Evening star., 1902-01-03
First Cabinet Session of the New
Year.
DEPARTMENTS need MORE ROOM
Miss Roosevelt to Christen the
kaiser's Yacht.
GOING TO ESTON

spent considerable time In discussing the
serious need for more room in the govern
mental departments. The question was
brought forward by the Secretaries of War
Navy and State. These departments are
experiencing a condition of affairs that is
both troublesome and perpleXng. The
growth of the War and Navy departments
has been great within the last few years
that both have outgrown the space allotted
TO them in the one building occupied by
the three departments. The result is that
there Is constant and unpleasant over
crowding and a demand for necessary room
that cannot be complied with. The situa-
tion in these departments led to remarks
by other cabinet officials as to a similar
state of affairs in their own departments,
although they admitted that the State. War
and Navy departments were probably
worse off than themselves
The discussion had no definite purpose
beyond that Of ultimately causing some
thing to be done. That there must be more
room in some way or another was put down
as certainty, and the probability is that
President Roosevelt will be compelled to
make some suggestions to Congress about
new building additions to the present
building. although the latter plan is con-
sidered improbable and impracticable The
matter will be sent to Congress in some
shape, and the discussion today will un-
doubtedly lead to more decided views and to
the putting forward of one or more plans
Attorney General Knox made an off-hand
suggestion that the site of the old Corco-
ran Art Gallery, or, rather, the entire square
in front Of the State, War and Navy build
ing, would be a good one for a new and
beautiful building. His idea was that this
building could be erected for both the De-
partment of Justice and State Department
leaving the War and Navy Departments in
charge Of the present building, and giving
them enough room for good many years
to come. This suggestion received some
commendation, and later may become well
supported. Mr.. Knox believes that this site,
being opposite the present beautiful depart
ment, and close to the White House and
other departments, would be most excel
lent one.
Mr.. Knox does not think that the site
of the old Department Of Justice, fronting
the treasury, would be an adequate or ap-
propr1ate one for fine building to be oc-
cupied by two departments. He does not
think 1t mt for even one department.
Hardships of Immigration Laws.
President Roosevelt has received from
New York a touching appeal regarding the
hardships of the immigration laws in some
cases. The particular case in point Is that
of Syrian wife who came to this country
to join her husband, who has been in the
United States for over a year and is able
to support his family. With the mother
are two girls, daughters, who are suffering
from what is called Egyptian ophthalmia a
contagious affection of the eyes. Under
the immigration law persons suffering from
this disease, peculiar to the Levant, can
not be landed.
The mother and children have been placed
in the hospital Of the immigration station
at Ellis Island and If the trouble yields to
treatment they will probably be admitted.
If it does not, the mother and little ones
will be sent back to their home, leaving the
father in this country. This case is pointed
out as one of number of the kind where
some trouble prevents husband and wife
and members Of families from joining each
other.
Envoy to the Coronation.
President Roosevelt still has under con-
sideration the selection Of an envoy to rep
resent this country at the coronation Of
King Edward VII. The President is dis
cussing the matter with Secretary Hay and
some announcement will be made from the
State Department when decision has been
reached. AS there is no haste, the final
choice may not be announced for some
time. Gossip suggests the names Of ex-
President Cleveland, former Senator VOL
colt and others.
To Christen the kaiser's Yacht.
President Roosevelt has, it is officially
announced, accepted the invitation extend
ed by Kaiser Wilhelm that Miss Alice
Roosevelt christen the new racing yacht
building for the kaiser on Staten Island.
The invitation was extended through DR..
Won Holleben, the German ambassador,
and the acceptance went through the same
source. The kaiser's communication, which
was most cordial in tone, likewise came
through Ambassador White and the State
Department. The President responded in
am appropriate way, and the incident is
41,y1 h.
lations of the United States and Germany.
The date for the launching and chris
tening of the yacht has not been fixed and
will probably be some time off.
The President himself may attend the
launching as an evidence of his cordial
feeling to Germany and her ruler.
President Going to Charleston.
Arrangements are being made for the
Presidents trip to the Charleston, s. c.,
exposition in February. The President will
be accompanied by Mrs Roosevelt, most of
the members Of the cabinet and some of
the cabinet ladies. The party will probably
leave here about February 10, arriving in
Charleston the following day. Two days.
possibly three, will be spent in Charleston,
when the return trip will be made directly
to Washington. 1t is not now the intention
to visit any other cities, and this will not !
be changed unless it is to make short stops
in some of the cities on the route to and
from Charleston.
The President's Callers.
Leroy Dresser, president Of the Mer-
chants Association of New York, and 8. ]
Christie Mead. assistant secretary of the
association, called upon the President and
discussed the need Of a more commodious
post office for the metropolis
Representative Dovener of West Vfr-
einia was at the White House with George
e. Work. postmaster at Sistersville, w Va
Mr. Work has been recommended for an
other term.
Thomas l.. Hicks, the retiring postmaster
at Philadelphia, paid his respects.
Chief Usher Dubois Retires.
Captain William Dubois, who has been
the chief usher at the White House for
number Of years, has asked for transfer
to one of the departments, and his request
viii be granted. Captain Dubois health
has not been good for some time and the
work at the White House was not condu-
Give to betterment of his condition,
Thomas e. Stone, one of the ushers ha .