The Cairo bulletin., 1910-09-09
ROOSEVELT REFUSED TO AT
TEND HAMILTON CLUB IF
SENATOR WAS THERE.
SAME AS INDICTED MEN
Says Former President--Lor,mer In
vitation Withdrawn Ely Wire
Latter Refuses
Comment.

Chicago Sept S.-Col. Roosevelt to-
day barred Senator William Lorimer,
OF Illinois. from the Hamilton Club
banquet at tie Congress Hotel by re-
fnsing to sit at the same table,
The unprecedented demand that
the Hamilton Club deny one of it's
own members the privilege OF attend
ing banquet came with characters
tic abruptness from Roosevelt.
The Hamilton Cub delegation head
ed by Former Judge John II. Batten.
Joined Roosevelt at Freeport shortly
afternoon. The colonel at once began
questioning them concerning the ban
suet
is Speaker Cannon to be thererr
he asked.
Yes Batten replied.
How about Senator Lorimer?' ne
asked.
Senator Lorimer is\a member of
the club, and he has accepted an in
vitatlon to the dinner
Then | must decline TO go, said
Roosevelt, adding that he would feel
the same about the presence of Lori.
mer as he would If sitting down with
members of tho Illinois Legislature
who are under Indictment for graft:
The committee was amazed and
after hesitation informed the guest
that they would go back to Chicago
and tell Lorimer his views.
No Roosevelt replied "Sent
him telegram telling him l will not
attend the dinner tonight If he is
there"
Sent Lorimer Telegram
Roosevelt chatted with the Others
standing near while the pertmbeg
delegation consulted what should be
done A telegram was finally sent to
Lorimer as follows;
Col Roosevelt positively declines
to sit at tie same table with you,
g Our invitation 10 you for this even
Z ing is therefore Withdrawn
The telegram was signed by Bat
ten.
Batten said the incident was a com
plete surprise to him.
'The club had invited number OF
Republicans, among them the COVER
nor of Illinois and various congress.
men. II had not occurred to the men
VINO arranged the dinner tnat they
should not invite the Republican sen
ator."
On the trip to Chicago the mem
bers of the committee were relieved
when they we're informed that Lori
mer would not attend the banquet.
Showed No Surprise.
If Lorimer was surprised no indi
cation OF 1t escaped him.
with his usual untrobuled brow he
courteously declined to comment OF
what to many seemed a most extra
N ordinary incident,
Roosevet's demand was given Lori
mer when he reached his office in
the presidents room OF the LaSallt
Street National Bank. He had jus
arrived from his summer home a
Pistakee Bay, and was cool and com
Portable with panama hat SHADING
his eyes ani the ends of his newt
able white string tie floating from
beneath turn down collar. he step
ned among a group of newspape
men.
A hurried resume of the dispatches
from Freeport was given and a state
ment asked from him.
rs that so?" said the junior ser
ator. This is the first | had hear
lit No, have nothing whatever t
say. Nothing at ALL
He turned from the group and cor
yersed with several friends and er
tered his private office.
When Lorimer reappeared later, ]
Ehis hand he held telegram.
This is another matter, gentlemen
An really don't know II any sucn tele
Neram as you speak of has been re
Sceiyed. There is nothing for me Z
5say I have no exact information cor
8cernIng the incident, and shall nc
discuss it,
"Are you going to the banquet?
he was asked point blank
"Really." came the answer, Il mus
teua out whetherN have a ticket
He refused to say any more.
Refused Statement.
The newspaper men still waite
Nor a statement. Still smiling Lor
Smer said
care you trying to get me to max
speech? I have nothing TO say.
AS the newspaper men retired ~
sanator said: III decide to make
Es,atement shall gladly give II
fgou."
shortly after o'clock Lorimer r
Hurned.
Continued on Fifth PaEe.)