Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-24
Takes No Part in New York
Direct Primaries Fight.
NOT WILLING TO DICTATE
Many Republican Leaders in Empire
State See President.
IRRIGATION BILL CONFERENCE
Anxious to Settle Differences in Con-
gress-Dr. Holmes Urged for
Mines Bureau.


The attempt to draw President Taft
into the fight of Gov. Hughes to force the
New York legislature into the enactment
Of direct primaries law is still going on.
but it was limited on high authority today
that the President did not propose to at
tempt to dictate to the New York legisla-
rure what he thinks is the wisest course
to pursue. If he were a citizen of New
York he might feel that he was er titled
TO say something on this and other ques-
tions that are arising.
BY request, the President lately has
seen a number of New York republican
leaders, including Frederick H. ]. Kracke
of Brooklyn. Today the President gave
an interview to Mervtn X. Hart of Utica.
Mr.. Hart wanted the President, 1t Is
understood. to approve the direct pri-
maries proposition which Gov. Hughes is
trying to make the legislature enact.
The President let MIR. Hart know that
he has no right to butt into the New
York legislative situation. although be
has no objection to 1t being known that
he is a strong believer in direct primaries
az far as local situations will permit He
has been represented as opposed to the
primary idea, but for years he has ex-
pressed the view that the selection Of
candidates for office should be
given as directly into the hands Of
the voters as possible, although he does
not believe in doing away with state
conventions In no way, however, has
ne attempted 10 go into the details Of
what he thinks a New York primary
Law should contain. and he will not at
tempt to dictate recommendations on this
question, regardless Of who asks him to
do %.
Recognised as Leader.
significant feature OF these efforts to
have the President get into the New York
fight is the recognition that is being gwen
him as the national leader of the party,
whose wishes are to be sought and recon-
mendations enforced, if he should see fit
10 make them. The understanding has
been that President Taft would be con-
tent to leave the complex situation in
New York to Theodore Roosevelt to han
die, and the belief is that this is to be
done.
At the same time notice has been
served by leading New York republicans
that there must be equal recognition of
TAFT and Roosevelt in political affairs
there. and that a big row will follow any
EFFORT to give second place in the run
ming to the President.
1t always has been the custom Of New
York republicans to look to the White
House upon many questions.
When Mr.. Roosevelt was there he con-
tToiled everything in that state. not only
because he was President, but cause he
was a citizen of New York and its most
noted son. He Is to be consulted about
everything now. as heretofore, but any
thing which looks like RELOCATING the
President to the rear will be squeiched.
President Taft made today one Of con-
ferences, giving over a good part Of the
cabinet session to talking with legislators
over the situation in Congress. At lunch
con this afternoon he entertained the
House and Senate conferees on the $50
100000 certificate bill for the aid Of irri-
cation in the west. The Senate does not
relish the House provision that projects
must have the approval Of army engineers
before sharing In the proceeds Of the sale
Of the certificates.
Senator Sutherland a Visitor.
Senator Sutherland of Utah, who saw
the President this morning about the bill,
said that the House provision was not
pertinent or proper for the reason that all
the projects that would be aided by funds
from the sale Of the certificates long ago
were approved by the government and
considerable money was spent upon them.
The question is one of securing financial
aid TO finish what already has been be-
gun. 1t would hardly be desired. he said.
10 have army officers pass upon projects
partly completed
The President wants to do what he can
TO secure satisfactory legislation in be-
half OF irrigation plans, and would Ike
10 see the differences between the two
houses, not generally considered serious,
amicably settled.
Senator Hale was sent for by the Presi-
dent during the cabinet session and re-
manned with him some time. President
Tafts automobile went to the Capitol for
The Maine senator and returned him to
his duties there The irrigation confe-ees
we're also taken TO the White House in
the Presidents automobile.
Still Working for DIR. Holmes.
Senators Dick, Oliver. Scott and Over
man went to the White House today with
a delegation OF miners, all interested in
Urging the President 10 make Dr. j. A.
Holmes, now of the geological survey,
director Of the new bureau of mines. The
miners were headed by Edmund Perry,
secretary-treasurer of the United Mine
Workers. with headquarters at Indianapo
us. and John Lains. chief Of the depart
ment OF mines OF West Virginia.
The visitors told the President that
their first choice for the position was
David Ross. director Of the bureau OF
mines of the state OF Illinois, but that
as he was ineligible under the law they
preferred DR.. Holmes to anybody else
Despite the strong Endorsement of Dr.
Holmes from all parts of the United
states, IL is known that he will not be
appointed. He is not satisfactory to Sec
retary BaIlinger. and for that reason the
President cannot name him.
T.. W. Parker for many years connected
with the geological survey. il the present
choice OF the President for director OF
The new bureau. but he. too. is being
fought. Unless the fight upon him is
well based he will be the next director
Robert Bacon. American ambassador tc
Paris. made a brief ca, upon the Presi.
dent today. He arrived in New York
from france yesterday afternoon ana
came right on to Washington.
President Going to Jersey City.
President Taft will help Jersey Cit,
celebrate the e5oth anniversary of tn.
founding of Bergen. a portion of tina
city. next October. He accepted toda,
an invitation to be present between
October lS and %, when the celebration
Will take place The invitation wa.
presented by a large delegation headet
by Mayor III. o. Wittpenn OF Jerse,
City, introduced by Representative
Kinkead and HamilI.
The President contemplates a fall trir
into the southwest, where he may spent
some time upon the ranch of his brother
q. =. Taft, near San Antonio. He alst
has under consideration d trip to Panam<
10 inspect the work upon the canal
Ex-Gov. Curry OF New Mexico, Mai
Llewellyn. Capt D. j. Leahy and Capt
-AA oil