Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-19
Makes 1t Possible for San
Francisco to Get Water
From Public Domain.
NEWS QUICKLY FLASHED
TOGOLDEN GATE CITY
Members of Federal Reserve Board,
Provided For in Currency Bill,
Not Yet Selected.

After several days of careful considera-
ton, President Wilson today signed the
bill giving San Francisco the privileges
or obtaining water supply from the
1etch- h-Hetchy valley and to generate cleo
trio power from the waters of that re-
gion. Mayor Rolph and other San Fran
cisco men, who have been here awaiting
the approval of the BILL were delighted
and Immediately flashed the word back
to San Francisco, which has been I'm Il
serious predicament concerning necessary
water for number of years. In signing
the bill President Wilson attached a
memorandum. disposing of the objections
that have been made to the measure. 1t
follows:
Il have signed this bill because it
seemed to serve the pressing public needs
of the region concerned better than they
could be served in any other way, and
yet did not impair the usefulness or ma
teriaily detract from the beauty OF the
public domain. The bill was opposed by
SO many public spirited men, thoughtful
of the interests of the people and of
fine conscience in every matter of public
concern. that I have naturally sought to
scrutinize 1t very closely ] take the
liberty of thinking that their fears and
objections were not well founded. / be-
lieve the bill to be, on the whole, in the
public interest, and / am the less un-
certain in that Judgment because ] tin4 ~
concurred in by men whose best ener. les
nave been devoted to conservation and
the safeguarding of the peoples inter-
ests, and many of whom have, besides,
had a long experience in the public Scrv-
ice which has made them circumspect in
forming an opinion upon such matters"
Federal Reserve Board Not Selected.
it was definitely learned at the White
House today that President Wilson has
not selected any of the members of
the federal reserve board provided in
the pending currency bill. The President
and Secretary McAdoo have been con-
sidering the names of persons qualified
for membership. but they have not
reached conclusions as to any one.
Notwithstanding the attack that has
been made on the feature of the bill ex-
empting subordinate employees OF the
board from appointment through the civil
service. there will be no objection from
ident will offer none.
The number of employees will be COM
paratively few. 1t was stated today. and
the civil service commission recognizes
that to a large extent these employees
must be men experienced in the banking
and business world. The civil service
commission also takes the view that II it
Is demonstrated that the employees of the
they will be placed there by the Presi-
dent, whose general powers under the
civil service laws are broad.
Wilson and Bryan Confer.
President Wilson was in the executive
offices today and attended to much busi-
ness He did not see many visitors, but
worked for some time on correspondence
and the signing of public papers until
Secretary Bryan appeared, shortly after
10 o'clock. The two conferred until the
hour for the regular cabinet meeting, at
IL O'Clock, Mr.. Bryan remaining for that
also.
When the cabinet meeting adjourned
members said they had discussed their
departmental affairs and administrat.o .on
po icies but no announcements were
made 1t was stated that the Mexican
question was not touched upon.
Senator Tillman and Representative
Byrnes of South Carolina presented the
President with urgent telegraphic re-
quests that he spend his holiday yaca-
ton at Aiken, S. c., not far from Au-
gusta, and kilograms flowed into the
White House during the day from vari-
Gus southern cities. all urging their
claims to entertain the President and
family.
The chances now favor some point along
the Gulf of Mexico. The place selected
must be quiet and free from intrusion.
On the gulf coast the weather will be
warmer than in Augusta or Aiken, it is
believed. and the Presidents case of
grip. practically well now. would disap-
pear entirely.
Tenure of Office Bill Signed.
The President, in the course of the
cabinet meeting, signed the bill limiting
to four years the term of a marine Of
ficer commandant of the CORPS
The cabinet meeting broke up at about
l o'clock. All the members of the Presi-
dents official family We're present Secre-
tary Bryan confirmed the news that he
would leave town this afternoon for his
trip to Florida. being absent until New
Year day.
Attorney General McReynolds an
nounced his purpose to leave Washing
ton tomorrow afternoon for New York.
j. III. Roberts. friend of the father OF
William j. Bryan and the only man
alive of whom Mr.. Bryan knows who
knew his father well. was escorted to the
White House this morning by Secretary
Bryan. Mr.. Bryan introduced Mr.. Rob-
erts and his grandson to the President.
President Wilson Is the first President of
the United States that Mr.. Roberts has
iaken hands with since President
Pierce day in the White House.