Evening star., 1901-10-30
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
A Talk on the Subject of Irrigation
of Arid Lands.
THE EfHMIAH CANAL REPORT
Rep. Mccall on the Disposition
of the Surplus.
SOME OF TODAY'S CALLERS

urally the matter under discussion was
that of the irrigation of the great arid
lands of the west. Mr.. Mead has several
plans for irrigation and will submit some OF
these to the President. 1t is understood
that the President, who lived many years
in the west and is well acquainted with
the arid condition of that section, will say
good deal in his message on the subject
of irrigation.
Western members of Congress are eX-
tremely hopeful that Congress at the COM
ing session will extend national aid to some
rational plan for irrigation. President Nc
Kinley's visit to the west last May had
done much to increase the friendly feeling
he had for the west, and in a number OF
his speeches he referred to the need OF
irrigation in the west. 1t was generally
thought by western congressman that Pres
ident Mckinley would have given consid-
cradle space in his next message to Con-
gress to discussion of the need of federal
aid in the reclamation of the millions oi
acres of land that cannot be cultivated be-
cause water cannot be obtained.
The Isthmian Canal Report.
The report of the isthman canal commits
sion is we'll under way, and the statement
is now made that it will be ready to sub
nit to the President about November 20.
often been set, but each time extended
Mr.. Hutin, president of the Panama Canal
Company, is still holding frequent confer
ences with the commission, but up to this
time has not made a definite proposition for
the sale of the Panama canal to this gov
ernment. 1t is expected, however, that Mr.
Hutin will make known upon what terms
his company will dispose of it's interests
within the next few days. 1t is the inten-
tion of Admiral Walker chairman of the
commission. to call a meeting Of the fuII
commission for some date during the first
two weeks of November, when the report
will be formally agreed to and signed ana
forwarded to the President for transmits
sion to Congress. Admiral Walker had
conference with President Roosevelt today
and went over the situation with him.
The Disposition of the Surplus.
Representative Mccall of Massachusetts,
of the ways and means committee of the
House, was with the President this morn
ing. Referring to the large surplus that IS
accommodating in the treasury, Mr.. Mccall
said: Il suppose Congress will want to
spend it. That is always the tendency when
there is plenty of money. l have not
reached any conclusion to what ought to
be done with the surplus Many plans are
suggested. At the last session of Congress
l wanted to cut down the war revenue taxes
to bottom figure, but this was not DONE /
thought then that there ought to be just
small margin on the side of the treasury
each year and no chance allowed for large
surplus With just about the receipts neces
sary to meet expenditures Congress would
have no incentive to eXtravagant appropria-
tions and would be compelled to exercise
some economy. We cannot cut down to too
close a margin, however as we cannot ex-
pect that boom times will always continue.
With a falling off in trade there would be a
reduction in receipts from customs"
A Visit From Porto Ricans.
w. Borda, ST., W. Borda, jr., and Luis
Nunoz Rivera, leader of the federal party
or Porto Rico, called on the President to-
DAY. Inc President was assured by the
Porto Ricans that better order is being
maintained in Porto Rico than ever before,
and that the better class of citizens of
the island are thankful for this satisfactory
state of affairs. Mr.. Rivera assured Presi-
dent Roosevelt of the good will and sup
port of the federal party.
A Popular Appointment.
Lawson Melton, the marshal of South
Carolina and one of the leaders of the old
line republicans Of that state, saw the
President today and talked with him about
several matters. 1.-The appointment of Geo.
r. Koester as collector of internal revenue
OF South Carolina has been a popular one,"
said Mr.. Melton. "Old-ine republicans and
liberal democrats commend the Presidents s
selection as good one and believe that
much good will come from the appoint
ment."
Charges have been made in South Caro-
lima against Mr.. Melton and he is here to
answer them If any are on file. He talked
with the Attorney General before going to
the White House Mr.. Melton is a candi-
date for reappointment.
AulicL Palmer to BE Reappofnted.
Official announcement is made at the
White House that the President will re-
appoint Aulick Palmer as marshal of the
District Of Columbia. Mr.. Palmer's term
does not expire until January, but the de-
sire for his reappointment has been SO gem
eral that the announcement is made now
so to settle any controversy. Judge
Anderson, Judge Clabaugh, Judge Cole and
Nathaniel Wilson saw the President a few
days ago and SO warmly indorsed Marshal
Palmers administration of his Office that
the President was greatly pleased.
Chaplin Brown, NJ. NJ. Parker and Calvin
Chase were among the local visitors to the
White House sv today tod The
of which Mr.. Brown is president, was made
to the President
Politics in Ohio.
Francis B. Loomis, United States minis
ter to Portugal, called upon the President
today for chat. The reorganization of the
consular service was one of the matters
under discussion. The President inquired
about the campaign in Ohio. Mr.. Loomis
SAID Inat ne ndu visited OF I'VE COun-
ties in the state with Senator Foraker and
Hanna; that contrary to expectation, there
were large and enthusiastic gatherings ev-
erywhere, and that the usual republican
majority in an off year might be expected
Mr.. Loomis said that the legislature would
be safely republican. He declared that only
in two places are. there any complications
that threaten republican success. These
are in Cleveland and Columbus.
Recommended for Brigadicr General.
Terence v. Powderly, commissioner of i'm
migration, and Charles L. Hawley of Scran-
ton, Pa. called on the President this morn
ing to present resolutions adopted by Will
liam N. Monies Post, No. 80, G. A. r., of
Scranton. urging the appointment of Col
Theodore ]. Writ as a brigadier general in
the regular army. The President took the
recommendation under advisement.
Some of the Callers.
Representative Bartholdt Of st. Louis,
who was newspaper correspondent at Al
bany when President Roosevelt was a
member Of the New York Legislature; Civil
Service Commissioner Rodenberg, and a