The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-08
Stands by Him Right or Wrong.

Greensboro Record.
 The Montgomery Advertiser, leading daily paper of the State, for the past ten days has been devoting many columns to 8 personal bitter attack on MT. J. A. Rountree Secretary of the Alabama Press Association, respecting his conduct of the Canadian excursion of the Association. The Advertiser lays on MT. Rountree's shoulders the blame of the party being composed of about 60 per cent. outsiders, who travelled on passes issued to repre- sentatiYeS of the different papers of the State, and Mir. Rountree Is charged with making these excursions each year so pie could not afford to take them in.
 Did it ever occur to our friend of the quill dipped in venom of the adder. that the Alabama Press Association voted for and decided upon taking this Canadian trip? That each representative of a news paper and member of the Association trip, and a large majority decided in fa- vor of same! Is the blame MT. Roun-
 The Advertiser openly charges Secretary Rountree with making out of the differ ent persons on the trip the total sum of $500. It publishes a telegram from the Company at Chicago, which reads:
 Chicago. Ill, Aug. 1. ''The Advertiser, Montgomery, Ala:
 Complying with request of President Yerby, Alabama Press Association, the Secretary paid us fourteen hundred and forty dollars G1,44O), for service of cars on account trip to Canada .sw and H Faaa return General Superintendent" Secretary Rountree received of each per- son on the trip, for the use of Pullman cars for fourteen days, $29, or total of $5.365.
 The Advertiser charges on the strength of the above telegram. that MT. Roun tree appropriated to his own use the diff ence between $5.S65.0O and $1,4400O, being 3,92500 It considerably allows a mar gin for other minor expenses, but charges Secretary Rountree with the pocketing of 8. 800.
 Did MT. Rountree pocket this money? No!
 Here are some figures that will throw different light on the subject. We do not say that they are correct or accurate, but as The Advertiser went of half cooked we will take a similar privilege:
 The headquarters of the Pullman Com pany in the United States is located in Chicago. Is not the business done by that company in the United States audited separate and distinct from that done in Canada?
 If $1, 40 was paid the Pullman Company for the use of four cars four days on American soil, what was paid for the use of same cars In Canada for ten days? S, ,600i
 This would make the total amount paid the Pullman Company for the use of four cars fourteen days, both in the United States for four days and in Canada ten days, sum $5.040!
 Secretary Rountree collected a total amount of $5,365 Deduct expenses for Pullman cars and where is the $500 The Advertiser claims was pocketed by Mir. Rountree?
 A balance of $s25 is left to be accounted for. Did MT. Rountree pocket this amount? No!
 From Montreal to Quebec the party of 1855 people were carried by boat, over a system entirely distnct from the Grand yos1 vrFnf fNh Ha, and over which they had passes. Not cent was collected from any anyone of the party for this trip. Was the cost for the boat on this occasion less than $1O0? Certainly not! Two meals were furnish ed the party while on the boat, and a low estimate of the price of these two meals for 37 1-2 cents each would make the cost for this item $13S. 75 total cost for boat trip of $2SS.75. From $325 deduct $23S 75 and you have a balance of $S6.25 This amount can easily be accounted for in cost of printing. telegrams, postage, ser vices of a stenographer and minor items
 Where i sthat $500?
 In the defense of right and justice, and of an honored official of Alabama Press Association, one who holds the highest esteem and love of thousands of friends and we'll wishers, we give the above figures. Right or wrong We prefer to stick up to a man rather than take favors from him with one hand while we stab him with the other.
 Let the press of the State hesitate and consider well it's position before 1t sides with The Advertiser in It's rabid, per sonal attack on Secretary Rountree.
 Mir Rountree has demanded an investi- gatIon, and President Yerby will shortly appoint a committee with full power to investigate the charges brought by The Advertiser. Until that committee makes known the result of that inquiry keep off the grass
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 We often hear of love at first sight. but after that love is just as blind as ever