Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-20
Going to Kalamazoo.

0oluS TO h3lanaZOO.
The President will go direct from Detroit
to Kalamazoo and thence to Grand Rapids
ana a few days later will be in Minneapo-
lis. Representative Morris wanted the
President to go to Duluth and extended him
an invitation today but the President said
he would not be able to go there
Senator Burrows spoke to the President
about his Kalamazoo visit. The senator has
received telegram saying that the Presi-
Dent will be given a great reception.
Representative Cochran today asked the
President to include St joseph In his west
ern itinerary, and the President said he
would see what he could do
Representative Irwin of kentucky swelled
T Ine number of invitations by urging the
fresldent to visit Louisville and make a
speech there. Lexington is also expecting
visit from the President
Pardon of a Small Boy.
President Roosevelt has granted A pardon
to James r. Thomas, a twelve-year-old coll
ored boy, who is confined in the reform
school Thomas was sent to the school by
a judge of the Police Court December 20
l'Vl, on the ground that he was incorrigi-
Die 1t has since been found that he was
sentenced under a complete misstatement
OF facts and that he had always been a
good boy. He Is going back to live with
his mother.
immigration Office Troubles.
president Roosevelt had a number of con-
ferences today with New York people rela-
i've TO contracts for privileges at Ellis
ls-and. The matter threatens a lot of
trouble, and politicians and others are de-
claring that things will become too hot
to handle If the President does not make
some changes in the recommendation of
Commissioner Williams. who succeeded
Commissioner Fitchie as the head of the
immigration office at New York Commits
sfohef WliilamS has recommended to Sec
retary Shaw that Hudgins & Dumas. who
are said to be reporters on a New York
paper, be given the contract for the feed
ing of detained immigrants at 80 cents a
day instead of Emil Schwab, who now
holds the contract at 35 cents day; that
Post & F'lagg be given the money exchange
privilege, and that the Westcott Express
company be given the baggage privilege.
Whlle there is also trouble about the last
two contracts, the heaviest kick is over
the feeding of immigrants. There were
many bidders for this privilege. The bids
ranged down as far as is cents a day and
there We're few bids as low as cents for
breakfast. Commissioner Williams decid-
ed that 30 cents a day was small enough
for this service, inasmuch as the steamship
companies pay the bill, and contended that
immigrants would not be properly fed for
any less.
Commissioner Williams came to Wash
ington today, took breakfast with the Presi-
dent this morning and lunch with him
again this afternoon, and was present at
a conference at the close of the ca abinet
meeting. at which Secretary Shaw and
representatives of various bidders for the
feeding privilege were present. Judge ia
cob New, Henry B. ketcham and Repre-
sentative Lessler represented the bidders
among whom are Emil Schwab. related to
Gustav Schwab, the steamboat president
These representa- tives of the bidders talked
In strong terms, and declared that the
commissioner had no right to impose addi-
tional expense upon the steamship COM
panies il reliable people would feed the
immigrants at less than 30 cents a day
None of the representatives contended that
immigrants could be fed as low as Is cents
but it was felt that something could be
done at from 20 cents up. Commissioner
Williams claims that the matter comes
under him, and he is responsible for the
administration of the office, he prefers TO
let the contract to men who he has
confidence Will. carry out their contract
and not treat immigrants as mere animals
Secretary Shaw said this afternoon that
a few changes might be made in the sched-
ule of prices to be charged immigrants for
meals when paid by themselves. but that
in the main 1t was his purpose to back up
the recommendations of Mr.. Williams. The
President, after giving brief hearing to
the matter. said that he would place the
whole thing in the hands of Secretary
Shaw.