Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-30
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Comparatively Brief Session
of the Cabinet.
FILIPINO VISITORS
GENERALS WOOD AND YOUNG
DISCUSS ARMY MATTERS.
Grounds Being Cleaned for New Year
Reception-Senator Mitchell Talks
on Needs Of Alaska.

Todays meeting of the cabinet was COM
paratively brief, the session consuming less
than an hour. All the members except
Secretary Shaw, who is out Of the city,
were present. The President and his ad-
visers exchanged felicitations upon the re-
suits of the past years administration and
looked forward with hopeful anticipation
to the events Of the new year.
Secretary Hay had little new to present
to the cabinet on the Venezuelan question
or upon other matters relating to foreign
affairs. It is understood to be the hope
and expectation Of the President and his
advisers that upon the receipt of President
Castro's reply to the arbitration PROPOSE
tion the allies will agree to raise the block
ade established by them over Venezuelan
ports. Such action, in the view of this gov
ernment, would place the questions in con-
troversy in excellent shape for arbitration.
Secretary Moody and Postmaster General
PAYNE brought to the attention Of the cab
met some matters relating to their depart
ments, but they were of such a nature that
no announcements were made concerning
them.
Tomorrow's Half Holiday.
There is a slight misunderstanding among
heads Of departments about granting a
half holiday tomorrow. At thelast cabinet
meeting before ChristmasSit was agreed to
permit a half holiday to those clerks who
could be spared from thAir-9desks and this
resulted in the closing Of all the depart
ments the last half of the day before
Christmas At that meeting OF the cabinet
nothing was said about closing the depart
ments tomorrow for the half day preceding
the New Year. Most Of the cabinet officers
stated today that they woulo dlrect tne
closing of the departments tomorrow to
those clerks who were not necessary. Sec
retary Root is one of the cabinet officers
who stated that his department would. prob
ably not grant half holiday. me thou-
sands of clerks in the departments are
much Interested in the matter. 1t is thought
likely that the heads OF the departments
will all have an agreement by tomorrow
for the closing of work to clerks who can
be spared The government printing Office
and navy yard will be closed.
The Rehanging Of Pictures.
Many of the pictures that were removed
from the White House during; the repairs
and alterations are now being put back,
and it is believed that there will be satis-
factory arrangement of them when they
are all in place. OF course some changes
have necessarily had to be made. notahi.
in the east room, where the new decora-
tions will not admit of the hanging OF pic
lures. A number of the pictures have al
ready been hung in the red room and the
rapidly as possible the others will be hung
in other portions Of the building. This az
plies to the oil paintings OF presidents,
about which there has been some talk ard
also.
Visitors Received.
The President had several conferences
and received number of visitors up to IL
o clock this morning, at which time the
cabinet met. Gen. Leonard Wood and
General Young discussed an army matter
with the President for a short time. Cen
eral Young later presented some ladies. A.
w. Ferguson, secretary of the Philippine
commission, presented six young Fil1pinos
of prominence, who are visiting i'll this coun-
try There were also a number of other
visitors who merely desired to shake hands
with the President.
Senator Mitchell in Conference.
Senator Mitchell Of Oregon had a confer
ence with the President this morning. Fol-
lowing the announcement that Binger Her
mann is to resign as commissioner Of the
land office, the presumption was strong
that Mr.. Hermanns affairs were under dis
cussion. Senator Mitchell, however, stated
that this subject was not discussed and
that he had talked with the President about
necessary land laws for Alaska and similar
matters. Senator Mitchell said that Oregon
would not have a candidate for Mr.. Her
mann's position.
Grounds Nicely Cleaned.
The White House grounds are being
neatly cleaned in readiness for the Presi-
dents New Year reception. With the ex-
ception of one small building all the little
temporary buildings used by workmen en-
gagged on the alterations to the White
House have been torn down and the lum-
ber hauled away. All sorts of rubbish in
cident to repairing and building have been
taken away, so that the grounds may be
more or less presentable on New Year
day, when the great reception to the public
takes place. There is a good deal Of work
to be done in, and around the White
House. but this Is of character that can
be done by degrees and that does not inter-