Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-10-07
HAYFAyOREDLOOMIs
President States That Bowen,
Charges Were Untrue.
LATE SECRETARY CONDEMNED HIN
Papers Made Public Last Night on
Account Of Widespread Misappre-
hensfon of Facts In Com
troyersy.

the president says that Secretary Hay
disagreed with him on "eyen the mild
censure" of Mr. LOOMS in the Taft re
port on the Investigation of tie charges
brought by Mr.. Bowen, the former min.
lister to Venezuela, and adds that Sec
rotary Hay very strongly condemned
AIr. Bowen's course
The president quotes Mr.. Hay as de.
,claring that most of the charges were
really against himself CIR. Hay) and
mot against Mr.. Loomis at air. and
that Mr.. Bowen knew that.
Mr.. Loomis addressed the president
as follows:
For some time past there have APP
peared in various newspapers, includ-
ing some of the journals published in
New York, statements more or less d.
rect to the effect that grave differences
of opinion existed between yourself
and the late secretary of state, Mr..
Hay, concerning both myself and the
action to be taken by you upon the
findings and report of Secretary Taft
in the matter of the charges made
against me by Mr.. Bowen, a former
United States minister to Venezuela. /
will cite case in point:
mot long ago a responsible New
York paper, to which I am reliably in
formed upon the best Of authority Mr.
Bowen has been freely offering ma
terial for use, printed the following
paragraphs:
Practically the last official act of
Mr. Hays life was to visit the White
House for the purpose of urging the
president not to dismiss Bowen and to
dismiss Loomis, but learning that the
presidents mind was made up he Went
away with his message unspoken.
Mr. Hay thoroughly disliked and
distrusted him (myself) and told the
president so, but was unable to produce
any effect on the presidents mind
similar suggestions more or less cir.
cumstantial in form have so frequent.
ly appeared in the public prints that
am constrained to inquire whether, in
so far as you are aware, they are sup
ported by any basis Of truth.
81 do not know what private CONVEX
sation may have taken place between
yourself and Mr.. Hay concerning me
and my course of conduct while con-
nected with the public service, but do
know from Mr.. Hays own lips some
thing of his opinion concerning Mr..
Bowen, and I know full well both the
unfailing courtesy with which Mr.. Hay
received my many suggestions concern
ing departmental matters and the per-
sonal cordiality which he always mani
tested toward me.
"In December last l went to Mr..
Hays house and told him that l ex-
pected to resign from the department
within the course of the next eight or
nine months. He was good enough to
say; Il am extremely sorry to hear this.
/ have always hoped you would remain
in your present position AS long as
remained in the cabinet
ION other occasions. both before and
since that time, Mr.. Hay accorded me
seemingly convincing proof of his con-
fidence.
ut may interest you to know that at
MFR. Hays request I spent at his home
what proved to be practically the last
hour of his life in Washington Hav-
ing upon that occasion indicated to me
fully and lucidly as was his wont
what he wished my two colleagues
and myself to do in the lines of de-
partmental action and policy to be ear
ried out during his absence he referred
to the then recent Bowen episode with
much feeling. Among other things he
said that he was disguised with Bowen
beyond expression, that vanity appear
ed TO be a disease with him and that
he was both disloyal and untruthfui
and had been treacherous not only to
him (Mr. Hay, but to the country.
In view of this conversation, to
which l have adverted in the briefesr
possible manner, it is difficult for me to
believe that there is any truth In either
of the foregoing paragraphs which l
have quoted or any others which have
been printed of similar import
"As am very soon to retire from
the public service trust yon will not
feel that I am unduly or improperly
trespassing upon your time with this
rather personal matter"
The presidents reply said: 49,.
I'm answer to your letter of Sept 20
l desire to state in the broadcast and
most emphatic manner that the state
ment you quote as appearing in GER
tain newspapers, and especially in GER
tain New York newspapers, as to the
supposed differences of opinion be-
tween myself and the late secretary
OF state, Mr.. Hay, In respect to the
action taken by me regarding Mr..
Bowen in connection with the charges
against you is not merely without
foundation in fact, but Is the direct
reverse Of the truth.
You were appointed secretary of
state upon Mr.. Hays suggestion and
request. He never spoke to me about
you save with respect and cordial ap-
probation of the services you were
rendering, and he expressed to me
very great regret that you were going