The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-21
CONFERENCE ABOUT
 ACTION OF HIGGINS
REPUBLICANS WILL DISCUSS THE GOVERNORS "EFFORT TO DIG TATE" TO THE GENERAL ASSEM- BLY OF NEW YORK.

New York, December 2o.-An important move in the contest for the speakership of New York state assembly was made today when. after a conference which included some of those opposed to the candidacy of J. W. Wadsworth, Jr. decision was reached to call confer ence of all republican members of the assembly to be held in this city on Fri day.
 Though MT. Wadsworth was not con suited, friends of E. A. Merritt, Jr, also a candidate for the speakership said tonight that the call would include the adherents of both camps and that it was intended to get the members together for an expression of their views on the &C., ton of Governor Higgins in supporting MT. Wadsworth and as to the other can didates.
 Another interesting feature today was statement that Assemblyman James T. Rogers majority leader of the assem- bly, is considering whether to again an nounce himself as a candidate for speaker
 MT. Rogers withdrew from his candi- dacy for speaker when Governor Hlg- gins came out in favor of MT. Wads- worth.
 MT. Merritt made public a statement tonight in which he criticised Governor Higgins action. declaring that the "gov- ernor has undertaken to dictate and make the choice of speaker not an act of appointment. No disclaimer on his part of an intention to set himself up d political boss counts for anything against the positive course he has taken
 Washington, December 20.-For several weeks President Roosevelt has been dis cussing with several New York repub- licans the political situation in that state Within the past few days his judgment has been sought as to the speakership of the New York assembly, The Presi- dent has made it plain to all those with whom he has talked that his desire Is that that shall be done which will best promote not only te interests of the re- publican party in New York, but the whole people of the state.
 A day or two ago the candidacy of James Wadsworth Jr., for the speaker" ship was announced and an impression was conveyed that MT. Wadsworth was the Presidents candidate. This impress sion doubtless was due partly to the knowledge that MT. Wadsworth last Sat urday was the guest of the President at luncheon. On the authority of men who today discussed the New York situation with President Roosevelt, 1t can be said with knowledge of absolute correctness of the statement, that the President was as much surprised as anybody could have been when he saw in the newspapers the announcement of MT Wadsworth's can dldacy.
 In his talk with the President MT. Wadsworth declared he was in favor of MT Hooker for the speakership. Follow ing closely upon MT. Wadsworth's visit George w. Dunn of Binghampton, former chairman of the New York republican state committee, called on the President and urged the selection of James Rogers as speaker. The President repeated what he had said to MT. Wadsworth. MT. Dunn left Washington with no more idea than had the President himself of MT. Wads- worth's candidacy. The President knows that Mir Wadsworth had no intention of being a candidate himself at the time of his visit to the White House. Ills candidacy did not come about from any sign made by the President.