The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-28
TAFT RESENTFUL
At CRITICISMS
House Debate Upon Expenses
Is Not Pa|atab|e
LETTER SENT TO TAWNEY
President Declares That He Is Grieved
at Democrats for Uttcrances Re-
gardinS Expenses of Recent
Southern Trip
LETTER SENT TO TAWNEY

Washington, May 27.-President Taft to-
day sent to Chairman Tawney of the
House committee on appropriations n
letter expressing deep resentment at the
criticisms passed by democrats in House
debate yesterday upon the travelling ex
penses of the President,
The President says he Is especially dis
tressed by Suggested reflection on south
ern hospitality
The presidents letter follows:
1.-The White House.
washington, May a. 1910
MY Dear Mr.. Tawney-I am deeply
grieved over the phase over which the
discussion of the appropriation for the
travelling expenses of the President took
yesterday. I think 1t is legitimate argu-
ment 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 one of the
duties of the President is to visit the
people In their homes.
But the fntimation or suggestion that
the acceptance by congressman of the
Presidents invitation to travel. on the
train with him in their respective dis
trfcts or states was reason why they
should not vote their free opinion on
the question of such a appropriation, Is
to me a painful one.
I'm travelling upon the train they were
not receiving my hospitalfty-they were
only making more elaborate the cordial
welcome which they, as representa- tives
of their districts. wished to give.
THE feature of the discussion yester-
day which was especially distressing TO
me was a suggested reflection on south
ern hospitality. The intimation that
somewhere. in the south board was
charged has no foundation in fact and /
never heard it intimated until / saw 1t
in the morning papers.
I'm all of my experience, and I have
enjoyed the hospitality of many sections
and countries of the world. l never had
a more cordial, generous, open and lavish
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 hospita itality-s me great pam.
IT am going to take the liberty Of max
ing this letter to you public Very sin
cerely yours,
"WILLIAM H. TAFT"
Representative Tawney issued a state
ment saying that the colloquy on the floor
yesterday between himself and southern
members regarding southern hospital
|ity'' had been distorted. Mr.. Tawney
said it was ridiculous to suppose that
he would reflect upon southern hospitality.
II had spoken" he said "of a man who
had asked the President to be his guest,
entertain him and then criticise him for
making the visit. as In effect charging
him board. Mr.. Bartlett of Georgia, evil
IDENTIFY Misunderstanding my remark, then
demanded to know of a single instance
where the President was charged board
and Representative Hammar Of Idaho. be-
fore I could reply. interjected the face
tious comment that he thought it was in
Georgia.
ION the other hand the President was
never charged for his board when the
guest of anyone in Georgia or anywhere
else, and no such allegation was made"