The President's Cheap Suit
A London newspaper's interview with an American consul recounts a jokey exchange with President Roosevelt about the price of their summer suits — a light bit of transatlantic celebrity gossip reprinted for American readers.
NewsPipe summary
Fergus County Argus · August 29, 1905 · Page 2
1 min readThe interviewer found this week's celebrity, Robert J. Wynne, quite at home in the American Consulate-General in the city. The "business manager of America in London" had carried the freedom of the great republic into the region of black coats and silk hats, and on a sweltering summer day frankly wore a light suit of Holland, reminiscent of the Dutch republic that gave the earlier name—New Amsterdam—to New York. "In America we dress according to the weather," said Mr. Wynne. "I guess you English dress according to the fashion."
Mr. Wynne dresses in good company. He looked down at his cool suit with a smile of reminiscence. "The last time I saw President Roosevelt I wore these same clothes.
"It was at the White House, at Washington, and, of course, the suit was a little free and easy for an official visit. So I apologized. 'Mr. President,' I said, 'I must make my excuses for appearing before such a great person as yourself, and on such an important occasion, in an outfit that cost $6.' The president stared at me and then seized my arm. 'How much did you say?' he asked. 'Six dollars, Mr. President.'
"He burst out laughing. 'Well, I have beaten you,' he cried. 'I am nearer to the people than you are. This suit of mine cost me only $4.'"—London Chronicle.
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