The Washington herald., 1915-08-10
FAILS
T0COW wilson
White House Answers Threat
by Making Peace Council
Correspondence Public.
HOT SHAFTS EXCHANGED
Tumuly's Refusal to Arrange Au-
dience with Wilson Starts
Verbal Duel.
HOT SHAFTS EXCHANGED

Representative Frank Buchanan. OF
Illinois. organizer Of the so-called La
boris National Peace Council. which Ii
seeking to prevent expectation OF arms
and ammunition to the allies. was
turned down by Secretary 'Tumulty
when he CBuchanan) attempted to get
an audience with the President
Because the President found II i'm
possible to drop pressing official duties.
the grave nature of which has been ap-
parent to nearly everybody. and receive
delegation from the council. Repre-
sentative Buchanan was piqued and In
a letter to Secretary Tumulty intimated
that he might feel obliged to take the
President to task publicly.
Mr.. Buchanan, who is Democrat and
a former officer Of the International
pecting to alarm the President and his
Secretary by threat Of public protest.
reckoned without the host. Instead Of
showing signs OF trepidation. the White
House promptlp told him to talk If he
wanted to and gave out the correspond
ence that had passed between buchanan
and Secretary Tumulty. This action
was in the nature Of a sharp rebuke.
Repudiated by Gompers.
Buchanan intimates In his letter. as
he has In his public statements. that
his council represents organized labor.
but IL already has been repudiated by
Samuel Gompers, of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor. Two Of Buchanans
associates who thus assume to speak
"for labor are Herman Schulteis and
Henry B. Martin, who figured with Da-
vid Lamar the wolf Of Wall Street. In
the so-calIed Antitrust League.
The Presidents action in regard to
the council correspondence attracted ad-
ditional attention here because w. ].
Bryan, 1t will be recalled. gave the
council recognition by journeyins to
New York to speak at a peace meeting
held under its auspices.
Following a convention Of the Labor
Peace Council at Atlantic City in July
Mr. Buchanan sought to have the Presi-
dent meet and confer with delegation
from that convention. For want Of time
the President was unable to grant the
request. The following note from Secre-
tary Tumulty to Representative Buchanan
gave the reason:
My Dear Mr.. Buchanan-I am genu-
inely sorry to say that the President was
so rushed during his brief stay In wash
ington that there was no opportunity to
take up with him your request for an ap-
pointment for a committee from your
organiza ton. As you doubtless Will real
ize, the President has been SO completely
absorbed during the past few weeks in
the consideration Of matters OF pressing
importance that he literally has had no
time for anything else. I know you will
and will bear with me.
Sincerely yours, J. P. TUMULTY."
sharp Reply from Buchanan.
Four days later the Illinois Representa-
tive and friend of Mr.. Bryan wrote sharp
ly to Secretary Tumulty. making COM
plaint and suggesting that he might make
a public statement on the refusal OF the
President to see his delegation. The
Buchanan letter given out at the White
House was as follows:
MY Dear Mr.. Tumulty: Your favor
Of the cath instant duly received. and.
to put the situation mildly, was de-
cidedly disappointing in character. The
1t contained, though cour.
teously phrased. could not and did
not alter the inference forced by the
statement made.
Your intimation that the Presidents
time was SO fully taken up with mat
ters of pressing Importance that ne
could not grant an audience TO repre-
sentatives of labor, that has made the
United States of America the proud ma
ton that 1t is. in order to permit them
in person to demonstrate that the sub
sidized press, representing organized
dollars in America, which is seeking
to serve as the volunteer adviser of the
was misrepresenting labor's
attitude in the present crisis, Is tanta-
mount to a declaration that the Presi-
dent is more concerned about the de-
sires of Big Business than he Is to
discover the heartfelt sentiment OF the
common people.
"As is well known. I. by the vote
Of the people, was taken from the
ranks of Americas toilers to serve
them in the hall of Congress. and as
their representative to voice their
opinion on national questions. As a
trade unionist, I found that the nrst
lesson taught by organized labor was
10 implant in, the hearts and minds of
It's members the ethics Of humanity |
and the sacredness Of human life. i
War IL Called Murder.
war is generally regarded by the |
common people, who are its only vic !
inns, as legalized murder on a whole
,ale plane, which all the sophistry of
patriots and demagogues
AN never invest, and yet the President /
,annot find time to listen to the peo-
Die who desire peace. because his time
s completely occupied by those who
apparently desire war.
Il thank you, Mr.. Tumulty, for your I
,andor. My duty to those I serve
caves me no alternative but to say |