Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-16
no WiLFUL MI3QUOTiNG.
Mr.. Whitney Regrets That the Presi.
dent So Understands Situation.

Boston, Nov. l5-Henry NJ. Whitney,
president of the Chamber of Commerce,
and Democratic candidate for lieuten-
paign, issued a statement, tonight, in
reference to President RooSeVeltS re-
marks 10 the committee of shoemakers
who visited The White House, today
President Roosevelt told the shoe man
ufaatu-ers who had called upon him,
to urge q removal Of the duty on hides,
that he could not discuss freely and in
formally the matter. claiming that a
year ago Henry NJ. Whitney called up
on him with reference to tariff matters
ana later misquoted what the President
had said. When shown the Washing
ton dispatch AR. Whitney prepared the
following settlement:
Mt Andrew G.. Webster, Mr.. J. NJ
W. Hall, and I, constitute a sub-com-
nlttec of the Chapter of Commerce
committee Of 100 OH reciprocal trade,
visited Washington, last winter, for n
conference with the President touching
especially the matter OF the iay-Bond
treaty. I, as chairman Of the commit
tee, made an argument IN favor Of the
erence to the advantage Of reciprocal
treaties with Canada. We understood
the President to express himself as not
only favorable To the Hay-Bond treaty
but desirous Of seeing and favoring also
the fullest possible freedom Of trade
with canada. | am not aware that this
was to be regarded in the nature of
confidential communication, quite the
contrary. as we We're there as We stat
ed to the President, as a committee of
the Chamber of Commerce committee
OF 100, sent to consult with the Presi-
dent ana to report the result of that
conference to tn. fun committee which
was equivalent to giving it to the pub
lie
while 80 may have misunderstood the
President, | do not see how we could hav"
done so. 1 abs Olutciy deny any 'wiiul' or.
! If l understand his meaning, any mtcu-
tional Misrepresentation Of tie Preai-
dents GttitI!de and | have 40 recollection
of what he refers to as the context
which was calculated 10 modify IT," views
he expressed. III" committee above nam
81 made substantially this report tU tn.
full committee at tine time or cur return
from Washington. and the Presidents at
titude, as W" understood, has been the
pie from the tim" Of cur visit tn Wash
ingtCn until the present. 1t wis, there
fore nothing new ana did not r"Sart.
my reference to II III my campaign as
new matter
Il regret extremely that the PreSid, at
should cOnId, / that 1 have miSyepreSent-
cd his attitude ana especially that n.
should feel / have Intentionally done 80,
which | aver is not til,a "
Copies of this statement were sent to
Andrew G.. Webster and lanes NJ. ".
Hall, who accompanied Mr. Whitney to
the White House. Mr.. Webster's reply
follows:
"Roston, Nov Il, 1905
Henry NJ. Whitney, ESD,
Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir have read your letter re-
gardinS he interview with the President,
last winter. Ny recollection of what WA;
said N that time is substantially az YOU
have written. | did not understand that
it was Il confidential interview.
'1 ours very truly
iSigncD "ANDREW G. WEBSTER T"
Mr.. Halls letter said:
Boston. Nov. Is, 1903.
"HenrT NJ. Whitney, Esq.
Dear Mr.. Whilmey:-l have just re
ceIVed your letter Of this date concern
ing our conversation with the President
last winter Ny recollection agrees with
yours. l had no conception that the in
tcrVi"w was considered confidential IN
anyone.
Very truly yours.
G!igned JAMES NJ. w. HALL"