New-York tribune., 1910-08-18
TAFT AND SHERMAN
DISCUSS POLITICS
Vice-President Wont Withdraw
in RooseveIt's FaVor-ExpeCtS
No Reputation.
PRESIDENT TO ISSUE LETTER
Will Point Way in Congress
Campaign Urged to Make
Tariff Leading Issue-Can-
non Must Go, 1t Is Said


three hours this afternoon President
Taft and Vice President German talked
over the defeat of Theodore Roosevelt
at the hands Of the New York state
Republican COMMITTEES yesterday and
the selection of Mr. Sherman over Nj
Roosevelt as temporary chairman OF
the Saratoga convention. Mr.. Sherman
said he had no Intention of withdraw
ing in favor of Mr.. Roosevelt and he
treated lightly the stories that there
might be a fight to repudiate the ac-
ton of the state committee in the con-
vention.
The vice-President also talked with
the President regarding the Congress
campaign. He wants the fight 10 be
waged along the old lines "a straight
out Republican fight on the Republican
platform and the record OF the party,
including the tariff" he put II.
At Mr.. Shernan's solicitation Presi-
dent Taft agreed to point the way in
the campaign by writing letter which
is to be made a part OF the campaign
textbook of the Republican committee
To DepIore Cannon's Attitude.
While the fight apparently is TO be d.
rected along the lines of the past. II
can be stated authoritatively that the
feature of the party reorganization
plans which calls for the retirement OF
Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon will be
strictly adhered to IT Is even said that
Vice President Sherman. one Of the
stanchest supporters the Speaker ever
had has become reconCtled TO the fact
that Mr.. Cannon must go A statement
is being prepared in quarters close to the
administration. in which the attitude re-
Gently taken by Mr.. Cannon in public in
terviews will be deplored. and in which
it will be made plain that there is no
thought on the part of many of his for
ner supporters again to name Mr.. Can
non
Representative Nicholas Longworth.
of Ohio who has been called into nearly
all of the recent conferences at the Presi-
dents home. was present at the inter
view with Mr. Sherman to-day. Repre-
sentative Anthony. of Kansas. one Of
the two so-caIled stand -patters'' in the
Kansas delegation, who succeeded in
staving of defeat at the hands Of the
insurgents in the recent primaries IN
that state. also saw the President Mr.
Anthony supported Speaker Cannon, but
he, too said to-day that he deplored the
stand Mr. Cannon is taking. Mr.. An
thony said that Speaker Cannon -ad
almost been forgotten as an issue in
Kansas until he came into the campaign
and made himself one
viii Begin Letter at Once.
President Taft will begin work at once
on the letter. which is expected to be the
keynote of the Congress campaign He
will address the communica ton TO Rep
resentative William B Mckinley, OF
Illinois, chairman Of the Republican
Congressional Committee. 1t has not
been decided as yet whether the letter
will be given out in advance OF It's ap-
pearance in the textbook There is
every likelihood that it will, however
Mr.. Sherman urged the President TO
make the tariff a prominent issue
"On the ground that it is the best
ta.riff bill ever enacted?'' was suggested
Il have never said 1t was the best
tariff bill ever passed" replied Mr. Sher-
man stability is the real test OF a
tariff act If the Payne law stands long
er than the Dingley law stood then II will
have proved itself a better law II It
doesn't stand as long then il won't bs
as good a law
With regard to the New York situa-
tion and especially the action of the Re-
publican State Committee yesterday. Mr.
sherman said he had explained matters
to the President as far as he understood
them.
Did you explain the turn down OF
Theodore Roosevelt'2
II don't know that MI Roosevelt was
turned down. I only Know that another
man was selected as temporary chair
man Of the convention"
To Serve in interest of harmony.
MI. Sherman said he did not think the
events of yesterday would have a very
serious effect on the Republican cam
naign. although he could not say they
exactly tended to harmony.
..It has been suggested that you might
withdraw in the interest Of harmc-y?"
mo. 1 am going TO serve in the inter
est of harmony"
President Taft from the first. has en-
deavored TO bring about harmony IN
New York State. He has fairly pleaded
with the leaders 10 avoid a fight but
there Is apparently a likelihood that his
advice will not be needed
Vice President Sherman told the Pres
ident that the Republican state platform
would carry warm Endorsement of his
administration and all his acts
viii it be A clean-cut. progressive
platform, as Mr. Roosevelt suggested
the President was asked.
Il haven't digested Colonel Roosevelt's
statement as Yet. II will be a clean
Republican platform, however. 1 can tell
you that much"
What about state issues?
II am not much of authority on
state issues; not that claim 10 be much
OF an authority on any issues"
What about the direct primary law"
Il thought that was settled at the last
session Of the Legislature"
But not 10 the satisfaction OF one
element OF the party"