Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-05-31
SOUTH'S HOSPITALITY
WARMLY DEFENDED
BY THE PRESIDENT
In Letter to Chairman Tawney
He Deeply Regrets Acrimoni-
GUS Criticism in Debate Over
His travelling Expenses

WASHINGTON. May 27.-In a letter to
Chairman Tawney. OF the appropriation
committee. which he made public, and
IN conversation with Congressman Bart
lett. President Taft today repudiated the
reflection upon southern hospitality,
which cropped out in the house debate
over the presidents travelling expenses.
Among other things he says in hts let
ter to Tawney: The feature OF the dis
crssion yesterday which was especially
distressing to me was a suggested re-
Fiction on southern hospitality. The In
ftmation that somewhere In the south
hoard was charged has no foundation In
fact. and / never heard IL intimated un-
I'll read the morning paper. In all my
experience. and have enjoyed the hos
pitality OF many sections and countries
OF the world. I have never had more
cordial. generous. open and lavish well
come than I had in the southern states
during my trip. and the slightest hint
that puts me IN the attitude OF critic Of
that hospitality gives me pain
Congressman Bartlett and Hardwick
were the central figures In the heated
debate in the house. which drew from
the president his letter TO Mr.. Tawney
this morning. Tawnsy named Hardwick
and Bartlett as two Democrats who had
accepted the presidents hospitality on
posing an appropriation for his travelling
expenses The assertion got a rise out
OF the Georgians. both Of whom stated
that they paid their railroad fare while
aboard the presidents special train.
PRESIDENTS LETTER
The presidents letter follows:
The White House. Washington, May
e. 1910 Ny Dear Mr.. Tawney: 1 am
deeply grieved over the phase which the
discussion OF the appropriation for the
travelling expenses Of the president took
yesterday. I think IL is a legitimate ar
gument 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 the
duty Of the president is TO visit the peo-
PIE in their home.
But the intfnatfon or suggestion that
the acceptance by congressman OF the
presidents invitation to travel on the
train with him in their respective districts
or states was a reason why they should
rot vote their free opinion on the ques-
tion OF such an appropriation is to me a
most painful one.
NOT RECEIVING HOSPITALITY.
I'm travelling upon the train they were
mot receiving my hospitality-they were
only making a little more elaborate the
their districts wished to give
The feature OF the discussion yesterday
which was especially distressing to me
was a suggested reflection on southern
hospitality. The intimation that some
where IN the south board was charged
has no foundation in fact. and L never
heard Ii intimated until I saw II in this
mornings paper.
IN all my experience, and / have en-
5oyed the hospitality OF many sections
and countries Of the world. never had
= more cordial. generous. open and Law
ish welcome than I had in the southern
states during my trip. and the slightest
hint that puts me in the attitude OF a
critic Of that hospitality gives me great
pain
Il am going 20 take the liberty OF max
ing this letter TO you public.
Very sincerely yours.
WILLIAM II. TAFT"
Because the president exceeded his
travelling expense allowance of $4,000
present fiscal year. and the commit
tee on appropriations sought TO meet the
deficiency by making the appropriation
for next year Immediately available"
the house today was thrown into lively
debate. Chairman Tawney offended sew
eral Democrats by suggesting that the
Apresident had made his extended western
Ilicitation OF Democrats OF the house.
n Mr.. Tawney denounced for oppos-
Fthe effort TO provide an immediate
his statement called forth angry re-
It's from Representatives Bartlett and
|ardwick. OF Georgia. and others who
rfticfsed the White House for furnishing
Ito the chairman Of the appropriation
committee the names OF Democrats who
had figured I'm the presidents trip.
The point OF order made by Mr. Macon
against the words Immediately avail
able" was sustained and these words
were stricken from the bin so that the
appropriation cannot be used until after
July 1st
Representative Hardwick. OF Georgia,
drew fro Mr.. Tawrey the admission
that Secretary Carpenter had furnished
him a list OF names OF Democrats who
had accepted the presidents hospitality.
In connection with the use OF such
names Mr. Bartlett, OF Georgia. charged
that "the president has violated both
the rules OF hospitality and OF decent
conduct"
The president. Mr.. Tawney said. had
made his trip through the west AMI
south al the invitation or senators.
governors OF states and civic organfza-
tons
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.
This trip. said Mr.. Tawney, was
not made for his own pleasure. Congress
was in session when delegation after
delegation from this house, from the
senate and from the different states
visited him urging him TO make this
trip"
At that time. Mr.. Tawney raid, there
was no appropriation to meet the trav-
cling expenses.
The president informed the chairman
OF the commitrsS on appropriations"
explained Mr.. Tawney. that personally
ne would rather remain at his summer
home after adjournment than to make
that trip and that the only way he
would be able to make the trip would
be through congress giving him an APP
preparation which we feiled to make at
the close OF the 6Oth congress. Now aft
er the president has accepted the invita-
tfcn of members OF this house and Wis
tied their states. after senators ana
governors invited him am Wine on that
trip he accepted their hospitality. they
turn around and criticse him."
This statement served a frebrand
upon the Democrats. several II whom
vainly attempted to interrupt.
Mr. Tawney said that nine Democrat