The Washington times., 1908-11-20
Ohioan VIII Not Oppose
Speaker, But Taft May
Back Some One Else.
AWAITS CONFERENCE
WITH HITCHCOCK
Stevens Of Minnesota or Smith of
Iowa May Oppose Uncle Joe
for Rulership of House.
By JAMES HAY, II.

HOT SPRINGS, Va, Nov. 20.-That
Theodore Z. Burton OF Ohio prefe rs to
run for the Senate rather than for the
Speakership OF the House Of Represent
atives. and that Stevens Of Minnesota,
or Walter 1. Smith OF Iowa may make
the race against Joseph G. Cannon for
the leadership OF the House, are facts
that developed here today.
AS yet, President-eleCt Taft has not
decided TO throw the weight Of his
administration against Cannon. He IS
considering the proposition, considering
It with that care and thoroughness
for which he is famous. but he has not
made up his mind. He realizes. as does
everybody else. that it is a tremendous
undertaking TO elect a man Speaker
over another man, who holds the posi-
tion with a formidable organization
supporting him.
He IS receiving reports on the siJUa-
tion all the time. With the reports
come many letters urging him to make
the fight and pointing out that he owes
II 10 himself and to his administration
TO see 70 it that the House Is organized
IN way that will insure its cO-opera-
ton with him in all his legislative un-
deTtalLings 1t has been explained 10
him that the defeat Of Cannon would
give him added prestige and popularity
In the middle and far West and that
he can accomplish the defeat.
VIII Hear Hitchcock.
one man whose advice Will have great
weight IN deciding him as to his course
IN this connection is Frank II. Hitch
cock, chairman Of the Republican ma
tional committee, who will arrive here
next Tuesday. Hitchcock has a thor
Ough knowledge OF sentiment among the
members Of the House, and it is said
that ne is inclined to believe Cannon
can be defeated
AS a matter of fact, some Of the Can
non supporters who have been here urg-
ing that he not be molested. have reluc-
family admitted that Taft can win if ne
throws this influence into the contest.
While no decision was reached at the
conference yesterday afternoon between
Burton and TAFT, 1T can be authOrita-
lively stated that Burton prefers to run
for Forakers place in the Senate, and
his friends believe he holds the winning
position at present I'm the Senatorial
thereby working out consistently the
role he has played in Ohio politics.
Not Yet Positive.
This was the inumation he gave Taft
yesterday, although he did not say that
he would not run.
In the meantime. Stevens of AIfnneso-
IA, and Walter l. Smith of Iowa. have
been mentioned as strong men to put
against Cannon. OF the two, Walter l.
Smith Is regarded as the stronger, al
though Il cannot be said that Smith
has signihed his Willingness TO make
the race.
The President-eleCt is determined that
the revision Of the tariff shall be thor
ough and sincere and II he decides
that Cannon might stand in the way OF
such work, he may embark on the en-
teTpTise Of beating him for reelection.
CanuOu's supporters, notably Sher-
man, or New York, have been here with
plentiful promises that Cannon will be
good and tame" d" that he viii forget his
affiliations with the reactiOuaries Of
his party and that he will cooperate
IN all the Taft policies.
May Get Compromise.
From this arises the possibility that
the present disturbance over the Speak
ership may result in a compromise.
whereby Cannon will not be mOIested
and in return, will cooperate with
Taft 70 the fullest extent.
At present. the situation is completely
up In the air. Taft wants to be assured
Of a House organization that will help
him In his work as President. Stevens
ana W after 1. Smith are being consider
ga as possible candidates for the Speak
ershlp, and Burton, of Ohio, Is still a
possibility, although, Il is realized. that
be Is at a disadvantage because he is
from Ohio, Eafts State. and might be
regarded as getting out of the Senatorial
race TO make way for Taft's brother.