The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-15
HOW IT WAS DONE.
Walter Wellman Writes History
of Wares appointment.

Walter Wellman, the well-known
Washington correspondent of the Chi
cago Record Herald, telegraphed his
paper the following in his aceountof the
appointment of E. F. Ware to be pension
commissioner:
Behind the selection OF Mr.. Ware for
this place is a most interesting story
President Roosevelt. For year or
more the Kansas delegation in congress
have been trying to agree upon some
resident of their state for the commits
sionership of pensions, intimations haV-
ing been given them that they could
have the place. Some favored ex-Repre-
sentative Blue, others x-RepreSentati
Peters. During the last two weeks, since
1t became known that Commissioner
Evans was to go, the Kansans have re-
newed their effort to come TO an agree
ment. They harmonized their differences
and settled upon Mr.. Blue as their man.
They had not the slightest doubt IN the
world that he would be appointed Rep
resentative Curtis was selected to go to
the White House and tell the president
of their decision
Mr.. Curtis called on the president and
was at once informed that 1t mad been
decided to appoint Mr.. Ware. In a crest
fallen manner the Kansas congressman
discharged his errand, but to no avail.
An hour later the selection of Ware was
officially announced. The Kansas states
men are in anything but pleasant state
Of mind.
This is not all of the story One
member of the Kansas delegation, Mr.
Long, is suspected of having had a
hand in the selection Of Mr.. Ware Mr.
Long is a member of the ways and
means committee, and for some time he
has held the balance of power in that
committee on the Cuban sugar question
Naturally the other Kansas men are
prone to believe that Mr.. Long was
shrewd enough to make hay while the
sun was shining Friends of the pres1-
dent say no dependence is to be placed
upon the theory; that the president
knew Mr.. Ware very well, liked him, was
satisfied that ne would make good
commissioner of pensions, man firm
enough to carry out the Evans policy
and sit tight on the pension safety valve
and that the appointment is one for
which the president is willing to take all
responsibility.
Although the first Senator Burton
and the Kansas representatives knew Of
the presidents intention to nominate
Mr.. Ware was when they were told OF
the choice the president had made, they
are trying their best to look pleasant
and accept the inevitable with good
grace. To Mr.. Ware they have no OBJ
jections He is said to be a very able
man. He is one of the leading lawyers
Of the west, engaged in some big cases,
and is doing so we'll that the Kansas
representatives doubt if he will accept
After giving a biographical sketch of
Mr.. ware, Mr.. Wellnan continues
The new commissioner of pensions
will find his job anything but an easy
one Senators and representatives are
also anticipating trouble Scores of
thousands Of pension claims which have
been turned down by Mr. Evans
through a resolute administration of the
law will now come to the front again.
Members of congress expect to be flood
ed with them. They will be pressed for
action upon the theory that Mr.. Evans
was too severe in his application of the
law and that the new man may open
the door a little wider. The pension
agents. who have joined with the Grand
Army organization in making war on
Mr. Evans. are already encourag ging
their horde of disappointed clients to try
again The result win be that Mr.. Ware
viii have need of all his fOrtitude if he
is to resist the torrent of appeals that
is sure to- flow in upon him, backed by
the Grand Army. the political and the
pension agents. President Roosevelt told
a caller today that he had every con-
fdence Mr.. Ware was strong enough
to continue the policy of his predeces-
sor absolutely unbroken, but such
things always have to be proven in the
eating.
The career of the new pension com
missioner viii be watched with a great
deal of interest by all who are familiar
with the inside workings Of that great
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