Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-01
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Nominations Of immigration
Officers to Go in Tomorrow.
HOPE FOR HARMON Y
A PROMOTION ASKED FOR THE
MINISTER TO CHILE.
Supposed Conference on Matters Re
lating to the Philippines-Hold-
UP of Postmaster Happy.

The cabinet was not in session a long
time today and discussed few matters of
general interest. Secretary Hay told of the
progress already made in obtaining PROPOSE
tions as to the two canal routes across the
isthmus. The administration, 1t is stated,
desires to push these matters forward SO
as to have them in shape for submission to
Congress at an early date, SO that the latter
body may be enabled to act with the full
facts before it.
There was a discussion of the treasury
regulations governing the return of the
soldiers who in Cuba, and the effects
of these regulations in the matter of bring
ing back furniture and other things. A
clear understanding will be given the troops
as to just what they will be at liberty to
bring back from Cuba to this country.
Immigration Commissioners.
President Roosevelt gave some time to-
day to arranging the nominations he will
send to the Senate of the two immgra-
tion offices of importance-commissio
general of immigration in Washington, held
at present by I. V. Powderly, and COM
missioner of immigration at the port of
New York, now held by Thomas Fitchie,
The President conferred with Joseph Muir
ray, who is slated for assistant COM
missioner to succeed Mr. McSweeney. Mr..
Murray now lives in New York city, where
he is well known. He was at one time GUS
todian Of the state house and other state
buildings at Albany, and once a member
of the excise board. He is a close and
warm friend of the President, and is said
to be man Of ability. The understanding
Is that William Williams of New York will
succeed Mr.. Fitchie and that Frank p.
Sargent will succeed T. V. Powderly. The
nominations will dispose of a disagreeable
and difficult problem and the President
he no off arc
sworn in and begin upon their new duties.
he hopes and expects to see a change in
the policy regarding immigration affairs
and desires less complaint as to the man
agement of the whole question.
He will not permit friction such as that
which has existed for several years and
which has led to the changes that are to
be made. He wants harmony in the exc
cution of immigration laws and intends
that there shall not be discord that will
be injurious.
MI. Williams Accepts.
1t was announced this afternoon that
William Williams had accepted the offer of
the position of commissioner of immigra-
tion.
Mr.. Williams is a graduate of Yale of the
class of S4: graduate of the Harvard law
of law. He was associate counsel with ex-
Secretary John w. Foster in the Bering sea
arbitration. He went from New York to
Porto Rico in the Spanish war as private
with his troop, and was promoted to be
major in the quartermaster's department.
He was put in charge Of a transport which
he handled SO well as to win the praise of
his superiors. Mr.. Williams Is man of in
dependent means, a member of the house
committee of the University Club of New
York; he is a strong republican, and has
been an active member Of the Twenty ninth
District Republican ORGANIZATION.
Ihe appointment of assistant commits
sioner is not made by the President direct
being under the commissioner at New York
Mr.. Murray will he appointed by Mr.. Will
liams.
Kind Words for Mr.. McSweeney.
The friends Of Mr. McSweeney, the as
sistant commissioner, have not given up the
fight for him, and some powerful influence
is being exerted at the last minute in his
behalf. He is represented as having the
good will and respect of all the churches
and church workers around Ellis Island
He has given a favorable impression to a
number of prominent men, and effort
will be made to prevent his having to go
or having him transferred to some other
good place. His position is really under
the civil service.
A Promotion for Mr.. Wilson.
Senator Foster of Washington had a talk
with President Roosevelt today about trans
ferring to more important field the pres
ent minister of this country to Chile, Henry
Wilson. Senator Foster would like to have
Mr.. Wilson transferred to the Spanish mis-
sion or to the new mission at Havana
Cuba. Senator Foster spoke to the Presi-
dent about Mr.. Wilson's record pointing to
| it as one of the best in the service of the
government. Mr.. Wilson is a brother OF
ex-senator Wilson of Washington, and an
| interesting fact is that very recently the
| latter and Senator Foster were at logger
heads as to appointments in Washington so
much so that newspapers represented the
two men as irrevocably apart on every
thing political pertaining to Washing ct on.
That Senator Foster has seen fit to earnest
ly urge the promotion of the brother of the
| former senator is regarded as at least sig
nificant.
An Early Morning Conference.
Secretary Hay and Senator Beverdge
were in conference with President Roose-
| welt for half an hour this morning on an
| important matter, presumably relating to
| the Philippines The selection Of a COM
mission to visit the Philippines and Rome
| to discuss the question Of the purchase by
| this country of the lands of the friars is
| thought to have been one of the matters
| touched upon, inasmuch as Senator Bev-
| eridge is so well posted as to conditions in
the Philippines and at the time is
personally regarded so highly by the Presi-
| dent.
Senator Deboe of Kentucky saw the Pres
| ident regarding the hold-up in the Senate
| of the nomination of J. H. Happy as post
| master at Mayfield, Ky. Senator Deboe's
| friends are disposed to charge this hold-up
| to John r. Proctor of the civil service COM
| mission. 1t is alleged by them that Mr.
Proctor is making himself prominent in
| connection with Kentucky affairs, especial
| ly in post Office matters
Charles G. Bennett, the secretary of the
| Senate. introduced to the President Alfred
| Clayton Cole, one of the officers of the
Bank Of England.
Charles Mascord, who has for long time
| been the butler for Captain Cowles, has
| been appointed an usher at the White
House to fill the vacancy caused by the
promotion of Mr.. Stone to chief usher Mr.
| Mascord Is an Englishman.
Invited to a Reception.
committee composed of DIR. G. l.. Ray
| mond, DR.. Frank Sewall and r. L. OBrien,
all of this city, waited on the President
| today to invite him to be present at re-
| ceptfon to be rendered here to the Amer
| lean Social Science Association ubich