New-York tribune., 1908-05-12
HARMONY AT CHICAGO
PARTY LEADERS, PLANS.
Seeking to Haze 4U Candidates
Ercept Taft Withdra1c.
IBy The Associated PressI

IBy The Associated PressI
WASHINGTON, May 11-Repubcan leaders in
Congress are now working earnestly on a plan
10 prevent any break at the Chicago convention
that might disrupt party harmony and endanger
success at the polls in November. Conferences
have been held at both ends of the Capitol among
such men as Senators Aldrich Hale. Allison and
Crane and Representatives Payne and Sherman.
of New York: Tawney, of Minnesota: Jenkins,
OF Wisconsin, and Smith. of Iowa; In fact, meet
ings of small groups from this list have been OF
almost daily occurrence for more than a week
They have been directed 10 one end-a noInina-
ton the first ballot-by which they mean
William H. Taft While definite result has
been reached. they believe their efforts will be
successful.
Most of the men figuring prominently in this
movement were numbered against Taft early in
the campaign but party policy and the neces-
sity for harmony, which have been manifest in
Republican ranks since the disastrous result of
the Blaine Conkling feud have awakened de-
mand that personal desires be subordinated TO
the Will of the ma jority. That the efforts of the
group of leaders back of the harmony move
ment have not been barren Of result hs fndl-
Gated by the fact that to a number of the con-
ferences have been called such men Senators
Hemeuway. Penrose. Cullou. Hopkins and De-
pew and Representatives Parsons and Vreeiand.
of New York; BouteIl and Mann. OF -&IlinOis:
Burke and Dalzell, of Pennsylvania; Watson
and Iandis of Indiana, and others who are
backing the candidates. of ice-President Fair
banks, Speaker Cannon. Senator Knox and Gov
ernor Hughes
No attempt Is made to disguise the fact that
the real impetus TO such concerted movement
in the interest of Secretary Taft is the refusal
of Roosevelt sentiment to be snuffed out and the
danger of such sentiment spreading TO an extent
+I,ot ,icbfb he IN Chicago
the same time it Is said fhe movement is not
hostile TO President Roosevelt, who admittedly
occupies the position of command in the Taft
forces He has made It perfectly plain that
nothing can come of the renewed calls for his
denomination which have been made in Texas,
Utah and California. as he is prepared 10 re-
ject any proffer of support, no matter how ex-
tended.
The uttermost limit Of endeavOr Of the Repub-
Iican leaders who are striving 10 harmonize
marty differences is to eliminate all candidates
for the nomination except Secretary Taft. but it
IS not expected that all of the candidates read
ily will agree to this proposition Supporters Of
Senator Knox particularly said 10 oppose
tbe pIan and one of the other candidates is hold
ing out strongly that there is immediate de-
rnand for agreement. At the same time there
are leaders In Illinois. Indiana. Pennsylvania and
New York who parties to the movement
with the knowledge of the "favorite son" candi-
dates from those states.
The selection of Secretary Taft as the bene-
fcary of the workers for harmony Is made be-
cause of the fact that he is the only candidate
who has sufficient instructed votes to promise
an early nomination. The argument of the har
rnony people that If Taft should fail to obtain
the nomination the first ballot. and the allies
were able to hold out against him, 1t would mean
convention contest of many ballots These
leaders have little doubt that in such a contin-
gency the Roosevelt third term sentiment would
threaten stampede. and. though they feel as
sured that the President would not hesitate to
suppress any proposition looking to his renoni-
nation, they fear the effect of such a stampede
on public sentiment. The possible dire result
on the campaign for the election Of the candi-
date. whoever he may be. is one Of the argu-
ments used draw the called allies into the
harmony programme.
Republican leaders cOnceds that their major
ity In the House Is likely to be materially re-
duced at the fall election and they fear that
less all factions brought together before the
Chicago convention they might lose their major
ity altogether. One OF the side plans being dis
cussed favorably is the denomination OF Mr.
Fairbanks as Vice-President on the ticket with
Secretary Taft. which they assert would remove
Indiana from the doubtful column and make II /
safely Republican. 1t Is believed. also. that /
with the Republican forces solidly aligned Taft !
could easily carry Illinois. and the thermometers
are willing to concede Cannon's reelection as |
Speaker by Republican House. There Is a |
on already to bring about the renom- |
ination of Mr.. Hughes Governor of New York |
and an effort will be made to bring Secretary /
Taft and Senator Foraker together. which IL is |
thought would make Ohio safe.
No efforts have been spared to keep these plans |
confidential, but there are too many persons cog !
infant of the programme for secrecy to be main |
tanned. Frank H. Hitchcock. who is the Taft /
in Washington and is directing the I
greater part OF the Secretary's national cam |
paign. has had numerous conferences with vari-
ous Republican leaders interested in the pro- |
gramme. and District Attorney Joseph b Keat- |
ng. of Indianapolis. political manager for Mr.. !
has been In Washington several |
times recently and has conferred with the same /
leaders.
STEEL MILLS INCREASE OPERATION.