The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-09-23
ROOSEVELT To MAKE
A VIGOROUS REPLY
DevoteS ALI Morning to Pre-
pairing Response TO Bryan's
Challenge.
HASKELL SUMMONED
TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Answer Expected to Be Couched in
Strenuous Terms-Meyer Clos
eted With President.

~--~-N 49, a - AAA@ AFAN ~ AA1I~
eted With President.
President Roosevelt has taken I'D the
gauntlet thrown down by William J.
Bryan yesterday. In response TO the
Nebraskan's demand that he prove his
charges against men high IN the coun-
els OF the Democratic party, tre Fresi-
dent viii issue a statement early this
evening which, IS intended 20 be TIE
most vigorous blow which has yet been
struck iE the interest Of Judge Taft's
candidacy for the Presidency
The President has devoted himself al
most exclusively today 10 the subject
matter contained in lIr Bryan's teIe-
gram. and also to a few little side issues
on which the Nebraskan failed 70 touch.
After half-hOUr conference with Col.
W. c, Haskell, SeaIer Of Weights and
Measures Of the District OF Columbia.
upon whose shoulders Governor Haskell
Of Oklahoma. has attempted 70 shift
the burden Of Standard OIL taint. the
President began work in real earnest
Nearly the entire stan or the Executive
Ofice was set 70 work. looking up
court records and other points OF vital
importance.
Meyer a Caller.
Another early caller was Postmaster
General Meyer. who was clOseted with
the President some time.
There VIII be an answer 70 the tele-
gram from M Bryan. and II viii COW
er the ground fulIy," said Mr.. Meyer,
as he left The President IS now at
work upon this answer. but its length
viii prevent Issuance until later in the
day"
Secretary Loeb later confirmed the
statement that the document would be
a lengthy one, and would take Up every
phase OF the moO-ed question. which
indicates that the document is 10 lack
none OF the Roosevelt ,,irility, and VIII
throw q bombshell into the Democratic
camp Mr.. Loeb said that the Presi-
dent had received Mr. Bryan's message
last evening. The reply, however, viii
be so voluminous that It VIII not be
sent by telegraph, but viii probably be
mailed the Democratic candidate.
Secretary Loeb said that the Presi-
dent would not answer the telegram OF
Chairman Mack OF the Democratic
committee, also received last night. ii
which Mr. Mack calls the attention OF
the executive TO q rcDuted interview
from the President coming through
Timothy WOOdruff. OF New York. and
CTiUfCisinE the $500. 900 fund available for
the Democrats as soon as Governor
Haskell was named
Missed the Point"
Mack has missed the point accord
Ing 20 Secretary Loeb, and therefore
his telegram does not require an an
sWeT- The President was not interested,
he intimated, IN published charges made
by others, that Chairman Mack had
turned over the $4,000 in question.
Political sages say today that one fea-
ture OF Mr.. Bryan's telegram opens Up
an excellent avenue for the character
istic Roosevelt lambasting OF the entire
Democratic platform and party. in THAI
the Democratic candidate did not con-
fine himself specifically 10 the Haskell
charges in his rather unusual telegram,
but went on 10 say that the Democratic
policies were this and that, honorable,
above board. and other things, thereby
giving a politician Of Mr. ROOsevelt's
known ability an excuse 10 handle the
matter without gloves. and at the same
time stay within the bounds Of a strict
answer to Bryan's demands
Spot Light Shifts.
These scenes Of activity indicated that
the center OF political activity IN the
Republican ranks al least, had shifted
from New York and Chicago to Wash
ingtgon, and that, now that HIS vacation
was actually over. the President would
direct things with even more energy
than that which characterized his work
at oyster Bay The President lost no
time in getting into touch with several
men who had valuable information TO
impart on the political situation. and
during the remaining days Of the cam
paign much Of his time. during the
morning hours, viii be devoted % poll
tics
In addition 10 Postmaster General
Meyer Secretary Garfield was on hand
early. other callers were Senator Sim
mons OF North Carolina. Judge r A.
BeIlinger, OF Seattle; Harry Dougherty.
Of the Spanish Claims Commission, and
Postmaster Barnes
When the President reached the ex-
ecutlve Ofices shortly before 10 O'Clock.
be went Immediately into conference with
MI Haskell. The two remained cIoseted
for half an hour. When the District
official emerged. he announced that he
could make no statement. intimating
that the President might later do so,
but he did not deny a question which
intimated that he had been called to
fully reassure the President that he
could BY no means be the Haskell re-
ferred to by Hearst
Natural Assumption.
That the President should want such
assurance before replying to the tsle-
gram Of William Jennings Bryan de-
mandinR that be, the President. furnish
proof OF his statements regarding Gov
ernor Haskell and his alleged STANDARD
OH Affiliations, is a natural assumption
Nr Haskell. In the face or his prior
denials that he was ever ahiHated with
the Standard oil interests. was asked
BY a reporter IL he knew OF any other
Haskell IN the state OF Ohio who might
be the person referred 20 BY Hearst.
There Is q preacher named Haskell"
ne replied Iaughingly. but CT course ha
IS eliminated. There IS another Has
keu. whose name DO not know IN fun.
who resides IN the western portion OF
CONTINUED on Eleventh PaEs)