Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-28
TAFT PANIED MOST BY
SLUR AT HOSPITALITY
Chief Executive Resents Criticism Of
Democrats Relative to travelling Ex-
penses and Expresses Regrets Of
Turn of Matter in the House-Bo-
quet is Handed Southern People.

III dill my cNptiitHCti anu nav
enjoyed the hospitality of many sec
lions and countries OF the world. !
never had a more cordial, generous.
open and lavish welcome than | had
in the Southern states during my
"trip, and the slightest hint that puts
roe in the attitude of critic of that
hospitality gives me great pain
This, in part is the manner in
which President Taft today, in let
ter to Chairman Tawney of the house
committee on appropriations, in
which deeply resented criticisms
PASSED by Democrats in the debate. in
the house yesterday, upon the travel
ing expenses OF the President.
The President says he is especial
ly distressed by suggested reflection
on Southern hospitality"
President Tafts letter continues:
Deeply Grieved.
81 am deeply grieved over the
phase which the discussion of the APP
preparation for the travelling expenses
of the President took yesterday.
think il 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 indicst-
ed the opinion of the part of the peo-
rle that one of the great duties of the
President is to visit the people in
their homes.
But the intimatiOn or suggestion
that the acceptance. by congressman.
from the Presidents invitation to
travel on the train with him in their
respective districts or states. was a
reason why they should not voice
their free opinion on the question is
TO me most painful one In travel
ing on the train they were not receiv-
ing my hospitality-they were only
making a little more elaborate the
cordial welcome. which they, as repre-
Gentatiyes of their districts, wished to
give.
The feature of the discussion yes
terday, which was especially distress
ing to me, was a suggested reflection
Upon Southern hospitality. The init
nation that somewhere in the South
board was charged has no foundation
in fact. and never heard it intimated
until | saw it in this mornings
papers,"
Tawney Explains.
Following the receipt of President
rats letter, Representative Tawney
issued lengthy statement saying
that the colloquy on the floor yester-
Gay, between himself and Southern
members. regarding Southern hospi-
tally" has been distorted.
He said:
1t Is ridiculous to suppose that
would reflect privately. much less pub
iicly. upon the floor Of the house OF
representatives, upon Southern hospi-
Iality- which is pToverbial and that
which-which ] can say from exper-
ience-there is nothing more cordial
or more generous TO be imagined. But
] agree with the statement of Presi-
dent Taft, in his letter 10 me today.
that it is a legitimate argument in
favor of such an appropriation tina:
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 ono of the duties of the Presi-
dent is 10 visit the people "a their
homes"
misunderttood Him.
i had spoken Of man who would
ask for the President to be his
quest. entertain him and then crifi-
else nm for making the visit. as in
effect charging him board, Mr.. Bart.
ic;t, Of Georgia. evidently misunGer-
standing ny remarks. then demanded
TO know OF a single instance where
the President xas charged board. AMI
Representative Hamcr, Of idaho. be
fore ! could reply. injected the
facctiOus comment taat be thought Il
was in Georgia.
or course. the President was
never charged for his board when the
guest Of any one in Georgia or any
where else. AMI 10 such allegation
vas made.