Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-03
SOME ON STATEHOOD BILL
Which Seems to Be in a Desperate
Situation.
THE ALASKA GovERNoRsHIp
Mr.. Jarvis to Answer the President
This Afternoon-A Rule Broken
as to Photograph.

long and important conference on the
statehood bill, which seems to be In a
desperate situation in the Senate, and ap-
parently doomed to defeat. was held at
the White House this afternoon, those
with the President being Senators War
-ren of Wyoming. Burkett of Nebraska and
Long of Kansas. Whether they were sent
for by the President is not stated. These
three senator's are all supporters Of the
statehood bill as 1t came from the House
and are opposed to the amendment of Sem
ator Foraker submitting the question of
joint statehood for New Mexico and Ari-
zona to the people of those territories for
settlement. So far as the three senators
could do SO they informed the President
as to the situation and consulted as to
the ACCESSIBILITY of working to save the
bill.
Senator Beveridge, who has been In
charge of the statehood bill and who has
had several conferences with the Presi-
dent in the last week so. has for pub
LEGATION put on a most hopeful front as to
the prospects for the bill Whether he
has taken the same view In conversation
with the President cannot be stated. 1t Is,
however. admitted by the friends of the
statehood bill that its situation in the Sem
ate at this time Is anything but favorable
and that number OF tonicS will be needed
to bring about recovery.
The Alaska Governorship.
d. II. Jarvis, the former lieutenant of
the revenue cutter service, who was re-
Gently rendered the governorship of Alaska
by President Roosevelt, Is in the city. and
called at the White House today. He will
call again this afternoon when he will give
the President an answer TO the offer made
him. There Is O. rather widespread belief
among the friends of Mr.. Jarvis. who is
now at the head OF an important canning
company in the territory, that he cannot
afford to take the governorship despite
his great admiration Tor the President and
desire TO please the latter by taking upon
himself the thankless task of running at,
fairs in Alaska. Mr.. Jarvis firmly declined
to indicate his intentions, saying that it
was his duty and pleasure to first communi-
cate to the President.
In the event of declination by Mr.. Jar
Wis there will be hard scramble for the
place. but 1t Is probable that the Presi-
dent will ask Mr.. Jarvis to recommend a
man.
Railroad Construction in Alaska.
The President has taken a deep interest
in the question of railroad construction In
Alaska, and he had two conferences on this
subject this morning Representative Ham
ilton of Michigan, chairman of the House
committee on territories, talked with the
President about the general subject OF fed
erel aid for railway construction in the
territory of Alaska, but he is rather In
cl!ned to think that private enterprise will
construct lines ample for the development
OF the territory without assistance from the
federal government. The President recon-
mended in his recent message to Congress
that the government take some measures to
encourage railroad building In Alaska, and
there are three or four projects now repre-
sented in Washington all seeking to obtain
favorable government action. Bills provid-
ing for a guarantee of interest on bonds
for the construction of rail lines In Alaska
are now pending in Congress, and hearings
have been given by the Senate and House
committees on territories.
Senator Burnham OF the Senate commit
tee on territories, also had talk with the
President. He was accompanied by An
drew +. Burleigh OF New York. who is
interested in a projected railroad extending
from Cordova bay to Fable Alaska.
Christening of VIM. Loeb III.
William Loeb III was christened at 2:3O
this afternoon at the house OF Bishop Sat
terlee. who performed the ceremony.
Among those present were President and
Mrs. Roosevelt, who stood sponsors for the
youngster. William Loeb III was born
December 20.
Philippine Tariff Bill.
The defeat OF the Philippine tariff bill In
the Senate committee yesterday was the
occasion OF a conference or two at the
White House this morning. Secretary Taft
talked early with the President and, when
leaving, was asked how he felt over the
failure OF the Senate comraittee to give to
the Philippines the legislation he had SO
long fought for.
Il cannot say what Congress will do"
replied the Secretary, 'as do not attempt
TO dictate to that body or interfere with It,
but so far as my work Is concerned this
fight has Just begun l shall continue to do
what is right and proper to give the Philip
pines the relief and assistance they need"
Beyond that Secretary Taft did not care TO
talk. He has ardently hoped. however. that
the Philippine bill would get through the
Senate. because his knowledge of the condi-
lions in the islands confirms him in the
opinion that something must be done for
them in the way OF permitting their prin-
cipal products TO come into the United
States free OF excessive duty.
Senator Lodge was another visitor who
is presumed TO have talked on this subject
with the President. although he did not
say So Mr.. Lodge was willing to admit
that the prospects, for the bill did not look
as good as its friends had hoped.
Senators Allison and Carter talked with
the President during the morning, but the
visit had to do with pardon for an old
Iowan who had some trouble and Is be-
lieved to have been sufficiently punished.
Yakima Irrigation Scheme.
Representative Jones of Washington
took to the White House today bill in
which he is immensely interested. 1t
provides for the Yakima irrigation pro-
ject, a scheme that is expected to irrigate
and open TO agricultural purposes 100000
acres Of land in the section OF Washington
represented by Mr.. Jones. The amount or
money TO be expended on the present plans
is ST. 10000. but the project, when finally
.snr rf completion.
to $l5.Oo0OOO.
President Roosevelt's Namesake.
President Roosevelt has so many name
sakes that he cannot recognize many OF
them. In fact, he made a rule some time
ago not TO send his photograph to any OF
the young Theodore Roosevelts" whose
proud parents called his attention to their
existence. However. he broke his usual
rule and had Secretary Loeb today send his
photograph and a personal letter to Theo-
a.. ..sN.. h.-A- farU