Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-10
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Capt. Merry on the Rebuilding
of San Francisco.
THE J JAMESTOWN OPENING
President Promises to Attend the
Ceremonies.
MIR. ELKINC CONGRATULATED
President Heartily Praises Him on
Senate's Passage Of His Amend
ment to Rate Bill.

Captain William L. Merry, United States
minister to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Sal
vador, does not believe that the modern
steel buildings in San Francisco are the
proper things to withstand future earth
quake shocks. Captain Merry has just come
up from his post for a leave of absence.
He is a citizen of California, having gone
TO that state around Cape Horn in 1S49.
and after he gets through his work here
will go to California for visit
The Pacific coast from Cape Horn to
the arctic circle, Alaska, is region of vol
canic activity" said Captain Merry, and it
Is noticeable that whenever the volcanoes
become quiet there is uneasiness among
people acquainted with the condition OF
things over earthquakes. So long as the
volcanoes going there appears to be
quiescence of the earth, but when the vol
canoes go to sleep trouble in the earth
quake line Is almost sure to follow. While
the activity seems to follow the region 1
mentioned, there is occasionally an offshoot
at right angles and / would not be sur
prised some day to see New York destroyed
or badly damaged Nobody knows where
the trouble will strike.
Down in San Jose Guatemala, where
my legation is located nobody pays much
attention to earthquakes. There are shocks
four FIVE times a month, and sometimes
they are pretty severe. There is no great
amount of danger, though, as the buildings
are low and constructed without heavy
roofs. After severe shocks the people run
out into the streets and pray few minutes,
but they are soon flirting and enjoying
themselves, having forgotten all about it.
They have simply grown accustomed to II
all Since the st. Pierre disaster there
seems to have been an increase in volcanic
disturbances.
The trouble about the proposed steel
buildings in San Francisco is that an
earthquake will wrench them out of all
shape. They may be all right in saving
life and preventing the terrors that hap
pened in San Francisco. but they would not
be Of use for occupation afterward. In
some places in San Francisco the ground
sank four feet and in others 1t was raised
into all sorts of peculiar shapes. No build
ing would stand this. I do not think any
building in San Francisco In the future
should be over six stories in height.
Yes. conditions in Central America are
greatly improving. This is due to the edu-
more enlightened they try to avoid revolu-
tions. Costa Rica is spending one-hfth or
her income in education, and the effect is
noticeable in many ways. But thlnss are
pretty quiet In Central America now. All
revolutions cease duringthe rainy season, as
the bands of fighting men cannot ma
neuver. 1t is only in the dry season that
fighting can go on
President to Attend Jamestown Open
President Roosevelt has accorded to the
jamestown exposition the unusual honor
of promising to be personally on hand at
the opening of the exposition next year.
This opening will take place April 26, 1907,
and that date celebrates the landing of the
first English at Cape Henry. From there
the colonists proceeded up the river to
jamestown, where they established them
selves. 1t is not customary for President
to personally attend the opening of an OK
position and make a speech, as President
Roosevelt will do. The usual proceeding is
TO touch a button In the White House and
start the machinery, at the same time ex-
changing messages with the exposition au-
thorities.
The invitation was extended to the Presi-
dent today by Harry ST. G. Tucker. presi
dent; c. Brooks Johnson and Lieut.. Gov.
]. Taylor Ellyson. one of the leading OFF,
Gals of the exposition.
Il heard that there was q report that the
exposition would not be opened at the time
set" said Mr.. Tucker. This acceptance of
our invitation by the President ought TO
dispose OF that
Although there is still opposition to the
exposition In the House the hope of the
exposition officials grows stronger that the
House will act favorably. Speaker Cannon
has stood in the way of the appropriation
so far, but 1t is believed that he will not
ptISiSl al ILLS dlt4buOtA
Gov. Johnson is Hopeful.
Gov. John A. Johnson. democrat, of Min
nesota; Capt l.. II. Rosing. chairman OF
the state board of control of Minnesota.
and c. II. Schulz, superintendent of educa-
ton of the state. called on the President
today with Senator Nelson. All three men
are on their way to Philadelphia and New
York to study charitable and other matters
in which their state is interested.
I 49,. - oh I@,1
Gratis of Minnesota are hopeful of doing
things this year. OF course, 1 do not know
how the people of the state regard our adj
| ministration, but 1 believe that viii be
elected again. l would be sure of 1t II Sena-
tor Nelson here would mind his own bust
ness and not go round the state butting in
and advising republicans to support their
own ticket"
Senator Blackburn of Kentucky called
upon the President this morning and pre-
scented an invitation from President Patter-
son of the kentucky State College at Lex
ington to attend the commencement exer-
cises of that institution June z. Senator
Blackburn strongly urged the President to
accept the invitation, but Mr.. Roosevelt
stated that IL would be impossible for him
to get away.
An Ohio Invitation.
Senator Dick headed a delegation OF Ohio
citizens which called on President Roose-
Welt today TO extend to him an invitation to
| Ing of a tablet at Marietta, Ohio, comment
| orative of the establishment at Marietta or
| the capital of the northwest territory.
| The celebration is TO be held the latter
| part of next October and viii be made the
! occasion OF a notable ceremony. The en-
! tire Ohio congressional delegation will be
| present and prominent men from all parts
! OF the country are expected to participate
| In the celebration. Representative Nicholas
| Longworth and Mrs. Longworth, formerly
| Miss Alice Roosevelt, have indicated their
| intention to be present The President ex
! pressed interest in the celebration, but
| said he doubted whether he would be able
| to accept the invitation.
| Senator Eilsins and Representative Wood
| yard of West Virginia joined the Ohio peo-
| pie in urging the President to accept the
| invitation. The Parkersburg people intend
| to celebrate the advent of Aaron Burr in
| that vicinity and the two celebrations Will
| take place at the same time In Marietta.
Senator Elkins Congratulated.
| President Roosevelt heartily congratu-
lated Senator Elkins upon the passage by
| the Senate yesterday of his amendment to