Evening star., 1902-04-18
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Matters Discussed at Today's
Cabinet Session.
THE ISTHMIAN CANAL
ITS SITUATION TALKED OF AS TO
CERTAIN FEATURES.
Effort to Prevent the Retirement Of
THE ISTHMIAN CANAL
Effort to Prevent the Retirement of
Lieut.. Gen. Miles-President Going
to New York Tonight.

AZ lhe IeS HeSlIuS loddy lue CdDlIel
discussed certain features of the isthmian
canal situation; matters connected with the
New York customs service and the immi
grafton service; and also subjects connected
with second-class mail matter.
The future postal relations of the United
States with Cuba were touched upon. The
President heartily approved of the under
standing reached with the new President of
Cuba to continue the two-cent rate of post
age between the two countries, and also
in relation to the money order service.
The cabinet was not in session long.
The Case Of Gen. Miles.
Senator Proctor Of the Senate committee
on military affairs was with President
Roosevelt this morning. Later Assistant
Secretary Sanger and Adjutant General
Corbin. who has not been at the White
House for several months, conferred with
the President. These visits led to consider
able speculation. the foremost thought be-
ing that the conferences were in connection
with the contemplated retirement by the
President of Lieutenant General Nelson A.
Miles, but they said that their business re-
lated entirely to the Philippines and that
the name of Miles was not mentioned.
President Roosevelt has had several talks
recently with senatorial friends of General
Miles and political friends and advisers.
<AiIlOHS tleSe are SeIldtOTS AlllSOH, hale,
Hoar and McComas. Some of these men
are personal friends of General Miles and
would regret to see his compulsory retire
ment by the chief executive. Others are
friends of the President. who believe it
would be best to allow General Miles to
continue his service until the date for his
retirement under the law. This is in Au-
gust, 1903. The appeal in behalf of General
the President decided to withhold action
for the present, at least until the return
Of Secretary Root from Cuba. The Presi-
dents inclinations are opposed to delay. He
believes that the continuation of General
Miles will mean the continuation of dis
cord in the War Department and his de-
termination Is Interchangeable that this shall
not be the case. The President has no fear
of the comment, political or otherwise, that
might follow compulsory retirement, and
If he should forego his intentions as to
General Miles it, would be with the dis
tinct understanding that the latter will
cease antagonism to the administration. 1t
is said that friends of General Miles have
promised that the latter will follow such
course If he is not disturbed.
President Roosevelt is said to have infor-
nation in his possession that General Miles
engaged in course of action that practical
ly resulted in furnishing opposition to the
republican policy in the Philippines.
Going to New York Tonight.
President Roosevelt, accompanied by Mrs
Roosevelt will leave Washington at mid
night tonight for New York to attend the
installation of Nicolas Murray Butler as
President of Columbian University. The
special car will reach New York about
o'clock tomorrow morning, and the Pres-
dent and Mrs. Roosevelt will be driven to
their home at No West 57th street They
will remain there until about noon when,
under an escort Of the National Guard of
New York the President will go to Column
bian University He will remain there un-
til about o'clock, returning to his home.
Toward midnight he will take train for
Washington, reaching here Sunday morn
ing.
Sons of the Revolution.
President Roosevelt today received the
delegates who are attending the annual
gathering of the General Society Of the
Sons Of the Revolution. Each delegate was
introduced by ex-Gov. John. Lee Carroll of
Maryland, and the occasion was a most
pleasant one.
Senator Kittredge was with the President
a few minutes Senators Mallory and Tai
liaferro of Florida presented a friend.
A Temporary Executive Officer.
Representative Mercer, chairman of the
House committee on public buildings and
grounds, called at the White House today
for the purpose of consulting the Presi-
dent S wishes With regard to the erection in
the White House grounds of temporary
structure to be used as the Office of the
President and his executive force.
Mr.. Mercer believes that the Presidents
offices should be separate and distinct from
those of any department, and says that the
proposed temporary building is contem-
plated pending a final settlement of the
question of enlarging the White House, the
placing of the executive Offics in more
imposing building the building of a
home for the President. A temporary
building would be used no longer than
necessary to settle the question of the fu-
ture of the White House.
Presidential Nominations.
The President today sent the following
nominations to the Senate
Promotions in the revenue cutter service:
First assistant engineers to be chief engi-
neers-Geo. B. Maher. District Of Columbia;
Henry Q. Siayton, Maine. First lieutenants
to be captains-Frank H. Newcomb, Massa-
chusetts; Charles H. Mcclellan, Maine; E.
c. Clayton, South Carolina. Second lieu
tenants to be first lieutenants-Percy H.
Brereton, New Jersey; Godfrey L. Garden,
California. Third lieutenant to be second
lieutenant-Wm. G. Blasdel California.
Marine hospital service-Assstant Sur
geon Hill Hastings, passed assistant sur