New-York tribune., 1906-06-12
FOR TRAVEL EXPENSE.
The President to Haze $50 900 An-
nually If Nezc Bill Is Enacted.
IFrom vac Tribune Rureau.1


washington, JC1e 11-Representative Wat
son. of Indiana, introduced in the House to-day
a Dill approprating $4,000 a year for the trav-
eiilng expenses of the President This is to
take the place of the like provision in the Sundry
Civil bill which was lost in the House on the
point of order raised by Representative Will
Jams, the Democratic leader. 1t is believed that
the Watson bill will pass both houses and it is
generally thought that it ought to.
Members of the House who have been looking
into the matter find that this sum is none too
large to cover the Presidents travelling
penses if it be large enough. Nor is it true
that it would practically increase his salary by
the amount named. Should the Rate bill as
hnally enacted provide that no free transporta-
ton may be granted, and should Congress fail
to provide for the travelling expenses of the
President. it would be tantamount to reduc-
tion in the Presidents salary of st least this
amount, or else he would be Obliged TO refrain
from travelling
1t Is pointed out that the President cannot
travel as can private citizen. He must take
with him secretary, a stenographer. two Secret
Service men. three newspaperrnen at least. and
he often has his guests several prominent
citizens Of the various states through which he
passes. He has had the Governor and his en-
tire staff entirely across state. Moreover. the
Presidents long and expensive trips are largely
official They beneficial to the country from
the Increased knowledge of conditions which
they afford him and from the pleasure which it
affords large number of people to see and hear
the President. who could not otherwise enjoy
such opportunity. AS far as the Presde.lt him
self is concerned, while he enjoys his trips they
usually entail upon him large amount of hard
work.
1t is estimated that the trip which President
mckinley made to the Pacific Coast shortly be-
lore his death, if paid for at schedule rates
would have cost not less than $4,000 and the
UP OF president Roosevelt to the coast, made
three years ago, would have cost like sum.
Large cities, nearby points and wealthy organ
1zations easily obtain the presence of the
President because they can afford to invite him
10 travel at their expense, but the small towns,
the less prosperous universities and other inst-
tutons which are always endeavoring to induce
him TO address them could not afford to extend
such invitations and they would be the losers
were no provision made for the travelling ex-
penses of the Executive.
The railroads have always been glad to Dlace
at the disposal of the President a train and all
the transportation he would accept. They get
back any expense to which they may be put in
the excursion tickets they sell to people who |
come for miles to see and to hear the Presi- |
dent Moreover railroad men regard 1t as the |
best possible way of advertising to have the !
Presidents train to so over their roads so much
so that IL requires the exercise great tact and
diplomacy to plan an itinerary for the President
which will not give offence to any road seeking |
to carry him and his guests. 1t is however, |
dlstasteful TO the President to accept such cour-
tesies. and there seems to be no good reason why
the government should not pay his expenses |
Moreover the Rate bill Will. in all probability.
make it impossible for the roads to extend
these courtesies, even if they could induce the
President to accept them, which is doubtful
1t is not generally known that the President
is obliged to devote a considerable portion of
his salary to entertaining distinguished foreign
guests. There is entertainment fund pro-
Vided for the Executive, and a single dinner
given in Mr.. Roosevelts administration TO a
royal visitor is known to have cost the Presi-
dent $1,000. The President once remarked.
speaking of the cost of travelling with his suite
that if he had a bad year of princes he would
not be able to travel at ALL and this remark ap-
pears to have produced its effect with members
of the House
Even if $4,000 year is provided the Presi-
dent is liable to find himself out of pocket in
those years when he makes long or numerous
trips but that sum would go a considerable
way toward covering the cost.