The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-08-18
.CR|SCOM SEES T.R.
Believed TO Have Carried
Taft Message.
SAYS TAFT DID NOT SEND him
1t I, Thought His Mission Was To
Get an Endorsement Of the
Administration From
President.

Oyster Bay N. T., Aug. lb-lt
would have required neither the eyes
nor the wisdom OF a particularly
shrewd politician to have seen at a
glance that very vital politics was
being discussed at Sycamore Hill
Monday.
The views of the president OF the
United States and the ex-presldent
were being exchanged through the
medium Of the county chairman OF
New York Lloyd c. Griscom hurried
back from Beverly, where he spent
Saturday night with Mr. Taft TO tell
Colonel Roosevelt the administra.
tlon's side of the story. When 1t was
all over the colonel announced that
he had nothing to say.
Inquirers who talked with Mr.. Girls
com after his conference with Mr..
Roosevelt we're just bit surprised
when he said that not only had the
president not sent him to Oyster Bay,
but that the president didn't know
that he was coming here. The county
chairman went even further than that.
He declared that Secretary Charles ID.
Norton. who has suddenly come to
the front OF the administration 3
forces. wasn't informed OF his pilgrim
age to the hill. Although Mr.. Girls
com came all the way on the train
from Beverly TO New York with Nor.
ton he said that he didn't tell him
about 4, either.
In spite of the county chairman's
declaration, II is strongly suspected
here that he did come with the hope
Of putting up the presidents attitude
to the colonel and getting an indorse
ment OF IT, II that Is the case. Mr..
Griscom probably didn't fulfil his mis-
sion. II is known here that Mr.. Girls.
com bore a message OF some sort to
Mr. Roosevelt. Practically every one
here believes that those who had been
active during the past few weeks In
rejuvenatlng the Republican party,
did suggest the visit. II is rather sig
nificant that Griscom had a long talk
with Mr. Roosevelt in New York last
Friday. following which he FASTENED
TO Burgess Point and returned as fast
as he could to see the colonel.
The fact that Mr. Grlscom an
nounced that he thinks Mr.. Roosevelt
and President Taft are agreed. so far
as the New York state situation is
concerned. doesn't alter the circum.
stances that have existed for some
time When he was asked how close
the two men hitch up on the national
situation, the county chairman hest
tated some time before answering.
Then he replied that he really had
no right to talk about that because
his job has to do with state politics.
Before he went away from here,
Mr.. Griscom consented to answer a
few questions. He remarked that the
president didn't send him to Oyster
Bay. but wouldn't go further than
that. Possibly he had planned the
trip to Massachusetts, and Long
Island himself.
why did you come soon after your
visit TO Beverly?" Mr., GrIscom was
asked. Didn't you see Colonel
Roosevelt in New York last Friday?
He will be In town tomorrow, too"
IL had to see Mr. Roosevelt" said
the county chairman.
There are a lot Of important mat
tiers that | have wanted to take up
with him. I have seen very little OF
him since be returned from abroad"
DO you think the views OF Presi
dent Taft and Colonel Roosevelt on
the state situation coincide?'
Mr. Griscom replied. after some
hesitation, that he thought they did.
How about national politics." The
county chairman halted for several
moments, and then replied that he
guessed he wouldn't say anything about
that because 1t was not in his jurfs
diction. His manner wasn't reassur'
ing. He said that he didn't go very
deep into the national situation with
either the president or the ex-presi
dent.
II talked over state matters with
Mr.. Roosevelt, just as | did with the
president" he commented. that is
all can say"