Evening star., 1909-04-22

recently appointed a Lake Shore con-
ductor named Huntley as collector of the
the Endorsement of both the Grosvenor
and anti i-Grosvenor factions at Athens,
and to be highly regarded by the Presi-
dent and republican leaders generally IN
Herbert Knox Smith. who, as head Of
the bureau Of corporations. was an i'm
portant figure of the Roosevelt admins
tration and q member of the Roosevelt
tennis cabinet, appears to be slated 10
lose his place. He has been offered the
position of commissioner OF Immigration
at the port of New York in place OF
Robert Watchorn. who is to be succeeded
by somebody else.
The position, while good one. Is by
no means in the nature Of promotion
for Mr. Smith and may not be accepted
by him. Watchorn passed through the
Roosevelt administration in good shape
in spite of charges against him. Secre-
tary Straus stood by him and the Presi-
dent stood by Mr.. Straus' recommends
tions that Watchorn should be retained
in his position. Assistant Secretary NC
Harg of the Department OF commerce
antaEonistic to WatchOrn. and he Will
have to walk the plank. With Watchorn
and Smith both out. there will be two
good places to fill. The policy Of the ad-
lawyer as commissioner of corporations
and make the position one Of the most
important in the government service,
later obtaining an increased salary Tor
the Office.
To Breakfast at Petersburg.
So that he may be able to have some
time to look over the battlefelds OF Pc
tersburg, Va, where he will be present
May 10 at the unveiling of a monument
to Pennsylvania soldiers who fell there.
President Taft will leave Washington the
night of the 18th and take breakfast
the morning of the 10Th with Charles
Hall Davis. president of the Petersburg
Chamber Of Commerce. and owner OF the
famous Center Hill mansion. where Presi-
dent Lincoln held his last conference with
Gen. Grant, April 3. 1865.
Enrique Cortes. minister OF Colombia to
this country. called on the President to-
day to bid him farewell before sailing for
Europe on pleasure trip of several
months.
Departments Are Unbottled.
President Taft has issued an executive
order to the heads of departments that
unbottles them in their relations with
Congress.
Under the orders Of President Roosevelt
the heads of departments were not allow
ed to report direct to Congress in re-
sponse to resolutions Of the Senate or
House. but were required to transmit
their replies to the White House. which
would pass upon the advisability OF max
ing them public. President Taft directs
that where information is asked by either
house of Congress the head OF the de-
partment shall make direct response, "ex-
cept when. in his Judgment. 1T would be
which case he should refer the matter to
the President for his direction Presi-
dent Roosevelt's policy in this respect
was severely criticised in Congress.
Senator Gore, the blind senator from
Oklahoma. was with the President some
time today discussing Oklahoma matters.
Woman in Blue a Caller.
Mrs. Lucy Lee, the mysterious woman
in blue who tried SO often to see Presi-
dent Roosevelt both In this city and at
Oyster Bay during the last three or four
obtrusively at the White House late yes
terday afternoon and asked to see Presi-
dent Taft. The President had left the
executive Offices for his usual afternoon
horseback ride. Mrs. Lee. whose home Is
at Great Neck. l.. l., was told that the
there would be no chance to see him. She
quietly left the White House grounds.
Mrs Lee Is well connected in New
York and whenever she disappears from
her nome ner relatives generally KNOW
that she Ii In Washington and send for
her. Many newspaper stories have been
written about her mysterious visits to
the White House and Oyster Bay, but
she never makes An explanation as to
her purposes She has never told the
various people who have made inquiries
what she wants to see the President
for and goes her way quietly. She never
grows demonstrative and never gives any
one trouble. She has never been arrested.
alth0ugh aeyeral times secret servicA men
placed her on trains at Oyster Bay and
started her toward her home.