Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-17
Porto Rico's Government Discussed
by the Cabinet.
PROGRAM Laid OUT FOR GOV. ALLEN
Legislature Not Likely to Meet Be-
fore Next Winter.
STATUS OF THE MILITARY

The new civil government for Porto Rico
was discussed for several hours in the
cabinet today. The President and his ad-
visers are firm in the belief that a splendid
civil government is to be established and
the foundations laid for one of the best
states of the Cnion.
The program outlined IN the cabinet
| is for Governor Allen to proceed to Porto
Rico, look over the ground, talk with ma
tives, establish embryo civil government
after his Inauguration. return here and
confer with the President about further
steps will be taken. After Mr.. Aliens re-
turn he will give his advice as to the APP
pointment of executive officers. Immediate
ly after the inauguration of the executive
| branch OF the government will follow the
establishment of the judicial branch. The
President wants to appoint well-knowa and
able men as judges of the island. The last
branch OF the government to be set to
working will be the legislative. The ex-
ecutive council, with five native represent
atlVes. will constitute the upper branch of
the Porto Rican legislature. The lower
branch will be elected by the people 1t is
not thought now that the election can he
he'd under satisfactory conditions before
next fail or winter. BY that time it is
thought that the people ought to be in
position to vote intellgently for members
of the legislature.
laws the present laws of the island viii be
| enforced. Soldiers of the army. under Gen.
Davis, will remain in the island until the
civil government is working in all its
branches. The military will be under the
command of Gov. Allen, however, the
District National Guard is subject to the
orders of the President The soldiers will
constitute a police force. When the legisla-
-ture has enacted laws and these go into OPP
Grafton the soldiers viii retire
Before the Cabinet Meeting.
The President shook hands with two large
parties of strangers and received five or
six people prior to the assembling Of the
cabinet. He had brief conferences with
Senators CullOm, Nelson and McComas,
Representative William 4. Smith and T. J.
Atkins, chairman of the state republican
committee of Missouri The latter was
talking about politics in the west. Senator
McComas had some Maryland matters 10
take up with the President.
Men Who Were Anti-Adm N Is ion.
The visit of Senator Nelson was largely
personal He was one of the republican
senators who opposed the administration
policy as to a Porto Rican tariff. Senator
Davis was another. Both of these are on
as friendly relations with the President as
before their fight. They could have sulked
and kept away from the White House had
they desired to continue opposition of any
kind. In this respect they wholly un-
like some of the other republican senators
who have opposed administration policy
and continue to do
Senator Mason, who became estranged
from his party on the Philippine question.
has not been TO the White House in many
months; IN fact, more than q year. He has
apparently decided to cut all relations with
the Executive Mansion. Politically he has
ceased 10 make recommendations on the
ground that he does not propose to be ig-
nored.
Senator Hoar has remained away from
| the White House on political missions
Notwithstanding his opposition to the Pres
fdent on Philippine matters. he went to the
White House to pay his respects when he
| returned to Washington at the beginning
of the session of Congress. The President,
| too. has not thought Of ignoring the VEN
cradle senator from Massachusetts, and
| during the social season invited him to the
| dinner given in honor of the Supreme
! Court Senator Hoar is chairman of the
| judiciary committee of the Senate. and The
chairman of this committee has always
| been invited 10 the Supreme Court dinner.
| So Senator Hoar's relations are formally
| in fair shape.
Senator Hale. whose views as to the Phil
| tppines We're at one time quite pronounced
| in their opposition to the views of the ad-
ministration, never for a moment suspend
| ed his visits to the President, and il is
| doubtful if he was ever on the administra-
cerned.
| Senator Beveridge has greatly widened
| the intervals Of his visits to the Executive
Mansion since his speech on the Porto
Rican bill and is almost a stranger to the
Presidents doorkeeper. 1t is not believed
| this will be permanent, however
Senator Proctor, who voted against the
Porto Rican bill is as strong at the White
House as ever. So are Senators Ross. ST.
mon and others
a frequent visitor now IS Representative
Sibiey, formerly a democrat. While one of
the democratic leaders he never went to the
White House. Now he is there as often as
once a week.