The Washington herald., 1907-11-26
Mr.. Roosevelt Conducts Lot
terry in White House.
KITTREDGE AGAINST GAMBLE
Rival Senators Forced Ia Pull Straws
for the Selection of Eleven APP
POinteeS iR south Dakota. and.
by the Unique Decisive Method,
the Former Wins Out.

lappointees. There is nothing complex or
intricate in the process. which consists in
the simple expedient of drawing lots or
tossing a coin.
The demonstration was given for the
benefit OF two United States Senators who
were unable 10 harmonize their views as
to the distribution of Federal Offices in
their State The President came 10 the
conclusion that something must be done.
and he worked out the problem to his
own satisfaction.
To go back To the beginning. Senator
Robert dickson Gamble and senator Al
fred Beard Kittrcdge both of South Da-
kota. have been AT swords points politi-
lcally for long time The two Senators
are Republicans. bot each has sought to
eliminate the other from the stage Of poll
tics, with the result that both are stiH in
the Senate. Senator Gamble Is "a third
term boomer. while Senator Klttredge' Is
for Tafts nomination. holding that the
President must bc taken al his word IN
his notable election-night announcement
In making Federal appointments in
South Dakota. the President seemed to
favor the preferences Of Senator Gamble
WIN Allf ndIltH OF NAllblt y lEltlQA
were sent 10 the Senate. Kittredge, who
stands high among the leaders. succeeded
in having them piseon-holed. The result
has been that there has been a deadlock
in the Presidents attempts 10 make Fed
eral appointments in the State represent
cd by Senators Kittredge and Gamble.
The Rivals Meet
At 10 o'clock yesterday morning Sen
ator Gamble and Senator Kittredge met
In the Presidents office Neither knew
that the other was to be there That was
part of Mr. Roosevelts little scheme. He
had written letter to each Senator ask
ing him 70 be at the White House AZ the
hour named. and both Senators had hur-
ried 20 Washington - Senator Gamble
from his home in Yankton and Senator
Ktredge from his home in Sioux Falls.
Mr. Roosevelt enjoyed the joke when
the two political enemies met face to
face. The Senator's. however, greeted
each other politely. for they have never
permitted their differences TO pass beyond
the bounds Of courtesy. The only other
person present a. the meeting WAS Francis
r. Leupp. Commissioner Of Indian Affairs
and biOgrapher Of the President.
Now gentlemen" said Mr. Roosevelt.
when the greetings We're over Il trust
you have left your guns AT home II YOU
have not, please deposit them on my
desk"
The President said other things. He re-
gTetted sincerely 90 see such good men NJ
odds and would be delighted To have
them bury their differences. While he
talked he was doing something with his
hands just beneath the top OF his desk
! Senator T<fttr.1sra
tion Of vantage, never took his eyes from
those busy hands Suddenly Mr. Roose-
Welt held up two closed fists
Kiftredge Gets Choice.
Gentlemen" he said. 'I have deter
mined upon a simple method Of settling
your differences. In one hand I hold "A
long piece Of paper; in the other 7 hold
"a short piece OF paper Whoever draws
the long piece Of paper shall have the
first choice in the appointment Of public
land officers in South Dakota. There are
eleven Of these officers TO be appointed
The one who draws the long piece OF
paper shall name six and the other Sen
ator may name five"
If the two Senators were amazed they
didn't have time 10 show H. The Presi-
dent waved his closed fists in the air.
Il will give YOU first choice. Senator
t. Kittredge" he said
Left hand" responded hittredgc
The President slowly opened the hand
indicated strip Of white paper lay
upon his psim. Then he opened his right
hand. The slip OF paper that lay upon
the right palm was shorter than the
other slip
You win. Senator Kittredge." he said
Senator Kittredge smiled. Senator
Gamble smiled. too. but it was not a
merry smile,
'"The next number on the programme =
resumed the President. is the selection
Of two Indian agents
His hands were busy. as before, be
meath the shelter of his desk. Commits
sioner Leupp drew nearer He was in
| terested in the outcome OF this phase Of
lot-drawing. Senator Klttredge watched
the Presidential diglts out OF the corner
OF his eye.
you guess again. Kituedge." said Mr.
Roosevelt. as he brought his closed fists
into view.
Left came from Kittredge
No: il is Senator Gamble who Is left"
/ cried the President. as he opened his
fingers Kittredge had won again Com
missioner Leupps face grew grave Per-
haps as a foremost exponent OF civil
service reform he did not like this
method OF determining upon the fitness
OF candidates for Office. Perhaps-some
say probably-he had a candidate OF his
own. The President saw the change IN
his blographer's usually pleasant ex-
preston.
Wins Once Agnin.
This is rather looping the Leupp. gen
{ tlemen.' he IS reported TO have said.
= Whereat even Senator Gamble laughed.
Now. let us see what we have next"
began Mr. Roosevelt. ooh, yes. there IS
that auditor for the Interior Department.
Well find out if he is to stay"
The auditor Of the Interior is Hon. Rob
ert s. Person. of South Dakota. He was
! appointed on the recommendation Of Sen
{ ator Kittredge. and is an intense Kit
: tredge partisan. The anti-Kittredge wing
OF the Republican party in South Dakota
has been trying 10 Gust him.
! While the President was talking his
hands were. busy again. The eagle eve
Of Kittredse watched their every move.
When the closed fists came above the
desk the President exclaimed:
You shall have the first turn again,
Senator Kittredge.
Right hand" said kittredge As the
/ fingers of the President were straighten-
ed out. Kittredge was almost enthusiastic
Bob Person stays" he mumbled. and
picking the large bit of paper from the
4 Presidents hands, reverently placed il in
his waistcOat pocket.