Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-13
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Senator Penrose Confers With
the President
ON LABOR TROUBLES
DIFFICULTY OVER STATE BUILD
ING AT HARRISBURG.
Minister Powell, Secretary Taft and
Members of the Geographic Con-
gress Among the Callers.

After a long conference with President
Roosevelt today tall Senator Penrose of
Pennsylvania the successor, of Senator
Quay as the republican boss of the key
stone state. went away without telling the
object of his business. There is ground for
believing. however that it had to do with
trouble the Pennsylvania republican leaders
are having with organized labor In that
state. The Allied Building Trades Council
OF Philadelphia is sending out circulars to
labor organizations all over the country
earnestly asking fellow-workmen to vote
against republican state and national
tickets. Among other things the circular
says: IF you have formerly voted for the
republican party or its candidates. we ask
you In the name of organized labor not only
to vote against them this time. but to use
every possible effort to defeat them. Make
a personal appeal to your friends, relatives.
co-workers and your brother members for
the defeat of the unjust and unfair poll
ticians who care more for the scabs than
for the union man who seeks to bring about
a better day.
The New State Building.
The trouble grows out of the construc
ton of the new state capitol at Harrisburg.
1t will cost in the neighborhoOd of $5OO0,-
600. The labor people charge that in every
instance, from the letting of the main con-
tract to the subletting of every subsequent
contract, union labor has been discriminate
ed against 1t is claimed that appeals were
made to Gov. Pennypacker, Senator PEN
rose, ex-GOv. Stone Senator Knox and
congressional representatives generally.
but without having effect. Frank Nor
rison, secretary OF the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor, Is said to have taken the
matter up with Senator Penrose, but got
IN little SaftSfa fiOp that he Threatened TO
inform labor organizations everywhere. The
reputed answer of Penrose was that he go
ahead.
The trouble has become somewhat acute,
and the labor bodies of Philadelphia have
given warning that they will take the mat
ter up with fellow laborers in every doubt
full state. Chairman Cortelyou has had the
matter placed before him, but has been un-
able to do anything. as the fight is outside
OF his 50 here.
The trouble Is not one the President could
interfere with, If he desired, as it would
not be proper for a chief executive to try
to induce the state authorities of Pennsyl-
vania to cancel contracts already made and
enter into others
While he did not mention the labor ques-
ton in any way, Senator Penrose did talk
in a most hopeful manner of the general
political outlook 80 far as can see."
he said the democrats will not carry
single state in the country outside of the
solid south, including Maryland. New York
is certain for Roosevelt by a large major
ity. So are Delaware, New Jersey and the
other eastern states. Pennsylvania Will
give over 100000 republican majority, the
greatest majority ever known in the state"
Minister Powell is Here.
William F. Powell, United States minis
ter to Hayti and the Dominican republic,
Is on leave from his post, and called on
President Roosevelt today Mr. Powell is
one OF the two colored men who represent
this country in the diplomatic service, the
other being Rev Ernest Lyon, minister to
Liberia Both will make speeches to col
ored voters during the campaign Minister
Powell is from New Jersey, and he will do
some work in that state.
The President shook hands with Dr.
Oberhummer of Austria and DR.. DeClapa-
rade and Nine. DeClaparade Of SwitZer-
land. They are representatives from their
respective countries to the recent geo
graphic congress which met in this city.
Since the meeting they have been travel
ing in this country and Mexico. They were
presented to the President by DIR. ]. H.
Mccormick, president of the society.
Secretary Taft Sees Many Republicans.
Secretary Taft got into Washington from
his campaign tour In the west on an early
train this morning. He left several hours
later for New York, where he will speak
before the Union League Club tonight. he
spent most Of the time between trains at
the White House talking with the Presi-
dent. He assured his chief that everything
was eminently satisfactory from a political
viewpoint, and talked for a few minutes
about the speech he will make tonight.
AS he hurriedly climbed into his carriage
with Colonel Clarence Edwards his an
swer to the questions of reporters was: II
saw lots of republicans out west"
How many?"
II didn't count, but there were enough
to elect the republican ticket next month
heVOnd dOubf / will he hack in WASH
ington tomorrow
Colonel Edwards IS chief of the insular
affairs bureau of the War Department.
He said he had just come back from st.
Louis, and was going out there again. He
said that the Philippine exhibit at the fair
was the great feature of the exposition.
1T will cost about a million dollars he
said, but 1t has opened the eyes of the
people of this country as to the prospects
and possibilities IN the Philippines. The
whole cost of the exhibit will be about
S1,5OO000 but the receipts have been about
half a million, and this will leave the &C
tual cost about 81 100000