The San Francisco call., 1910-09-06
ROOSEVELT
/. Is CALLED
"LIAR"
Colonel Seizes InsuIter, Fearing
Violence, but Latter Es-
capes in Crowd
EXCITING EPISODE
FOLLOWS FARGO SPEECH
Stranger Impertinently Ques-
tiOns Speaker, Then HurIs
Shorter, Uglier Word
FORMER PRESIDENTS
ADDRESS DEFENDS LABOR
FORMER PRESIDENTS
ADDRESS DEFENDS LABOR
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call

| Especial Dispatch 10 The Call
FARGO, N. d., Sept. 5.-Fearing
violence, Theodore Roosevelt to-
day seized and held the arm OF a
little wild man, poorly dressed and un-
shaven, who had mounted the speak
er's platform at the close of the
former presidents speech and called
the latter liar. The man who in
suited the colonel was forced by him
from the stand and disappeared in the
crowd He was not identified.
The colonel had just finished speak
ing, when there was a great cheer and
a rush of the audience toward the
stand For a moment the crowd
wavered, being content with a close
view Of the former president and a
handshake over the railing of the
platform. but soon the enthusiasm
burst forth again and the police and
authorities were swept aside and the
mob surrounded Roosevelt on the
stand
Shouts at Roosevelt
Many closed in and shook hands
with the great American and everv-
thing teemed with good nature. when
suddenly the small man. poorly
dressed and insignificant in appearance.
pressed his way through the sursing
mass of handshakers and shouted so
loudly that he was plainly heard above
the din.
Immediately there was silence. and
the stranger, wearing a battered hat.
cried out:
Il have question to ask you, Colo
mel Roosevelt" and. as soon as Roose-
Welt had turned and faced him. contin-
ued: Il want to know who is paying
the expenses Of this trip of yours about
the country"
AS he spoke. the strange questioner
waved his arm in an excited manner.
The query greatly angered the colonel.
as his face plainly showed He walked
slowly toward his interrogator and
shot back his answer
II consider that an impertinent ques-
tion." he said. however. have no OBJ
lection to telling you"
Paid by Magazine
The former president stated that the
expenses for his present tour of the
country were being paid by the maga-
zine of which he is one of the editors.
He had scarcely finished answering the
abrupt question when the man shouted.
so loudly that hundreds of persons in
the crowd heard him: You lie"
At the sudden insult the colonel
stepped forward and seized the up
raised arm just above the elbow. Others
Joined in and the man was forced BY
the joint efforts of all from the plat
form, but not until he had thrown out
at the top OF his voice:
Your expenses are being paid BY
the people. of the United States"
Roosevelt did not realize the import
of the insult which had been thrown
at him for some seconds and not until
the cause of the disturbance had been
! swallowed up in the crowd remaining
closely packed about the platform.
Return Not Feared
Roosevelt said that while he had
seized the mans arm in self-defense.
he did not fear another visit from the
stranger.
In his address here today before a
great Labor day crowd. in which were
hundreds of members of trades unions.
Theodore Roosevelt warmly commend
ed the federal Judge who was presid-
ing and had introduced him, because
the Judge, by what he had said. had
shown himself to be in sympathy with
the laboring man He referred to
Judge C. F. Amidon Of the district of
North Dakota and his remarks were
applauded vigorously by the crowd.
Fargo's Labor day celebration was
almost spoiled by rain. which fell In
termittently throughout the day
I In introducing Colonel Roosevelt.
Judge Amidon said that the people
assembled there should not forget that.
above all. the occasion was one for
the Iaboring men, who were holding
their annual celebration Suggesting
that Iaboring men suffer wrongs that
might be reached by legislation, Judge
Amidon called especial attention TO the
failure of congress to enact a law pro-
viding for compensation for laboring
men when injured. or for their families
in the event of their DEATH Every
government of Europe. with the ex-
ception of Turkey. he said. had enacted