New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-30
ROOSEVELT MEMORANDUM
MST|F|ES THE HOUSE
$50 Be Permanent During MY
Lifetime Alleged Notation
Shown by Fitzgerald.
WRITTEN IN 1902. He SAYS
New York Man Declares Pen
cllled Note Referred to Plan
for White House Offices
Quotes Lincoln.

FROM Tic Tribune Bureau
Washington May % To he permanent
during Ny ufetime.-T. r" Planning
What purports 10 De A White House memo
randum sent TO Congress in 1902. when
plans were proposed for TIE construction of
Temporary executive Offices. Representa-
tive Fitzeerald Of New York. startled the
House to-day by asking why Colonel Roose-
welt. then President had written on the
margin of the memorandum. in pencil the
shove mNstifying words.
Mr. Fitzgerald held the original docu-
ment evidently discovered IN the archives
OF the Appropriations Committee, although
he Nouchsafed no information as to the dis
oovery of a paper which he asserted showed
what was in the mind of this gentleman
more than seven years ago The pencilled
notation. Mr. Fitzgerald said. was undoubt-
edly in the handwriting Of Colonel Roose-
Welt
Other members who crowded about the
New York member after his speech OBJ
served
IT looks genuine, but What did he
mean"
Representative Fitzgerald had concluded
han. Lincoln IN 1887. wherein Lincoln pre-
diotad that the day would come in this
country when men would seek distinction
not by building Up institutions. but by tear
ing them down, TO further their own per-
sonal ambition.
Prophetic Words, He Says
How prophetic those words were. said
Mr. Fitzgerald can easily be illustrated
BY something which happened few years
ago. Plans were initiated for the remodel
ling of the White House known officially
as the executive mansion \ dispute
crosse between the then Executive. Mr.
Roosevelt. and Congress as 10 what extent
the remodelling should 20. As a result
memorandum was prepared by the archi-
tect covering not only the plan for the re-
construction. but the provision for so-called
executive offices Under the head Of tenn
rorarv executive Offices the memorandum
Transmitted from the White House for the
information Of the members Of Congress
has this statement.
The problem of the erection Of per
nanent building for the offices OF the Priest
dent involves many considerations as to
the amount Of accommodation needed. the
scope ard variety of The functions to he
carried iu such building
Provision for temporary quarters for
executive offices is comparatively simple
matter
The word temporary was UNDERSIGNED
II pencil. and in the margin apparently n
The familiar hand Of President Roosevelt IS
written:
To be permanent during Ny lifetime
r. r"
In the notation MY is underscored.
If ANYBODY misunderstande the purpose
OF This gentleman. 50 accurately pictured by
Abraham Lincoln m 1851" continued Nh
Fitzgerald. "he need but refer 20 this docu-
me.' which perhaps wiz re 90 historic
document, 10 sec what he had 10 mind
more than seven Years ago"
Memorandum, Goes Into Record
Mr. FitzeeraId obtained unanimous ron
sent 10 insert the memorandum m the Rec
ord and this action may cause Colonel
Roosevelt 20 take notice If the affair.
Following Mr.. Fitzeerald's speech b.
walked into tho House corridors, while
nl-mheI, If al shades Of political opinion
trooped after him The Roosevelt adhereuts
were especially eager 70 get reNn a. the
ct +" notation
Is that peuclIug genuine asked NJ.
lenroot of Wisconsin
able" said Fitzgerald. returning the paper
10 his pocket
1T NAV he valuable. If genuine COM
mented Nj Lenroot
There is no doubt Of ITS commences
said M Fitzgerald. who declined 10 let the
document get ont Of his possession. h
sfterNard consented to have # photo
graphed and 2. Photographic copy VIII 20
into the Record.
TIE Quotation from Lincoln
Lincoln words IS quoted BY NJ F,tz-
gerald, We're from q speech delivered h.
the martyred President before the Young
Mems Lvceuro At Springfield. IN 1897. while
h was stiu Young man. The quotation
fellows.
Towering genius despises 4 beaten path
= seeks regions hitherto uneXplored II
seeks no distinction IN adding story ~ story
upon the monuments OF fame erected 70
the memory Of others. II denies that II IS
glory enough to serve under any chief It
scorns 10 tread IN the footsteps NJ any
predecessor. however lllustrous.
II thirsts and burns for distinction. and
81 possible II will have u. whether Il the
expense Of en1sncipating slaves or enslsVlne
free men. Is II unreasonable then 10 expect
that some man possessed Of the loftiest
genius. coupled with ambition sufficient to
rush il 10 its utmost stretch. will Al some
time spring I'd among Us?
the people 10 he united with each other.
attached 10 the government and laws and
GENERALLY intelligent 70 Illustrate mis- de
signs Distinction will he the paramount
object and although he would have willing
w. perhaps more so acquire II by doing
good as harm. yet that opportunity being
rsst and nothing left 70 he done in the way
~ building up he will set boldly 10 the
task ~ pulling down.
Warmed Against Destroyers.
Ny Fitzgerald applied Lincoln's warning
~ the ambitions Of Colonel Roosevelt, say
ine
In this speech NIr Lincoln warned
against the dav when men would seek dis
tincton hv tearing down rather than by
building up governmental institutions and
referred to danger from within rather than
without II destruction be our lot We
must ourselves he its author and 6nisher."
SAID Lincoln.
II seems 20 have been prophetic utter
ante. and II deserves 30 be reproduced Al
this time for the guidance Of the American
JeOple. So much has been recently quoted
frc m Abra ham Lincoln 10 Justify al sorts
Of political vdgaries in governmental affairs
that this may appeal 10 The sober senses OF
the people and make them. before il is too
late. awaken 90 some OF the dangers which
confront our government
Leading up 10 the passage quoted. Mr..