Daily Arizona silver belt., 1910-02-17
In The Halls of Congress
BY TAV. -
 Special Washington Correspondence.
BY TAv.

ally, the whole nation IS interested ln the query land would like to know the answer. A ''world scoop'' awaits the man who can se- cure the first authentic word from Roosevelt as to whether he is for Taft's re-nomination or not. Journalists are now on their way to Europe with assignments to secure such "beat, :" if possi- ble.
 The Republican standpatters have made the
 uncertainty still more acute than it would or dinariy be by asserting that Roosevelt will sup
 port Taft for re-nomination. From a purely political standpoint, the democrats sincerely hope Mir: Taft will be renominated. John A. Stewart, president of the New York State League of Republican Clubs, is taking the somewhat grave responsibility of standing spon- sor for the staten mt that Roosevelt is Taft man.
 ''Before he left for his African hunting trip, :" says Stewart, "ColoneI Roosevelt told me he would not be candidate for United States sen ator from New York; that he would not be a candidate for president in 1912 Unless he has changed his mind in the last four weeks, he is as strongly in favor of the renomination of Pres ident Taft as he was in 190S''
 It may as well be stated that this view is not taken seriously by many of Roosevelt's real friends. They regard Stewards statement merely as setting forth the position the standpat republicans (the Aldrich-C -Cannon-Taft repub- licans) hope the ex-president will take As a matter of fact Roosevelt has been keeping his own counsel. Neither by mouth nor pen, so far as is known, has he indicated his position as to his satisfaction.
 This much is known: That the standpatters have made various indirect attempts to secure Roosevelt's endorsement of the Taft administra- ton in general. Failing in this mission, the reg ulars have endeavored to secure the ex-presi- dents endorsement of the Payne Aldrich- Shoot tariff revision.
 While the attitude Roosevelt will take in poIi- ties upon his return to the United States is not positively known, the Aldrich- Cannon Shoot element are living in most uneasy state of mind. The fear that Roosevelt will side with the insurgents against the regulars is a real fear in standpat circles.
 President Taft may not be able to attend the Roosevelt reception in New York upon the re- turn of the ex-president, which will be between June l5 and 21 next. It is explained that Mr. Taft has promised to go to Alaska the latter part of May, provided congress has adjourned. and in that event would not return until some time in July The presidents $ absence from the Roosevelt reception would speak for itself.
 Roosevelt will not indorse the Taft admin istration," declared close friend of the ex- president to the writer. "And I am in posi- tion to deny the purport of the Stewart state ment While l have not been authorized to make arv official statement as to Roosevelt's at titude, can say that Roosevelt has not declared up to this time whether he would support Gr re- fuse to support Taft for re-nomination. TheI has probably made up his mind, but hoe,
 "When say Roosevelt will not O. K theTaft l am simply expressing my per- sonal belief, just as Stewart was evidently ex- pressing his personal opinion in saying Taft is as strong with Roosevelt as he was in 1908 Taft appointed Roosevelt's enemies to cabinet posi- tions, and deposited the Roosevelt policies in the ditch immediately upon taking office. Roose- welt was warning with the Aldrich- Cannon dom- ination of congress; Taft stepped in and stood sponsor for the gang. To o. K. the Taft admin Roosevelt will have to be different different ideas on needed legislation from the president who wrote certain special messages to congress. {"
 Roosevelt is the biggest figure in American politics. There is no doubt about that He has everyone guessing The politicians stand about in the cloak rooms and discuss the situation by the hour. The standpatters are unable to see how Roosevelt will be able to stand for Taft, who has undoubtedly worked shoulder to shoul- der with Aldrich and Cannon since the day he entered office.
 Roosevelt will do something! He has some thing up his sleeve to reveal at the proper moment. No one who knows Roosevelt can be | to believe he is coming back to the | United States with the idea of retiring from the l spotlight.