New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-26
VIE TO GREET ROOSEVELT
Er-AssembIyman and Board OF
Trade at Odds.

Oyster Bay. Long Island. June 25.-For the last
few days there has been fear that there would be
q clash between rival committees Of citizens on the
occasion Of the reception to President Roosevelt
Saturday next. hut IT is hoped that everything
can be sTnoothed and that the celebration at
tending the Presidents Homecoming will not be
married by the dissensons of rival parties. Every
body in Oyster Bay will he hand TO meet the
President, but the expectation now is that only one
committee will the official welcome on behalf
Of the village
The original intention to have joint cele-
braton Of the Presidents return and the 250th an
niversary of the settlement Of the village but this
plan was abandoned by the committee that had II
in charge because President Roosevelt found that
it would be impossible to return on June o. the
date set for the celebration Ex-Assembynlan
Maurice E. Townsend. however. was not satisned
with the abandonment of the scheme for double
celebration. and he has now distributed big posters
around the village calling the citizens to attend
the 250th anniversary of the towns settlement. to
be held in Audrey Park at noon on Saturday next
He has also circulated petition IN which the
signers agree TO go TO meet the President and ex-
tend a cordial welcome" etc.
This petition naturally received many signatures
as no one would refuse to welcome the President.
and, It is said, even some members Of the Board OF
Trade. which has in charge the official reception
signed the petition without being aware that II
was being got UP in opposition to the arrange
ments of their own committee. MI townsend
promises to have q brass band at the park, and
he urges the people. regardless Of race creed OF
politics" to attend his celebration. Whether Mr.
Townsend will have the band at the station on
the Presidents arrival is still open question.
but as the Board Of Trade committee will have a
band OF hand it is hoped that the Townsend band.
# present will he induced not to play at the
same time the other band, for the sake OF
harmony and the dignity Of the village
That Mr. Townsend would endeavor to head of
the chairman OF the Board of Trade committee In
extending a welcome to the President, and that
there would be an unseemly scene at the reception
that might ernbarrass Mr.. Roosevelt. has been
feared, but is now hoped that such unfortunate
occurrence VIII be averted.
MI Roosevelt is a member Of the Oyster Bay
Board Of Trade which is composed Of about one
hundred and fifty representative citizens. and 1t
IS generally thought proper that only TIE board
should have charge Of the reception
Tt was shortly after the anniversary celebra-
ton scheme had been abandoned. for the present
at least" said q prominent member of the board.
meeting TO be held independently Of the Foard
Of Trade on Memorial Day. TO get UP 20th ami
versary celebration and reception There were only
six persons present AS the chairman OF
the Board of Trade committee received word from
President we set work at once to prepare a
suitable reception. -,
THE Townsend people had planned to unven the
gun themselves, but we promptly EXTENDED an IN
and he has accepted. Our Board Of Trade was
formed TO perform all such public functons ana
we will have on this occasion two hundred ana
fifty other citizens associated with us.