Evening star., 1901-01-24
lat THE WHITE HOUSE
Elaborate Invitation From California
Commandery, K. T.
A Big CARD OF SOLID GOLD
Y. M. G. A. Also Wants Him at Its
Celebration.
SOME OF TODAY'S CALLERS

SOME OE IODA4 . CALLEIS
Among the callers at the White House
this morning was Capt. o. ]. Humphrey Of
San Francisco, Cal, who was presented to
the President by Senator Perkins. Capt.
Humphrey visited the Executive Mansion
as the special envoy of California Com
mandery, No. /, Knights Templar, Of San
Francisco, to personally present to Presi-
dent Mckinley an invitation from that
commandery to meet with it upon his visit
to the Pacific coast the coming spring.
California Comma ndery, No. 1, will be
remembered by Washingtonians who recall
the triennial conclave in this city several
years ago, in which it was among the most
admired and conspicuous participants in
the magnificent parade. California knights
are famous for the lavish way in which
they do things, never allowing the question
of expense to interfere with their purposes,
and this particular comnandery is under
stood to have usually set the pace in this
respect The manner in which this invita-
ton is presented to the President is in
keeping with its reputation. Not only has
Capt. Humphrey, as the commandery's spe-
cial representative, made the long trip for
this purpose alone but the form of the
card of invitation which he handed to Sir
hHlSnt MCKINNEY perhaps TlNdlS III Spltiluoi
anything of the kind that was ever made
1t is solid gold plate, 312x5l2 inches, ana
about u of an inch in thickness. In the
upper right-hand corner is an enameled
Maltese cross. with the usual insignia OF
the order, having in the center fine dia-
mond of about one carat in weight. The
card is beautifully engraved with the
following inscription:
Sir William Mckinley,
Dear Sir and Frater:
"California Commandery, No. !, knights
Tempiar, requests the honor of your pres
ence at a stated assembly Of our Com
mandery, Friday evening, May H. 1901.
'' Wv. H: FRANK TITUS.
Eminent Commander
"H1RAM T. GRAVES,
The card is inclosed in a handsome case,
bearing on its cover the superscrlption IN
gold letters:
'sir William Mckinley
The President was greatly pleased with
the invitation and the lavishness of its
beauty, and told Capt. Humphrey that ne
would send answer to the invitation.
The President said that he did not know
what arrangements would be made for his
stay in San Francisco, but that he would
try to attend the assembly on the date
given. If he does this he will hold recep-
ton, and the California knights promise to
make it a most brilliant affair
Ohioans Going to Frisco.
ago, and called on the President regarding
the coming trip to California. Gov. Nash
and his entire staff, with hundreds Of other
Ohioans, are going to attend the launching
of the battle ship Ohio, the event which
will take the President on the long trip
across the continent. Gov. Nash's daugh-
ter Mrs. Babcock, will christen the Ohio.
The Y. NJ. c. A. Jubilee.
John ]. McCook of New York, on behalf
of the officials of the National Young
Mems Christian Association, formally in
vited the President to attend the great
jubilee celebration to be held in Boston
June II to IA, commemorating the f1ftieth
anniversary of the founding Of the Y. M.
c. A. in this country. 1t is hoped that the
President will deliver the chief address.
The governor general of Canada is to de-
liver an address on behalf of the Canadian
orga niZation. The President said that 1t
would give him great pleasure to consider
the invitation, but that it would be impos-
sibe for him now to indicate what he
would do. The time when his trip to Cal
fornia will end is uncertain, he said. and
he would have to hold the invitation in
allegiance although he should like to at
tend. The President will leave here for
California early in May, and will probably
be gone fully month making the longest
trip since he became President.
The Venezuelan Asphalt War.
Ex-senator Frank Hiscock Of New York,
counsel for the WarnerQuinlan Company,
one of the contending concerns in the Ven
ezuelan asphalt war, paid his respects to
the President. No mention was made of
the contest over the asphalt beds, however.
The State Department has heard the argu-
ments and the President has had nothing
to do with the dispute.
I'VE are satisfied with the attitude of this
government" said Mr. Hiscock. "As 1 un-
derstand it, the United States will not in
terfere, and will let the contending COM
panies fight 1t out in the courts of Venezue-
la. That is all we want, and is the only
fair position that could have been taken"
May Operate Against Hotels.
Senators Sewell, Kean, Aldrich and
Proctor saw the President. Several of
these senators are interested in the army
reorganization bill though that subject was
not touched upon in their intercourse with
the President. In taking about the pro-
vision of the bill prohibiting the sale Of
liquors at army posts and on government
property, Senator Sewell said that there Is
probability that the law, unless it can be
changed at the last minute will close the
hotel saloons at Old Point Comfort West
Point and other places that are located
upon government property. This, of course.
was not intended by even the advocates of
prohibition at army posts.
Never Asked for an Office.
Senator Aldrich was talking with his fell
low senators and a newspaper man about
the general supposition that congressman
who sees the President is most of the time
asking for an Office for a constituent. II
have never asked the President for an Of
fice,"' said Senator Aldrich, and there was
surprise among his listeners.
We'll, you are not like Proctor" said
Senator Sewell because he is in there now
getting all he can, and he doesn't blush
either when he asks for something
New Orleans New POstmaster.
Senator McEnery Of Louisiana talked
with the President about several matters
in his state. One of these was in regard
to the New Orleans post office. The Presi-
dent has decided upon the appointment of