The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-05-28
President Aroused by Intima-
tiOns and Reflections Con-
corning His Trip.
DENIES EVER TRYING
TO CURRY ANY FAVOR
Representative Tawney Says In
cident in the House Was
Somewhat Distorted.

WASHINGTON, May 27-PresIdent
Taft today sent TO Chairman Tawney
of the house committee on appropria-
tions a letter expressing deep resent
ment at the criticism passed by Demo
Gratis in the house debate yesterday on
the travelling expenses of the president.
The president says he is especially
distressed by "suggested reflection on
southern hospitality
The president 8 letter follows:
"White House, Washington, May 81,
1910
"My Dear Mr.. Tawney: 1 am deep
ly grieved over the phase which the
discussion Of the appropriation for the
travelling expenses of the president took
yesterday. J. think it is legitimate
argument in favor Of such an appropria-
tion that congressman and many others
press the acceptance Of invitations to
visit their sections and districts, be-
cause the urgency of such requests in
dicates the opinion on the part of the
people that one of the duties OF the
president is to visit the people in their
homes.
No Ulterior Motive.
efBut the intimation or suggestion
that the acceptance by congressman Of
the PRESIDENT g invitation to travel on
the train within their respective dis
tricts or states was a reason why they
should not vote their free opinion on
the question of such an appropriation
is to me a most painful one.
"In travelling on the train they were
not receiving my hospitality-they were
only making a little moro elaborate the
cordial welcome which they as repre-
1f ho.r l,cEr nE -
give.
'tThe feature of tho discussion yes
terday, which was especially distressing
TO me, was suggested reflection on
southern hospitality. The intimation
that somewhere in the south board was
charged has no foundation in fact and
I never heard it intimated until / saw
1T in this mornings paper.
In all my experience, and have en-
joyed the hospitality of many sections
and many countries of the world, |
never bad a more cordial, generous. open
and lavish welcome than [ had In the
southern states during my trip and the
slightest hint that puts me in the atti-
tude of a critic of that hospitality gives
me great pain,
''I am going to take the liberty of
making this letter to you public.
every sincerely, yours,
WILLIAM II. TAFT
Hon James A. Tawnev,
House of Representatives.
Tawney's Statement.
Following the receipt Of President
Jaft's letter Representative Tawney is
sued a lengthy statement saying that
the colloquy on the floor yesterday be-
tween himself and southern members
regarding southern hospitality, had been
distorted.
cit is ridiculous to SUPPOSE said
Mr.. Tawncy. "that / would reflect pri-
rately, much less publicly, upon the floor
of the house, on southern hospitality,
which is proverbial.
81 had spoken of man who would
ask the president to be his guest, en-
tcrtaiu him and then criticise him for
making the visit and charging him
baord.
"Mr, Bartlett of Georgia, evidently
misunderstanding my remark, then de-
manded to know of single instance
where the president was charged board,
aud Representative Hamer of Idaho, be-
fore ! could reply, injected the face
tious comment that he thought il was
in Georgia.
FsOf course the president was never
charged for his board when the guest
of any ono in Georgia or anywhere else,
and no such allegation was made