The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-06-08
Anti.Taft Republicans Modify
Position Regarding
Contests
DissensiOn Created in Ranks
Over Leaders Plan to
Cause Split
Will Allow Committee TO Finish
Work, but Carry Fight TO
Convention Floor

CHICAGO, June 7.-Representa-
tves of the "allies" tonight recalled
their statement that they will bolt the
republican national committee so
Tar as the presentation of evidence to
support the claims of anti-Taft dele
cations from southern states is con-
,oerned. There is evidence that the an
Nnouncement made last night upon the
authority of Representative James
Francis Burke, manager for Senator
Knox, after he had been in confer
ence with Senator Hemenway of In
diana, J. B. Healing of Indiana and
others Identified with the campaign be-
ing made by the "allies." created dis
sension- Some of the other spokesmen
for the allies declared the announce
ment 10 be i'll advised, and they busted
themselves today to counteract its ef-
feet. After numerous differences the
following, which was headed state
ment From the Allies" was issued:
Upon the authority Of the represen-
tstives OF al the political candidates
other than Secretary Taft, it was an
nounced today that they would con-
tested delegate cases to the national
committee. The decision of the ma
tioual committee viii not be taken as
nlal by the candidates known Is the
Allies but an appeal will be taken in
cases where it is believed injustice has
been done. first TO the committee on
credentials and later 10 the convention
itself
PRESENT ALL CASES
The determination Of the represen-
tstives OF the Allies TO continue the
presentation Of their side of the con-
tests 10 the national committee is not
70 be taken as an indication that they
approve of the manner in which these
contests have been decided But in
order 10 be in a position to present all
Of the cases IN proper form to the COM
mittee on credentials il is deemed ad-
visable TO comply with the form of
procedure laid down by the national
committee
1T is the firm determination of the
representatives Of the Allies to first
give the national committee an oppor-
tunity TO consider all the contests on
their merits"
Il is generally believed that the an
nouncement made last night was de-
signed 10 test public sentiment and TO
influence the Taft forces to a compro-
mise proposition submitted to the COM
j
the effect was not what the Allies
expected was admitted today by a num-
Der Of men who had knowledge Of the
entire proceedings. Senator Crane of
Massachusetts. who has been recog-
nized as one Of the chief advisers Of
the anti-Taft movement, said today
that the announcement should not have
been made. Senator Hemenway char
acterized the story that the Allies
had decided to bolt as unauthorized" :"
Healing was not so emphatic, but he
5ntimated that somebody had been
dreaming A 3. Humphreys, the
Hughes manage said that he had not
attended the conference, but that he
had agreed 10 abide by any decision
reached. Managers for Speaker Can
non and Senators La Toilette and For
Hker were not parties to the announce
ment.
ADJOURNMENT is DIPLOMATIC
Il became known today that the ad-
3ournment OF the national committee
yesterday was largely in the nature
OF a diplomatic proceeding. It had
been suggested TO Senator Lodge. an
ardent supporter of Taft, that mas
much as the nomination Of Taft on the
first ballot seemed highly probable the
remainder of the contests should be
settled on q harmony basis. Among
those who urged this plan were Chair
man New, Secretary Dover, Committee
men Nulvane of Kansas, Hart of Iowa.
Crane Of Massachusetts, Scott Of West
Virginia, Ward Of New York, Hepburn
OF Idaho, Brownlow OF Tennessee and
Scott Of Alabama The plan was not
received with favor by many members
OF the committee who have dominated
the proceedings from the start. At the
suggestion OF Frank II. Hitchcock.
manager for Taft and holder of the
proxy OF the New Mexico member of
the committee. an adjournment was
taken until Monday
The Taft managers at once COM
menced a series of telegraph and tele-
phone communications between this
city and Washington. Neither Hitch
cock nor Charles p. Taft, brother of
the secretary Of war, was inclined TO
yield 10 the overtures made Both
were embarrassed. however. by the an
peals made by certain members Of what
ie known as the "old guard" in the re-
publican ranks. Before noon today
Hitchcock had received from Washing
ton an Official Endorsement of the
stand pat" position he had taken and
the statement was made that IL the
sallies" declined TO continue their con-
tests before the national committee the
temporary roll Of the convention would
be nIIed by the Taft delegates from the
contested districts
ssONLY A BLUFF
1T is nothing but a bluff, and I am
not going 10 be scared by it," said
Hitchcock late last night. when told OF
the move of the allies This expression
was not made for PUBLICATION, but it was
carried TO the anti-Taft people.
II was also noised about that Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Secretary Taft hao
, determined to hold the southern dele
rations which had been gained. and
Athst no concessions could be expected
from the Taft management The ef-
feet of this announcement was imme
dfate Conferences were again called