Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-07-17
HELD A CONFERENCE.
Senator Spooner Visits the Presi.
dent at Oyster Bay.
PANAMA CANAL TITLE DISCUSSED.
President Roosevelt and Secretary Root
Consider Matters Of Importance Sent
Them from Washing ton-The Presi.
dental Itineraries.

Oyster Bay, N. Y, July 15.-The
visit Of Senator John C. Spooner to
Sycamore Hill excites much interest
here. Senator Spooner came up the
sound on yacht, arriving in the bay
shortly after six o'clock Sunday
night. He sent note to the presi-
dent and, after coming ashore, was
soon in conference with President
Roosevelt and Secretary Of War Root.
The conference lasted until almost
midnight. Secretary Cortelyou said
yesterday that he could say nothing
Of the details Of the matters dis
cussed. It is known, however, that
aside from the social character Of
the call the president and Senator
Spooner being close personal friends,
the question of the title to the Pan
ANA Canal company's property was
under discussion. Under the provl-
sions Of the isthmian canal measure
recently enacted by congress, and
which bears Senator Spooner's name,
the president is authorized to ac-
quire the Panama canal property
for $4OoOo,OOO, provided that he,
through the law officers Of the gov
ernmcnt, shall be satisfied after an
investigation that the new Panama
Canal company can pass to the
United States clear title to its prop
erty. Senator Spooner has been in
vited by the department of justice
to assist in the Investigation Of the
title. This investigation will necessi-
tate a trip to Paris by those maxi
ing it. Senator Spooner Is reasonably
certain that this country can acquire
a clear title to the property, and
some of his reasons for his belief
were presented Sunday night Al
| though Senator Spooner's term in
the senate does not expire until 1905,
a contest against him already has
been inaugurated and 1t is said that
the matter was adverted to briefly.
| After the conference Senator Spoon
er returned to the yacht.
President Roosevelt and Secretary
of War Root spent the greater part
of yesterday in considering matters
of Importance which reached them
from Washington by the mails and
telegraph. Architect McKim of New
York, who prepared the plans for
and is supervising the work OF re-
construction of the interior of the
white house at Washington, arrived
after noon and was driven directly
to Sycamore Hill. There he had a
consultation with the president and
Mrs. Roosevelt concerning the re-
pairs being made to the mansion.
The discussion dealt principally with
the decorations and the minor de-
tails of the remodeling.
At four o'clock the president, Mrs.
Roosevelt, Secretary Root, Miss Alice
Roosevelt. DR.. Lambert, the presl-
dents physician, Mr.. McKim and the
Roosevelt children went aboard the
official yacht "MayAower," which lies
about eight miles from Sycamore
HILL The trip to the yacht was made
in one Of the Mayhower's launches
Secretary Root boarded the govern
ment yacht Kanawha. which had been
awaiting him, and in the early even
ing left for New York. He expected
to reach Washington this morning
After carefully inspecting the May
flower the president and his party
returned to Sycamore Hill.
The itineraries of the president on
his trips to New England and to the
northwestern states have been com
pleted by Secretary Cortelyou, but
they will not be made public for sew
eral days. Mr.. Cortelyou expects to
90 to Washington to-day to complete
the final arrangements for botl
trips. He says that he cannot con
veniently make such arrangements
as he desires from Oyster Bay, no
having at hand the necessary data.