Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-10-17
TAFT's FRIENDS ANXIOUS.
Attitude of President Toward Third
 Term Worries Them.

Washington, D. C., Oct 17.-With c. Dover, secretary of the republican national committee, and some other politicians of national prominence, including several members of con- gress, bits of definite information concerning the presidential situation in the country are becoming avail able.
 Far and away the most important fact recently developed is that the personal friends and promoters of the candidacy of Secretary Taft are seri- ously concerned over the Roosevelt sentiment which has manifested it. self distinctly in various parts of the country, particularly in the south and west, during the past month, One of the Taft state managers who talk ed to Secretary Dover day or two ago, declared 1atly that, while he was entirely friendly to the president and if he were out in the open as a candidate he would support him, he did not think, in the circumstances, the president was justified in per hitting the "third-term boomers" to proceed with their propaganda un- questioned.
 "The trouble we meet everywhere is that the people have an idea the president may be persuaded to accept the nomination. They like Taft, but they say: What is the use of taking the understudy when the star is available?' They all insist that Roosevelt's policies shall be carried out and they admit that Taft stands for these policies; but they urge that Roosevelt himself is the man to car ry them into effect, always provided he can be induced to take the nom- ination. It is perfectly clear that, until the president shall make his determination not to be candidate again more definite than he yet made it, there will be thousands of republicans who will believe that he can be induced to accept another nomination.
 Personally, believe the president is absolutely sincere in his determina- tion not to permit his name to be used again as a candidate; and be- lieve he is just as sincere in his sup port of Taft; but in many states the masses of the party and the leaders, too, are going ahead and talking Roosevelt. For instance, in one western state few days ago, a con- ference was held at which I was present. Practically every man pres ent was friendly to Secretary Taft, but no promises could be gotten from them that they would work for Taft delegation to the convention. They said, in substance: oh, we will select a good administration delegation and let it go at that. We can swing it to Taft when the time comes The same situation is developing in a good many states. These 'administra- tion' delegations are all right, but they are dangerous to avowed candi- dates.
 'If the mischief is not done by the time Secretary Taft returns from his circle of the globe, there is going to be a show of the hands. Taft Is no second fiddle player. He is man of the people and one of the strong est individualities in this republic. He is a friend of the president, but stands on his own merits and abili- ties. If Roosevelt were candidate. Taft would be for him. What we want is the same sort of treatment. should like tn see the administra- ton work for Taft delegates. If it is to work at all, and not for delegates that may be for Taft at some indefi- nite time. That would be playing the game of politics. Mind you. I impute no bad faith to the presi- dent. He is as square as men are made. but some of his friends are trying to force his hand and it is only fair that the candidates al- ready declared should know where they stand"
 It appears likely now that the meeting of the republican national committee at vklch the time and place of holding next years eonsen- tion are to be determined will be held in this city the second week of next December. a few days after the arrival of Secretary Taft from the Orient