The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-28
A TOSS UP BETWEEN
FORAKER AND TAFT
Warm Times Ahead in Ohio''s
Presidential Choice
PRIMARY FIGHT CHALLENGE
OF the Senator to Mr.. Taft May Draw
RooseveIt's Fire In Support of His
Travelling War Secretary.
Burton to Take Hand.
PRIMARY FIGHT CHALLENGE

Washington, March 27.-(Special. SEN
timent among Washington officials and
politicians is sharply divided as to the
probable outcome of a primary fight be-
tween Senator Foraker and Secretary
Taft for the honor of being presented to
the next national convention as Ohio S
choice for the presidency. Forakers chal-
ienge yesterday to Taft to enter into such
struggle is looked upon as shrewd
move that is liable to have a most en-
barrassing effect on the Taft boom.
Practical politicians who knew that
Forakers friends control the Ohio state
machine, believe that Foraker will win
in walk, Tafts supporters take the 9TH
err view.
Taft will beat Foraker mile if the
question is left to the voters of the
state" is the confident assertion of one
of the secretary's close friends today.
Such men as Secretary Garfield and other
Ohoans who are lined up with Taft de-
clare that this is just the opportunity
they want to show to the country that the
real sentiment of the Buckeye state is
with Taft and not with Foraker
They assert that although Foraker.
with his colleague, Senator Dick, controls
the state machine he has not the votes
of the people. These men believe that if
Taft goes into a primary fight with For
aker on the question of the presidency,
the influence of Theodore Roosevelt will
enable him to win decisively. This is
what they are banking on. Although ii
would be a ticklish matter for the Presi-
dent to mix in a state facitional fight OF
this kind, those who know his feelings
on the presidency declared he would not
hesitate to let his preference be thorough
ly known
1t may be several weeks before the
managers of the Taft boom decide wheth-
er t'oreaker's challenge shall he accepted.
Taft is now on his way to Panama, and
will not return to the United States until
about May 10. Later he is due for trip
to Alaska and the Philippines. His pres
ent plan is to open the Philippine assem-
bly, in October, which would keep him
out of this country until well after No
Vember, the time Foraker wants it agreed
upon for the test of strength. Whether
the invitation for Il contest Is to be ac-
cepted rejected may be known by Fri
Gay or Saturday, when Mr.. Talf reaches
Panama. 1ftH4,
NIL HOldhtl dCNIOu 10 lSSdioSu 90 INC
formal announcement of his candidacy
for the presidency. His defy was
brought out by the public statement of
Charles p. Taft, the Cincinnati editor,
that sentiment of the state was for his
brother for the presidency. Some of the
wise men of Washington believe that
Foraker is merely playing game OF
bluff in issuing his bold challenge; they
say that he realized he has no chance
for the presidency and that he is merely
maneuvering to insure his reelection as
senator.
Thodore Burton is hot after Foraker
scalp, and is a dangerous candidate for
the senatorshp. If Foraker is able to
create IA split in the Ohio delegation he
will he in position to drive bargain
that will keep him in the Senate. He is
very sore, both against the President and
Mr. Taft. and bitterly resents the at
tempt of the administration to force the
war secretary to the front as the ONO
candidate for White House honors. There
are bound to be some hot times in Ohio
politics during the coming summer and
, fall