Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/108

96 all that has heen done by the chairman, and to request that you co-operate with the committee in the plan adopted for accomplishing this historical and patriotic work.

As you are aware, the "Cabin John Bridge" resolution was passed at the C. S. M. A. Convention held in Richmond, Va., June 1, 1907, and all Confederate Associations were invited to unite with the C. S. M. A. in its effort to accomplish this object. The Chair was authorized to appoint a committee, which was done, and I enclose a list, although I think this was done when I appointed you. Letters were received from General Stephen D. Lee, from Mrs. Lizzie George Henderson, Mr. John W. Apperson, Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. C. V., and from other members of the committee, heartily endorsing the movement. At the expiration of Mrs. Henderson's term of office she resigned from the committee, and you were named by me as her successor. I wish to thank you again for your beautiful letter of acceptance. The Commander-in-Chief of the United Confederate Veterans' organization who succeeded the lamented General Lee has written me a strong patriotic letter, promising to co-operate with the committee.

The first step taken by me as chairman was to place the resolution in the hands of a very influential member of Congress from Louisiana, the Hon. Adolph Meyer. This was done during the month of June, 1907, and Mr. Meyer wrote me that he had had several very satisfactory conferences with Hon. W. H. Taft, at that time Secretary of War, and that he felt confident of success. It was deemed advisable, however, by Mr. Meyer and General Lee not to press the matter, but to bide our time in patience until after the presidential campaign was finished. A few months later Mr. Meyer died, and I immediately requested Hon. Murphy J. Foster, United States Senator from this State, to take up the matter where Mr. Meyer had left off. A very satisfactory letter was received from Mr. Foster, saying that he had made arrangements to have the subject presented to Hon. W. H. Taft, but he, too, advised patience. I wrote a personal letter to Hon. W. H. Taft and received a reply from his acting private secretary, advising me that Mr. Taft was absent, but that my letter would be referred to him on his return from the Philippines.