The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-06-10
TAFT REBUKEs
REP. HARRISON
Congressman Who Accused President
of Deception. Is Refused Interview
In White House.

WASHINGTON, June i0.-Presiden,
Taft today declined TO receive Rep.
Francis Burton Harrison. Democrat
house In company with two other rep
resentatives 10 introduce number or
Jewish rabbis who took up with tho
president the question OF the expui'
sion OF Jews from Russia.
The president received the deiesa-
tioI and chatted with the members
for Is minutes or more. Rep. Gold
iogle. OF New York. acted as spokes-
man for the party. and so adroitiy
had the situation been handled by
Secretary Norton that not one OF the
callers knew anything or the incident
until Mr.. Harrison returned 10 the
capitol and there made statement TO
the effect that he had been rebuned
by the president.
Mr.. Taft based his refusal TO see
Mr.. Harrison on statements attribut'
ed by newspapers 10 the presenstatiVs
in connection with his resolution In
the house calling on Attorney General
Wickersham for full information as TO
the connection OF his Office with the
Ballinger-Pinchot episode.
Mr.. Harrison. according to the white
house version OF the matter charged
the president and the attorney-gen
eral with having wifully attempted TO
mislead congress in the backdating or
the attorney-geIerars summary OF thu
CLAWS charges against the secretary
OF the interior.
Mr.. Norton said IL was his under
standing that Mr. Harrison expressly
desired that nothing should be said.
Mr. Norton said that during the con-
grsssional receiving hour yesterday
morning he noticed Mr. Harrison AMI
Mr. Goldfog.e. Of New York. and Reg.
Kelliher, OF Massachusetts,, with the
party OF rabbis at the head OF the line
awaiting admission TO the presidents
Office. He spoke to all the members
OF the party and few moments later
informed the president OF the presence
of the delegation.
| Mr.. Taft announced that he would
| be glad to receive every member OF
the delegation but Mr.. Harrison. He
declared that because OF the news
paper statements made by Mr. Harri-
son he did not desire to speak with
him.
Mr.. Norton thereupon invited Mr..
Harrison into his Office. aging he had
the party shown into the presidents
Office at the appointed hour and asked
for Mr.. Goldfogle to Introduce the
callers In Mr.. Harrison's absence.
| Mr.. Norton declared that the presi-
dent himself had no previous knowl-
edge that Mr.. Harrison wGs to be or ,
OF his callers. The engagement had
been made In the routine way some 10
days ago through the secretary's office.
| Mr.. Harrison was quoted May i3 as
having said of the back-dating OF the
Wickersham summary:
This confession OF the attorney
general amounts to a conclusion that
the president and the alto. aey-general
had agreed to furnish TO congress mis-
leading information. to supply an OF
fetal document as OF one date. which
was really prepa.ed may weeks
later"
Rep. Harrison tonight made the fol-
lowing statement:
1T Is unfortunate for the president
that he cannot stand criticism; II Is
unfortunate for the country that he
cannot stand the truth. My newspaper
statement at which he takes ofiiense
Was merely an expression Of the scaL-
dalous fact that the president had sent
to the senate OF the United States an
official document In the Ballinger-Pin-
chot controversy Of which the date mad
Teen willfully falsified by being pre-
dated. My resolution Of inquiry drew
out this information In a written con-
fession by the attorney-general.
1T is OF no concern TO me that | am
rot welcome at the White House. but
II 10 OF concern to every American
| citizen that a statement Of the truth
about the president may render II i'm
possible for a representative to dis
| charge his duties.
IL came TO the White House today
| not as a matter OF pleasure. but In the