Taft and Roosevelt : the intimate letters of Archie Butt

Front matter

© Harris 4 Ewing

MAJOR ARCHIBALD WILLINGHAM BUTT “ After I heard that part of the ship's company had gone down," said President Taft after the sinking of the Titanic., “/ gave up hope for the rescue of Major Butt. I knew that he would remain until every duty had been performed and every sacrifice made."

TAFT

Contents

VOLUME ONE

PAGE

Introduction vii

Introduction

WHEN the steamship Titanic sank in the Atlantic on the night of April 14,1912, one of the brave men who stayed on her deck watching the lifeboats carry women and children to safety, was Archibald Willingham Butt, major in the United States Army, military aide at the White House since 1908, and friend of two Presidents, Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.

“ After I heard that part of the ship’s company had gone down,” said President Taft, “ I gave up hope for the rescue of Major Butt, unless by accident. I knew that he would certainly remain on the ship’s deck until every duty had been performed and every sacrifice made that properly fell on one charged, as he would feel himself charged, with responsibility for the rescue of others.”

Archie Butt, as he was popularly known the country over, wrote letters home, first to his mother and then to his sister-in-law, almost every day while he was the aide and constant companion of Presidents Roosevelt and Taft. His letters of the Roosevelt period were published in 1924. In the further letters now opened to the public he tells the story of the Taft administration as he saw it — the political problems and social life of the White House, the important happenings as well as the less important gossip of the national capital, and, most striking of all, the grad¬ ual development of the historic Taft-Roosevelt contro¬ versy.

Of that controversy the country has heard explanations without number. Partisan versions of its causes and results

have filled columns in the newspapers and pages in many

• •

Vll yin

INTRODUCTION books. The narrative of Major Butt, including as it does a wealth of incidents and anecdotes hitherto unreported, cannot fail to illuminate a discussion which has held so much interest for two generations.

Lawrence F. Abbott, in his introduction to the volume of earlier letters, wrote of Archie Butt:

“He is gossipy without being trifling; truthful without being bitter; and indulges in humor without infringing upon good taste.”

Concerning the unpublished letters, now presented, Mr. Abbott said: “One of the striking manifestations of the fine grain of Captain Butt’s nature is that he was able to serve two such divergent masters without sacrificing any of his absorbing admiration for the first or of his sincere personal attachment to the second. He saw both men in an official and personal relationship of unique intimacy. The two Presidents whom he served were totally different in temperament. They approached life from different angles. Their qualities were complementary. President Roosevelt was quick, active, decisive; President Taft was deliberate. President Roosevelt believed, as he himself once said, that aggressive fighting for the right is the noblest sport that the world affords ; pugnacity of any kind was distasteful to President Taft. President Roosevelt was born with the temperament of an advocate; President Taft with the temperament of a judge.

“Toward the close of President Taft’s administration, when Roosevelt and Taft came into political conflict that developed into a bitter struggle, Captain Butt found him¬ self in a difficult position. His personal devotion to Roose¬ velt had not in the least waned. He felt himself drawn, as so many others have been, to his first chief by a spiritual affinity, if I may use that term, which time, distance, and admitted mistakes or defects could not destroy. But the engaging personality of his second chief had also enlisted

INTRODUCTION

IX his affection. Moreover, he had that high sense of honor which we like to think, and rightly think, is characteristic of the best type of military officer.

“Here was a dilemma. How could he preserve his sense of loyalty to both friends without taking sides with either? His unpublished letters, without directly referring to the struggle which was going on in his own mind, without comparing the two men, without disparagement of either, without expressing a judgment as to the rights or the wrongs of the conflict, indicate clearly by implication that he found the situation a very harassing one. This was not because anyone or either side asked him to declare himself. Indeed, there was no official reason why he should have declared himself, for his position was not a political one, nor did it involve any political duties or responsibilities. But apparently he felt that his own spiritual self-respect would sooner or later call for a decision, even if a private one. He felt, it would seem, that he must either throw himself with whole-hearted sympathy on the side of Mr. Taft, thus breaking with the Roosevelt family, which had entwined itself with the deepest and most intimate feelings of his life; or he must resign his position as presidential aide, in connection with which he had very high ideals and which he regarded as a place of public trust.

