Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-16
WILSON MAY ORDER
REST FOR CLERKS
Saturday Half Holiday the
Year Round Among the
Possibilities.
Benefit OF EMPLOYEES
IN ALL DEPARTMENTS
Senator'S Jones and Works Explain
New Excise Law-Dr. Mary
Walker Calls.

Whatever attitude President Wilson
| may take as to the number of hours of
! abor for employees of the government. it
| is known that he believes in half holi-
day every Saturday the year round. The
President and Secretary Tumulty- have
been disappointed ever since they came
to Washington that they could not enjoy
the recreation they insisted on having
| every Saturday while they were in New
Jersey Secretary Tumulty is strongly in
favor of half holiday for all govern
ment workers in the civil service and it
was said today on good authority as not
being improbable that the President will
seek some method by which such holi-
day may be given.
Saturday half holiday allowed for three
months in the summer months is by
executive order. and it would be possible,
1T was said today, for an executive
order to extend this half holiday period
for six months in the year, or for the
entire year. There is good basis for
the hint that the President will give
this matter consideration later on, after
getting rid of many of the bigger prob
lens in his path. Inquiry probably will
be made of cabinet officers as to
whether the condition of business in
the departments will warrant such a
suspension of business for half a day
the year round, and consultation had
on various phases of the question.
Information today is that President
Wilson would not consent to eight
hours of work for government en-
the year round and that he is not COM
r1{ff tod IN nfh olt suh
it is settled that a half holiday once
weekis a necessity for those engaged
in the confining work of the depart
ments, if practicable to do SO.
1t is understood that request has been
made for a conference with the Presi-
dent on the question by certain sem
ator and>some friends.
New Excise Law Explained.
Senators Jones and Works, the authors
of the excise bill that bears their name
and under which the President will short
ly appoint an excise board for the Dis
trict. explained the bill in detail to Presi-
dent Wilson today. The President had
not had his attention specially called to
the measure before. and was pleased that
the senator's had enlightened him on it's
provisions.
I'VE told the President said. Senator
Jones. that the bill could be made to
accomplish great good in the District If
enforced by fair and impartial meS. but
that II the law is not Interpreted and
enforced by the right sort of men it
would be a failure.
We did not recommend anybody by
name, but we did suggest that the Presi-
dent should avoid extremists-men
prejudiced In favor Of saloons or those
wanting them wiped out entirely. The
execution of the law should be intrusted
to men. we told him. who would attempt
to bring about better conditions in the
saloons that are provided for in the bill.
cleaner and better conditions all around
and different atmosphere"
The visitors believed the President
would be unable to make appointments
on the excise board at an early day.
DR.. Mary Walker Calls.
DR.. Mary Walker bore down on the
White House today. DIR. Walker went
to the executive Offices to send in
message to the President, greeting ex-
pressing the hope that he would not fail
to consider her application for commits
sioner of pensions. She told one of the
White House attaches that she believed
the suffragettes should be recognized by
this appointment, and that her war his
tory and the fact that she once was a
clerk in the pension office ought to go
far toward giving her the place.
She delivered this message to an
official, who promised faithfully that
he would not forget it. and departed
with her feminine escort.
Dr. Walker did a little press agent
work among the newspaper men by
stating that she would not object to a
few nice "puffs" telling OF her quail
fications for the place. and winding up
xp-vt II fhf, hot
copies Of their papers to her home in
this city as an evidence Of good faith.
The doctor" was dressed for the occa-
sion in becoming frock coat, dark
trousers, silk hat, white shirt, collar
and tie. and wore around her neck a
black silk neckerchief.
senator-Elect Lewis Pays Respects.
Senator-elect James Hamilton Lewis Of
Illinois. who will take the oath of office
tomorrow. paid his first call of respect
to President Wilson today. He was
warmly congratulated by the President
on his election. and in turn thanked the
President for his efforts to help settle the
senatorial fight in Illinois. Lewis said
he was worn out with the long struggle
over the senatorship and the scramble of
officeseekers to get his ear since his
election.
Asked about his course in the Senate,
he said:
About ten years ago, when I came
to Congress-, there wasn't anything
that 1 didn't know about everything.
Now, when l am coming to the Senate
l am conscious that there Is nothing 1
know about anything. For this rea-
son I am unable to state any course or
policy until l have information through
reliable sources.
Suggested for Ambassador.
Justice ]. w. Gerard of the supreme
court of New York was urged for am
bassador to Italy by Representative
Francis Burton Harrison, who called
on the President Justice Gerard's
name has frequently been mentioned
as one of the men the President has in
| mind for an important diplomatic post
| President Wilson's first dinner to his
| cabinet will be given tonight. There will
| be number of guests besides the cabinet
members and their wives. Cleveland III.
| Dodge of New York and Col. f.. NJ. House.
both intimate friends of the President,