The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-06-09
Scheme to Give Contested NOm=
nations Each Half a
Vote Is Checked
Determined Effort Made to
Force Vote on the
Louisiana Case
Hitchcock Fights Compromise
and Denies That Race
Problem Is Involved

CHICAGO. June s.-A few hand
fuls OF sand were thrown into the
cylinders of the Taft political ma
chine late today. So far everything
that has come up has been handled
quickly and decisivsly By the Taft
men, but today from their own men,
bership came z proposition TO divide
the Louisiana delegation with the op-
position, seating both Taft and anti
Taft delegates with half vote each.
The proposition IN itself did not come
as Z surprise, but the number Of mem
bers Of the national committee who
favored the movement created some
CONSERVATION in the Taft camp. The
friends Of the secretary Of war on the
committee brought about an adjourn
meut rather than permit a vote TO be
taken today.
II the Louisiana case, which involves
four delegates at large and Il district
delegates. is brought to a vote tomor-
row noses viii be sharply counted.
Members Of the committee who have
been ardent Taft supporters. but who
have shown g disposition to yield TO
TIE appeals from the allied forces 10
compromise In The interest Of harmony,
VIII be subjected 10 pressure from
Washington To allow tine for this
was the purpose OF the sudden adjourn
ment today.
Manager Frank Hitchcock announced
tlat there VIA be no compromise He
IS determined 10 fight for the seating
II the delegations instructed for Sec
retary Taft and declared that ne will
insist that tie committee pass upon all
contests To settle them in any other
way he said would be unfair 70 the
delegates themselves. He expressed
the opinion that the committee should
not shirk the responsibility Of sitting
tn~j judgment upon the merits of every
contest and in his view he is Supported
by practically every committeeman Of
the west and south and many from the
north.
MANY CONTESTS SETTLED
Thus far contests have been settled
from the states OF Alabama Arkansas
florida. Georgia and Kentucky and
there has been no division of the COM
mittee in disposing OF any OF them
The reason for this has been the rule
which denies a roll call on any ques-
tiOn unless il is demanded by 20 mem
bers. and the anti-Taft people have not
that number on the committee. The
suggestion for a division OF contest
Ing delegations has become more fre-
Quent from day TO day.
The political maneuvering By such
mem bers OF the ~old guard" as Sena-
tor Crane. Scott and Penrose and Com
rnitteemsn Hart Of Iowa. and MuIvane
Of Kansas has not been without effect
The growth OF the compromise sugges-
tion was noticed BY the Taft men, but
they were net disturbed by it until
late today. when they learned TO their
surprise that the plan for d division in
Louisiana was favored by Senator
Lodge Of Massachusetts, and General
Powell Clayton OF Arkansas
Hzsty conferences were held by the
Taft members Of the committee during
the hearing Of the Louisiana contest
and the decision was reached that It
would be wise 10 adjourn until they
ascertained exactly where they stood.
This course was followed. Hitchcock
called UP Secretary Taft in Washing
ton. Charles p Taft. brother Of the
secretary, did some telephoning and
telegrap phinE on his own account E
n Duncan OF North Carolina and c. A
Lyon OF Texas. and some others. also
the many messages viii be cannot be
accursteiy told until after the vote to-
morrow.
MUCH AT STAKE
Hitchcock feels that there is far more
az stake IN the movement for a COM
promise IN Louisiana than appears on
the surface. Similar contests are pend