The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-11-23
NO ORDER TO O~FFECEROLDERS
THEY MAY GO AS DELEGATES IN
STRUCTED FOR ROOSEVELT.

The Order That Friends Of Secretary TASS
Requested Nc sent to Federal Once
holders. and which Ht was supposed
Was sent Out, HaS Not Been written.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 22.-The pendulum
has swung again and the indications now
are that Federal oficehOlders will not lose
their jobs IL they decide to accept member
ship in delegations to the next Republican
national convention instructed for ROose-
welt. Two or three days ago II was said.
on authority that seemed to represent Presi-
len Roosevelt himself. that Federal Office
holders throughout the country must de-
cline election as delegates TO the national
| convention in case the delegation 10 in
structed for Roosevelt. 1t was specified
hat there was no objection to political
activity on the part OF internal revenue
collectors, District Attorneys, marshals and
other officers. and that they were free to go
to the national convention in case they
were not instructed for the President. II
was added that the heads of the Executive
departments would send an order to their
subordinates in the field informing them
Of the political inhibition.
There is no doubling the authority upon
which these statements were made, but a
change has come over the situation. One
of the most conspicuous members Of the
Administration said tonight hat the order
supposed to nave been sent ont by the heads
of departments did not exist. Pen had
never been touched TO paper for the pur-
pose Of inditing such an order, he said, and
he humOrOusly offered a reward to any per-
son who would find that any letter or cir
cular Of the kin had been issued. He
added that no such action would he taken.
IL was learned from a high source Of in
formation tonight that Federal Office
holders everywhere in the United States
will be left perfectly free to follow their
own inclinations as far as plans for sending
delegates to the next Republican national
convention are concerned. The condition
was quite the reverse a few days ago, when
friends Of Secretary Taft suggested TO MIR.
Roosevelt that a notification be sent to all
Federal officehOlders in the field advising
them that they must keep out Of the third
term business. The President was asked
TO instruct them that they must not permit
themselves TO be elected az instructed
Roosevelt delegates, but that there was no
objection to their going to the national con-
vention either uninstructed or instructed
for some candidate other than the Presi-
dent.
That the President aScceded to this request
was indicated by the authoritative character
Of public statements hat we're made early
this week. but the contemplated order has
not been sen, out.
A high officer of the Administration,
who without question knows h Presi-
dents wishes and has consulted with him
within the last t~wenty-four hours on this
subject. said tonight:
Il have not sent out any letter to the
officers under my department. There will
he no letter. An informal understanding?
No. nothing of the kind. The various men
in the field will be left to follow their own
Nominations as far rs politics is concerned. "
One of the departments having "A large
number Of officers scattered throughout
the Union * the Internal Revenue Bureau.
Commissioner John g.. Capers had a long
talk with the President yesterday and he
said this afternoon that his ~subordinates
would receive no Instructions whatever in
regard to participation or non-participation
in politics.