Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-19
SELECTED BY DEMOCRATS
Wants Complete. Investigation, But
No Political Sideshow.
TAFT INVITED TO GETTYSBURG
Celebration of Fiftieth Anniversary
of Battle There-Callers at
the White House.

President Taft today passed word
down the line that while he wants A
fair and square Investigation Of the Bal
difficulties. he does not
propose that this investigation shall be
made into a political sideshow for the
benefit of the democratic party. There.
fore he will not agree that Representa-
tives James and Rainey. the latter hav-
ing assailed the President in most bitter
terms on several occasions. shall serve
on the special committee as representing
the House.
Representative Dwight. republican
whip of the House. saw the President
early this morning and went back 10 the
House to impart the information all along
the line that the President felt, alonS
with both regulars and insurgents of the
House. that the democrats should not be
furnished opportunity to turn a purely
administrative investigation into ammuni-
ton for the democratic party. Mr.. Dwight
told the President that the republicans OF
both factions i'm the House We're consid-
erablv wrought up over the situation.
and he had no doubt that i'm the repub-
licar caucus the matter would be set
tlcu ~ pay
Gives Democrats Pleasure.
The democrats. it is learned today. are
greatly pleased with the situation they
have brought about. Should Representa-
tives James and Rainey be forced OF the
committee they will use the fact as the
basis for allegations that the republicans
are getting ready to conduct general
-l...l. irNxr cf H.
gated, and do not want the country to
know the truth. To this the President
answers that the democrats may do what
ever they see ft. but he wants fair
and impartial investigation, conducted by
able men of both parties, and that ne
does not believe the country Will stano
for a political affair as proposed and
framed up by the democrats
Anniversary of Gettysburg Battle.
Members Of the Pennsylvania commits
sion that is preparing for great ceiebra-
ton of the fiftieth anniversary of the
battle of Gettysburg. July 1. , and 3.
1913. called on President Taft today to
invite his assistance for the celebration.
1t is probable that the commission will
prepare statement of its intentiOns.
which President Taft will transmit to
Congress with suggestions as 10 CO.
operation by the United States govern
menr.
Members of the commission who saw
the President were: Gen. Louis Wagner,
chairman; Capt. j. Richards Boyle. secre-
tary. and Alexander Mcdowell
The object of the celebration. ii Was
stated, is not to bring together the men
who fought on that great field or TO re-
unite the blue and gray. but to COM
memorate the historical significance of the
most momentouS battle ever fought on
American soil. The governors of twenty
six states have accepted invitations To
be present, or have their commemorative
being from Georgia and North Carolina.
Other Proposed Celebrations.
Another celebration which the Presi-
dent had brought to his attention today
was that being prepared at Tampa, Fla.
to commemorate the work upon the 18TH
mian canal commission. The celebration
will last from February IL to 26. and the
President is asked to attend and 10 do
some other things in the way of sending
warships and troops to aid in the festivi-
ties The celebration is under joint
resolution of Congress passed four years
ago. Mr.. Taft said he did not think he
would be able to go 10 Tampa at that
time. although he heartily shared in the
purposes of the celebration and would do
what he could TO aid in its success. The
matter was brought 10 the attention oil
the President by T. j. l.. Brown, presi-
dent of the celebration, who was intro
duced by Senators Fletcher and Talliafer-
ro and Representatives Sparkman, Clark
and May.
Still another invitation was presented
by David Heineman of Detroit. president
OF the League of American Municipali-
ties The league will meet in St. Paul
next August and a thousand mayors will
be present. Mr.. Taft said he would con
slider the invitation. Mayor Mahool OF
Baltimore was member of the COM
mittee presenting the invitation.
Fight Over Biltmore Post Office.
The fight over the Biltmore. y. c.. post
office has been taken to President Taft.
Senator Overman was a visitor at the
executive offices today with Frank Car
ter. a prominent citizen of Asheville.
who wanted TO enter a protest against
the dismissal from the post office of Mrs.
Reed, for many years postmaster, anu
the appointment of a republican named
Luther upon the Recommendation OF
Representative Grant. The fight has
grown into one between republicans
and democrats. Biltmore is small post
office situated near the entrance to the
Biltmore estate of George w. Wander
blt. Mrs. Reeds father was postmaster
there for a number of years and she
Representative Grant. republican
filed charges against Mrs. Reed. saying
that she attempted TO bribe him TO be
continued In office He furnished affi-
davits from his wife and daughter that
they overheard Mrs. Reed make the offer
of a bribe Upon these charges Mrs.
Reed was dropped and man named TO
fill the vacancy.
The whole thing has created a great
hubbub in North Carolina. the democrats
playing upon the fact that a woman sur
fered at the hands of republican repre-
sentative.
Enerossed Copy Of Taft Address.
President Taft last May made a speech
in Rodelph Shalom Temple at Pittsburg.
Rabbi ]. Leonard Levy OF that temple
brought to Washington an engrossed
copy Of the speech. which President Taft.
and dedicated to the con-
gregation, together with a large photo
graph OF himself, containing a suitable
sentiment of his kindly feeling for the
and it's rabbi. Rabbi Levy