The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-15
President Likely to Appoint
Him on Canal COnstfuc-
ion Commission
SENATOR SPOONER MAKES
CALL At SYCAMORE HILL
Author of the Panama Amendment
Has Been Invited by the Depart
ment of Justice to Help Ex-
anime T.tlcs TO Route.

Oyster Bay, N. Y. July 14-The Presi-
dent has invited General Leonard Wood
to visit him at sagamore Hill early In
August General Wood is one of Mr..
Roosevelt's closest friends and the Presi-
dent entertains high regard for his
executive ability. On account of that
fact General Wood is mentioned as
probable member of The isthmian canal
commission to have general charge OF
the canal construction. It Is understood
tonight to be not unlikely that he may be
appointed at the head Of the commission
The visit of Senator John C. Spooner
to Sycamore Hill excites much interest
here. Mr.. Sroener came up the sound on
a yacht, arriving in the bay shortly af-
ter o'clock lest right He sent a note
to the President and after coming
ashore was soon in conference with
President Roosevelt and Secretary of
War Root. The conference lasted until
almost midnight. Secretary Cortelyou
said today that he could say nothing of
the details of the matters discussed. It
Is known. however, that aside from the
social character of the call, the Presi-
dent and Senator Spooner being close
personal friends, the question of the title
to the Panama Canal company's prop
erty was under discussion.
Senator Spooner Invited.
Under the provisions OF the isthmian
caral measure recently enacted by Con-
gress, which bears Mr.. Spooner's name
the President is authorized TO acquire the
Panama canal property for $4,000. .OO0
provided that he, through the law Of
. ficers of the government, shall be satis-
fed, after an investigation. that the new
Panama canal company can pass to the
United States a clear title to Its property.
Senator Spooner has been invited by the
department of justice to assist in the
investigation of the title. This investiga-
ton Will necessitate a trip to Paris by
these making 1t. Senator Spooner is
reasonably certain that this country can
acquire a clear title to the property, and
some of his reasons for his belief were
presented last night. Although Senator
Spooner's term IN the Senate does not ex-
pire until 1906, a contest against him al
ready mas been inaugurated aud it is said
that the matter was adverted to briefly.
After the conference Mr.. Spooner re-
turned to the yacht
President Roosevelt and Secretary of
War Root spent the greater part of the
day in discussing matters of Importance
which reached them from Washington
by the mails and telegraph. Architect
McKim OF New York, who prepared the
plsns for and is supervising the work of
the reconstruction of the interior of tho
White House at Washington. arrived af-
ter noon and was driven directly to Saga
more Hill. There he had a consultation
with the President and Mrs. Roosevelt
concerning the repairs being made to the
mansion. 1s.e discussion dwelt pctlaoi-
pally upon the deco tions and minor de-
tails Of the rejnodeling.
Went Aboard Yacht.
At o'clock the President, Mrs. Roose-
velt Secretary Root. Miss Alice Roose-
welt, DR.. Lambert, the Presidents ply
sician, Mr.. McKim and the Roosevelt
children went abord the official yacht
"Mayfiower," which lies about eight
miles from Sycamore Hill. The trip to
the yacht was made in one of the May
flowers launches. Secretary Root board
ed the government yacht Kanawha,
which had been awaiting him. and, in the
early evening left for New York. He
expects 10 reach Washington tomorrow
morning.
After carefully inspecting the May
flower the President and his party re-
turned to Sycamore HILL
The initenaries of the Presidents trip
to New England and the northwestern
states have been completed by Secretary
Cortelyou, but they will not be made
public for several days. Mr. Cortelyou
expects to go to Washington tomorrow
to complete the final arrangements for
both trips. He says he cannot con-
veniently make such arrangements as he
desires from Oyster Bay. not having at
hand the necessary data 1t Is an
nounced that no deviation will be made
from the schedules of stops already pre-
pared.
After remaining in Washington several
days, Mr.. Cortelyou will take rest for
a month In his absence Assistant Sec
retary Loeb will have charge Of the
clerical work.
Tomorrow afternoon Mrs. Roosevelt
will give a reception on board the May
flower to the members of the ladies aux
iliary of Christ Episcopal church, Of
which she is a member. The party will
be taken on board the yacht in launches
at 4 o'clock, A three-hours sail will be
a pleasant incident of the reception.