Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-01-26
WORLD DESPATCH FULLY
CONFIRMS RYAN STORY
WaterSon'S Statement Left Out
the Real Milk in the
CoC0anut

WAShlNGION, ~. O.t Jan. Eo-A
Washington dispatch to the New York
World last night corroborates and
strengthens the story first published in
The Atlanta Journal telling the whole
truth about the Wilson-Harvey-Wa after
son incident.
The World story says:
Col Henry watterson tonight, as last
discuss the Interpolation of Thomas
F. Ryan into the ~Watterson-Harvey-
Wilson controversy. Colonel Watterson
said to the World, the incident is closed
as far as / am concerned. He added,
I do not propose to be drawn into a
controversy of elimination and recrim-
ination with a schoolmaster like Gov
ernor Wilson. 1 shall have nothing
further to say until my stand has been
challenged by some responsible party.
L am a disinterested party. An inno-
cent bystander.'
What Colonel Wattersop said in his
explanation of the incident was that he
(Watterson) Colonel Harvey, of Harp
er's Weekly, and Governor Wilson for
gathered in Colonel Wattersons room
in the Manhattan club of New York,
and that there Governor Wilson said to
Colonel Harvey. in replying to a ques-
ton, that his Colonel Harvey's) sup
port through Harper's Weekly, was a
hindrance to the Wilson boom.
Before the Kentucky editor got into
the limelight the New York World, in
a dispatch from Washington, revealed
the fact that Colonel Harvey had been
spending a weekend down in the old
Virginia farm OF Thomas F. Ryan, ano
that fact had brought about the meet
ing in New York.
While Colonel watterson will not
confirm or deny, here is what is known
to have happened at the conference in
Manhattan club; Colonel Watterson
and Colonel Harvey were present when
Governor Wilson entered. In the ear
ly course of the conversation, it was
suggested by Mr.. Watterson, not by
Mr.. Harvey (but entirely with Mr.. Har-
vey's knowledge, consent and, in fact,
with his instigation) that the Princeton
alumni, while undoubtedly a fine lot OF
men, could not be expected to finance
a conference for the party.
That being admitted, Mr.. Watterson
(still with the knowledge and We'll
wishes of Colonel Harvey suggested q
meeting with Thomas +. Ryan.
At this point Governor Wilson but
toned his coat preparatory to a frigto
departure. 1t was at this point also
that Colonel Harvey, noting the symp-
toms of denial, rose to his feet and
asked:
"And, governor, do you also think
that Harper's Weekly support is hurt
ing you?" The governor said that he
thought just that.
Colonel Watterson, in his account of
the affair, omitted the Ryan incident
In conversations with friends of the
M ufa as
Colonel Watterson has been most frank.
Three incidents came before the ell
max: First, Colonel Harvey went to
the Ryan farm in Nelson county, Va,
and there talked over the candidacy of
Governor Wilson. Ryan expressed a de-
sire to take part in the coming Dem
ocratic campaign, and a preference for
Wilson because of the fact that he is a
native of the Old Dominion. Colonel
Harvey talked eIoquently of Governor
Wilson. Mr.. Ryan. becoming enthusiast
tic, declared that he would announce
himself for Wilson, pull off his coat
roll up his sleeves, open his purse and
work for him. The enthusiasm of Mr.
Ryan. coupled with the statement that
he would announce himself for Mr.. Will
son, frightened Colonel Harvey, VINO
threw up his hands and exclaimed:
Don't you do it. If you were to
announce for Wilson you would kill him
politically" Mr.. Ryan agreed to curb
his feelings and remain quiet.
Second, five days before the memora-
BILE meeting of Wilson, Harvey and
Watterson, in New York, Colonel Har-
vey visited Washington, and talked to a
number of congressman of Wilson's
prospects. To several representatives
of the house he said he had been in
Virginia and had a visit with Thomas
+. Ryan, who, he said, was for Wood
row Wilson for the presidency. These
congressman marvelled at the Harvey
story about Ryan. They wondered if
Mr.. Wilson's booster had lost his mind.
Third, this was followed by the meet
ing in New York, where the break came.
Messrs. Watterson and Harvey invited
Mr.. Wilson over to the office Of Thorn
as f. Ryan, who, it was explained, was
DESTROYS of financing the Wilson cam
paign. This suggestion Mr.. Wilson re-
scented. He said that he would not go
to see Ryan or have anything to do
with him. He told Messrs. Watterson
and Harvey that the support of Ryan
would hurt him. Whereupon Mr.. Harvey
asked If he (Mr. WILSON, thought the
support of Harpers Weekly was hurt
ing him. and Mr.. Wilson answered in