Omaha daily bee., 1916-10-01
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MO ONE who has not had personal cxper'
lN .nca az, The committees In charge ha

MO ONE who has not had personal expert
~ ence on the committees in charge mas
any conception OF what it means to entertain
the president of the United States. The guest
it must be remembered at every point, IS NOT M
Mckinley, or Mr.. Roosevelt, or Mr.. lalt, OF M
Wilson in his individual capacity or as canoir
date for Office but he is the chief magistrate OF
the nation, the highest executive for one hundred
million people. We have no royalty IN this re-
public, but the ruler of our government Tor me
time being, whoever he is, righttully commands
a Difference and respect for the exalted position
he holds separate from his personality; Inc
first and paramount consideration must be MS
comfort and safety. He must be exposed to no
risk or danger that can possibly be avoided Inc
task OF the committee In charge is to receive the
president and his party, attend to every minute
detail for their entertainment and well-being
during their stay, and to start them on their re-
turn Journey in satisfied mood and at least none
the worse for their coming, leaving nothing to
chance or unprovided for.
In the present instance, President and Mrs.
Wilson are journeying to Omaha in response TO
an invitation issued by the committee tor the
Semi Centennial. Celebration of the Admission OF
Nebraska into the Union and to participate IN the
commemorative exercises. This committee was
formed more than year ago to carry out the
suggestion for the proper observance OF the semi.
centennial emanating from various sources and
fathered by the Nebraska State Historical
society, and il just happens that was the one,
at the very first assembling OF the committee
which met at the Fontenelle June Is, 1918, who
brought up the possibility OF securing the attend
ance of the president for one OF the seml-cen-
tennial functions and proposed extending the
invitation. expressed right then and there the
opinion that the president could be induced to
accept, reminding the committee that he
had written history Of the United States
h. AZ
tracted by such an epoch-making event.
And, recalled further, that when we were
preparing for the celebration of the iftieth
anniversary of the organization OF Nebraska as
a territory and OF the founding of Omaha, had
solicited him, being then president OF Princeton
university, to come out here to deliver the prin'
cipal address and that, while he had been unable
by reason OF other engagements to accede, he
had indicated his desire to accept. am not
sure but that | have already referred in this
column to this incident and possibly am repeat
ing when | again print the letter which, how.
ever, reclaims its interest as a consequence OF
what it has now led IN to. Here it is:
Princeton, N. J.. March 7, 1904.
MY Dear Mr. Rosewater:
esteem it very great compliment that
should be asked to consider an invitation to
deliver the Grafton at the approaching cele-
braton OF the Sem-Centennal of the. Ami.
versary OF the Territorial Organization OF
Nebraska and can assure you that 1t would
give me the greatest pleasure to accept such
an invitation II it were possible Tor me to do
so; but my engagements are already too
many 1t would be literally impossible Tor me
to prepare an Grafton within the time now re-
naming even If ! could at the date named
conscientously absent myself from Princeton.
1t is date so nearly on the eve OF our COM
mencement that l fear, should in any case
be obliged to decline an invitation which
would involve my going to distant place at
that time
Pray accept my warmest thanks for your
charge OF the celebration my heartiest ex-
pressions of obligation and regret. Very sin
cereiy yours, WOODROW WILSON.
II is hard to make folks understand that for
public function in which the president figures,
the invitation lists must be made up with refer
ence to official positions and to special classes
and in almost complete disregard of personal
choice. The semi-centennial celebration was
projected by and Is being conducted under the
auspices of the committee of one hundred. to
which have already alluded and the Board Of
Governors OF the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben. This
list, which is representative of the public spr-
tied citizenship of the entire state, is the natural
starting point to which is added the official
roster Of elective federal and state officers. The
fact that the president is accompanied by Mrs.
Wilson calls for the addition of the wives of the
and with the limits within which these accommo-
dations are confined these invitation lists, assum-
ing acceptances from all, leave. little room for
additions. The grief caused by disappointed
applicants for seats nearer the mighty, however,
is one of the things which cannot be escaped
by those who take on the duties and responsible
ties of such an occasion. Somebody has to do
il and whoever we're to do the job would have to
do it the same way or embrace still worse
troubles. #a
That reminds me Of something that happened
when rode around the city with President Taft
the last time he was here We had arranged to
have him go by large number OF school build
ings before which the school children were to be
massed and / had had requests from many Of the
teachers to guard against repetition of the dis
appointment caused during his preceding visit by
running past the schools so rapidly that the presi-
dent could not be distinguished.
"Mr President l said, as we approached the
Central school, which was the first on the route
"you will do the school children great favor if
YOU will let the automobile slow down before
them"
Very good" said he. THAT will be perfectly
agreeable"
"One thing more, Mr. President" persisted
These children want to be sure that they see the
president OF the United States. Now to prevent
them mistaking me for you won't you please
stand up"
As may we'll be imagined by all who know our
relative sizes that brought hearty laugh and
Mr.. Taft stood up in the auto every time we
passed school building.