The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-26
POLITICS COLLIDE
AT Bis DINNER
Of OHIO SOCIETY
Administration Will Be At
tackled, So Taft Sends
Regrets.
Governor Hughes to Speak.
Foraker IS Preparing
BrOadSide.

NEW YORK. Jan. 25.-The dinner of
the Ohio Society on the night of Feb
ruary /, will, it is said, be made the
medium of an organized attack on the
Federal administration, and as a result
of this becoming known 10 Secretary
Taft he has declined an invitation to
be one of the guests OF honor, among
whom will be Governor Hughes, Senator
Foraker, JudsOn Harmon, of Cincinnati,
and Judge GrosscuD, Of Chicago
Secretary Taft had previously declared
his intention of attending the dinner as
on the same night he is expected to
be a guest at the dinner of the Amen
Corner. It was stated that it was his
Intention at that time to say that moth
ing should be put in the way of the
New York delegation to the national
convention from naming Governor
Hughes as the candidate of the Empire
State for the Presidency.
Taft Cot TIP.
Advance information Of this intention
becoming known was what caused the
Secretary OF War to write a letter TO
Representative Parsons, in which ne
stated that he would not stand in the
way of any favoTte sons.
That Secretary Taft was expected at
the Ohio Society dinner is evidenced
by the fact that a committee from the
Amen Corner met u similar committee
from the society TO arrange matters so
that Mr.. Taft could be present at both
affairs. 1t was only when the nature
of the proceedings became known that
1he Secretary sent his decIination TO the
society.
Governor Harris BegS Of.
According to the stories which are
said 20 have created diSscusiOn among
abe members of the society, Governor
Hughes at first declined to attend IN
less Governor Harris. of Ohio, was also
10 be a guest. his practice being to not
address State societies unless the gov
ernor of that State was present TO
share the honors. Governor Harris had
heard OF some of the rumors Of an at
rack to be made on the Administration
and incidentally on Taft, and he asked
70 be excused Then Governor Hughes
reconsidered and consented TO speak.
Senator Foraker stipulated when he
was asked to be one of the speakers
that he must be allowed 10 say what
he pleased and should not be hedEed
about with restrictions The commit
tee on arrangements agreed 10 this and
according 10 report. Senator Foraker's
speech viii be a defense Of his own
position and an out-and-out attack on
President Roosevelt, his Administration,
and mis- Secretary of War.
False, Says McCook.
Col John J. McCook, president Of the
q society, expressed great surprise when
told of the rumors concerning the
dinner, and denied that there was any
political ground for the declination of
Secretary Tart.
There is no pOliuCs in the Ohio
Society and there never viii be-" he
said. Mr.. Taft was invited as a guest
of honor and IL Is a great disappOint-
ment that he will not be able to attend
] don't think the majority of the men
announced TO speak can be said TO be
antaEOnistiC 10 the Administration.
Judge Grosscup, / should say, Is an
administrative man. He and Senator
Foraker are honorary members of the
society. There is absolutely no fOunda-
uOn for any suggestion that there is
POLITICS IN the arrangements for the
dinner
Colonel AIcCook was asked if politics
would be discussed at the dinner
THAT is very likely" he said When
Ohio men get together it is usual that
they give their attention to many sub
Jects.'