Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-21
At THE WHITE MOUSE
A Woman Caller Who is
Posted in Politics.
A FIGHT ON IN TEXAS
CONSUL GENERAL LONG SEES THE
PRESIDENT.
Senator Cullom Talks Hopefully About
the Political Situation
in Illinois.

Few women have more interesting his
tory and personality than Miss j. N
Strong, one of the callers at the White
House today. She has for seven years
been the private secretary of ex-Repre-
sentative Hawley of Texas, the preser.
republican national committeeman from
that state. Mr.. Hawley was a member OF
Congress from the Galveston district of
Texas for several terms, and Is business
man of prominence in his state. He still
retains an active interest in political affairs
in Texas and Miss Strong continues to be
his private secretary. She is not only Mr.
Hawley's representatives. Washington, but
likewise the representative of the republ-
can organization of Texas, which includes
Cecil Lyons, chairman Of the republican
state committed: E. r. Green, son Of Hetty
Green, and others who are affiliated with
the republican organization and with Mr..
Hawley in the management of affairs in
the state.
Thoroughly Posted in Politics.
Miss Strong is the best-posted woman in
Washington in the politics of any state
She knows the politics of her own state in
minute detail, is acquainted with condi-
tions in every district and every county,
and knows every man of prominence in the
state. They all know her. have respect
and admiration for her. and possess ar
acute respect for her political ability. 1t is
not in executing political plans in Texas
that she is known, but as the Washington
representative of the organization and the
leaders Of the organization These men
trust her implicitly, turn over to her nearly
all the details of federal appointments to
be made here, and know that she will do
just what is asked and desired, and do it in
cautious, clever way, saying nothing to
anybody not supposed to skRow about the
case or to have anything to do with it. In
important appointments MIR. HaWley comes
on here and sees the President or cabinet
members himself, but in minor eases he
leaves the carrying out OF his instructions
to Miss Strong. She Is a freqaent visitor
with the proper officials Yregarding Texas
matters. She carefully locks after the IN
terests Of Texas republican constituents,
secures good many places for men or
women the organization desires cared for,
and apparently does not consider that she
has done much. 1t is related Of her that
once she went to see cabinet officer re-
gardng a place for constituent. The
to her applicant, but In q pleasant and
courteous manner. said:s Il am sorry to
disappoint YOU after looking into such
pretty brownCeyes. g..
but clever answer. that the ayes ought to
have IT. The cabinet officer was so plea sed
with the retort that he made the appoint
ment.
Miss Strong Is known to all the depart
ments. She is as modest as she is perse-
Verlng, and prompt In attention to her busi
ness, and is as well liked here as she is in
Texas.
Miss Strong belongs to a family that
stands at the top Of the old families in New
YORK Her father was Robert Weeks
Strong, lawyer of prominence, and Miss
Strong is connected with the Strong, Weeks
a M VT or 70 To- ocN
atives probably do not approve of her doing
her present work, but they recognize her
determination to take care of herself Her
family is as cid and stands as well in New
York as that of President Roosevelt which
is one of the oldest in the state.
Sharp Fight in Texas.
A sharp political duel is in progress in
Texas for the control of the organiza ton.
number of months ago President Roose
welt dismissed Dr. John Grant as marshal
of the eastern district Of Texas because DR..
Grant was charged with having accepted
money from a United States bank for
claiming to have used his influence to have
the bank designated as a depositary of gov
ernment money. DR.. Grant prior to that
time mad been power In the state, and
stood with Mr.. Hawley in political in
fuence. DR.. Grant is actively at work ar
raylng all the republicans he can control
against President Roosevelt and is really
leading the night against delegates for Mr..
Roosevelt in the national convention two
years from now. Mr.. Hawley is pledged to
Mr. Roosevelt for two years hence. The
nght is most bitter one DIR. Grant having
strong support. In the meantime the or
ganization will probably make a fight on
all federal office holders who are supposed
TO be friendly to Grant. 1t Is charged that
George Green, marshal of the northern dis
trict OF Iexas, is a personal friend and sup
porter of DR.. Grant. Therefore the or
ganization is going. to lay for his scalp and
enoeaVor TO nave him replaced by man
who Is friendly to the aspirations of the
President for the nomination.
The republicans are making a vigorous
nght to capture several congressional dis
tricts They are most hopeful as to two of
me the new districts created under the redis-
trlctlng or the state. These are the ninth
and fifteenth. The ninth district is COM
posed largely OF the territory formerly en-
praced IN the congressional district repre-
sented by Mr.: Hawley. The republicans
nave nominated man nan9ed B0row, while
the democratic nominee Is Representative
burgess. A brother of ex-Representative
hleberg and several democra tss have come
out LOT MT. Burow. In the new fifteenth
uistrlct the republicans have nominated j.
=: scott, while the democratic nominee is
Mr. Garner. This district Is the home Of
lanes 5alae Wells: the state chairman of the
cans hope to make it disaxreeable for Mr.
Wells by electing a republican in his own
olstrlct From democra tic sources here and
IN Iexas It Is affirmed that the republicans
will not elect a single candidate to Con-
gress.
MISS Strong is acquainted with the efforts
pelns made In all the districts, and is the
means OF correspondence between Wash
lngton of11cials and politiciahs and the re-
publican managers and oAaeials in Texas
She talks so little, however: that few peo-
pie would know what her business was
when she goes to the White House and
departments.
Consul General Long Calls.
John G. Long. United States consul gen.
eral to Cairo, Egypt, paid the President a
call today. Mr.. Long has been in this
country ON leave since September Is. and
VIII return to his post about the 10th Of
November. Mr.. Long says that cholera has
almost disappeared from Cairo, the few
cases charged to the city being in the out
skirts.
Mr.. Long Is the republican, snational COM
mitteeman OF Florida He said today that
the party Is In good shape in Florida. 1.-The