Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-19
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Cabinet Discusses the Vene-
zuelan Situation.
|SEC'Y HAYS ACTION
1T WAS APPROVED AS WELL AS
HIS PLANS FOR FUTURE.
Senator Beveridge Talks Of Statehood
Proposition-Ex-secretary Of the
Treasury Gage a Caller.

The cabinet had the longest meeting to-
day that has been held In the new executive
offices. 1t lasted over two hours. Secre-
tary Hay is usually the first cabinet officer
to leave cabinet meeting when his depart
ment has little or nothing for discussion,
but it was noticeable today that he did not
depart so quickly, and 1t was generally ad-
mitted that the latest phases of the Yene-
zuelan situation were discussed by the
President and his advisers to the exclusion
of nearly everything else.
1t was understood that Secretary Hay
was able to lay before the cabinet the an
swers of England, Germany and Italy to
the requests Of President Castro for arbi-
tration. 1t was these answers that were
talked over and that evidently brought
about considerable discussion, judging from
the time taken by the cabinet in adjourn
Ing.
After a thorough discussion Of the SUBJ
ject the cabinet gave its unqualified ap-
proval to everything that had been done by
Secretary Hay and also to his plans for the
future, so far as they were outlined.
It is gathered that the attitude OF the
United States is for the present waiting
one. In the hope that the three allies WHY
soon be able to agree upon the basis upon
which they are willing to accept arbitra-
ton. So far no notice Of the projected
blockade Of Venezuela has been officially
served on our government.
Discussing Statehood Proposition.
Senator Beveridge called early on the
President this morning and remained with
him a short time discussing the proposition
of statehood for Oklahoma. New Mexico
and Arizona The President Is taking deep
interest in the question and Is securing all
the facts to be had from all sources. AS a
man familiar with conditions In the west,
he has a strong sympathy with the desires
of the people of the territories for state
hood. but at the same time he does not
want to see something done that is not
warranted. 1t is practically certain that he
would give long consideration to the ON
nibus bill should it pass the Senate and come
to him. and the beliefe strongly prevails
that he would not hesitate to veto It, Des-
pite this known attitude Of the President,
the supporters of statehood are going right
along and hope to be able to secure his sig
nature to the document by presenting all
facts that might influence him.
Delegate Rodey Of New Mexico presented
to the President today some citizens of the
territory, among them being Prof. Larazola
and Sergeant Farnoff, who served In the
Rough Rider regiment with the President.
Representative Loud Of California pre-
sented constituents. who received from the
President assurance that he is going to visit
the Pacific coast next summer.
For an Elastic Currency.
Former Secretary Gage and Mr.. John
H. Rhoades, chairman of the finance COM
mittee of the New York chamber Of COM
merce, called upon the President today to
present to him resolutions recently adopted
by the chamber of commerce in advocacy
of more elastic currency system. Presi-
dent Roosevelt received them very cordial
ly, but did not indicate during the brief
call what his attitude regarding the resolu-
uons would be.
Representative Dayton of West Virginia
called on the President to introduce State
Senator Iris E. Robinson, Dr. j. r. Fitch
and Mr. Teeters.
Senators Penrose and Foster called on
the President to talk about matters in
their states.
Representative Lacey had an interview
with the President to urge constituent for
appointment on the isthmian canal COM
mission.
Senator Martin of Virginia called to pre-
sent friends.
Gen. Frederick Grant, who has arrived In
Washington to attend the funeral of his
mother, called on the President to pay his
respects.
Assistant Secretary Allies called at the
White House with Frank A. Vanderlip,
former assistant secretary of the treasury.
Opening of the White House.
The completion of the work on and
around the White House Is nearing an
end. Since the beginning of the work the
building and grounds have been closed to
the public. Many inquiries are made as to
when they may be reopened. Nothing has
been decided on in this direction. 1t is as
sumed that the east room will be opened
to the public so soon as all the work is
over, and that the front grounds will also
be kept open, as in the past but this Is not
known. Department clerks who formerly
saved time by cutting through the south
ern part of the grounds on their way to
and from the State, War and Navy depart
ments and treasury have been hopeful that
the grounds would be opened again, SO as
to save them time, but 1t has been decided
that the southeast and southwest gates
will not be opened in the future.