The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-28

President Taft sent a letter yesterday
&c Representative Tawney expressing in
no uncertain terms his displeasure over
the discussion in the House Thursday of
the proposed appropriation for his trav-
cling expenses.
Here is the letter:
The White House.
Washington. May 2. 1910.
Ny Dear Mr.. Tawney: l an deeply grieved over
the phase which the discussion Of the appropriation
for TIE travelling expenses Of the President took yes
terday think it IS legitimate argument IN favor
Of such an appropriation thst Congressman and
many Others press the Acceptance OF invitations TO
visit their sections and districts because the urgency
q such requests Indicates the opinion on the part
Of the people that Of the duties Of the President
ia To visit the people IN their homes.
Suggestion Painful One.
But the i1tination or suggestion that the accept
snce By Congressman q the Presidents invitation
70 travel On the train with him in their respective
districts OF States why they should not
vote their sree opinion on the question Of such
appropriation Is 70 me- a most painful one. In
travelling upon the train they not receiving my
hospitality-they were only making a little more
aboate the cordial welcome which they rs repre-
sentatives Of their districts Wished % give.
The feature Of the discussion yesterday which was
especially distressing % suggested reflection
on Southern hospitality The intmation that some
where IN the South board charged has no
foundation IN fact. and l never heard It ntimated
until ] saw it in this mornings paper. In all my
e1pcricnce-and ! have enjoyed the hospitality Of
many sections and countries Of the world never
had a more cordial generous open, aud lavish vel
come than had IN the Southern States during my
TIM and the slightest hint that puts me in the
attitude Of a critic Of that hospitality gives me
sTeat ran.
am goias to take The liberty Of making this letter
70 you public Very sincerely yours.
WILLIAM II. TAFT.
Hon james 4. TaWney. House q Representatives.
His Remarks MIsinterpreted.
Representative Tawney declared yester-
day morning that his remarks on the
floor of the House had been misinter-
preted and misunderstood. and that the
entire debate on the item of the $4,000
Tor travelling expenses had been dignifed
with a great deal more attention than It
deserved.
1T is ridiculous" said Mr.. Tawney
Ito suppose that would reflect privately
much less publicly, upon the floor Of the
House upon Southern hospitality, which
IS proverbial. and than which-as ! can
say from experience-there Is nothing
mo-e cordial or more generous 10 be
imagined
But I agree with the statement OF
President Taft. In his letter 10 me to-
day. that It Is a legitimate argument
IN favor Of such an appropriation that
Congressman and many others press the
acceptance OF invitations TO visit their
sections and districts because the urgency
OF such requests indicates the opinion
on the part OF the people that one OF the
duties OF the President is to visit the
people in their homes"
Mr. Tawney said that he was careful IN
his remarks Of Thursday 20 absolve the
people Of the South from opposition to
the item Of approprlating for the Presi-
dents travelling expenses.
just I'm PubIic's Mind.
He added that he had stated repeatedly
the expenditure Of money FOR travelling
expenses OF the President was justified
in the minds OF the people OF the country.
Mr.. Tawney said that he had read a
number OF editorials from Southern news
papers expressing the hope there would
be no opposition to the $4,000 appropria-
ton
Il asked those Democratic members, -
said Mr.. Tawney. whose districts the
President had visited and who are now
opposing the appropriation. II this was
Southern hospitality-that Is, II they rep
resented the hospitality and warm-hearted
sentiment which had been evinced by
their constituency"
Mr.. Tawney said the remark about the
President having been charged board in
the South had been distorted The i'm
preston that Mr.. Tawney meant 10 con-
vey was that a man who had asked the
President 70 be his guest. entertained him.
and then criticised him for his visit was
in effect charging him board Mr. Taw-
ney said It was Representative Hamer,
Of Idaho. and not himself who had IA
cetiously injected the remark.
No such Charge Made.
''Of course" said Mr. Tawney. "the
President was never charged for his
board as the guest Of any one in Geor-
gia or anywhere else, and no such charge
was made
Altogether, Mr.. Tawney had a very
busy time explaining yesterday.
Representative Bartlett. one OF the
Democrats who was particularly angry
Thursday over the Tawney remarks,
called at the White House yesterday
morning and expressed himself as highly
pleased with the Presidents letter Other
Southern Democrats also were willing to
let the matter blow over and 10 accept
the Presidents letter as his real feeling
toward Southern hospitality.