Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-21
At THE WHITE HOUSE.
President Roosevelt. Taking a
1Iyft
Recess for Christmas.
COMMISSIONERS BLACK
HEAD DE as,As r. WILL ACCEPT
PRocTEE's cHAIR.
Uncle Joe Cannon Regrets the Neces-
sity Of Remaining in Washington
During the Holidays.

PRESIDENT Roosevelt has initiated the ac-'
ton OF Congress in taking a recess and at
the same time enjoying Christmas week.
He was not in his Office this morning, ex-
cept for brief period. to learn il there
was any important business demanding his
attention. He has been engaged SO closely
IN his office work since he came back from
oyster Bay that he feels that he deserves a
short rest and some exercise. He began an
outdoor program today, from which he
hopes to receive benefit. He first took
walk north on 10th street making call on
Secretary Hay. who is Ill at his home. Re-
turning to the White House, he took a car
rage drive to the suburbs of the city, where
ne mounted his horse Bleistein for horse
back ride
The President wifi spend little time In his
ONCE during the Christmas holidays He
VII! De compelled to meet his cabinet off,
Glals Twice week. and see Individual men,
Ders ortener. but he will not receive callers
ness. and these only by appointment In the
aIternoon. Most of the forenoon Of each
Gay ne VIII spend in horseback riding,
Whicn does him much good and of which
not many congressman called this morn
ins. MANY senators and representatives
nave ielt the city, and the number of those
wa, waning 70 see the President this morning
NSAAPe-A otSc1y SHdII. senators and
representatives by habit call at the White
loase before noon. so that they may have
the other part of the day at the Capitol.
Speaker Cannon's Philosophy.
speaker Cannon. with long black cigar
neid at the accustomed angle in his mouth
ana with his overcoat on his arm. ambled
Drlskly into the White House. Not finding
the PRESIDENT he, gave some time to the
newspaper reporters. The Chicago strike
furnished him with some philosophical OBJ
serVations characteristic of the man, but
these were made IN a friendly, personal
way not intended for publication Cen
orally speaking, however, he observed that
the scenes now arising out of a strike of
the undertakers helpers In Chicago could
not De charged to conservative. thoughtful
I'm every large city there is a per-
centage of people" he said who do not
want to work yand who mean to i've off
otners; rms class may be depended upon
to make trouble on every occasion. The
really valuabIeD worRingman is that man
who lives within hisI income, and, no mat
ter how small his wages. saves just a
sman part unless sickness or death or I'M
expected misfortune should come upon
him. l remember when I was a boy I
saved SIS in one year out of a total of
800 wages. but paid only 81 week
hominy, but I was a young, and it fur
n1shed me with sustehance, and I relished
1t as much as do f&ncier dishes today,
m paying $1O0 a month for nothing
newspaper man who wasslistening and who
had just short time, before been discourse
ing about the boarding house he was help
ing to support in this city.
Speaker Cannon will remain In Wash
ington until the day after Ghristmas when
he may go for week to his home in Hill
nois on business. -@s~
I've always Spent my Christmases at
home" said the Speaker. land it will be
something new for me to remain here
Christmas day. II my business demands it
l will go to Illinois after Christmas"
Gen. Black Accepts.
Late Saturday afternoon the President
received telegram from Gen. John C.
Black of Illinois accepting the position of
civil service commissioner to fill the va
cancy caused by the death of John R.
Proctor.
The acceptance is gratifying to the Presi-
dent, who will send the nomination to the
Senate upon the reconvening Of Congress-.
The acceptance will save the President
from consideration of a large number of
candidates. Politicians had been watching
Gen. Blacks action closely, inasmuch as
he had been strongly spoken Of for second
place on the democratic ticket next year,
Gen. Black will continue to perform his
duties as the head of the G. A. r.
Secretary Shaw has issued a circular to
collectors of customs announcing that the
Cuban reciprocity bill will become effective
at 1901 am. December q. This Is ten days
from the signing of the bill, the President
having issued a proclamation on the 18th
announcing that the bill would go into OPP
Grafton in ten days. All ships arriving
from Cuba with goods and entering the
harbors Of this country after midnight on
the night of the 18th will have their goods
admitted at the reduced rate The circular
of Secretary Shaw includes the proclama-
ton Of the President and the terms of the
treaty which Congress ratified In the shape
of bill