Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-25
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Long Hearing Of the Lieb
Charges.
PRESIDENT AS JUDGE
PERNICIoUs POLITICAL ACTIVITY
ALLEGED.
Ill-Feeling in Oregon Over Appoint
ments-Will Not Reappoint
Bryan.

and the prosecution was conducted by A.
W. Cooley. civil service commissioner, as
sisted by Mr.. Wales of the commission. The
defense was looked after by Representative
Patterson Of Pennsylvania.
There are several charges against Mr..
Leb, pernicious political activity being one
and violations Of the civil service another.
The charges have been pending about six
months, and efforts were made to have Lieb
removed several months ago. Commission
er Cooley, who investigated the charges on
behalf of the civil service commission, re-
ported that they had been sustained and
recommended the dismissal of Mr.. Lieb.
Senator Penrose and other influential Penn
sylvania republicans stepped in and urged
the President to hear the case himself, as
Mr.. Lieb desired the facts brought out
At the hearing this morning Mr.. Leb
made statement as to the charges, clearly
pointing out the facts. He denied Intentional
violations of the civil service law, and 1t
was alleged by Representative Patterson,
at the close of the hearing, that it was
plainly demonstrated that the violations
were of most technical nature and were
not to be classed as deliberate in any man
ner.
Al no time during the hearing did the
President, 1t Is said, express his views one
way or another, and when those present
went away from the White House it was
without having the least idea Of what will
be done. Mr.. Patterson and Mr.. Leb were
hopeful that they had made successful
showing
The charges of pernicious political activity
We're not proven before the President, 1t is
said. and these were eliminated entirely,
the charges upon which the case will finally
be settled being those as to technical viola
lions of the civil service laws
Ill-Feeling in Oregon.
Flllt oP
President today about some appointments
in that state. The Oregon senator did not
DISCUSS the result of his visit to the Presi-
dent, but it Is known that there is some
bitter feeling in Oregon as to at least one
position That is the United States at
torneyshlp. When the prosecutions against
Senator Mitchell and Representatives Her.
mann and Williamson were begun Francis
j. Heney. young attorney of San Fran
cisco, was assigned by the Department of
Justice as a special assistant attorney rep
resenting the Department of Justice Some
time after this the United States attorney
of the state, John H. Hall, was removed on
the ground that he was not attending to
the work in manner suitable to the gov
eminent and was supposed to be in sym
pathy with the men under indictment. This
action caused sensation in the state at
the time.
The removal OF Hall was succeeded by
the appointment of Heney to conduct the
indictments and he has been at work upon
them right along. Protests have been made
because an Oregon man is not appointed.
The idea that there is not Oregon man
capable of handling these cases in an I'M
partial manner Is warmly resented and de-
mands are being made that local man be
given the position that is claimed to be-
long to the state. No objection Is made to
Mr.. Heney remaining as the representative
of the government in these cases, but 1t is
declared that this could be done and a To-
ms he INF p1pI of inf
States attorney besides.
What the President intends to do about
the matter is not known.
Will Not Reappoint Bryan.
President Roosevelt has decided that he
will not reappoint Leander J. Bryan as
United States marshal of the middle dis
trict of Alabama. Bryan's four-year term
expires January 81, and he will be allowed
to serve his term out. A short time ago
announcement was made that Bryan would
be given another term. That led to an at
tack on him. various charges being made.
AS a result the decision was reached to put
in another man. Judge Thomas G. Jones
was asked by the President to name a suit
able man for the marshalshp and he has
sent in the name of a Mr.. Judkins, who will
be named at the proper time.
The determination to GUST Bryan was
something of a sensation in Alabama, and
the President is hearing from both the
friends and enemies of the marshal. His
mind Is understood to be fully decided
against the present marshal.
Fight in West Virginia.
Another fight is on in West Virginia.
Reese Blizzard, United States attorney of
the northern district Is having opposition
for another term, and 1t is from some
prominent men. but it Is said that Blizzard
will probably succeed himself. He has the
think that the four years he has had is not
enough. 1t is customary to give marshals
and United States attorneys two terms II
they have performed the duties of their Of
fees satisfactorily.
J. K. Thompson, United States marshal
of the southern district of West Virginia. Is
to give up his Office in December, and he
will be succeeded by Frank H. Tyree, in
charge of the secret service officers on duty
at the White House Tyree Is well known
in West Virginia politics, having been an
ardent and successful party worker for
years He was chief OF police of Hunting
ton at one time and made q splendid record
there. AS secret service officer he has
won the esteem and good will of the Presi-
dent His appointment will shortly be an
nounced.
Deeper Channel for Mississippi.
St. Louis business men who want to see
an eight-foot channel maintained in the
Mississippi river from st. Louis to Cairo,
no matter how low the water in the river,
talked with the President today and urged
his assistance for the project, which army
engineers recommend and say will cost
$4,000, 600. For three years there has been
an eight-foot channel in the river, but this
has been due to good luck in the way Of
somewhat rainy seasons. Should there be
a dry season the channel, 1t is stated, would
not be over seven feet, thereby stopping
navigation to many vessels. 1t was assert
ed by the delegation that railroad rates
are much affected by this uncertainty as
to the river, and that the railroads have
been raising rates In that part OF the
country for some time. With a guaranteed
eight-foot channel there would be no ques-
ton, 1t was asserted. as to lower rates to
many cities. The delegation was pre-
scented to the President by Secretary
Hitchcock, and consisted OF C. p Wal
bridge, presidents of the ST. Louis Business
Mems Association; Murray Carleton,
James E. Smith, c. L. Hilleary and w. F.
Saunders.
Odell Will Be Beaten.
Ex-senator Warner Miller of New York
had a brief talk with the President this
morning, New York politics being dis
cussed. II am from up the state" said
Mr.. Miller, land do not know what is going
on in New York county as to reorpa MIA