Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-01-04
IOWA is LINING UP FOR TAFT
Unless shaw Asks Endorsement state
VIII He for Secretary.

VIII he for Secretary.
DES MONIES, Ia. Jan. 3.-The effort for
the control of the first state convention is
just now beginning to attract attention
among party leaders. This is the last con-
vention that will be held in Iowa under the
old caucus plan. Under the primary law
which goes into effect in June a new order
of things is established. The first con-
vention, which probably will be held in
March win select delegates TO represent
Iowa IN the national convention.
Unless former Secretary Shaw asks Tor
the delegation as a nucleus to his pres-
Dental boom there will be little question
but that Iowa will line up for Taft, and
will so instruct it's delegates. On this point
there seems to be little division of senti-
ment between the progrcssives and the
standpatters.
Governor Cummins is understood to be
for Taft, so are "Lafe" Young, George D.
Perkins and a good part of the other stand
pat leaders. There was a time when II
was supposed that the governor was not
in line for the Ohio statesman, but 1t Is
said that as the result of a trip to Wash
ington he now is actively in favor of the
Roosevelt candidate.
Despite the fact that there is little ques-
tion as to the lineup of the state on presi-
Dental candidates. it must not be sup
posed that the standpatters are giving up
all thoughts Of controlling the national
delegation. They do not propose to "har-
monize" unless it may be determined be-
tween now and March that such "har-
mony" will be in the interest of Allisons
reelection.
II is the belief of the leaders of the
standpat faction that the majority are of
! 4 A. -
the March convention will give the Allison
cause, and incidentally the standpat state
ticket. much prestige before the primaries,
The leaders are beginning to display con-
siderable activity in regard to the dele
CATION. The contest will center upon the
delegates at large.
For two of the delegation at large the
names of "Lafe" Young of Des Moines
and George d. Perkins of Sioux City seem
TO meet with most favor among standpat-
ters Both Of these men have been prom
inent In standpat councils. Mr. Young, as
editor of the Des Moines Capital, has been
called upon to make the fight for stand
patism in, Cummins' home county while
Mr.. Perkins, equally prominent as an ex-
ponent Of the principles OF that wing Of
the party through his Sioux City Journal
has not hesitated TO bear a large share
of political burdens upon his own shoulders,
Both these editors are giving Mr. Taft
their support both are in accord with the
administration, and both OF them are repre-
sentative Iowa republicans. That it is i'm
portant. from the standpoint of that wing
Of the party, to bring together the divided
elements of this faction is becoming plain.
The Cummins organization, which for
present purposes is a unit in its support
not only of the governor for United States
senator but Of the lieutenant governor as
candidate for head Of the state ticket,
seems to he entirely intact and prepared to
go into the contest without any apparent
/ hitch.
| As opposed to this organization the stand
/ patters are not able at present to present
anything like a solid front Thus far they
! have been unable to unite upon any can
ddate for governor and II seems possible
| there may be several names presented
/ representing to a greater or less degree
| the ideas az that faction.
The standpat leaders realize that If any
| thing is done to oppose the Cummins- Garst
| organization work must commence at once,
| and that the first thing to be done is to
make a strong fight for the control of the
! first convention,
| It is believed that Young and Perkins are
! the strongest men among the standpatters
for two of the delegates at large. Con-
gressman Walter I. Smith OF Council
] Bluffs and former Congressman Lacey OF
| Oskaloosa have been suggested for the
| additional members OF the big four"
but as yet no agreement has been reached.