The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-18
Illness and Reluctance
Are Assigned AS
Reasons.
Friends Will Not Ad-
nit Truth of the
RumOr.

Taft may withdraw from the
Presidential race.
That is a report that has gained
currency.
Friends Of the Secretary will not
admit that the rumor is true, but
even they are not at all encouraged
by recent developments in the con-
test
Poor health. following determined
efforts. at reducing weight, and
Taft's general disinclination TO be-
come a party 10 the rough-and-tum-
bic strenuOusness of a big fight, are
twO Of the reasons assigned for
the Secretary's encouragement with
the canvass.
Was Willing at First.
Secretary Taft was willing enough 20
be the ADMINISTRATOR candidate for
the succession, IL il moved OF easily
and smoothly; but the development OF a
nasty fight in Ohio. and then the dis
covery that the best Roosevelt people
largely opposed the idea OF the Presi-
dent designating his own successor, dis
couraged him.
The prospect especially OF the long
and bitter contest IN Ohio. is said 10
have been viewed with anything but
ments Of the last forJy-eight hours
seem 20 put an end 10 the last posi-
bility Of compromise and harmony in
the Buckeye State, and Senator For
-,
pared TO force the fighting for his own
seat. He has announced himself a can
oidate for Ohio's delegation IN the na-
tiOnal convention. which makes It Ger
tain that Taft will not be able 20 secure
better than divided support IN his home
State.
) Beyond these things, however. the
fact most disConCerting to Taft people.
who lately have been decidedly in the
dumps. is that wherever anything is
started In the way of organizing Taft
strength. the politicians reply by shout
ing for Roosevelt. and the Taft move
ment is promptly drowned out.
Overshadcwed by Roosevelt.
The politicians. including a large pro-
portion who are not for Roosevelt BY
any means. and including others who
are honestly for another term Of Roose-
welt. are able to unite at this point:
neither group is for Taft With entirely
different motives. both groups are de-
claring for Roosevelt.
Taft is left with a fight on his hands
In his home State. with the growing
Roosevelt movement completely over
shadowIng his boom. with the favorite
son movements fundamentally hostile 10
him by reason Of the feeling that he is
the Administrations fsvorite. Il Is
not a comfortable situation.
All reports agree that the Secretary's
Western trip has been productive OF
small advantage 70 him in a political
way. The Iowa management OF his
was put in the hands Of an
enemy Of Cummins, and today CummIns
declares UnequivOcaly for Roosevelt,
which means CUmmins Will control The
delegation from that state. In South
Dakota and Wisconsin bad political
moves started the Taft enterprise in
the wrong direction. and from the
accounts, every move for Taft is fol-
lowed by increasing chorus OF the de-
mand for Roosevelt
Foraker Bound for battle-ground.
Senator Foraker leaves for Ohio this
afternoon TO remain until Congress
meets. HIS friends have advised him
-naL ABOUT a dozen counties only OUT OF
4 total OF eighty-eight, have declared for
Taft. and IN some Of these resolutions
lf Endorsement were passed by fewer
han a majority OF the entire member
ship
Senator Foraker will go 10 Cincinnati
arriving there on Wednesday. and on
Thursday win deliver an address az
University. a negro educa-
iOnal institution. In his speech he will
a nd1n tho question NJ the raSr,f1u f1f1fr-
or the Brownsville ARRAY. On Friday
he will speak on railroad legislation
,efore the national convention OF freight
raffic agents at Put-in-Bay. He has an
invitation 10 go to Toledo Saturday.
The Senator viii be kept busy with in
-itations for public speeches. some OF
hem on political matters.