The Washington times., 1908-08-13
Chairman Wipes Washing
ton Off the Republican
Political Map.
GREATLY PLEASED
BY HIS PROGRESS
Departs for New York This After
noon-Trouble With Candi-
date Is Denied.
By J. c. WELLIVER.

By ]. c. WELLIVER.
Chairman Hitchcock OF the Repub-
lican national committee, Is in Wash
ingtou today He arrived from Hot
Springs in time for an early breakfast.
accompanied by his confidential secre-
tary, James Thomas Williams. il. Their
plans provided Tor the hurried trans
actiCn of some business here. and "a
departure at 3:i0 for New York.
Incident TO the flying visit. Mr. Hitch
cock Topped OF the last evidence that
Washington is part OF the political sys-
TEN. He formally closed the last re-
naming room Of the once proud suite
which protected the card indexes and
mysteries Of the pre-conventon Taft
campaign.
The establishment has been shrinking
at the rate Of "A room or two at time
for some months. Today the key &c
the last room was surrendered TO the
Union Loan and Trust building jani-
tor, and the last ray Of the glory when
once efulged from. the wonderful new
green carpets and the smelly, warm
/ ishy Grand Rapids furniture, was dim
med forever. The Taft headquarters
/ is no more. II has become The national
headquarters.
Mr. Hitchcock is not "a l0quacious
person. and he wasn't disposed to say
much more than usual today. lie was
/ pleased with Jhe course the campaign
! is taxing in the opening weeks, and
with tile progress of arrangements for
getting il fairly opened up in good sea-
son.
Trouble Denied
From sources which represent the
Hitchcock inspiration, it was learned
that there is aDs luJeiy no basis i5r the
/ sensational reports of trouble within
1.-THE Republican Engagement. These re
/ ports have auert1 yariously that The
national .nAlrIuaa snd the Hatious! can
Idda-e were -s gctlh.s Ou IN entire
/ harmony. taat SIR. HitrhCccS, by his
/ insistenes aH undivided power and un-
divided .esp possibility. had appeared at
times Uueuly arbitrary and dictatoriali
that specifically, Mr. hitchcock mad
Arthur l. Norvs the Official orphan OF
the campaign. and that Al. Taft, who
IS much attached tc Norys, resented
tniE attitude.
uals, there is nothing but plain moon
shire ia All tuiss MesSrs. Hitchcock and
Norys We're both at Hot Springs, had
most satisfactory conference, and I'M
derstood everything perfectly. There Is
going 10 be work enough Tor both OF
them TO do. ard both are satisfied with
the work and the conditions in which
II viii be done
Taft Keeps Hands Of
Tie important announcement from
this Hot Springs conference is that Mr..
Taft Will not mess ia any of the State
fights. The West Virginia people have
been making life a burden to him with
their troubles, and the Tennessee fac
tions have been hardly less insisteht OF
his recognition Then there are the
New York troubles. which fortunately
for the candidate ne is able 10 unload
on the shoulders OF his great and good
friend At Oyster Bay. but which despite
this have their uncomfortable aspects.
The rival factions in Iowa would just
give their left hands if they could be
/ assured that Taft was with 'em. and
iu South Dakota there IS miX-up that
demands attention, and In which both
sides want The national candidate 10
help. And so On.
Now, In all these complications. Mr.
Taft is going TO be wise and keep out
Not for him the role of peacemaker
who usually gets jumped on by both
contestants. lie will leave all those
stunts to be performed by the political
management.
VOrys the Flxer.
This means. plainly enough. that the
national committee will have TO take
/ the fatiron and smooth out the seams
and rough edges. It will be recalled
that a few days ago Secretary Taft an
nounced the selection Of Mr.. Vorys as
official dxer adiuster. and handler OF
lust such difficulties as these 1t was
explained that Mr. Vorys was quite the
man for the task; he knew politics, and
was a great mixer.
He would handle such situations as
the closest personal representative of
MIR. Taft; and the people of the Vorys
element in Ohio promptly chirkJd up
and opined that after all they were
landing on top. They predicted that
VOrys. after IL was all over would
t,rcve TO be closer to the Presidential
person than Hitchcock; that his would
he the first advice sought I'm all deter
limitations as 10 the pie distribution. and
that he would come out with flying COZ
ors. assured Of power and influence
throughout the next four years. while
Hitchcock would be limited TO the brief
and neeting glory OF running the cam
To Make Promises.
But alas! There are to be no local
troubles for adjustment by the personal
TnnTFEbIlLdAlht tA MI lat. AT. IHIE
win not officially take cognizance OF
such. He will need nobody to adjust
them for him. to make promises OF nan
and Die. to hand out the quiet assurance
Of a auid pro quo in case the boys come
across right
All these things are to be handled BY
the national committee; that means by
the executive committee of the national
committee; and that means Mr. Hitch
cock.
one more chance for Mr. Vorvs to he
usefuI. and TO have an occupation has
been forfeited. Mr.. Hitchcock has Ia ker
over the Job Of Boss Fixer. Mr. .Vorsys
is expected TO hold the title throughout
the campaign, but the bossing ana the
6xing ali the same viii be done bV Mr..
Hitchcock
No time is being lost about getting the
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