Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-07
REGARDED WITH DOUBT
THE REPORT OF A SHAW-HEN-
DERsoN ALLIANCE.
Widespread Interest in the Statement
That the Latter Will Oppose Cum
minis for Governor Of Iowa.

Widespread interest attaches in admins
tration and political circles to a story that
comes from Iowa relative to Speaker Hen
derson. The statement is made that Speaker
Henderson and Secretary Shaw, former
governor of Iowa, had long conference a
few days ago in Des Moines and that the
result was an understanding that Speaker
Henderson should next year enter the race
for the gubernatorial nomination of the
republican party against Gov. A. B. Cum
Minis. The mention of Secretary Shaw's
name as a party to such conference and
to any alleged plan to wrest from Gov.
Cummins his control of republican affairs
in Iowa causes comment here, especially
in view of the fact that should the report
prove true and Secretary Shaw's connection
with a factional fight be established, there
would beyond doubt be complaint by Gov.
Cummins and his adherents against his
further connection with the national ad-
niniStration.
The Iowa Fight.
The rather bitter factional struggle in
Iowa is matter of history. One of the re-
suits Of this fight, and of Speaker Hender-
sons resentment of Gov. Cumnins' control
and his policy on the tariff, was the decli-
nation by Speaker Henderson of the repub-
lican nomination for Congress in his own
district. While all kinds of statements were
given out about that declination it is pretty
well known that General Henderson bitter
ly resented the making Of platform for
his race by the Cummins faction in Iowa.
That faction led in person by Gov. Cum
minis, advocates everywhere and In all It's
utterances revision of any tariff duties
that shelter trusts. The old dominant ele-
ment in Iowa, composed of Secretary Shaw
Speaker Henderson and nearly all the other
Iowa congressman. do not and will not go
that far in tariff revision. and their dislike
for Gov. Cummins has not been concealed.
FEASIBILITY to the Iowa story is given by
the close personal relations between Sec
retary Shaw and Speaker Henderson and it
Is believed that if there were found to be
a good opening to overturn the influence Of
Gov. Cummins 1t would be seized instantly.
Speaker Henderson is regarded as the
strongest man to make the fight.
1t has been customary to give an Iowa
governor two terms, and Governor Cum
MINIS will aspire to succeed himself. He has
built up powerful machine in that direc-
tion and is able and popular. Yet he would
meet brilliant man in General Henderson,
who could defeat his denomination if any
man in Iowa could. That would re-estab-
lish the old influences in Iowa.
No Cause for Complaint Given.
There is said to be no love lost between
Secretary Shaw and Governor Cummins,
but so far Secretary Shaw has done moth
portunity to complain to the President
Naturally President Roosevelt could not al
low a portion of his administration, one of
his cabinet officers, to become identified
with a factional struggle in a republican
state, and so there would be a dangerous
outcome should charges be made at any
time by the Cummins faction
1t was almost such q fight as this that
threatened the position of Secretary Hitch
cock in the cabinet The opposition of
Dick Kerens, republican national COM
mitteeman, to Secretary Hitchcocks par
ttcipation In the distribution of federal
patronage in Missouri led to trouble. This
was averted by the diplomacy of President
Roosevelt himself. He tactfully prevented
the continuation of the factional differences
and made appointments that for time shut
off further complaint. Secretary Hitchcock,
outwardly at least, has not taken an active
part in Missouri politics, and remains in the
cabinet.
Secretary Shaw is believed to be too much
of a good politician to permit anything to
occur that would embroil the national ad-
ministration and the President He knows
what 1t would lead to- and his shrewdness
VIII probably prevent anything happening
to lend color to the supposition that he is
part of a combine to elect Speaker Hender-
sta governor and overturn Governor Cum
nltns and his cohorts. Future movements
In Iowa, however, will be watched care
fully for developments. Iowa men in Wash
ington Identified prominently enough with
their party to know what Is intended say
they do not believe that Speaker Henderson
will be a candidate for governor next year.
and declare that 1t is his intention to retire
from politics. On the other hand Iowa
newspapers friendly to Governor Cummins
publish announcements that Speaker Hen
derson will be a candidate and the an
nouncement is not denied 1t is declared
that Speaker Henderson seeks vindication
of his position the tariff.