The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-05-03
WASHINGTON LETTER
lspecial correspondence.l

sumed the public receptions the White
House has been crowded daily with
visitors. Until the time OF the Spanish.
American war II was the custom for
the president to receive the public nj
a stated hour each day. When the
war came on and the press OF public
business became so great that Presi-
dent Mckinley scarcely had time 10
sleep. he discontinued these recep-
tons. and they have not been resumed
until recently. Now each day Mr.
Roosevelt makes his way to the gor-
geous east room, where he meets all
visitors. Frequently he VIII shake
hands with 900 or 400 persons I'm a DAY.
These receptions give an excellent CD
portunity for an extended study of the
president at close range.
The other day the principal OF New
York private school led about twenty
OF his pupils into the east room.
stand them in n row." ordered the
president as soon as he saw the teach
er and his charges. This was done.
and Mr.. Roosevelt passed down the
row. grasping one boys hand with his
right and that OF the next boy with
his left hand, exactly as does the
dancer OF a quadrille in the grand
right and left. After he had greeted
each boy in this way he faced the
line. The young visitors looked ex-
pectant-
do all OF you boys belong to n base
ball nineT' asked the president.
Twenty mouths were stretched from
ear to ear. and twenty heads ducked
In assent.
That's good" said the president.
and he turned on his heel without Civ
Ing his youthful visitors a word about
patriotism or the glorious country in
which they were privileged to live,
The Professors Pleasant Hour.
As Professor Willis Moore. chief OF
the United States weather bureau. wa.
coming from Chicago recently he en-
gagged in conversation with a party OF
passengers i'm the smoking compart
ment OF a sleeper. Among the thing.
discussed were the weather proSnosti
Gators. Professor Moore heard his bu
reau severely criticised. One man sait
the weather bureau men didn't know q
thing about what would happen; anoth
er asserted that IL was all guesswork
and so on. Professor Moore began t.
wonder why Uncle Sam was paying
him n salary. AS the train neared
Washington all except Professor Moore
disclosed the nature of their business.
Just as the professor was leaving the
car one OF his travelling companions
said:
See here. you have not told US what
business you are in"
Professor Moore fished out a card
and handed IT TO the inquirer, who
read:
willis Moore. chief United States
weather bureau"
Poor Fellows In Distress.
Every time congressman arises in
the house nowadays and asks for an In
definite leave OF absence because OF
important business" significant smiles
are exchanged among the members
who have their nomina tons nailed
down and clinched. At this season of
the year when the congressional con
ventons are being held important
business" almost invariably means tn,
congressman who has 1t also has trou
BILE in his district which is sufficiently
serious to make his presence on tn,
ground imperative.
Another poor fellow In distress.
whispers Clerk Mckee to the speaker
and the latter gives a good luck to you
affirmative nod to the petitionipg mem
Der. who goes away happy.
But One Diamond.
According 10 a report just made tc
the division Of mining and mineral re
sources of the United States geological
survey. $2S9.05O worth OF precious
stones was produced in this country in
1901. The turquoise led the list. Seven
companies are now actively engaged in
mining this class of stones, and the
output last year amounted to $IIS,OOO
New Mexico is the chief source OF the
supply. The report shows that but one
diamond was found. That solitary gem
was picked up in Lee county. Ca.
Mr.. Cochran VIII Explain.
If there are any Irishmen in the dis
trict OF Representative Cochran OF
Missouri, he will have to do something
be was telling the house how the Chi.
namen in New York city live. "You
go into an underground apartment
he said. ''All around the room are
shelves divided into little compart-
ments. For a moment you think you
are in a library. Now. in every one
OF those little places an Irishmar
sleeps"
The roar of laughter that interrupt.
ed Mr.. Cochran informed him that he
had made some kind OF q break, and
he quickly substituted "Chinaman" for
'Irishman."
Rear Admiral COghlan.
Captain Joseph B. Coghlan OF the ma
w became rear admiral on April IL,
when Rear Admiral Farquhar retired
from the active list. Captain Coghlan
commanded the Raleigh. which fired
the first shot at the battle of Manila
Bay. and is a jolly, blithe old sailor.
no