“To the casual reader who looks upon the position of a military aide as that of a mere social functionary this may all seem very grandiloquent, but Archie Butt was much more than a social functionary. He was a simple, straight¬ forward, honorable gentleman, and a psychological prob¬ lem such as he was facing is much more profound and perplexing to a simple and straightforward soul than to the shrewd and calculating man of affairs. Whether my analysis is correct or not, it is a fact that in the spring of 1912 Archie Butt’s superb physical health began to show signs of deterioration. He suffered from depression and

X

INTRODUCTION fatigue, which the kindly eye of President Taft observed, and at the suggestion of the President he planned a trip to Europe for recuperation.”

After a month in Europe, Major Butt sailed homeward on his last voyage aboard the Titanic.

Born in Augusta, Georgia, on September 26, 1865, Archie Butt was graduated in 1888 from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. He was a reporter in Louisville, Kentucky, and Macon, Georgia; then cor¬ respondent in Washington for a group of Southern news¬ papers. After enlisting for the Spanish- American War, he became quartermaster captain of volunteers in 1900 and later received his commission in the regular army. Service in the Philippines and Cuba was followed by his appoint¬ ment as military aide at the White House. In that capacity he was a constant companion of Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Taft, both of whom bore witness afterward that he had won their friendship as well as their appreciation for ex¬ traordinary service.

Nearly all the letters he wrote in the Taft administration were addressed to his sister-in-law, “Dear Clara,” Mrs. Lewis F. Butt, of Augusta, Georgia, who authorizes this publication in accordance with his expressed wish that they be made public after a lapse of time.

A WHO’S WHO

OF PEOPLE MENTIONED BUT NOT FULLY DESCRIBED OR IDENTIFIED IN THE TEXT OF THE LETTERS.

Abruzzi, Duke of The: A member of the Royal House of Savoy whose at¬ tention to, and reported engagement with, Miss Katherine Elkins, daughter of Senator Elkins of West Virginia, was one of the social sen¬ sations of the day.

Adams, Maude: The well known actress.

Adee, Alvey Augustus: For many years Second Assistant Secretary of State. The “Elder Statesman” of the Department..

Ainsworth, Frederick Crayton: Army surgeon and for many years Adjutant General of the army. His clash with Leonard Wood, an army surgeon who was also transferred to the Line, was one of the most vex¬ atious incidents of the Administration.

Aldrich, Nelson Wilmarth: Long Senator from Rhode Island. High tariff apostle. Author of the Tariff bill which was given his name.

Aleshire, James Ruchanan: Popular army officer, Major General and Quartermaster General of the army during the Taft Administration.

Ames, Adelbert: A veteran of the Civil War. He played a prominent role in the Southern states during the Reconstruction period.

Anderson, Chandler: Counselor of the State Department under Knox. Since a distinguished international lawyer.

Anderson, Larz: Member of the diplomatic service for many years, Am¬ bassador to Japan in the Taft Administration.

Andrew, Piatt: Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, later member of Con¬ gress from Massachusetts.

Astor, Nancy Langhorne, Viscountess Astor: A daughter of Virginia who married the head of the English branch of the Astor family. Member of Parliament from Plymouth. Wit and politician.

Bacon, Augustus 0. : Senator from Georgia, a great constitutional lawyer. For many years leader of the Democrats in the Senate.

Bacon, Robert: A classmate of Roosevelt at Harvard, Assistant Secretary of State under Taft. Ambassador to France during the Roosevelt visit to Paris. On the staff of General Pershing during the Great War.

Bailey, Joseph Weldon: Senator from Texas. Widely known for his reluc¬ tance to wear evening clothes — which later he overcame.

Bakhmeteff, George: Ambassador from Russia to the United States. The last under the Imperial regime. His wife, a daughter of General Beale, the Pathfinder of California, was a social leader in Washington for many years.

Ballinger, Richard Achilles: Secretary of the Interior in the cabinet of Taft. The storm center of the struggle between the conservationists and the anti-conservationists which disrupted the Administration.

xi

XU

Bannard, Otto Tremont: Banker, lawyer. President of the New York Trust Company. Defeated candidate for Mayor of New York on the Republican ticket, 1909. Fellow of the Corporation of Yale University. Close friend and adviser of President Taft.

