The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-09-09
Imperatively Refuses to Sit at
Banquet With United States
Senator From Illinois.
UNPRECEDENTED ACTION
ON PART OF ROOSEVELT
Makes Reception Committee
Send Message Recalling the
Senator's Invitation.


from the Hamilton club banquet at the
Congtess hotel by refusing TO sit at the
same table.
The occurrence startled politicians
here and over the country. The unpre-
cedentcd demand that the Hamilton club
deny to one OF its own members the priv
iege Of attending the banquet came with
characteristic abruptness from Colonel
Roosevelt.
The Hamilton club delegation. headed
by former Judge John II. Batten, Joined
Colonel Roosevelt at the fair grounds In
Freeport. ILL.,, shortly after noon. The
colonel shook hands heartily with each
gan questioning them concerning the
banquet.
Direct Questioning.
'Ts Speaker Cannon TO be there?" he
asked.
Yes" Mr.. Batten replied, she has ac-
ceptcd the invitation.
How about Senator Lorimer?" he
asked.
Senator Lorimer is member of the
club he was told, and he has accepted
an invitation to the dinner"
''Then l must decline to co. said Col
oncl Roosevelt, adding that he would
feel the same about the presence OF Sen
ator Lorimer as he would II sitting down
with members OF the Illinois legislature
who are under indictment in the graft
investigation.
The committee members looked their
amazement and finally, after some hesI
tation. Informed their guest that they
would go back TO Chicago and tell Senator
Dorimer his Views. -
Peremptory Command.
NO" Colonel Roosevelt replied. en-
pbaticaly.
"Send him a telegram telling him that
Will not attend the dinner tonight II he
is there"
The delegation of Hamilton clubmen
was perpeXcd. Their embarrassment ap-
parently was noticed by Colonel Roose-
welt. who chatted with others while the
perturbed delegates consulted as to what
should be done. After some interval, the
following telegram was dispatched TO SEN
ator Jorimer.
Colonel Roosevelt positively declines
to sit at the same table with you. Our
invitation to you for this evening is
therefore withdrawn"
The telegram was signed by former
Judge John II. Batten.
The committeeman were taken COM
pletcly by surprise and their discussion
| OF the event did not cease with the send
fng OF the telegram to senator Lori
mcr,
Action a Surprise.
Judge Bat,en, as spokesman OF the
party, said that the incident was COM
plcte surprise TO him. He continued:
',Tho club had invited number of
prominent Republicans among them the
Republican governor OF Illinois and va
rious congressman. and it had not oc
CURED to the men who arranged the
dinner that they should not invite Re-
stances. there is nothing for us to do
but respect the wishes OF Colonel Roose-
Welt. the guest OF the evening"
If Senator William Lorlmer was sur
prised or hurt at the refusal of Colonel
Roosevelt to sit at the banquet table with
him. he gave no sign.
With his usual untroubled brow and
his customary suavity of expression he
courteously declined to comment to news
paper men on what To many seemed a
most extraordinary incident.
Lorimer Keeps Cool.
The news OF Colonel Roosevelcs de-
mand OF the Hamilton club delegate
that they inform the senator of his ulti-
when he reached his office; the presi,,
dents room in the La Sale National
bank. He had inst arrived from ms
and comfortable. with Panama hat
shading his eyes and the ends of his in
evitablo white string tie floating from
among the group OF perspiring newspaper
A hurried resume of tho dispatches
from Freeport was given and statement
from illinois This IS the first 1 have
L
ever to say Nothing at an, He turned
from tho group. conversed with his secre-
tary and then entered his private office.
Some of the officials followed him. A
clustered around the door. Hurried mes
sages were telephoned to "hold the edi-
ton just minute"
Still Refuses to Talk.
The door opened and Senator IIorimer,
still cool and smiling, was again sur
<-l,J IN,,i ih.s mn rolnn In lt
hand he held telegram, The smile OF
the senator was more pronounced as he
said:
ter, gcntlmcc.n l really do not know II
any such telegram as you speak OF has
been received"
He turned to his secretary and asked:
"IIas any telegram come for me con-
cerning tho Hamilton clubP"
"No, sir" was the reply. "Thcre has
Again the unruffled brow of tho sena-
tor and bank president was turned to the
waiting reportres.
There Is nothing for me to say, gen.
tlemen. ] have no exact information con-
eerning the incident and shall not dis
cuss 1t.
a copy of the newspaper dispatches
from Freeport was offered, but Senator
Lorimer waved 1T aside.
THANK you. ! do not care to read It,.
still with smile,
Are you going to the banquetG" was
asked point blank
Really" said the senator. II must
find out whether / have a ticket"
Mr.. Wade" he said. turning again to
the secretary. 'how about that?"
Admits an Invitation.
"Ycs, sir came the prompt reply from
the secretary. you received an invita-
ton and a ticket to tho banquet
well. ! was not sure about that
said the senator. Now I have nothing
whatever 10 say and the interview
closed
While newsboys in the street beneath
tho bank windows shouted, Extra
Continued on Page Two.