The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-14
Colonel Takes Exception to Statements Made by
 Latter
MADE IN PLATES
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Roosevelt Says Version of Incident Given by Late Senator Platt Is Incorrect-Platt's Secretary
 C0ntradicts Roosevelt

Albany, N. Y, January 1s-Letters which have passed between Col. Theo- dore Roosevelt and Louis Lang author of the Autobiography of Senator PIatt," was given out here today.
 Colonel Roosevelt wrote the author on December IS. last, as follows:
 T have been interested In reading the Autobiography of Senator Platt which you sent. l have no question that the senator meant to relate things accurately and have no quarrel what ever with the statements he makes about my conduct as governor But among the erroneous assertions are the following:
 The statements as to the nomina- tion for the vice presidency are erronc- ous. For Instance. after the senator told me that I could not be renom- mated, l said, Very well, we will fight l told him l should absolutely refuse to accept the nomination as vice pres ident and that if the New York dele gatton tried to force 1t upon me- should get up and say that Senator Platt had announced that I should be refused renomination for governor and would have to be nominal ted for NiNb I ANaiutHt dtlu that | Suould lntU and there announce that I would not take the nomination for the vice presi- dency and would be a candidate for the nomination for governor.
 Platt Was Incredulous
 The senator evidently did not ba- lieve that would do this, but I an- nounced my intention to dozen Of the delegates, stating what Senator Platt had said Immediately there was great commotion, d message was sent Up 10 Senator Platt and two minutes later l was summoned to his room, where he explained that | must have misunderstood him, that he had no in- iention of saying that l should not be renominated as governor, that no fur ther effort would be made by the New York delegation to put me in nomina- tion for the vice presidency and thas there was no opposition to my Nnomina- @tion as governor
 Accordingly the effort ceased and ths New York delegation put Woodruff in nomination. Later it developed that the convention as whole was bound ta have me and Senator Hanna, who had violently opposed my nomination, made up his mind that the feeling was so strong that he could not afford to antaxonize it. After considerable hesitation I then concluded to accept Tn other words. while I did not intend to permit myself to be forced into the vice presidency, in order to get me out of the governorsaip, did not feel at liberty to refuse che nomination when it became evident that the earnest desire of the republicans as a whole was to have me take the position for the benefit of the party.
 Did Not Ask Endorsement
 Again, the statements about my com ing to Senator Platt for his indorsement as secretary of the navy are absolutely without foundation. The whole story about my calling upon him on March II or on any other day. whether with John Jacob Astor or anybody else. is pure in- ventioh As soon as ! saw the book | wrote to Astor and have now received his letter. In it he says that I never saw Senator Platt with him about my appointment as assistant secretary of the navy.
 "It is rather singular that Senator Platt should have imagined any such interview and 1t shows how much his mind was failing when tho "reminiscences were writ ten.
 By the way, the whole statement about contributions is equally without founda- ton. I never called upon Senator Plat with Governor Odell on any such errand nor had any such conversation with Sen ator Platt
 q do not desire to have this letter published because it Is not worth while going Into the public press on such 2 matter, but think 1t best that you should know the facts in the ease. tSignedD THEODORE ROOSEVELT Mir. Lang wrote to Albert H. Howe, for r years secretary to the senator, stat ing the Roosevelt denial and asking for a. statement.
 Howe Contradicts Roosevelt | Mir uowcs letter is as follows: "I have read your autobiographicai sketch of Senator Platts life, and par ticularly that portion of the addenda re- lating to the appointment of Colonel Roosevelt to the assistant secretaryship of the navy and in response to your specific inquiry, l have to say that the story as you have told 1t accords with
 oet Colonel Astor did accompany Colonel Roosevelt to Senator Platts par Tor to solicit the latter's Endorsement of Colonel Roosevelt for that position. The circumstances are most clearly imoressed fpon my mind"
 ator Mr Lang asked the privilege of publishing Colonel RoJsevelt's letter. to whic Colonel Roosevelt replied under
 q desire that my letter should not -
 simply because 1t is not wortn while 10 get into a public con- ,roversv As l have told you. I have 'at e ffoul Colonel stor stating that he never saw Senator Platt about my being assistant secretary of the navy. Zone Of the incidents to which referred in my first letter is related accurately ar truthfullv by Senator Pratt, but think his mind was failing and do not accuse him of Intentional untruth.' The ..campaign contribution story to which Mr Roosevelt took exception was tse oae Senator Piqtt told of how he had saved Roosevelts election for gov 5 as by securing from J. P. Nor gan. Thomas F Ryan. William C. Whit nev and three others at the eleventh hour s6o, 600.