Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-09-22
TAFT ALARMED;
HITCHCOCK TOO
SLOW FOR HIM
REPUBLICAN, CHAIRMAN Sc
VERELY DISCIPLINED
CAMPAIGN LEADERS, POWER
BELIEVED MODIFIED
Higher-Ups Appear In Hot Stew Over
Failure Of Results to Material
lze-suddenly Get
Busy

1 malls, which are general rather
~ than specific, there is definite
impression among the best informed
political circles tonight that Chairman
Hitchcock of the Republican national
committee has been disciplined.
1t is believed the visit of Senator
Crane of Massachusetts, to Republican
national committee western headquar-
ters is an indication that even If
Hitchcock's authority will not be sub
ordinated to that of other leaders 1t
will at any rate be modified.
Taft and the Republican leaders are
afraid the publication of the exact
truth and all of the truth concerning
Mr.. Hitchcock's relations with other
party leaders would have bad effect,
especially in Ohio, where there is con-
siderable dissatisfaction over what is
called the decade of persecution of For
aker by a wing of the party.
The result of the publication of the
exact facts with regard to Mr.. Hitch
cock, along with the Foraker incident,
would be more than enough to widen
the breach between Republican fac
tions In Ohio.
There is not a state in the Union
where the party needs more managing,
and with the gradual disappearance
feuds have regained strength.
Senator Crane, as was to be expect
ed, tried to discount the rumors in cir
culation with regard to dissatisfaction
with Hitchcock He dictated a state
ment, in which he said:
Cranes Statement
"I came here at the special request
of Chairman Hitchcock, with whom as
member of the advisory committee
/ am associated, and who wished to
consult with me regarding the cam
paign.
"Mr. Taft, whom I recently met at
Cincinnati, expressed himself as being
thoroughly satisfied with Chairman
Hitchcock's management of the cam
paign."
1t is. nevertheless, evident that the
slowness of the Republican campaign
was a subject of discussion between
| Senator Crane and Mr.. Taft and be-
| tween Senator Crane and Chairman
| Hitchcock. The latter made defensive
4 statement in which he said the CAM
| paigr1 plans were agreed upon several
| weeks ago, at which time it was an
| nounced the general speaking cam
paign would not be begun until Octo-
| ber 1.
Asked to give an explanation of what
appeared to be a delay, he said the
executive committee had agreed this
was a wise policy.
Later, however, he allowed it to be
known that the wisdom of the policy
has some connection with the fact that
funds which have been pledged and
promised are coming in so slowly that
Fred Upham, treasurer of the national
committee, is alarmed.
He is afraid some of the subscrip-
ers will not produce the goods until
the Democratic campaign has gained
such headway that no amount of Re-
publican money will be able to over
take it. .
II there is temporary shortage of
funds of course,it will be attributed to
what is indicated as Mr.. Hitchcock's
"well known habit of pottering around
problem" instead of attacking it with
decision and solving it-a habit which
has often caused his political friends
much anguish of spirit.
Accused of Inactivity
Ever since the campaign opened Mr..
Hitchcock has been charged with in
activity which was not mastery. He
has been accused not merely of being
remiss in drumming up contributions,
but of being more or less of a dawdler,
much fonder of drawing up elaborate
plans on paper than of taking decisive.
prdCJlCdI dCllOu OL tHS hihu tHdt pio-
duces results.
Mr.. Hitchcock has several times
shown a disposition to discuss these
criticisms, but he has never yielded to
the temptation and~has contented him.
self with saying he could not take the
public into his confidence with regard
to all matters being handled at ma
tional headquarters.
1t is surmised that, alarmed over Mr.
s+<1.1 Anlrt ~nfH n
inquiries in a definite and decisive
manner and at his failure to announce
campaign plans or to give any evidence
of having devoted serious work to
campaign preparations, II was consid-
cred good policy to depute Senator
Crane as an inspecting or reviewing
officer, with plenary authority either to
displace Mr.. Hitchcock if 1t should be
for the good of the cause, or to the ef-
feet such a rearrangement that his own
advisory influences might be brought
to bear and Hitchcock, without suffer-
ing humiliation which might drive him
into the ranks of the rebels. should in
effect be visited by a superior officer
who would give instructions which
might be carried out without sacri-
fice of the dignity or wound to the self
esteem of the chairman.
Hitchcock's Notions
Mr. Hitchcock has taken the position
that national political ammunition
would be wanted in states in which
serious local Republican conflicts are
going on.
He has argued, and apparently with
reason. that opponents in the heat of a
discussion of local Republican issues
and local offices would only with ex-
treme difficulty be coaxed or compelled
to suspend local hostilities and unite
on some plan of action for the national
campaign.
Republican factionism at various i'm
portant points of the national cam
paign field. and especially in Ohio, has
worried and perplexed Hitchcock.
He has agreed with his advisers that
It would be madness to give the signal
for a general national engagement all
along the line while the Republican
army is in turmoil over local dis
putes.
apnarently have been OF the opinion
that Mr. Hitchcocks sloWnesS to pro-