Evening star., 1902-05-07
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Another Talk on Irrigation
Legislation.
SECRETARY CORTELYOU
WILL PROBABLY BE AT HEAD OF
COMMERCE DEPARTMENT.
Boer Representative Lunches With
nt-oleomargarine Bill
to Be Signed.
SECRETARY CORTELYOU

Mondell and the other western men who
are so deeply interested in irrigation are
trying to arrange a few features of the
Senate bill SO that it win have plain sail
ing through the House The irrigation adj
vocates have been promised a day in the
House for action on their measure, and
they are confident Of the result
This bill is one of a number pending in
Congress that the President would like to
see become laws at this session He be-
lieves that it is almost imperative that
there should be action on important legis
lation. He has had several conferences
recently with Speaker Henderson as to the
legislative situation in the House. Besides
Philippine and Cuban reciprocity legislation
that are regarded as of paramount i'm
portance by the President there are various
other measures, such isthmian canal.
irrigation and the establishment of a de-
partment of commerce. The President is
understood to feel that a new department
Is essential and that it would be Of great
value in the development of the commercial
growth and prosperity Of the country.
MI. Cortelyou Would Be Secretary.
There is a strong belief. based as much
on logical grounds as on information, that
Secretary Cortelyou would be the first
head of the new department of commerce.
ably of Secretary Cortelyou, and would be
exceedingly glad of an opportunity to ele-
vate him to the cabinet. That was what
President Mckinley intended to do had he
lived.
President Roosevelt is a strong friend
of statehood and would be glad to see Con-
greSs make some new states Delegate
Rodey of New Mexico, who called on the
President today, believes that the House
will pass the bill providing for statehood
for New Mexico.
Sympathy for the Beers.
NJ. D. Snyman, the Boer commandant,
who represents Boer interests in the
United States, was a caller at the White
House this morning and later In the day
was guest of the President at luncheon.
His call Was, of course, unofficial.
Commandan Snyman is most hopeful
that Congress will take some action ex-
pressing sympathy with the Beers in their
struggle. "The mass of the people of this
country" said Commandant Synman. 'are
In hearty sympathy with the Boer cause.
An expression Of sympathy from Congress
would give our friends in England strength
and courage. 1 have received within the
last few days 10000 petitions to Congress,
asking for the passage of a resolution of
sympathy. These will be presented to
Congress, and will swell the already large
number before that body.
"The alleged peace movement In South
Africa is composed largely of talk in Eng
lish newspapers, the echoes of which reach
this country. Is it possible that there can
be any movement for peace when the
shooting Of men goes on daily? Does that
indicate that the Beers are hunting for
peace? The war is going on just as fiercely
now as ever and there is not the slightest
prospect that it is going to stop
Commandant Snyman says that the Boer
cause is receiving immense aid in this
through the efforts of Charles D.
Pierce, who was the former consul of the
Orange Free State in New York.
The New York Judgeship.
The settlement of the New York judgeship
is apparently as far away as it has been
since the bill providing for a new circuit
judge was passed. There are said to be
some complications in the situation that
the President wants to see removed be-
fore he makes a nomination. 1t is still un-
derstood that Judge Alfred c. Coke of the
district of New York win be ele-
waited to circuit judge, and that the Presi-
dent will fill the vacancy by naming of
three men. These men are Representative
Ray, Representative Sherman and Attorney
General Davies, who is serving under Gov
ernor Odell. There is something of split
In the New York delegation oyer the mat
ter. The organization is divided in its de-
sres. The President holds that judgeship
is matter above politics, but his decision
as to a man would be influenced by wheth-
er the man was unanimously backed.
Will Sign Oleomargarine Bill.
President Roosevelt will not withhold his
approval from the oleomargarine bill and
will sign it today or tomorrow. Secretary
Wilson has had the bill at the Department
Of Agriculture for several days and has
made a report to the President of his
views. When the bill is returned to the
White House it will be signed.
Commissioner George NJ. Bowers Of the
fish commission was a visitor. To a Star
reporter Mr.. Bowers said that the fiscal |
year just closing would be the greatest in |
the history Of the commission in the output |
Of fish. Il do not know what the exact |
figures will be-" said Mr.. Eowers but l |
believe that the record for the year will |
show that we have placed in the waters Of |
the United States S00,OOO.O00 more fish than |
in any year since the establishment of the |
fish commission. This great increase con-
sists principally of white fish, pike, perch |
and the commercial varieties of fish,
Marshal Grant Dismissed.
The President has summarily dismissed |
John Grant, United States marshal for the |
eastern district Of Texas. On April / last
the Attorney General charged Grant with |
a fee Of $1,000 for services in |
securing for Beaumont (Texas) national |
bank a designation as United States gov
depository. Grant is said to have
admitted that he received the $1,000, but |
stated that it was not as a fee, but was in |
payment of the legitimate expenses of him.
self and friends in that connection. When |
asked for a statement of these expenses |
Grant replied that it was impossible for |
him to give an itemized account There |
lpon the Attorney General recommended his |
immediate dismissal, which has received
the Presidents approval DR.. Grant is a |
prominent republican leader in Texas
Major Rathhone's Case.
The case of Major Estes g. Rathbone, |
who was convicted in the Cuban courts of |
of his office in the island. /
was the subject of an extended conference |
1t the White House last night. Senator |
Hanna made an earnest application to the |
President for q new trial for Rathbone, |
protesting that he believed him innocent of |
the crime of which he was convicted His
arguments were supplemented by state /
nents from Mr.. Fable Desvernine, the Gu |
ban counsel for Rathbone, and by Mr.. |
Frank d. Pavey Of New York, who has |