New-York tribune., 1910-09-20
TAFT FIRM, He
TELLS ROOSEVELT
Stands by Views cn Primaries
ard Bosses Expressed in
Letter TO GrisCom.
PRESIDENCY NOT DISCUSSED
Taft Letting 1912 Take Care Of
Itself -AGninistration To Be
Indorsed by Saratoga
Convention.

v IA CA-eACAAs
On board President Taft's train Al
bany. Sept. 19-President Taft and Col
oueI Theodore Roosevelt net today az
New Haven. fo- the second tir1-
since the former Presidents return from
Africa. Colonel Roosevelt sought the
conference with the President II vas
plain from all that took place before
and after the meeting that the colonel
and his close political advisers are
deeply concerned over the situation II
New York state and came 70 the Presf-
dent for further evidence Of his moral
support
This the President was glad 70 give
He declared his position il the New York
State fight had been clear from the very
first. He said he sympathized heartily
with the fight against '-bossism' being
Waged by the people OF the state. EIr.
Taft reiterated the statements he made
in his letter TO Lloyd c. Griscon- presi-
dent Of the New York County RepubH-
can Committee. at the time OF the Sher-
man Roosevelt controversy over the
temporary chairmanship. This letter ne
added. stated his position fully and ac-
curateIy and he was standing on it alb
solutely.
Taft Hopes for Primary Plank
Mr. Taft announced To his callers anew
what he had said in the Griscom letter
that he favored direct primaries Cor the
nomination Of Congressman and stats
legislators He understands this to be the
purport Of the Cobb bill as amended IN
line with the Seth Low and Joseph H
Choate memorial He said he hoped that
a declaration for such a primary law
would be written into the Republican
state platform and that a candidate for
Governor in sympathy with this move
ment would be nominated
President Taft is not ready as yet 20
admit the advisability Of doing away
with conventions for the nomination OF
state officers from Governor down He
understands that both Governor Hughes
and Colonel Roosevelt are now practi-
caIy in accord with his own position.
although the Governor fought at first
for direct primaries for all Offices
President Taft and Colonel Roosevelt
did not discuss the question OF the Presi-
dency in 1872 The President has not
been advised as TO what Mr.. Roosevelt's
attitude is toward that campaign From
sources close 70 the President il was
said there was no occasion 70 discuss this
subject Mr.. Taft's position is this
He is willing 20 run if nominated II
his friends think there is a good chance
for him TO be reelected Mr. Taft feels
that they will see 70 his nomination
Mr. Tafts political friends say that il
the American people want him for a sec
nnd term not even Colonel Roosevelt
can prevent his nomination II the peo-
pie do not appear 70 want him Mr.. Tafc
Will be only too glad to submit 70 their
decision.
National Issues Not Touched On.
II can be stated that to-day's meeting
at New Haven, while it has been OF
moral advantage TO the ProgresSivs
leaders in New York state. did not touch
rrpon the personal relations OF the Presi-
dent and Colonel Roosevelt Mr. Taft
is letting 1912 look out for itself He
declares he has other matters of concern
AT the moment
II came out at tO-day's conferences.
which. IN addition TO the President and
Colonel Roosevelt. included Lloyd g
C,riscor1. otto Barnard and Secretary
Norton. that the Taft administration -
10 be fndorsed at Saratoga No mention
~ Mr. Taft as a candidate IN 1872 viii
be made
.sTr is not the province Of a state con-
vention to nominate any man for Presi-
dent two years ahead" said Mr. Ban
nard after the conference "Connectt-
cut didn't do II: why should New York;
In this connection II became known to-
5av that President Taft deprecated the
action OF the Ohio Republicans in de-
c1arfng for him IN 1912 He did not
think he should be made an Issue The
ohio leaders were anxious. however.
that the Taft administration and the
legislative record should be made part
NJ the state campaign and took TINS
means Of bringing IL about II the Taft
Endorsement for 1912 had been left our
- the Ohio platform il would have been
:. co-,nlfance with the Presidents de-
sire.
To-dav's conference. IL is believed. vas
/. source Of much qualification 70 Mr.
taft and his friends That his aid
.bor1ld be sought at this time. and in tho
manner thar il was. following a sOn4-
vhat recent attitude OF an almost com
,Iere ignoring OF his administration or
.xfstence. probably gave the President
,iuch satisfaction.
Mr.. Roosevelt Dr-rched.
The meeting was not without its picr-
fresque side Colonel Roosevelt had
thrilling ride across Long Island sound
n a fran motor speed boat. which was
tossed about I'm a heavy
iea. The ex- President was thoroughly
lrenched BY waves breaking over thu
,ide OF the boat The captain Of the
boat. although starting for Bridgeport
pat into stanford
cant YOU make NOrwalke" Colonel
Roosevelt inquired.
I'VE might" replied the skipper. but
he chances are we mightn't
Colonel Roosevelt afterward told