Evening journal., 1912-12-12
WASHINGTON
SHY OF DINNER
TO SALISBURY
Democratic Statesmen Find it
InCOnyenient to Attend
Wilson Club Gathering
MANY SPEAKERS ASKED
BUT NONE ACCEPTED
Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. L..
Willard Salisbury Senatorial BOOST
ers are having great difficulty In get
ting a national Democratic leader TO
attend the socallcd harmony dinner
In Wilmington tonight. For few
hours ID was thought that United
States Senator Hoke Smith, Of Ceor-
ga, former Governor of that state.
would give moral support 70 the
Salisbury boom by being present and
making a few remarks. but all horo
in that direction was later shattered
when Senator Smith decided he was
too busy" TO attend
The effort on the part OF the Sauls-
bury men to secure the presence Of
a member Of Congress at the dinner
forms a more or less amusing story.
Having failed to induce United States
Senator Gore OF Oklahoma and Con-
gressman Burleson OF Texas to at
tend, Joseph E. OToole. a Salisbury
lieutenant and chairman OF the ban
quet commiteee, came to Washington
on Tuesday on a mission to get
somebody or course some were
preferable to others. but most any
body would do TO lend moral support
TO the national committeeman. II only
by his presence They were not told.
OF course. that the dinner is TO boom
anybody in particular, but the fact
that willard Salisbury is ia be the
guest OF honor was made plain
Senator Smith was the last to he
approached He met Mr. OToole in
the Office Of Senator Gore. Upon be-
ing invited he accepted. MI O"roole
left for Wilmington happy in the
thought that he had at last procured
somebody. But before senator Smith
left senator Cores Office. he remem-
bered that he would be very busy
Thursday night A letter Yesterday
morning. however, conveyed thc sud
rews that the Georgia senator would
not be present at the dinner
When Mr. OToole reached WASH
ing ton he went directly to the Office
of Senator Gore He was sent to see
United States senator Atlec Pomcrene
of Ohio. but was unable to induce the
Ohloan 10 attend he then visited
Congressman BurlesOn's Office. and
was sent TO the Office of Congressman
Henry also of Texas. But Mr. Henry
declined the invitation However.
he made a suggestion, which for a
time gave Mr. OTOolc some hapc. 10
was that maybe Congressman Ollie M.
James would like to attend the dim
ner. A hurried trip was made to
Mr. James Office. for II was fast
drawing near the hour when the
House would so into session
Mr. James. being found in his Office.
the proposition was put to him with
lpainstakng care Would he help
to bring about harmony in the ranks
of the Democratic party in Della
ware?'
NO" replied Mr. James, 81 shall be
TOO busy Thursday night ! should
like TO attend. but ! don't see how
can You will have to excuse me.
but express my regrets TO those in
charge OF the affair
Mr.. OTOOle left the Office of the
Kentucky Congressman in despair.
wondering if every member OF Con-
gress is so busy all the time. He re-
turned 10 Senator Cores Office and
there ran across Senator Smith, with
the result stated above. Communica-
tion with those who were invited TO
attend the dinner. brought only the
Information that they would all be
busy Thursday night attending TO
their congressional duties.
'l understand that several Demo-
Gratis from New Jersey are going TO
attend the dinner" Senator Gore
stated today but l don't believe any
members Of congress. now in Wash
ington, viii find time TO 60"