Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-03
himself as In favor Of a fberalixlng OF The
drawback features Of the Dingley law.
"Hold- Up" Of congressman.

"Hold-Up" of congressman.
Several weeks ago-in the heat of the
presidential campaign. In fact-complaints
we're made to the President and to the
Postmaster General by several members OF
Congress who were candidates for re-elec-
ton that they were being made the victims
OF systematic plan on the part of the
Rural Letter Carriers Association to defeat
them unless they should accede to certain
demands of the association. One OF these
demands was that the carriers should have
an increase of pay. A special effort was
made by members of the association to en-
barass Representative Overstreet of In
diana. chairman of the post office and post
roads committee of the House. because. It
~ alleged. he had not done for the rural
carriers what they thought he ought TO
have done.
President Cunningham of the association
Is said to have been one of those who made
demands upon candidates for Congress or
course on behalf of the members of the
association. The complaints filed with the
President and the Postmaster General men
TONED President Cunningham as one of
those responsible for the attempted hold
up it was termed by the victims.
BY direction of the President. an inves-
LEGATION of the matter was instituted by the
Postmaster General 1t has been IN progress
for two or three weeks and the intimation
is given that thus far it tends to substan-
tiste the charges made by representatives
in Congress. What the result OF the inves-
likelihood is that if the charges are main
tanned. now is expected, there will be
general overhauling of the rural free de-
livery carrier service.
Opposed to Lake Bluff Site.
Senator Alger of Michigan spent some
time with the President today in opposition
To the selection of what is known the
Lake Bluff site for the naval training sta
tion. Senator Alger declares the harbor
of that site is barely able to accommodate
rnwboats and similar shipping outfits let
alone larger vessels. No official announce
ment to Lake Bluff has yet been made
by the commission which has the selection
in charge. but it has been officially stated
that the Lake Bluff site has been chosen
and will be eventually adopted. Senator
Alger believes that any one of several other
sites would be far better for the navy
Kansas Man Not to Be Chosen.
1t is regarded as practically certain that
the successor of Eugene F. Ware commits
sioner of pensions, will not be a Kansan.
Representative Charles Curtis of Topeka
learned this at the White House this morn
ing. Mr.. Ware will retire from the PEN
sion bureau about January 1. and it is
derstood that President Roosevelt will ap-
point a commissioner within the next
few weeks. When 1t announced that
Commissioner Ware would resign several
Kansas republicans We're mentioned as can
didates for commissioner, among them for
mer Representative Richard Blue. Col
Blue was in Washington recently. and 1t
was said he was here to ask Mr.. Roosevelt
to give him Mr.. Wares place If the latter
decided to leave the government service
Representative Curtis this morning asked
the President if there was any chance for
a Kansas republican, and it is understood
that the President replied that there was
not he had selected man. The Topeka
representative stated that he had a candi-
.l.ta h,rt hat ,n6o hn prc ct a M GOO ne
would not press him.
Representative Curtis also discussed with
the President the conditions in the Indian
territory. Several important bills affecting
that territory will be introduced in the
House next week. and as these measures
will be referred to the committee on In
dian affairs. of which Mr.. Curtis is a prom
lnent member, he has obtained the views
of the President and Secretary Hitchcock
with reference to the proposed legislation.
Statehood Prospects.
Delegate Rodey of New Mexico paid a call
of respect. II think we will put through
Congress the statehood bill as it stands In
the present Congress. with some amend
ments, said Mr. Rodey. I'VE are entitled
to three representatives. instead of two as
planned by the bill. There are also some
other features that we want to change. but
they are not material.
Senator McCOmas of Maryland talked
with the President about West Point APP
pontment.
Senator Foraker chatted with him about
necessary legislation for Porto Rico. SEN
ator Spooner paid his respects, but had
little to say about how 1t happened in Wis
consin-that Is. as to LaFollette's election.
Senators Clay and Newlands democrats.
paid their respects, but had no business.
Representative Sparkman OF Florida was
democrat who Joined in the days greetings
to the President.
Two local delegations called on the Presi-
dent to congratulate him. The first was
the Army and Navy Union. represented by
Col j. E. Browne. Commander Mckay.
Capt. Dean. NJ. ]. Hackett. John Hanson.
John j. Strain, William Green, William
Turner and III. ]. Deane. The other was
the L. V. u, represented by Gen. A. M
leege, Gen. II. l. Dean and A. c. Hawley
The board of charities of the District also
called upon the President. being presented
by Commissioner mcfarland. The men,
beers present were s. w. Woodward, presi-
dent; Charles p. Neil, vice president: John
Joy Edison. Prof. G. w. Cook and Georg e
5 Wilson. secretary. The President shook
hands cordially with the members and con-
graduated them upon their good work
Speaker Cannon made short call. but
had little opportunity to talk with the
President.
No Dedication Tomorrow.
President Roosevelt had arranged to at
tend tomorrow the dedication services of
the rebuilt Lutheran Memorial Church.
which several months ago was badly
damaged by fire; but the services have
been postponed until later date, as ar
engagements for them could not be COM
peted In time. When they are held the
President will be present. if possible
Vice President-elect Fairbanks went to
the White House yesterday afternoon for
the first time since the election and was
warmly and cordially greeted by the
President. Senator Fairbanks said that
his long tour of the country had been
made without detriment to his health or
strength Some of his friends feared
that he was cutting out more than he
could stand. but he felt few inconven-
fences from the long journey. he said