The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-14
Major Ray, Once Bitter, Is Now
 An Able Assistant
BOOST FOR MR FAIRBANKS
Indiana Man Declares That Hoosiers Are Going To Carry Chicago By Storm and Name Fairbanks
 for President.

Washington. April (Special.)- Maj. B. B. Ray, paymaster in the United States army, accompanied Sec western trip, as military aid, and is credited with having done some effec- tive political work for his chief in Louisville. Chicago, and other western cities. Major Ray was. formerly con- nected with the order of Railway Con- ductors and arranged meetings of mem bers of his organization with Secre- tary Taft at which the secretary de- livered addresses explaining his atti- tude toward labor. The former head of the conductors organization, MT. Clark, is now a member of the Inter- state Commerce commission, and spe- cial effort is being made to allay senti- ment against Secretary Taft among the members of this union.
 The conversion of Major Ray to Sec Ietary Taft's Presidential cause Is oc- casioning some comment. A year ago the major in common with many other members of organized labor, was active ;n another direction. In September he was peremptorily ordered to the phil- ippines. and it was understood at the time that Major Ray was being dis ciplined for undue political activity, The major openly declared that his ex- ;le was intended punishment for po- litical effort not eXerted in behalf ot Secretary Taft.
 Peculiar Climate.
 In the autumn Secretary Taft visited the Philippines, and 1t is stated thar the climate must have had some effeet 1pon Major Rays political feelings. 4l. l,cf R-ian in the Orient he was given leave of ah- sence for six months and returned to this country with Secretary Taft. He las since shown some signs of political activity but they have been in behalf of the Secretary of War.
 Major Rays leave of absence will eX tend beyond the middle of June and i- is possible may be still further con tnued. He is now accompanying Sec retary Taft on his speech making tours and his special duty. outside of lis military services. consists Tn rounding up'' groups of railway men, in order that his chief may make lab pr speeches to them. It is claimed that this Is not the only instance of military politics which is causing gossip in army crcles.
 "They won't nominate Taft. not on your life, not in a thousand years said Charles S. Hernley, of New Castle. Ind, former republican state chairman Of Indiana, after he left the White House this morning in company wit. Congressman Jim" Watson. T was iast in and told President Roosevelt and Secretary Loeb so. The President just laughed, and Secretary Loeb col ored up.
 q know what am talking about. do not speak of the sentiment in In- diana simply. but of the talk and drought of the people throughout tho whole middle west Newspaper talk sn't sentiment; what the politicians say isn't sentiment-that is just bu- reau-made noise. What the people feel is sentiment, and the feelings of the people is not for Taft. not by a long sight, not in Ohio. even.
 Second Choice Talk.
 "The talk of second choice sentiment tor Taft in Indiana is all moonshin,. There isn't any. The only second cnoice sentiment out there is for Roose- cit. if he will take the nominal ion and our people are unanimously for making i'm take it in preference to accepting Secretary Taft as the nSm- inee of the party. Not that they have anything against Judge Taft. but they don't believe he is the man to nomi- nate. not this year.
 We want to win in Indiana this year. Fairbanks can carry the state he can every other doubtful state. So can Roosevelt. We don't intend to take any chances. We expect to nom mate Fairbanks. Some people may doubt this. but good many more peo pie doubted our ability to put Harrison at the head Of the ticket in 1888.
 Indiana will put up the biggest noise for Fairbanks at Chicago you ever heard We are going up there o2 the thousand, and are going to root loud and long from start to finish Twenty tn housand Hoosiers went to Cha cago to boost for Ben Harrison, anu they won the nomination for him Twice that many Hoosers will fill the hotels and the sidewalks for Vice Pres ident Fairbanks. We are going to or Ganize and go there by the srain load and we are all for Fairbanks, red hot"