Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-28
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
District Centennial Committee Sub
mits Its Report.
PRESIDENT WILL SEND IT TO CONGRESS
Many Representatives Confer About
Porto Rican Bill.
9TH ER CALLERS TODAY

The executive committee Of the District
of Columbia centennial committce-Senator
Perkins, District Commissioner Wight, John
Joy Edison, NJ. NJ. Parker, w. V. Cox and
Gen. George H. Harries-called on Presi-
dent Mckinley this morning and presented
the report of TIE work of the centennial
committee. This report gives the plans for
the centennial celebration, together with
the propositions for the enlargement of
the White House and the building of a CEN
tennial avenue
The President will send the report to Con-
gress, with a message of his own recon-
mending the adoption of the plans pro-
posed. The President expressed gratifica-
ton at the work of the committee, and
was especially pleased with the recommen-
dation for an enlargement of the White
House 1t is thought he will add personal
recommendation on this subject in the mes
sage he will send to Congress. He would
hesitate to alone recommend an enlarge
ment. inasmuch he would not care to
De misunderstood. but as the governors of
all the states have united in an expression
or the absolute need for a larger building
he will strengthen their action by his own
recommendation
The committee was satisfied with the In
tervfew. and each member feels that the
active aid of the President is certain at all
Stages OF the work for the centennial.
Conferences on Porto Rico Bill.
Ihe great Importance Of the fight In the
House over the Porto Rican tariff measure
was keenly felt today at the White House.
where discussion of the subject was al
most continuous. The President realizes as
strongly as any member of his party that
the question is one of extensive conse-
quence. He stands with his party and de-
sires to see, as exclusively told in The Star
Yesterday, the passage of the amended
cent of the Dingley law and q provisional
qualification as to the time of operation
II he cared to use his influence, one way
or the other he would request members
or the House to vote for the measure as
the republican leaders propose to pass
1t, but he has done nothing more than
to give his opinion to those republicans
who have seen fit to ask him for it,
Many OF them have conferred with him
during the last three days both supporters
and opponents Of the bill. Each side has
gone away with the understanding that the
president will be satisfied with the pas
sage of the bill.
Going Over the Bill.
Representative Tawney. who Is in charge
of the republican alignment for the vote to-
day, called early at the White House, in
forming the President that the vote would
be close, but that he believed the bill would
pass Mr.. Tawney went over the opposition
to the bill in detail, telling the President
about the weak places and the work being
done to strengthen them.
Representative McCleary also talked later
With the President So did Representativ e
Loud of California. Prince of Illinois, Sper-
| ry OF Connecticut. and others. The two lat
| ter, Mr.. Prince particularly, have been
| ranked against the bill, and it was thought
| might vote against it at the last minute.
Two democrats who have been talked of 5
| In favor Of the bill were also at the White
| House, but were on other business, and did
not talk of Porto Rico. They We're Repre-
| sentatives Meyer of Louisiana and Davis
| of Florida. Mr.. Davis is going to vote
| against the bill, but no one knew Repre-
| sentative Meyers intentions this morning.
| Representative McCleary said that he
| thought the bill would pass by ma ajorty
| Of two or three. Representative Loud said:
| Both sides are confident but both are also
| weak.
Senators Allison, Gallinger, Depew and
| E.lkins talked with the President, some Of
| them about the Porto Rican fight.
| Todny's Nominations.
! The President today sent the following
| nominations to the Senate:
| Treasury-Thomas w. Wheeler of New
| York. to be surveyor of customs for the
| port of Port jefferson, n. Y.
| Postmasters: Massachusetts-Willa F
| Wiley, Peabody; Edward A. Ellis, Newton
| Center; stephen Osgood, Georgetown.
| New York-Gilbert Francis, Ellenville
Charles T. Jackson, Goshen; VIM. C. Col
| lins, Homer.
| Pennsylvania-James H. Morrison. Ma
| rienville; Byron G. Hahn, Wilkesbarre.
New Jersey-George B. Jacobus, Cald
| well
Michigan-Eugene T. Slayton. Lapeer.
| Minnesota-F. L. Redfeld, Cloquet.
Missouri-Charles A. Sawyer, Jackson.
| Indiana-F. NJ. Mcdowell Winamac.
| California-H. A. Plimpton, Perris.
| Florida-F. A. Root Miami.
Kansas. H. Smith, Downs.
| Ohio-F. T. Miles, Salem.
| Army-Mator H. NJ. O. Reilly, surgeon, tC
be deputy surgeon general. with rang OF
| lieutenant colonel; Captain VIM. ]. Wake
| man. assistant surgeon, to be surgeon, with
| rank of major: Second Lieutenant c. H
| Whipple, jr., 1st Artillery to be second