The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1910-05-28
TAFT RESENTS
HOUSE CRITICISM
Angefed by Debate On His
Travels.
DEMOCRATIC SlURS STIR HIN
The President Writes Open Letter C
Representative Tawney Denying Hs
Was Charged Board In the South
and Defending Southern Hospitality


Washington, May %. - Preslien'
Taft sent to Chairman Tawney. of ths
house committee on appropriations.
letter expressing deep resentment a
the criticisms passed by Democrats il
the house debate upon the travelling
expenses of the president
The presidents letter follows:
washington, D. c., May q. 1910.
my Dear Mr.. Tawney-l am deeply
grieved over the phase which the dis
cussion of the appropriation for the
travelling expenses of the president
took l think if>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, 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.
But the intimation or suggestion
that the acceptance by congressman
of the presidents invitation to trave'
on the train with him in their respec.
tive districts OF states was reason
why they should not vote their free
opinion on the question of such an ap-
preparation IL tc me a most painful
one. In travelling upon the train they
were rot receiving my hospitality
they were only making a little more
elaborate the cordial welcome which
they as representatives of their dis
tricts wished to give
THE feature of the discussion which
was especially distressing to me was
suggested reflection on southern
hospitality. The intimation that some
where in the south board was charged
has no foundation in fact, and l never
heard it intimated until ! saw it in
this mornings papers.
in all my experience, and have
enjoyed the hospitality of many sec
tions and countries of the world, l
never had a more cordial. generous,
open and lavish welcome than l had
in the southern states during my trip,
and the slightest hint that puts me in
the attitude of a critic of that hoSpi
tally gives me great pain.
Il am going to take the liberty of
making this letter to you public.
Every sincerely yours.
civilian H. TAFT"
Debate Was Distorted.
Following the receipt of President
Taft's letter. Representative Tawney
issued legnthy statement. saying
that the colloQuy on the floor between
himself and southern members regard
ing southern hospitality" had been
distorted. Mr.. Tawney's statement fol-
lows in part:
It is ridiculous to suppose that l
would reflect privately, much less pub
hcly. upon the floor of the house of
Representatives. upon southern hospi-
which-as can say from experience
there is nothing more cordial or more
generous to be imagined. But l agree
with the statement of President Taft
in his letter to me that it is legiti-
mate argument in favor of such an ap-
Precipitation 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 du-
ties of the president is to visit the
people in their homes
Il had spoken of man who would
30 I~o l..
entertain him and then criticise him
for making the visit, as in effect
charging him board Mr.. Bartlett, of
Georgia. evidently misunderstanding
my remark, then demanded to know
of a SINCE instance where the presi-
dent was charged board, and Repre-
sentative Hamer of Idaho. before !
could reply, injected the facetious
comment that he thought it was in
Georgia"
The debate in the house which call
ed forth Mr.. Tafts letter to Mr. Taw-
ney sprang from an item in the sun
dry civil bill mailing Immediately
available" money from the presidents
allowance for next year of $4,000 for
travelling expenses.
1t seems that the chief executive
has exhausted his travelling expenses
for tn current fiscal year. which does
not end until July l. 1916. 1t was pro
posed to advance him any money that
he might need for bis trips du ing the
next few weeks from n KIT years ap
preparation. Tine debate Cnsued.
President Taft will not stop travel
ing just because the house refused t.
make the $4,000 expcn Q none!
usually given president imme
diately available" Instead. NJ TAT;
will keep En his journeys about thl
country and if necessary will pay fol
them out of his own purse.
The president iold callers that he
would not cancel the engagements
made for trip to New York On Mon
day next and the jaunt through Ohio
and Michigan which is to begin mex
Thursday. The jump to New York i |
was figured ont will cost Mr. Tail
about $4G6 md the other trips seyera |
thousand
State of Ohio, City Of Toledo, 80.
Lucas County.
Frank ]. Cheney make oath that he |
Is senior partner of the firm of +. J. |
Cheny & Co., doing business in the
City of Toledo, County and State afore-
To- nd Hhnk IL