The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-22
7. R. MEETS TAT 7
Goes to New Haven and
Talks Politics.
DISCUSSED NEW YORK MlX-UP
The President Says His Sympathies
Are With Colonel Roosevelt in
His Fight Against the
Bosses.
DISCUSSED NEW YORK MlX-UP

New Haven, Conn, sept. 2O.-COlo
mel Roosevelt came To President Tar
for aid in his fight against the bosses
in New York state. The conference
took place In New Haven, where Pres
ident Taft had gone to attend meet
ing Of the Yale corporation.
The colonel made no specific re
quest for action on President Talt's
part. but it was apparent that he ant
his friends had sought the conference
for the moral effect that 1t would have
In the New York state contest
The president made it clear to Mr.
Roosevelt that he is in sympathy with
his fight against the bosses, but he
also told the colonel plainly that he
wouldn't mix up further in the New
York state situation He told Mr.
Roosevelt that he would stand square
IL on the letter which he had written
to LLOYD c. Griscom after the meeting
Of the Republican state committee II
New York city. Later President Tall
told the newspaper correspondents
that in his opinion his sympathy foi
the Roosevelt forces was clearly
shown in this letter
viii Endorse Taft.
The reiteration by President Taft
of the sentiments expressed in the
Griscom letter was not. however, the
only important development that fol
lowed the New Haven conference. II Is
certain now that the Taft administra
ton will be endorsed in its entirety
by the Sarstoga convention, even If
the Roosevelt forces are in control On
the other hand. however. there will be
no endorsement OF President Taft by
the New York state Republican con
vention for denomination in 1912. The
omission of such an endorsement will
be in conformity to the president
own desire This will leave the field
open so far as New York state Is con
cerned between him and Mr.. Roose
welt for the Republican nomination
for 1912 if Mr. Roosevelt has any
thought OF trying for IT,
The action of the Saratoga conven
ton either toward the endorsement
of the Taft administration or OF Mr.
Taft's candidacy for denomination
wasn't mentioned in the conference
between Mr.. Taft and Colonel ROose
welt. but Otto T. Barnard. who is a
Taft man, but is flirting with the
Reconsideration forces, Is authority
for the statement that the Taft ad
ministration will be endorsed en-tOtc
Q: Saratoga. but that there will be nc
action By the convention in reference
TO Taft's denomination.
Doesn't Seek Endorsement For 1912.
President Taft's own attitude toward
an endorsement by the New York state
convention for 1912 is that it is a bad
practice to inject into the middle OF
an administration a political factor OF
this character. He believes in going
ahead and being president for -four
years. and then. if his friends and the
party are satisfied with his admins
tration, he will be nominated; II not
he will be content to retire.
One other thing stands out as re-
suit Of the meeting between President
Taft and Colonel Roosevelt. and that
Is President Taft's views are clearly
known on the subject Of direct prl-
maries. The president endorsed the
Cobb direct primary bill as amended
by the Low-Choate memorial.
This is the proposed direct primary
legislation finally accepted By Gov
ernor Hughes. which provides for the
nomination of congressman, state sen
ators and assemblymen by this me-
thod. The president told Mr.. Roosevelt
that he is in sympathy with this pro-
posed legislation and added that he
believed the New York state conyen-
ton ought to nominate a man for gov
ernor who is in sympathy with the
legislation. Here. again. however, MT
Taft emphasized the attitude that he
had outlined for himself in the Girls
com letter, which included a reference
to direct primary legislation. Wheth-
er Mr.. Tafts views on limited direct
primaries coincide with Colonel Roose-
yelts is not known, but it is believed
they do.
The Taft Roosevelt conference was
devoted almost entirely to the New
York state situation.