Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12
President Declines to Take
Part in Illinois Campaign.
LONEDOG MAKESACALL
COMMISSIONER JONES PRESENTS
INDIANS TO THE CHIEF.
Distinguished Republican Leaders at
Luncheon]ohn Crawford Of Pana-
ma Describes Country in Detail.

President Roosevelt told q delegation OF
prominent Illinois officeholders and poll
tcians today that he had not the least idea
of taking any part, even remotely, in the
state fight that is opening up in Illinois,
and which promises to be so bitter in every
way The fight Is between the Yates-Hop-
kins- Lorimer combination and an array
OF "outs'' and reformers Gov. Yates is
a candidate to succeed himself. and 10 said
to have aspirations for the seat of Senator
Cullom If the combination of which he is
a part can secure complete control of the
party machinery and legislature of the
state.
The callers were Representative Snapp.
Warden Murphy or Joliet former repre-
sentative in the House; F. II. Rowe. chair
man of the republican state committee;
James Newell. a railroad commissioner;
Handy Jones. pure food commissioner;
State Senator Putnam of Peoria and Sheriff
Burke of Aurora. These men are all
friends Of Gov. Yates and are supporting
him for reelection. They discussed the
situation in the state with the President
and in view of the reports that the Pres
ident sympathized with this or that person,
they were pleased when he stated without
reservation that all reports to that effect
were untrue. and that he had no idea of
taking the slightest part in the contest.
The President has been represented as
so friendly to Gov. Yates as to at least
wish him well in his fight, even IL not to
permit federal officeholders to join their
efforts to those of others. But he will not
permit federal appointees in Illinois or
any other state to take an active part in
that or any other campaign. and even If
they should be working for Gov. Yates
he would promptly take official cogni-
zance of their participation. He has re-
moved several officeholders' in various
parts of the country for pernicious activ-
fty In politics and will follow that policy
so long as he remains chief executive.
The Illinois campaign has practically
opened now and has every appearance of
being bitterly fought out by the various
factions and elements struggling for con-
troll of the party machinery. Against Gov.
Yates will be ex-senator Billy" Mason
and host of Others
Charges Against Official
Delegate Bird c. Mcclure Of Oklahoma
discussed with the President this morning
some prospective appointments in that ter
ritory. One Of these places Is that Of
United States attorney. Horace Speed. the
incumbent. will have served four years
about the middle Of January, but whether
he is to be candidate for reappointment
will depend upon the outcome OF some
charges against him which are being in
vestigated by an inspector from the De-
partment of Justice.
Delegate Mcclure is sanguine that state
hood will be granted to Oklahoma at this
session of Congress
THE sentiment Of both houses of Con-
gress is entirely in favor of statehood for
Oklahoma" he said land l feel confident
that we will achieve 1t before the conclusion
of the present session. There is no question
that the territory has every qualification
for 1t. This is not denied by any one"
Senator Ball of Delaware presented M. II.
Wilkes and c. c. Hopkins Of the New
castle county levy court. Messrs. Wilkes
and Hopkins came to Washington to in
wife Secretary Wilson and other officials
of the Department of Agriculture to at
tend a public meeting in the interest of
better roads The legislature of Delaware
recently enacted legislation looking to ex-
tensiye improvements of public roads in
that state and providing for macadamiz-
ing. The law provides that the state and
county shall each pay half the expense.
The expenditures are made under the state
highway commission and the county levy
courts. Delaware, it is stated, proposes to
spend many thousands of dollars in the i'm
provement of her public highways.
William A. Jones, commissioner of Indian
affairs, introduced some Indians from the
Assiniboine tribe of the Fort Peck. Mont,
reservation, who wanted to shake the hand
of the Great Father" The list included
Chief Lone Dog, James A. Garfield and
Daniel Mitchell. The Indians were delight
ed to meet the President.
Representative Needham Of California
talked with the President about post Of
fee appointment in his district.
Afro-American Council.
Members Of the executive committee Of
the Afro-American Council. the leading
negro political organization of the country,
called on the President today to pay their
respects and to discuss with him some mat
ters of interest to their race. Among those
present were Bishop Alex Walters Of New
Jersey, T. Thomas Fortune of New York,
William II. Steward of Kentucky, John W.
Thompson of New York, w. T. Andrews of
South Carolina, Walter L. Goblin of Louisi-
ana, Cyrus Field Adams deputy register of
the treasury, and Alfred B. Cosey Of New
Jersey.
The Presidents callers today included
Representative Foster of Vermont, with
j. w. Brock and l.. Bart Cross; Senator
Willard of Nebraska and friend Represen-
tative Crumpacker Of Indiana and constitu-
ents. Representative Hughes of West Vir-
ginia and friends. Senator Perkins Of Call
forr!a and constituents. Senator Dolliyer
and friend, Representative Burke Of South
Dakota and friends, Representative Gaines
OF West Virginia and friends and Senator
Warren of Wyoming
John Crawford, an American who has
spent eighteen years in and around Pan
anna, called on the President today and
talked with him about that country Craw-
ford is said to know the country better
than any of the natives, being familiar with