The San Francisco call., 1908-09-22
President Issues Statement
Called Forth by Hearst
Foraker Controversy
Declares Republican Candidate
Refused Plan for C0mpr0-
mise With Senator
Says Judges Defeat Would
Please Only Men Behind
Haskell and Others
Ayers Brownsville Affair Was
Effort Made to Discredit
Administration

Sept. 21.-Late today Secre-
tary Loeb gave to represen-
tatives of the press a formal
statement by the president,
which was called forth by
the recent exchanges be-
tween William r. Hearst
and Senator Foraker Of
Ohio. Hearst in public Ut
terances had accused the senator
of relations with the Standard oil
company inconsistent with his du-
ties as a senator and his attitude
as representative of republican
policies and professions.
In today's statement President
Roosevelt makes another appeal
for the support of Taft and de-
elares that his defeat would bring
lasting satisfaction to but one set OF
men, namely, to those men who, as
shown In the correspondence published
by Hearst. were behind Foraker. the
opponent OF Taft. within his own party
and who are now behind Governor
Haskell and his associates. the oppo-
nents OF Taft in the opposite party"
The statement embodies q letter
written by Taft to friend In Ohio
July 20, 1907. in which the present re-
refused to acquiesce in the plan OF The
Ohio state central committee TO In
dorse Taft for the presidency and For
aker for reelection to the senate In a
single resolution.
The president points out that Tafts
attitude has been always directly op-
posed TO that charged against Senator
Foraker by Hearst regarding the mon
eyed interests. The president cites the
Brownsville affair as q case where the
agitation was phase OF the effort by
the representatives OF certain law
defying corporations TO bring discredit
Upon the administration" It was. he
says. in large part, mot genuine agt-
tation on behalf OF colored men at all"
Appended is the statement:
ROosEvELT's STATEMENT
In view of Mr. Hearsts disclosure
about Senator Foraker. I make public
the following letter. written by Taft
prominent in Ohio politics, who wrote
him before the meeting OF the state
central committee asking whether he
a resolution indorsing Taft for Presi-
dent and Foraker for senator In the In
terest OF harmony. copy OF this let
ter was submitted TO me at the time.
but after the original had been sent
IT was not intended for publication.
but IL was understood that II necessary
it would be published
] personally know that the strongest
pressure by various leaders was brought
on Taft at that time TO consent TO the
proposed arrangement. and ne was IN
formed by leading men from other
states that IL he would consent 20 this
arrangement all opposition on the part
OF Foraker and on the part OF some or
Foraker's influential friends In the SEN
ate and elsewhere would cease and that
Taft's nomination for the presidency
would be assured
But Taft declined for one moment to
consider any possible advantage to
himself where what he regarded as a
great principle was at stake. His atti-
tude on this question. as well az on
of all the men IN this union he was the
man pre-eminently 1T IN point OF up
rightness and character, OF fearless and
aggressive honesty and OF dtness for
champloning the rights OF the people
as whole. to be president
FORAKER OPPOSED POLICIES
Senator Foraker has been q leader
among those members of congress OF
both parties who have resolutely op-
posed the great policies OF internal re-
form for which the administration has
made itself responsible. His attitude
has been that OF certain other public
men. notably las shown in this same
correspondence published by HearsO
Governor Haskell Of Oklahoma
There is a striking difference In one
respect, however in the present POSI-
tions OF Governor Haskell and Senator
Foraker. Governor Haskell stands high
in the councils OF Bryan and Is the
treasurer OF his national campaign COM
mittee- Senator Foraker represents
only the forces which in embittered
fashion fought the nomination OF Taft
and which were definitely deprived OF
power within the republican party when
Taft was nominated
The publication of this correspond
ence not merely justifies In striking
fashion the action OF the administra-
| ton. but also casts a serious sideliEht
on the attacks made upon the adminis-
| tration, both in the Denver convention.
which nominated Bryan. and In the
/ course of Bryan's campaign
There IS but one way to preserve and
perpetuate the great reforms, the great
advances In righteousness and upright
/ and fair dealing which have marked
/ the management of the affairs OF the
national government during the last
-