The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-08
He Discusses the Coal Strike with the
Executive and Has "a Talk with
Postmaster General Payne.
DIPLOMATIC SERVICE CHANGES
MIR. HENRY WHITE WILL SUCCEED
MIR. MEYER AT ROME.
John b. jackson to Have a Good APP
pOintment Before LOng-Other'
National Capital Gossip.
Special to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7.-Governor Durbin
arrived in Washington this morning from
New York. He said that he would march
with the veterans in the Grand Army parade
tomorrow, but that he would have but little
more to do with it. He called on the Pres
ident and had a short talk with him about
the coal strike. He said he could add but
little to the knowledge of the press of the
general disturbances which were being
caused by the cessation in the production OF
anthracite coal. He mentioned the fact that
there was congestion in the soft coal traf-
flee on Indiana railroads on account OF
diverting the product and the increased
production and traffic. He said the gen.
eral interest in the settlement OF the coal
strike was so great that the people OF all
states and classes were watching with the
closest interest every move which was be-
ing made. The President talked to him OF
the movements that had been made and
outlined the immediate policy Of the future.
But Governor Durbin said it would not be
proper for him to discuss these. Afterward
he had a long talk with Postmaster Gen.
eral Payne, discussing in detail the future
of the coal strike and the efforts which are
being made to settle the same. Mr.. Payne
said he was confident that there would be
a satisfactory response to the appeal which
the President had made to Mr.. Mitchell.
The present methods of the President have
been ably furthered by the postmaster gen.
eral, and he is convinced that he is taking
the right steps. Mr.. Payne said he did not
know what would be done If the present
plans failed.
Word came to-day to the Navy Depart
ment from the Polytechnic Hospital, in Phil
adelphia, to the effect that Admiral Mel
| vile, engineer-in-chi of the navy, is rap
idly recovering from his recent attack of
illness and will be able to return to work
here in two or three days.
Secretary Moody has decided to have the
floating drydock at Havana transported
to the Pensacola navy yard as soon as 1t
can be made ready for the voyage. Con-
structor Tylor at Havan has reported
that temporary repairs, which will fit the
dock for the short trip across the Florida
straits TO Pensacola, can be made at the
cost of a few thousand dollars, and once at
Pensacola, the extensive damage suffered
can be repaired at leisure.
xxx
Henry White, secretary of the United
States embassy at London, is to be made
ambassador to Rome. The late President
Mckinley intended to thus reward Mr..
White, but found no opportunity during his
incumbency. President Roosevelt, who has
formed the same estimate of Mr.. Whites
abilities that President Mckinley had, has
decided to make him ambassador to Rome.
The appointment, however, is not to be
made Immediately. Mr.. Meyer, the present
American ambassador to Rome, has just
returned to that post from a visit to his
home i'm Massachusetts, and 1T is expected
that he will remain in Rome during the
coming winter.
John b. Jackson, who has been secretary
of embassy at Berlin since 1894, also is
slated for an important diplomatic appoint
ment, the purpose being to send him to one
of the first desirable ministries that be-
comes vacant. His promotion is to be
based upon the same reason as will inspire
that of Mr.. White, namely, a desire to ex-
tend into the diplomatic service the prin-
ciple of promotion based on merit, which
has worked so well in other branches of
the government service. The recent
changes in American embassies and min
istries was inspired by this same motive,
and it is felt that men Of high quality can
be retained in the diplomatic service when
it becomes known that the best places are
to be filled by the promotion of those in
the subordinate posts who show particular
fitness for their work.