The San Francisco call., 1904-02-21

WASHINGTON, D. c.. Feb. 2O.-lf
Judge John CARRIER. the well-known
San Francisco lawyer. wishes to serve
on the Canal Commission he may do
so. President Roosevelt has signified
desire that he shall so serve. The
President o-day sent for both Cali
fornia Senators and told them he had
selected Judge CARRIER to represent the
Pacific Coast and asked Senator Per
kins to wire CARRIER and urge him to
accept. Both Senator's were taken
somewhat by surprise by the action of
the President. as CARRIERS name had
not been suggested by either for the
honor. while the whole delegation was
united in presenting another name last
year, besides submitting several other
names receiving the Endorsement of
California business and scientific men.
no one IN the delegation seems dis
posed to criticize the selection, all
agreeing that If a lawyer is desired on
the commission a good one has been
chosen in the person OF CARRIER.
That a lawyer should be selected
seems to be the point of surprise, as
the President is quoted as having re-
peatedly said he would not appoint
s man of that profession. He IS said TO
have first determined upon medlcal
man, who would give his attention 10
the sanitary needs Of the isthmus. Ii
was with this understanding that the
, delegation last year united in present
: ing the name of DR.. Chester RoWell OF
Fresno, regent of the California Uni
versity and State Senator. DR.. RoWell
name was suggested and champloned
especially by Senator Bard. Later
the President IS said to have signlhed
preference for an engineer haillng
from the Pacific Coast. and the names
of Messrs. Manson and Schussler were
hsuggested by their friends, while the
faculty of the University of Nevada
presented the name of Mr.. Grunsky OF
the San Francisco Board of Public
Works The utility of good business
man on the board being suggested the
name OF l.. D. Craig was presented by
the San Francisco Chamber of Com
merce.
FFI,TON FAVORS CARRIER.
Among the other candidates for the
honor were NJ H. de Young, William
Babcock. T. C. Raleigh of Humooiot
County and several others. 1t IS salo
that the President sent for FORMER
Senator FELTON, while the latter was in
this city a few days ago in relation 10
this matter and that FELTON, suggested
the name of CARRIER
Judge CARRIER is a Democrat, but the
President is quoted as saying that ne
would not allow politics, or any other
consideration. to influence him in form
ing this commission save the htness OF
the men for the work in hand.
This is not State appointment, but
a national one" said Senator Perkins
this evening, speaking of the proposed
appointment. 1T is true that the Cali
fornia delegation was not consulted
about it previously, doubtless for that
reason. l do not know how Judge
Garber's name was suggested, or why
1t appealed to the President, causing
him to determine upon it. have only
to say that 1 am glad California is
honored by place on the commission,
and Judge CARRIER is a very capable
man.
THE first I knew of Presidents
intention in this regard VS. yesterday
afternoon, when l called at the White
House at the Presidents request, and
ne lDIOIIneu Hle, SdlQ sotLdAOA l1rAN
to-day. Il think ex-senator FELTON,
suggested the name. Judge CARRIER,
know, was highly esteemed by the late
Senator Hanna and is so by Senator
Beveridge I have nc opinion to eX-
press concerning the selection, but will
do so by my vote when the appoint
ment comes up for confirmation"
MAY NOT ACCEPT PLACE.
Several members of the California
delegation are of the opinion that Judge
CARRIER Will not accept the appointment,
on account of his years and the ne
cessity of his travelling to the isthmus.
The Canal Commission will be COM
posed Of seven members, two of whom
will be chosen from the army and navy.
Of these Admiral Walker, president of
the present board, will be one, and Gen
eral Davis, now in the Philippines, an
other.
Engineer Randolph of Chicago who
constructed the drainage canal, will
also be of the number. No formal an
nouncement of the personnel of the
commission will be made before the
ratification Of the treaty, which will be
made next Tuesday.
Chairman Sherman of the Committee
on Indian Affairs, agreeable to prom
Use made the California delegation this
year, has made provision in the Indian
appropriation bill for depot to be es-
tablished in San Francisco for supplies
for the Indian reservations on the Pa
cific Coast At this depot the supplies
will be concentrated and from there
distribution will be made.
Special orders, War Department
Captain Ballou will proceed and join