Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-22
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Virginia Republicans to Hold
a Conference.
THE RUSH OF VISITORS
IS RELAXING DURING THE CON-
GREssIoNAL RECESS.
Delegates to the Forestry Congress to
Be Received by President-Charges
Against Judge Brown.

Representative slemp, United States
Judge Waddill and L. L. Lewis, United
States attorney for the eastern district of
Virginia, made a short call on President
Roosevelt today to make it known that an
important conference of Virginia republic
cans has been called, to take place at
Roanoke, during the Christmas holidays.
This conference proposes to thresh over
the question of reorganization of the party
in the state with the object of putting up
organization that will become a regu-
lar. earnest contestant with the democratic
party for every office in the state. IT is
supposed the conference has been called
by Representative Slemp, and that it will
embrace the leaders of the present republic
can organization, which includes Park Ag
new, state chairman, and George Bow
den, national committeeman. Slemp is
the head of one faction and these men of
the other. 1t is declared that the Agnew
Bowden people may or may not attend.
but that if they do they will take the posi-
ton that the party does not need reor
ganization but needs more votes, which
they will help to get If a plan is arranged
upon which all cooperate. The fact
that the conference is being engineered by
Representative Slemp may create Suspi-
clon as to the motives, but so far as the
White House Is concerned the only desire
is to see creditable republican organiza-
ton built up in the state.
No part will be taken in the factional
fights, and the President will do whatever
he thinks best. His nomination yesterday
of j. E. b. Stuart as marshal of the eastern
district proves to have been a great sur
prise to all the factions. Representative
SlCmp said today that he did not know a
thing about the nomination prior to being
sent in, and that he had not indorsed the
new man. Judge Waddil and District At
torney Lewis made the same statements.
The fact is that the nomination was made
upon the Presidents own responsibility and
without consultation with anybody except
John S. Wise of New York, formerly of
Virginia. 1t so happens that Treat, the
man who was removed, has been acting
with the Slemp faction in the state, and
that the President indirectly struck blow
to that faction, which is generally credited
with having a better status with the admin
istration than the Bowden-Ag faction.
The appointment of an assistant United
States attorney for the eastern district is
now pending at the Department of Justice
and White House. Robert H. Taley of
Richmond has been recommended for the
position by Judge Waddill and District At
torney Lewis, but protest is made against
the appointment on the ground that 1t
would be inappropriate that a prosecuting
official of district should be related to the
judge of the district. Mr.. Talley married
half-sster of Judge Waddll and is his
brother-in-law. 1t is the policy of the De-
partment of Justice to appoint an assistant
United States attorney who is agreeable to
the attorney, but the relationship of Talley
being done.
Presidents Work Relaxes.
The Christmas adjournment of Congress
is manifest in the relaxation of the White
House rush. The President really has had
time for a day or two to do something be-
sides shake hands with congressional callers
and talk about appointments of postmas-
ters He is still busy but he expects few
minutes between rushes until Congress re-
turns in January.
Secretaries Morton and Taft, ex-Repre-
sentative Tayler pf Ohio leading counsel in
the Smoot investigation; eX-Representative
Owen of Kentucky, Senator Blackburn of
Kentucky. Representatives Humphreys and
Jones of Washington and Representative
Calderhead of Kansas We're among the
callers. Mr.. Calderhead said he Is arrang-
ing to leave for his home in kansas to-
night, if he can get away. Il always IKE
to go home for Christmas and take with
me some of the beautiful holly and spruce
to be had in Washington during the Christ
mas holidays said Mr.. Calderhead. "Out
in Kansas the red cedar is the only green
tree at Christmas time and it is used for
trees Ny neighbors always look for some
holly from Washington when | go nome
Christmas and don't want to dlsappolnt
them this time"
The students OF the bloomsbury Pa) Nor-
NAL School, about one hundred in number,
were received by the President
National Forestry Congress.
Arrangements have been completed LOT
the meeting here of the National Forestry
Congress during the first week in January.
The convention will be held on January 3,
and in the National Rifles Armory,
| and will be attended by about 700 delegates.
Clifford Pinchot chief of the division of for
estry of the Agricultural department, talk-
cd with President Roosevelt today regard
ing the convention. The delegates to the
will he
President on New Years Day. having pech
assigned to a place at the New Year re-
ception at the White House. On Thursday,
| January D. the President will deliver an
| address to the delegates at the National
Theater.
Judge Abusing His Powers.
T. G. Held Of Al ska. who is here during
| the session of Congress looking after legis-
| lation from that territory, laid before the
| President today telegram he had received
| from Juneau Alaska, declaring that Judge
| Brown. who was recently supplanted in his
| iudgeship, was grossly abusing" his au-
| thority, and begging for relief. The Presl-
dent instructed the Department of Justice
| to look into the matter and to ascertain
| the facts. The impression has been that
| Judge Brown would continue to hold court
until his successor qualities. A New YORK
| man. Royal A. Gunnison, was recently
| named to succeed Judge Brown, but he has
| not vet gone to his post and Judge Brown
continues to hold court. If it is found that
| Judge Brown is not acting properly the
| Department of Justice may call for his
| resignation and insist on having 1t. Mr.
| will ileIy he Slyed