Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-27
Message Urging Favor for
s.Railroad Friends" Sent
to Roosevelt.
ASKED EXEMPTION
FROM TAX MEASURE
Requested That Grade Crossing Of
Steam Railroads Be Eliminated From
Franchise Tax Measure-senator De.
pew Was "Anxious"-Piatt Cores
pondenee Dealing With Vice Presi-
deney Presented in Evidence.

pondence Dealing With Vice Presi-
dency Presented in Evidence.
Syracuse, N. Y, April 27.-Theodore
Roosevelt today answered questions
about letters taken from the files of the
correspondence Of the late. Senator
Thomas c. Platt. The reading of these
letters to the jury hearing the $4,000
libel suit brought by William Barnes
was begun yesterday.
1t was said that but about one-h half
Of the letters were read. It was planned
to get all of the correspondence into
the record today. Had the plans Of
cross examination originally laid down.
been followed, it is probable Colonel
Roosevelt would have been well into
his redirect examination this morning.
A series of private letters that passed
between Mr.. Barnes and Colonel Roose-
welt also were introduced. These COW
cred period between 1904 and 1910.
They were to be read in the afternoon
session. The reading of the Roosevelt
Platt correspondence, in which the for
mer discussed political legislative and
administrative affairs, was completed
today.
Railroad Friends Anxious.
A telegram in which former United
States Senator Platt urged Theodore
Roosevelt to sign bill exempting from
the franchise tax bill grade crossings
Of steam railroads. which said that
"our friends Of the New York Central
and Senator Depew were anxious, was
read in the supreme court hero onsthas,
the sixth day Colonel Roosevelt has
been on the witness stand.
In reply Colonel Roosevelt wrote MI.
Platt that he had received the message
too late" These were part OF the
correspondence presented in evidence.
William Barnun. tho cross examiner.
asked Colonel Roosevelt whether he
had taken the advice of Senator Platt
in regard to the vice presidential nom
nation in 1900.
"You were entirely friendly with him
then?" asked Mr.. Barnum.
"Oh, yes" answered the colonel.
Word "Advise" Displeases Colonel.
Did he advise you to accept the
nomination."
Don't say advise, sir" said Colonel
Roosevelt.
well, in your interviews with Sem
ator Platt did he so advise you?"
The question was ruled out on OBJ
lection.
The first letter read was from Mr..
Platt, dated Feb. 3, 1900. The senator
wrote to postpone an engagement be-
cause Of the illness of Mrs. Platt. He
also wrote:
Perhaps Henry Purroy would be, a
wise selection for the charter COM
mission"
Mr.. Purroy was suggested in letter
written by Mr.. Roosevelt, read yester-
day.
The following letter from Senator
Platt, dated Feb. 5, 1900, was read:
II have hardly had time to give con-
sideration it deserves to your letter Of
Feb. /, and the matters involved there
in and am inclined to take more time.
The vice presidential question Is q
very important one.
.Mrs. Platts condition is improved
and it looks now as tho should get
to New York soon, at which time we
can personally discuss the vice presi-'
Dental question"
did you discuss the question In
pursuance of that letter? asked Mr..
Barnum.
II did,
Baked at Vice Presidency.
Then this reply from Colonel Roose-i
velt dated Feb. Z, 1900, was read:
"Your very kind note has been re-
ceived. note you expect to be in
New York on Saturday. If convenient
will call on you at the Fifth Avenue
hotel at 3 o. m. My train gets in at
1880 and so I do not suppose I could
get to the hotel in time to take lunch
with you. Will you wire me on re-
ceipt of this note.
p. ST. saw Kerns and told him
had written to you that would not
take the vice presidential nomination.
would q great deal rather be any
thing, say professor Of history, than
vice president" Z.
Two other letters bearing on legis-.
lation pending at Albany were then
read. In a letter to Mr.. Plat the col-
onel suggested "that you confer with
Odell on this subject at once"
In reply the senator said he would
.we.eg-ech odell at once and nrge him
to line up the republicans on the bill.
In the next letter the colonel-was ad-
.vised to revise the New York. City
charter.
Message cams "Too Lats."
Then the following telegram, dated
May Z. 1900. from Senator Platt to
Colonel Roosevelt, was read: "a q
"Our friends Of the New York Gem
trail are very anxious to have you sign
the bill exempting them from the tax
on grade crossings. hope you can do
90. Senator Depew Is very anxious
The reply was:
II received your telegram and one
from Ford. Il was too late to act. I
had already published that Ford was
opposed to tho act and that the state
tax commissioners favored the bill
IT did not receive your telegram, un-
til yesterday Sunday. It was then
altogether too late to get at the conn,
mission and again 80 over the matter
with them. I am exceedingly sorry Il
any hardship has been caused either
=