Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-19
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Case of the Galveston Consid-
cred by Cabinet.
A FULL EXPLAIN ALTON
OF ALL CIRCUMSTANCES MADE TO
THE PRESIDENT.
Representative Cannon and Other
Visitors Received-Proposed Demo-
cratic Convention in Baltimore.

The most important matter before the
cabinet today was the attitude of the gov
ernment in the matter of the cruiser Gal
weston, which is standing in the shipbuild-
ing yards of the Trigg Shipbulding Com
pany at Richmond, Va. &c per cent COM
pleted and in the hands of a receiver ap-
pointed by the local court. It's completion,
according to contract requirements, is long
over due. and the Navy Department decid-
ed to take the vessel to Norfolk and COM
pete her at the expense of the bondsmen
of the Trigg company. officers of the navy
were sent to Richmond for the purpose of
launching the Galveston. They have been
met with an injunction issued by Judge
of the local courts restraining them from
launching the vessel for the purpose of re-
moving it elsewhere. Before this injunc-
ton was issued. however, the Secretary of
the Navy, acting on the recommendation
that the vessel belonged to the United
States and could not be interfered with, con-
suited with Attorney General Knox as to
the legal advisability of taking charge of
the Galveston regardless of the orders and
entanglementS of the state courts, using
federal troops, If necessary. Rear Admiral
Bowles has maintained that no court
prevent the government taking charge of a
war vessel under circumstances of this kind
and his contention has been adopted.
Lieutenants Thesis and GroeSbeck are
now in Richmond awaiting the orders of
the Navy Department to what action
shall be taken.
Case Explained to President.
The entire case was explained to the
President today, the facts by Secretary
Moody and the law by Attorney General
knox, both of whom had with them
number of papers. Attorney General Knox
had submitted his opinion that the govern
ment has the right to take charge of the
oil yn hnth fha ont md
Moody and the opinion was under con-
sideration at the cabinet meeting. Secre-
tary Moody explained that when the Trigg
company failed and placed in the
hands of a receiver the Navy Department
made efforts to hurry the concern and
gave the receiver all the time necessary
to reorganize the company. After long
wait the interests of the government were
placed in the hands of the United States
attorney of the eastern district of Vir-
gnia, l.. l. Lewis, who was instructed to
represent the government In the legal pro-
ceedinGs pending. The creditors of the
Trgg company have contended that the
Galveston was part of the assets of the
company, and 1t was on the application
of one of the supply creditors that the in
Junction of Judge Grinnan was yesterday
granted in Richmond preventing all per-
sons from interfering with the property
of the Trigg company, now in the hands
of the receiver, l.. 7. Meyers.
The Importance of the question involved,
both from the government and state points
his advisers.
Action of Navy Department.
Immediately after leaving the cabinet
meeting Secretary Moody had conference
at the Navy Department with Rear Ad-
miral Bowles, chief of the bureau of con-
structton and repair, and arrangements
were made to carry out the purpose of the
government to take possession of the
cruiser, regardless of existing legal entan-
clements. Prompt action will be necessary
to insure the launching of the cruiser Mon
day afternoon in conformity with present
plans because of the fact that the laboring
force at the shipyard discharged this
morning and may not be available without
some delay.
1t is believed however that a sufficient
force of men can be assembled at the yard
tomorrow morning, and by extra exertions
that the vessel can be made ready to leave
the ways at the time fixed upon
Whatever armed force is required for the
execution of the federal policy will be sup
piled by one or more of the torpedo boat
destroyers or torpedo boats now at the Nor
folk navy yard which would have no diff
hculty in proceeding up the James to
Richmond in time to support the govern
ments purpose to take possession OF the
cruiser. A guard of marines will accom-
pany the vessel vessels. There is no in
tention of calling on the army for assist
ance.
Secretary Moody refused this afternoon
to discuss the situation. He answered all
Inquiries on the subject with the follow
Ing statement: THE Galveston matter is
In the hands of the Attorney General, and
nothing Is to be said at this department at
all"
Ante-Cabinet Meeting Visitors.
The President did not have a large num-
Der of callers before cabinet meeting
Among the number were Uncle Joe" Cam
non, prospective Speaker of the next House.
He was with the President about the time
the cabinet began to assemble and dis
cussed number of matters that are pend
6g in which he is interested Mr. Cannon
6iys he has not begun to consider commit
Tee assignments as yet
Mr.. Cannon is in town for the purpose of
meeting with Representatives Hepburn and
Richardson, two of the members of the
committee appointed by the House to have
charge of the work of erecting the new
offee building for the House authorized by
the last Congress
A meeting of the committee will be held
tomorrow or within few days at which
matters incident to the beginning of work
Will be considered. The site must first be
obtained and the other preliminaries will
follow.
Colonel Elliott of the Marine Corps who
Is to succeed General Hayward the brig
adier general commanding the Marine
Corps. called on the. President today TO
thank the chief executive for his promo
ton.
pardon of "a Washington boy who deserted
from the navy and whose mother is so dis
tressed because she does not know th.
sons wherea abouts that her health is seri-
ously impaired.
Baltimore for Convention.
Representative Dinsmore of Arkansas
who says he has been Fishing down in the
creeks in Alabama and enjoying myself"
paid his respects to the President today. II
think the next national convention of the
democrats ought to be held in the east"
said Mr., Dinsmore. 'and l believe Balti-
more about the best city for the purpose.
The east. l think. will almost surely have
the convention this time. 1 do not think
Chicago will get IT or ST. Louis The peo-
pie of my state are in condition of
pectancy as to who the nominee will be.
The majority of those talking appear
to favor Judge Parker, while number of
others are favorable to German, who has
many friends in the south. There is no