Omaha daily bee., 1908-05-13
SECRETARY IS FAR In LEAD
Republican Leaders Working on Plan
to Prevent Friction.
TO AVOID CONTEST ON FLOOR
Talk of Fairbanks for vice President
and Another Term for Cannon
as speaker-Other Plans
Are Discussed
TO AVOID CONTEST ON FLOOR

WASHINGTON, May I2.-Republican
leaders in congress are now working earn
estly on a plan to prevent any break at
the Chicago convention that might dis
rupt party harmony and endanger success
at the polls in November. Conferences
have been held at both ends Of the capitol.
among such men as Senators Aldrich, Hale.
Allison and Crane and Representatives
Payne and Sherman Of New York; Tawney
Of Minnesota; Jenkins of Wisconsin and
Smith Of Iowa: in fact meetings Of small
groups from this list have been Of almost
daily occurrence for more than a week.
They have been directed TO one end-s
nomination on the first ballot by which
they mean William H. Taft. While no
definite result has been reached they be-
lieve their efforts will be successful.
Most Of the men figuring prominently
in this movffnent were numbered against
Taft early in the campaign, but party
policy and the necessity for harmony,
which have been manifest in republican
ranks since the disastrous results of the
Blaine Conkling feud has awakened a de-
mand that personal desires be subordinated
70 the viii of the majority.
FavOrite Sons Lining Up.
That the efforts Of the group of leaders
back Of the harmony movement have not
been barren of results is indicated by the
fact that 20 a number Of the conferences
have been called such men as senators
Hemenway, Penrose. Cullom, Hopkins and
Depew. and representatives Parsons and
Vreelsnd Of New York; Bouteu and Mann,
Of Illinois: Burke and DalZell of Pennsyl-
vania; Watson and Lands Of Indiana and
others who are backing the candidates.
OF Vice President Fairbanks, speaker
Cpnnon. Senator Knox or Governor Hughes.
No attempt is made TO disguise the fact
that the real impetus TO such = concerted
movement in the interest OF Secretary Taft
is the refusal OF the Roosevelt sentiment
TO be snuffed out and the danger Of such
sentiment spreading 10 an extent that
( might be difficult OF control at Chicago.
At the same time it is said the movement
Is not hostile 10 President Roosevelt, who
admittedly occupies the position OF COM
mand in the Tan forces. He has made IT
/ perfectly plain that nothing can come from
the renewed calls for his denomination
which have been made in Texas. Utah and
| California. as he is prepared 10 reject any
proffer OF support no matter how extended.
KnOx Men Demur.
The uttsrmost limit of endeavor Of the
republican leaders who are striving TO
harmonize party differences is to elimin-
ate all candidates for the nomination ex-
cept Secretary Taft. but II Is not antici-
patea that Al Of the candidates readily
viii agree 10 this proposition. Supporters
Of Senator Knox particularly are said 10
oppose the plan and one Of the other can
didates is holding out strongly that there
is no immediate demand for agreement
At the same time there are leaders IN
Der II ~
York, who are parties TO the movement
with the knowledge Of the fsvorits on
candidates from those states.
The selection Of Secretary Taft as the
beneficiary Of harmony action is made
because Of the fact that he is the only
candidate who has sufficient instructed
votes 70 promise an early nomination. The
argument Of the harmony faction Is that
II Taft should fail 70 secure the nomina-
ton on the first ballot and the allies were
able 70 hold out against him. it would