The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-24
INVITED TO MOBILE
GULF CITY DELEGATION CALLS ON
 THE PRESIDENT.
MT. Roosevelt Extremely Cordial in Greeting of the Aiabamians. No Deflnite Promise to
 Come.

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 Washington, Jan. 23.-(SpeciaI, )-- The delegation from Mobile to invite the President to visit that city at his earliest convenience, arrived irs Wash ington this morning in good time to prepare to get to the White House by half an hour after noon. the appointed time for their audience with President Roosevelt. They had been preceded last night by Frank B. Merril, chair man. and comfortable quarters had been arranged by him for them at the New Willard Hotel.
 Promptly at the appointed hour, the delegation was at the White House, and Mir. Roosevelt was ready for them to the minute. They were introduced by Representative c. W. Taylor, and the Presidest shook hands with each Alabamian as he was presented. Mir. Taylor introduced Mayor Pat J. Lyons. who presented the invitation of the City Council and Commercial Associa- tions of the city. saying:
 MT. President, as' the Chief Execu- tive of the citysof Mobile, 1t has become my pleasing dluty to act as spokesman in behalf of II o1i@ citizens k extend- ing to you most cordial invitation to visit our city. You will meet I as- sure you, MT. President. true South ern welcome among our citizens. who bid me tell you that they are well ac- duainted with the President, but have never had the qualification of meeting the man who is President. It is their earnest desire that an opportunity of personally displaying their regard and esteem for you shall be afforded them at an early date
 Unfeignedly pleased by the earnest manner of the invitation. President Roosevelt responded promptly and in the most cordial tones expressed his hearty appreciation of the invitation. He said he had for years felt an inter. est fin the State, and had made no lit- tie study of It's history. having found much to entertain and instruct him in two volumes of Pickett's History of AlaBama. There was progressive i'm portance in the State, and especially was it's future hopefully concerned in the, construction of the Panama canal; that all the Gulf coast cities. Calves ton, New Orleans and Mobile, and the others were sure greatly to be benefit ed by the isthmian canal enterprise.
 He could not now state a definite time when he would respond to the cordial invitations which had come to him to visit Alabama. but 1t was his intention to do so at the earliest avail able time. and he would be certain to accept the invitation to visit Mobile Again expressing his sincere recogni- zation of the cordiality of the invita- tlos. President Roosevelt concluded his response by saying that he would be glad if the visitors would remain in the city and attend the next White House reception Thursday evening. and that a many would remain he would see that through Congressman Taylor they had invitations and proper ere dentials for their reception.
 The President was so happily cordial that the Mobilians were most pleas antly impressed. They are felicitating themselves that the President has given them a more positive assurance of a visit than has yet gone to any similar delegation.
 After the visit to the White House they were conducted through the State war and navy building, on the steps which they were photographed through large snap shot camera and their likeness excellently taken. were ready for them to bear away with them ear ly this evening. In the group was the following who were of the party, who were at the White House
 Representative G. W. Taylor, Mayor Pat j. Lyons. former Congressman. F. U. BTOHlDeTks hdyOE and DfeS- ent President oi the board of public works. Lawrence Lavaretta, Frank B. Merrill, G. M. Luce, F. E. Bernheimer. w. II. Monk. Jr.. T. G. Bush, Jr.. A. P. Bush, o. F. Cawthorn. Jr.. Collector of Customs William F. Tebbetts, John o Hubbard. John B. Rapier
 Nearly all of the delegation have de- cided to remain in Washington to avail themselves of the Presidents special invitation to be present at the White House reception next Thursday even ing.
 John o. Hubbard. of the visiting de- legation Is a candidate for the eollec- torship of customs at Mobile, as well as the present incumbent, William Frye Tebbetts Hubbard is a brother of E,ben Hubbard who ran against Rep resentative Taylor for Congress in the First District.
 R. A. Watkins.