The St. Louis Republic., 1900-07-30
Explains What She Meant in (rri.i.
cism of Mrs. Potter Palmerts
Appointment.
GOVERNMENTS POOR TasTE.
France Objected to a Woman Com
missioner to the Exposition
Her Interview Was Not Per-
sOnal, but Misquoted.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
Washington, July 2a-Mrs. John A Logan,
who has just returned from Chicago. says
1t was only by deliberate Misrepresentation
that any of her remaks regarding the Paris
Exposition could have been made to appear
in any respect to reflect upon Mrs. Potter
Palmer.
Between myself and Mrs. Potter
Palmer" she said. "there is and always has
existed the best of friendship. II was never
in my mind question as to the personality
of one selected for the position of woman
commissioner TO the exposition. but wholly
and altogether a question of good taste up
on the part of the United States Govern
ment in sending any woman at all after
the objection to this plan expressed by the
French Government.
No other nation in the face of this thor
oughly well-known objection of France,
asked to have any such concession made
as was the case with the United States The
argument brought forward that this was
because America leads the world in the ad-
vancement of woman does not enter into
the discussion in reality, because at no time
or in any way has this been the motive for
that persistent appointment of a woman
commissioner.
Every one knows there has been no
woman's department in the exposition, as
was the case with our Worlds Fair. there
have been, Of course. exhibits and fine ones,
OF which Americans can well feel proud,
from women. but the awards to these
talented ones have been made exclusively
upon the merit OF their work. No woman
commissioner could have In any way in
fiuenced these awards.
THE statement that. under such circUm-
stances. it surprised me that Mrs. Potter
Palmer should have desired the appoint
nent was not intended as a personal re-
iection upon her. My criticism had wholly
to do with the questionable good taste of
the United States Government in its action
throughout in this matter
"In the account cabed to Mrs. Palmer,
and upon the strength of which she was
asked for an interview In reply, my words
were given a purely personal character
which they neither had nor were intended
to have when. like any other American.
gave my real impressions of the exposi-
ton.
"In her reply Mrs. Potter Palmer. aftep
stating that she was perfectly satisfied with
her reception in Paris. adds that she does
not, Of course. know what my reception
was. Now. the inference of such a remark
is unmistakable.
when 1 went to the exposition it was in
the quietest manner imaginable. 1t was
with no idea Of either seeking or availing
myself Of any social or official courtesies.
Since the tragic death Of my son. have
neither felt the slightest inclination for nor
taken part In anything of this nature.
did not even call. during my stay in Paris.
upon Ambassador and Mrs. Porter, who ara
my personal friends
"The object of my trip abroad was to
inspect General Logan's statue by tho
sculptor. Mr. Simmons, In Rome. 1t was
to that place went and. Incidentally. upon
my way home. stopped in Paris for a
sight of the Exposition. just as any other
American travelling in deep mourning would
have done. have at all times and in all
places received all the recognition and
honor that any woman could either expect
or desire