The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-09-20
Conference Held Monday Not
Productive of Any Hearty
Cordial Alliance.
NATTER OF PRESIDENCY
FOR 1912 DROPPED
President Apparently Doing His
Best to Straddle the Fence
in New York.

NEW HAVEN, Sept. 19,-The presi-
dent and the former president of the
United States had hurried conference
in New Haven today on the situation in
New York state. The conference came
at Mr.. Roosevelt S request and Is in
terpreted as Il desire for the moral adj
vantages that further evidence of the
presidents support would bring the
Roosevelt leaders in New York Meth
er Mr.. Taft nor Mr.. Roosevelt would
discuss IN detail what they had TO say
to each but these results can be given
as apparent:
First-So far as the situation in New
York state goes there is war between
the old guard, the president standing
squarely on his letter of August 20 to
Lloyd c. Griscom in which he defined
his attitude at length
oecond-The shadow of 1912 hung
over the meeting which did not appear
to be characterized by the old cordial
ity between the president and the
colonel, recent events operating as
bar TO any better understanding be-
tween the two. The question Of the
presidency in 1912 was not discussed.
Receptive Candidate.
Third The president is willing 10
run again If he is renominated, but he
intends TO leave that 10 his friends.
He is not hunting delegates.
Fourth-Colonel Roosevelt expressed
himself as gratifed at a "very pleas
ant interview and an entirely satis-
factory talk. He reiterated with en-
phasis that he Will not run for COVER
nor and that If the convention STAN
pedes for him, he will refuse the nom
nation.
1t was plain from all that transpircd
before and after the meeting that the
colonel and his close political advisers
are not n little worried over the situa-
tion in New York state and came TO the
president for further evidence Of his
moral support
This the president was glad to give.
He declared his position in the New
York state fight had been clear from
the very FIRST. He said he sympathized
heartily with the fight against ''boss.
ISM being waged by the people OF
the state
Has Not Changed Views.
Mr. Taft reiterated the statemen
he made in his letter oLloyd e.
Grlscom. president of the New York
county Republican committee at the
vcrsy over the temporary chairman
ship.
Mr.. Taft announced 10 his caller
anew what he had said in the Griscom
letter-that he favored direct primaries
for the nomination Of congressman and
state legislators.
President Taft is not ready as vet
TO admit the advisablitv of doing away
with conventions for the nomination
of state officers.
Mr. Taft understands that both Gov
ernor Hughes and Colonel Roosevelt arc
now practically IN accord with his own
position. although the governor fought
AT first for direct primaries for all Off
GERS.
Mr. Taft and Colonel Roosevelt did
not discuss the question of the presl-
dency in 1912. The president has not
been advised US TO what Mr.. Roose-
paign.
From sources close to the president,
it was said there was no occasion TO
discuss the subject,
Mr.. Taft S position is this;
AS to Coming Campaign.
He is willing to run if nominated.
If his friends think there is good
chance for him to be reelected, Mr.
Taft feels that they will see to his
Mr.. Taft s political friends
say that if the American people want
him for n second term, not even Colonel
Roosevelt can prevent his nomination
If the people do not appear to want
him. Mr.. Taft will be only too glad
to submit to their decision,
1t can be stated of today's meeting
mt New Haven that while it may have
been successful IN its "'scenic effect -
and of moral advantage to the Roosc
welt leaders in New York state, it was
absolutely barren of results as to any
better understanding between the pres
idcnt and Colonel Roosevelt as TO ma
tional issues of their personal relations,
Something in the nature OF Il truce
seems To have been arranged regarding
the New York state situation. After
that is over, events will shape them
selves.
Colonel Roosevelt himself is said to-
day to have let drop the hint that as
TO his side of the matter. something
would be doing after the elections.
Mr.. Taft is letting 1912 look out for it
self. He declares he has other matters
of concern Mt the moment.
Griscom on Deck.
IT came out at today's conference,
which, in addition to the president and
Colonel Roosevelt included Llovd c.
Norton. that the Taft administration
S to be indorsed at Saratoga No men
ion of Mr. Taft as a candidate in 1872
will be made
.'It is not the province of state
conventions TO nominate any man for
president two wears ahead said Mr..
Sannard after the conference. econ
,ecticut did not do it, so why should
New York?'
In this connection it became known
oday that President Taft deprecated
he action of the Ohio Republicans in
for him in 1912. He did not
hink he should be made an issue. The
ohio leaders were anxious, however
hat the Taft administration and the
record should be made