Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-23
FOR |LL|TERACY TEST
Labor Leaders Give Taft
Views on immigration Bill.
MEDAL TO CAPT. J. S. CECIL
Congressional Honor Awarded for
Gallantry in Philippines.
OYSTER AND RUDOLPH CALLERS
Thank President for Nominating
Them-Mascot of Cincinnati
Reds Is introduced.

All the members of the executive coun-
Gil or the American Federation of Labor,
headed by President Gompers ard Secre-
tary Morrison of that organization called
on the President today to talk with him
ABOUT the immigration bill pending in
Congress, especially the provision for an
iiiiteracy test The President has ex-
pressed desire to have the views of
'he DIG labor organizat tions. He
told his visitors today that he had de-
clded to have hearings on the bill if it
came tc him. and that ne would send for
representatives of the federation at that
time. The federation favors an illiteracy
test in the bin. and will give grounds for
Its desires.
The bill is sure to attract widespread
attention, and the interest in the action
tne president will take is shown by
the fact that he is receiving a number
OF teiegrams and letters every day.
Many OF those who have talked with
the President are strongly inclined to
the belief that he will veto the meas
ure. but they admit that the President
has said nothing direct that will enable
them to reach that conclusion.
The biggest fight will undoubtedly
center on the proposed illiteracy test
Whlle labor organizations favor such a
test. other organizations oppose it, de-
claring that it will shut out many
people desiring to come to this country.
Presents Medal to Capt. J. s. Cecil.
President Taft today presented con-
gressional medal of honor to Capt. Jo-
sephus s. Cecil Of the 18th Infantry. in
recognition Of great gallantry shown by
that officer at the memorable and bloody
fight at Bud-Dajo. Jolo, Philippine
Islands, March {, 1906
The records show that Capt Cecil was
a private. corporal and sergeant in the
4th Tennessee Infantry Volunteers in the
Spanfsh-Amer1can war, becoming a lieu
tenant In the regular army in May, 1899.
He was a lieutenant at the time of the
Bud-DajO fight. He advanced with VOL
unteers from his company to an exposed
point in advance of the line. in plain view
and within twenty-five or thirty yards of
the enemy. keeping up an effective fire
during the advance Of the assaulting
line.
The President congratulated Capt. Ce-
Gil on receiving this recognition of dis
tinguished service and told the officer it
was such work as his that made the
American army famous the world over.
The presentation took place in the pres
ence of Secretary StimsOn, Maj Gen.
Wood and q number Of army officers,
who accompanied Capt Cecil to the
White House.
Oyster and Rudolph Call.
James F. Oyster and Cuno II. Rudolph.
President Taft's nominees for District
Commissioner. called on the President to-
day to thank him for selecting them.
The President said he had taken a long
time to consider the nominations and was
satisfied that he had picked two of the
best men in the District to take charge of
District matters for three years. He
cir
would be confirmed, and said they ought
to be confirmed. as they had been made
without partiSanship and with only the
best interests of the District at heart
One of the callers at the White House
today was Oscar S. Straus Secretary of
Commerce and Labor in Roosevelts cabi-
net. when President Taft was Secretary
of War. and later bull moose candidate
for Governor of New York. The Presi-
dent and Mr.. Straus talked over inter-
national peace and Mr.. Taft was glad to
see the former cabinet officer The po-
litical differences were forgotten.
Clarke Griffith. manager of the Wash
ington base ball team. saw President
Taft today to introduce Brownie Burke.
the diminutive mascot of the Cincinnati
Reds. The President, towering far above
the midget mascot, enjoyed the meeting
while Brownie was tickled immensely.
Broke Into Receptions.
NucI OeSICtdIS SidIIeS ~. ftliteS OPEN
ed the White House mail today he easped
with astonishment on reading a frank
confession from a Washington woman
that she had broken into the White
House receptions for years under false
colors. Mr.. Hilles would not disclose the
identity of the writer. whose ingenious
ness. he acknowledged, commanded his
admiration. The letter read:
Il have been attending the White
House receptions for years, but / am
tired of using some one else's ticket. Will
you please send me one for the next re-
ceptiOn In my own name.
The coveted cards admitting guests to
the White House on the occasion of the
four big affairs of the winter are much
sought after, and especially so this sea-
son, since President-elect Wilson has in
timated that the receptions would be
abandoned during his administration
Every description OF subterfuge Is resort
ed to in an effort to obtain Invitations
which, since the top-heavy lists were cut
down. have been scarcer than ever be-
fore.