Evening star., 1902-02-19
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Recent Civil Service Order to
Be Construed.
PRINTERS WANT LIGHT
DIRECTOR MERRIAM HAS A CON-
FERENCE TODAY
Secretary Cortelyou Confined to His
House With Cold-Some Of
Today's Callers.
PRINTERS WANT LIGHT

f. A. NJ. Lawson. president. and William
Nj. Garrett secretary, of Columbia Typo
graphical Union. No. 101. called on the
President today and asked for an interpre-
tation of his recent civil service order i'm
posing penalty of dismissal upon govern
ment employees who seek to influence legis
lation which will react to their benefit. AS
representatives OF the printing craft they
wanted to know if employees of the govern
ment printing office will be permitted to go
before Congress to protest against the re-
peal OF the copyright law, which now pro-
vidcs that all works copyrighted in the
United States must be printed, bound and
the plates made in this country. The re-
peal Of the act will mean the loss of a
great amount of work each year by Ameri-
can printers and binders
President Roosevelt will make an inter-
probation OF the ruling shortly, and will
send it to Mr.. Lawson.
More people than the printers would like
interpretations of the order. In addition
to organizations that are vitality interested
in different legislation are individual en-
plOyeS of the government who would like
to know if they would be safe in using in
direct influence to secure promotions or
transfers or other changes in their posi-
tions. Depart ment officials are perfectly
willing that this uncertain feeling as to
what can be done shall continue. 1t pre-
vents considerable pressure and annoy
ance. 1
Director Merriam's Call.
Director Merriam Of the census bureau
had conference with the President this
morning. presumably in regard to affairs
in his office. Mr. Merriam holds as high
place in President Rooseve!ts estimation
as he did in President Mckinley's, and
there is said to be no doubt that he will
be nominated to succeed himself as head
of the census bureau. Those who are in
position to know Believe that Mr.. Merriam
is a strong cabinet possibility. especially in
the event Of the creation of department
of commerce His name has been fire.
quently mentioned in that connection and
has been favorably commented upon by
White House callers. The Minnesota dele
CATION i'll Congress will back him for pro-
motion.
Mr.. Bristow May Not Hold On.
1t is understood to be quite probable that
Joseph l.. Bristow, fourth assistant post
master general will not continue in that
position for much longer period. This
state of affairs is largely due to the fact
that the West Virginia delegation in Con-
gress, headed by Senator Scott. has made
trouble for Mr.. Bristow at the White
House over Mr.. Bristow's action in sending
post office inspector to Wheeling, w. Va,
to investigate the private life of a man who
was spoken Of for postmaster of that city
Whenever the President has procured a
suitable man for fourth assistant pOstmas
ter general the understanding is that there
will be a change in that Office.
Mr.. Cortelyou is Sick.
Secretary Cortelyou was confined to his
home today, suffering from cold, and was
not at the White House, his work being
done by Assistant Secretary Loeb. This
is the first day Mr.. Cortelyou has ever
lost from his duties at the White House by
reason Of illness. and his absence was no
ticeable. The hope was generally expressed
that he would quickly recover and be at
his post again in q few days.
The President Enjoys Joke.
President Roosevelt is growing in favor
as story teller. This morning there were
some western men to him. among them
being Delegate Dennis Flynn of Oklahoma
accompanied by young man who had
been a soldier In the Presidents regiment
of Rough Riders. The Introduction brought
to the Presidents mind the joke of a
United States Senator about the Rough
Riders. The statesman went into the
Presidents room and walked up to the
chief executive in a humble kind of way.
Mr.. President" he said, IF there are no
for just minute?'' The President laughed
heartily over the joke and has told it to
several people.
Mr.. Flynn learned some time ago, like
the President. that the chief executive ad-
m1res frankness and truthfulness and that
he is willing to overlook many things if
man is truthful with him. The President
IT Is said, would have stood by Ben Dam
iels. who was nominated as marshal Of
Arizona, If the latter had explained to him
everything in connection with his life
Delegate Flynn had candidate for an
much whisky. The President wanted to
know something about the charge and so
Delegate Flynn wrote to the candidate ask
ing for the facts. The reply he received
was something like this:
MY Dear Dennis: haven't drank a drop
Of red-eye for eighteen months and do not
expect to for a long time to come. Prior
to that time l frankly admit that I went
all the PAGES in the direction of enveloping
various brands of red-eye. If missed any
thing at all 1t was through ignorance"
Delegate Flynn gravely laid the letter
before the President. believing that the
candidate had no show after his confess
sion. The President read the letter, said
that the man was all right and nominated
him to the office he wanted
Brigham Young's Favorite Wife.
Senator Kearns Of Utah presented a
number Of Utah people to the President
this morning. Among these were Mrs
Amelia F. Young, who was the favorite
wife of Brigham Young. the head of the
Mormon Church. two Of her daughters
Mrs. M. Y. Dougal and Mrs P. Y. Beattie
and one Of her granddaughters. Mrs. c.
L. Barton These ladies are In Washing
ton attending one Of the conventions in
session here.
Representative Bowersock of Kansas in
troduced Mr.. c. s. Nusbaum to the Presi-
dent. Mr.. Nusbaum represents the Att
away Chautauqua, which meets in Kan
sas from July to 1& President Roose-
velt last summer accepted an invitation
to attend the chatauqua, but this was be-
fore ne became President He does not
now know whether he can be present
Ex-senator Carter Of Montana intro
duced Ex-Governor Richards of that state,
c. G. Bennett. secretary of the Senate,
saw the President about Elliott Woods.
who is to be made superintendent of the