Barry, Thomas Henry: Major General U. S. Army. Veteran of the China Expedition and the Philippine campaigns. Close friend and adviser of President Taft in 1909, when he commanded the American forces during the Second Occupation of Cuba.

Bell, J. Franklin: Major General and Chief of Staff U. S. Army. An officer who did distinguished service in the Philippines.

Belmont, Mr. and Mrs. Perry: Social leaders. Mr. Belmont was a former minister to Spain and Congressman from New York City.

Benedict, E. C.: New York banker and broker. Intimate friend and frequent host of President Cleveland.

Bernstorff, Count Johann von: A German diplomat who came to Wash¬ ington as Ambassador in 1908. His role during the Great War is well known. He advised the German Emperor against submarine warfare and fell into disgrace. To-day one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Germany and representative of the Reich in the Council of the League of Nations.

Beveridge, Albert Jeremiah: Senator from Indiana, Progressive. One of the leaders of the Bull Moose campaign. Later the author of the Life of John Marshall.

Bigelow, John: Diplomat and historian. Minister to France during the Civil War. Adviser and executor of Samuel J. Tilden.

Blaine, Mrs. James G.: Widow of the former Secretary of State and Re¬ publican leader. Prominent figure in Washington society for many years after the death of her husband.

Blair, Gist: Son of Montgomery Blair, Postmaster General in the cabinet of Lincoln. Social figure in Washington and St. Louis.

Bliss, Tasker Howard: Army officer and authority on international law. Collector of Customs during the first American occupation of Cuba. Chief of Staff of the Army. American member of the Supreme War Council during the Great War. Member of the Commission to Negotiate Peace, by appointment of President Wilson, 1918.

Blythe, Samuel George: The well known correspondent and author.

Boardman, Miss Mabel: Formerly of Cleveland, an intimate of the Taft family. Distinguished socially and for Red Cross work.

Borah, William Edgar: Elected Senator from Idaho, 1907, and has remained in the Senate ever since. Famous campaign orator. Now chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Bourne, Jonathan, Jr.: Senator from Oregon. A prominent figure in the pre-convention struggle between Taft and Roosevelt.

Boutell, Henry Sherman: Member of Congress from Illinois and Minis¬ ter to Switzerland and Portugal. Adviser to President Taft in labor disputes.

Bradley, William O’Connell: Distinguished Senator from Kentucky.

Bragg, Braxton: General in the Confederate army.

xm

Brandegee, Frank Bosworth: Senator from Connecticut. Member of the Foreign Relations Committee and outstanding opponent of Wilson’s policies. He committed suicide as a result of unwise real estate specu¬ lations in Washington.

Bristow, Joseph Little: Senator from Kansas, 1909-1915. A leading dry of the earliest vintage.

Brown, Walter Folger: A lawyer from Ohio. Leader in the Bull Moose party. Assistant Secretary of Commerce under President Hoover.

Bryan, William Jennings: Democratic leader and perennial candidate for the Presidency.

Bryce, James: Ambassador from England in Washington many years. Author of The American Commonwealth.

Burton, Theodore Elijah: Long a leading member of Congress both in the House and the Senate. A strong advocate of the International Parlia¬ mentary Union and a representative of the United States Government at many conferences on arbitration and international peace. An advocate of the extension of national waterways.

Butt, Mrs. Lewis F. B.: Sister-in-law of the writer of the letters. The “Dear Clara” of the correspondence.

Cannon, Joseph G. : Member of Congress from Illinois from 1873 to 1917 with but one interval of two years. Speaker of the House, 1903-1911. Received sixty-eight votes for the Presidential nomination in the Republican Con¬ vention of 1908. A thorn in the side of both Roosevelt and Taft. His power in the party was deplored by both.

Carnegie, Andrew: The iron and steel manufacturer of Pittsburgh, later famous for his benefactions in many fields. At this period he furnished the ground and the funds for the construction of the famous Pan- American building.

Carpenter, Fred Warner: Went with Mr. Taft as secretary to the Philip¬ pines in 1901, and remained with him as private secretary until 1910, when he was appointed United States Minister to Morocco.

Carter, William Harding: Major General, U. S. Army. Famous for his campaigns against the Indians, for which he was awarded the Congres¬ sional Medal of Honor. A great horseman and a writer of many remark¬ able papers on army subjects.

