The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-12
NO ROYAL ROAD TO
THE SENATORSHIP
Tim Woodruff Wants To Sue
coed Senator Plat
SECRETARY ROOT FAVORED
Woodruff Can Make the Fight Very
Bitter and Embarrassing OWING
to His Ambition, Which
Is Perennial.

Washington November 11.-That no
man at this time has clear path to
the seat in the United States Senate to
be vacated By Senator Thomas C. Platt
of New York in March next, was evil
denced today at several conferences on
the subject at the White House and in
Washington hotels.
For several days it has appeared that
il Secretary of State Root decided to
become an active candidate other aspir-
ants for the place would withdraw. For
mer Lieutenant Governor Timothy L.
Woodruff, chairman of the New York
republican state committee who has had
ambitions to become senator for several
years has not assented to the programme
of eliminating all candidates except Mr..
Root. He declined to commit himself on
the subject and none of those remaining
here was authorized to speak for him.
Chairman Frank H. Hitchcock of the re-
publican national committee, arrived in
Washington early in the day from Hot
Springs, Va, where he visited Mr. Taft.
Soon after his arrival he called at the
White House and was received by Presi-
dent Roosevelt The President congrat-
ulated the national chairman on his man
agement of the Taft campaign. but poll
tics WIS not discussed on this occasion. A
luncheon which had been arranged for
80 o'clock interfered with any formal
conference during the day. Those pres
ent included the British ambassador and
SbPr-
man. Secretary of War and Mrs. Wright,
William L. Ward, republican national
committeeman from New York; Timothy
l. Woodruff. republican state chairman
of New York: Seth Low of New York,
William Berri of Brooklyn and Mr..
Hitchcock.
Most of the guests who are known in
political circles met in the executive Of
fees after the luncheon, although Chair
man Hitchcock did not participate in
this gathering The President was pres
ent only for few minutes. 1t was said
that the New York senatorship was not
decided.
Later. Governor Woodruff, Mr. Ward
and Mr. Sherman met at the New VIII
lard hotel, and there the senatorship was
considered II is said upon excellent au-
thorty that Mr.. Ward and Mr.. sherman
believe that Governor Woodruff should
not at this time be a candidate for the
senatorship. but should leave a clear
field to Secretary Root 1t is understood
further that Governor Woodruff did not
take kindly to the suggestions in the
form in which they were offered, and that
before departing for New York at p.
M he left a decided impression that the
matter was one that required further
consideration on his part
Persons well informed concerning New
York politics asserted tonight that Gov
ernor woodruff has within his power
the making Of a very embarrassing SEN
atorial situation.
Thus far there has been no charge OF
White House dictation against the move
ment to make Mr. Root the successor
of Senator Plat, but it is pointed out
that this easily might be made an issue
If contest over the senatorship should
be preeipita ted. Governor woodruff
alone, it is argued, can create situa-
ton where a Senator may be elected
without a conflict. New York politicians
who favor the election of Mr. Root are
endeavoring to induce Governor woodruff
to retain the state craftsmanship and be-
come a candidate later for the seat in
the Senate now occupied by Senator
Depew
Chairman Hitchcock took no part in
the senatorial conferences while the New
York visitors were present, but he went
to the White House at O'Clock tonight
and saw President Roosevelt. When he
left he would not admit that the New
York senatorship had been discussed, bat
he said he had a number of matters
which he desired to take up with Presi-
dent Roosevelt The subjects considered
! We're not made public
Mr.. Hitchcock left Washington for New
| York tonight, and during the next week
! will give his attention to closing up mat
| ters in the eastern headquarters of the
| republican national committee and the
publication of the statement of collections
! and disbursements Of funds in the cam
! paign Just closed.