The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-13
WILSON DENIES
DISAGREEMENT
WITH HITCHCOCK
Democrats in Snarl at
Change of Leaders in
League Fight.
DENIALS POURING IN
''NO Friction or Ill Feeling
of Any Kind" Says
Senator.
TUMULTY LOSING GRIP /?
Secretary Not Nearly So Close
to President as Formerly.
/. Is Report.
TUMULTY LOSING GRIP?
Special Despatch to The suS.

wAsHINoroN, July 1.-THE deposing
OF Senator Hitchcock (Neb.) as leader
OF the Administration forces in the
Senate fighting for the League Of Ma
tions and publication of this fact to-
day caused a small cyclone in the
issued all over Washington. but not
one denied essential facts.
Joseph p. Tumulty, the Presidents
secretary, although not in the city,
caused a statement to be issued over
his. signature to the effect that the
reports "of disagreement between
President Wilson and Senator Hitch
cock are without the slightest found
alton" No disagreement" between
these defenders OF the league was al
legged.
Senator Swanson (Va), who will
make the opening defense of the
league in the Senate when IT recon-
venes Monday and who will lead tho
fight there In Senator Hitchcock's
place. at least until the return OF Sen
ator Martin tVa). the real Demo-
cratic leader who is Ill ut present, also
issued n denial OF the published re-
ports. He said, This Is entirely
mistake" and then added a number
Of pats on the back for Senator Hitch
cocks conduct of the league fight
heretofore. He asserted that Senator
Hitchcock would remain in charge Of
the feague fight. -.-.
From the once of senator Hitchcock
a statement was issued which WIS not
In any sense a denial OF the reported
snubbing OF the Senator by the Presi-
dent on Thursday, which was witnessed
by a number OF persons. nor OF any
other part o. the stories appearing in
this mornings newsl apera II merely
told where Senator Hitchcock is now,
when he will return. that lie his not
! rellnqulshed his interest In the league
and that he has worked very hard for
| It hitherto.
| Mr.. Tumulty In his denial was at
pains to call the important conference
with the President at the Capitol on
! Thursday an informal meeting and 10
point out that Senator Hitchcock was
present 1t is true that the Nebraska
Senator was there for a few minutes.
! The real conference was with Seua-
tors Swanson. Phelan (Cal), Williams
! (Miss,) and Pittman (Nev).
II was regarded as significant here
that the White House denill Of the
friction between the President and
Senator Hitchcock was issued by Mr.
Tumulty. who Is at Deal. y. j., while
, the President. in Washington, said
nothing. For the last two and halt
years the rumor has persisted that Mr..
, Tumulty Is not nearly 20 close TO Mr
Wilson as he was in the early days
OF the Administration, when Senator
| Hughes (N. j. was alive. The FIRST
unmstakable sign OF this was seen here
following the Presidents reelection, il
1915.
The latest evidence Of this fact was
seen on Wednesday, when Mr.. Tumuty
assured some Of his friends that the Pres
ident's speech 10 the Senate would fully
explain and meet every argument
against the League OF Nations. which
was not borne out when the President
spoke Thursday. II caused a great deal
of comment when Mr., Tumulty failed &c
accompany the President abroad or
either OF his trips.
Another sample OF this lack of llaisor
between the President and his secretary
concerned the question Of prohibition
Mr.. Tumulty giving the clear Impression
that the President would put an end tC
the war time dry act. Almost as soon a:
the President reached Washington, how
ever, he let II be known that he intended
to do nothing with that end In view un
N the peace treaty Is ratified in som'
, form.
SwAMPsCoTr, Mass. July l2.-Denia
Of any misunderstanding with Presl
dent Wilson was made to-day by Sena
tor Hitchcock (Nebrask At his sum
mer home here the Senator said h.
wished TO deny "as emphatically as pos
slble" reports OF disagreement with tn
Presldent.
There Is absolutely no friction or III
feeling OF any kind between the Presi
dent and myself" he declared. Senate
Hitchcock said he would be here 10
the week end, returning TO Washingto,
Monday morning In time to attend tn
meeting of the Committee on Foreig
. Relations.
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