Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-25

plans in advance of his final assumption
of the duties of his office, August l.
Mr.. Root reached Washington last night
after 10 o'clock, and was driven to the Ar
lington Hotel. Word of his arrival was sent
to the White House, and Mr. Cortelyou i'm
mediately went over and escorted him to
the Presidents Office, where Mr.. Mckinley
was awaiting him.
1t was 1915 o'clock when Mr.. Root re-
turned 70 his hotel. He declined to discuss
his presence in Washington, or to commlni-
cate any views for publication.
Eject of Mr. Roots Visit.
Mr. Roots visit has aroused renewed in
terest in official circles over Cuban and
Porto Rcan affairs. 1t is generally as
sumed that he will go to work at once upon
the matters on which the President desires
to act in the near future, and in which
questions of law will figure to a large ex-
tent
In this connection it is considered prob
able that PorSo Rtcan affairs viii be taken
up at an early date The President has
been urged to put into operation a code OF
laws for that island Immediately, and not
wait for Congress to act. He has been ad-
vised by competent authority that the right
to establish a code of laws for military
possession undoubtedly is vested in the
chief executive, and the necessity of ame-
loraCrg the conditions in Cuba is well un-
derst pod on ali sides.
While the insular commission is drafting
a proposed code for Porto Rico it would
have to be passed upon by the executive,
and the duty of revision will no doubt be
intrusted to Mr.. Root.
Municipal Elections in Cuba.
Preparations for holding municipal cleo
tions in Cuba will be made under Mr. Roots
supervision. These elections Will be Cuba's
initial venture in se.f-governnent. and Tie
outcome OF the experiment viii be watched
with great interest by the administration.
Upon it will depend in large measure the
more complete establishment of salf-goTern-
ment for the Cubans
President Mckinley is anxious 20 let the
Cubans try it. He wants TO carry out the
solemn pledge of this government to give
the Cubans their own. When he does, how
ever, he wants to be sure mat they are abe
to take care Of the priceless Gift of liberty
which the United States bestows upon
Cuba.
Mr.. Root called at the White House today
toward the close of the cabinet meeting and
was later introduced to his future col
leagues. AT the close of the cabinet meet
ing Mr.. Root spent some time with the
President and went TO New York on the
12:45 train.
Confers with Secretary AIgcr.
Secretary Alger and Mr.. Root had short
conference at the War Department this
morning prior TO the CABINET meeting al
the White House. On arriving at the de-
partment this morning Secretary Ager
sent word to Mr.. Foot at the Arlington
Hotel that he would be pleased to call and
pay his respects at Mr.. Roots convenience.
Mr.. Root replied that he would prefer to
call on the Secretary at the War Depart
ment and fixed 1o:30 as the time for the
visit.
Secretary Alger awaited his arrival at
that hour and gave him a most cordial
greeting. The two gentlemen spent about
half an hour together in the Secretarys
private office. and it was arranged that the
transfer of the office should be made Tues
day morning. the lst proxinlo. when the in
coming Secretary will formally receive The
chiefs of bureaus and other officials Of the
department and enter actively Upon the dis
charge of his new duties. Secretary -Aleer
explained that he had arranged t, go TO
New York this evening on private business
which would probably keep MIN there until
next Monday, but that he would arrange
his business SO as to be at the derarfrnanr
Tuesday morning in order to assist in the
installation of his successor in Office Mr.
Root said he had also arranged to leave The
city this afternoon to attend 10 some brit
vate matters in New York pending the as-
sumption of his new duties.
During their conference Assistant Scores
tary Meiklejohn and Chief Clerk Schofieid
were summoned hy Secretary Alger and
personally introduced to the new Secre-