Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-13
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
More Ships for the Navy
Needed.
TALK WITH CHAIRMAN FOSS
President Said to Be Much Interested
in the Matter.
THE RAILROAD INVESTIGATION
Senator Penrose Believes Many Roads
Are Deeply Involved in the
Coal Business.
TALK WITH CHAIRMAN F0ss
THE RAILROAD INVESTIGATION

Having won in the House everything
of Importance he recommended to Congress,
and with the prospects good for equal sue
cess in the Senate. the President has turned
his attention to continuation of the policy
of upbuilding the navy. He fervently be-
lieves that it will be anything but wise to
cease the work of building battieships.
cruisers and other vessels, as seems to be
the spirit of the republicans in the House.
The President has ascertained that senti-
ment in the House is strong against pro-
viding at this session for single fighting
vessel. The leaders have informed him that
the program at the last session for four
fighting vessels was put through only after
strong promises had been made to the OBJ
jectors that If they would vote for the
naval bill, as reported. they would be spared
a heavy naval program at this session.
There is strong objection, it is stated. to
a single fighting vessel, but the President
hopes that this objection will be cleared
away and that provision will be made for
at least two He had long talk this
morning with Chairman Foss of the naval
affairs committee of the House. Mr.. Foss
said that he could not discuss the Presi-
dents wishes in this matter. but from
others who have talked with the chief ex-
ecutive there is confirmation of his sincere
deep interest in this question. The navy
is one of his pets, and he is more convinced
now than at any time that the United
States can not afford to take a step back
ward in its naval strength.
There Is a prevailing belief that COM
promise may be affected all around that
will permit the authorization of at least one
battleship and probably several smaller yes
sells. But 1t is predicted there will be a
struggle to attain this, and that the Presi-
dent will have 10 exert his influence to
accomplish it.
No Question Of Interest in Coal
Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania called
upon the President this morning. Good
natured but taciturn. like his preceptor
and benefactor, the late Senator Quay, the
senator from Pennsylvania did not care 20
discuss the resolution passed in the Senate
yesterday, directing a thorough investiga-
ton of the relations of the Pennsylvania
and other railroads in the control of the
Goa, output of Pennsylvania West Vir-
GINA and other states. 1t may be stated,
however. that Senator Penrose has not the
least doubt that the investiga ton will re-
veal that the railroads mentioned. together
with number of others, are deeply in
volved in the coal business and have an
ownership interest in the mines of various
states. That Is a fact that he thinks has
been known "a long time, and for which
there would be dispute on the part of
the railroads. So far the railroads are
concerned they do not fear any serious pun
ishment the result of the facts that
may come out from the lnveStiga ton bear
Ing upon their present combina tons 70
handle coal and keep the prices at figures
that suit them, but their friends do fear
that stringent law will be passed tina.
win make future combinations of this xind
Impossible. The prediction is freely ma de
that there will probably be law of this
kind before the end of this season, espe-
cially should the interstate commerce COM
mission quickly report upon the resolution
which has passed the Senate, is expected TO
pass the House promptly and receive the
signature of the President.
Promotion for Brave Officer.
Senator Scott of West Virginia talked to
the President this morning about a promo
ton for Maj. H. l. Scott of the 18th Cav
airy. The two SCOTS are not related in any
manner but the West Virginia senator met
the fighting Scott in the Philippines this
year, and was so impressed with his record
that he thought the President ought to
have 1t laid before him. Maj. Scott received
many wounds in his fighting with the Mo-
los. He lost two fingers on his right hand
and his left hand was badly shot one finger
being lost on that hand also While lead
ing an attack on the Moros his pistol was
shot out of his right hand, but he continued
right into the thick of the melee, encourage
ing his men until they had whipped the
enemy.
daJ. Scott was the chief of Staff of Gen,
Leonard wood IN Cuba during the Spanish
war and made a splendid record there
senator Scott thinks he ought to be made
bf'gadler general and put in line for nro-
motion to the head of the army In the
course of a few years