Chaffee, Adna Romanza: Lieutenant General U. S. Army and Chief of Staff. He commanded the American contingent on the march to Peking during the Boxer War and a year later turned over the chief command in the Philippines to the first civil Governor, who was Mr. Taft.

Clark, Champ: Congressman from Missouri and Speaker of the House during the 62d, 63d, and 64th congresses. He had a small majority of the votes in the Democratic Convention for the Presidency in 1912 during several days’ balloting, but was ultimately defeated by Woodrow Wilson.

Clews, Henry: Famous Wall Street man, banker and broker. Mrs. Clews, who was a grandniece of President Madison, was a frequent visitor to Washington and an attractive figure in society.

xiv WHO’S WHO

Cockran, Bourke: Democratic politician and Congressman, famous for his eloquence. His marriage to Miss Anne Ide in 1910, the daughter of Henry Clay Ide, who had been so closely associated with Mr. Taft in the Philip¬ pines, brought him into close social contact with the Administration.

Comer, Braxton Bragg: Governor of Alabama and host of President Taft on several occasions. A farmer on a large scale in his home state; also the owner of famous orange groves in Florida.

Corbin, Henry: For many years Adjutant General of the army. He married one of the famous Patton sisters of Washington. Upon his retirement he was selected by President Taft for a European embassy but died before entering upon his duties.

Cowles, William Sheffield: Naval aide to President Roosevelt and married his sister. Retired as Rear Admiral.

Crane, Murray: Senator from Massachusetts during the Taft Adminis¬ tration. Influential member of the Republican National Committee for thirty years. A president maker.

Crosby, Herbert Ball: Major General U. S. Army and Chief of Cavalry by appointment of President Coolidge. After his retirement in 1930 he was appointed Commissioner in the District of Columbia by President Hoover.

Crozier, William: Brigadier General U. S. Army and Chief of Ordnance for many years. Inventor of many now recognized ordnance devices.

Dalzell, John: Congressman from Pittsburgh for thirty years. A stalwart standpatter. A silent member, most important in committee.

De Chambrun: Count and military attache of the French Embassy. His marriage with Miss Longworth, sister of the Congressman, brought him into close social relations with the Roosevelts and the Tafts. He was attached to the American Army upon our entrance into the war.

De Koven, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald: Mr. De Koven, a popular composer; his wife, an authoress. Prominent in Washington throughout the Taft Administration.

De La Barra: Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mexico at the end of the Diaz regime and provisional President of Mexico awaiting the election which brought in the ill-fated Madero Administration.

Depew, Chauncey: The celebrated raconteur and after-dinner speaker. Also famous lobbyist. Senator from New York, 1899-1911. Frequently a candidate in the Republican National conventions for the Presidency.

Dimock, Mrs. Susan: A famous Washington hostess. Sister of William C. Whitney, Secretary of the Navy under Cleveland.

Dwight, John W.: Congressman from New York. Prominent figure in the Aldrich-Tawney tariff fight.

Edwards, Clarence: Major General, U. S. Army. Aide to General Lawton when the latter was killed in battle near Manila. For many years Chief of the Insular Bureau which brought him into close contact with Taft both as Secretary of War and President. In World War he commanded the 26th (“Yankee”) Division.

xv

Eliot, Charles William: The famous educator. President of Harvard Uni¬ versity and publicist. Declined the ofler of the embassy in London when made by Taft, the Yale President.

Elkins, Miss Katherine: Daughter of Senator Stephen Elkins of West Virginia. The attention to her of the Duke of the Abruzzi, of the Royal House of Savoy, was the outstanding international romance of the period. Later married to the son of Congressman Hitt of Indiana.

Emory, Miss: Daughter of Rear Admiral William H. Emory, U. S. Navy, widely known as “the Swell of the Ocean.” Married Mr. Ovey of the British Embassy.

Fairbanks, Charles Warren: Long in the Senate from Indiana. Vice Presi¬ dent during the Roosevelt Administration.

Fitzgerald, John J.: Congressman from Brooklyn district. When Demo¬ crats secured control of House, became chairman of the influential Com¬ mittee on Appropriations.

