Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-15
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
President Felicitated on the
Merger Decision.
DISCUSSED BY CABINET
MR.. KNOX UNCoMMUNICATI AS
TO FUTURE ACTION.
Senator Hopkins Discusses Legislation
Necessary for the Panama Strip
Some of Today's Callers.

The Northern Securities merger decision
was the subject Of general congratulation
at the White House today. Republicans
from all directions and in all official sta
tfons felicitated the President upon the out
come of the efforts of the government to
secure enforcement of the Sherman anti
trust laws. Before the cabinet meeting the
congratulations were numerous, being de-
livered personally and coming by telegraph
from all parts of the country. At the
cabinet meeting there was a renewal of
congratulatory remarks, the PRESIDENT and
Attorney General Knox being singled out
for laudatory words The President was
warm In his congratulations to Attorney
General Knox, under whose direction the
fight against the Northern Securities Com
pany has been conducted since the begin
ming.
Mr.. Knox Uncommunicative.
Before going into the cabinet room Mr..
Knox was pressed for an idea of what he
intends to do in following the decision
but he was firm in declining to state what
his plans are so far as further suits or
criminal prosecutions are concerned. He
was asked specifically whether criminal
prosecutions will follow the decision of the
court but he stated that this was a matter
he would keep to himself. He was likewise
uncommunicative about further legal pro-
ceedings against other combinations.
Hints nave been made that the Depart
ment Of Justice ought now TO proceed
against the Standard Oil trust. the coal
trust, and several railroad companies that
are alleged to have combined In violation of
interstate commerce principles But Mr..
Knox will proceed slowly in future suits or
prosecutions. 1t is doubtful If further action
will follow for some time. In case of con-
templated Judicial proceedings against any
combination the Attorney General would
nave careful examination made before do
ing anything. His work would be much
helped and accelerated by the facts and
ngureS relating to each combination that
will be available TO ilim in the bureau of
corporations of the Department of Conn
merce and Labor This bureau ander the
management of James r. Garfield, is accu-
mulatng the facts about the oig -Organiza-
tons of commercial and financial import
ance.
Discussed by Cabinet.
The cabinet meeting discussed at some
length the decision of the Supreme Court
but as the full decision has not been digest
ed by members of the presidential council
they did not attempt to go too far in inter-
preting the views of the court. Attorney
General Knox himself will read the decision
with great care before attempting to form
detailed conclusions or before mapping out
further lines of action by his department .
Representative Bede Of Minnesota who
was among those to felicitate the Presi-
dent, said: Minnesota and the northwest
are especially gratified as tot the outcome
Gov. Van SAINT of Minnesota originated the
opposition to the merger. If Jim Hill were
going to live forever We would be willing
to trust him and there might be little OBJ
Jecuon to merger, but as the great power
that would have been put in Mr. Hill
would some day have passed to some one
else who might have been less friendly to
the northwest the possibilities were too
dangerous. Hill has been friend to the
northwest, and we could wish him no harm,
but, as l say, he will not live always and
there will probably not be man to sue
ceed him as much friend to our section
as he has been.''
Upon the recommendation of the Interior
Department the President has agreed to
establish an agency at the Sisseton Indian
reservation in South Dakota. A b. jack
son, who has been the superintendent of
the reservation, is to be appointed agent.
Although the case Of Col. Melville Grigs-
by, United States attorney at Nome, Alas
ka, is still before the President. the opin-
ion prevails that he will follow the recon-
mendations of the Attorney General and
dismiss the official. against whom there
are charges affecting his Official career
Legislation for Panama.
The President has been talking to sem
ators and representatives about legislation
for the strip of Panama territory that is
to pass to the United States. Senator Hop
kins of the Senate committee on inter-
oceanic canals this morning briefly dis
cussed some of the pending bills with the
President. 1t is the opinion that whatever
legislation is enacted will be largely tenn
porary in character, designed to suit ex-
listing conditions as far as they can be met
in an anticipatory way. This will be fol-
lowed by such legisla ton as.is recommend
ed from, time to time by the officials of the
United States who are representing the in
terests of the country In Panama. 1t is
felt that experience must demonstrate the
most necessary legislation. The President,
of course. feels a deep interest in the first
legislation to be passed for the control of
the strip, and that is why the legislators
having the matter in charge 30 frequently
confer with him.
John w. Yerkes commissioner of internal
revenue. and one of the leaders of the Ken
tEcky republicans called on the President.
Mr. Yerkes said that the state committee
of the Kentucky republicans win meet 10
morrow to fix a time for holding the state
convention. AS thirty days notice must be
given by the committee he supposed that
the 10Th or Goth of April would be agreed
upon as the time for the state convention.
Warren s. Reese, jr., United States at
torney for the northern district of Ala
bama, was presented to the President today
by Secretary Moody. Mr. Reese says there
has never been any ques tionsthat the repub-
licans of Alabama would elect delegates In
structed for Roosevelt for President.