. He was not there. and
when Mr. Elkins reached the White House the
President was under the impression that Mr.
Root was in the city, and would come over at
any moment
CONFERENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. Root finally reached Washington at 1920
o'clock, and went at once to his hotel from
which he sent note to Secretary Cortelyou,
asking IL the President desired to see him at
that hour. The President intends to leave
Washington Tomorrow. and every hour up to
the moment of his departure will be crowded
with business, so that he sent for Mr. Root ask
ing him to come Mr.. Root spent an hour
and quarter with the President 1t being hf-
teen minutes after midnight when he left the
Executive Mansion.
What the President and Mr.. Root discussed
in that time is necessarily a matter Of con-
lecture. but it is presumed that they went over
the field of business of the office and the Presi-
dent gave his Secretary his idea OF what
IL
Mr.. Root reached his hotel
There is no doubt that Mr. Root is in thor
ough sympathy with the President. "If Mr.. Root
is not in sympathy with the President. hard
ly think he would have been invited to become
a member of the Cabinet" said Senator Elkins
last night To-day Mr. Root himself said that
| ne was IN hearty accord with the Administra-
! ton.
| IN FAVOR OF EXPANSION.
Yes" said he, in response to an inquiry IT
am In favor Of expansion. 1 understand 1t,
and believe the President has the right idea
| OF this thing" More than this, however. Mr..
Root would not say Il am not yet a member
Of the Cabinet, you know" he replied "and Z
would be manfestly improper for to talk
at this tuncture."
Mr. Root was ready to leave his hotel this
morning at 93O o'clock. A few minutes after
that hour Mr. Mason, Secretary Algers private
secretary, called on him and said that Secretary
Alger would do himself the honor OF calling IL
Mr.. Root would designate any hour that would
be convenient Mr.. Root however, preferred
first to visit the man whom he was TO succeed,
ard 1870 o'clock found him at the War De-
partment. For thirty minutes the two men dis
cussed the business Of the Department In the
most friendly fashion. Then Mr. Root visited
the Navy Department, and a little later called
at the White House, the Cabinet being then in
session
AT THE CABINET MEETING.
It was President Mckinley himself who
brought Mr. Root into the Cabinet room and
presented him to his future colleagues. The
Cabinet was at that time discussing the Alaskan
boundary question. but the session was aban-
doned for the time being In order that the men,
bers might pay their respects to the incoming
member. His greeting was cordial and cheer
full and no one more hearty in his con-
gratulations than General Alger.
AS Mr.. Root left the White House he said
that he had merely over to pay his re-
spects to the President, and had met the men
who would be his future associates. He did not
care to discuss public questions. with which he
had as yet nothing to do. He had been pleas
antly received, and would return to New-York
on the 12:45 train to-day. He expects TO come
back TO Washington the last Of the month TO
assume his new duties. Every one appears to
be pleased with the member OF the Cabi-
ret and he promises to be popular in Washing
ton official and social circles
MR. ROOT RETURNS HERE.