New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-17
Speech
Ut Acceptance
Fully Drafted
After Four Days Work on
Document Senator Turns
Attention to Outcome of
Cox Wilson Interview
Tries to Pacify Legion
Sends Soft Answer to
Sharp St. Louis Note;
Mere Progressive Pledges
From q STAFF Correspondent


MARION, Ohio, July Ex-senator
warren G. Harding completed TODAY
the first draft of his speech of accept
ance, which is to be delivered here on
july Y. During the last four days the
senator has worked steadily at this
hrst formal campaign utterance. Now
ne is looking forward with interest to
White House announcements that NAV
follow the interview between President
Wilson and Governor Cox.
Inc Republican nominee found time
to-day to send a soft answer TO the
wrathy message from the American
Legion Memorial Committee at ST.
Louis, which yesterday withdrew an in
vltatlon to speak which the Senator
had already declined. This replv. ad-
dressed to DR.. L. H. Renfrew, chairman
OF the memorial committee, said:
Il am genuinely pleased that no dis
appointment attending my necessary
course will in any way alter or hinder
your plans. | am not only genuinely
sorry that | cannot have the great sat.
ls1actlon OF joining ir your tribute. but
wish you successful program which
VIII meet the highest aspirations Of ali
the American Legion, and give full
expression Of St. Louis affection and
regard Tor American defenders"
Incident Distresses Him
Senator Harding was sincerely dis
tressed because he had to decline the
invitation to speak at St. Louis. At
Wheeling, W. Va, while he was motor
ing from Washington to Marion. he
told an American Legioner who greeted
him IN hotel lobby that he was plan
nlng to make speech at St. Louis il
possible.
Later some of the Senator's advisers
reminded him that it might be consid-
cred discourteous to Governor COOLIDGE
II he made speech between the de-
l1verance OF his own speech of accept
ance and that of his running mate.
For that reason the Senator decided
not to accept the st. Louis invitation.
Former Progressives in all parts of
the country continue to send their
pledges of support to Senator Harding.
Among those received to-day was one
from Paul A. Ewert, of Joplin, Mo.
who in 1912 was the head of the Pro
gressive movement in the southwestern
part of his state.
II am heart and soul for the ticket
as nominated" wrote Ewert: 81 was
inclined to be Johnson man, but under
the circumstances think the party did
we'll in going outside of the field of
prejudice and nominating Harding and
Coolidge. They shall have my full sup
port"
A telegram was received from Frank
7. Ellison, of Rochester, which read:
cat a meeting Of the representative
body of former Progressives it was re-
solved that the best interests of the
United States demand the whole
hearted support of the Republican
Presidential and presidential can
didates."
Additional Evidence of Harmony
Senator Harding, replying to the Eli
my grateful appreciation of your assur-
ing message, which is but additional
evidence that the Republican party
this year is united in a great purpose
of rescuing this country from its pres
ent deplorable condition, insuring the
return to stable peace basis and the
establishment of a thoroughly Ameri-
can policy that thinks Of our own peo-
Pile first. My cordial good wishes to
each of your members"
Another pledge of support came from
Allen B. Jaynes and Albert NJ. Sames,
Republican National Committeeman
and Republican state chairman. re-
spectively of the State of Arizona. In
be a great satisfaction to me next No
vember to see your state in the Repub-
lican column. A united party and
united effort should insure this result Z"