The morning journal-courier., 1908-02-14


 would not be surprising, therefore, if the Democrats took advantage of this and make tariff one of the principal blanks in their next platform. If they do the Republican party will come dangerously close to losing control of the government l think Secretary Taft would add greatly to his strength as a presidential candidate if he came out openly as an advocate for tariff revision"
 Senator Crane of Massachusetts, continues to be thorn in the side of the Taft boomers and he is now con ceded by the secretary's friends to be the most dangerous man in Washing ton If proof of this assertion were needed that proof was furnished when Senator Crane worsted his col league, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, in the matter of the Massachusetts delegation to the Republican national convention. Senator Lodge, because of his close relations with President Roosevelt, desired to have the Mas sachusetts delegates instructed for Taft, despite the fact that instructed delegations are not customary in the Bay State Senator Crane opposed Lodge, and opposed him so successfully ly that Lodge eapitulated. Having won his contention with reference to Massachusetts Senator Crane once more turned his attention to the coun- try at large and it is now stated upon excellent authority that his emissaries are producing such good results in a wide range of territory in opposition to the war secretary that it is neces- sary to check the progress already made.
 Senator Crane was visitor at the White House Wednesday and was in conference with the President for half an hour. That he was not there of his own volition is a certainty. His interests are diametrically opposed to those of President Roosevelt, in so far as they relate to presidential candi- dates. yet he remained with the Pres ident half an hour while some of the Chief Executives bosom friends cool ed their heels in the waiting room. When he left the White House the junior senator from Massachusetts smilingly said that his call had been a social one.
 It is significant that one of Gov ernor Hughes most intimate friends has of late, been a frequent visitor at the Crane home on Massachusetts ave- nue. This adds strength to the cur rent belief that Crane is not entirely disnterested in the political future of the New York governor In view of his well known friendship for Foraker and his activity in the presidential camp of Senator Knox of Pennsylva- mia, it also adds strength to the belief that Crane is playing for position at the national convention by lining up the various candidates and making a division of strength in an attempt to defeat Secretary Taft. Should such prove to be the case there is little doubt that Senator Crane will act the part of dictator among the field of candidates.
 That the President is keeping in tolgh with the entire situation is in dlcated by the unusually large list of callers who are permitted to enter his office each day. These callers, nearly all of them politicians from every sec | tion of the country have become SC numerous that the President is spend | ing more than the usual amount of l time in the office Those whom he | cannot see during the day are given appointments for the evening, some oi them being requested to call at the White House as late as 1 1 o'clock al night Nothing could better Illustrate the Presidents activity in the politica situation. Fortunately, for the politl' clans, the tennis courts are covered with snow and the hour each day for merly spent with the members of the Tennis cabinet is now devoted to the congressman and senators.
 WALTER J. FAHY.
 Capitol Notes.
 c. Fl. Holmes and Mrs. Holmes oi Waterbury. were visitors in Washing ton during the week
 A. l.. Shepard of Waterbury, is the guest of Congressman Lilley at thu New Willard hotel. Mayor Russell O. Middletown, also is a guest of Con. gressman Lilley.
 The Connecticut delegation will sup port unanimously the nomination O. Robert O. Eaton as collector of inter nal revenues at New Haven.
 Mrs. Lilley. wife of Representative Lilley of Connecticut entertained tho Wednesday Morning Bridge club ii her apartment In the New Willard yesterday. A beautifully appointed luncheon followed the bridge.
 Those present were Mrs. Bird Me Guire. Mrs Edward w. Higgins, Mrs Thomas F. Marshall, Mrs. B. r. How ell. Mrs. Strong, Mrs. Pujo, and Mis- Postlethwaite The rooms were beau tifully decorated with Americal Beauty roses, violets and carnations.