The evening times., 1900-04-18

The first step in securing supplemental
legislation for Porto Rico to relieve the
difficulty now eonfronting the President
in organizing the civil government was ia
ken today by Secretary Root, who submit
ted TO President Mckinley a draft Of a
joint resolution, providing for the reten-
tiOn OF Army officers in their civil posi-
tions in the island until Governor Allen
shall select their successors. Il will
probably be passed without delay.
This legislation has been made necessary
because Of the failure OF Congress 70 pass
the Porto Rican bill earlier than it did
Governor Allen has less than two weeks
within which 10 select civil officials 20 I'll
the island positions now occupied by Army
officers Under tie law when an Army
officer accepts a civil appointment under
the United States he Immediately yacates
his military Office.
Secretary Root and the President had a
conference this afternoon on the question
OF retaining the Army officers in their pO-
sitions pending the installation of the civ
Il government and the former explained
the necessity for the immediate passage
Of the Joint resolution. It was decided at
this conference TO have the resolution Of
fered IN Congress this afternoon
Earlier in the day Speaker Henderson
was clOseted with the President for the
greater part OF an hour On leaving the
White House he declined 10 make any
statement as TO what was discussed. but Il
/ is supposed that the need Of new Porto Ri
| can legislation was the subject
For the most part. callers al the White
! House this morning were inclined 70 doubt
l that Congress would be called upon 20 pass
any additional statutes fer authorizing
Army officers TO hold civil positions
Porto Rico after the Inauguration q Gov
ernor Allen
Senator Davis said 4 do not see any ne
cessity OF enacting additional Porto Rican
legislation There is always a quasi-ln-
terregnUm IL such cases as this in Porto
Rico where the military authorities are
giving place 20 civil officers. Under such
circumstances a little latitude is inevita-
1 bic. No DO not see why Congress should
be called on 10 pass any laws 10 cover that
point"
Representative John A Mcdowell OF Ohio
who called on the President on minor busi-
ness remarked: 4 do not think that the
new Porto Rican government can prove a
success. There will be a double headed
authority. with the civil governor and the
military commander each claiming power.
Should the natives consent 10 the new or
der CT things Governor Allen may get along
comfortably. but a rebellion would put The
army officers IN the saddle. Besides that
there is sure 10 be much carpetbagEinE-
lNO. = have not LeaTI much discussion a. 20
euactiUg additional legislation for carrying
out the Porto Rican law I do not think
any such additional laws viii be put
through
Representative Julius Kahn Of CalifOr-
MA looked in with a party Of friends.
Senator Shoup Of Idaho and Senator Addi-
son G. Foster Of Washington were also
I among the callers.
| Representative Patrick Henry Of Miss
/ issippi called in regard 10 legalizing the
/ bridge over the Pearl River az Rockford
/ The stream has been declared not uavi-
4 gable and Mr.. Henry wants the presence
/ Of the bridge over IT given legal status
! Justice Gray. OF the supreme Court, was
/ with the President for a few moments
/ J. p Burton. OF Abilene Kan. who is
/ one OF the liveliest candidates for The
! Senatorship from the Sunhower state. was
/ among the callers.
The President today approved the hili
| setting apart a portion OF the Arlington es-
! tate for experimental agricultural purpos-
| es, and also the act for the relief Of Hiram
! johnson and Ctners.