Letter from Timothy A. Smiddy to Patrick McGilligan (Dublin)
(M.P.) (Confidential) (Copy)

Sir:

Re: President Cosgrave's Visit to U.S.

I have the honour to inform you that about a week ago I wrote to Mr. Kevin Kelly, Secretary of the Irish Fellowship Club, Chicago, and Secretary to the Committee that is organizing the banquet for President Cosgrave on January 21st in Chicago, suggesting, if possible, that President Cosgrave would have available for his speech a hook-up of the wireless communications of the United States, which will enable him to speak from Coast to Coast. If this were effected it would be possible for him to reach about thirty millions of people. Since writing on this subject, Mr. Edward N. Hurley, former Chairman of the United States Shipping Board, and one of the most highly esteemed men in the U.S., lunched with me on Wednesday of this week. I discussed with him the possibility of getting control of the Radio Corporation for President Cosgrave's speech in Chicago. He told me that he thought that he could arrange this matter; and since I spoke to him on Wednesday he has been in communication with the Head of the Radio Corporation of America, as also Mr. Owen Young, the Chairman thereof. He approached the matter by asking them to give a price for this purpose. He further informed me that he himself and some Chicago friends will defray the expense thereof. I accepted his generous offer, as I realize the great importance and advantage of securing a monopoly of the radio in the United States for his speech.

Mr. Hurley has also been good enough to get in touch with Mr. Will Hayes, Head of the Moving Picture Organizations in this country, and asked him to give instructions that special care be given to the pictures taken of President Cosgrave and his party and that these pictures with suitable captions be exhibited in the various cinema theatres in America. Mr. Hayes has promised to comply with Mr. Hurley's request.

Delegates from Chicago and Philadelphia will meet the President on his arrival at Quarantine.

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Philadelphia are having struck a special gold medal, like that presented to George Washington in Philadelphia, to be given to President Cosgrave on the occasion of the banquet which the Friendly Sons will give on the 28th of January. With the medal will be a gold chain. This is a very signal honour. They have also arranged that the President and his party will visit Valley Forge (about fifty miles from Philadelphia), one of the historical scenes of George Washington's army. I shall arrange that the President will deliver a short appropriate speech for the occasion and lay a wreath on the monument erected in commemoration of General Washington and his army.

It has been arranged in Washington that he visit the House of Representatives, where he will appear on the floor and be given the privilege of addressing the Congressmen with a few words. This is an unusual privilege and has been granted only to a few distinguished visitors to this country, the last being the King of Belgium. I believe also the same privilege was given to Mr. Charles S. Parnell. Arrangements have also been made for him to appear on the floor of the Senate, but the Rules of the Senate preclude any one but a Senator to speak therein.

At the expense of fatiguing the President, I have also arranged, in addition to the official luncheons and dinners in Washington, that he will accept the hospitality of some influential and social people at informal suppers where he will meet some of the influential Statesmen of this country in an informal and friendly atmosphere.

I have just had a long distance call from the Commanding Officer of the famous 69th New York Regiment, asking for the privilege of having that Regiment reviewed by President Cosgrave. I have complied with his request and shall make the necessary arrangements when in New York next Monday.

It will interest you to know that Chicago has offered the services of a distinguished physician and a distinguished dentist for the trip, and I have formally appointed them as honorary physician and dentist to President Cosgrave and his party.

Mr. Michael J. Faherty and his Committee have had large posters printed of President Cosgrave and are displaying them in the most advantageous parts of down-town in Chicago.

I shall be disappointed if the President's tour will not be a grand triumphant march through the part of American territory he will visit.

The President and his party will leave Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon, January 29th, reaching Ottawa at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, January 30th. They will be the guest that day of the Governor-General at the Government House, and on Tuesday will be received and entertained by the Prime Minister. This arrangement has been made in consequence of the fact that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet will be occupied on Monday with the opening of Parliament and the debate on the King's address. They leave Ottawa at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31st, arriving in New York at 8:30 on Wednesday, the first of February.