Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-16
President Will Work for Ad-
mission of Territories.
CONFERS WITH CALLERS
Expect Passage by Senate if Bill Is
Reported.
EFFORTS AT THE CAPITOL
Dispute Over Lands Having Goa
Deposits Desired by Settlers De-
cided-Departure for Europe.

| President Roosevelt is doing some work
| to bring about the admission of Arizona
and New Mexico to statehood. He feels
hopeful as to the outcome, but is none too
sanguine.
The President discussed the subject with
several callers today. among them Sena-
| for Carter, Gov. Curry of New Mexico and
Representative Hamilton Of the House
committee on territories. who framed the
bill that went through the House yester-
day.
The opinion of senatorial callers at the
White House today was that the bill Will
go through the Senate If 1t can be report
ed from the Senate committee on terri
tories, of which Senator Beverage is
chairman The President was told by
Gov, Curry and others that careful
count of the Senate showed that only
thirteen seantors out of ninety-two OPP
pose the bill.
Every democrat favors statehood. while
the opposition Is confined to republicans
with Senator Beverid ge as the leader.
year ago President Roosevelt Joined Sen
ator Beveridge in favoring joint statehood
for the two territories, but the Indiana
senator Is not in agreement with the Pres
1dent at the present tltue oIdtSHooo du-
vocates believe that the President may
be able to induce Senator Beverage TO
change his mind.
To Work on the Senate.
Gov. Curry and others who are working
hard for statehood went to the Capitol to
confer as to the advisability Of trying to
get through the Senate a resolution d.
recting the committee on territories to re-
port the House bill. and they felt sure
that if they succeeded they might force
the passage Of the bill in the next two
weeks There was doubt on their part
however, whether many senator's, even
friends of statehood. would vote for a res
olution requiring the bringing out OF the
bill.
Most OF the congressional visitors who
saw the President were decidedly doubt
full as to the prospects. Senators Carter.
Curtis Dixon and Borah. all friends OF
statehood, did not view with much en-
thusiasm the outlook. They pointed out
that to carry out the talked-of program
of the statehood people would not then
insure passage, as the bill could be
talked to death on the floor Of the Sem
ate by the thirteen opponents II they
were persistent in their opposition. Such
q course. too, would block appropriation
bills and other legislation.
Representative Hamilton said he had
information from the Senate that did not
SHCOuTdSc him HULL, ZIG hdu AouHu
the President hopeful and friends Of
statehood still energetic.
Conference on Coal Lands.
Just before the cabinet meeting Presi-
dent Roosevelt, Secretary Garfield and
Land Commissioner bennett conferred
with Senators McCumber and Hansbrough
and Representatives Marshall and Gronna
of North Dakota as to something like
1900 cases Of public lands upon which
entry was made for agricultural purposes
and completion of final proof suspended
on the ground that the lands contain
valuable coal deposits. The claim Is that
In IS per cent Of these entries the coal
deposits are OF little value and the ag-
ricultural worth Of the lands much
greater. The President, after hearing the
views Of the visitors, directed the COM
missioner Of lands to give the benefit OF
the doubt to settlers. This means that
unless the coal deposits are clearly of con-
siderable value the settlers will be al
lowed to complete their final proof.
Presidents Trip to Africa.
The White House persists In withhold
ing information as to the departure Of
President Roosevelt for Africa in March.
1t has been repeatedly stated that the
President would leave New York March
Ii on the Koenig Albert, which reaches
Naples March 80 The latest story was
that the President would be accompanied
to Naples by Mrs. Roosevelt. and that
they would spend eleven days In Italy,
calling upon the pope in Rome. The
President will not have any time to spare
in Italy. 1t IL said. and will leave Naples
port In twenty-four hours after arriving
No confirmation could be had as to the
steamer upon which the President will
sail from New York, but II Is believed
that the Koenig Albert is the one.
Curtis to BE Reappointed.
Representative Dwight of New York
saw the President today about District
Attorney George B. Curtis Of the north
ern district Of New York. Mr.. Curtis has
been United States district attorney for
eight years, and there has been some op-
position to him on the ground that he has
held the Office long enough.
The President has decided to send Mr.
Curtis name to the Senate for another
term.
White House Notes.
Emerson Hough, the author. was 4
guest Of President Roosevelt at luncheon
today His latest novel is dedicated to
the President.
The pen with which President Roose-
Welt signs the bill giving to the govern
ment,. In exchange for other lands, some
Of the great redwood trees of Calaveras
Lowell White of San Francisco, presi-
dent of the California Outdoor Art
League. Representative Smith of Cali
fornia presented the claim Of Mrs White