Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-25
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Presidentin Close Touch With
Situation in the Orient.
NEW YORK CONFERENCE
COL. SYMONS ORGANIZES A FORCE
OF FIRE FIGHTERS.
Medical Men Ask Representation on
Kearns Presents Col Young.


closely informed on the eastern situation.
which is again looking wariike. The situa-
ton deeply concerns this country. the trade
interests of which in Corea are considera-
ble, and in Manchuria are stead. ly growing
With Japan sending ships secret mis-
sionS and China threatening to resist the
encroachments of Russia I'm Manchuria the
outlook for peace Is not encouraging.
Our representatives III the orient have been
instructed to report fully and freely all in
formation that will he OF interest to this
country. AT the cabinet meeting yesterday
the eastern situation was briefly discussed
and Secretary Hay was at the White House
again this morning on a mission relative
to that subject Should China become en-
gagged with Russia Japan would be drawn
in and serious international complica ion
result.
For Porto Rican Teachers.
Representative Cooper. chairman of the
insular affairs committee of the House in
the last Congress and probably his own
successor the head of the committee
/ in the present Congress. conferred with
the President today about a proposition
to bring the school teachers of Porto Rico
to the United States for several months
next summer for tuition in some of the
large normal schools of the country.
The superintendent of education OF Porto
Rico some time ago recommended to the
President that this be done. and the lat
ter considers the idea excellent one,
promising fruitful results. He Is In favor
of plan that will carry out the recommen-
dation of the head of the educational sys-
tenn of the island. Mr. Cooper is likewise
favorable to the proposition and will intro
duce at the regular session and place be-
fore the House bill that will authorize the
War Department to use one or more OF
tran n bringing several hnplrpl
of the teachers to the United States and
returning them to their homes after they
have spent several months in studying
American methods of school teaching
This course was followed several years
ago in the case of Cuban school teachers.
and was so successful that its repetition
for the benefit OF Porto Rican teachers Is
generally favored. Private subscriptions
Were raised among educators and. others
for the payment of the expenses of the
Cuban teachers when they were in this
country. and this will oe done for the
Porto Ricans if the government Will pro-
vide a method of transportation.
President Roosevelt has often expressed
his delight with the progress of Porto Rico
in the education of the children of the
island. and has given high praise to the
teachers who have so faithfully performed
their duties.
Improvement Needed.
The employees of the White House and
the policemen on duty in the building and
grounds are to be organized into minia-
ture fire department to fight fire at any
point in the home or offices of the Presi-
dent. The organization and equipment Of
the outfit is to be undertaken by Colonel
Symons superintendent of public buildings
and grounds Colonel Symons invited
Chief Belt and Fire Marshal Bieber to
thoroughly inspect the apparatus in the
White House for combating fire, and these
officials went over the building today,
making a most careful inspection of the
material. Some of the material is out of
date and useless. while some is in good
condition, and would prove enecuve in
case of need.
Chief Belt will make a report to Colonel
Symons, submitting recommendations for
the improvement of the equipment and the
proper manner of organZ Zing all the en-
ployes into a drilled corps for quick and
successful work. Most of the employees are
without knowledge of the apparatus and
chemical appliances stored at different
points in the building They do not even
know where these things are to be found,
to say nothing of their uses. The purpose
of Colonel Symons IN the organization of
the White House squad in which the Presi-
dent will take deep interest, will be to drill
the members in the use of the fighting ap-
paratus and equipment and Insure order
and promptness In case OF fire. Whatever
additional equipment is needed will be sup
Piled by Colonel Symons when he has re-
ceived the report of the fire chief of Wash
ington.
Kansas Fight Settled.
President Roosevelt today settled the
fight over the Kansas judgeship by nomi-
mating John c. Pollock associate justice of
the Kansas supreme court The Kansas
delegation has been unable 20 agree upon a
man to recommend to the President, and
he has settled the fight by selecting Judge
Pollock, who has had the support of Sena-
tor Long, Representatives Campbell and
al In. t,,.
entered Kansas politics. Senator Burton
and the other members OF the delegation
divided their support among the various
candidates.
Long and Cyrus Leland over the opposite
faction in Kansas politics, Judge PoIocl1s
qualifications for the place have never been
questioned, but the fight had begun TO grow
into factional shape, and the President cut
that short by taking the responsibility upon
himself after Attorney General Knox had
recommended either Mr.. Pollock or Chief
Justice Johnson of the state supreme court.
Cyrus Leland called al the While House
a few days ago. He was at one time an
immense power In Kansas politics. making
and unmaking senator's. representatives and
governors, not to mention small fry. He
was for thirty years the republican national
committeeman from his state and his recon-
mendation was powerful in ali appoint
ments. Six years ago he became pens:on
agent at Topeka, the best-payins and
easiest federal position in Kansas. Senator
Burton finally tIiumphed and Leland was
removed, the place going to ano her man.
Leland Immediately became active again
and is now said to be once more dom nant
factor in political affairs in his state.
When the appointment wen. to The Sen
ate today 1t was W thout the knowledge of
Senator Long or any of the Kansas con-
gressmen. The delegation had j. st held
meeting, without coming to an agreement.
and had adjourned 10 meet Friday TO m ke
further efforts. when the nom nation was
announced in the Senate. There criticism
among supporters of other candid tes than
Pollock about what Is termed the hgsty
action of the President.
Isthmian Canal Commission
committee from the American Medical
Association. including DIR. Osler of Balti-
more. visited the President this morning
to urge him to appoint representative OF
that association as a member of the isth-
mian canal commission. The Americas