Foraker, Joseph B.: Senator from Ohio. Nominated McKinley for the Presidency. Forceful opponent of Roosevelt and Taft in Ohio and in national politics.

Frick, Henry Clay: Manufacturer of steel, and coke magnate. An associate of Andrew Carnegie. Shot by a striker in the famous Homestead riots. A famous collector of paintings.

Fuller, Melville W.: Made Chief Justice of the United States in 1888 by President Cleveland. A Democrat, he had been active for some years in politics. In the Democratic National Convention of 1876 he made the nominating speech of Thomas A. Hendricks for the Presidency.

Fushimi, Prince and Princess: Prominent members of the Imperial Family of Japan.

Gardner, Augustus Peabody: Congressman from Massachusetts. Married Constance, daughter of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. Resigned to enter the army. Died in training camp on the eve of departure for France.

Garfield, James R.: Son of the twentieth President. Secretary of the In¬ terior under Roosevelt. An ardent “Bull Mooser.” Failure to retain him in his cabinet was one of Roosevelt’s grievances against Taft.

Gary, Elbert H.: Lawyer. Chairman of the U. S. Steel Corporation. Inti¬ mately connected with the Trust battles throughout the terms of Roose¬ velt and Taft.

Gerry, Peter Goelet: Congressman and later Senator from Rhode Island. He married Mathilde Townsend, daughter of Mrs. Richard Townsend. Mother and daughter figure prominently in the Letters. The Peter Goelets were divorced in 1928.

Gibbons, Cardinal James: Archbishop of Baltimore. Primate of the Roman Catholic Church in America until his death. A close friend of Mr. Taft.

Gibson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dana: The famous illustrator and his wife, Irene Gibson, the original “Gibson girl,” and sister of Lady Astor.

XVI

Glover, Charles Carroll: President of Riggs National Bank. Long social, political, and financial figure in Washington. Father of the Washington Park System. A close friend of President Taft.

Goethals, George W.: Famous army engineer. Chief engineer of Panama Canal. First Civil Governor of the Panama Canal Zone.

Gomez, General Jose Miguel: Leader in the Revolution against Spain. Second President of the Cuban Republic.

Gore, Thomas Pryor: The Blind Senator from Oklahoma.

Grant, Robert: Massachusetts judge. Overseer of Harvard University. Writer of fiction and social studies. Popular figure in Boston.

Griscom, Lloyd C. : Minister to Japan under Roosevelt. Later United States Ambassador to Italy. He figured largely in the Roosevelt-Taft contro¬ versy.

Hadley, Arthur Twining: President of Yale University many years. Expert on railway transportation. An intimate of President Taft.

Hadley, Herbert S.: Governor of Missouri. Ardent friend of Theodore Roosevelt. Successful prosecutor of the Standard Oil and Harvester Trust cases.

Hagner, Belle: Daughter of Washington physician. Social secretary [to Mrs. Roosevelt.

Hale, Chandler: Assistant Secretary of State. Married Rachel, daughter of Senator Don Cameron of Pa.

Hale, Eugene: Father of above. Senator from Maine many years. Chairman Naval Committee. Bitter opponent of President McKinley’s policy of intervention in Cuba.

Hammond, John Hays: Mining engineer. Man of great wealth and world¬ wide business interests. Carried out many special diplomatic missions for President Taft. Served as special ambassador from the United States at the Coronation of King George V of England.

Hanna, Marcus A.: Senator from Ohio. President Maker. Warm friend of President McKinley. Warm enemy of Roosevelt. Father of Ruth Hanna McCormick, widow of Senator Medill McCormick.

Harding, Warren G.: Editor. Defeated by Governor Harmon in the guber¬ natorial campaign in Ohio in 1910. Elected to the Senate in 1915. Elected President in 1920.

Harmon, Judson: Attorney General in Cleveland’s Cabinet. Governor of Ohio. Prominent candidate for Presidential nomination in several Demo¬ cratic national conventions.

Harriman, E. H.: Railway magnate to whom Roosevelt wrote his “We are practical men” letter. His mergers formed the storm center of railway legislation during the Roosevelt and Taft administrations.

Harriman, Florence Jaffray: Wife of J. Borden Harriman, New York broker. Social leader and political worker.

