Evening star., 1935-09-27
KENTUCKY REBUFF:
GIVEN ROOSEVELT.
by STATE LEADERS
Laffoon and Rhea Snub
Invitation to Conference
Aboard Presidents Train.
WHITE HOUSE BARRIERS
SCORED IN TELEGRAM
Mcintyre Fails to Explain Error
Responsible for Not Asking
Governor to Farley.
BY the Associated Press.

LOUISVILLE, KY. September 81
President Roosevelt's gesture toward
reconciling factional differences among
Kentucky Democrats on the eve Of the
State gubernatorial election net with
a setback today.
Thomas S. Rhea of Russellville, de-
feated by Lieut.. Gov. A. B. Happy
Chandler for the nomination as Gov
ernor in the Democratic run-off pri-
mary. declined to meet the President
today aboard his special train at Gin
cinnati.
In a sharply worded reply to an
invitation from NJ. H. Mcintyre, the
Presidents secretary. for a confer
ence with the President, Gov. Laffoon
and Chandler, Rhea said:
Text of Telegram.
Il am very much grieved not to be
able to comply with any request OF
the President. However, in declining
this invitation feel justified by rea-
son of the fact because OF representa-
ton made to the White House by one
Robert w Bingham. you (Mc1ntyre)
and others concerning the situation
i Kentucky and my friendship and
that of Gov. Laffoon for the Presi-
dent the doors of the White House
have been closed to me and my friends
for the past several months.
And this Notwithstanding both yo1
and Postmaster General Farley knew
and Mr.. Farley has publicly stated 1t
was through my work and influence
Kentucky instructed for the President
in his race for the Democratic nom
ination in 1882. 1t is also conceded
by all vell-informed people that he
could not have been nominated at
the Chicago convention without TIE
vote of Kentucky. 1t is not my desus
to break down or lower the barriers
thus raised against me at the White
House, but I assure you there is no
individual or group Of persons.
whether Democrats or chronic boilers
(such as your Kentucky contingenO
can swerve me from my love of ard
devotion to the principles Of the
Democratic party"
MY loyalty is attested BY oting
the straight Democratic ticket at each
election for 40 consecutive years."
Rhea added
Gov. Laffoon Declines.
Chandler accepted the Presidents
invitation to the conference. but Gov.
Laffoon. who supported Rhea in the
primary, declined
In charging that barriers" had
been raised against him at the White
House, Rhea referred to Robert w.
Bingham, Ambassador to England and
publisher of the Louisville Times and
the Courier Journal.
Resentment was voiced yesterday
by Gov. Laffoon when he received a
telegram from the White House in
viting Chandler and Rhea to the con-
ference, but not the Governor. He
tersely replied that Chandler could
be reached at Louisville and Rhea at
Russellville 1t developed the word
you including the Governor in the
| invitation had been omitted from the
telegram through a transmission err
ror. Efforts of Mcintyre to patch up
the difficulty over the telephone were
unavailing The Governor was ada
mant that he would not go TO the con-
| ference.
Since Rhea's defeat Gov. Laffoon,
who is Democratic national commit
teeman from Kentucky. has reap
pointed Rhea to the politically power
full State Highway Commission.
Speeding Across Country.
The Roosevelt vacation special sped
across the Middle West today, bearing
the Chief Executive to four speaking
engagements, visit to the California
International Exposition at San Diego
and then 20-day fishing cruise back
through the Panama Canal.
During the trip the politically wise
look for announcements with bear
ing on the 1886 campaign. Also, the
President is ready for series Of
brief chats with political leaders as
the big special. carrying an unusually
large party of officials and aides,
flashes onward.
Heading across Ohio, Indiana and
Illinois today, President Roosevelt
journeys tonight into Nebraska, home
State of Senator Norris, veteran Re-
publican insurgent and friend of Mr..
Roosevelt. At Fremont, Nebr., to-
morrow the President talks to a gath
ering of farmers on regional radio
broadcast set-up. Observers look for
some remarks on the A. A. A.
Other speeches will follow at Boul-
der Canyon Dam, Los Angeles and
San Diego.
The entire White House secretarial
staff is aboard the train, as well as
Secretary Ickes and Harry L. Hop
kins. principals in the huge work.
relief undertaking. Ickes and Hop
kins will accompany the President
throughout the trip.
1t was slightly tired President who
boarded the train with Mrs. Roosevelt
(See ROOSEVELT Pare 2l