The San Francisco call., 1903-09-14
LOEB SHOULDERS
RESPONSIBILITY
Slight to Upton Is Ex-
planned by the Presi-
dents Secretary.
Says Mr.. Roosevelt Accepted
Dinner Invitation Under
Misapprehension.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

OYSTER BAY, N Y, Sept 13-The re
port that President Roosevelt has OBJ
iected 10 the presence OF Sir Thomas Lip
ton at a banquet which the President
himself was 10 attend at the Seawanhaka-
Corinthian Yacht Club house on Center
Island On September Is is explained by
the statement to-day that the President,
when he accepted the invitation TO the
banquet. did so with the understanding
that II was 10 be a mere neighborly af
fair, and that there would be outside
guests present. 1t is said, further, that
Mr.. Roosevelt had already entertained Sir
Thomas Upton at luncheon in Washing
ton and had him on the Mayhower, and
did not, under the circumstances. think 1t
would be advisable 10 give the impression
thar he was OVERRIDING the matter by ap-
pearing at the Yacht Club dinner with
him at Oyster Bay.
Secretary Loeb went cut to see the
President early this afternoon.
i am responsible for the incident" said
Loeb. Il want 10 say that in the begin
ming Mr. Colgate Hoyt came over tc see
the President on last Thursday after
noon. He went TO Sagamore Hill and
while there invited the President TO at
tend a dinner Of the Ohio Society in New
York this fall He also invited Mr..
Roosevelt 10 the banquet Of the Seawan-
haka Yacht Club, asking the President
10 name any date convenient TO himself.
The President named the 18th Of this
month and HOyt went away after assur-
ing the President that the banquet was
20 be merely a neighborly affair, and
would not be the object Of much public
attention. That was the last we heard
Of the matter until IL came out in eKag-
gerated form in print this morning"
II was rumored tonight that the dinner
might be called of altogether. That could
not be verified, but member Of the club
said that it was being considered
To-day. at the clubhouse Of the Sea-
wanhaka Association on Center Island.
President Frank Scott OF New York felt
compelled TO assume part Of the blame
for the unpleasantness which has dcvel-
oped- He said that at the New York
Yacht Club few nights ago he had
asked Sir Thomas Upton If he had an
engagement for the 18th inst. Being as
sured that he had not, he requested Sir
Thomas TO hold that date open in order
that he might attend the Seawanhaka
dinner. He pointed out that a rule Of the
club permitted a member to invite
guest 10 attend the club dinners. His in
vitation to Sir Thomas was extended as
a member and not on behalf Of the Club.
Il was said tonight that President
Roosevelt had indicated quite clearly his
opinion of and regard for Sir Thomas
Upton by inviting him TO the White
House and subsequently by entertaining
him on board the cruiser Mayflower.
UTICA y. Y. Sept. 13.-Sir Thomas
Upton arrived IN Utica tonight so i'll
that his contemplated journey to Chi
cago has been temporarily abandoned On
the arrival Of the train a correspondent
stepped aboard 10 interview the yachts
man on the alleged snub reported 10 have
been dealt him by President Roosevelt in
requesting a revocation Of the invitation
extended Sir Thomas to banquet with the
eawanhaka-Co Corinthians. The illness Of
Sir Thomas prevented a personal talk.
but his private secretary, John West
wood. consulted the barOnet and then
said:
] am authorized 10 say that IL the Seawan-
haka Yacht Club extended an invitation to Sir
Thomas to attend the banquet mentioned he
has not received the Invitation I he
would have felt honored by such an invitation
and yet ] know that Sir Thomas would not
ncyance should the report be true for he ex-
poets 20 be in Chicago on September is, the
date named. President Roosevelt has always
eNb. b.bited cordial friendliuess toward him. and
Sir Thomas says he really cannot why he
should take such stand In fact Sir Thomas
refuses 70 believe the President made the re-
quest.
When Utica was reached Sir Thomas
was in violent pain and physician was
summoned al once.