Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-26
At THE WHITE HOUSE
President Denied Himself to
Callers This Morning.
A REVOLVER CONFERENCE
Secretary Taft and Col. Russell Of
Ordnance Corps Parties.
THE BROWNSVILLE AFFAIR
Senator Spooner May Conduct the De-
Tense When Fight Comes
Up in Senate.
A REVOLVER CONFERENCE
THE BROWNSVILLE AFFAIR

President Roosevelt denied himself to
callers today and gave several hours to
long conference with Secretary Taft.
number of congressional visitors, IN
Guiding Senators Piles and Ankeny OF
Washington called during the morning,
but they were told that the President was
not receiving visitors. Outside OF MI
Taft. who was accompanied by Col. a n
Russell of the ordnance department OF the
army, the President saw nobody uhtii
after noon. when he talked with Senator
Spooner, Senator Long and Mr. Garheld.
The Brownsville affair, 1t is understood,
was one of the principal subjects or the
morning conference, but there were other
matters. and it was one of these that
caused the presence of Col. Russell. The
President has for a long time been receiv-
ing complaints that the thirty-eight caliber
revolvers in use by the army were no,
large enough and that the caliber should
be increased to forty-five. These COM
plants have been especially strong from
the Philippines, where the ambushlng or
soldiers necessitates the quick use OF the
army pistol. Among the officers and sol
diers in the army the majority incline 70
the view that in protection from pus,i,
whacking a forty-fve caliber pistol shouiu
be used declaring that the thlrty-eight
caliber does not put as quick and enecuVe
a stop to attackers as the larger caliber
With Col Russell as an expert, having
in his possession the letters on nile reiatiVe
to the proposed increase of callber, the
President went into the question pretty
fully While it is not known whether a
decision was reached, it is believed that
the President will shortly order the caliber
of army pistols enlarged to forty-nNe.
The Brownsville Affair.
Senator Spooner remained but short
time There is strong impression that
Senator Spooner, whose legal acumen is
not excelled In the Senate, will conduct the
defense of the Presidents action IN dis
missing the soldiers of the 10Th Regiment
when the fight comes up in the upper house;
Except on railroad rate legislation, ne mas
for Years been pretty close to the. Prest-
dent and has been often consulted ana al
vised with as to pending questions of great
Importance. His attitude on the questlon
has not been fully made known, but 1t Is
believed that he sanctions the Presidents
action and will undertake to combat the
legal side of the case as presented by Sen
ator Foraker.
The visit of Senator Long of Kansas-an-
other senator on whom the administration
can depend-was also brief.
Going to "Pine Knot" Tomorrow.
President and Mrs Roosevelt and chill
dren will leave Washington tomorrow morn
ing for their Virginia country home. pine
hnOC. 1UoS Will ACIiioh eiASiN NAASAN -1~]>~
Monday afternoon, the President coming
back In time for the January reception
The family derives a great deal Of pleasure
ont of these visits and loses no opportunity
to go to "Pine Knot" The President will
do some hunting for small game, especially
turkeys, and will be joined by his sons
Theodore and Kermit. Mrs Roosevelt will
spend a great deal of time out In the fresh
air horseback riding. in which her com
panions will be members of the family OF
Joseph Wilmer, old and close friends or
the Roosevelts. The President got much
benefit early in November tramping over
the Virginia hills hunting for wild turkey,
ACCOMPANIED by Surgeon General Rixey
who will be with the party this time.
The weather will give the old colored man
who has charge Of pine Knot an oppor-
tunity to show what fine pine knot and
wood fires he can keep for the presidential
family. The pleasures of an old-fashioned
roast before the open fires will be among
the many others to be experienced.
Before going to his Office this morning the
President, accompanied by Mrs. Roosevelt,
took a short walk to book store on F near
18th street and bought volume he de-
sired.
The Colorado River Break.
Director Walcott of the geological sur
vey, has reported to the President that the
Southern Pacific road is at work with a
large force of hands repairing the disas-
trous break in the Colorado river, according
TO the request of President Roosevelt Piles