The Washington herald., 1910-09-26

oyster Bay. Sept. 25-On the eve OF
lis departure for Saratoga, Col. Roose-
Welt took occasion tonight TO make a
positive announcement in regard TO his
attitude on the direct primary question.
He was angry al stories that appeared
IN two New York newspapers this morn
ing, saying that he was going TO COM
promise because lot OF upstate dele
gates are not satisfied with the direct
primaries. He says he isn't.
The colonel read that not a few up
State delegates favor 10 some extent the
direct nomination principle, but that they
don't agree with the Hughes Roosevelt
idea. He read, too, that these delegates
would support him for the temporary
craftsmanship. but viii balk at the direct
primary plank unless it Is toned down.
The statement that have considered
a compromise on the direct primaries
plank is untrue Col Roosevelt said to-
night. I stand exactly where I have
stood. and. while It IS true that there
are some upstate leaders who are pot
with US. I believe We will have a major
ity with us for direct primaries"
Added to Ananias Club.
The colonel was pretty much wrought
up over these reports of a compro-
mise He said unkind things about
the correspondents who wrote the stories,
and declared that he wouldn't talk with
them in the future. Some one mentioned
the Ananias Club. and he smiled
Now that he has put his position clear
~. the colonel is all ready for the real
fight at Saratoga, He is for the Cobb
direct nomination bill. which IS favored
by President Taft and Gov Hughes. He
SIN is for ''clean-cut progressive ticket
and platform. and he'll make his fight
in that direction.
Col. Roosevelt Is pretty certain that the
progressives will win at the convention.
He expects 10 unseat Sherman as tempo
rary chairman. and 20 make the keynote
speech himself. in which he viii sound
the opening notes for the others 20 fol-
low II was stated some time ago that
the colonel wasn't going into the scrap
blindly; that even If he was victorious at
Saratoga, the battle was just begun
Does Not Fear Old Guard.
He knows that the Republican ranks
are torn with factiOnal strife. but that
viii make not the slightest difference In
his position. He said tonight that he
VIII night for progressiveness. and thar
he'll continue 10 work for a Republican
victory in this State, no matter what the
old guard may seek 10 do.
In the matter OF gubernatorial candi-
dates. the colonel professed TO be nc
wiser tonight than he has been. At Sara
toga the dispatches stated that the ques-
ton OF selecting candidate had not been
talked up seriously, because other ques-
tons overshadowed that for the moment.
Col. Roosevelt apparently felt the same
way. He is up a tree. but he expects 10
have notion or two by tomorrow even
ing or Tuesday morning.
The colonel wants TO confer with the
upstate men on a good many things be-
fore he expresses his opinions. He re-
allies the importance of satisfying the
up-Staters. and for that reason has said
all along that good gubernatorial timber
from there is Of more value than any
that can be found here.
The Issue Ia Plain.
The convention will be an open one;
the issue is plain and there IS little doubt
as 10 the outcome, he thinks.
To-day the colonel rested. He went 70
church in the morning with Mrs. Roose-
welt, and in the afternoon he remained
quietly at Sycamore Hill. walking around
the estate and reading some. He re-
Ceiyed no visitors
The colonel will motor 10 New York
early tomorrow morning, and viii ar
rive in time 10 catch the $50 O'Clock
train for Saratoga. AS soon as he gets
10 the scene Of action he will go directly
TO his headquarters. over which Cor
nelius V. Collins is in charge. There will
be a conference with Mr.. Collins. Mr.
Griscom, and the other prOgressives.
Col. Roosevelt contemplates three OF
the most strenuous days he has en-
countered since he returned from Africa
Lion hunting is not IN IT, The colonel Is
in for the fight. and he is satisfied. And
that is something, AT least.