CONSULAR AGENT OBJECTS
TO PENCIL WRITTEN NOTE.
Turns Down Clint Wilson, Who Was
Seeking Information, and
Gets Stinging Reply.
Clint Wilson's experience, with Charles D. Taylor, United Stated consular agent at Guaymas, Mexico, has not increased his respect for the consular service.
Mr. Wilson has several thousand dollars to invest. Some time ago he concluded to investigate the culture of the maguay plant, which is raised in Old Mexico and the extreme southern part of Arizona and New Mexico in the arid lands.
"Recently," said Mr. Wilson yesterday, "I was told that the maguay plant was being cultivated about Guaymas, Mex., and someone advised me to write to Consular Agent Taylor for full particulars."
He went on to say that he wrote hurriedly to Mr. Taylor on a piece of neat tablet paper, but wrote with a lead pencil. Yesterday he received the following reply from the consular agent:
"American Consular Agent, Guaymas, Mex., September 1, 1909.
Mr. Wilson -- Sir: Your pencil note of August 26 has had my notation. Judging from your use of a lead pencil, and the grade of paper you have selected, I imagine that the matter is of slight importance, therefore, I cannot give it the consideration which matters of importance would deserve. Would refer you to the publication, "Modern Mexico," published in New York City. Hurriedly, CHARLES D. TAYLOR, Consular Agent."
Later in the afternoon Mr. Wilson sought out the same tablet on which he had written his previous letter and penciled the following:
"Judging from the tone of your letter of September 1 you are unfit to represent an American citizen.
"Say, Taylor, the government pays for your paper, and, incidentally, I help pay your salary -- and for the paper, too. I had about concluded to lay your communication before our worthy president but will refrain from doing so until I hear from you again. I never knock unless I have to, but I am from Missouri and you'll have to show me.
"Will you kindly write on the subjects asked for in my last letter? And, say, don't let the quality of this paper or the lead pencil bother you or disturb your aesthetic equilibrium. It is the same kind of paper I used before and the same pencil -- only it has been sharpened. Don't let anything deter you from giving me a courteous reply.
"In closing, I wish to inform you that there are many good citizens of the United States who cannot afford monogram paper and a stenographer. But many of these good citizens have the coin and some of them have lots of it. Before going further in this matter I await a decent reply from you. I will not sign this "Hurriedly," as I am not in a hurry as you seem to have been. Respectfully, CLINT WILSON."
Mr. Wilson said he intended to place his money in the hands of the consular agent for investment, as the country's representative there.
Until a year ago Mr. Wilson was manager of the Majestic theater.
