The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-21
CHAMBER CANCELS
WILLIAMS DINNER
Action Follows Letter From New
Secretary Cautiously De-
clining Honor.
REFUSAL CAUSES SURPRISE
Not Expected by Chamber Dircc-
tors, Who Had Given Plan
to Newspapers.
REFUSAL CAUSES SURPRISE

There Will be no Chamber of Com
merce dinner in honor OF John Skel-
ton Williams The project was called
off yesterday upon the receipt of a
letter from the new Assistant Secre-
tary of Tho Treasury courteously de-
clning the honor Mr. Williams de-
clares In 1t his warm appreciation
of the compliment which 1t was pro-
posed to offer him, but says that he
does not ait this time feel Justified in
accepting It,
The letter is addressed to President
T. NJ. Darlington and Vice President
w. 7. Reed. of the Chamber of Com
merce. and to John S. Elicit and John
e. purcell, who with the officers COM
posed a special committee on arrange
ments. The committee called upon
Mr.. Williams on Wednesday, at which
time he indicated his unwillinsness to
accept the distinguished honor offered
him. Yesterdays letter stated his po-
stion more fully.
Refusal Causes Surprise.
Mr.. Williams's declination brought
expressions of surprise from many
quarters. That it was not expected by
the Chamber of Commerce is evident
from the fact that Its directors did
not withhold the news of the proposed
dinner from the newspapers. ANNOUNCE
ing the plan Immediately upon the
conclusion OF the board meeting, be-
fore consulting Mr.. Williams. The
Idea OF n possible declination was not
entertained.
For NIr. Williams It was interposed
yesterday by friends, that he feels
that public expression of favor of
this nature should have been deferred
until he made good In his new posi-
ton. MIR Williams himself In his
letter to the officers of the Chamber OF
Commerce. intimates that no public
honor is due him for his services to
the city, since, he says, others have
laborcd in its interests rs hard as he
The incident. 1t appears. has pro-
! duced AN awkward situation which
Mr. Williams's letter, courteous and
sincere as Il Is. failed entirely to re-
move. Prominent members OF the
Chamber Of Commerce expressed regret
Yesterday that Mr. Williams had not
found 1t possible to accept an honor
offered him freely by fellow citizens
who desired merely to compliment him
on his selection for @ high position in
the public service.
MIR. wiIIinms's Letter
Following is a transcript of Mr..
Williams's letter to the officers OF the
Chamber OF Commences:
MY Dear Sirs:
"It Is hard for me to tell you how
deeply Erathed L am at the desire OF
| the Richmond Chamber of Commerce
| to have me as It's guest at a dinner
| which the chamber wishes to give in
my honor. and OF which / have been
advised through YOU. That this gcner
Gus expression should have come as
the result OF the unanimous action OF
so largely attended n meeting OF the
leading and representative men who
compose the board OF directors Of the
| chamber is especially pleasing
My life has been spent with you.
| working shoulder to shoulder in the
earnest efforts which we have all been
making to help forward the land and
| the city we love, and to promote to
the utmost OF our individual efforts our
| country's we'll being and prosperity
| I have lahored no harder and no more
| unselnshly than many OF my friends
| and fellow-citizens, and do not now
| feel justified in accepting from you the
| distinguished compliment which gener-
| osity and good Will have prompted the
| directors of the Chamber OF Commerce
! 10 offer.
Responsibility Of New Office.
The appointment which has just
| been bestowed on me by the President
| and tho Secretary Of the Treasury in
wolves large responsibilities. The com
| incubation and expressions of esteem
| which I have received from my friends
| far and near are most encouraging to
| me, allu give me lieSH oli 0h7t I'll an"
| inspiration in assuming tho now duties
| to which I shall devote my best ener-
| giles in the months to come.
II earnestly pray that my labors in
the new field am about to enter may
| lie such as 10 Justify these stimulating
expressions of confidence and regard
which my fellow townsnen and my
good friends and strangers. far and
| near have been so ready In their liber-
| ality to hcStOw uDOn me
with my cordial best wishes for
my fcllow-mcmbers of the Chamber
of Commerce. and for the city whose
interests they have done so much to
advance and promote. I remain.
Faithfully yours.
JOHN SIX ELTON WILLIAMS"