Evening star., 1901-12-24
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
A Brief Session of the Cabinet Held
Today.
TURKEYS GIVEN TO employees
Christmas Program of the Presi-
dent and Family.
FEW IS1ToRS ODAY

tenQer OF the treasury portfolio at the cabl-
net meeting, which did not last much
over an hour. In matters of this kind the
President makes no announcement until he
| has something definite to say. There was
practically no business before the cabinet
| While the cabinet was in session Presi-
dent Roosevelt was called into the reception
room to see Chief Justice Fuller. When the
| chief justice left the President followed him
to the door and then stepped out into the
outer room, and. with pleasant smile on
| his face, wished those assembled there a
merry Christmas He then crossed over to
| the room in which the clerical force of the
White House was assembled and extended
| his greetings to the clerks. Il wish you
all very merry Christmas, said he; "a
very merry Christmas and very many of
them"
Few Visitors This Morning.
President Roosevelt received only a few
visitors this morning before the cabinet
| met Among these were Gen. Isaac Khan.
Persian minister to the United States, and
Senator Hale of Maine. Gen. Khan has
been away from Washington on leave of
absence, and called on the President to pay
his respects. Senator Hale discussed some
legislative matters with the President
The President will not be in his office
much during the week, and not many vis-
ltOiS VIII De received by MN.
Giving Away Turkeys.
Eighty-seven big, fat turkeys, We're dis
tributed to White House policemen messen-
gers, ushers, gardeners servants and stable
men this morning, with the compliments of
President Roosevelt Each turkey contained
card bearing the seasons compliments
The distribution was the largest ever made
at the White House. President Mckinley
always gave turkeys to some of the mar
ried employees, but the list of recipients was
not near as large or extensive as this year
The turkeys were distributed by Henry
Pinckney, the steward.
Express wagons bore numerous packages
to the White House today presents to the
Roosevelt family from friends and ad-
mlrers throughout the country. Many of
the packages were for the children who
Will receive them tomorrow.
The Christmas Program
The program at the White House tomor-
row is for the Roosevelt children to get up
early and visit their stockings to obtain the
good things left by Santa Claus. Later in
the day the children will assemble in the
library and receive the presents from
father and mother and others These will
be numerous and valuable. In the after
noon the Roosevelt juveniles will go to the
home of Capt. and Mrs. Cowles to see a
PANses iiStihaS liSS diu " again receive
presents
The Christmas dinner will be served at
7:3O o'clock, and only the family will be
present.
On Thursday it is probable that If the
weather is good the Roosevelt family, in
Guiding the President, will go down the
potomac river on a. cruise. Theodore
Roosevelt, jr., is going on hunting trip
and wants his father to accompany him
The President is inclined to do so if public
business will permit. If he goes he will
take his best guns with him, and there will
be some interesting shooting. In case the
president cannot get away, young Theo-
dore will go with DR.. Rixey, and Mrs.
Roosevelt may also go along.
The presidential yacht Dolphin is in read
mess for any sail that may be ordered.
The Cabinets Christmas.
Secretary Hay expects to spend Christ
mas quietly at his home on H street. Be-
ing in mourning it is not expected there
will be any guests at the Christmas din
ner beyond the immediate members Of the
family and possibly Mr. Payne Whitney,
who is to be married to Miss Helen Hay
early next year.
Secretary Long, in accordance with his
usual custom on holidays, will spend a
short time in his Office tomorrow morning
looking over his mail He will spend the
remainder of Christmas day with his fam
lily at the Portland Dinner will be strict
ly family affair, those occupying seats
around the board being Secretary and Mrs
Long, Miss Margaret Long, Master Pefrce
Long and Mrs. George Glover, the mother
of Mrs Long. Master Peirce is a student
at Milton Academy in Massachusetts,, and
is spending the holidays with his parents.
Secretary and Mrs. Root have their two
sons, Elihu Root, jr., and Edward w. Root,
with them for the holiday season. They
will also have as guests at dinner tomorrow
Mrs. Roots brother and sister-in-law, Mrs.
Edward Wales.
Secretary Of the Interior Hitchcock will
spend Christmas at home with his family.
Postmaster General Smith will remain in
the city over the holidays and will enjoy
dinner with Sf,yxie friends