PRESIDENT WILSONS TIPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17145, 26 April 1919, Page 2 (Supplement)

PRESIDENT WILSONS TIPS.

HEAVY DRAIN ON POCKET. HIS VISITS TO CONFERENCE. New York papers hen many interesting paragraphs concerning President Wilson expenditure of pocket-money on tips, etc., while on his visit to Europe. When the French President some years ago visited Russia he was empowered to beetow £4000 on the members of the Tsar 8 household; in Sweden the Royal retainers got £2000 among them from the head of the French Republic. There are no such funds for an American President abroad to fall back on. K is said that Mr. Wilson's trip cost him £400 in "douceurs" from Ids own pocket- He gave sums of 20 or 60 dollars to train and hotel attendant* and to palace officials. He bought souvenirs te many of them; when they came near enough to beg a photograph of himself bo delighted to have it suitably framed before presenting it. Many received golden cuff-links. _ . , In Rome there was a very direct' M** from one quarter. A properly-beribboned gentleman told the President in the courtliest form that it wsfl usual for the visiting head of a great nation to give 50.0W lire to the Fund for tie Poor. Mr. Wilson replied that it would have to comeout of his own pocket. • Friends of Mr. Wilson are sure thai he would rather travel Europe on a bicycle as he did years ago, than take a trip m state as President of the United States. As a matter of fsH, Mr. Wilson has made it clear thai he does not attend thePeace Conference as the head of the United States, but as Prime Minister.