The Washington times., 1901-11-02


Vacancies Soon to lie Taken Up.
President Roosevelt has made more prog
ress in the preparation Of his message
to Congress than any of his predecessors
ever did so far in advance Of the meeting
time of Congress. Mr.. Roosevelt had no
sooner entered the White House after the
funeral of President Mckinley than he
began the collection of facts and opinions
regarding the needs of administration
with a view to the preparation OF the
message which he will send to Congress
soon after it's assembling on December Z.
At the first meeting of the Cabinet, the
President asked the heads of the eNecu-
tive departments to discuss informally
for his information the salient features
of their respective administrations. Al
subse quent meetings he asked them ior
more definite information, including the
recommendations which they expected TO
make in their annual reports, which are
due next month Meanwhile, as is wei
known, he invited leading Senators TO
come to Washington for the purpose OF
conference with him. Several have been
here already, and others are expected
within the next week. He coBfers with
these Senator's in the frecst and most di-
rect manner. discussing public policies
and soliciting their advice
As result of this activity of the Presi-
dent, the message in outline is now all IN
writing. and the written discussion OF
certain subjects which will be treated IN
the document is completed. President
Roosevelt dispatches public business with
great rapidity. This statement applies 10
his present forehanded work on the an
no los
evenings he has even seen fit to forego
his usual custorr Il having guests at din
ner in order that he might work on his
message in the evening. On Tuesday
evening he left the box party which he
and Mrs. Roosevelt were giving at. the
theatre at the end Of the first act. and
there was some wonder in the audience
as to his reason for doing so. He returned
to the White House Immediately and
worked hard for an hour and half on
the important state paper which is now
absorbing so much of his attention. His
work on the message has to be done in
the afte rnoon and evening, for the morn
ings are occupied almost entirely with
official visitors.
The President is writing the message
both by dictation and by his own hand.
When he dictates it is usually TO Assist
ant Secretary Loeb, who transcribes ms
shorthand notes promptly and returns the
typewriter copy to the President, but
large part of the message as it exists
now is in the handwriting of the Presi-
dent himself.
James J. Hill, the railroad magnate.
and Secretary Hay were the President s
guests at dinner last night. Later they
engaged with him in a conference which
lasted until after Il o'clock Mr. HUI
then left for New York. 1t Is thought
that the conference with the railroad
king involved the ship subsidy problem
Mr. Hill is known to have been instru-
mental in defeating the Frye bill at the
last session of Congress, and it is thought
that he is backing the new Ship Subsidy
bill which is being advocated by Repre-
sentatives Jones of washington, Minor
of Wisconsin, and Stevens of Minnesota.
The presence of Secretary Hay at the
conference last night, however, lends col
or to the idea that Mr.. Hill may have
been sounding the Administration on the
subject of the construction OF Panama
canal by American syndicate, formed
about a year ago in New Jersey, by j.
Pierpont Morgan, c. r. Flint August
Belmont. the Seiigmans, Cornelius n
Bliss Edward Gould and other leaders in
the financial world. The purpose IF the
syndicate is to gain control OF the French
concession. and 10 complete the canal in
dependently, and to grant the Govern
meut extraordinary concessions. The
French interests are for sale, and il Is
said that the syndicate will pay as high
as SI5. 100000 for them.
The Colombian Government, 1t is said,
has been sounded by Mr.. Morgan. and
found ready, even anxious. to grant con-
cessiJns to an American syndicate. Sec
retary Hays presence suggests that ne
might have been called in TO furnish in
formation regarding the international
status of such movement.
There is large element in the Senate
which holds that the Clayton-Bulwe
Treaty has no effect so far south as the
Panama course. but in case Of completion
of the canal by a syndicate the abroga-
tion might be made at any time through
the prov isions Of the new treaty said TO
have been already drafted.
The Cabinet session yesterday was
marked by the request on the part Of the
President that each Of the Cabinet mem
bers submit to him lists of existing va
Cancies which soon Will exist under their
several jurisdictions. He wishes to take
up the subject of appointments systemat-
ically. Thus far not a great deal Of at
tention has been paid this subject, and
nearly all decisions have been deferred
until after election day or until Congress
opens.
Secretary Gage discussed with the Cab
met the announcement that the Treasury
Department would purchase certain
bonds His plan to thus reduce the excess
up in the Treasury and thus prevent a
detrimental effect on the circulation was
approved.
Secretary Root talked over Wort Point
matters with President Roosevelt after
the Cabinet meeting. and Attorney Cen
eral Knox discussed number Of judicial
vacancies which now exist or will soon
be open.
Formal condolences on the dea D. Of
President Mckinley were yesterday con-
veyed to President Roosevelt by Senor
Don Jorge MunoZ. Special Envoy from
Qua tcmala, sent here for that purpose.
Guatemala is the first country to send a
representative with verbal message Of
the sorrow of the sister Republic al the
death of the late Chief Executive. Scnor
MuuoZ was accompanied to the White
House by Secretary Hay and DIR. Eela,
Secretary of the Guat% %lalan Legation
here. Mr.. Arriaga, the Guatcmalan Min
lister. Is at present the representative Of
his country at the Pan-American Con-
gress.
in a letter from Manuel Estrada Cabrera.
constitutional President Of the Republic
of Guatemala. to His Excellency, the
PreSder, Of the Unit. d States. The let
ter stat that it was with "A desire to
strengthen the bonds Of brotherly concord
and friendship that Scnur MunoZ was sent
on his special mission.
Senor Munoz informed the President
that al sOon as the cable made known the
news Of the President assassination.
| the Guatemalan Government took
prompt steps 10 express to the United
! States its sincere sorrow.
President Roosevelt in replying to the
address Of Senor Munoz, thanked him for
| the expression he had made Of the sym
pathy f,lt by Guatemala. and said he
| would assure President Estrada Cabrera
| of the high value placed on his brotherly
action.
President Roosevelt win recommend in
his message to Congress that an auprO-