Evening star., 1902-03-06
AT THE White HOUSE
Conference on Permanent Gen.
sus Bureau Bill.
IT MAY BE VETOED
PRESIDENT NOT IN FAVOR OF
SOME PROVISIONS.
Minister Powell to Have Another
Term-Judge for Alaska Decided
On-Today's Callers.


President Roosevelt is giving serious con-
sideration to the question of what he shall
do with the bill recently passed by Con-
gress establishing a permanent census bu-
reau. He had an important conference on
the subject this morning with Attorney
General Knox, Director Merriam and John
Proctor and William D. Foulke Of the civil
service commission. The conference was
held in the library and, although there were
many callers awaiting an audience, the
President did not permit himself to be dis
turbed. The participants in the conference
said that they were committed to secrecy
and could not answer any questions direct
or indirect, as to the probable course of
the President. They seemed to regard the
matter as of the utmost consequence.
Senator Borton and Representatives Cur
tis, Calderhead an1 Miller of Kansas talked
about the census bill with the President,
urging that he sign it. The President did
not vouchsafe an expression as to his in
tentions but his remarks did not indicate
any fr1endliness to the measure. In fact.
an impression was left with the Kansas
callers that the President might, after all,
veto the bill.
The President has closely guarded his in
tentions and little is known Of what action
he may take. 1t has been suggested that
he will sign the bill or let it become law
without his signature, and then direct by
executive order that the heads OF depart
ments continue to draw appointees from
the eligible list Of the civil service commits
son thereby ignoring the provisions OF
the bill permitting transfer of census clerks
to the government service without exam1-
nation. 1t is pointed out that this would
be an evasion of a law Of Congress, which
the President would probably not counte-
nance. The Presiden, may, it is said, dis
cover that the transfer provision is in Vlo-
lation Of the civil service laws, and 1t Is
suggested that this may account for MS
calling Attorney General Knox into con-
sderation Of the matter.
Want Some Foreign Business.
Senator Cullom and Representative Bou-
tell Of Illinois were at the White House
with Mr.. Garden, one of the officials or the
First National Bank Of Chicago. Mr.. Gar
den wanted to lay before the President the
desire of his bank to receive some Of the
foreign business Of the government. 1t Is
represented that foreign firm has acted
as the financial agent Of the government
in Europe for many years. making great
deal Of money out of the business. 1t Is
claimed that American banks and bankers
rate the business could be divided among
responsible institutions and not given to
one concern, 1t is claimed. Senator Cullom
has cOntended for number Of years that
the business should be divided. He says
that American concerns could easily do the
business by dealing with their foreign cor
respondents.
Another Term for Minister Powell.
1t is stated to be President Roosevelt's
years to William F. Powell. cOlored. the
minister Of the United States to Haiti.
The outlook was for a fight for Minister
Powells place In fact, the fight had al
ready begun at the White House, where
the claims of several candidates had been
presented. T. Thomas Fortune of New
York was heralded as a strong man and
as having the support of Booker Washing
ton The Maryland republicans had a cam
didate and the New York republicans were
backing Charles w. Anderson of New
York. Candidates were thicker than
Oyster Bay asparagus.
The President will renominate Minister
Powell, It is said, because the latter was
an appointee of the late Vice President
Hobart. besides having the support of the
late Senator Sewell. There is nothing
against the minister's record. 1t is said.
The Alaskan Judgeship.
The deposition Of Judge Arthur Noyes as
Judge Of the Cape Nome, Alaska, district
gives vacancy for which there is no lack
OF candidates. Twenty or twenty-five are
already in the field, and the number was
| increased today by the name Of Pennsyl-
vanian, a friend, constituent and neighbor
Of Senator Quay. He is Alfred 8. Moore of
Beaver, Pa, and his name was presented
by Representative ShowaltW. The Presi-
dent directed that Mr.. Moore's claims be
laid before Attorney General Knox.
Bishop H. Y. Satterlee presented Bishop
Brent. the newly selected Episcopal bishop
| of the Philippines. Bishop Brent will leave
for the islands in May. The best wishes Of
the President were extended to him.
Decoration Day Invitation.
B. F. Bingham, department commander
of the G. A. R., and Marion V. Anderson,
past department commander, invited the
President to attend the Memorial day exer-
cises at Arlington cemetery and to be the
orator Of the day. The President will con-
slider the invitation He has been fnvlled
| to Gettysburg and elsewhere. but has not
decided where he will go on May 80
H. Clay Evans presented to the President
Gen. Willard Warner Of Chattanooga, for
mer senator from Alabama.
Among the Presidents other visitors were
Senator-elect McCreery Of Kentucky and
| Senator McComas Of Maryland. The latter
| talked with the President about Cuban
reciprocity Senator McComas hopes that
some thing will be done for Cuba
Capt Thomas F. Pendel, the oldest in
| service OF any employe of the House, is
sick at his home in the city. Captain PEN
del was appointed an usher by President
Lincoln November 3. 1864. and has been
| on duty ever since. He some time ago
wrote a book Of his experiences at the
White House and 1t Is just out.
WILL GO TO MANILA.