Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-13
BREVITY FROM HUGHES
HIS FIRST MESSAGE WON'T Elk
cEED 500 woR-s.
Believed That His Inaugural VIII Be
the Shortest on Record in
New York.

NEW YORK, December 13.-Gov.-elect
Hughes returned yesterday from his visit
to President Roosevelt at the White House
and left last night for Rochester, where he
is to speak tonight at the dinner of the
Monroe county chamber of commerce Mr..
Hughes made this engagement to speak
last spring, long before he thought Of be-
ing named for governor. It was made with
Senator Armstrong, chairman of the insur-
ance investigating committee, and this ex-
PLANTATION came out when republicans be-
gan to joke Mr.. Hughes over the fact that
on election day the normal republican plu-
rality Of Monroe Of 5000 shrunk to $500
for him, Hearst, his opponent, carrying
Rochester. and Senator Armstrong; plu-
rality of $500 two years ago being cut to
$50.
Visit to President.
Mr.. Hughes is to make as few public din
ner engagements as possible, and is to be-
gin to live in the executive mansion on
December q. His inaugural address is to
be the briefest on record in the state, and
his first message to the legislature will
there are likely to be few. II any, positive
recommendations to the legislature.
Concerning Mr.. Hughes visit to the
President the governor-elect said: Il didn't
the President at any time. He did not
make the slightest suggestion with refer
ence to shaping policies; the subject was
simply not discussed. At the dinner given
by the President the discussion of things
political was Of most general character.
1t referred more to what has happened
than to the future. Directly after the din
ner I went to bed, and I came away this
morning before the President was up.
Neither did we discuss appointments save
that I asked the President about one or
two matters about which I knew he had
some information"
State Offices.
Mr.. Hughes has not selected his state
superintendent Of public works to succeed
Nicholas v. v. Franchot, who under the
constitution goes out with Gov. Higgins.
There are now three candidates for the
place, Henry A. Van Alstyne, the candidate
of the Odell-Payn wing Of the republican
state organization; Winslow NJ Mead, the
candidate of the Aldridge faction, and Nc
Dougall Hawkes., the candidate of the Par
sons people. Mr.. Van Alstyne gained no.
toriety in the Edward H. Hartman Fur
naceville Iron Companys canal contracts,
Mr.. Mead passed through the $9O00,OOO
canal scandal, the participants of which
were recommended for criminal prosecu-
ton by ex-Judge Edwin Countryman of
Albany, and Mr.. Hawkes., in March, 1903,
as Mayor Lows dock commissioner, recon-
mended that a leasehold of pier "a, North
river, at the foot of Franklin street, be
given without competition to Mr.. Odelrs
Central-Hudson Steamboat Company for
twenty-five years. Mr.. Hawkes. was for
merly republican leader of the assembly
district of which Mr.. Parsons is now the
chief.
The report was revived that Frederick D.
Klburn, superintendent of banks, is to
resign before January /, and there was an
other statement heard from inside circles
to the effect that the present five railroad
commissioners are to be legislated out of
office. but neither report could be substan-
tiated. incidentally it was stated that Col.
George w. Dunn of the railroad commits
sion is to resign January 1.