Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-11
PRESIDENTIAL TIMBER
Tall Sticks Towering Above
the Other Trees.
A GENERAL SURVEY
SPEAKER CANNON NOT IGNORED
IN THE OUTLOOK.
Wisconsin People Say That La Toilette
is Getting Ready-Shaw Regarded
as an Aspirant.

The brisk rivalry between the Fair
banks and Foraker booms in the last few
days has resulted in Il survey of other
presidential timber. and the politicians
are now looking over the entire field
spying here and there a tall stick tower
ing above the others. and which may at
tract the presidential bolt The duh sea-
son is close at hand now. when the specu-
lation over political events. though far
removed, may be expected to become
active.
One Joseph c. Cannon is not overlooked
in this preliminary survey of the presi-
dental timber appraisers Mr.. Cannons
BOOM however is being kept very much
in the background by his Heutenants.
They discourage discussion at such
early, unripe and forward season. They
say the Speaker has often seen his ia
VOrite peach trees burst into blossom,
lured by some false spring sun, only to
be nipped by cruel frost later on. TAX
ing a hint from arboriculture, the Speaker
would prefer to see the-orchards of the
other fellows putting forth their tender
SprigS at this time, for there viii be
plenty of chances for changing political
weather before the convention comes on.
But, all the same, the Cannon boom is
being nursed and watched and will be
forwarded I'm due season.
What La Follette's Friends Say.
cations that Senator-elect La Toilette of
that state is grooming himself for the
presidential race. They say he hopes TO
take advantage of the movement inaugu-
rated by President Roosevelt for railway
rate legislation TO make capital for himself.
Railway rate regulation is by far the most
absorbing question in the west at this time
and will doubtless grow in proportion 10
the increasing agitation Of the subject.
Although entitled to take his seat in the
Senate March 1. Mr.. La Toilette has pre-
ferred 10 remain in the executive chair OK
his state. his avowed object being 10 con-
serve the interests of his campaign for rail-
way rate regulation in Wisconsin. He
hopes to accomplish definite action in that
state upon the subject. When he comes TO
the Senate next December the question will
be uppermost in Congress and he hopes TO
have a record for having done something.
Secretary Shaw's Candidacy.
Secretary Shaw of the Treasury Depart
ment is said to be casting very uneasy
giances over toward La Follette seeing in
him dangerous candidate for the western
support Secretary Shaw has not yet out
lined any specific campaign for himself
He is going in on the general idea that he
must have the office, but La Toilette is sew
eral laps ahead of him with popular fad
Wisconsin, Iowa. Illinois, Indiana and
Ohio having candidates brings the contest
across the AlleghanieS. Pennsylvania hasn't
any available timber at present for, al
though Senator Knox could furnish the
mental qualifications, his business affllia-
tions would make him simply impossible.
The tariff and railway reformers of the
western country would fall into spasms at
the very suggestion.
Root of New York.
So the presidential surveyors move on to
New York, and there find a big tree-Elihu
Root, amenable, perhaps in slight degree
to some of the objections to be urged
against Senator Knox, but not hopelessiy
hampered. OF course. he is associated with
corporate interests, but he is not regarded
as the keystone of the high tariff system.
Mr. Root could command undoubtedly the
Roosevelt sentiment in New York. He has
not been involved in the acute phases of
the factional strife in New York, and there
is no reason to suppose that he would be
made a target for knife play by the Odell-
ties He would receive the support of con-
servative financial and business interests
throughout the west. He has had govern
mental training, and Intellectually ne
stands with the foremost men in this coun-
try.
Nothing in New England.
New England is not expected to stand
any chance of nominating a candidate.
The west would make a combination
against any man that New England would
put up. 1t does not seem now that there
can be contingency which would dictate
the selection of a candidate from any of
the border states.
Well-in formed politicians say that the