The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-30
G. 0 P. SEARCHING
FOR A new PILOT
Taft's Advisers Working 0ut
Reorganization Plan.
QUIET CANVASS BEING MADE
Leading Members OF Administration
Expect Election Results VIII BE
DisappOiHtinR-ROot Speech stirs
Up Situation Regarding RooseveIt's
Outlook After Present Campaign.

Leading members Of the administration.
including some of the Cabinet officers,
are working out a plan looking toward
the denomination OF President Taft and
the rehabilitation OF the Republican
party.
One thing contemplated in the plan Is
the selection OF a new chairman OF the
Republican National Committee soon aft
or the coming election IS over, ard proba--
bly, also the opening OF an Office for the
party organization in Washington.
Administration advisers here expect
that the election results in general will
be disappointing TO Republicans and VIII
clearly show The necessity FOR readjust-
ment OF the party machinery.
They believe further that no better time
can be selected for working our the de-
tails OF a reorganization plan than imme-
diately follow Ing the election at which
the Republicans have been disciplined and
chastened.
AS soon as the election Is over and suf-
fcient time has eli psed to permit the re-
suits 10 be appreciated, conference OF
the party leaders probably win be held
and new chairman Of the National
COMMITTEES chosen.
Party without Pilot.
There has been much complaInt from
leaders throughout the country that the
Republican organization is practically
without a head. When Frank H. Hitch
cock rellnQuished active political work TO
become Postmaster General he designated
ex-Gov. Hill. Of Maine. as acting chair
man. II Chairman Hill has had head
quarters anywhere, they seem 10 been
Ike Gen. Popes. in the saddle" Little
has been heard OF him OF his activities
since he assumed the responsibility of
leadership
There Is no particular complaint against
him for what has passed. because il
apparently has been the policy OF the
Republicans not 10 maintain a strong
national organization I'm the last two
years. But Mr.. Tafts advisers now
realize that something must be done TO
strengthen the President and his cause,
OF the party will have 10 face the serious
task OF losing the country in the Presi-
Dental election In 1912
Mr.. Taft's advisers believe. further
more. that the time has cone when
Washington should be made the head
quarters OF a strong party organiza-
ton. Up TO this time party leaders who
have come to Washington to talk poll
tice have dropped in. first at the White
House.
Mr. Taft has acknowledged frankly that
he knows next to nothing about the pOlit-
ical game and has referred these visitors
sometimes to Postmaster General Hitch
cock and sometimes to other admlnistra-
ton advisers.
Get Conflicting Advice.
Mr.. Hitchcock has been devotlng his
entire time TO the work OF putting the
Post-oflce Department on a self-support-
ing basis. and his time open for political
interviews has been very limited. Re.
Gently It has been his desire to steer clear
OF politics altogether. Che result has
been that many local leaders who have
come to Washington 20 talk politics have
resentative 20 another and have finally
left town dissatisfied lid oftentimes car
rying conflicting advice.
Just now a quiet ca = being made
by the Presidents Il find man
Of political experience & with a ca
pacity for organizing who cGn be put I'll
ss chairman of the national committee. |
An effort will be made 10 get a leader !
free from the factional troubles. Mr.. |
Taft's advisers admit that this will be |
difficult, and as yet no name has been |
publicly suggested as filling the bill
The Presidents friends look for q closer |
working arrangement between him AMI |
the prOgressives this winter. The result |
Of the primary elections. II ratified by the |
general elections on November s, will be |
to bring back to Congress a strong in
surgent representation. President Taft's |
friends have always contended that ne |
was progressive in his views, and his |
advisers believe that when his legislative /
is thoroughly understood it |
will be sufficiently progressive 20 meet
the views OF nearly ali of the Senators |
and Representatives who Will come to
the next Congress bearing credentials |
from insurgent communities
The President may not be able to sat
sfy men like La Toilette and BristoW,
but undoubtedly an effort will be made /
to harmonic the Presidents recon-
nendations and of presenting a united |
party in 1912.
Doubt Roots Statement.
Great interest was aroused in WASH
ngton by Senator Roots statement tina,
he Republican party might demand a
Moses TO lead them in 1912 II the Taft
leadership was not sustained. Consider
ible doubt was expressed as to whether
this tntimation OF Roosevelt In 1912 would
improve the situation for the Republicans
n New York State.
The White House had no comment TO
make on the statement. II is known.
However. that President Taft did not see
senator Roots speech before 1t was de-
iyered. This is not the first time. how
'yerr that he has had tho idea conveyed {