New-York tribune., 1911-12-27
Now Discovered Invitation to
Mr.. Roosevelt Was Withheld;
Secretary Is Reprimanded.
DUE TO MISUNDERSTANDING
M. J. Bloomer Says He Did Not
Mail Letter Because the EX-
President Had Written He
Could Not Attend.

z
terday in a corridor Of the Waldorf, out
side Of the committees meeting room.
The misunderstanding was over the
question as 70 whether Theodore Roose-
welt had been invited 70 the dinner and
the discussion eliminated in a reprimand
for Mnlard J. Bloomer. executive secre-
tarv. when he declared that he had not
obeyed the orders Of the committee and
had not sent Nj. Roosevelt an invitation.
John Temple Graves who has been
selected to serve as toastmaster. was
outside Of the committee room door eX-
planning TO - group Of reporters the
committees attitude on the question OF
inviting Mr Roosevelt.
Some Of Colonel Roosevelts warmest
friends and admirers are on the commit
tee" he was saying. but even they In
view Of his known attitude Of opposition
Ia the arbitration treaties proposed by
Mr. TAFT. doubted the ethics Of inviting
him 10 a dinner al which the President
was 10 be the guest Of honor
But he has been invited said a
member Of the committee, who was
standing near.
NO. he has not" another member said.
NIr Graves looked about helplessly
Yes. Colonel Graves" said Stephen NJ
Griswold coming 10 his rescue. Last
Wednesday lhc committee unanimously
voted while YOU were away to invite
| Colonel Roosevelt officially as a special
guest That invitation has been sent,
and we are waiting for his reply
NO. that invitation has not been sent
said Millard J. Bloomer, executive score
tarv of the committee.
Not been sent?" echoed half dozen
members Of the committee. with horrifed
voices
Hasn't that invitation been sentg
said Mr. Graves II it has not it ought
10 be"
Ordered to Send invitation.
NO. it has not been sent" said Mr..
Bloomer. backing up against the wall
and looking resolutely before him. Il
have sent a letter to Mr.. Roosevelt ask
ing his views on the arbitration treaties
10 see whether ne could be invited with
propriety''--
That is not for YOU 10 do" cried Mr..
Griswold. You were instructed by the
committee 10 send an invitation to Mr..
Roosevelt as special guest, and if you
have not done il. the sooner you do il
the better Got that letter mailed right
away
L think this demands some explana-
ton" Mr. Bloomer said drawing let
ter from his pocket. Previous 10 this
action by the committee an individual
member Of the committee had sent Mr..
Roosevelt a private invitation. which
Mr. Roosevelt supposed was his official
invitation He wrote a letter to me say
ing that in view of his own publicly eX-
pressed views on arbitration treaties he
did not think he could attend the peace
dinner have that letter here. and I
think il ought 10 be given to the press,
Mr.. Bloomer said. starting 10 hand 1t 20
a reporter
NO. put that letter away said Mr..
Graves That IS a matter that must be
thrashed out in committee
Yes. and see that the invitation you
were in-.ructed 10 send Is sent immedi-
atelv." snapped Mr.. Griswod.
Nj. Bloomer seemed crestfallen as ne
stuck the Roosevelt letter back into his
pocket ard went into his Office, pre-
sun7ablv 70 obey the committee COM
nanj Of last Wednesday. The commit
taemen then went into the committee
room.
individually and collectively the mem
,ors ~ the committee refused 70 say
/ anvtbine about the charges Of at
/ tarorted graft made by Henry q. Gran
oar against Edward Owings Towne, a
former member Of the executive COM
r,i,tae Mr.. Towne himself, when seen
at his law Offices. No. 203 Broadway, was
not eo retlcent. He declared Mr.. Gran
GERS charges were false and almost de-
crsrad false the statement made on sun
dow in his defence by an officer Of the
reacs dinner committee. In fact. his eN-
nIanation Of the facts lying behind the
ebarqes Of Mr.. Granger differed in sew
aral respects from the explanations made
h,. the committee representative on sun
day night
Denies Asking for Rebate.
,rs II true. NJ stated by the treasurer
- tho committee he was asked that
,.ou Mr. rowne. were authorized by the
o,ec7tive committee 70 ask Mr.. Muschen-
holm, or the Hotel Astor for rebate Of
$50 2 plate for the use Of the commit
tee in meeting expenses?
r was rot authorized 10 do it s!t the
Countess Won Boos was, he replied.
Who i, the Countess Won Boos2' he
was asked
aSbe IS thA daughter Of a noted foreign
general" Mr. Towne replied. She is
noble woman interested in great move
p,erts FOR peace among the nations pure
nv from humanitarian motives. In fact
II was in her mind that the idea Of this
glorious banquet originated
rs il rue. as stated by a member OF
the committee. that the Countess Won
poos is vour secretary. Mr.. Towne2' ne
| was asked.
..veu. she is associated with me in
business" he replied.
A. this moment a tall dark eyed
ror,an entered the private Office with
out knocking. Mr Towne agreed that
she v.as the Countess Won Boos
Is e. true that YOU. countess. 10 use
the language Of one Of the members OF
tho P.ace Dinner committee. like lsa-
n.ua cf Spala. pawned your Jewels so
that t,is dinner could be started;' she
was asked
We. pawned my jewels $50 that this
/ ,,,yor,ent could be started she