Evening star., 1901-11-15
Matters Discussed at the Cabinet
Session Today.
AGRICULTURE In TEE PHILIPPINES
Mr.. Knox Declines to Discuss Re-
port Of Action Against Trusts.
SOME OF TODAY'S CALLERS

Appointments in the different depart
and cabinet at the regular meeting of the
Presidents advisers today. Probably the
most interesting matter discussed was the
sending of an expert from the Department
of Agriculture to the Philippines to assist
the people of those islands in building up
their agricultural pursuits. Secretary Will
son has given study to the subject of agri-
culture in the Philippines and declares that
the various products and seeds of the is
lands have deteriorated great DEAL Vege-
tables are smaller than they ought to be
and the people do not raise enough rice for
their own use.
The Secretary believes this is because no
science has been shown by or to the Fill
lplnos In their agricultural work. New
seeds have not been used and new ideas
have not been introduced. The Spaniards
paid no attention to this, and the fact is
that the vegetables grown in the islands
are smaller and contain less flavor than
they should under different conditions 1t
is to change all this that the expert will
go over under the auspices of the War De-
partment and teach the Filipinos not only
how to farm. but to use government seeds
that will be distributed to them free Mr.
Wilson says that Congress doubled the ap-
preparation for seeds for the present fiscal
year, and he has ample authority to send
seeds wherever the flag floats. The expert
Will make q careful study of the soils and
what will grow in different kinds of earth
He Will furnish seeds accordingly, and will
give instructions as to the most modern
methods of working the crops and gardens
AS more men are needed they will be
sent over by the department. Secretary
Wilson thinks the field is great and in
teIesting one and that the Filipinos should
be given all the aid possible by the gov
ernment to build up the farms and make
them rich and productive.
As to Proceedings Against Trusts.
Attorney General Knox declined to dis
cuss a report that he has instructed three
United States district attorneys to begin
action against three trusts under the Sher-
man law. Mr.. Knox said there had been
so much misrepresentation of his attitude
on these questions that he did not care to
talk. 1t is regarded as possible, however,
that instructions have gone out to the at
torneys. as stated. 1t is said that an in
dlctment was procured yesterday in Mis-
sissippi against the cotton seed oil trust.
Mr.. Knox is exceedingly close to the
President, and as the President has always
opposed trusts the belief is general that
the President has requested the Attorney
General to press the trusts as far as pos
Sible. Just what will be Mr.. Roosevelt's
message on trusts is not definitely known.
There has been "A good deal of speculation
on the Presidents views to Congress, but
the stories are based on the various recon-
mendations Mr. Roosevelt made to the New
York legislature while governor of that
state. Elsewhere than in his messages Mr..
Roosevelt has stated his position strongly.
In his letter of acceptance in September,
1900, Mr.. Roosevelt declared that there
should be publicity of facts as to capitaIiza-
ton.
before President Mckinley was shot, Mr.
Roosevelt declared that 1t Is getting more
and more evident that the nation must
possess the right of supervision and con-
(which are its creatures, particularly as re-
CARDS the great business combinations that
derive portion of their Importance from
the existence of some monopolstic ten
dency." AS Mr.. Roosevelt has always been
a consistent man, there has been no trou-
BILE in fixing his attitude on this subject.
Amount of Bonds Purchased.
Secretary Gage Informed the cabinet that
SO far this month he has disbursed ST 7,3OO.-
600 on account of the purchase of United
States bonds.
The President philosophical to the cabinet
members on the conflicting stories told him
by different people as to the characters and
attitudes of men who are under discussion
for Office, and even after appointments
have been made. The President is getting
heartily sick of this. He says that he can
hardly make an appointment before he re-
ceives kilograms from unknown people tell
ing him that a mistake has been made
what a bad man has been selected and
what good man the other fellow was.
All this confirms the President in the view
that the harder he seeks to find good men
for office the more likely he is to run up
against statements that are calculated to
temporarily at least shake his confidence in
selections All this came about during the
discussion Of appointments when the Pres
ident was talking of his earnest efforts to
find only the best men for positions.
After the cabinet meeting Secretary Gage
introduced a delegation of Illinois people
who are here on their way to Newport to
Illinois. Among those present were: Ex-
Representative George E. Adams, John NJ
Clark, Ferdinand W. Peck, VIM Penn
Nixon and Representative Prince.
Senator Gallinger's Views.
Senator Gallinger of New Hampshire,
who was one Of the Presidents callers to-
day, is one Of the republican senators who
not only opposes a revision of the tariff, but
also any concessions to other countries
through reciprocity treaties. He is hostile
to any treaty looking to the reduction Of
duties on Canadian imports. I'VE sell
three times as much to Canada as the do
LHlI1lOH Sells 20 us, SAID senator GialilnSer,
'and why should we make concessions? In
my opinion there will be no reciprocity
with Canada. The old treaty that expired
in 1866 was failure. l was in Toronto re-
Gently and heard Sir Wilfred Laurier the
Canadian premier, say In a speech that
Canada was through with sending dele
gates to Washington looking after various
matters. He declared that in future nego-
tiations the initiative would have to be
taken by this country.
Under the old reciprocity treaty with
Canada provision was made for an inter-
change Of commodities absolutely free of
duty. The list included grain. flour and
breadstuffs of all kinds, poultry, eggs,
fruits, hides. stone. marble, butter, cheese,
lard, ores of metals, coal, unmanufactured
lumber. firewood, dye stuffs and many
other articles.
Senator Gallinger gives it as his opinion
that the Nicaraguan canal will be provided
for at the coming session. He does not
think any other canal will be provided for
In view of the fact that the canal will be
built, Senator Gallinger does not think
there ought to be any reduction of internal
revenue taxes. 'The fact is," he observed
II like to see surplus. and do not think
it will be wise, in view Of probable imuOr-a
tant legislation. to cut off any OF the gov