Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-22
To OEFRAY THE COST
Appropriations Proposed for
Presidential Trips.
FEELING IN CONGRESS-
OPPOSITION TO GRATUITIES BY
THE RAILROADS.
Sentiment in Favor Of Providing n
Special Car for the transportation
Of the Chief Executive.
FEELING IN CONGRESS-

President Roosevelt has followed Closely
his announced intention of making few
speeches during the remainder OF his term
and of doing little travelling. Two or three
times a week delegations call upon him at
the White House TO present invitations to
attend cornerstone layings. unveilings cole
lese commencements, centennial ceiebra-
tfons ana such things. but he has so far
given the uniform answer that he will not
be able to accept these invitations. He an.
nounces that his appearances In the future
will not be often and then he win speak IN
support of measures of great moment which
he hopes to see enacted into law. He Will
not visit different portions of the country for
the purpose Of seeing the people and per-
mitting them to see him. His last trip
through the south, in October last, complet-
ed his tour of every state and territory OF
the Union. When he finished that itinerary
he had been into every part of the country
over which he is chief executive. He had
travelled more miles and shaken the hands
Of more persons than the lamented McKin-
ley, who set the precedent of mixing with
the people and letting them know for thenls
selves something of the man they looked
up to In the White House.
Reasons for Declining.
go on further tours of the country ara
many. some of which are purely PERSONAL
Except for his last trip to the south and
his hunting trip last spring his other jour-
neys were really made as candidate for
President. He felt that the people were en-
titled to see him and hear him express his
views on pending questions Of great mo-
ment. His late southern trip was made on
promises given before his election as Presf-
dent year or more ago. He 10 no longer
a candidate for President and Is satisfied
that there is no condition of politics that
will require his again entering the fight for
a nomination. If he once more started out
among the people he would be charged with
seeking their political favor. He will devote
the time that weuld be taken In travelling to
furthering such legislation as he believes is
needed for the good of the country. ana
will be content with whatever success he
has in that line. He desires to make the
closing years of his administration satisfacs
tory to the people, and his time will be spent
with that object IN view.
Many stories that the President has been
paying his railroad expenses on recent trips
are not correct. He has not been well
enough of financially to do this. These
trips are expensive, and the President is
not rich man. The railroads have Will.
ingly borne the cost. The advertisement OF
having the President stopping at various
points on any line was sufficient to bring
thousands of people over the lines of the
road to take part in the welcoming cere.
monies. Money is made. and not lost, when
the President travels over their lines.
Congress May Appropriate.
Representatives who familiar with the
facts avow their determination to place at
the disposal of the President IN the future
an appropriation to pay every expense ne
incurs in travelling, and the indications are
that such an appropriation will be attached
to some appropriation measure. The Presf-
dent travels more between Washington and
his New York home than anywhere else.
The Pennsylvania road has long considered
1t a courtesy to extend its best equipment
to the President without cost to himself,
and when that road a few days ago an.
nounced that 1t would discontinue all free
transportation, the official declaration of
the fact stated with the possible exception
of the President of the United States"
ought to be required to make an exception
of the President and provision is to be In.
serted for his expenses anywhere he may
go. 1t is likely that an appropriation will
be made for a special car for his own use,
together with sufficient funds for the trans
portation of the car. 1t is not considered
fair that the President should be compelled
to pay his own trips, especially where q
special car is practically q necessity to
avoid interference and bother.