Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-11
Another Precedent Smashed
by President Wilson.
RULE RELATING TO DRESS
Contrary to Tradition, Receives
Visitors in Gray Sack Suit.
SENATORS CALL WITH APPEAL
Plea for Reinstatement of Dis
missed Appraiser-Many Requests
Referred to Departments.

Having smashed a nice assortment of
presidential precedents. President Wilson
is playing havoc with another one--that
of the dress of the highest officer Of
the land. In the most unOstentatious,
democratic manner the President receives
visitors-hundreds of them each day--in a
gray sack suit. The oldest employe of
the White House has no recollection of
President ever appearing at his offices
in light suit of clothes. Tradition calls
for frock coat and trousers to match,
or at least black cutaway. Cleveland,
Harrison and Mckinley wore frock coats
at all times.
Roosevelt departed from that custom by
wearing a black cutaway with trousers
to match, also taboOing silk hat unless
necessary. His black slouch hat Of the
southern and western style he still sticks
to. Taft wore frock and cutaway coats
with occasionally a blue sack suit, and
he always wore a derby. President Will
SON is fond of gray and it is becoming:
If he dressed in black his figure would
look much smaller than it is The Presi-
dent prefers turn-down collar and in
his tie he wears beautiful pin bearing
the coat of arms of the United States.
presented to him by a friend.
When the august Supreme Court paid a
call of respect on the President several
days ago Mr.. Wilson wore gray sack
suit. just as he does in the executive
offices.
Before the cabinet assembled at II
o'clock this morning for a long session
the President received a large number of
visitors. some on business and the others
to pay respects. Secretary Garrison of
the War Department was the first visitor
being with Henry w. Dooley, the demo-
cratic national committeeman from Porto
Rico. Porto Rican appointments were
discussed.
Plea for Thaddeus Sharretts.
A visit to the White House today by
Senators Lodge and Smoot. republicans,
and Stone, democrat, excited some
speculation. All three are members of
the Senate finance committee. 1t was
learned that the three senator's feel
that an injustice has been done Thad-
deus Sharretts, member of the board
his dismissal by President Taft just as
Mr.. Taft was leaving the White House.
and they wished President Wilson. to
reconsider the dismissal.
"A special commission appointed by
President Taft to Investigate charges
against several members of the board OF
appraisers worked for weeks In an i'm
vestigatiOn and reported adversely to Mr..
Sharretts and Roy H. Chamberlain.
TTcSlQonl IdIt, tue night DeIOT6 ne went
out of Office. sent letters to the two men
dismissing them from their positions on
the ground that they had been guilty of
malfeasance.
The specific charge against Mr.. Shar-
retts, which he denied, was that he had
Baltimore and Ohio railroad to stop trains
at small town In Maryland where he
had q summer home. Mr.. Sharretts has
many strong friends who feel that he has
listening to the statements of the visitors,
referred them to Secretary McAdoo, and
they went to the Treasury Department
for conference with the Secretary.
Others Referred to Departments.
The President referred number Of his
senatorial callers to department heads
during the day, breaking in on the sena-
torial view as to some of the prerogatives
belonging to that body. Senator Johnston
and Representative Richardson Of Alaba-
ma called regarding the post offices at
Decatur and New Decatur, in Mr.. Rich
ardson's district. Nearly two years ago
the two post offices were consolidated by
President Taft. An appeal by Mr.. Rich
ardson caused the order to be changed.
Postmaster General Hitchcock issued an
other order of consolidation the last of
March and that was held up on request.
Mr.. Richardson declared that the people
Of the two towns want separate post
Offices. The President sent them to
Postmaster General BurlesOn.
Senator Mark Smith Of Arizona took up
with the President the filling of the 4Ari-
zona federal judgeship. Ever since Ari-
zona was made a state the people have
been without the machinery Of a federal
district court. President Taft nominated
former Gov. Sloan as judge, but both the
democratic senator's, Smith and AshurSt,
prevented his confirmation. Now they
want democrat as judge. Senator Smith
presented the name OF w. Fl. Sawtelle
The President sent his visitor to the De-
partment OF Justice.
Senator Smith OF South Carolina, to
see about small place for a con-
stituent: Senator Bacon of Georgia
Senator Tillman Of South Carolina and
Senator Lea OF Tennessee, to pay re-
spects. and Senator Gore of Oklahoma
for conference. were callers today.
Recommendations Submitted.
Senators Bacon and Smith OF Georgia
have united in request to President
Wilson and Secretary Bryan for the
nomination Of Pleasant A. Stovall, the
Savannah editor, to be minister to
Switzerland. Another candidate for
the same place is former Representa-
tive Lamb of Indiana, backed by the
entire Indiana delegation.
Senators Lea and Shields and the
Tennessee delegation have asked that
former Gov. Benton McMillin be made
an ambassador abroad. The Mexican
embassy Is one Of the places under
consideration.
Richard Olney still has under advise
ment the offer Of the post OF ambassador
! to Great Britain. His answer Is expected
| by the President at any time.
Louis D. Brandeis of Boston was In con-
| ference with the President at the White
House early last night. He had also call
| ed to shake hands with the President In
| the afternoon at the reception in the
east room. He was at the White House
| from o'clock until nearly 8 o'clock.
| taking the midnight train for Boston.
President Wilson is base ball fan. He
will, as did President Taft, probably
pitch the ball to the players for the open
| ing game with New York April TO-
President Wilson last night touched a
| button which opened the breeders and
| traders convention and horse show at
| Fort Worth. Tex.
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