Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-29
At THE WHITE HOUSE
The President Remained in
His Office Today.
CUBAN RECIPROCITY
SENATOR SCOTT has A CONFER
ENCE ON THE SUBJECT.
Representative Joy May Be the Next
Postmaster at st. Louisa
Story Punctured.
CUBAN RECIPROCITY

Story Punctured.
Ultra-protectionists in the Senate intend
to make trouble for the Cuban reciprocity
treaty when 1t is presented in that body
for ratification. A number of them have
intimated as much to the President. AL
though the President feels that the treaty
that has been negotiated will obtain the
necessary sanction Of the Senate, he Is
probably somewhat surprised to find strong
opposition looming up already. Besides the
large number of senators who represent
states having special interests opposed TO
admitting Cuban goods at reduced rates
are those senators hailing from states that
protest violently against any action that
means directly or indirectly tinkering with
or lowering the tariff. For a long time
some of these men took the position that
they might be able to support recipro-
city treaty for the reason that 1t would
not open up the possibility Of amendments
to the Dingley tariff in the way a straight
tariff concession would. The RECIPROCITY
idea Is now beginning to frfghten them
IF Cuba is to have special recipro-
city arrangements with the United
states, why not France? If France,
why not other countries entitled 10 the
same privleges?" So the ultra-protectlon-
lists are beginning to see the opening wedge
Of a serious assault on the tariff system
by the ratification Of the treaty with Cuba,
whose relations with this country are SO
entirely different from those of any other
country as to make the argument OF the
protecdonists not as strong as 1t could
be. But it at least Is ground for opposltion
to the plan Of assistance of Cuba and
foundation is all that Is needed for the
fight.
If the President sees fit to make the
treaty an administration affair and insists
on ratification he will probably be supported
by some Of the senators who are opposed
generally to reciprocity and who are not
any more favorable to Cuba than any other
country.
Senator Scott in Conference.
Senator Scott Of West Virginia, who is
understood to oppose reciprocity as means
of overcoming the protection Of the Dingley
law, so far as certain countries are con-
cerned, had long conference with the
President today, remaining with him nearly
an hour and discussing many subjects with
him, among them being the Cuban reciproc-
ity treaty. What Senator Scotts attitude
will be IS not known, but the President
would like the support of as many sena-
tors as possible for the treaty. He has
the latter presented them at length today.
Senator Scott urged the President to ap-
point Rev. c. H. Payne, colored Of Hun
tington. w. Va, as minister to Liberia. In
case of probable vacancy in that position.
The President intimated strongly that If a
new minister is selected he will not come
from West Virginia. The chances are said
to favor a Maryland colored man for the
position. Senator Scott likewise urged the
President to appoint Senator Harris Of Kan
sas on the isthmian commission, declar-
ing that Senator Harris would prove one
Of the most competent men in the country
fe h~Sr - t.
likely that Senator Harris will be one Of
the democrats picked by the President for
the commission.
Remains in His Office.
Owing to the bad weather today, and
especially to the slippery condition of the
streets. the President did not go for his
ally horseback ride. Mrs. Roosevelt was
to have accompanied him, but the Presi-
dent did not care to risk injury to his
horses and remained in his office. He saw
all the callers who presented themselves
at the White House Most of these were
persons who wanted to present friends.
some friends with him; Mr.. Foulke Of the
civil service commission introduced a
friend; Captain Walsh Of the New York
police force, who knew the President when
the latter was police commissioner Of New
York, saw the President, with his two
sons.
Leslie Coombs Of Kentucky, who has been
appointed to succeed DR.. Hunter as United
States minister to Qua temala, called to pay
his respects and likewise to say farewell,
as he will sail for his post of duty in a
short time.
Playing Single-Stick.
The fact that the President enjoys single
stick play as means of exercise has led
to a sensational story that he was nearly
blinded by being struck over one eye with
a stick. The President did receive slight
bruise on his forehead. two or three inches
above the left eye, few days ago, but he
laughs at the thought that there should
several Of which may be expected at each
play at this exercise. The President has
been playing single-stick nearly every day
for month with Gen. Leonard Wood. with
other exercises. When the President and
Gen. Wood begin to play single-stick the
understanding Is that each Is to do his best
and that there Is to be no sham. So they
genuine opponents. Gen. Wood left the
bruise on the President that has caused the
story that the latter was nearly blinded
The Presidents boys play single-stick and
do 1t In rough and tumble fashion If
one Of them complained Of a bruise from
the exercise the President would probably
chide him for his complaint. Single-stick
Is broadsword exercise with the swords
faces OF the players are protected by he'll
NETS and the bodies by padded jackets and
cuirasses. Every part of the body is
brought into lively exercise. Despite the
projections a bruise is often received by
one or the other Of the combatants. partic-
ularly II they play with zeal and strenuos-
ity.
st. Louis Next Postmaster.
There is strong belief that Representa-
tive Joy Of st. Louis, who called at the
White House for few minutes today, will
be the next postmaster Of St. Louis. The
term of Fred Baumhoff, the present post
master, will expire in February, and the
chances are that he will not be renominat
ed Charges have been preferred against
him and an investigation Of his office has
been made by an inspector. The general
belief Is that the outcome will be that
Baumhon will not succeed himself. Mr..
Joys former district was redistricted by the
democratic legislature Of Missouri right af-
ter the census of 1900 and Mr.. JOY was
placed in an overwhelming democratic dis
trict. Despite HIS personal popularity he
failed to carry the district in November
last. and after March will be out Of Con-
gress. His friends have insisted that no
hatt n ha sal tad for