The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1912-01-30
Am No LIAR;
HAVE PROOFS"
SAYS WAITERSON
Sole Question Is, Who Is the
Prevaricator? and He Denies
That He's 1t
Governor Wilson Dare Not
Face Facts; No Request
Was Made TO Ryan"
Editor Wants TO End This ''Dis=
tasteful Episode" and
Take a Rest
Jan. 2a.-coIo-

ASHINGTON. Jan. 2s-Colo-
VA mel Henry Watterson. in a
Wv statement issued tonight and
intended to bring a "distaste-
ful episode" to an end. as far as he
was concerned, declared that the issue
between him and Governor Woodrow
Wilson was solely as to which one had
lied
Colonel Watterson said he had en-
gagged conclusively to show that Gov
ernor Wilson had lied. and charged
that the New Jersey executive dared
not face the facts Colonel Waiter
son declined to make public any proofs
in his possession. He denied that
Thomas F Ryan had ever been ap
preached for campaign contributions
for Governor Wilson, but states that
the. matter had been talked over with
Governor Wilson. and the latter had
expressed the fear that if the knowl-
edge of contribution from Ryan got
abroad it might do more harm than
good.
Has Proofs, He Says
Colonel watterson's statement. ad-
dressed to .the democrats of the United
states in part follows:
The time limit set upon my stay
in the national capital being about
to expire. and Governor Wilson
having refused my offer as to the
issue of veracfty he has raised be-
tween US to submit proof of the
truth of my averment to party
n
Of its character and the expediency
of its publication. shall bring this
most distasteful episode to a close
as far as I am concerned.
The claim that l must rush into
print with this proof emanated
either from the perverse or the
malignant. [ have it, am ready un-
der proper supervision to produce
il. and can be asked in reason to
do no more. If I should publish it
the very men who are demanding
that 1 shall would be the first to
accuse me of reckless disregard of
what they would call party pru-
dence and private rights. The sole
issue is whether l have lied, as
Governor Wilson says / have, or he
has lied. which I have engaged
conclusiveIy to show. He dare not
face the facts.
All Met at Harvey's
During the early summer of 1910
was passing weekend with Col
onel George Harvey, an old friend.
at Deal Beach. his home IN New
Jersey There arrived for dinner
DR.. woodrow Wilson. then presi-
dent Of Princeton. and Hon. James
Smith Jr., late a senator. Doctor
Wilson I had never met before.
The talk at the table was mainly
about the prospective nomination
q of democratic candidate for gov
ernor of New Jersey. Drawn into
conversation I ventured the opin-
ion that If nothing more than a
governorship were in sight it would
be a sacrifice for Doctor Wilson to
quit his exalted station at the head
of a great university and get down
into the bullring of politics to
struggle for preferment so ephem-
eral and uncertain.
That was probably what Colonel
Harvey, who seemed under some
spell wrought by Doctor Wilson,
had planned. Mr.. Smith declared
that he wanted nothing for him
g self. only to see the state redeemed.
that no one but Doctor Wilson
could redeem it, and the like. IN
due season Doctor Wilson was
nominated and elected.
"Decoyed Into Service"
The presidential campaign. to
which the gubernatorial election
had served as a prelude, began. In
manner / had been dragooned-
will not say decoyed--into the
service of Governor Wilson and
Colonel Harvey. The succeeding
months brought me into confden-
tial relations with Governor Will
son. Letters passed between US.
Upon his invitation and on his
business / visited his home in
Princeton. He was good enough
last winter to come to the steamer
to see me off for Europe.
I found him a man of polished
manners, scholarly attachments and
undeniable talents.
On my return from abroad the
governor met me in New York
. Again in November and December
we foregathered there. In short.
nothing was wanting to the most
cordial and unrestrained intimacy.
The fortnight Immediately pre-
ceding the interview at the Man
haitian club, of which ] have been
at pains to say as little as was
needful, TO do justice between man