Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-05
Mr.. MURRAY CRANE
He May Succeed Senator
Hanna for Chairman.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
OHIO SENATOR AND PRESIDENT
DISCUSS MANY THINGS.
Perry Heath is Not to ReAgn-The
Bearing Of the Wood Case
on the Situation.

Three important facts resulted from
long conference between the President ana
Senator Hanna last night. 1t is stated today
on what is declared to be good authority.
Senator Hanna will not accept the posi-
ton of chairman Of the republican ma
tional committee next year.
Ex-Gov. Murray Crane OF Massachusetts
will be chairman OF the national committee
Perry Heath will not resign as secretary
of the national committee at this time, but
will hold his place until his time expires
with the going out Of the existing commit
tee and the organization Of new COM
mittee.
1t can not be stated definitely that Sena-
tor Hanna last night notified the President
in direct words that he would not be able
to accept the craftsmanship Of the ma
tionaI committee. but he indicated pretty
plainly that this was his intention at the
present time His formal decision is to be
communicated within a short time, prob
ably before the meeting of the republican
national committee, although the offer will
hold open until the republican national
convention meets if Senator Hanna is IN
clined to withhold his decision until that
time.
In Peary Heatht's Behalf.
Perry Heath in talking with the President
about the retirement of the latter from the
national committee. and has suggested that
it would be unwise to seek Mr.. Heaths res
ignation now, as his remaining in his pres
ent position would rot be injurious 70 the
interests of any one or to the party.
AS to Perry Heath's retention on the ma
tional committee, the Presidents views
have never been concealed. Because or
Mr.. Heath's connection with the post ONCE
cases he has felt that 1t would be adV1saple
but the President takes the position that
he has nothing to do with the nauonal
committee so far as its secretary ls con-
cerned and he will not undertake 10 cause
any change In the secretarysmp. o. :,
With Senator Hanna leaning far over IN
the direction of declining the chairmanshlp,
and practically having rendered his deci-
sion, the craftsmanship will beyond Ques-
ton pass to Ex-Governor Murray crane OF
Massa chusetts astute, wealthy, and having
the confidence of the business interests OF
the country and of the President
Satisfactory Results.
The consequences OF Senator Hannas vir-
tual declination of the Craftsmanship are
being discussed in careful phrases by re-
publican leaders today. Some of his warm
friends do not believe he will decline ana
predict that he will yet accept the chalr-
manship One Of these was man VINO
talked with the President and knows accu-
rately what took place at the conference
last night. This friend OF Senator Hanha
openly predicted that he would reconsider
and would be chairman. contenting mmseiL
with adding luster to his name instead OF
putting himself in the position OF being ois-
gruntled. which might be disastrous 10 MS
future"
and OF Senator Hanna admitted that 1t was
we'll understood that Senator hanna wouio
not accept the chairmanshlp. ne cohui
ton of his health and the state OF his pusl-
ness will prevent his taking the chairman
ship"
The Presidents friends who called upon
him today inquired about the conference
last night and they all came away with inc
understanding that the conference was
mt one to both sides and resulted sat
isfactorily. The conference was not Tor the
purpose Of discussing the chairmanshlp OF
the national committee ana curing Inc tne
evening tho various important legislative
matters that are pending were talked over
with more or less detail
The Fight on Gen. Wood.
The fight Senator Hanna is making on
the Presidents warm personal friend, Gen.
Wood. was a topic of the conference. and 1t
10 atsted that Senator Hanna talked of his
E, position to Gen. Wood in a good-humorsd
way permitting the infer ence that his op-
r, sit,on is not to be confounded with his
nersonal attitude to the President. Senator
Hama Indicated however. that his oppo-
sition is not to be lessened. and that ne
will continue the night against Gen. Wooo
uithout let-up. The President took no or
ferse at this position. and the two men
made their talk on this subject brief
The conference lasted from $50 to IL
o'clock and when Senator hanna went
away he stated that "all these stories about
lffrerences between the President and my
salf are absurd" But he declined to make
ar,y statement about the conference
Is Hanna Clearing the Deckse
The air continues to be full Of rumors
that Senator Hanna in pushing away the
offer of the Craftsmanship. Is really clearing
the decks for action next year, II he should
conclude at that time that the situation
warrants 1t is pointed out that IL he has
any purposes as to the presidential noni-
nation for himself he might desire that
they shall not be known now Just to the con-
trary of this is the expressed opinion or
many leaders that Senator Hanna is forced
to realize that the nomination next year is
to all intents settled; that he has no show
for the position and that he has announced
to too many people that he is not candi-
date to change his mind in the face Of ex-
listing facts and a situation that a shrewd
politician ought to be able to see. Several
senators stated today that they had gone
to Senator Hanna before committing them
selves to President Roosevelt and asked
what he intended to do. He told them posi-
lively that he was not candidate and
they did commit themselves to the Pres-
dent. Therefore, 1t would be almost impos-
sible for the Ohio senator to change now.
Has Stopped Talking.
IT have made up my mind to stop deny
ing these reports said Senator Hanna
when approached by a Star reporter in his
Office at the Arlington Hotel this morning,
The senator referred TO the report that
President Roosevelt and he have fallen out
and that the strain of their relations is on
the verge of a break.
'T have concluded" the senator contin-
ued, smiling the while, that 1t is of no
use to deny these reports. and propose TO
now let nature take it's course"
Senator Hanna appeared to be In espe-
cialiy good spirits, and looked far from
being in frame of mind to quarrel with
any one. 1t was suggested that lots of
people are interested in knowing whether
or not thera is anY truth In the renort Of