Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-02
Senator Crane Has a Long
Conference With President.
GOSSIP ON THE RESULT
He May Be Made Chairman of Ma
tional Committee.
HEPBURN ON STOCK GAMBLERS
His Bill Nearly Completed to Put
Tax on Every Dollar of
Stock Sold.

A long conference Senator Crane Of
Massachusetts had with President Roose-
welt today leads to an unusual amount OF
interesting speculation. Throughout his
whole political career the Massachusetts
senator has been known as a compro-
miser, settler of factional and other
differences in his party, national and
state. Although ranked with the reac-
tionaries in the last session of Congress
and as opposed to the White House on
railroad rate legislation. he had a notable
place at the presidential consultation ia
BILE throughout the long fight He never
lost touch with the White House. He
circled in and out among the radicals of
both sides, and had much to do with the
eventual compromise that was reached.
He is still numbered with the reaction
aries, but his abilities are so marked. his
temperament so gentle and smooth. no one
regards him as a political foe. He is now
up against another proposition. more local
and important to him than any he has
confronted in a long time in Massachu-
sets. The Taft followers there are in re-
bellion against Senator Cranes wish that
the delegates from the state to the ma
tional convention shall be uninstructed.
They assert that this means opposition to
Taft, under the domination of Senator
Crane, who is supposed to be more friend
~ to some one else. They like Senator
Crane. but they do not propose to place
in his hands the voicing of their opinions.
The fight is becoming somewhat fierce.
Senator Lodge. a Taft man, yielded to the
wish of Senator Crane rather than bring
on a fight between the two senator's,
which meant the making of factions But
vryI,A 49, - 4 Ii
son-in-law, Representative Gardner, and
others are doing.
They are yelling for instructions in all
the conventions. They have developed a
formidable Taft sentiment. one that
promises to overwhelm Senator Crane
the interest of the story comes in. Al
though strong man, willing to lead his
constituents at all times, he knows when
his constituents wish to lead themselves
and when it Is proper for him to fall In
line with them. That is one of his strong
and adaptation to it, So the hints are
that Senator Crane is veering toward the
Taft forces; that they appreciate this
and have in mind raising him to the top
most round Of their ranks. the position of
chairman of the national committee As
chairman of the committee he would
conduct the campaign for Secretary Taft
In the event OF nomination. Many Taft
people would like to see him chairman
of the committee. A better political
general could not be had. they declare
Further, he would pacify the conserva-
them voting for Bryan.
Even If Senator Crane should work
against Secretary Taft at the Chicago
convention-and well-posted men now be-
lieve he will work for him-he would not
be out Of the running for chairman of
the committee. His selection might. it
is said. settle some knotty questions of
party harmony The selection will rest
with Secretary Taft. should he be named,
and there is, of course, little warrant
beyond the seemingly warm relations.
Talking in Behalf of Esperanto.
Edmond Privat, representing the Espe-
ranto congress and the universal con-
gress Of peace. which met in Munich in
September, called on the President today
to try to interest him IN behalf of Espe-
ranto. which its advocates desire to be
taught in public schools the world over.
Mr.. Privat, who is to lecture in the Y.
M. c. A. tonight and the public library
Wednesday night, was introduced by
Leo Vogel. the minister of Switzerland.
The President was SO busy that he did
not have time to talk long with his caller.
but said he would look over the papers
submitted to him when he has opportu-
nifty. 1t is not probable. from what the
President said. that he will have, time to
bother with officially trying to introduce
the new universal language In the United
States. He is about the only official of
the government who yet clings to reform
spelling. With affairs Of craftsmanship
and politics heis described as being pretty
well up to his ears with work.
Hepburn After Stock Gamblers.
Representative Hepburn conferred to-
day with the President about his pro-
posed new measure, which he has nearly
completed, to end gambling in stocks
in this country. He said today that he
might have time to get the measure
into the congressional hopper today.
and that when he did get 1t going he
wanted to keep things humming in the
hope of making 1t law. II have no
means of knowing what the two houses
of Congress will do on the bill, but /
know that / intend to keep busy in the
hopes of making law of it. One Of the
dollar of stock that is sold.
Senator Newlands of Nevada. who
called on the President today with a
visitor, said that the new constabulary
force that has been created by the
Nevada legislature to care for strikes
and general disorder, will become eff
fective March Z, at which time the
United States troops. now on the ground
at GOldfield, will retire.
a n a