The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-17
Credentials Are Entirely Con- troIIed By 1aft Forces and
 Others Are Shut Out
.CONTES TANTS WILL TRY
 ID RAKE UP MORE TROUBLE
Tom Taggart, the Democratic Leader, Visits the Convention and Makes Fun of the Steam Roller Pro-
 cess Son the Credentials.

cess son the Credentials.
 Chicago, June 16.-The Taft forces dis closed the fact that they were in complete control of the credentials committee Of the convention within few minutes after the committee was called to order this af- ternoon. It has been expected that there would be opposition to the selection of Senator Charles w. Fulton as chairman, but when his named was proposed by Orasmus R. Fyler of Connecticut and sec no other names were suggested. in spite of the announcement that had been made that the representatives of the allies would make a fight for the cleo ton of Mayor Charles W. Bookwalter of Indianapolis. a personal friend of Vice President Fairbanks. The election of MT. Fulton was unanimous. c. N. Smith of New York was elected temporary sec retary, although he is not a member Of the convention.
 After the election of Mir Fulton, whe is known to be pro-Taft, and who sat as a member of the national committee in hearing contests. methods of procedure were discussed by the committee As time went on without word coming from the committee room in the Coliseum-Annex and no cases being called, a rumor that the committee would resort to "blanket'' approval of the temporary roll which had been prepared by the national com mittee was strengthened. Charges that the Taft organization had formulated a scheme for a steam roller disposition of the anti-Taft contests were made freely, in fact, it was said that Representative J. s. Fassett, the member of the committee from New York, had been selected to make the motion that arguments in the contest be not heard. and that the recom- mendations of the national committee be adopted This report created great ex- citement among those interested who were waiting In the lobby outside.
 Hour of Discussion.
 At the end of nearly an hours discus sion a 10-minute recess was ordered. It was then learned that on the motion of MT. Dougherty of Ohio a committee of five had been named by Chairman Fulton to prescribe rules on the order of busi- ness.
 All of the members participating in the motion and the men appointed by Chair man Fulton are friendly to the Taft man. agement Members of the committee op- posed to Secretary Taft, seemed to be as much in the minority as the Taft forces on the national committee.
 During the recess several of them re- marked openly that "the contests were as good as over, that credentials com mittee was cut and dried for Taft and that nothing could be accomplished by presenting the cases"
 All of the contests had been certified from the national committee to the ere dentials committee. They involved 219 seats, and 216 of tn csc had been given to the Taft forces on the tempor- ary roll. Representatives Fairbanks. Hughes, Cannon and Foraker had designated counsel to look after their interests before the committee. There was no counsel for the Taft manage ment in attendance, which was taken as an indication that dependence had been placed in their being able to carry their points.
 Ask For Fair Hearing.
 The attorneys for the allies an- nounced that they believed that con- tests involving 110 seats. or half of the wh ole number. could be won away from Taft if fair hearing was given.
 They planned, therefore. to carry only no cases before the committee.
 During the recess the committee ra- ceived Thomas Taggart, chairman of the democratic national committee, and other members of the democratic sub committee on arrangements for the Denver convention. The democratic had been looking over the coliseum, and Roger c. Sullivan, the member from Illinois, suggested call on MT. New, the republican national chairman. He was out and a confer ence was in progress in his room.
 MT. Taggart was informed of the and said:
 "Never mind, we will take a look at the steam roller" whereupon the party was shown into the room where the credentials committee awaited a report from the sub committee.
 That's an implement we don't need in the democratic party" said Mir Tag gart. We have nothing but harmony now, and there will be no occasion to politics of the steam roller type"
 Much Gossip Heard.
 The 1O-minute recess dragged into a half hour and then another without the sub committee being ready to re- port. Gossip of all kinds was heard 
 outside. Supporters of the allies sad that if hearings were not granted oa the contests their proposed appeal on the credentials committee to the con- vention would be aided by the refusal. Taft supporters said that all the all ies' desired was to prolong the con- test, to give them an opportunity to Taft instructions. The feel ing between the opposing factions was far more bitter than at any time since the first days session of the national when the alleged railroad ing of Taft opposition came into evil dence. They stated boldly that they would not permit more delay than they could avoid in disposng of the con tests.
 That the committee of five members to consider the order of business was
 
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