The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-05
WILSON DECLINES
TO GIVE PROMISE
Delighted to See Invitation Com
mittee, but Must Have
Time to Consider.
HOUSTON IN SAME BOAT
Secretary of Agriculture Says
He Will Come If Time
Permits.
HOUSTON IN SAME BOAT

i do not want to decline the in
vitation." said President Wilcon yes
terday To the Richmond delegation
him to attend the state Fair. "ond vet
cannot say right now that 1 will
come. You will have to give me time
to consider it, If l can possibly do
SO, II the press of business docs not
prevent, will come"
Bearing this noncommittal message.
the invitation committee journcyed
BACK TO the city yesterday afternoon,
| arriving at 6:20 o'clock
The Council ambassadors declared
| themselves highly pleased with the
warmth IF the reception accorded them
by the President. The more cnthu-
siastic OF the delegation succeeded in
communicating to 4 number of citizens
their unfaltering trust that Mr. Wilson
Will Visit the Fair. Mr. Wilson'S &C
I tual words as reported by member
! OF The delegation. are here reproduced.
ana every Richmonder may give them
his own Interpretation.
President Was Delighted.
On one point there is no division Of
opinion. The President received tho
! richmond delegation with unfeicned
delight The party was composed Of
MAYOR Ainslie and Councilmen Peters
and Ratclifie. representing the city
!
Page, W. L. Spllman, Abram War
wick and Harry Tucker, OF the Fair AS
ISOLATION; Senator Swanson and Con
gresham Montague. In the capital
city the Richmond delegation annexed
Major j. Z. Hemphill, formerly of Tho
Times Dispatch. and Or. L: y. Calisch
Ihe united delegation bore down upon
the President The party was admitted
I TO the White House at 1850 oclocl,
and was in conference with Mr. Wilson
fifteen minutes
Mayor Ainslic presented the formal
Council resolution carrying the invita-
ttlon, accompanying il with a short
/ speech in which he apoke OF the pecu
mar claim OF Virginia and her right Of
priority as mother State to claim,
on the PRESIDENTS leisure time The
ease with which he might reach and
leave richmond, he told President Will
SON. should make for q minimum of
Inconvenience The people OF the state
were 2nNious 10 see him, he said and
the state Fair would afford an I'M
usual opportunity.
Might Charge Favoritism
The President listened with live in
terest 10 The Mayors description Of
Nirgin!a's greatest fair and OF the
crowds from every section OF the
state that attend it. and smiled at the
mention OF Nirginia's prior claim on
his visiting time
II have had to decline so many in
viiations OF exactly the same nature. ,,
said the President, "tAat I'm afraid IL
| accept yours TO come TO Richmond
the other people will say that it is
oni: another case OF V!rginians doing
wouldn't want TO let that Impression
get abroad
But YOU are a FirGinian, Mr.. Presi-
dent and we have "A stronger claim
on You than the others. You've got to
| admit that" argued President Peters.
OF the Common Council. IN his best
City Hall manner.
That's genuine Virginia argu-
ment," answered the President. laugh
Ing. I wisn l could say now that /
VIII come. But YOU will have 10 give
me time TO find out Il 1t will be pos
sib!e. ! Will let YOU know as soon as
can"
The invitation was seconded by
President Fairfax, OF the Fair Assoc!-
alton; Leigh r. Page, senator Swanson
and Congressman Montague. Senator
Martin had accompanied Secretary of
! State Bryan to Leesburg, where the
latter made an address yesterday, and
could not be present
Invite Houston.
+ From the White House the party pro
ceeded 10 the Department of Agricul-
/ ture and repeated the invitation TO
secretary Houston Mr.. Houston told
/ the delegation that he has. since taxi
ing Office, declined approximately SIS
/ invitations 10 functions of this nature,
/ and could not accept the invitation
I 10 visit the Virginia State Fair.
( Logan waller Page, director OF the
Office OF Public Roads, a former Rich
ncnder had joined the delegation, and
! added his word for the state Fair.
, Secretary Houston began 10 look more
4 kindly upon tho proposal as one speak
er after another bespoke his cons!d-
. Grafton. and agreed 10 take the matter
under Amusement. The committee left
with the feeling that the secretary will
I come II he can find It possible TO get