The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-28
Criticism Of Taft Campaign
Management Accredited
to This.
OPPOSED CHOICE
OF MR.. HITCHCOCK
Failing TO Block His Election, They
Begin Criticism of His
Work.
By ]. c. WELLIVER.

~ )" - " $500 ~@@Ns
NEW YORK, Sept. 2S.-The question
OF future control of the Republican ma
IionaI organization has been 10 a large
degree at the bottom of the criticism
of the management Of the Taft cam
paign, according to a very high Repub-
Hcan authority, from which II is posi-
bic 10 present some features OF this
matter not heretofore exploited
From the beginning of the prelimi-
naries Of this campaign. there have been
involved two very important questions.
One was the nomination of a man who
would represent the Roosevelt attitude
toward public questions; the other was
10 elect that man.
It was presumed in the beginning that
10 nominate a Roosevelt candidate
would be tantamOunt TO assurance that
the national organization would remain
IN hands friendly TO the Roosevelt view
OF things. But even after the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Taft, the anti Roosevelt
conservatives in the psrty-the people
who were known as the Allies at
Chicago-went right ahead with their
hght to secure control of the organize
ton. They wanted il for the sake Of
the future; for its potency after cleo
ton. for its influence with men who will
have ambitions looking 10 1912; for its
significance as a factor in determining
the course of legislation.
Wanted Control.
These interests were already securely
In control of the Congressional cam
paign committee. They wanted to an
mex the national committee as well CAN
them by whatever name you like-the
allies. the Cannon crowd" the ''Tegu-
lars" or the "reaCtiOnarieS' they
wanted control They had dominated
the platform making at Chicago; they
had dictated the nomination of Sher-
man, when Sherman was decidedly not
wanted; If they could gather in the ma
tiOnal committee, they would be In fine
shape for the future. They would be
able to tie the hands of President TAFT,
and with four years ahead in which 70
maneUver, they would get back into con-
troll Of the whole party machinery. and
dominate the 1912 convention. Mean
while, they would take the teeth out OF
Roosevelt policies by putting hOppies
on Mr.. Taft.
They would have been glad 10 have
some other man than Hitchcock for
chairman OF the national committee
They did not approve Of him. because
he was not considered sufficiently amen
able 10 their influence. It will be re-
called that there was a period Of de-
ciGed uncertainty whether Hitchcock
would be made national chairman At
one time Mr.. Hitchcock wrote a letter
taking himself out OF consideration for
the campaign leadership. He was made
chairman because the President decided
st was the thing 10 do in order to keep
the leadership in hands which would
not be turned against his program Of
management and legislation.
Distinct Defeat.
This was a distinct defeat for the old
crowd In national affairs. for what
might be called the Hanna school Of
politics. But defeated AT this point,
the people of this persuasion set about
In new way 10 get control.
The plan was then brought forward
Of having twin headquarters At New
York and Chicago. each in charge of a
vice chairman. who should be respec-
lively Eastern and Western managers.
It was planned to have Senator Hem
enway Of Indiana made Western mana
ger, and some good, reliable 0ld-schOOl
politician in charge AT New York In
this way relations of Chairman Hitch
cock would be made rather general and
supervisory. If not nominal; the organi-
TWO section managers. When the cam
paign was over they would know the
machine and its people, and how 10 pull
the strings Some Eastern senator OF
the conservative hue would have been
made Eastern manager under such an
arrangement. and the elder statesmen
would have been fortified in comfortable
control.
This plan. again. required TO be op-
posed in the interest of the plan 10
keep the new element IN control Il
laFr TOD
manned in complete charge at both head
quarters. with the complete power to
name his assistants
Go After Hitchcock
Again the elders of Republicanism
were outwittcd. But even yet they did
not give up the struggle. They began
attacking the Hitchcock methods Of
running the campaign. They were not
much consulted with, which WAS not
remarkable, considering the situation.
Mi Hitchcock knew what he was doing
IN this regard He was getting all the
advice he needed. but not getting it from
the particular people who especially
wanted TO give it-ard in the giving OF
II to get themselves worked into the
citadel OF organization.
II was presently made manifest that
there was to lee determined attack on
Hitchcock. The chairman was branded
as an amateur anu y meal comment
accounted him "a good clerk, without tine
experience or the capacity for such
big lob" It was declared that EC was
trying 10 ABORT the still-hunt methods
cf Quays 1883 campaign. in a year when
brass bands and red fire We're needed.
II will be long after election and In
auCIiratiOu before all that intrigue and
manipulation is known. Much Of it
probably never Will be known. II Mr.
Hitchcock wins the election, everybody
will have been his devoted supporter
MEDICAL.