Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-05

Knox. The President did not say when
Mr.. Knox is expected here to assume the
duties of his office, but it is inferred that
the time will not be long off,
Russia Not to BE Insistent
At the cabinet meeting brief but inn
portant statement was made by Secretary
Hay that he had received information that
Russia is not going to be insistent, as re-
ported, as to the Manchurian agreement
This information was received with pleas
ure, in view of the fact that it tended to
show that Russia Will not give trouble in
China after all. The dispatches from the
east during the last few days indicated
that Russia will make China stand by her
agreement at the point of bristling bayo-
nets and that she win defend herself in
Manchuria against all comers.
Guarding Against Fire.
Frank J. Wagner, third assistant chief
of the fire department, has made thor
ough study of the White House and its
surroundings that he may know just how
to handle a fire should one break out in
the home of the President. Mr.. Wagner
went all through the building with Col.
Bingham, and likewise made a careful sur
vey of the exterior and grounds, together
with the water connections. Mr.. Wagner
has charge of the fire section in which the
White House is included. 1t has been
many years, not within the recollection of
the oldest attaches, since there was even
an approach to fire at the Executive
Mansion. A fire now would be nearer i'm
possible than in other days, for the rea-
son that policemen are on duty inside and
outside the building throughout the night
and day. In the years gone by, especially
up to ten or twelve Years ago, there was
only a watchman on the lookout at night
and half the time he was taking nap
Up to II o'clock at night now there are.
five or Si fl,-fI IN hs. bt,ild
and after that hour five people remain on
duty throughout the building until o'clock
in the morning, when another squad comes
on duty. Both of the night squads are
vigilant and wakeful. In fact, they can't
be otherwise, as there are electric time
clocks to be wound eTcry fifteen minutes.
1t is impossible, 1t is said, to beat these
clocks, which are placed at different points
throughout the building.
The White House is also fully provided
with modern fire apparatus. Automatic
fire alarms are placed at intervals and in
case of excessive heat turn in alarms at
the engine houses AT various points are
fire eXtinguishers and hand grenades On
top of the White House are two tanks that
are kept filled with Potomac water. One is
for house purposes-drinking and bathing.
The other Is for other purposes. These
can be utilized in case of fire, as there is
hose at convenient points.
All in all. the chances are few for fire
at the Executive Mansion.
The Trip to California.
The President is looking forward to the
long tour through the west with great
pleasure, and speaks of it with enthusiasm.
General Mayer Of New Orleans told the
President that the plans for his stay in
that city had been practically completed
an elaborate demonstration is being ar
Ranged. The city will be decorated appro-
priately in honor of the visit of the chief
schedule the presidential party will reach
New Orleans at 4:3O pm. May 1. That
Presidents honor. At the banquet the
President will probably make a brief
speech. On the -ullowing morning there
will be carriage ride through the city,
the old government building during the
Spanish and French regime. After
luncheon the party will be given a sail
along the river front. The President will
day.
Representative Burleson Of Texas ar
ranged with Secretary Cortelyou regarding
the Presidents trip through Texas
Senators Cullom, Lodge and Proctor saw
the President Among other callers were
Representatives. elect Blakeney and Schirn,
and Mr.. Wheatley of the Baltimore cham
Der of commerce.
Appointments Made Today.
The following appointments were made by
the President today:
Navy-Rush r. Wallace, jr., to be first
lieutenant IN the marine corps: John s.
Doddridge to be a lieutenant; Thomas Lutz
Stitt, to be an ensign; Conrad w. Lung
quist, to be gunner; Clayton p. Hand, a
carpenter; Frederick r. Hazard, to be a
Aoatswain; Arthur Smith, to be boat
swain; Osborn Deigman, to be a boatswain.
Osborn DeIgnan, who Is appointed boat
swain, is one of the sailors who accompa-
MED Naval Constructor Hobson on the ia
nous Merrirnac expedition into Santiago
bay while the harbor was being blockaded
by the American feet. 1t was the desire of
the President to reward Deignan for his
bravery on that occasion by appointing him
naval cadet at Annapolis. but he was not
eligible. -
Much Talk About Civil. Service.
The greater part of the cabinet session
was given to a discussion of civil service
matters. The discussion was brought
about by the visit the President received
yesterday from John Joy Edson Richard