New-York tribune., 1908-11-12
DISCUSS SENATORSHIP
CONFERENCES At WHITE
HOUSE.
Sherman and Ward Urge Woodruf
to Leaue Clear Field for Root
He Is SAID to Object.
- The A.soctatsd Pres.. }

l
Washington. Nov. 11-That no man at this
time has clear path to the seat in the United
States Senate to be vacated by Thomas c
Patt of New York, March 4. was made ap
parent to-day at several conferences on the sub
iect at the White House and in Washington
hotels
For several days it has appeared that II Sec
retary Root decided to become an active can
didate other aspirants for the place would with
draw Ex-Lieutenant Governor Timothy l.
Woodruff chairman Of the New York Republi-
can State Committee who has had ambitions to
become Senator for several years. has not as
sented to the programme of eliminating all can
didates except Mr.. Root. Mr. Woodruff returned
to New York this afternoon, and his friends say
he will give considerable thought TO the s1tua-
ton before reaching decision. He realizes
that if he becomes a candidate 1t would be the
signal for numerous others to enter the race,
and the result would be in doubt He declined
to commit himself on the subject, and no one
remaining here was authorized to speak for
him
Frank Il. Hitchcock chairman OF the RepuD-
IicaD National Committee. arrived in Washing
ton early in the day from Hot Springs. Va
where he visited Mr.. Taft yesterday. Soon aftcr
his arrival he called at the White House ana
was received Immediately by President Roose-
Welt The President congratulated the CHAIRMAN
On his management of Mr. Tafts campaign out
politfes was not discussed. A luncheon which
had been arranged for 1:3O o'clock interfered
with any formal conference, although the guests
included number of persons who had taken a
nroroinent part in national and New YORK staIe
poIftics Those present were the British Am
bassador and Mrs Bryce. the Secretary OF " a.
and Mrs Wright, ce-President-elect James .
sherman. Chairman Hitchcock. Robert j.
Wvnne Consul General at London ana MIS-.
Wvnne; William l. Ward, Republican nauohal
committeeman from New York; Tlmothy l.
Woodruff Seth Low, William Berrl OF brooA-
lvn: MIR and Mrs Howard Pyle, MIR and Mrs
John R. Mclean and Dr. Albert 0ha"' ol -'7"
York
Most Of the guests who are known in politlcaI
circles met in the executive Offices after the
luncheon, although Chairman Hitchcock did not
take part in this gathering The President was
present only for a few minutes 1t was salo
that the New York Senatorship was not dis
cussed.
WOODRUFF TO THINK IT OVER
Later Mr. woodruff Mr.. Ward and Mr. Sher-
man met at the New Willard Hotel ana there
the senatorship was considered. 1t is said on
excellent authority that Mr. Ward and Mr.
Sherman believe that MIR. Woodruff should not
at this time be candidate for the Senatorship
but should leave clear field TO Secretary Root
1t is understood further that Mr. Woodrur dld
not take kindly to the suggestions IN the form
in which they were offered, and that before de-
parting for New York, at 4 p. m he left de
cided impression that the matter required
further consideration on his part
Persons we'll informed concerning New York
politics asserted tonight that Mr.. Woodruff has
within his power the making of a very emoar-
RAISING Senatorial situation.
Thus far there has been charge made Of
White House dictation against the movement TO
make Mr.. Root the successor Of Senator Platt,
but it is pointed out that this might easily be
made an issue If a contest over the Senatorship
should arise Mr.. Woodruff alone. it is argued,
can create situation where q Senator may be
elected without conflict. New York politicians
who favor the election of Mr.. Root endeav
oring TO induce Mr- Woodruff TO retain the state
chairmanship and become a candidate for the
seat in the Senate now occupied by Chauncey
NJ. Depew.
After the White House luncheon Mr. Sherman
and Mr. Ward visited the State Department and
had a brief talk with Secretary Root. When
they returned Mr.. Woodruff. DR.. Shaw and Mr.
Berrf had gone to their hotels They also took
their leave Of the President and departed to-
night for Hot Springs Y a.
A few moments after Mr. Sherman and Mr.
Ward left the White House Secretary Root ap-
peared and tennis game interrupted
while he held an animated conversation with the
President.
Chairman Hitchcock took no part in the con-
ferences on the Senatorship while the New
York visitors were present, but he saw Presi-
dent Roosevelt again at o'clock tonight When
he left the White House he would not acknovl-
edge that the New York Senatorship had been
discussed but said he had number of matters
which he desired TO take up with President
Roosevelt and it was for this purpose that the
President had asked him to return tonight
The subjects considered were not made public
on Mr.. Hitchcock's next visit to Mr.. Taft at /
Hot Springs on November o. it is likely that
many questions bearing prominently on the
coming administration of Mr. Taft will receive !
careful considerst ton The Gact that Mr. Hitch /
cock viii be in Hot Springs for a week has given /
rise TO the belief that Cabinet. diplomatic and /
other important appointments will be discussed. I
Mr. Hitchcock left Washington FOR New York /
tonight and for the next week will give his 1
attention to closing up matters In the Eastern !
headquarters of the Republican National Com /
mfttee and the publication OF the statement OF /
collections and disbursements Of funds in the .
just closed.
Secretary Root left here to-day for Boston
attend the funeral Of a relative tomorrow. He
returns here on Friday. Among his callers were
Seth Low and State Senator Alfred R Page. Of
New York. Mr. Low said the New York Sen
atorship had not been discussed. and Mr.. Page
is reported having said that a Senator
being elected in Washington instead of leaving
the question to the New York Legislature
Vice -President-elect Sherman called to see Mr..
Root but the Secretary had left his office for
the day.
LILIUoKALANI GETS $4,000