Harrison, Benjamin: President, 1888-1892. Defeated for reelection by Cleveland. Tariff dissensions figured in the battle much as in Taft’s de¬ feat in 1912.

XYll

Harrison, Francis Burton: Congressman from New York City many terms. Member of Ways and Means Committee. Governor General of the Philippines for eight years under President Wilson.

Harvey, George: Editor of Harper's Weekly. Democrat, hut left the party owing to differences with President Wilson. United States Ambassador to Great Britain by appointment of Harding.

Hay, James: Many years congressman from Virginia. Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs at the outbreak of the Great War.

Hedges, Job Elmer: Secretary to Mayor Strong of New York. Prominent lawyer and politician.

Hemphill, James C.: Many years editor of the Charleston News and Courier. Influential Democratic editor in the South.

Hengelmuller, Baron and Baroness: Long presided over the Austro- Hungarian Embassy in Washington. Social figures.

Hill, David Jayne: Diplomat and educator. President of the University of Rochester. American representative in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Hill, James J.: Builder of the Great Northern Railway system. A man of many interests and great influence in the Northwest. Opponent of the Roosevelt railway policies.

Hill, John Wesley: Chaplain of the Republican National Convention, 1908. Ardent Republican. Lecturer in favor of International Peace.

Hilles, Charles Dewey: Chairman of the Republican National Committee, 1912-1916. Influential in New York politics.

Hitchcock, Frank H.: Postmaster General in the Taft cabinet. Manager of the Taft campaign, 1908. Shepherd of Negro delegates from the Southern states.

Hitchcock, Gilbert M.: Editor. Senator from Nebraska. Author of the Hitchcock reservations to the Covenant of the League of Nations which Wilson supported.

Hobson, Richmond P.: Naval officer. Hero of the Merrimac episode during the Spanish War. Member of Congress, 1907-1915. Lecturer in favor of Prohibition and World Peace.

Holmes, Oliver Wendell: Son of the distinguished writer. Appointed to the Supreme Court by Roosevelt in 1902. Since then a prominent, figure in Washington.

Holt, Miss Winifred: Sculptress. Founded the Lighthouse and other work¬ shops for the blind. Famous for work among the blind of the Great War.

Hoover, Isaac, better known as “Uncle Ike”: Chief usher at the White House since time immemorial. The remembrancer of many adminis¬ trations.

Howell, Clark: Editor of the Atlanta Constitution. Successor to the talented Henry M. Grady. Member of the Democratic National Committee.

Hoyt, Henry M.: Solicitor General under Taft. Father of Eleanor Hoyt Wylie, the talented writer.

Hughes, Charles Evans: Jurist statesman. Investigator of life insurance conditions. Governor of New York, 1906. Would have received Rexvm publican presidential nomination in 1908 had he endorsed the Roosevelt policies. Narrowly defeated by Wilson in 1916. Secretary of State under Harding. Successor of Taft as Chief Justice by appointment of President Hoover.

Ireland, John: Archbishop of St. Paul. Prominent in the “Dear Maria” correspondence between President Roosevelt and Mrs. Storer. Prominent in the Americanism movement within the Roman Catholic Church.

Jackson, Mrs. Stonewall: Widow of the great Confederate General. Hostess of the Taft party in Charlotte, N. C.

Jusserand, Jules: French Ambassador in Washington for twenty years. As in duty bound, he attempted to be on good terms with both Roosevelt and Taft after the break. Able representative of France during Great War.

Keep, Mrs. Florence: Sister of Miss Mabel Boardman. One of the famous Washington hostesses of the period.

Kellogg, Frank Billings: Counsel for the United States in Standard Oil cases and Harriman Railway mergers. Senator from Minnesota. Am¬ bassador to England and Secretary of State under Coolidge. Co-author of the Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact.

Kern, John Worth: Democratic Senator from Indiana. Nominee for Vice- President on the Democratic Ticket in 1908. Long Democratic floor leader in the Senate.

Knox, Philander Chase: Attorney General in the cabinets of McKinley and Roosevelt. Senator from Pennsylvania. Resigned to become Secretary of State under Taft. Frequent Presidential candidate. Profound lawyer. Opponent of Wilson on League of Nations question.

