The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-12
PLATES SUCCESSOR
NO MAN HAS CLEAR PATH TO sEN- : AT0RSHIP.
Tinaofhy l.. Woodruff Does Not Ap- prove of Secretary Root Having a Clear FteId--Many Com
 feremces Are Held.

l. Washington, Nov. 11.--That no man at this time has a clear path to the seat in the United States Senate to be vacatedsiby Senator Thomas c. Piatt, |. of. New York. in March next. was evil denced today at several conferences on several subjects at the White House and In Washington hotels.
 | For several days 1t has appeared that if Secretary of State Root de- cided to become an active candidate, other aspirants for the place would withdraw. Former Lieutenant Cover nor Timothy L. Woodruff, Chairman of the New York Republican State Com mittee, who has had ambitions to be- come Senator for several years, has not assented to the program of elimi- mating all candidates except Mr. Root. He declined to commit himself on the subject and none of those remaining here was authorized to speak for him.
 Chairman Frank H. Hitchcock, of the Republican National Committee, ar rived in Washington early in the day from Hot Springs. Va. where he visit. ed Mir. Taft. Soon after his arrival, he called at the White House and was re- celved by President Roosevelt. The President conRratulated the National Chairman on his management of the Taft campaign but politics was not discussed on this occasion. A lunch con which had been arranged for 1:S0 o'clock interfere1 with any formal con- ference during the day. Those pres- ent included the British Ambassador and Mrs. Bryce; vice-President- -elect Sherman; Secretary of War and Mrs. Wright. Wtn. L. Ward, Republican Ma tional conihnltteeman from New York; Timothy IT, Woodruff, Republican State Chairman of. New York: Seth Low. of New York; William Berri, of Brook lyn, and MT. Hitchcock.
 Most of the guests. who are known in political circles, met in the execu- tive offices after the luncheon, al- though Chairman Hitchcock did not participate in this gathering. The President was present only for few minutes. It was said that the New York Senatorship was not discussed.
 Later Governor Woodruff, Mr. Ward and MT. Sherman met at the New Will lard Hotel and there the Senatorship was considered. It is said upon excel lent authority that Mir. Ward and Mir sherman believe that Governor Wood ruff should not at this time be a can didate for the Senatorship but should leave clear field to Secretary Root. It Is understood further that Governor Woodruff did not take Kindly to the suggestions in the form in which they were offered and that before depart ing for New York at p. m., he left a decided impression that the matter was one that required further consid- eration on his part.
 Persons well informed concerning New York politics. asserted tonight that Governor Woodruff has within his power the making of a very em- barrassing Senatorial situation.
 Thus far, there has been no charge made of White House dictation against the movement to make MT. Root the successor of Senator Platt, but it is made an issue if contest over the Senatorship should be precipitated. Governor Woodruff alone. it Is argued, can create situation where Senator may be elected without a conflict. New York politicians who favor the election of MT. Rott are endeavoring to induce Governor Woodruff to retain the State chairmanship and become a candidate later for the seat in the Senate now occupied by Senator Depew.
 Chairman Hitchcock took no part in the SenatriOl conferences while the New York visitors were present, but he went to the White House at o'clock tonight and saw President Roosevelt. When he left, he would not admit that the New York Senator ship had been discussed but said he had a number of matters which he de- sired to take up with President Roosc- velt The subjects considered were not made public.
 MT Hitchcock left Washington for New York tonight and during the next week will give his attention to clos ing up matters in the Eastern head quarters of the Republican National Committee and the publication of the statement of collections and disburse- ments of funds in the campaign just closed.