The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-06
HE WAS NOT IN THE v1c1NAaE.
EI-speaker Reed Seriously Objects
to Being Interviewed
VFrom the ProFldence JournaI.)

1
Hon. Thomas b. Reed. of New York. ex-
| Speaker of the House of Representatives,
paid this city a visit yesterday afternoon.
He arrived from Boston on the train that
| pulled into the Union Station at 3.58
O'Clock. 1t had been his intention 70 take
an earlier train. but 1t was his misfortune
to just miss it. MIR Reed asked at the
station to be directed to Senator l1rich s
oince. few minutes later he entered the
otfice OF the Union Railroad Company in
the Merchants Bank Building, where he
was met by Journal reporter, who po-
Iitely requested an interview. Follow ing
his custom, the ex-Speaker declined 10 be
| interviewed
See here" he said. with one Of his
| contagious smiles, really l am not in
| town The reporter looked incredulously
| at the contents Of the big arm chair The
chair was more than comfortably filed,
| and the young man could not reconcile
| the seeming proof his eyes afforded with
the statement OF the contents.
Please do not say that l am in town, -
| continued the contents" with another
one of those contagious smiles. you say
| that would be impossible? Well, why so?
No one care whether l am here or not,
why should anyone?"
| The newspaper man ventured to ask N
| reply what Mr.. Reed imagined the editor
would say II he failed to report the pres
| ence in the city of so distinguished per-
| sonage.
Mr.. Reed thought a minute. beamed
| pleasantly upon the interrogation. and
made answer: II suppose he might turn
| you down"
Positively no. You must excuse me.
cannot be interviewed" These SEN
fences. uttered with emphasis. came in
| response to q request for the visitor 5
opinions on the topics of the day.
Il make it a point never to be inter-
viewed" said the big man. Suppose
should talk for publication with you? The
moral effect would be that l should be
tagged around by reporters wherever 1
CHANGED to be. and then I would have no
time for business. Now, like reporters.
They are very gentlemanly persons. and l
enjoy talking to them-it is pleasure"
Whereupon the interviewer. considering
this remark from a personal standpoint,
took seat and told Mr.. Reed that be
would be pleased to accommodate him.
YES" repeated the visitor. Il like to
talk to reporters. but not for publication.
Two things should be necessary before an
interview is given out. In the first place,
the newspaper should desire an interview
from the party solicited. Your paper does
desire an interview from me, you say?
Very well; but there is another and very
important thing; 1t is that the party TO
be interviewed wishes to talk and has
something to say Now. you see, in the
present case. I do not desire to talk,
neither have I anything to say" and the
ex-Speaker smiled his blandest.
'If I should go around to the newspaper
offices and offer myself as a subject to be
interviewed the editors would soon weary
of my presence The interviews would
soon become commonplace and have little
value you say7 Well l suppose 1t IS be-
cause never talk for publication that you
are now so anxious to have me say some
thing, but really, you know, l cannot.
am very sorry and l enjoy your conversa-
ton fully, but really have nothing 10
say. The fact Is, am not In town." and
again the contents" of the comfortable
arm chair smiled and chuckled good
humoredly.
Does your visit here concern any local
interests" Mr.. Reed was asked.
mo. neither local interests or any other
interests. It doesn't concern anything or
anybody"
when did you arrive in the city?'
"I didn't arrive. I am not here"
do you propose to pass the night IN
Providence?"
"Humphi"
''Will you remain here many hours7'
A shrug OF the shoulders and nom
committal smile in reply.
81 suppose. Mr.. Reed, IL I were to talk
with you all night you wouldn't say any
thing" said the somewhat discouraged
reporter.
Very true. I shouldn't say anything.
but l like to talk with reporters. you
know. They are very geRtlemanly per-
sons. Now. won't you do me a favor
ask you as one gentleman to another
please don't say l am in town. Really.
you see, I am not in town" And the
contents" OF the comfortable armchair
smiled and chuckled once more.
Mr.. Reed, who was not in town." left
the town last night.