Kohlsaat, H. H.: Merchant and editor of Chicago papers. The friend and intimate of Presidents from Hayes to Coolidge.

La Follette, Robert Marion: Senator from Wisconsin. Prominent in railway rate legislation. Frequent candidate for the Presidency. Nomi¬ nated and polled a large Third Party vote in 1924.

Lamar, Joseph Rucker: Federal judge in the South by appointment of President Taft.

Lawrence, William: Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Massachusetts. Close friend of President Taft.

Leiter, Mrs. Mary Carver: Wife of Levi Leiter, Chicago merchant. Mother of Lady Curzon, wife of the English statesman and of Joseph Leiter of Chicago wheat-corner fame. Her home on Dupont Circle is a social center.

Leslie, Shane: Irish poet and writer who married a daughter of Governor General Ide of the Philippines.

Lewis, Alfred Henry: Author of Western stories who in this period became a widely read Washington Correspondent.

Li, Lord: Son of the celebrated Li Hung Chang. Chinese diplomat who repre¬ sented his country on many missions in the days of the Manchus.

xix

Littauer, L. N.: Congressman from New York. Glove manufacturer. Inter¬ ested and prominent in tariff matters.

Littleton, Martin W. : Congressman from New York. Made the nominating speech for Alton B. Parker in the Democratic National Convention, 1904.

Lodge, Henry Cabot: Long Senator from Massachusetts. Intimate of Theodore Roosevelt. He remained “regular” when the split between Taft and Roosevelt came. In the opinion of President Wilson, his reservations defeated the purpose of the Covenant of the League of Nations.

Lodge, Mrs. H. Cabot: Daughter of Admiral Davis. A woman of rare in¬ telligence and great social and political influence in Washington when she chose to exert it.

Loeb, William, Jr.: Secretary to Roosevelt for many years. Collector of the Port of New York during the Taft Administration.

Longworth, Nicholas: Representative from Ohio. Husband of Alice, daughter of President Roosevelt by his first marriage. Later Speaker of House.

Lorimer, William: Member of Congress from Illinois. Elected to the Senate in 1909. His election was invalidated by vote of the Senate because of alleged corrupt practices.

Low, Seth: Educator. President of Columbia College, New York, 1889. Reformer. Republican. Mayor of New York, 1907.

Lurton, Horace Harmon: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Intimate friend of President Taft.

Lyon, Cecil: A wealthy lumberman from Texas. Leader of the Republican party in that state.

McCauley, Charles: Colonel in Marine Corps. Prominent socially. Co¬ tillion leader.

McClellan, George B.: Son of “little Mac.” Civil War leader. Newspaper man. Member of Congress and Mayor of New York. Professor of Eco¬ nomic History at Princeton University, 1912,

McCumber, Porter James: Republican Senator from North Dakota. Prominent in tariff legislation. Advocate of the League of Nations. Voted for it in all the forms in which it was presented to the Senate.

McKim, Randolph: Protestant clergyman. Rector of the Church of the Epiphany, Washington. Veteran of the Confederate army. Friend of President Taft. Biographer of his old commander, General Robert E. Lee.

McKinley, William B.: No relation to the Ohio President. Congressman and Senator from Ill. High tariff man and standpatter.

McLean, Edward: Son of John McLean, owner of the Washington Post. A lavish but not discriminating host of the period. He was involved in an unfortunate way in the Fall-Doheny oil cases.

MacVeagh, Franklin: Wealthy merchant of Chicago. Secretary of the Treasury in President Taft’s cabinet.

MacVeagh, Wayne: Brother of the foregoing. Attorney General in the cabinet of Garfield. United States Ambassador to Italy. Famous inter¬ national lawyer.

XX

Mann, James R.: Member of Congress from Illinois for many years. Re¬ publican leader of the House. Prominent in tariff debates.

Meyeb, George von Lengerke : Ambassador to Russia. Postmaster General under Roosevelt. Secretary of the Navy under Taft.

Miles, Nelson A.: Lieutenant General U. S. Army. Veteran of the Civil, Indian, and Spanish wars. Prominent figure in Washington during many administrations.

Millet, Frank: War correspondent and painter. Intimate friend of Major Butt. Popular figure in the inner Taft circle. He was a fellow passenger with Major Butt on the Tiianic and was lost with him.