Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-21
Administration DIspIsassd With p0IIt.
Teal Situation In That State.
ROOSEVELT aAYBROP TIN WOODRUFF
Present Head Of the All Powerful
State Committee In Danger Of Log
Ing Political Head-odeIl Making a
Game Fight.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. March 90
That there Is much that is unsatig-
factory to the administration In the
New York Republican situation was
admitted by prominent members OF
the party today. Following rumors
that the Federal crowd was about to
drop Timothy l.. Woodruff as It's can.
didate for chairman OF the state COM
mittee came the visit of William
Barnes, Jr.. here Mr.. Barnes called
ut the White House and later took
luncheon with the President
The White House denied the story
that there was any intention OF aban-
doning Mr.. Woodruff as n candidate
for state chairman, but 1t was made
clear that Mr.. Barnes, Mr.. Woodruff
and Representative Herbert Parsons
had all moderated the strength of the
Odell forces. and that there Is danger
of the President being beaten in his
own state in the contest for the con-
troll of the party machinery.
The last time there was n test oe
strength in the state committee Mr..
Odell only had four votes. This gave
| the Woodruff faction such strong
lead that it was believed to be i'm
Mr.. Odell Is very methodical poll
tician. and he has great resources.
At the meeting of the state commit
tee March II was apparent that Odell
was gaining but even then the Wood
ruff men did not take alarm. They
| conceded that Odell would gain two
votes, which would make the state
| committee stand Woodruff 80, Odcll S.
| pttt l.,
since. The administration forces have
been divided. Part of the followers
of Mr.. Roosevelt have been support.
Ing Speaker Cannon and part have
been supporting Secretary Taft.
whereas they are carrying out the nc
ton of all being for the governor OF
the state. but only in complimentary
way.
But 1t seems that some of tho prom
lnent leaders arc proposing 10 holi
congressional district conventions and
refuse TO instruct for hughes. even on
the first ballot.
1t Is said that with the administra
ton forces divided. Mr.. Odell, whl
is not for Governor Hughes any moro
than Is Mr.. Parsons. Is gaining great
strength and is prepared to make the
finest sort of depression on the part
of New York in favor of some con,
servative candidate for President 9th,
er than either Taft or Hughes IN the
| Chicago convention on the second bal
lot.
1t Is said that TIE only thing tho
administration can do now TO obtain
control of the organization is to come
out In the open. 1t must drop all sub
terfuge and issue Instructions that Tat;
be given the entire delegation ION
the level or else take the position
that the time for assembling has
i passed and that Taft muet get the
delegates.
The game has been BABY played by
the administration managers in New
York. This Is admitted. A mistake
was made when the state committee
gave Governor Hughes his Indorse
ment under offensive circumstances
This has made the real friends Of the
governor very angry and they are pre-
pared for the same support Mt Chica
go. When asked about IL one OF the
principal supporters OF the governor
In the state said today that any dele
gate who Jumped" his instructions
at Chicago and voted for Taft on
the second ballot would he marked
man and might as well retire from
public life.
/