The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-10

antitrust league.
The Presidents actions in regard 10
the council correspondence atIracteo
additional attention because Wliha
I BRYAN, II will be recalled, gave tne
council recognition by journeyins 10
New York to speak at peace meet
ing held under its auspices
Sought am Interview.
Following a convention OF the labor
neace council at Atlantic City In July.
Mr.. Buchanan sought to have the
president meet and confer with DEL
egation from that convention. FOR
want of time the President was unaDie
to grant the request. The following
note from Secretary Tumnny 10 rep
resentative Buchanan gave the rea-
son:
The White House, Washington.
July "a, 1915.
MY dear Mr.. Buchanan;
Il am genuinely sorry to say that the
President was SO rushed during MS
brief stay In Washington that there
was no opportunity to take up with
him your request for an appointment
for a committee from your orsaniza-
ton. AS you will doubtless realize.
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.
know you will understand and Will
bear with me.
Sincerely yours.
~. p. TUMULTY,
Secretary to the President"
Hon. Frank Buchanan,
Chicago, ILL.,"
Makes sharp Kick.
-Four DAYS later the Illinois repre-
tentative wrote sharply to Secretary
Tumulty making complaint and sug-
costing that he might make pubic
statement on the refusal of the Presi-
dent to see his delegation. The Buch-
anan letter given out the white
House was as follows;
"Iabor's National Peace Council.
Chicago. H.. July 2s, 1918.
Hon. J. P, Tumulty.
The White House. Washington,
Dc.
my dear Mr.. Tumuity:
your favor of the 24th instant duly
received and. to put the situation
mildly, was decidedly disappointing In
character. The Information 1t con-
tanned. though courteously phrased.
could not. and did not, alter the In
ference forced by the statement made.
your intimation that the Presi-
dents time was so fully taken up with
matters of pressing importance that he
could not grant an audience to repre-
sentatives of labor, that has made the
United States of America the proud
nation that Ii Is. in order to permit
them to demonstrate that the substi-
died press. Representing organized dol
| lars in America, which - seeking to
serve as the volunteer adviser of the
President. 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 liz to dis
cover the heartfelt sentiment OF the
common people.
Chosen as 'sToilers'' Representative.
las is well known, j. 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 q
trade unionist. / found that the first
lesson taught by organized labor was
to implant In the hearts and minds OF
| its members the ethics of humanity
and the sacredness of human life.
| WAR Is generally regarded by the
common people, who are Its only vic
| Tins, as legalized murder on o whole
! SAFE plane, WHICH TIC bopnhbtEy Va
| the questionable patriots and dema-
gogues can never invest, and vet the
President cannot find time to listen
to the people who desire peace. be-
cause his time is completely occupied
by those who apparently desire war.
II thank you, Mr.. Tumulty, for
your candor. my duty to those serve
/ leaves me no alternative but to say
that SO long as they the people whom
/ serve. continue to be united In
their belief that progress and pros
perity Is dependent upon religious OBJ
servance of the Scriptural admoni-
| ton. And they shall beat their swords
| into ploueh shares and their spears
into pruning hooks; nation shall not
lift up sword against nation. neither
shall they learn war any more Just
SO long shall continue to rap at the
door OF the Presidents private cham
Der to secure admittance for da)ega-
ton OF workers, who not only desire
PEACE 1t home. but peace abroad as
we'll
II again urge upon you to kindly
present to the President my desire for
q conference. and inform him that IL
/ am to be denied the courtesy. so
literally extended to Congressman
speaking for big business, shall
be reluctantly forced to advise the
public OF my position In the premises
through the medium = an open letter.
awaiting your reply. l have the