New-York tribune., 1910-09-20
Mr.. TAFTS LETTER
His Position Regarding Politics
in New York Unchanged.

in New York Unchanged.
President Taft's letter to County Presi-
dent Griscom. stating his position regard
ing the political situation in New York
State. which he said yesterday correctly
represented his attitude then and now, and
upon which he stands without change, was
published in The Tribune~of August %, as
follows:
Beverly. Mass. August 20. 1910.
Ny Dear Mr.. Ciriscom: AS you know from
your telephone conversation with my OIL
fee, l have steadily refused to admit the
propriety or necessity of the President $
replying to newspaper statements which
are not based on any act or authorized
Word of his and have no sponsor. am
ically TO your telegram OF August ls. which
has Just arrived. and which is as follows:
Il am informed and believe that several
members of the New York Republican State
Committee who voted for Nice-PTesioent
sherman over eX-President Roosevelt as
nominee for temporary chairman OF state
convention were influenced by statements
that the Vice Presidents name was pre-
sented TO defeat Colonel Roosevelt in ac-
cerdance with your wish. a member OF the
state committee declared 10 me before the
meeting that Mr.. Sherman's candidacy had
been arranged with you by telephone the
previous daN Efforts have been made to
create an impression that you favor par
ucul5r candidate for election as state chsir-
man.
L want you TO know that the injection
OF the name Of high member OF Your ad-
minlStr6uon into factional conflict mas
produced most complicated situation, ana
the absence of any authoritative infofma-
ton as to your attitude is seriously mis-
reading many Republicans and impalrlng
movement for progressive party leadership
ana clean government IN this state. Know
YOU desire Us TO have a fair field. ana nope
that this may be made clear 10 the publlc.
The suggestion that | have ever eA-
pressed wish to defeat Mr.. Roosevelt Tor
tom as7CT H.
Nention or have ever taken the slightest
step to do 20 is wholly untrue. never
temporary chairman of the state conVen-
ton until saw in the newspapers or
August IS that he had been selected at the
meeting of the committee. Nnen you
gust l3 YOU told me that Mr.. Roosevelt
intended to go to the convention as
delegate; and you suggested ineiidentalls siGaaa
suggestion in which I acquiesced. It did
not occur 20 me that any one would op-
pose il. This was the first time the sub
feet of the temporary Craftsmanship was
mentioned to me by any one. You did not
ask me TO take any action whatever with
respect 10 IT, After full discussion of the
New York State situation. drafted in
your presence the following telegram and
sent ii 10 AIR. Sherman:
Beverly. Mass. August IA, 1910
Honorable James s. Sherman, Nice-Pres
Please say TO Ward and Woodruff that
com. He confirms my Judgment already
expressed TO you that the whole situation
in New York may be saved without hui
initiation to any one and with victory for
the party by a full conference with Mr..
Roosevelt and reasonable concessions with
reference 20 platform and candidates.
The thing of all others that ought to
he avoided is a controversy in the con-
vention. I am told BY Mr.. Griscom that
might M Win bas N ans Kod be
welcomed by llm before the state commit
tee meets on Tuesday. Hope you Will he
able ~ report satisfactory solution when
YOU come on Wednesday.
WILLIAM H. TAFT
on the afternoon Of Monday, August 15,
Mr. Sherman telephoned me from New
York, and FOR the first time apprised me of
the fact that there was a proposal TO op-
pose Mr.. Roosevelt for the Temporary
nsm No otheP eP0 nsme se thsn 5n M T Roos
was mentioned ] protested against the
idea of a contest on such matter. per
emptoTllv declined TO be drawn into a fight
against Mr.. Roosevelt and again renewed
my urgent advice that there be prompt
and fun personal conference with Mr.
Roosevelt before the committee meeting,
with a view to securing harmony and VIC
Mr.. sherman called upon me here on the
18th inst. TO meet an enga cement Of week s
standing made with him and Mr.. Douden-
sla ger, 10 discuss the Congressional cam
paign textbook. Afr, Loudenslager was pre-
conference with Mr.. Sherman ] told him
that deplored the result of the meeting Of
the New York state committee, because,
unless the break were repaired. il meant
division between New York Republicans
and probable defeat. Upon leaving me, Mr..
Sherman agreed to go into q conference
with Mr.. Roosevelt. provided he were in
vited to 90 so. with z view 10 adjusting
the situation If possible. even at that late
daIe Mr. Nicholas LongwOrth was present
and said he would send telegram to bring
about q conference. What the result has
been ! do not know.
Finally. in your telegram received this
morning YOU state that efforts have been
made 70 create the impression that ! favor
q particular candidate for election as state
cha irman. This is absolutely untrue ]
have expressed no opinion on the subject
since an effort was made last winter by
the New York Congressional delegation to
secure Mr.. Woodr7Iff's retirement. which
failed
] am very Eorry indeed TO observe col
uu1ns Of unfounded assertions in the news
papers concerning my attitude I'm respect
to the New York situation. You know,
however. as well as other New York lead
eTS, that whenever my advice or assistance
in reaching a satisfactory adjustment of
the difficulties arising has been sought [
have urged the necessity for the fullest
conference with Mr.. Roosevelt by the mem
ence to honest difference of opinion, have
expressed the view, which / still entertain,
that the solution OF the direct primary
issue can be found in provisions similar to
these Of the Cobb bill, as amended in ac-
cord with the memorial signed by Mr.. Seth
Low Mr.. Joseph ChOate and other pronli-
Tfenf ReDubliCaES of New York CitT. Sin