New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-22
Prominent MiSsourians
Urge Him To Be Memo
rial Day Orator.
SAY COLONEL WOULD
SWEEP MIDWEST
Friends Think Invitation Offers
Best Chance for Him TO Make
Keynote Address.


Oyster Bay. y. Y, April 2l.-Ksnsas
City. 10. to-day invited Colonel Theo-
dore Roosevelt, to lie it, Memorial Day
orator. While be has not yet signifed
his intentions % the matter. it is reas-
onably certain that he Will accept the
invitation as offering a good opportu
nifty Of arousing the Middle West.
Should he accept. it is probable that
from Kansas City he will proceed 20
Omaha. Des Noines and Denver, re-
turning 20 Chicago on Tuesday. June
:. the morning the Republican National
Convention opens. Though his pres
ent plans call for his presence a, home
during the convention. great deal Of
pressure has been brought 20 bear On
the Colonel to make a tour through the
Middle West at that time. Thus far,
however. he has remained steadfast n
his determination TO do nothing that
might look like campai gning for the
nomination.
In justification OF such a tour, it
hss been pointed out by his friends
that a few speeches from him in the
Middle West would settle all possibil-
ity Of the convention naming a pussy
footing" candidate on "pussyfooting'
platform. II is nearly two years since
the Colonel has been in the West. and
these advocates declare that ne could
arouse the section as no other man.
Roosevelt Versus Ford.
The Coloneps presence in the states
said 70 be so strong for peace-at-sny-
price that they favor Henry Ford for
Presiden, would. his friends declare,
show that the successes Of the Detroit
man were only new Ford jokes. All
that is necessary, they urge, IS the
proper presentation Of the Roosevelt
policy.
Whether or not the wishes of tho
leaders in this section are complied
with. 10 IS appreciated that the Kansas
City invitation comes close 70 Offering
the psychological opportunity 81 the
psychological moment for a real key
note speech. From Memorial Day 20
the opening Of the convention is but
one short week, and the impression
than made could not, il IS urged. fail
70 have its effect on delegate 70 the
convention from that section who may
be inclined 70 hearken TO the voices Of
the "Old Guard" and vote against the
Colonel.
The occasion would also offer an
ideal opportunity for a plea 10 the
country 20 awaken TO the importance
of preparedness, It Is felt, IS Colonel
Roosevelt's hosts on the occasion will
include the leaders Of the Grand Army
% the Republic the United Confeder-
ate Veterans and the Spanish War Vet
Grams.
Kansas City Invitation.
The invitation to speak in Kansas
City, which came By wire this after
noon. read:
Kansas City, No, April 20.
Colonel Theodore Roosevelt,
Oyster Bay, y. Y.
We extend 70 YOU a cordial and
earnest invitation 70 visit Kansas
CITY and deliver the memorial ad-
dress or next Memorial Day. NAV
cerely trust that your engagements
will be such as 70 enable sou 20
accept this invitation.
WILLIAM WARNER, past com
mandor in chief, g. A. R.
WILLIAM II. WORNSTEAD.
chairman Memorial Day Com
mttee.
GEORGE II. EDWARDS, Mayor
OF Kansas City.
CHARLES R. BUTLER. presi-
dent Commercial Club.
J. W. MCCOY. president Of the
Traffic Club.
L. LENNON. president Livestock
Exchange.
B. c. MOORE. president Board
OF Trade.
J. \. RUSSELL. president Rot
airy Club.
J. A. HARFELT, president
Civic Club.
JOHN B. STONE. past com
mander United States Confed-
crate Veterans Of Missouri.
D. y HAFF. president Kan
sas City Branch, National Sc
curity League.
Z. 4. M'BRIDE. commander gen
eral.
JOHN c. BATES. Camp No. 7,
United Spanish War Veterans.
". X. PALMER, chairman execu-
,,,.o committed Earsaa (ifv