Evening star., 1909-03-03

ber who wrung the hands of Mr.. Roosevelt,
but 1t must have been 900 at least. APP
parently the President refused to see no
body vouched for by people he knew.
Mr. Roosevelt stood to the task with a
hardihood and joyousness that made his
greetings to every man or woman far
more pleasant than usual. He seemed
to take positive delight in the work. Dur
ing all this time he stopped at intervals
to sign bills coming in from Congress or
to append his name to photographs
brought to him. The photograph artists Of
Washington with photographs of Roose-
welt have done rushing business in the
last few days and the President has
signed his. name hundreds of times.
Standing one minute to shake hands with
passing squad of people, the President
the next dashed to his desk and affixed
his signature to photograph for friend.
bill from Congress or a letter written
by his secretaries. 1t was unquestionaby
the most strenuous day he ever had in the
White House.
Signed Many Bills.
During the morning the President signed
the District of Columbia appropriation
BILL the fortification bill. the army appro-
priation bill and the navy appropriation
bill. The latter bill contains the pro-
vision designed to restore the marines to
the ships of the navy from which they
We're taken by order of President Roose-
welt. There has been talk that the Presi-
dent might take steps to render this pro-
vision null and void, but he did not do
anything Of this kind today. Various
pension bills were also signed yesterday
and today.
The Brownsville bill. which permits the
negro soldiers who were discharged to re-
enlis, in the army If they establish their
innocence reached the President at lO
o'clock. 1t was said that the President
has decided to sign the bill. If he does
not sign it the bill will fail to become
law after noon tomorrow.
Every cabinet officer in the city marched
to the White House during the morning
with heads of bureaus and principal of
tcials of his department and introduced
them to the President. who warmly con-
graduated them on their good work. Sec
retary Straus told the President the
bureau heads were really the ''men be-
hind the guns in the great work of con-
Quoting the business of the government.
Address by Judge Knapp.
The interstate commerce commission
met the President by appointment at IL
o'clock Chairman Knapp speaking for the
commission as follows:
Mr.. President: You need no assurance
that the members of the interstate COM
merce commission hold you In peculiar
respect and admiration. While the coun-
try is indebted to your persisten efforts
and commanding influence for notable
measures of regulation which otherwise
would not have been enacted, we are
under special obligations for the strength
and encouragement Of your support. the
wisdom of your cOunSelS and most of all
for the confidence you have reposed in
and the personal consideration we
have received at your hands. We feel the
Sincerest regret that our relations with
you are brought to an end by your re-
tirement from the great Office to which
you have added worldwide distinction.
and we shall follow you in whatsoever
work Of honor and usefulness you may
engage with feelings of unaffected and
affectionate regard"
The President replied:
You have been very helpful, indeed,
and 1t would not have been possible for
me to have accomplished what has been
accomplished without that strong. hearty.
loyal and efficient cooperation and assist
ance which you have freely given. l VISA
you success in your further efforts along
government regulation. AS have said to
others. you have done the work. while l
have seemed to get the credit for it, l
have tried to be a decent President for
decent people. l bid you goodbye. and l
wish you good luck.
Five newsboys from Menominee. Mich,
sent down by newspaper, talked to the
President and wanted to ask him about
the lions Of Africa. Yes, l know" said
the President. 'you are more interested in
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