Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-12
UP FOR 1AFRQUEST IS REFUSED HINES AGAIN EDGMG CAUSES STIR
e Him
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HayM Former Ties L Given tw
Burglar
fol
Fond Du Lac Threatened to
Close Gates Against Him.
BUT VISIT WILL BE PAID
City Did Not Want Presidents Time
There Cut Down.
WIRES HOT WITH MESSAGES
Fear Felt That With Municipality
Dissatisfied Adequate Police Pro-
lection Would Be Lacking.

SALEM. Ore. October 12.-The Fond
du Lac incident. the most interesting
connected with the recent travels OF
President. was officially declared closed
on board the Taft special when II stop
ped for several hours here today on the
way to Sacramento and San Francisco.
And President Taft Is looking forward to
his visit to Fond du Lac. in the insurgent
state of Wisconsin. with an interest
greater than felt in any other city on
his 13OOO-mile itinerary The indications
are that there will be big time In
Fond du Lac on Taft day. October u.
For a while 1t looked as though the
gates of the city were to be closed
against the chief executive of the nation.
all because they thought IL was Oshkosh,
when 1t really was Appleton. that wanted
TO be treated a little more literally in
the division of the Presidents time on
a busy October day In the home state
of Senator La Toilette rival candidate
in 1912 for the republican nomination.
In order to give Appleton a little more
equitable treatment it was necessary TO
Fond du Lac. This caused the storm
clouds to lower, and while the tempest
ragged the telegraph wires were kept hot
with messages which chased the presi-
Dental train all the way from Cheyenne
to the Pacific coaost.
Opinions at Variance.
The mayor of Fond du Lac announced
that if Fond du Lac could not have Mr..
Taft for two hours and half IL didn't
want him at all This decision appar-
emily was not unanimous. however. for
there were other kilograms sent urging
the President to come TO Fond du Lac,
even il II be only for a few minutes.
Mr. Taft wanted to comply with the
latter request, but there arose the ques-
ton of police protection, not for the Pres
ident, but for the crowds attracted by
his presence. and there was doubt as to
whether adequate police arrangements
could be made with the mayor and other
city officials opposed to the meeting.
Suddenly the wind shifted, the storm
clouds were blown away. and today there
is nothing but a stretch of fair weather
between the presidential train and Fond
du Lac.
The announcement had been made from
Fond du Lac several days ago that the
city had withdrawn its invitation to the
President and would refuse to entertain
him, and the entire official correspondence
by telegraph-was given out here to
make the situation entirely clear. This
correspondence constitutes an exciting
chapter in the history of the second pres
idential Swing around the circle"
Message From Mayor.
1t begins with the following telegram
sent by Mayor Frank ]. Wolff of Fond
du Lac to Secretary Hilles, on the presi-
Dental train at Cheyenne:
I'VE have made elaborate arrangements
for the Presidents visit to Fond du Lac.
We are advised that our time Is to be
divided with Oshkosh and other points
in the Fox River valley. We would like
TO know definitely the time allotted to
Fond du Lac. 1t will require two and a
half hours to carry out, the program and
arrangements"
To this the secretary to the President
replied:
Telegram received. Railroads had given
only ten minutes to Appleton. one hour
and forty minutes net to Oshkosh and
two and a half hours to Fond du Lac.
This was an error. Appleton was to have
had one hour and ten minutes. 1t will
be necessary to revise the program and
deal fairly with Appleton -
Promptly this answer was sent by
Mayor Wolff of Fond du Lac, and the
chairman of all committees:
AS all arrangements had been made
to cover the Presidents visit to r'ond
du Lac for two and a half hours. as
per original program. disappointing, all
arrangements have been abandoned. Give
all your time to Oshkosh and Appleton"
Views of Postmaster,
AS soon as this action of the mayor
and The committee was made public Post
master George Watson of Fond du Lac
wired to Mr. Hilles as follows:
kindly give the people of Fond du Lac
an opportunity to express their loyalty to
the President in accordance with his
plan, and convenience. The people wish
F. NJ. Given, president Of the Business
Men s Association, sent the following tele-
gram to Secretary Hilles:
THE citizens of Fond du Lac urge that
there be no change In the program of the
President regarding his visit to this city.
Everything will be arranged for his COM
fort and pleasure"
In the meantime Mr.. Taft had made up
his mind to go to Fond du Lac. recep-
ton committee or no reception commit
tee. The telegram from Mr.. Hilles, which
dressed to Postmaster Watson. and read
your telegram received. One difficulty
that might be encountered In Fond du
Lac. In consequence Of telegram from the
lection to the crowds. II the city officials
oppose q meeting here what police pro-
lection would be guaranteed as a safe
guard against accident?"
Everything Is Settled.
the mayor Of Fond du Lac and the chair
men Of all the committees:
The mayor and citizens Of Fond du
Lac are anxious to entertain the Presi-
dent and his party October %. The mis-
understanding as to time assigned to
FOND du Lac led to hasty action in tele-
gram canceling visit by President. The
CITY OF FOND du Lac extends its good
wishes to the President and desires to
assure him that he will receive a hearty
welcome when he arrives in our city We
s.dho ready 10 carry out the program in
accordance with the time at our dis-
posal." '
In the following telegram from secre-
tary lilies to Mayor Wolff, the final
chapter was written:
The President will be pleased to com.
ply with the wishes Of the Committees ,,
And Fond du Lac will entertain M
Tart for an hour and a half the after.
noon Of Thursday. October 26.