New-York tribune., 1910-07-29
OHIO AND ROOSEVELT.

Ii is. perhaps. only natural that those
whose hearts are already sick with the
deferred hope Of friction between Fresl-
dent Taft and ex-President Roosevelt
should seize upon the fortunate outcome
of the Ohio convention TO further their
end. and that they should, somewhat
falteringly, proclaim the nomination OF
Warren G. Harding to be a turn
down for Mr. Roosevelt Upprejud1ced
observers will. however, refuse TO be
misled by such disingenuous declara-
tions Mr.. Roosevelt consistently re-
fused TO take any part in the Ohio con-
test. his attitude being in entire accord
with that of President Taft, who calls
attention TO the fact that he interpoSed
no obstacle whatsoever TO the nomlfla-
ton Of Mr. Garfield.
Those who now call the nomination
of Mr.. Harding turn down for Mr..
Roosevelt are the same prophets VINO
oBIy a short time ago were insisting
hat as soon as Mr.. Roosevelt returned
10 this country he would openly ally
himself with the anti-Taft movement, do
everything IN his power 10 promote the
nomination of insurgents instead of
regular Republicans and embrace every
opportunity to injure the Taft admin
istration. Mr.. Roosevelt has done none
Of these things. doubtless TO the disap-
pointment of some Of his friends and
OF the enemies of the administration.
Nor can any remarka bic significance be
alta ched TO the reception by Mr.. Roese-
welt Of various insurgents. Those regu-
lars who have knocked at Mr. Roose-
yelt'S door have been received with
equal coniialty and to one and all the
fermer President has preached the doc
factional strife TO q point which must
iniure the Republican party and afford
comfort TO the Democrats.
ii is equally misleading te attempt 10
place extraordinary emphasis Oh the fact
that Mr.. Harding was once a lieutenant
Of Senator Foraker. Senator Foraker is
an exceptionally able and brilliant man,
and his lieutenantS and followers in
Ohio Were numbered by the thousands.
But he is no longer factor in the poll
tics Of the Buckeye State, and there is
20 reason why his retirement should in
yOlve all who once fought under his
banner.
Neither is there any ground for as
sertions that Mr.. Roosevelt is displeased
with the Ohio platform. He has never
given the slightest indication of his
view of the Payne tariff bill, but it is
safe assumption that he regards it. as
L E.
which could be passed under all the cir
ci!mstanccs. That he heartily approves
Of the Tariff Board is q fact. and that
he regards the maximum and minimum
clause with approval is equally certain.
While he was in the White House he
lent his moral support To that PROPOSE
ton, which WAS first advanced by his
friend Senator Lodge. That he realized
10 the full the difficulties of securing
satisfactory revision with the machinery
at hand he frankly stated While he was
President aud that realization must in
evitably carry with it appreciation of
tho value Of the machinery which the
Payne bill creates.
Perhaps Mr.. Roosevelt's dearest policy
is that Of conservation and the Ohio
plank which deals with that subject
must be entirely satisfactory to him. as
il is TO Mr.. Garfield. As for some of
the more radical propositions which Mr.
Garfield and his followers urged on the
convention. there is every reason 10 be-
lieye that he would have found as much
difficulty in convincing Mr.. Roosevelt
Of their merit and expediency as he
found in convincing the Ohio delegates
Mr. Roosevelt is Progressive Repub-
liean. but he has always baked at a
course SO radical as in effect 10 prevent
progress. He has been an advocate of
gaining ground by inches and holding
eYeIYfhing gained