Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-02
President Desired to Talk to the
People.
ANXIOUS TO TALK ON THE TARIFF
Felt That 1t Would Be Particularly
Proper to Give His Views in the
State Where the Revision Sentiment
Started.
Washington. D, c.. Sent. 20.

One of the chief features of Presi-
dent Rooosevelt's bitter disappoint-
ment at having to give up his western
trip was that the interruption came
before he had been given an opportun-
ity to express his views on the tariff
question within the borders of Iowa.
He was especially anxious to deliver
his tariff speech and he felt that it
would be particularly proper to do soin
Iowa where the agitation for tariff re-
form was begun. He considered it of
national Importance to announce
where he stood on this matter With
in the last few days other reasons had
developed to induce the President to
want to make his tariff speech. Re-
ports had continued to come to his
special train that the situation was
more serious in Iowa than was gener-
ally understood. The President felt
that there was an expressed public de-
mand for him to make declaration
on this point. He wanted it particu-
larly understood that he did not shirk
this duty and that he considered
common sense treatment of the Iowa
situation was better than too much
fine politics. He had griGly made up
his mind to a certain course and did
not want to turn aside on account OF
the swelling on his leg, even though it
was causing him great pain. The
President had number of messages
to deliver to the country on this trip.
1t was said at the beginning of the
journey that the President would de-
liver five set speeches. The first of
these was made at Cincinnati, the sec
ond at Detroit, the third was to be in
Milwaukee, the fourth in Minneapolis
and the fifth at some point in Iowa.
Superstitiously inclined persons are
finding occasion for comment in the
fact that President Roosevelt began
both of his recent trips on Friday. The
New Englond trip was begun on Fri
day. and before the trip ended troll
ley car accident at Pittsfield injured
the President and killed one of the
members of the party. The President
began his western trip on Friday,
again selecting that particular day of
the week which is supposed by the
Isuperstitious to be unlucky. Before
he had been a week on his journey
he was compelled to go to hospital
for an operation and the trip was dis
VI. IL Is lSCdllCu NY d toSAllC-
man who was present at Oyster Bay
| when the arrangements for the New
England trip were being made that De-
itective Craig, who was killed in the
trolley accident, expressed great re-
4 greet that the President would choose
an unlucky day to begin his trip.
1T cannot understand" said Craig,
why it is that the President persists
! in flying in the face of fate. | really
wish he could be persuaded not to be-
/ gin these journeys on Friday, the un--
luckiest day in the week" The tragic
incident Of that journey gave to De-
tective Craig's words almost the
I weight of prophecy.
! The President is ensconced in the
! temporary White House. 1t is hoped
that the living apartments of the
I White House itself can be made ready
| by October l. Quite crowd awaited
the President on his arrival. There
was considerable difficulty in getting
him out of his carriage and he was car
] ried into the house and up the stairs
seated in a chair while the throng
i stood by in silent concern. Mrs
itooSSSSlI was hSI
/ when he reached Washington. She
4 came over from Oyster Bay in a par
lor car SO as to reach here in time tc
greet Mr.. Roosevelt When the TEN
porary White House was rented, Sec
rotary Cortelyou had in view the posi-
bility that the President might have tt
occupy it at times, although the inten
ton of the President then was tt
l spend most of the summer away from
Washington. The first floor of the
building was converted into Offices fol
clerks and other employees for the
transaction of business, while the sec
ond floor was reserved for the Presi
dent and his family. This floor con
tains three large rooms and hal
room with bath room at the extreme
rear. The hall room and one of the
large rooms were made into sitting
rooms and the other two into bee
rooms. Mrs. Roosevelt had never beer
in the building before this time and il
fact had hardly expected to ever oc
cupy it. The Presidents bed room
is at the head of the flight of stair:
from the first floor. The President oc