The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-05
LONG TALK AT
white HOUSE.
President and Hanna Hold An
other Conference.
Both Refuse to Say What 1t
Was About.
IT WAS HARMONIOUS.
Senator Remains NOncOmmittal
on the Craftsmanship.
All Depends Upon His Health,
1t Is Said.

Washington, Dec. 5.-An important
conference was held at the White
House last night between the president
and Senator Hanna. 1t took place on
the initiative of Mr.. Hanna, and to both
participants the conference was per-
fectly satisfactory. Senator Hanna ar
rived at $3.50 and remained with the
president until IL, at the conclusion of
the conference which was marked by
evidence of sincere friendship on both
sides, neither the president nor Senator
Hanna cared to discuss for publication
the details. 1t was stated that the
meeting had no difference in any per-
sonal respect from others that they
have had in the past and which they
will have in the future. 1t was an
nounced that reports recently circu-
lated that there had been or was likely
to be unpleasant relations between the
president and the senator amounted to
an absurdity. The president himself
wants to be understood that he will not
take occasion to dignity any of them
with attention. 1t may be said that
the relations between the two are cor
dial and appreciative friendship.
The conference took a wide range. 1t
dealt principally with pending and pro-
spective legislation before congress, par
ticularly with that relating to the 18TH
mian canal, and with general political
conditions before and since he became
chairman of the interoceanic canal COM
mittee of the senate. Mr. Hanna has
manifested deep interest in all ques-
tions relating to that waterway. He
took occasion to discuss the special sit
uation, especially it's diplomatic phases,
very fully with the president. The
agreement on the subject was absolute.
Both, it can be said, are confident the
position taken by the administration
will be approved by the American peo-
pie.
The contested confirmation of Cen
eral Leonard Wood was not considered,
though an accidental refeFeEeeF to- it
was made. It is known the president
and Senator Hanna differ on that sub
Ject. but each recognizes that the diff
ference is honest and sincere, and it is
believed by friends of both that it can
not possibly interrupt their relations.
No discussion took place concerning
the change of the Republican national
committee. President Roosevelt has
expressed to Mr.. Hanna his desire that
he shall retain the Craftsmanship. The
senator has not announced yet his
feeling regarding the matter. The
state of Mr.. Hannas health is involved
In the decision and, indeed, will be the
controlling factor in it.
After Senator Hanna left the White
House he was besieged by newspaper
men who desired to learn the result of
the conference. He declined to make
any statement, insisting that it was
merely friendly talk over matters of
mutual interest and was of no public
significance or Importance
Il spent a very pleasant evening -
he admitted finally. THAT is about
all there is to it. You can say, how
ever, that all the stories about the wide
dlnerences between the president and
myself are absurd. I have no state
ment to make"