Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-08-23

temporary chairman Of state conven-
ton were influenced by statements
that the vice presidents name was
presented to defeat Colonel Roosevelt
in accordance with your wish. A mem
Der of the state committee declared TO
me before the meeting that Mr.. Sher-
mans candidacy had been arranged
with you by telephone the previous
day. Efforts have been made to create
an impression that you favor a partic-
ular candidate for election as state
chairman. 1 want you to know that
the injection of the name of a high
member of your administration into a
fractional conflict has produced a most
complicated situation. and the absence
Of any authoritative information as to
your attitude is seriously misleading
many republicans and Inspiring a
movement for progressive party ieac
.ership and clean government in this
state. know you desire us to have a
fair field and hope that this may be
made clear to the public.
Does Not Oppose Roosevelt.
"Tne suggestion that l have ever ex-
pressed a wish to defeat Mr.. Roosevelt
for the temporary Craftsmanship of the
convention or have ever taken the
slightest step to do so is wholly I'M
true. / never heard Mr.. Sherman's
name suggested as temporary chair
man of the state convention until L
saw in the newspapers of Aug. 16 thar
he had been selected at the meeting
of the committee. When you called at
my house Saturday evening, Aug. 10,
you told me that Mr.. Roosevelt intend
ed to go to the convention as a dele
gate, and you suggested incidentally
his being made temporary chairman
a suggestion to which acquiesced. 1t
did not occur to me that any one could
oppose it.
Talks of Concessions.
This was the first time the subject
of the temporary Craftsmanship was
mentioned to me by any one. You
did not ask me to take any action
whatever with respect to it, After a
full discussion of the New York state
situation l drafted in your presence
the following telegram and sent it to
Mr. Sherman:
Beverly, Mass, Aug.14. 1910.
Hon. James s. Sherman, vice
president, Utica, n. Y:
please say to Ward and Woodruff
that have had long conference with
Griscom. He confirms my judgment
already expressed to you that the
whole situation in New York may be
saved without humiliation TO any one
and with victory for the party by full
conference with Mr.. Roosevelt and rea-
sonabIe concessions with reference to
platform and candidates.
The thing of all others that ought
to be avoided is a controversy in the
convention. l am told by Mr.. Griscom,
that such conference with Mr.. Roose-
welt might conveniently be had and
would be welcomed by him before the
state committee meets on Tuesday.
Hope you will be able TO report salts
factory solution when you come on
Wednesday. WILLIAM H. TAFT
Mention of Roots Name.
"On the afternoon of Monday, Aug.
Is, Mr. Sherman telephoned me from
New York and for the first time APP
prised me of the fact that there was
proposal to oppose Mr.. Roosevelt for
the temporary craftsmanship, and that
with Mr.. Roots name. No other name
than Mr.. Roots was mentioned. pro
tested against the idea of contest on
such matter, peremptorily declined
to be drawn into fight against Mr..
Roosevelt and again renewed my ur-
gent advice that there be prompt and
full personal conference with Mr..
Roosevelt before the committee meet
ing, with view to securing harmony
and victory for the party.
Mr.. Sherman called upon me here
on the 18th inst, to meet an engage
ment of a weeks standing made with
him and Mr.. Loudenslager to discuss
the congressional campaign textbook.
Mr. Loudenslager was prevented from
coming by an illness.
DepIored Result.
During the conference with Mr..
Sherman told him that deplored the