New-York tribune., 1908-09-02
MAY GO ON TRANSPORT
Steamship Companies Not Compel
ing for Presidents Party.

The reported competition among the various
transatlantic lines to book President Roosevelt
and his party over their respective Mediter-
ranean se-rices on his journey to Africa has
practically subsided A we'll known steamship
man said yesterday that while any line would
consider itself especially favored If the President
selected one OF its steamers TO carry him to
Naples there had been no keen competition for
tie booking as no direct negotiations had been
made by the President with any OF the COM
Isanies
II was rur1orei recently that transportation
had been arranged for the President the
White Star liner Celtic, which is scheduled TO
leave New York on March 6 and is due at Naples
March 10. The Celtic which is one of the largest
steamers Of the White Star Line. is used regu-
lsrlv in the New York and Liverpool service,
and will be temporarily taken off for the Medi-
terrauean trip. which includes stops at the
Azores Madeira and Gibraltar officials OF the
white Star Line would neither deny nor con-
Srna the report but il was learned yesterday
that nothing had been done in the way Of book
ing the President and his party.
A representative of one Of the big lines oper-
sting Mediterranean service said yesterday
that Il was not unlikely that the President
would 70 direct from New York TO Monhasa,
British East Africa. on government transport
which would obviate change Of steamers. the
transfer of baggage and equipment, and insure
privacy which could not be obtained on a pub
lie carrier The representative said he thought
the offering of a transport journey most fit
ting tribute from grateful people TO popular
and retiring President.
The one great disadvantage of booking the
President on q public carrier" he said, would
be The cIsr1or for transportation by persons who
would have the money 10 travel. but who would
he ohjectionable tc Mr.. Roosevelt II would oe
almost impossible under the law TO refuse trans
rortatior 70 persons knew would be per-
petual annoyance unless we had some legal
means OF refusing them tickets. Then again we
would have 10 know something OF nearly every
re-son who wanted TO sail on that particular
steamer While Mr. Roosevelt would no longer
be President the lire carrying him would be
particularly anxious for his safety as ex-Presi-
dents are not wholly immune from TIE annoy
ance Of cranks.
- think when The whole matter is sifted down
and the President is ready 10 start the Idea
Of the United States transport will be considered
and proposed"
Il viii be recalled that when Mr.. Taft re-
turned from the Philippines by way Of Russia
and embarked at Hamburg for New York on
the Hamburg-American liner President Grant
the company in unusually quick time ripped out
partitions and converted several staterooms IN
the forward part Of the choice section OF the
promenade deck into luxurious suite Costly
psfntings and old prints adorned the walls and
rare plants grew in fancy baskets on the sill OF
every window
While the steamship companies watching
one another on the proposed African trip, none,
II is said has made any direct overtures for the
Presidents booking. The rurnor that negot1a-
tions were under way was started when a news
paper man called recently at the various offices
he ri Qf
connections from Brindis Italy. TO Mombasa,
The cost Of transportation for hunting party OF
eight and their equipment The newspaper man
would not say for whom he was negotiating. and
run1or took il Up instantly that he was repre-
sertine the President. In addition TO the Celtic
inquiries were made about the Hamburg-Amer-
lean liner Hamburg, which leaves New York on
March % and is due at Naples on April 4 The
North German Lloyd liner Princess Irene, which
leaves New York on March g. the same day with
the Celtic, was also mentioned She is due at
Naples on March 1s a day ahead of the Celtic.