The Washington times., 1910-10-08
ROOSEVELT SWINGS
DELEGATES IN LINE
Colonies Visit Raises I'M
portant Question on Nomi-
nation for 1912.
By JOHN SNURE.

ROME, Ca Oct S--The chief Ques-
lions raised in connection with Theo-
Jore RoOsevelts Southern trip are
these:
How solid Will the Southern delega-
tions stand for the denomination OF
President Taft IN 1912. and If Mr..
Roosevelts friends seek to renominate
him, will II be possible for him 10
break into the Southern delegations?
Postmaster General Hitchcock IS
now generally supposed to have these
legations coTraled, ready TO turn
over for the denomination of his chief,
the President, when the next nation
al Republican convention Is held
Since the Roosevelt trip 70 the
far-seeinE politicians have been ask
ing themselves II this was a foray
into a region where the Taft forces
calculate they have possession and
will keep possession.
Already the questions referred 70
are being answered. Signs are al
ready numerous that Roosevelt can
reach out. If he chooses, and capture
part OF the Southern delegations
Those who believe that they can be
delivered TO Mr.. Taft have evidently
been misCalculating-
Late last night before he left Knox
vile for this place. Colonel ROose-
welt had an important conference with
former Representative Hale OF Ten
nessee, now mem Der Of the national
committee from that State. n this
conference, there is reason TO believe,
the state Of the feeling Of the South
toward Roosevelt with respect TO
1912, was discussed
Delegations For Roosevelt.
What this feeling is may be judged IN
part By the enthusiastic crowds that
are turning out 10 greet the former
President. At Bristol, Va. and Knox
Vile. yesterday, and at Dalton. and
Rome Ga, TO-DAY. moreover, i Is stated
by politicians OF prominence that neither
Mr, Hitchcock nor anyone else can keep
a large share OF the Southern oelesa-
tons from Roosevelt. # he viii consent
10 take a denomination.
National Committeeman Hale Is q
stanch Republican, end a friend or
President Taft and Of Postmaster Cen
eral HitchcOck- He was asked by a
uewspaDer man the direct question;
"WIl the Southern delegations support
Mr.. Taft at the next national conven-
tiOng'
Mr.. Hale replied:
Neither Mr.. Hitchcock. nor anyone
else, can keep q large share OF the
southern delegation from going 10
Roosevelt, Il he lets il lie known he wiz
accept denomination. The Roosevelt sen
timent in nv own state is great The
people are for Roc SeVelt- Ihey want
him for President again
Mr. Hale asserted his firm belief that
the situation would be found the same
iu a number Of oh AZ Southern States
While IL Is not disclosed what converse
ton passed between the former Presi-
dent and Mr.. Hale, Il is not without
interest that the Tennessee national
committeeman talk ed with the colonel
IN this frame Of mind Politicians VIII
not be slow 20 draw conclusions from IL
Colonel Roosevelt captured Georgia
anew today. Something OF the feeling
toward htrR was indicated by the gath
ering about the station al Dalton, about
: o'clock this morning, OF a crowd OF
about L5o0 people ClamOTing 10 see him.
He was not yet UP ana did not present
himself, and they disappOintedly stood
around watching his car expectantly.
Wit Ir,Srrctrt-l Schnnl