Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-25
At THE White HOUSE
Panama Canal Rgetif0ations
Signed by the President.
PAYNE MAY BBEEADER
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COM
M1TTEE MUST SOON HAVE HEAD.
Isthmian Commissioners Chosen and
Personnel Soon to Be Sent to
Senate for Confirmation.

President Roosevelt and Senator Scott of
West Virginia had an important conference
this morning regarding the conduct of the
presidential campaign this year. There is
every reason to believe that Senator Scott
is one Of four men under consideration by
the President for the craftsmanship of the
republican national committee. The three
others are Henry c. Payne, Postmaster
General; Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania
and Representative Charles Dick of Ohio,
to be elected within a few days as senator
from Ohio to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Senator Hanna. The chances are
all in favor of one of these four men being
selected to lead the next republican cam
paign. Ex-Gov. Murray Crane of Massa-
chusetts does not want the place, but he
will, at the Presidents sincere wish, prob
ably become the chairman of the executive
committee. and in that capacity give his
advice and efforts to the republican cause
this year.
Henry C. Payne, Postmaster General,
might resign his place as cabinet officer
to take charge of the campaign committee
as chairman of the national committee
This is understood from inside sources to be
the wish of the President. The chief thing
to interfere with the carrying out of the
plan will be Mr.. Payne's strength and his
physical ability to push a campaign. He is
not an invalid, but he is far from being
strong man. The President has unlimited
confidence In his political Sagacity as evil
denced during his management of large
campaigns. He was vice chairman of the
republican national committee in both OF
the fights in which Mckinley was elected,
and 1t was he who relieved Senator Hanna
of much of the strain of each campaign.
Senator Hanna regarded him as brother.
and it is a matter of inside history that Mr..
Payne's adroit handling of the possible COM
plicationS that threatened to make cand1-
date of Senator Hanna for the presidential
nomination had much to do to Offset this
possibility and to at the same time assure
the most pleasant personal relations be-
tween the President and Senator Hanna.
The President would readily intrust Mr..
Payne with any position involving his po-
litical future. and there will be no sur
prise should the Postmaster General resign
his position at any time in order to be free
to take up the management of the coming
campaign. Should his health sbe such as
to prevent his obliging the President.
which is probable. then the selection vii!
be made from among Scott, Penrose and
Dick. with the chances fayoring Penrose,
whose air of ponderous mystery and Quay
like ability. to say nothing in many ways
to everybody end anybody on any question
that ought not to be talked of, not to
speak of his knowledge of politics, would,
without question. fit him for the position.
Both Penrose and Dick are young, ann
are recognized by the President as being
equal to those of any other man who has
been mentioned. but Senator Scott has been
advised by his physicians that he should
not undertake heavy work this summer,
and that he must take a rest. "A recent
breakdown at Denver nearly cost him his
life, ard his physicians constantly urge him
not to be active in politics. t5e
He has been forced to disregard this ad-
vice to some extent in his own campaign
for reelection. but in this het has just come
out with success, and will not hereafter
have occasion to worry himself about ms
own affairs except to prevent the election
of a democratic legislature in West Vir-
ginia this fall
Opponents Withdraw.
Both of Senator Scott's opponents have
withdrawn from the fight against him, leav-
ing him clear field Henry Schmulback.
the millionaire brewer and political boss of
Wheeling, has announced his retirement
from the race, and ]. l.. Caldwell. the
strongest opponent of Senator Scott is in
Washington now preparing an announce
ment to his friends of his retirement from
the field.
Senator Scott was with the President
three-uuarters Of an hour this morning.
All he would say upon leaving was that he
and the President had taken breakfast at
farmer time this morning in order that they
might have long talk together. He adj
mitted that the conference was in regard to
the conduct of the coming campaign, but
further than that he could not be induced
to talk. He has been several times consult
ed by the President on various features of
this years fight and his advice will be
appreciated at the White House throughout
the campaign. even If he is not at the head
of the national committee Like Postmas-
ter General Payne, he was one of the prin-
cipal assistants of Senator Hanna in two
campaigns, and one of his closest political
friends. Their affection for each other was
a matter of common talk.
Canal Commission Complete.
The Panama canal commission is thought
to be complete, and so soon as the Pres-
dent has received definite answer from
one he will send all the names to the SEN
ate. This man is c. e. Grunsky of San
Francisco, and he is expected to accept
the offer. In fact. he is the only man
about whose acceptance there remains
doubt. The commission will probably be
made up as follows: Rear Admiral John G.
Walker u. s. NJ, retired Gen. George w.
Davis, U. 8. A, retired; Colonel Frank
Hecker of Detroit, Mich; William Barclay
Parsons of New York William II. Burr OF
New York; c. Ewald Grunsky of San Fran
cisco, and B. M. Harrod of New Orleans.
William H. Burr Is the professor of en-
cheering at Columbia University and was
formerly member of the isthmian canal
commission over which Admiral Walker
presided.
When Mr.. Grunsky is heard FROM as is
expected today Or tomorrow, the President
viii know just who will compose the coal
mission. and he will then send the Gem
plete LIST to the Senate One man who was
offered place on the commiss on and who
has accepted, is n some doubt. This is
Mai. 3. M Harrod of New Orle ans A
great clamor against his appointment has
arisen in that city and threats are made
of d fight on his confrma tion. Although
Maj. Eari Cd has been on, the MISSISSIPPI.
river commission many years, he was al
one time, from 1887 to 1902 chief engineer
of the New Orleans drainage commission.
Because OF change that was made in
soaie cement in the work under his pro-
gress lie was charged with permitting a
contractor to substitute, inferior and cheap
cement fer a first class. article. AS result
Of the charges he retired from the COM
mission He admitted the Substitution. II