Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-05
,ecial Correspondence of The Herald.

Special Correspondence of The Herald.
xASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 81
wv Although many men in Wash
ington are regarded and some
proclaim themselves as friends of the
officials and private citizens, each one
of whom means more to the president
personally than he does officially. The
strength of the individual attachment
which binds each point of this coterie
to the chief executive is shown in the
fact that he values their opinion and
advice in matters of state most highly
Some of the little circle are friends of
bygone days and comrades in past
struggles whom Theodore Roosevelt
has not forgotten, even though he may
have outstripped them in the public
eye.
Others are the complement of friend
ships formed through association since
he became president, and sought COM
petent aid in his new duties.
Every man likes to have a personal
friend to whom he may talk with alb
solute freedom, whom he may ask for
advice on any topic, in the knowledge
that the answer will be sound reason
Ing devoid of self interest and preju-
dice. The president is a many-sided
of the political compass. Perhaps he
values most highly of all the lay opin-
ions at his beck and call that of
Nicholas Murray Butler, president of
Columbia university.
If one hears that Nicholas Murray
Butler is in Washington it is waste of
time to look for him at any hotel The
latchstring hangs out for him always
at the White House. He is not old in
politics, but the president is said to
place high rating on his political
opinions. At the Chicago convention
last summer Mr.. Butler was quite
prominent and his intense Roosevelt
ism was something of an oasis in the
desert of Indifference presented by the
Empire state Republican forces under
Odell while the Roosevelt nomination
was being framed up.
Keeping Bachelors Hall
b Not many young men have enjoyed
the distinction of keeping bachelors
hall" with the president of the United
States at the White House. James r.
Garfield, commissioner of corporations
In the department of commerce and
labor, could boast this If his natural
modesty did not prevent Mrs. Roose-
welt went early to Oyster Bay last
summer but the president remained
in Washington until after the Chicago
convention and asked Mr.. Garfield to
live at the White House. They break
tasted and dined together daily for a
fortnight. The president had an avail
able vacancy ON the civil service COM
mission several years ago and con-
ceived the idea of giving ii to son of
President Garfield. Thus began the
acquaintance of the two.
Mr.. Garfield later was made commits
sioner Of corporations. 1t is his busi-
ness to investigate trusts so he has in
charge one of the presidents most con-
stant concerns. He is a rattling good
tennis player, is possibly more ideal
istic than practical in politics, and is
as popular with Mrs. Roosevelt as with
her husband. His friendship with the
Roosevelt family is of that delightful
nature that unannounced calls are Gus
tomary at almost any moment Almost
any fair day in the spring he may be
seen facing the president on the tennis
court at the White House.
Clifford Pinchot" is the name al
ways heard when Mr.. Garfield is men
toned as the closest friend of the pres
ident. For some reason the two seem
to be always connected in considera-
tion Of the presidents intimates. Mr. |
Pinchot is chief OF the bureau Of for
estry OF the department of agriculture.
He is New Yorker. very wealthy,
young man OF high ideals and tastes |