Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-21
HITCHCOCK FIRM IN REFUSAL
TO ACCEPT GUARDIANSHIP
Friends Unable to Move Him and He
Pleads Need of Rest. 4.

CHICAGO June e0.-Republican lead
ers from all sections of the country
who have remained here for few days
after the convention refuse to accept
as final the declination Of Frank H.
Hitchcock to accept the Craftsmanship OF
the national committee, which carries
with it the management Of the cam
paign for the election Of the Taft and
Sherman ticket.
When it was learned today through a
dispatch from Cincinnati that Hitchcock
had asked Secretary Taft not to con-
slider him for the craftsmanship dele
cation headed by Senator William war
ner Of Missouri Immediately called on
Hitchcock at his rooms in the Audi
torium Annex.
els this true?" asked Senator War
ner- exhibiting the dispatch as printed
in an afternoon paper.
Hitchcock Refuses to Yield.
1T is" replied Hitchcock. After
considering the subject carefully 1 de-
cided it would be best not to permit my
name to come up in connection with the
appointment.
The fact is. am physically exhausted
and need rest My health demands that
I take rest. My friends have been kind.
IT is oniy because of their zeal in my
behalf that / regret the necessity or
retiring"
The members Of the delegation pro-
tested that Hitchcock was qualified to
manage the campaign. When they left
the room they declared they would not
consent to his retirement regardless Oh
his wishes in the matter
Hitchcock looks worn and tlred. Cn
two nights during the convention he did
not go to bed at all.
Tuesday night the credentials commit
tee held a fourteen-hour session, tnrousn-
out which Hitchcock kept In touch WIN
the proceedings. On Thursday night there
was a conference on the subject OF the
vice presidency.
Party leders were at his rooms until
after 3 O'Clock am, beseeching him 10
ascertain Secretary Taft's choice Tor
running mate. When the presldentlal
nominee declined to dictate nomination n
for second place on the TICKET II re-
manned for Hitchcock to harmonic the
differences between the representatives. Oh
the various candidates.
From o'clock until the convention met
at 10 o'clock Hitchcock worked to line up
the western delegations behind snelna ,,
who had developed the greatest strength
of all the candidates. AS result ne mas
undermined his health.
Friends Arguments Unheeded.
Several warm personal friends argued
with Hitchcock today that he would have
plenty of time TO rest before 1t became
necessary to open national headquarters.
He gave them no satisfaction whatever.
That there is a considerable number OF
members of the national committee OPP
posed to the selection of Hitchcock 10
manage the campaign is admitted. NO
doubt this is responsible in no small de-
gree for his determination 10 WithoId"
from the race.
. He informed some of his friends today
that he had accomplished all he had un-
dertaken; that the nomination OF lalt
having been made he could retire with
good grace. and the Secretary without
embarrassment could select manager.
A persistent report that Hitchcock had
been invited to meet Secretary TART on
Tuesday had not been confirmed. 1t is
known he intends to leave for the east
Monday night He declined to discuss his
plans for the future beyond saying he
was going to have vacation.
Many names have been mentioned for
the craftsmanship since the news of Hitch
cocks declination was received. Among
these are Postmaster General Meyer ana
former Gov. Myron T. Herrick of Ohio.
Neither Wants Post.
1t was stated that neither of these men
wanted to assume the responsibility of
managing long campaign. Nevertheless
they seemed to be the only men mentioned
seriously.
II was said also that the intimate rela-
tons between Postmaster General Meyer
and Hitchcock might induce the latter
TO take the vice craftsmanship and an
active part in the management of the
campaign il Meyer were chosen.
Hitchcock declared he would not think
of such d thing. 1t was recalled that
he had said TO Charles z. Taft two days
ago he would not accept a subordinate
position.
II Secretary Taft and Hitchcock should
meet soon and the republican candidate
for President insist on Hitchcock's con-
tinuing TO manage his campaign, his
friends here are confident he could be
drafted They stated emphatically he
owed II 10 the republican party TO do
what he could for the election of the
Chicago ticket.