The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-18
STAYS IN FRANCE
Henry Allen Won't Return for
GOVernOrship Campaign.
VIII Complete Red Cross w Ork
at His Own Expense
BACK TO KANSAS IN FALL
Wichita Editor Brands "Pay'
Story a FalsehOod.
He's Paying Own Expenses and
Not Getting n Cent.

Henry J. Allen of Wichita will not
be here for the guberuat0rial cam
paign- He may not return until late
next fall. Hundreds of requests that
he return 70 the state have been laid
aside In - flat. final statement 20
William Allen White of Emporla, Al
len declared he would stay in France
at his own eEpense-unt1l his work
is completed
In letter which the Emporia edi-
tor made public today. Allen set clear
any doubt concerning the TAT salary
and elastic expense account connected
with his work White had written TO
Allen for a statement The letter 70
Allen was sent when a story was
launched from Topeka-to boost an
opposition caudtdate-that Allen on
his present trip was receiving his ex-
Dssnses. The story was distorted until
1t sounded like - fat salary with a rett-
nue. Of maids ard servants by the time
it reached Pottawatomie county. But
every dollar of expense connected win
the present trip-and the expense will
amount TO several thousand dollars
is being paid from Aliens own person
al bank account
Since Allen went to Europe the orig
inaI work planned for him has been
enlarged until today the Wichita edi-
tor is one of the busiest men con-
nected with the big mercy program
If France. Not only IS Allen giving
his money, but also his time and ener-
gies with his only reward in the
knowledge that he IS doing something
in the big war.
The letter to William Allen White
sent from Paris under date Of April
10. lays away two things in the pres
ent campaign First. Allen is not COM
ing home until next fall Second he is
paying every dollar of the expense OF
his present trip.
Th.a
Aliens letter may answer a bunch
of argument in the campaign It
might be well to cut it out and wait
for the arrival of the next campaign
agent In his letter Allen said:
Dear VIII; Upon my return from. the
general headquarters this morning I found
your letter OF the 18th OF March
The statement concerning my expenses
IL very simple. l am paying all OF them.
lot only those which accrue while in
Paris, but those aecrutng while l am
expensive fashion. seeking to establish
the work they have given TO DO
Within the last few days they have added
tu the home communications service of
which I am in charge, the entire manage
meut OF hospital activities, far as the
Red Cross Is concerned This places I'M
der my charge Il personnel which in time
will become several hundred representa-
tves in every military hospital in France
in which there are American soldiers. 1t
also involves the building OF recreation
huts along the line of that wonderful
Grille at RoueR the night the English
Tommies were putting on the musical en-
tertainmenr- There are now under my
bureau. which has thus developed into
" hat we call Il section, the activities of
home communication the search for miss
ing and prisoners. the care of the wounded.
the supervision of Red Cross cha plains.
the supplying OF hospitals with all the
Red Cross has to give, the furnishing of
recreation huts, the photOgraphing of
graves and the supervision of the care of
the graveyards. It most effectively kills
any ambition 1 may have TO come home
before late in the fall
From my viewpoint over here of course
1 cannot see why any American should
object to my being over here and doing
this work. I have complaint TO make,
however. and [ now realize that the sat
igfacrion 1 get out of it in the comfort that
l am giving service will be worth more
than the several thousand dollars it will
cost me, if a man might measure Il cost
like this in terms OF dollars and cents
1t is fine of you to write to me so fire.
ouenty as you do. Don't let the fellows
get it into their heads that my presence is
necessary IN the campaign
Affecuonately yours.