Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-17
At THE White HOUSE
Labor Leaders Confer With
the President.
SUBJECTS DISCUSSED
CHINESE EXCLUSION BILL AND
EIGHT-HoUR LAW.
President Explains His Recent Order
as to Government Employees and
Increase of Pay.

ters in which the federation is interested.
Those present were Samuel Gompers, Frank
Morrison, P. M. Draper, James Duncan.
John Mitchell, James O'Connell, Max Nor
ris, Thomas I. Kidd, D. A. Hayes and John
B. Lennon.
The subjects talked over included Chinese
exclusion, the eight-hour law, the prison
labor bill, increase in the salaries of let
ter carriers and the right of government
employees to solicit legislation in their own
Behalf.
Regarding Chinese exclusion the labor
leaders told the President that they were
rot at all pleased with the failure of the
Senate to add a seaman's section to the
Chinese exclusion bill passed yesterday
The federation wants legislation that will
prohibit any vessel of American register
carrying Cinnamon in it's crew.
The President, it is stated, expressed
hlmSelf in favor of an effective Chinese eX-
clusion law, and as in sympathy with the
demands OF labor as to an eight-hour bill
and a prison labor bill. The President said
that there had been a good deal of misun-
derstanding as to the order issued by him
as to government employees taking part in
efforts for increase of pay, ETC. This order,
he explained, did not refer to the efforts of
organizations as bodies. The President, it
was said, thought that the letter carriers
should receive an increase in pay, but did
not commit himself to any amount.
Executive Clemency Asked.
Judge H. NJ. Ford Of Lynchburg, Va, ac-
con1panied by Representatives Otey of Vir-
ginla and Lacey of Iowa saw the President
today to ask executive clemency for Will
liam Weber and John Haddon the labor
organizers Of the United Mine Workers,
who were recently convicted in Lynchburg
OF contempt of the federal court in violating
an injunction at the Inman mines In Wise
county. The efforts of Judge Ford were
supplemented by the requests of the labor
leaders Who held conference with the
President sThe grounds for the appeal for
ciemency are that there was no substantial
evidence on which Weber and Haddon were
convicted, and that they did not deliberate
~ violate an Injunction The President
said the matter was one of importance,
and that he would refer 1t to Attorney Cen
eral Knox for an opinion.
Mr.. Riis Would Not Accept.
Jacob Riis, the sociological writer of New
York warm personal friend of the Presi-
dent was at the White House today. Mr.
His name has been freely used as the next
governor of the Danish West Indies, and,
because of the Presidents high regard for
him. the prediction has been made that he
would be the first man to occupy that po-
sition Mr.. Riis is Dane and was for
years the police court reporter of a New
York paper. The President recently ex-
pressed the opinion that Mr.. Riis was the
most useful citizen of New York city The
position of governor Of the Danish West
Indies has not been offered to Mr. Riis and
may not be If the President is aware of
Mr.. Riis views. Mr. Riis has informed his
friends that he would not accept a position
of this kind. He is In Washington on a
visit.
John Barrett for Minister to China.
The report that Major Edwin H. Conger
will not remain much longer as minister to
China has led to the presentation of the
name of John Barrett, formerly minister to
Siam, to succeed to the prospective va
cancy. Senator Mitchell of Oregon today
talked with the President about Mr.. Bar
rett for minister to China. Senator Mitch
ell told the President that all of the Pa
cific coast states would be delighted with
the selection of Mr.. Barrett. 1t is stated
that the President might be glad to give
consideration to Mr.. Barrett if there was
any outlook for a vacancy in the Chinese
mission. No such vacancy is expected,
however. and the story of Mr.. Conger's
going to retire is believed to be premature
The President knows nothing about such
an intention on Mr.. Congers part
Some scheming has been going on for
several months to have Col. Buck changed
as minister to Japan, but there Is under
stood to be no prospects in that direction
either. The President does not intend to
change Col. Buck unless there is good
ground for SO doing.
Recognizing Home Rule Policy.
President Roosevelt will appoint an Okla
hcma man to the judgeship in that terri
tory, caused by the resignation of Judge
McAtee, against whom serious charges
were filed. This determination is a recog-
milton of home rule that is pleasing to the
Oklahoma people, and especially to Dele
gate Dennis Flynn, who is going to recom-
mend a local man. Mr.. Flynn talked with
the President about the judgeship today,
dates for the position. Altogether there
are eight or ten candidates, among them
being F. E. Gillette, 1. G. Conklin, J. C.
Strang, former attorney general of the ter
rftory; Geo. s. Green and j. L. Pancoast
Representative Sherman for Judge.
Representative James s. Sherman of New
York has good chance of being named
as judge of the new judicial circuit recently
provided by Congress. This circuit includes
a part of New York. Senator Platt was at
the White House today, and is understood
to have talked over the judgeship with the
President. Representative Sherman is
strongly urged, and is said to be inclined
to the bench. The President will probably
make an announcement as to the judgeship
in a short time.
The President received the teachers and
pupils of the Westtown, Pa, Female Col
lege.
President Roosevelt this morning had a
long conference with Senators Hoar, Alli-
son, Hale and McComas. The senators re-
maiEed with the President nearly an hour
Assistant Secretary Sanger of the War
Department presented Alfred Moseley of
England, a writer on economic and educa-
tioEal matters.
Veterans Pay Call.
The President had a call today from r.
~
Union Veteran Union; ]. Edwin Brown.
commander Of the Union Veteran Legion:
B. F. Bingham. commander OF the District
Grand Army of the Republic, and Colonel
NJ. E. Urell Of the Spanish War Veterans.
These veterans told the President they
would like for him to intervene in the
matter of retaining competent veterans In
the civil service, especially in the census
office. They complained that competent
man had recently lost his place in the