Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-25
At THE WHITE HOUSE
President Has Not Agreed to
Be Arbitrator.
TALKS WITH SEC. HAY
DOES NOT GO TO HIS OFFICE AT
ALL.
A Long Ride on Horseback - Many
Personal Friends Call at the
White House.
TALKS WITH SEC. HAY

President Roosevelt has not accepted the
proposition of the powers that he arbitrate
the differences growing out of the Venezue-
Ian situation. He still has the matter under
advisement, but pending the decision that
he may ultimately be required to reach, he
Is carrying on, through Secretary Hay, ne
gotiations with the powers on phase OF
the question that is not made public. This
is believed to be as to submitting the matter
to The Hague tribunal, although the per-
sons in authority to do so refuse to go into
details Certain it is that exchanges are
still in progress with Germany, England
and Italy, and that the President has reach
ed no conclusion as to what he will do. He
held brief conference with Secretary Hay
at the White House this morning, and they
left each other on the north portico, the
President being ready to start on long
horseback ride into the country and suburbs
OF the city. This was about II o'clock. The
President, Theodore, jr., and former Lieu
tenant Robert Ferguson Of the Rough
Riders, all attired in riding SUITS took
carriage at that time and rode to the
suburbs, where their horses were In wait
iEg. They were gone from the White
House several hours, returning In time Tor
a late lunch, and having greatly enjoyed
the long ride in the crisp Christmas air.
Remained Away From His Offices.
The President did not go to his Offices
during the day. He saw Secretary Hay In
the parlors at the White House and went
over the Venezuelan-European situation
with him there for a few minutes just be-
fore leaving to take his ride. The Presi-
dents offices were deserted. so far as call
ers were concerned. Not many Of the at
taches and clerks were around. Secretary
Cortelyou remained at his home the great
er part Of the day and made only q short
visit to his offices. Assistant Secretary
Loeb was one Of the few higher officials to
show up at his Office early in the morning.
He was there before IL o'clock, but did not
remain all day. Part of the force of door
keepers and ushers was on duty. jerry
Smith, with his big duster, was working
like bee cleaning the Presidents offices.
'All Christmas is jes' alike ter me-" he
said. 1T is wuk. wuk, wuk; clean, clean,
clean; sweep. sweep, sweep; dust, dust,
dust all the time untils my poor old bones
jes' ache all over. But. bress der Lawd,
Use hyar all der same" Jerry's paper cap
swung jauntily from the back Of his head
and his feather duster was going here and
there wherever a speck of dust had settled.
Friends Make Calls. -,.
A number Of friends of the President and
his wife called at the White House to be-
stow the greetings Of the season. Among
these were some of the cabinet ladies.
Christmas packages arrived at the building
all through the day and were sent upstairs
to Mrs. Roosevelt, who distributed them
to the persons to whom they were sent.
The President and his wife found the usual
parental pleasure in seeing that the chill
dren were the recipients Of such articles as
they desired for the Christmas season.
There was no Christmas tree, but there
were numerous presents exchanged In the
library. The packages containing the pres
ents were opened with much pleas,rea be
anticipation on the part of all present.
All the members of the Presidents family
spent the day in the White House. During
the day the family visited Captain and Mrs
Cowles. Dinner will be served in the state
dining room in the evening at the usual
hour, and among the guests to be present
will be the following: Senator and Mrs.
Lodge, Mr.. John Lodge, Captain and Mrs
Cowies, Mr.. John Elliott of New York
Mrs Charles Henry Davis. Miss Davis, the
Messrs Davis and Mr.. Robert Ferguson,
who will be a guest of the President during
the week
Going to Enjoy Himself.
The President intends to have plenty Of
pleasure from now until New Year, by
which time he will have to begin to keep
regular office hours and listen to the de-
sires and opportunities Of all classes of
people. Until then, however, he proposes
to get out often for his favorite outdoor
exercise, horseback riding, and will be in
the saddle good many hours each day
whether the weather Is dry or wet, it mat
ters little to him. He will also do some
walking. The Presidents plan for horse
back rides is not to mount his horse in the
city. He takes carriage. usually an open
one drawn by single horse, and drives
through the city to an appointed place
There he finds his horse and meets friends
who are going with him. He likes company
when riding. General Leonard Wood is one
OF his friends most often with him. Senator
Lodge is another. One or both of these
gentlemen make part of the Presidents
party on the occasion of each ride.