Why did Booker consent to go for a trip to Europe?

Booker consented because his friends forced him into going to Europe.

In nineteen years of continuous work I have taken but one vacation. That was two years ago, when some of my friends put the money into my hands and forced Mrs. Washington and myself to spend three months in Europe.

Mr. Booker T. Washington was a very hardworking and sincere man.In his stint of 19 years of dedicated and continous work at the Tuskegee institute,Alabama he had never taken a leave for even a week. Due to this he appeared to be weak and tired. Then it was his friends who realised that Mr. Washington actually needs a break from the day to day administration of the institute. They persuaded Booker Washington to proceed on a leave with his entire family to Europe, the cost of which will be arranged by some of his friends including Mr. Francis J. Garrison and Mr. Henry L. Higginson.After several attempts, Mr. Washington agreed and proceeded to Europe on Friesland, of the Red Star Line.