Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-02
At THE WHITE HOUSE
The President Favorable to
the Creation of Two States.
RECENT CONFERENCES
PEOPLE FROM THE TERRITORIES
SEEK TO KNOW HIS VIEWS.
His Attitude Said to Be in Accord
With the Majority of the Re-
publican Leaders.

President Roosevelt it is stated by sew
eral people who have talked with him, has
announced himself as favorable to the crea-
ton of two new states at the present ses-
sion of Congress. He believes in conson-
dating Arizona and New Mexico into one
state, and Oklahoma and the Indian terri
tory in another. He favors certain provi-
sions of restriction, however, to the last
two territories.
The President has given the boomers from
the territories his opinions as TO the crea-
tion of states, and it is beginning to be well
understood. Many of them do not agree
with him, but as the President is apparent
ly backed by the Senate committee on ter
ritories, and as there appears to be an un-
derstandng among the republican leaders
that this solution shall be enacted into law,
objections from people of the territories
will prove of no avail. The President has
had numerous conferences on the state
hood propositions in the last few days. He
has talked to people from the four terri
tories, including Delegates Rodey and Ma
guire of Arizona and Oklahoma, respective
ly; Senator Beveridge, chairman ,of the
Senate committee on territories, and num-
ber of the Senate and House leaders.
tails of the consolidation. and he will not
undertake to do this. inasmuch as he does
not propose to interfere with the wishes of
Congress. 1t is to ascertain his views that
the various persons Interested have talked
with the President. They have desired to
know just what statehood legislation would
receive his approval, and he has not hesi-
tated to announce his attitude, which is IN
accord with that of the majority of the re-
publican leaders, it is said. There really
appears to be something like unanimity OF
agreement to statehood legislation at
this session, and unless discord reveals It
self two new states will certainly be the
result. 1t is also the opinion OF the re-
publican leaders that no great amount or
time will be necessary in reaching a mar
monous agreement in Congress
As to the Indian Territory.
The President is not in favor of admit
ting the Indian territory to immediate
statehood. He would incorporate the terri
tory into a state with Oklahoma, but would
not admit all of the people to citizenship at
once.
He would favor clauses something like
those concerning the Indians in the bills
admitting Kansas and Nebraska to state
hood The Indian localities would be turned
into reservations for the present. Grad
ualIy as the Indians became fit for citizen
Ship the reservations could come into the
new state, and. in after years, when there
was no questions as to the qualifications or
all the residents. the territory included IN
the Indian territory could be admitted as
separate state. The President has not at
tempted to work out the details of this
proposition.
There will be many advocates Of the
proposition and considerable opposition, as
has been stated. The Arizona people are
greatly opposed to being thrown into the
same state with New Mexico, and in Okla
homa and the Indian territory large part
of the population is opposed to a consolida-
tion of those territories.
The Service Pension Bill.
Representatives Curtis and Miller of Kan
sas and Rev. Bernard Kelly of the same
state, member of the pension committee
of the G. A. R., talked with the President
today about the service pension bill. The
Kansas G. A. R. members are solidly in
favor of the passage of the bill, and Rep
resentatives Curtis and Miller are strongly
advocating it's adoption. The President
listened to the view laid before him, but
in no way committed himself as to the
bill He will give the subject careful con-
sideration
1.-THE bill will not increase the pension
payments of the government over S2O,O00.-
600 year." said Mr.. Curtis. ''and probably
not that much. Even If it does, the old
soldier of the country will not be getting
anything more than he deserves What we
L
then have them literally executed"
1t is stated that the advocates of the
service pension bill have encountered hos |
tility to the measure in Representative !
Sulloway, chairman of the House commit |
tee on pensions. This fact is causing the |
belief to gain ground that the measure |
will not be favorably acted upon at this |
session of Congress. Mr.. Sulloway, it Is |
stated, has announced that his objection |
to the measure is confined to the question |
of taking it up at this session of Congress. |
For National Chairman.
Gov Odell of New York is coming to
Washington for conference with the Pres |
ident and he will get here Friday night. The |
statement is made in New York dispatches |
that he is to be asked to accept the chair |
manship of the republican national commit |
tee. This view is not accepted here and 1t |
10 unlikely that Gov. Odell will be offered |
the place at this time. The President has |
about determined that he will be in no |
haste to ask any one to take the manage |
ment of the next campaign. There is n
long time before 1t will be necessary for !
the chairman of the national committee to |
begin work on the campaign, and until that |
time the affairs of the party are regarded |
as being in most excellent hands with the |
vice chairman, Henry c. Payne. The Presi-
dent and his friends feel that month or |
two might altogether alter availability of |
any certain man and they much prefer to |
wait
Inc name OF senator AlQr1cn mas Deen
put before the President by Influential re-
publican senators, who declare that ne |
would be the best man in the country to
conduct the campaign, but Senator Aldrich,
1t is said will not listen to the suggestion. |
His great intellect and physical vigor would
admirably fit him for the position, it is
declared, and the President would have
unlimited confidence in him.
Another name suggested to the President
is that of Representative Babcocls~of Wis
consin. for many years chairman of the
republican congressional committee. Mr. |
Babcock, 1t is pointed out, probably has
had a larger experience in campaign man
agement than any living republican. unless
Pc stmaster General Payne should be In
the same class Mr.. Babcock's experience
is such that he could take up the work and
begin organization without the slightest |
waste of time because of his ripe expert
eEce. There is no doubt that the President
will give consideration to the qualifications
of Mr.. Babcock for the Craftsmanship be-
fore he decides upon any person.
Governor Odell has not been summoned
to Washington by the President He is
coming upon his own motion. and because L
y ALL -~skI - 4