Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-21

Hitchcock has been confronted with COM
plants that there has not been sufficient
activity. These criticisms have been diff
fcult to meet. for the reason, he said,
that he could not take the public into
his confidence concerning All matters
handled at national headquarters. 1t has
been Mr.. Hitchcocks belief that nothing
could be accomplished by pouring into
state ammunitbRl directed at the nation
al campaign when there Is conflict going
on In the state over some local issue
that entirely overshadowed the national
issues. Practically all OF Mr. Hitch.
cocks advisers agreed that It would be
the proper policy to settle these state
Quafrels before opening the national CAM
paisn. and 1t so happened that It was In
the states regarded as doubtful that these
CONNECTS were being carried on.
There will be plenty OF noise In the
campaign within another week to suit
everybody. Mr.. Hitchcock said today. He
refuses to be RULED by tho criticisms Of
his conduct with the campaign.
President May Start Something.
Pretty straight information coming to
Washington Ia that the President will be-
gin inquiry and Investigation almost i'm
mediately after getting here as to tho
democratic claim that they are sweeping
things before them and are sure to win
More than that. the authority 10 that II
the President finds there Is a tendency
toward Bryan he will at once put the
machinery to work that will change all
plans for the campaign. A decided com.
pliment to Mr.. Bryan Is involved in the
probabilities OF the shaking up that may
follow the Presidents work.
When Frank H. Hitchcock was selected
90 hntN - ~ (AA
committee by Mr.. Taft. with the approval
of the President. 1t was because there was
q feeling that Bryan would cut little
more figure in this campaign than he has
in the past. and that the chief work Of
the chairman OF the committee would DO
to collect money. keep the machinery Of
the organization we'll oiled and attempt
no new or startling stunts-briefy con.
duct campaign Of noiseless inactivity.
The man best fitted by nature and habits
to such campaign was picked. He was
the protege of Secretary Cortelyou. like
wise noiseless and indisposed to the lime
light Of red-hot fight. He had been the
assistant Of Mr.. Cortelyou in a campaign
in which there was little to do but keep
a cool head.
President Asking Questions.
Events are apparently shaping them
selves so as to call for an entirely diff
ferent kind OF a campaign. II 1t Is true
that the democrats are making heavy
inroads into the republican camp and that
they are materially progressing. the Presi-
dent wants to know 1t so as to quickly
make up his mind what sort OF a cam
paign should be conducted in behalf or
Mr.. Taft. Numerous conferences are to
be held by the President and he Will
make inquiries through mail and other
wise. He has already started such an
inquiry and feels that he will reach the
facts by the end OF the coming week or
mighty soon afterward
Veterans Are Dissatisfied.
The plain truth is that some OF the old
line republican leaders are dissatisfied
with conditions at national committee
headquarters. They have let their views
be known to both the President and Mr..
Taft. They have visited headquarters In
New York. and they don't like the atmos-
phere. There isn't the fighting spirit
they were used to under the Mark Hanna
regime. They claim that everything Is
run by young and inexperienced men who
decline to do anything or take any action
until they have talked with Mr.. Hitch
cock. Then Mr. Hitchcock has to talk 1t
over with the President or Mr.. Taft or
others, and the outcome Is that the ADVICE
or suggestion is lost in the shuttle
Senator du Pont, chairman OF tho
speakers committee. Is the most acces.
sible Of all the oficials Of the commit
tee. but he, too, Is Handicapped by tho
policy Of putting of. waiting to see"
etc. A mistake was made in putting
Senator du Pont in the position. say the
old-timers. They declare he has had lit
tie genuine political experience. He has
simply footed the bills Of his party in
Delaware. but the worst allegation
against him Is that he is a defendant In
the great powder trust suit OF the gov.
eminent, now pending. It is declared
that the inconsistency Of this In CAM
paign against trusts Is apparent.
The President will. therefore, have to
take up a decidedly delicate problem.
Many republicans hold that the Bryan
squirt will be over In few days, and
that no further trouble need be expected.
But should the democrats continue to
prosper and their fight look good. II IL
claimed, the President will be compelled
to make recommendations to the nominee
Of his party that will lead to changes
in plans and policies at national COM
mittee headquarters. 1t is declared that
aggression must take the place OF rub
Der heels, and the young men with wide
merry widow hats around headquarters
must give way to more seasoned and
willing fighters.