Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-19
Department phone Service
Controversy Settled.
JUDGE BAKER RESTORED
ORDER OF REMOVAL REVOKED,
BUT HE HAS RESIGNED.
Help Asked for the Pima Indians-Ex-
pect Statehood Bill to Pass
This Session.

+
White House today as to what had been
done in the controversy between the gov
eminent and the local telephone company
as to telephone charges that were regarded
as excessive by heads of departments. said
that 1t had been referred to a committee
FOR the negotiation of a contract. During
the summer the cabinet at a meeting one
day took up the matter of an interdepart-
ment telephone exchange for the purpose Of
connecting all departments Of the govern
ment. 1t was claimed that the local tele-
phone company was charging exorbitant
rates Tor service to government depart
ments, and that this could not continue.
The unanimous agreement was that the
whole question be placed In the hands Of
Secretary Morton. who began by asking the
various departments for statement of the
charges and services. BY degrees he ac-
cumulated the story of the service rendered
to the departments. About the same time
officials of the telephone company entered
into negotiations with him looking to an
agreement that would be satisfactory to
both the government and the company.
These negotiations have reached such Il
point that specific proposition has been
received by the company, and the object
OF the appointment OF a committee is to
make contract that will bind all the de-
partments. The committee consists of w.
8. Stratton of the Treasury Department.
H. G. Goss Of the Navy Department and
an electrician of the Post Office Depart
nent. They are at work upon the terms
of contract and all the facts in the con-
troversy and will make a report. The ex
pectation is that contract will be en-
tered into shortly
Help for the Pima Indians.
Dr. Charles L. Thompson. secretary of
the Presbyterian board of missions, talked
to the President about the destitute and
woeful condition of the Pima Indians in
Arizona. This is not the first time the
President has been conferred with about
these poor Indians. and he has shown that
he Is as deeply interested in them as any
or the religious organizations that have
been working to bring about aid. The
Fimas were a one time among the most
prosperous of the Indian tribes of the great
arid region of the southwest. They were
energetic Indians. too. and liked agr:cIl-
tural pursuits. Their farms were rich and
productive under the irrigation planned by
them. Before long white men took cha rye
Of the river from which the Indians go.
their water and DETECTED all the water
away from them. They have been dying
since from actual starvation. The Prasi-
dent some time ago appointed a commits
sion to investigate the situation, in con-
junction with committee from religious
organizations. The commission has re-
ported in favor of the establishment of
large pumping stations at various portions
IL the Pima country and the President Will
probably recommend to the Secretary Of
the Interior that this be done in connection
with the irrigation projects of the govern
ment Judge Peelle of the court of claims
accompanied DR.. Thompson.
Statehood Certainty.
Delegate Mcguire of Oklahoma presented
to the President today Frank H. Greer, a
prominent newspaper man of Guthrie, and
U. c. Guss. a prominent banker of the
same CITY, Mr.. Mcguire said that he be-
lieved the statehood bill as passed by the
House and reported by the Senate would
become law at this session. All the infor-
nation he had received from the Senate
made him believe that the statehood bill
reported by the Senate committee few
days ago would be passed by that body.
Senator Warren presented to the Presi-
dent Attorney General Van Orsdale OF
Wyoming. Mr.. Van Orsdale Is also chair
man of the republican state committee OF
Wyoming, and was the recipient of the
Presidents expressions Of thanks for the
good showing made by Wyoming in the
recent election.
Senator Depew and William R. Wilcox,
the newly appointed postmaster of New
York. spent short time with the President.
Senators kean and Dryden of New Jersey,
Fairbanks of Indiana, Clapp Of Minnesota,
Lodge Of Massachusetts and McEnery of
Louisiana. Representatives McCleary of
Minnesota, Gaines of West Virginia. MUIR
dock of Kansas, Fowler OF New Jersey
and Miller of Kansas were among the days
callers.
President Roosevelt had as guests at
luncheon at the White House today Baron
Kaneko, first secretary, and Commander
Takeshita, the naval attache of tho Jap
anese legation.
Judge Baker Has Hearing.
Judge Baker of the supreme court of New
Mexico. who was recently removed from
office by the President hrs reoeiyed nv