Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-22
AN APPEAL FOR MISSIONS
Millions of People Get But One Meal
Every Two Days.
CALLERS AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Sentences of Two Men in Leaven-
worth Prison COMMITTED.
Were in for Life.

After discussing conditions among the
poor of India with Prof. Samuel Higgin-
bottom. superintendent Of the Nalnl
Leper Asylum. President Taft today
promised to write an open letter enlistng
support of American Presbyterian mis-
sions in the old world.
Mr.. Higginbottom was accompanied to
the White House by William Dana and
6. +. McLanahan, local representatives
of the Presbyterian mission. They told
the executive that onethird Of the popu-
lation of India goes to bed every night
hungry and that the movement now on
foot in this country and Great Britain
to relieve the suffering peasantry in that
land deserved the support Of all Christian
lions.
Describing the beginning OF the Presby-
terian mission for lepers at Allahabad
India, Prof. Higginbottom said: Before
the Indian mutiny the mission at Alfalfa
bad was caring for few lepers at its
own expense. They finally became SO nu-
merous that the Allahabad Charitable
Association took charge Of them and put
them in an asylum by themselves.
Moves to New Site.
I'm 1870 the city was growing so fast
that the asylum was moved across the
Jamna river and located near the village
of Naini. The charitable association con-
tinued to support this work until jan
uary, 1905.
For the last fifteen years Of this period
the mission to Lepers has been given an
annual grant"
Prof Higginbottom also informed the
President that continual famines In India
mean that there are more people in that
land than there are people on the North
American continent who obtain but one
meal in every two days
President Has Visitors.
Senator Curtis of Kansas accompanied
w. T. Vernon, former register Of the
Treasury, to the White House today and
the latter bade goodbye to Mr.. Taft be-
fore going west to engage in educational
work.
A committee composed Of George NJ.
Spang1er Of the Chicago Chamber OF Com
meree. Arthur c. Jackson OF the National
Good Roads Congress and Martin Dodge,
an expert on good roads. today asked Mr..
Taft to lend his moral support to the
movement for civic beauty in the United
States and improved highways. The WIS.,
itors invited Mr.. Taft to attend a con-
vention of municipal improvement advo-
Gates in Chicago September IS next. They
were introduced by Senator Cullom.
DIR. F.. y. Schaffer, curator of the Inn
perial Museum at Vienna, who is in
to make geological researches, was in
troduced to the President this morning
by Thomas S. Hopkins.
Representatives John Dalzell Of Penn
sylyania, Samuel w. Smith of Michigan
and Delegate Cameron of Arizona con-
Quoted delegations of constituents to
the executive offices today to meet the
President.
Constantinople Editor Calls.
To obtain support of President Taft
and his administration in alleviating
the sufferings of Turkish people in
Russia. who are said to be persecuted
for political reasons, E. Aknouni, an
editor of ConstantinOple. called at the
White House today for a conference.
He was introduced by Representative
Needham Of California. 1t is under
stood the chief executive promised to
study the matter.
Members Of the railroad securities COM
mission. which has been in session in this
city for two days studying the financial
conditions of railway companies. paid
Those who called at the White House
today were DIR. Arthur T. Hadley, pres
ident of Yale University: Frederick
Strauss, Frederick n. JudSOn. Secretary
of the Interior Walter l.. Fisher and B.
III. Meyer of the interstate commerce
commission.
The commission reported to the Presi-
dent that it is making progress in study
ing the issuance of stocks and bonds of
Interstate carriers and other matters re-
lating to capitalization. 1t will not Sub
nit its report TO Congress regarding pro-
posed legislation until several more meet
ings are held.
Either going to or returning from the
Kansas state fair, where he speaks on
September -, President Taft proba bly,
will drop off at Chicago to address the
International municipal congress in ses-
sion in that city September 1880
Communication of Sentences.
President Taft today comnuted the
sentences Of two men serving life terms
in Leavenworth penitentiary for murder.
George Robertson, line rider in Indian
territory, robbed farmers peach orchard.
When SURPRISED he shot and killed the
farmer. He will be released in about six
months. having been model prisoner
during a term equivalent to twenty years.
Chepon Ceesee. a full-bloOded Seminole
Indian. convicted of the murder OF a
white man in drunken brawl on the In
dian Territory frontier, will be released
from Leavenworth at once. President
Taft held there was some doubt OF his
guilt.