New-York tribune., 1910-09-21
ASKED NOTHING OF TAFT
Interview Cordial, but GrisC0m
Arranged 1t, Roosevelt Says.
TRAIN STATEMENT CORRECT
Quite So," Griscom Adds
Plans for Saratoga Conven-
ton Well Under Way.

1t was pointed out to Theodore Roosevelt
yesterday at the Office Of The Outlook.
where he spent the day, that the CORE
spondents on President Taft's train had all
made the statement that he was the one
who had sought the New Haven interview
TO secure help from the President in the
Progressives' fight against the ''old
guard" in this state and that Mr.. Roose-
Welt had not obtained the assistance he de-
sired
Mr. Roosevelt forthwith issued state
ment, in which he said that he had not
sought the interview with President Taft
and had not solicited the Presidents help.
He said that without any suggestion on
his part, Lloyd c. Griscon, president of
the Republican County Committee. had ar
ranged the interview. Mr.. Roosevelt
added that his meeting with President Taft
vas cordial and enjoyable in every way,
and the President had said he hoped the
Progressives would win at Saratoga
Mr. Griscom took occasion later in the
day at the county committee headquarters
to make a statement similar to that Of Mr..
Roosevelt. in which he said he had ar
ranged the interview after he had gained
Mr. Roosevelt's consent
Colonel Roosevelt's statement follows:
without any suggestion from me, Mr..
Griscom asked me if I would be willing to
meet the President. and I said that Of
course l would. Mr.. Griscom had at first
mentioned New York as the place Of meet
ing but wired me at Syracuse that 1t would
be at New Haven, and thither I went ac-
cordingly. 7 sought no help from the
President. and I made no request Of the
President. directly or indirectly, and had
no request to make
"Our interview was most cordial and
pleasant and, without any question or re-
quest from me, the President stated 10 me
that he hoped we would win at, Saratoga,
and that he had so informed Mr.. Griscom,
his remarks being, in substance. those at
tributed 10 him in the dispatches from the
on the Presidential train
"Our meeting was enjoyable IN every
way, and I was glad I went"
In his statement Mr.. Griscom said:
Il suggested TO Mr.. Roosevelt that he
meet and talk with the President. Mr..
Roosevelt said that he would be delighted
to do so. There was no mention made by
either of US of any purpose in the meet
ing Mr. Roosevelt asked nothing of the
President.
The President volunteered 10 me that
he was glad to reiterate his views ex-
pressed in his letter to me Of August 20
regarding the situation of the Republican
party in New York, and stated to be sub
stantiauy what has appeared in the news
papers telegraphed from the Presidential
train The meeting was most cordial in
every respect"
The leaders Of the Progressives said
yesterday that the fight at Saratoga will
be an open one and that there is no ad-
vance slate made up Of candidates.
Mr. Roosevelt has reserved rooms at the
United States Hotel at Saratoga. and will
open his headquarters Oh the first floor
Of cottage near the hotel. Cornelius V.
Collins, State Superintendent OF Prisons,
viii be in charge OF the Roosevelt head
quarters.
Few political visitors called at the
outlook Office TO see Mr.. Roosevelt yes
terday. He occupied most OF the time
with his editorial duties. John A Stew
art. president Of the New York League
Of Republican Clubs. called and obtained
Mr. Roosevelt's promise to speak before
the league at the Hotel Astor on Sep
-ember so at + p. n The following night
President Taft viii speak at the dinner
Of the league at the Hotel Astor.
\ deega ton from the Direct Primaries I
League called 70 ask the ex-President IL
he would speak for them on October IS He
said he would have to decline the invita-
ton. Albert Shaw. editor Of The Review
Of Reviews" was another caller.
Mr.. Roosevelt came in from Oyster Bay
morning in his automobile, ar
irving at his office about 9 o'clock. He
luncheon with Reginald Post former Gov
ernor of Porto Rico. and J. II. Mcfarland |
president Of the American Civic Associ- /
ation. and drove back to Oyster Bay in /.
lis machine late in the afternoon.