The Washington herald., 1907-04-24
TAFT WAR SPREADS
Other States May Become In
VOlyed in Ohio Combat.
PRESIDENTS PLEA IS NEEDED
Politicians Claim Foraker Could De-
feat Secretary OF War with Roose-
Indifferent as to Outcome but for
White House Interest.

Cincinnati, April 23.-There were evil
deaees to-day that the Roosevelt Foraker
combat is extending to other States. It
is now very generally understood among
politicians of the Republican party that
the President is taking care of his own
home State of New York for Secretary
Taft The President. it is now learned.
has gone into Michigan for Secretary Taft.
Gov Warner, Lieut. Gov. Kelley, and
Speaker Whelan have sent word to
Charles P. Taft in THIS city that if the
President is not to be considered "a candi-
date for denomination the Biichigan dele
cation in the national convention next
year viii be Tor Secretary Taft. In Iowa,
a State Foraker association has been or
ganized. under the management Of Listen
McNnlen. fellow-student with Senator
Foraker at Ohio Wesleyan University in
1856 and 1867.
Republican politicians of high and hum
Bile degree in Ohio whether friendly or
unfriendly TO Roosevelt, Foraker. or Sec
TetaTy Taft, do not hesitate 10 say openly
that as between Senator Foraker and
Secretary Taft there would be no shadow
ci q doubt as to the winner IN the contest
which is now agtating the State This
winner, in their judgment, would be Sena-
tor Foraker. The mere fact that the
President has indicated that Secretary
Taft ought to have Ohio's delegation in
the national convention has been practi-
caliy accepted by a majority Of the rank
and hle Of the State as sound political
gospel.
Voters Are for President.
The voters of the State. as a rule. have
not debated or discussed the availability
of Secretary Taft They have apparently
accepted him at once and without cavil
on the recommendation and support of
President Roosevelt But Senator Fora
ker's friends declare that the Senator is
very much more entitled on his record
10 be considered as the States most avail
able candidate TO go before the Presiden-
tial convention next year.
A vast majority of the practical politi-
clans and their friends Of the State be-
lieve that Senator Foraker is entitled TO
elevation To the Presidency, while the
rank and file Of the voters evidently be-
Heve that any wish expressed by Presi-
dent Roosevelt for Secretary Taft should
be gratified without hesitation. From this
time until the primaries are held after
election day, the efforts Of the Republi-
can State organization as dominated by
Senator Foraker and Senator Dick are
10 be put forth for the purpose Of enlaTg-
ing their belief that Senator Foraker is
more entitled to elevation in the party
than Secretary Taft.
Admit Hard Struggle.
Senator Forakers friends admit that
they have a very stout struggle before
them.
Charles P. Taft announced to-day that
the following Republican Congressman in
the State have declared for Secretary
Taft: Nicholas LongWOrth. Herman P.
Goebel John f. Harding, Ralph H. d.
Cole, Albert Douglass, Edward L. Taylor,
jT., Grant Z. DIOuseT. James Kennedy,
". Aubrey Thomas, Paul Rowland. and
Theodore L. Burton.
The following are put down as not hav-
ing indicated their choice; j. Warren
Keller. Jay F. Laning. Beman G. Dawes,
and Charles L. Weems.