The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-11-30
FORAKER OPENS
HIS CAMPAI
FOR PRESIDENT
Announces Candidacy in
Letter to Ohio Repub-
lican League Officer.
Issues Direct Challenge
to the Taftand RooSe-
welt Forces.

In an open letter 70 Vice President
Conrad J. Mattern, of the Ohio Repub-
hcan League. Senator Joseph 3, For
aker has formally declared himself
a candidate for the Republican nomi-
nation for President has issued a
square cut challenge 10 the Taft forces.
and with a defiant trumpet blast has
thrown down the gauntlet TO the Roose-
welt Administration.
Senator Foraker's letter is undoubt-
edly the foremost sensation OF the cam
paign thus far. and discussion OF II
was rife in Washington today
wherever two politicians got together.
Not only is the Foraker announce
nent Of momentous importance IN re-
lation to the nomination of the Re
publican candidate next year, but It Is
the signal for the beginning OF the war
on President Roosevelt which will be
waged under Foraker's leadership in
Congress this winter, more especially
BY the conservative elements in the
Senate.
Decrease Hostility.
OF late. there have been reports that
the disposition OF the anti-ROOsevelt
Senators would be TO manifest less hos
tility toward the White House than they
did last winter. Such reports have been
founded largely on the remark Senator
Foraker made some days ago on leaving
the Executive Mansion after seeing the
President. "Our relations are delight
fully pleasant" said the veteran Ohio
fighter at that time. IN the light OF
later events and judging by the tone
Senator Foraker gives his defiance to
the President. 1t would appear the SEN
ator at that time was speaking in diplo-
matte terms and was merely trying to
follow that favorite maxim OF 'Mr.
Roosevelt, speak softly and carry a
big stick"
That there VIII be war TO the knife
on the President and his friends waged
by Foraker and his allies in the Senate
this winter. Is now regarded as assured.
IL will flare I'D in the discussion OF the
Brownsville AFFAIR, in the currency de-
bates, in public land matters, and
in connection with all efforts the Ad-
ministration may make to get corpora
ton or railroad legislation.
Enmity Manifests Itself.
It may be expected. too. the enmity
toward the White House VIII manifest
itself in connection with various ap-
pointments. In short, the President
viii probably find that all his moves for
legislation this winter along the lines
of his favorite policies viii be adroltly
checkmatgd
Secretary Tafrs candidacy for Presi-
dent is regarded here as more Rravelv
jeopardized than ever by the Foraker
announcement Mr.. Foraker announces
he will not be a candidate for Senator
from Ohio, that he Is openly and ayow-
edly a candidate for President. and that
AFTER the meeting Of the Republican Ma
uonal Committee next week he will
formally request the Republican State
Central Committee OF Ohio to embody
in its call for the Ohio State cOnven-
ton a requirement that all delegates to
that convention shall be chosen by direct
vote of the people OF Ohio at a party
primary This Is a direct answer to
challenge for primary issued 10 SEN
ator Foraker by Secretary Taft's man
ager, Arthur Vorys. November 20 i'm
mediately after the Endorsement of Mr.
Foraker by the Ohio State League Of
Republican Clubs.
Challenges Taft Forces.
Senator Foraker. however. as long ago
as last March, challenged the Taft
forces to 90 into a primary. so that
he has now brought about exactly what
he was seeking. a direct appeal to the
Republican voters of the State.
Everyone agrees that the outcome will
be a terrific fiSht In Ohio at the pri-
maries between the Foraker and the
TAFT forces. The Taft leaders are con-
f1dent they are strongest with the peo-
pie. On the other hand, Foraker will
have with him Senator Dick, George b.
Cox and what Is left OF the potent old
machine that Senator Mark Hanna built
UP.
The chief contest will be for the con-
troll Of the four delegates at large and
the convention wherein they are select
ed. II this convention should be in con-
troll Of the Taft forces, they will not
only select instructed Taft delegates, but
will indorse for Senator some other man
than Foraker.
What is generally expected here IS
that both Taft and Foraker will be
eliminated as Presidential factors by
the intensity and bitterness Of the Ohio
fight Whether Taft beats Foraker OF
not, il Is likely Taft will get but a parl
Of the Ohio delegation. This would
Of coure, weaken his standing in the
national convention. It is needless tc
say that friends OF other Presidential
candidates are greatly pleased at what
has developed, and think the result Will
be TO cripple Taft and perhaps drive
him TO quit the field entirely.
Force Third Term Race.
On the other hand. It is not forgotten
that the elimination of Taft coupled
with an unrelenting war on Presiden
Roosevelt may drive the President him
self into the field as a receptive candi
date for a third term.
On account of the Foraker announce
ment, IL is expected Secretary Taft will
be more determined than ever not 10
lose a moment In getting back to Amer
lea and giving the Ohio situation his
personal attention.
1t is expected that at an early date
II will become clear who has been Sc
lected by the Foraker forces for the
Ohio SenatorshiD, and also who Is the
man the Taft forces will try TO elect
10 succeed Foraker. Representative
Burton has been considered the Taft
selection for Senator. but he has been
weakened by his defeat by Tom John
son.
Senator Foraker. in his letter resents
the assumption that a Senator is a
mere agent to register the will of the
President, and says he Is responsible TO
his constituents only. He blames the
railroad bill for desroyinr public conf