Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-17
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Admiral Walkers Commission to
Make Report.
PRESIDENT WILL COMMENT ON IT
Senator Harris Believes the Mica
ragua Route the Best.
OTHER CALLERS TODAY

By the last of this month, or by the time
Congress assemblies, President Mckinley
will have in his hands preliminary report
of the canal commission. at the head Of
which is Admiral Walker. The report is
now being prepared, and with the excep-
ton OF maps and minor details, it will be
practically complete one. The President
will promptly transmit 1t to Congress. The
report will give the conclusions Of the ':om-
mission as to the most feasible Of the two
proposed routes over which 20 build canal
connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
For more than year the most thorough
investigation Of the proposed routes has
been in progress by the commission. and
the Importance Of the report to be made
will be fully appreciated throughout the
country. The President will have the
port in ample time for comment upon it In
his message and there is no doubt that he
will lead the movement now making head
way for prompt action on the canal ques-
ton.
Senator Harris on the Project.
Senator Harris Of Kansas, one of the ac-
tive democratic members of the Senate ca
nal committee, was at the White House to-
day to pay his respects to the President.
He and the President talked about canal
matters. Senator Harris favors early work
by the Senate on the Nicaraguan canal bill,
and says early report by Admiral Walk
er's commission will do much to hasten the
settlement Of the question by Congress. 1t
is expected that a meeting Of the Senate
canal committee will be called Immediately
on the assembling of Congress. The
port of Admiral Walkers commission will
be referred to 1t and Admiral Walker and
others will be called before the committee
to supplement their written report with
their individual opinions.
Senator Harris said today that he had no
doubt of the selection Of the Nicaragua
canal route. According to the Nicaraguan
minister" he said, there are no conces-
sions and no complications as to that route.
The field is clear. The Panama route is
controlled by a French corporation. We are
offered no more than a pecuniary interest
in this route. We want more than this, and
think we will get more
Southern Representation.
Senator Harris says the coming session of
Congress is no time to take up matters
looking to cutting down representation in
the south Senator Harris likewise believes
that no such legislation will be enacted
while President Mckinley Is the chief ex-
ecutive of the nation.
Several of the Presidents callers today
congratulated him on his position, outlined
In The Star yesterday, against making law
of any measure designed to curtail the
south's suffrage. The President, 1t was
said by a caller today, not only wants
continuation of the era of prosperity, but
of the era of good feeling.
Senator McCumber of North Dakota saw
and talked with the President today Re-
garding the Nicaraguan canal matter, he
does not think there should be hasty legis-
lation. owing to the Importance of the sub
ject. Senator McCumber believes ship
subsidy bill will be one of the measures to
be passed by, Congress.
Representative Lawrence of Massachu-
setts. who is on his way south with the
river and harbor committee of the House.
called on the President. EX-Representa-
tive H. ST. George Tucker of Virginia, tenn
porarily at the head of Washington and
Lee University, and Representative White
of North Carolina were also callers.
Senator Cullom and Controller Dawes
talked with the President about Illinois
affairs.
Senator Chandler a Visitor.
Senator Chandler, against whom a most
bitter fight for reelection is being made in
New Hampshire, remained some time with
the President. The opponents of Senator
Chandler have used to his disadvantage
story that he Is not popular at the White
House.
General Miles had short conference with
the President about army matters, some OF
which will be considered in the Presidents
message.
Secretary Long talked departmental mat
ters with the President, who is now busy
with his message. The President will be
compelled to shorten his visiting hist until
he has finished his message, and for the
next few weeks he will see none except
those having the most important business.
Invited to II New York Banquet.
A committee OF the chamber Of commerce
Of New York called on President Mckinley
yesterday afternoon and invited him to be
a guest at the banquet Of that organizat tion
on Tuesday, the 20th instant Those COM
posing the committee consisted Of Messrs.
]. Edward Simmons, Charles Stuart Smith
and Morris K Jessup. The President ex-
pressed his great appreciation of the invi-
tation, but told the committee, with much
regret, that 1t was practically impossible
for him to accept, because of many de-
mands on the limited time at his disposal
before the meeting of Congress. He told
the committee, however, that he hoped to
be able to meet with the chamber of COM
merce on some future similar occasion.
Some time ago the President accepted an
invitation from the Union League Club OF
Philadelphia to attend its banquet on the
Path instant, on which occasion he expects
to be present.
President Cassatt and the directors OF
the Pennsylvania railroad called on the
President In body yesterday.
Agricultural Department Change.
An imnortant change having for ifs oh