Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-25

0dIuc40 las 4dO 1NO SOupAaAAC5.
When Secretary Garfield visited the Presi-
dent today he was asked what he knew
about charges that the one hundred special
agents of the land Office in the west were
actively participating in presidential poll
tics, and that the land convention, which
is to meet in Denver. June IS. 10 and 20,
will be really an administration affair"
He replied he had not received any COM
plants that the large land force of the
Interior Department was working in poll
tics in the west and that until he did so he
could not of course. take notice of It. So
far as he knew, the land convention at Dem
yer would be free of politics and was to be
held to consider the best policies to pur-
sue as to public lands. Secretary Garfield
himself will be present at the convention.
So will Commissioner Ballinger of the land
ONCE, Clifford Pinchot. chief forester, and
Mr.. Newell. head of the irrigation bureau of
the geological survey.
The story circulating in the west is that
every land agent of the Interior Department
is hard at work trying to offset any hostile
sentiment that might appear at Denver
to administration policies, especially con-
corning public lands, and that many of
the agents are talking third term as to
President Roosevelt.
Masonic Temple Corner Stone.
President Roosevelt today accepted the
invitation to deliver the address at the lay
ing of the corner stone of the Masonic Tenn
pie in this city Saturday, June 8, at 3
pm. The President was waited upon
by DR.. Francis ]. Woodman. grand master
of the District; Henry Small. president Of
the Masonic Temple Association, and
Thomas P. Morgan, grand commander Of
knights Templar of the District The COM
mittee informed the President that the
date for the laying of the corner stone had
been fixed for June "a, but the President
said that he would leave Washington June
IL for Oyster Bay The committee there
upon decided that the date for the cere-
mony should be changed so that the Presi-
dent could be here and make the address,
which, he said, he would be greatly pleased
to do. The President is a Mason and
heartily in sympathy with the efforts to
erect a splendid temple.
Hitchcock Somewhat Discouraged.
Frank H. Hitchcock, assistant postmas-
ter general. was a White House visitor
today. He was asked about his con-
templated trip west to inspect post Of
fees, to which political Significance has
been given, as was the case when he re-
Gently went south and got around among
the post offices.
Mr. Hitchcock said that he would prob
ably go about the first week in June
but that he felt discouraged, as SO much
erroneous speculation appeared in the
newspapers regarding the objects and
motives of the trip. 1t is considered pos
sible that he may not make the journey
as he does not wish to have an impress
sion created that he is playing politics
under the cloak of official business.
Internal Revenue Commissionership.
Senator Elkins called on the President to-
day to again press the claims of a West
Virginia man for commissioner Of internal
revenue to fill the vacancy made by the
resignation of John w. Yerkes, who has
been out Of office nearly month.
The President told the West Virginia SEN
ator that Pearl Wight Of New Orleans still
has the offer of the comnissionership under
advsement, and that he thinks Mr.. Wight
will accept Until he hears from the New
Orleans man he will not consider other
candidates. If Mr.. Wight declines, the po-
sition will probably go to Judge Durell Of
Kentucky. If he wants IT,
Some Of the Days Callers.
Representative Peter Porter of New York
called on the President to see what DISPOSE
ton Is to be made of the Rochester IN. "
collectorship that has been so much talked
about In the last six weeks. Archie San
ders. whose resignation was asked and
who expected to have been succeeded by
some one long ago. is still holding on The
President intimated to Mr.. Porter that no
action would be taken for some time as to
the office.
Father A. p. Hoyle of the Apostolic Mis-
sion House of the Catholic University
called on the President to present the
| young men who have just graduated from
the institution, and who viii go out into the
world on their missions OF working among
non-Catholics
| Senator Warren of Wyoming called on the
President to pay his respects, and Senator
! Bourne of Oregon arranged for the Presi-
| dent to receive a number of young ladies
| from Oregon who have won trips to the
jamestown exposition In newspaper con-
tests
Quite distinguished party Of foreigners
were at the White House to meet the Presi-
dent after luncheon this afternoon. 1t In
ambassador. who paid his respects before
| leaving Washington for the summer; the
Panama minister. Mr.. Obaldia who called
| to say goodbye before leaving Washington;
| the British ambassador, Mr.. Bryce, who
presented Mr.. Perks. a member of the Brit
| ish parliament, and Baron Uslkell of Rus
ala who called to pay his respects.