ty with
Colombia.
March 12. President appointed a Commission to report on
organization, needs, and conditions of government work.
March 18. President received report of Coal Commission.
April 2. President received degree of LL.D. from the University of
Chicago. Beginning of long trip to the west.
April 4. President addressed Minnesota legislature at St. Paul.
April 30. President delivered address at dedication of buildings
of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, at St. Louis.
June 6. President ordered an investigation into the Post-office
Department scandals.
July 4. First message around the world, via new Pacific cable,
received by President at Oyster Bay.
July 23. The President refused to consider charges made by a
bookbinders' union against a workman in the Government Printing
Office, thereby declaring for an "open" shop.
August 17. Grand naval review by the President, on Long Island
Sound, near Oyster Bay.
September 17. President delivered an address at the dedication of
a monument to New Jersey soldiers, on the battle-field of Antietam.
October 15. President delivered an address at unveiling of statue
to General Sherman, at Washington.
October 20. President called extra session of Congress to consider
a commercial treaty with Cuba.
November 3. Panama proclaimed independent of Colombia.
November 6. The United States government formally recognized the
independence of the state of Panama.
November 10. Opening of extra session of Congress called by
President to consider commercial treaty with Cuba.
November 18. A new canal treaty was formally signed at Washington
by Secretary Hay, of the United States, and M. Bunau-Varilla, acting
for Panama.
December 2. The canal treaty was ratified at Panama.
December 7. The President sent regular message to Congress
especially defending the administration policy regarding Panama
and the canal.

1904. January 4. The President sent a special message to Congress
regarding the recognition of the new republic of Panama. This was
followed for weeks by debates, for and against the action of the
administration.
February. War broke out between Japan and Russia; the President
issued a proclamation declarin