The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13
HAHNA'S FIGHT ON WOOD
CAUSES TALK OF BREAK
Lobby Gossip in Washington Con-
tinueS to Deal with Alleged
DissensiOn.
RUMORS NOT VERIFIED
Bright Chat of the National Cap
ital Dealing with Life in
Officedom.
RUMORS NOT VERIFIED
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12.-Washington
has been agog for the last few weeks over
stories that will not down that there is
n rupture. that is threatened, be-
tween President Roosevelt and Senator
Mark A. Hanna, of Ohio. A conference
held at the White House between the two
men was arranged, the gossips had 1t, for
the express purpose of enabling the Presi-
dent and Mr.. Hanna to talk the matter
over. Imaginative minds insisted that Sen
ator Hanna was fighting General Wood
with view to forcing a break between
himself and the President and that his at
titude of resistance to an alleged move
ment on the part of the administration to
retire Perry Heath as secretary of the Re-
publican national committee also had the
same purpose. So far the threatened break
has not materalized. No doubt is expressed
that Mr.. Hanna is friendly TO Heath, not
withstanding the prominence given the lat
ter in the report of General Bristow on the
postal scandal.
One Of the predominant characteristics Of
the Ohio senator is loyalty to his friends
He kept every promise made during the
campaign that preceded the political battle
of 1896 He stood by Estes Rathbone when
that gentleman was accused of looting the
Cuban treasury, and he insists that Heath
shall not retire under fire just because the
inference is conveyed in the Bristow report
that the Salt Lake editor did not admins
ter the affairs of his office in the Postoffice
Department as they should have been adj
ministered. Mr.. Hanna sticks to his friends
and Rathbone and Heath are numbered
among them.
The fight of the Ohio senator against
the confirmation of General Wood is based
upon alleged persecution of Rathbone by
Wood when the latter was military gov
ernor OF Cuba. Mr.. Hanna's opposition to
to President Roosevelt. Woods rapid rise
in the army Is attributable to the friend
ship of the late Mr.. Mckinley. as well as
that of the present occupant of the White
House. Mckinley 'had a high esteem for
the well-known administrative ability Of
Wood. Roosevelt Is a personal friend of
capabilities of the fighting general. Neither
can 1t be said that Mr.. Hanna is standing
by Heath to embarrass the President. Han
ma and Heath have served together on the
national committee for several years. Han
ma is not the only member of that organi-
zation that expresses confidence in Heath.
The Ohio senator recognizes that If Heath
retired before the reorganization of the
committee the cry would be made that he
had wilted under fire. AS the head of the
national committee Mr. Hanna therefore
insists, his friends say. that Mr.. Heath
shall serve out his term as secretary.
There is another characteristic of the
Ohio senator that should not be overlooked.
He is candid to the point of bluntness; he
does not beat around the bush. He has
repeated stated that he is not candi-
dates for the presidency. His friends take
him at his word. 1t has been so repeatedly
stated that Mr. Hanna is only awaiting
a favorable opportunity to declare himself
that he now refuses to discuss reports con-
Meeting his name with the nomination. AS
far as can be learned there is no basis for
the reports of a break between the Presi-
least, their relations cordial and friend
ly, and all attempts TO find foundation OF
facts for the numerous rumors have, SO
far, proved unavailing.
Who will succeed Mr.. Hanna as chairman
of the Republican national committee in the
event of his retirement?
The question is frequently asked in Wash
ington and particularly whenever there is
a report that Mr.. Hanna will not again head
the committee For the last year or so the
man most prominently mentioned as the
probable successor of Mr.. Hanna is former
Governor Murray Crane, of Massachusetts
Practical politicians, however, do not be-
heve that Crane would ever be rendered
the place. While a fine executive and a
man of means Mr.. Crane is not cut out fol
the work of a national chairman. He is
unobtrusive. timid, fearful of publicity and
in reality Is not an aspirant for this or any
other office. Recently Senator Joseph b
Foraker has been mentioned as available
timber. Foraker is an enthusiastic Roose-
Welt man and would undoubtedly make g
success in the position now held by Mr.
Hanna. Among the practical men of pol
itics the belief is expressed that Postmaster
| General Henry G. Payne would be the idea
| selection. While Mr.. Payne has not LOS
| his taste for politics ii is doubtful If he viii
| ever again take an active part in a nationa
campaign. His duties in the Cabinet ar,
congenial and when he retires from the de
partment ii is the expectation of his friend.
| that he will return 10 Milwaukee and de-
| vote himself TO his private business.
Two men well known in Indiana wer
| conspicuous in this weeks meeting of tn
Republican national committee. One O
| them was Perry Heath. formerly of Muncie
| secretary of the committee. and the othe
| Harry New. of Indianapolis. national com
| mitteeman from the State. and the pros
| pective successor of Mr.. Heath Both hav
1 a wide acquaintance among prominen
| leaders OF the party. Heath Is about 4
sever his connection with the organization
so far as active work is concerned. Will
New, In the position Of national secretary
| to which IL . generally believed he will b
selected next summer, will become NOR
active than ever before. Mr.. and Mrs. Heat