The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-07-21


WASHINGTON, July 2o.-
New York is entitled to recog-
milton. The War Department, by
reason OF the many legal ques-
tions which will come up in con
nectiOn with Our new Dependent
cies, should have at its head one
of the best available lawyers in
the country
President Mckinley has made this
statement so many times Of late that
it has come tC being accepted in all
quarters here as definitely settled that
a lawyer rather than a soldier. is 10 be
placed at the head OF the War De-
partment OF the available New York
lawyers, the President has spoken Of
Elihu Root to several friends to-day in
a manner which indicates that he is be-
ing more strongly considered in con
nectiCn with the War Department port
folio at the present time than any other
man. At the same time. the President
has declared that he has not fully
made up his mind and that he will not
do so for several days. He has assumed
a listening attitude. He wants TO hear
what the country has to say about
various men who may be suggested as
available timber. and to consult with
the party leaders before reaching a de-
cisiOn.
It was reported here to-day that
Governor Roosevelt and Senator Piatt
have indicated General F. V Greene
OF New York as their soldier candidate.
and Mr.. Root as their FIRST choice
among New York lawyers. Since the
President has declared that the matter
is still open. there is an earnest wish
among many public men here that he
will finally recognize the necessity of
having a man Of quick and vigorous
action at the head Of the War Depart
ment, and will meet the country's de-
mand for the appointment Of Governor
Roosevelt. They fear. however, that
he is so welded to the idea of having
a lawyer instead of a soldier as his
War Secretary that it will be impos-
sible to change his opinion upon this
point.
In further explanation of his desire
TO have a trained lawyer, Mr. Mckinley
. Depart
ment would for the next two or three
years be the most important legal
branch of the Government Questions
of policy in regard to the new civil
governments for the colonies will have
to be considered and plans outlined for
Congressional legislation There are
also many important legal questions in
connection with river and harbor i'm
provements which always require the
attention of a good legal mind.
AS to the conduct of the war
the President feels that he already
has that subject we'll in hand.
The new provisional army is rapidly
organizing, and the plan of campaign
for the. fall is pretty well defined. With
the assistance of Adjutant General
Corbin and General Miles, who is to
be the new factor in the future mill
tary work of the War Department.
now that the disturbing element has
been removed, the President feels that
he. as commander in chief of the army,
will be able to carry the Philippine
war to a successful conclusion. leaving
the new Secretary of War free for the
administrative and legal work of the
Department.
oeCtetdIy AISel VIII pIoDdpIy ledNe
Washington early next week. severing
his official connection with the War
Department on Monday, when he ex-
poets to turn over his office to Assist
ant Secretary Meiklejohn, who will
reach here on Saturday, and act as
Secretary of War until a permanent
secretary assumes the office Secre-
tary Alger will spend the remaining
days of his service in closing up a
number of matter with which he is es-
pecially familiar. including some knot
ty bridge and engineering projects He
maintained silence to-day respecting
his resignation and the causes which !
led to it's tender. and it is understood
that if he takes the public at all into
his confidence, it viii not be until he
is entirely out of office.