Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-20
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Members of immigration Com
mission Considered.
BILL WAS, SIGNED TODAY
No Extremists to Be Selected, but
Unprejudiced Men.
RAILROAD BILLS IN HOUSE
President Told Railroad Labor Or
CARNATIONS Are Opposed to House
Substitute for La Toilette Bill.


ments. He has stated that he will not
appoint men identified with organizations
either for or against restriction in immigra-
ton. He wants predetermined men, not
prejudtced one way or the other.
Representative Pearre of Maryland called
on the President today and suggested the
appointment Of Jesse Taylor as member
Of the commission. Mr.. Taylor, who is
from Ohio, is q member OF the national
council Of Junior Order of United American
Mechanical. He Is quite influential in the
organization. 1t is not probable that he
will be named, because of his connection
with the organization.
The President Is believed to have practi-
cally picked out the men he will appoint, as
the plan Of a commission was proposed by
him a long time ago and he had reason
to believe it would be provided for.
Stranahan Will Probably Remain.
Representative Parsons of New York. who
is quoted as having a candidate for collector
of the port Of New York in place of Ne
vada Stranahan, whose health, it is as
serted, will cause his resignation, stated
today that he did not believe Mr.. Stranahan
would resign as his health has improved.
Mr. Stranahan has for years been close
personal friend Of the President and can
remain as collector as long as he desires.
The fact that his health has not been good
for several years is known and this has led
him to several times consider the question
Of resigning. Mr.. Parsons, 1t has been
stated, will ask the Presidentto name State
Senatog Page, his right-han man, as col
be handed in. The Brooklyn republican
congressman are reported to be favorable
to F. J. H. Kracke, who Is naval officer of
the port Of New York, although Brooklyn
man.
Objects to House Bill
The President today had several confer
ences on the bills pending in Congress max
inc afwfo rail-
roads. Representative Wanger discussed
the House bill with the President, while
another caller was H. r. Fuller, legislative
representative Of the Brotherhood Of Loco
motive Engineers, Brotherhood of LocOmo-
tive Firemen. Order of Railway Conductors
and Brotherhood of Railway Trainmer1. Mr..
Fuller told the. President that the railroad
labor organizations are opposed to the House
substitute for the La toilette bill. which
passed the Senate and that they had rather
see no legislation at all than that of the
House bill. The President, 1t is stated. is
in favor Of sixteen hours for days work,
but his attitude as to other matters con-
nected with such legislation has not been
made public
Among the Presidents visitors today were
Representative Bannon Of Ohio. with John
Calvin, past exalted ruler Of the Elks, and
Charles E. Hard of Portsmouth. postmaster
and editor of that city; ]. E. Ralph of the
bureau Of engraving and printing. with
Henry Piepenbrink and John T. Kline Of
Joliet.
Senator Piles presented to the President
the newly selected commissioner of the land
Office ex-Mayor r. A. Ballinger OF Seattle.
Mr.. Ballinger was judge Of the superior
court of Washington for q number of
years. He will take the oath Of office
March 4.
Negro Blood in Indian Territory.
President Roosevelt today received DEL
egation of prominent negroes. consisting
Of Bishop w. B. Derrick Of New York,
Bishop Gaines. ]. Milton Turner Of st.
Louis, E. w. hampton and 8. T. Virgins.
They presented to the President a memo
Of mixed Indian and negro blood in the
Indian Territory; that these persons are
entitled under the treaties between the
choctaw and Chickasaw nations and the
government of the United States to equal
footing with fuii-blood Indians; that they
desire the President to call the attention
Of Congress to the hardship and injustice
that Is being worked upon the people OF
roneous conception OF the treaties and
laws by a mistaken Interpretation by the
commission Of the five civilized tribes
wherein they have denied to persons OF
mixed blood the right to participate in
the distribution Of the Choctaw and Chicka-
saw tribal lands and moneys.
The commission. it is stated. was Of the
opinion that negro blood polluted and
contaminated the Indian blood with which
II is admixed to ouch an extent that the
persons possessed thereof cannot be held
to be Indians under the meaning OF the
terms of the treaty"
The President sent his visitors to Com
missioner Leupp Of the Indian bureau,
with a request that Mr. Leupp make
report to him at o'clock this afternoon
as to the facts in the case.
The sum Of $4,000 additional Is asked
from the national government to provide
expenses incidental to the election OF the
ik,pff al onvs inn
Of Oklahoma and the ratification of the
constitution now being framed by that
convention. memorial from the con-
vention. asking that an APPROPRIATION
Of this amount be provided for. was pre-
sented to President Roosevelt today by
Robert Latham Owen of Muskogee, l. T.
The Canal Contract.
President Roosevelt held another confer
enee yesterday afternoon on the canal con-
tract problem. listening to statements by
q number Of contractors who have assoc
eiated themselves with w. ]. Oliver In his
bid for the construction Of the canal. With
the President we're Secretary Taft and
Chairman Shopts. They listened to state
ments by Patrick r. Walsh Of Davenport
Robert Russell Of LynehhuFg, Va. L. c:
Gunter Of Knoxville and P. ]. Brennan Of
this city, The President asked numerous
question as to the experience of these men
and others who are associated with MF.
Oliver.
that will be held and that the President
will soon announce the decision of the ad-
ministration as to whether the contract
will be given the Oliver combination or the
government will build the canal itself.
Andrade's Interview Denied.
Referring to published reports OF an In
terview with Gen. Andrade In Havana yes
terday, In which the general gives the
int uvtfh ProRf6opf
Roosevelt, It Is officially stated that the
President did not tell any one that he was
about to withdraw Gov. Magoon from Cuba
and, 1t 10 added. that he has not the slight
est intention Of SO doing at present or In
the near future. Gen, Andrade's talk with
utes and took place in the hearing of sew
eral persons. He afterward repeated the
statements he had made to the President to
Secretary Taft In both cases, 1t Is stated,