Palisadian., 1915-07-10
Tumulty Denies
Rumors OF ATTEMPT
To Replace McCoombs

There recently appeared in Hud-
son County newspaper statement to
the effect that the secretary to the
President, Joseph P. Tumulty, was be-
ing freely criticized for what was re-
garded as efforts on his part to help
replace the present chairman of the
National Democratic Committee, Mr..
McCombs either by himself or in the
interests of National Committeeman
Lynch, of Minnesota.
Secretary of State Thomas F. Mar
tin, realizing that this article appear
ing in the home newspaper of Mr.
Tumulty might perhaps be given
credence, where like stories appear
ing in other newspapers would not
have a similar effect, wrote the fol-
lowing letter to the Secretary, en-
closing clipping of the statement
made, and asked for a statement in
reply. Mr.. Martins letter to MI
Tumulty was as follows:
June 18,1915.
Honorable Joseph P. Tumulty,
White House,
Washington, D. C.
My Dear Mr.. Tumulty-While l
sire to take cognizance of the many
stories that appear in the newspaper
from time to time regarding the
events at Washington, l am enclos-
ing clipping from the Jersey City
Journal" which l feel, inasmuch as
it is published in your home town
paper, may create false impression as
to its inspiration.
If there is anything that you can
say as to the statements made, will
you kindly do so, and very greatly
oblige,
Very truly yours,
THOMAS F. MARTIN.
The Secretary of State received the
following reply from Mr.. Tumulty
which will undoubtedly set at rest
all further talk regarding the rela-
tions between either Mr.. Tumulty and
Mr.. Bryan on the one hand, or the
so-called efforts of Mr.. Tumulty to
become chairman of the National
Democratic Committee. Mr.. Tumulty's
letter is as follows:
June, 10, 1915.
Honorable T. F. Martin,
Hudson Dispatch,
Union Hill, N. j.
Dear Sir-I gladly comply with
your request for statement as to
recent publication in the Jersey City
journal" of certain stories with ref
erence to my relations with Mr..
Bryan and Mr.. McCombs.
There is no word or circumstance
of truth in these stories. If they had
appeared elsewhere than in paper
of my home town, l would allow
them to pass unnoticed. My relations
with Mr.. Bryan during the time of his
association with the President have
been of the pleasantest and most in
innate character. Only yesterday l
received letter from him addressing
me in terms of warm personal friend
ship.
AS to Mr.. McCombs, some of his
misguided friends have been under
the impression that l was seeking
his post as chairman of the Demo-
cratic National Committee. l have
moment. There are strong personal
reasons why l should not even be con-
sidered for this place.
| am not engaged in any campaign
to exploit myself at the expense of
my party's welfare My time here is
wholly devoted to serving in a modest
way the interests of the President and
the causes for which he stands.
AS to the insinuation conveyed that
l would debase myself to undermine
anyone by "inspiring stories" against
him, | would say that no man who
knows me and my purposes would en-
tertain this thought for moment or
would dare publicly to make the
charge.
Sincerely yours,
Secretary to the President
JOSEPH P. TUMULTY,