The sun., 1908-02-09
STRONG ANTI.TAFT ALLIANCE
WILL FIGHT FEDERAL OFFICE
HOLDERS IN MANY STATES.
Troubled over the Damage 10 TaEt's Cause
Oy the Alleged Use OF Patronage 20
Aid His Candidacy, the President VIII
Publish . Letter Denying the Charge.

Publish . Letter Denying the Charge.
WASHINGTON. Feb. s.-President Roose-
welt and the Administration leaders who
are joined with the President in the effort
to bring about the nomination OF William
H. Taft by the Chicago convention now
realize that the supporters Of other can
didates have not been idle and that the
coming battle will be fought hard and to a
finish. The Taft advocates within the
Administration circle are somewhat as
tOnished over the strength shown by their
opponents. As much was admitted to-day
and the word went out from quarters near
TO the White House that there was plenty
OF evidence that a combination had been
effected among the advocates Of Cannon.
Knox, Fairbanks and others TO prevent
Taft from getting the nomination.
1t was said in these same quarters that
Senator W. Murray Crane of Massachusetts,
was the leader Of the anti-Taft forces.
Without regard to whether Mr.. Crane is
or Is not the chief mover in the growing
opposition to the effort of President Roose-
welt to name his own successor. the fact is
recognized on all sides that some master
politician has effected a powerful work
ing coalition OF the Republican leaders
who are committed TO the candidacy Of
other candidates than Taft This was shown
in the Florida State convention and it is
now an open secret that the work Of the
allied forces will be apparent in every
Republican State convention in which
Federal offiCehOlders will take a prominent
part with the object OF obtaining an indorse-
ment for the Secretary Of War.
Following the disclosures Of the strenuous
participation Of Federal employees in the
Florida convention and the news Of Frank
II. HitchcOcks temporary transfer from
the Office of First Assistant Postmaster
General to the Taft campaign management.
there has been a revival Of the criticisms
Of the President for his alleged use Of Fed
eral officeholders to help the Taft cause.
The close friends Of the President did not
need to put their ears to the ground to hear
the rImblings OF discomfort. and they were
quick to make Mr.. Roosevelt acquainted
with the danger which a continuance OF
this kind OF talk would work to the Taft
candidacy.
MIR. Roosevelt, generally recognized as
one Of the greatest politicians in the coun-
try, was not slow to make up his mind as to
the course to pursue to Offset the threatened
damage. Early next week he will make
public the text Of letter written by him
60 William Dudley Foulke OF Indiana. deny
ing the charges that Federal officeholders
had been used TO get support for the Secre-
tary of War. Mr.. Foulke. who is an ardent
civil service reformer. had been reading
allegations in an Indianapolis newspaper
said to be controlled by Vice-President
Fairbanks in regard to the improper use
OF Federal patronage and the services Of
Federal oificeholders in Mr.. Taft's behalf
and made a trip to Washington to invest-
gate. He saw President Roosevelt. Secre-
tary Taft, Postmaster-General Meyer and
others connected with the Administration.
and on his return home challenged the IN
dianapolis newspaper to name a single
instance Of a Federal officer instructed TO
work for Mr.. Taft's nomination.
II is safe to predict that the President
denial Of the charges will not serve to stop
the assertions that many OF his appointees
are actively engaged in the effort TO bring
about the selection of Mr.. Taft as the
Republican standard bearer. The action
Of the Senate in rejecting nominations Of
postmasters in Ohio and pension agent in
New Hampshire on the ground that they
we're nominated At the instance Of Taft
boomers against the wishes Of the Senators
from their States indicates that the Senate
is inclined to put faith in the reports Of
Administration activity in behalf Of the
Presidents candidate. This feeling is
growing in Congress. and it is believed
that the Presidents letter to Mr. Foulke
will not be sufficient TO sidetrack the inten-
tiOn Of some Congressman to introduce
resolutions calling for more specific in
formation or for the appointment Of
committee to make an investigation of the
charges.
From all accounts Frank II. Hitchcock
was an unwilling convert to the Taft cause
and will surrender the Office of First
Assistant Postmaster General very re-
luctantly. Il is said that Mr.. Hitchcock
consented to become one Of Mr.. Taft's
managers only from a sense of duty and
loyalty to President Roosevelt Already
predictions are being made that the choice
Of Mr.. Hitchcock as a director Of the Taft
campaign will result in friction between
himself and Arthur l. Vorys OF Columbus,
Ohio. the other Taft manager. Mr.. Yorys
gave out a statement last night that he
had invited Mr.. Hitchcock TO help along
the candidacy OF the Secretary Of War.
but there is a suspicion that Mr.. VOrys.
who had regarded Mr.. Hitchcock as one
Of the leaders in the alleged movement to
bring about Secretary Cortelyou's nomina-
tion. did not extend the invitation until
he had been urged 10 do so by somebody
higher up" 10 back up Mr.. Voryss
statement from Columbus the following
was authorized to-day:
1T was learned from one near TO Secre-
tary Taft that Mr.. Vorys Of Ohio. who has
up to this time managed the Secretary's
campaign. found that he could not cover all
the ground that was necessary. and he
therefore solicited the assistance Of Mr.
Hitchcock. Mr.. Vorys will retain the main
headquarters at Columbus and will divide
the work with Mr.. Hitchcock, who will
establish headquarters somewhere in the
East"
Mr.. Hitchcock will make his headquarters
in Washington or New York; perhaps have
Offices in both cities. He was wanted
especially on account OF his wide aoquaint-
ance among postmasters. His work will
be in the Eaat and the South The undar-