The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-08-05
WASHINGTON LETTER
rspecial Correspondence

making SpIenQlu recoru DIS CA"o
States ambassador at st. PetersbW g
and has already justified the confidence
entertained in him by President Roose-
welt. Mr.. Meyer was picked for tnls
particular post because the president
believed that he possessed the qualities
of quickly sizing up an important stu
alton and of successfully dealing with
delicate diplomatic matters.
Mr.. Meyer has won a number OF
laurels during the brief period III
which he has represented the govern
ment at the Russian capital. He has
kent the Washington authorities thor
ouehly and accurately informed OF the
progress of diplomatic affairs at St
Petersburg, and has also dealt fully
with the internal disorders of the en-
pire. His dispatches are clear ana
concise and have enabled the presi-
dent correctly to gauge the feelings OF
the car SO that no mistake was made
in the bold offer of mediation.
Diplomats to Form a Club.
Members of the diplomatic corps, who
are debarred by the rules Of the Met
ropolitan club from indulging in bac'
carat, poker, roulette, etc., have COM
pleted plans for the establishment or
a clubhouse Of their own. Another
cause of dissatisfaction is that since
the fire. which compelled the club tc
make temporary quarters elsewhere,
the restaurant has been suspended.
A fine old mansion in the outskirts Of
the city has been secured, and within
q short time the club will be incorpo'
rated and organized. 1t is understood
that it will be of the most exclusive
character.
Under the rules of the Metropolitan
the most rigid scrutiny is given to ap'
plicants, but any attache Of legation
or embassy is entitled to admission by
virtue Of his Office.
War Relics For the President.
Minister Griscom, at Tokyo, has sent
q letter to the state department say
ing that he has forwarded to the de-
partment for the president and Secre-
tary Taft arms that were picked up on
the battlefields Of Manchuria.
These arms are both Japanese and
Russian and include rifles, bayonets,
swords and cartridge shells. Two ri
1es and bayonets are from Port Ar
thur and were used in the siege and
defense Of that stronghold
Mrs. Roosevelt's Virginia Farm.
During President ROosevelt's recent
trip to Virginia he paid his first visit
to the Albemarle farm which Mrs.
Roosevelt purchased from William n.
Wilmer, the New York banker. The
farm comprises a fifteen acre tract of
land on which is a modest little two
story dwelling which Mrs. Roosevelt
intends to use as "a sort of summer
camping ground for herself and the
children Of the household. This farm
is situated one and a half miles cas-:
of Keene pOstoffice. in the southern
part of Albemarle county, and six or
eight miles north of Scottsville.
The residence, which has recently
been improved to suit the needs and
tastes Of Mrs. Roosevelt, is deep in
the heart of the woods. Its color is
ocher, with brown trimmings and
green blinds. A broad porch extends
across the front, and at the end, where
an oak tree grows, the roof Of the
porch has been neatly built around it.
Wants Presidents Salary.
Every quarter letter is received at
the treasury department from a man
In central New York demanding a
check for his salary as president Of the
United States. The amount of the
salary is closely figured, being exactly
one-fourth of $4,000. It was a coin
cidence that the last letter was receiv-
ed just after the warrant for the presi-
dents salary had been signed.
Chairman ShOnts' Desk.
One glance at the Office of Chairman
Shonts Of the isthmian canal commits
sion is all that is necessary to show
that railroad man Is In charge. There
Is nothing in the way Of unnecessary
furniture and filings in that room, but
It Is observed that Mr.. Shonts sits at
a large table upon which are spread
the papers and documents Of the com
mission. Behind is a roll top desk, No
other official has a similar equipment
In the departments at Washington, but
1t is the kind Of an outfit that a rail-
road man wants. The common fat top
desk is the official desk of Washing
ton. Every man who has any position
OF prominence has his fiat top desk
nearly In the center of the room, but
there is no other desk or table for his
exclusive use. The fiat top desk in
the middle Of room means that the
occupant Is a person Of consequence.
The roll top belongs to the lesser en-
ployees. Mr.. Shonts does not have the
fat top desk, but the table, and he
wheels around in his chair and ~ at
his roll top desk. His method is the
difference between the railroad man
and the ordinary official.
The Capitals Sky Line.