Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-30
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Important Subjects Discussed
in Cabinet Session.
VENEZUELAN QUESTION
ACTION OF ALLIES WOULD BAE
OUT UNITED STATES.
Philippine Legislation Pending Before
Congress-Mr. Cannon Has a Con-
ference With the President.

ent, Secretary Moody having arrived in
Washington today from his brief vacation
taken to enable him to recuperate from his
recent accident. His condition is much
improved; indeed, he Is quite himself again.
The questions of most serious Importance
before the cabinet today related to Vene-
zuela and the Philippines. Some concern is
being manifested by this government be-
cause Of the demand Of the allies that they
be given by Venezuela preferential consid-
GRAFTON in the settlement Of claims of for
eign powers against the Castro govern
ment. In common with some other nations,
not in the alliance against Venezuela, the
United States has claims against Venezuela,
the liquidation of which has been arranged.
If the allies insist successfully upon their
demand for preferential treatment in the
settlement of their claims the United States
and other nations to whicn Venezuela owes
money may not be able for a long Tune to
collect their claims. In connection with
the Venezuelan question the action taken
In Congress for the strengthening OF the
coast defense fortifications and the i'm
provement of the naval and military estab
liShments generally was referred to and
cordially approved.
1t is made clear that the United States is
not expecting and is not looking for trouble,
but the administration Is determined not
to be unprepared for any situation that may
arise.
Some consideration was given to the Phil
ippine legislation pending before Congress.
Secretary Root particularly Is Interested In
this subject and for considerable time be-
fore the meeting Of the cabinet he was In
conference with the President in regard to
1t. While it is recognized that the legisla-
tive situation at the Capitol Is complicated
by the attitude assumed by the Senate In
the stat ehood contest, the hope is express
ed by officials of the administration that the
important legislation demanded at this time
may be enacted
Secretary Moody announced after the
meeting that no conclusion yet had been
reached concerning the bids for the first
class cruisers Washington and Tennessee,
which have been under consideration 1or
several weeks. He indicated that decision
might be reached soon.
Speaker Henderson had conference Win
the President after the cabinet meeting.
Cannon Has a Conference.
Representative Cannon was the first OF
the congressional callers with the President
this morning. He spent some time talking
over the legislative situation, as well as
about some Illinois matters. Later In the
day the President was in conference with
Senator elect Hopkins and Representative
elect Lorimer of Illinois. They also called
upon him yesterday. Messrs Hopkins and
Lorimer constitute two of the three mem
bers of what Senator Mason has declared
to be the biggest political combine ever
formed in Illinois. The other member of
the trio is Gov. Yates. All three are young
men. Mr. LOrimer was in Congress six
years ago, and he Is the undiSputed head
Of the republican organization in Chicago,
where he wields an immense influence. Out
side Of Chicago the heads Of the Illinois
machine are described as Mr.. Hopkins and
Gov. Yates. 1t was Yates and Lorimer who
decided to help Mr.. Hopkins In his aspira
tions for the Senate. the Mason people de-
clare, and all kinds of dire evils are pre-
three men. The conference with the Pres
ident presumably relates to political mat
ters and appointments in Illinois.
Wanted in Rochester
Representative Perkins of New York
called the President this morning to
present an invitation for the chief execu-
tive to visit Rochester in September next
on the occasion of his probable visit to
Syracuse, where he has been asked to at
tend the New York state fair on Labor day.
At Rochester a large Masonic Hall is to be
dedicated, and the people of that city are
willing to fix a date for the dedication to
suit the Presidents own convenience The
President does not know whether he will
be able to accept the invitation, but will
give it consideration.
Pennsylvania Two Senators.
Senator Quay and his colleague, Senator
Penrose. who has recently been returned to
the Senate for six years, were among the
callers who had some time with the Presi-
dent. 1t is said that they have within the
last few days intimated an intention to see
the President and lay before him the other
side of the case as to Arizona's failure To
meet certain financial obligations This is
the case in which Bird Coler the demo-
cratic leader from New York, came here and
publicly stated that Arizona was not fit to
become a state Of the Union until she knew
9Th
Mr.. Coler talked to the President about the
matter. In view of the fact that President
Roosevelt's antagonism to omnibus state
hood lies partly in the fact that intimations
are made of all kinds of political and nos
sible financial deals If statehood is granted
the visits of the Pennsylvania senators NAV
be explained. in addition to the necessary
visits they must make the White House in
connection with appointments in their state
Senator Alger's Successor.
Senator Alger of Michigan had a confer
ence with the President and Secretary Root
about several matters, one of them being a
question of some barracks in Michigan. Sec
retary Root succeeded Gen. Alger as Sec
retary of War. This was August l. 1890
| and Secretary Root has been in the cabinet
Of two Presidents for nearly three and q
half years. Gen. Alger went out of the War
Department apparently politically ruined.
but his own state sends him to the United
States Senate, where he will remain as
| long as he desires, probably as long as he
lives.
Bishop Doane Of New York called on the
President to pay his respects.
Senator Perkins of California, presented
two citizens of Los Angeles, Gen. o. H. La
Grange, governor of the Soldiers Home at
Los Angeles, aud John H. Norton. Both of
| the visitors told the President that Cali
fornia people are expecting him to pay the
promised visit to the Pacific coast this
| summer.