Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-31
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Attorney General King Has
a Long Interview.
PANAMA CANAL CASE
PARIS COURT DISMIssES COLON
BIAS CLAIM FOR INJUNCTION.
No Further Legal Proceedings Expect
ed-Nebraska Appointment De-
termined Upon.
PANAMA CANAL CASE

Attorney General Knox had prolonged
Interview with the President today follow
ing the receipt of information from Paris
that the French courts had dismissed the
proceedings instituted by the republic of
Colombia to restrain the Panama Canal
Company from turning over it's property to
the United States. Mr.. Knox remarked,
however, that the United States. in closing
up the trade with Panama, had rot given
serious consideration to these proceedings
anyhow and had gone along as If they had
never been inauguarated At no time had
1t been supposed that the action in the
French courts would be sustained. COM
petent legal advice having assured the ad-
ministration to this effect.
Although Mr. Knox was with the Presi-
dent long time it is not believed that he
submitted any additional questions that
have arisen in connection with the transfer
of the property that is likely to further de-
lay possess on by the United States w. A.
Day and Charles w. Russell. the special
representatives of the department of JUS
tiee in Paris. will at once enter upon the
work assigned to them there. They are ex-
pecting to remain in Paris several weeks.
One object of their visit is to obtain a
complete inventory of the property that is
to pass to this country, and 20 assist in
the closing up proceedings.
Closing UP of the Affair.
1t is pretty well understood-by the Presi-
dent and Attorney General Knox that the
closing up of the whole affair will be speed
lily effected. Under the laws of France the
Panama Canal Company must have meet
ing of its stockholders and dissolve tho
company The Panama Canal Company has
been waiting, as matter of courtesy, for
the French courts to act 1t is expected
that a call for meeting of the stock hold
ers will be issued in few days, and that
the dissolution will take place probably to-
ward the end Of April. Exactly how much
time must be given to the stockholders be-
fore they can be legally called together to
wind up the affairs of the company is not
known.
The administration has no information
that leads to the belief that there VIII be
any further attempts in the French courts
to stop the sale of the canal to this couB-
try.
delay the payment of $10.O00,O00 to the
public of Panama for concessions along the
route Of the canal until the $4D,000,000 Is
paid to the Panama Canal Company, unless
something unexpected should happen to
delay the last payment far beyond the
Ideas of anybody here. The opinion Of
high officials of the government is that all
the law under which the United States is
proceeding, contemplates concurrent action
in the two payments, and the intention is
that 1t shall be concurrent Dispatches
from Panama report that the officials OF
the republic are surprised that they have
not been paid their sOOoo,0oo. and indicate
that the treaty provided for immediate
payment On the other hand II is declared
In official circles that the treaty did not
contemplate payment by this country un-
til the canal payment had been made.
That Nebraska Trouble Settled.
Senators Millard and Dietrich of Ne
braska have relieved the President of
their differences as to appointments among
themselves. They today agreed upon Irv-
ing F. Baxter of Omaha as United States
attorney for Nebraska in place of William
son S. Summers, and the President will
probably send the name of Mr. Baxter to
the Senate tomorrow, thereby removing
Mr.. Summers as United States attorney.
and Dietrich over this appointment have
existed for more than year. The term OF
Summers expired In December, 1902, and
because the two senators could not agree
upon a man he has held on Senator Diet
rich opposed his denomination Senator
Millard favored him for some time. Then
came the prosecution of Senator Dietrich
and more bitter opposition to Summers
than ever before. Senator Dietrich wanted
H. C. Lindsay, state chairman of the re-
publican committee of Nebraska, given the
position, and Senator Millard vigorously
opposed this. Some time ago Senator MIL
lard submitted the name of William Cur
ley of Omaha for the place. but Senator
Dietrich would never agree to this. The
recommenda tions of both men were put be-
fore the President, Nebraska republicans
Joining either side as their interests die
tated Old factional troubles were revived
the state, and the President
was Confronted with taking action that
might precipitate bitter feeling. The
agreement of the senators prevents this.
Mr.. Baxter has for ten years been a judge
of the district court of Nebraska at Omaha.
He is an able man and good lawyer. He
has not been identified with the factionai
differences In the state. His appointment
appears to have been agreeable to both
the senators who saw the President this
morning They were accompanied by ID. E
Thompson United States minister TO Brazil.
Mr. Thompson will sail for Brazil in a few
days.
Some Pennsylvania Appointments.
Senator Quay was with President Roose-
welt today longer than any other visitor.
The Pennsylvania senator Is going out OF
the city and he had several things to talk
about. The President also had some things
he wanted to consult Senator Quay about
and that accounts for the long conference.
Several political questions were discussed
between the two men-questions bearing
upon the conduct of the presidential cam
paign this year. Senator Quay also had
several Pennsylvania matters to take up
with the President. One Of those is the APP
pointment OF an appraiser OF merchandise
at the port of Philadelphia to fill vacancy
caused by the death of Linn Hartranft
number of months ago. The position has
been left vacant for SO long that ther6
has been endless. speculation to the rec
that would be made. Senator
Quay has decided upon Fred p. Vincent.
the assistant appraiser at Philadelphia, and
this nomination will be made by the Presi-
dent
Another good place In Pennsylvania win
be judge of the eastern district of that
state. Congress has just provided an adj
ditional judge for the eastern district, owing
to the increasing business before the dis
trict court of that part of the state The
President has not yet signed the bill and
when he has done so he will select cam
dtdate for the judgeship Senator Quay,
Ii Is said, has not yet made recommenda- =
tion. In judicial appointments hike this.
the President does not feel bound to ac-
cept the recommendation of the congress-
men from state. He has adopted the
policy of making judicial appointments
apart from political influences If possible,