The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-03
T.R.SWEEPS WEST
Regard Him as Next PreSi-
dent Out There.
ENTHUSIASM IS GROWING
Conservative Politicians Admit He
il the Big Man Of the Coun.
try - Kansas City, Mo-,
Wild Over Him.

hbubAS Olly, Oopl' - HO AHo'N" ~
triumph goes merrily on. The people
of the west are shouting their heads
of for Roosevelt; and the further he
goes the more they shout. The tour Is
cumulative in its enthusiasm. Roose
welt is for them and they are fol
Roosevelt.
The colonel didn't have to cross
from Kansas into Missouri to find out
how popular he is. But he discovered
here that they are more wild about
him than any city he has touched on
this trip.
Since his spectacular announcement
at Osawatomie that he is a progressive
and isn't AFFILIATED in any way with
President Taft or the administration
the crowds have shown an even kind
lier feeling in the west.
Mr.. Roosevelt liked II when they
hailed him as a progressive. He didn't
scowl as he was called an insurgent,
but he said that he prefers the Other
appeliation. He did nothing more neg
alive than to beam happily as they
cheefed him for the nomination In
1912. He drank a toast to the presi
dent, but he didn't smile then.
Even the more conservative OF the
Washington politicians were ready &c
admit that Roosevelt is the big mar
of the country All are not prepared
to declare that he is out for the nomi
nation, but they think that he's mighty
close to ii, and that If ii is offered tc
him he will not turn it down. And he
won't That's positive.
Kansas City, Mo-, Wild Over Him.
Kansas City of two states received
Mr.. Roosevelt with wild whooping
The Sun Flower City is smaller and
was therefore not so noisy. but the
other town was crazy. Every reserve
on the police force was called out &c
keep the mob in check. In spite Of the
rain that threatened to throw a dam
per on the plans of the local commit
tee more than $4,000 persons hung
along the curbs all day. At the Balti
more hotel, where the colonel held
forth most of the time the crowd jam
med itself against the entrance and
fought from morning until night to
get look Mr.. Roosevelt made foul
speeches. In the morning. at Kansas
City. Kan. he spoke to an audience
Of 1000 workingmen and talked about
the employers liability in case OF &C
cident or death to a laborer. He said
that the government ought to aid In
the settlement of such accidents and
not leave it to lawsuits and lawyers
who grab most of the claim, If indeed
it is ever settled.
At a luncheon given in his honor by
the Commercial club Mr.. Roosevelt
said pleasant things. He declared that
the American people are ready to turn
to the moral aspect CT certain issues
They are prepared to forsake the ma
terial in order to boost the good work
Of lettering the conditions of business
and OF living. He spoke about the time
when he was president and got after
the railroads and shippers in regard
to rebates. He said that the men OF
Kansas City, who were deeply touched
by the change. stood by him and help
ed him carry out his notions. And
we'll do it again." they yelled back.
In Convention hall the colonel faced
an audience OF nearly 10000 persons
II was the sort of reception that
quickened him in his campaign for
progress. The big men OF the state
were there. 1t was the Denver recep-
ton over again. but there was more
OF IT,
Mr.. Roosevelt preached a sermon
here about honesty and corruption in
business and politics. He discussed
once more the matter Of mobs over
stepping the bounds of justice and he
condemned the public officials who
would stand for that sort of thing. He
touched upon conservation. This made
a hit.
Regard Roosevelt as Next President.
1t would be futile to deny the fact
that the west regards Roosevelt as
their next president. A goodly part
OF the crowds that greet him in the
cities and the towns take 1t for grant
ed that he is on a campaign tour and
they don't hold back in saying so. But
the men who work the wires and who
are supposed to be hosts are going
slower They are puzzled frankly.
The colonel isn't making statements
as to his future. And the result Is that
all this hurrah and pickering is tend
ing to put them up in the air. This is
especially true of the friends Of the
administration. Mr.. Taft isn't friend
less In the west by a long shot