Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-09
WANTS OPINION OF LEADERS
Taft Organization Will Be Continued
in Columbus.
THINK THE SENTIMENT STRONG
Vorys Says That the Country Is
Anxious to Elect the Cabinet
Officer to the Presidency.

senator CnafleS DICK, chairman OF the ONO
republican state executive committee. an
nounced today a formal call for a confer
ence of the state central and executive
committees. the chairman of the republican
executive committees, the elective state
officers and the republican members of
Congress at Columbus on May 10. Sena-
tor Dick says he believes 1t essential to
secure a full exchange of opinion of the
leaders of the party and the adoption of
some public expression voicing as nearly
as may be the sentiment of the Ohio re-
publicans. He does this In the interest of
party harmony after consulting with the
state leaders
Senator Dick made the following formal
sta tement:
LAS chairman of the Ohio republican state
executive committee have invited con-
ference of the state central and executive
committees. of the chairmen of the republic
can county executive committees. of the
elective state officers and of the republican
members of Congress. to be held at the
Buckeye Republican Club rooms. Columbus.
Wednesday. May Is, at o'clock am.
Assumes the Responsibility.
eff there were to be republican state
convention held this year there would. of
course. be no occasion for this gathering.
and while willing to assume entire RESPONSE
blity for the CALL did so only after con-
ferring with men who had equal interest
in the matter and all of whom approved Of
the plan.
To Secure Harmony.
1.-THE meeting has not been called for the
purpose of ratifying any deal or compro-
mise. but to secure party harmony and
unity of purpose among Ohio republicans,
which 1t was thought could be done after a
full and frank exchange of opinion In a
representative gathering, and finally the
adoption of some public expression voicing
as nearly as may be the sentiment of Ohio
republicans. 1t Is believed that such ac
ton would allay any dissensions which
now threaten our party strength. If Ohio
republicans are to secure the best results
in the state and in the country they must
be united.
what the conference will do I cannot
assume to say but am hopeful some ac-
ton will be taken that will restore COM
plete party harmony within the republican
party of Ohio and enable it to realize all
its ambitions
Taft's Organization.
The Taft organization will be continued
in opera ton and the headquarters here kept
open right along. as though all opposition
to Secretary Taft had not been withdrawn.
AS is made clear in the declaration of the
party leaders this morning. it will be the
work of the organization to see that dele
gates are chosen to the national convention
who will vote from the first to the last bal
lot for Mr. Taft. State Insurance Commits
sioner A. ]. Vorys, at the head of the Taft
organization in the state. made this clear
in a statement issued at noon today.
He also made it Clear and emphatic that
the withdrawal of Senator Foraker was
Aa t1o,, ,lnto
with Secretary Taft or his friends.
Sentiment Said to Be Strong.
The following is Mr.. Vory's statement:
''All over the country the Taft sentiment
is strong, but the prospect of his nominal
ton has been somewhat clouded py a no.
ton outside of the state that he could not
get the solid support of Ohio. The purpose
of his friends in agitating now the ques-
ton of the choice of Ohio republicans for
the presidency was to dispel that notion, for
he confidently believed that in some way
it would be demonstrated that the republi-
cans of Ohio are for Taft for President
Roosevelt's successor.
The events Of the past few weeks seem to
have eliminated today in the voluntary
withdrawal without stipulation, Of all op-
position and in the complete demonstrate
that the republicans Of Ohio are solidly for
Taft for President and the movement will
go forward now with every prospect of his
nomination"
Alleges People Led.
This is case Of the people leading the
leaders, declared Charles P. Taft Thurs
day, when asked whether the Endorsement
of William H. Taft for President by Geo.
B. Cox was the result of any deal or COM
promise advanced by the Taft forces in
Hamilton county.
Il shall say editorially just what I saw
to you. that the leaders were led by the
people"
will you support Foraker for re-
election to the Senator Taft was asked
Brusquely he said: That is a matter
for another year"
The Cincinnati editor thrust the sem
atorial cause of Foraker in the back
ground of twelve months hence. Just as
Foraker sought to shelve the great aues
tion of Ohio's Endorsement of favorite
son for President, and failed.
Said There Was No Deal.
Were the statements of Cox and Fora
ker in favor of the Secretary of War the
result of any political deal or compro-
mise by which you will support a re-
publican organization ticket IN the COM
ing municipal elections in Cincinnati?"
was the third question answered by Taft
There was no deal, no solicitation l
have not seen Cox for months. The people
led the leaders"
Are any fractional Disbursements on the
republican party in Hamilton county held
by the statement of Cox?" Taft was asked.
As to that. well, l am always q repub-
lican,' replied Taft.
NO, l have nothing that 1 think of to
add to my statement given last night"
Representative Burton's Statement.
COLUMBUS. Ohio. May 9-Representa-
| tive Theodore Burton of Cleveland was here
| today in consultation with prominent poll
| ticians, including Gov. Harris. State Super
| intendent Vooryis. John R. Malloy and
other well-known men. He declined to state
whether he is a candidate for Senator For
| aker's seat.
Later Mr.. Burton gave out the following
statement:
Il am here in accordance with the pre-
arranged program for conference In re-
gard to the candidacy Of Secretary Taft
and also in the interest Of the primary re-