The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-27
HITCHCOCK WILL FIRE
UP TIE STEAM ROLLER
victory in Massachusetts,
Has Set the Republicans to Think
ing and Party Lenders Are
Very Much Aroused
by RALPH M. wHITEsIDE

washington, March 26.-(Speeial.) )-Just
ut the time when the threatening polit-
Ical clouds seemed ready to part and al
low the sunbeams of harmony to shine
upon the grand old party again, new de-
velopments have begun to arise which
will necessitate a party conference In this
city.
This was pregnant week for the re-
publican leaders 1t was filled with so
many conflicting influences that 1t has
almost been decided to allow the national
campaign committee to run the campaign
next fall to give Postmaster General
Hitchcock another opportunity to show
his ability as juggernaut.
Mr.. Hitchcock will again raise steam in
the boiler of the steam roller, according
to political indications here. Today the
situation is more critical than ever. With
the administration under fire the leaders
are geneuinely alarmed for the years
outlook.
Some time ago Postmaster General
Hitchcock said he had sufficient politics
to do him the rest of his natural life.
His expression was tantamount to the
positive declaration that he would re-
tire to private life at the expiration of
his term Mr.. Hitchcocks friends laughed
when they heard this. q MOD to them
that the sturdy enginee of the political
steam roller had been caught firmly in
the lure and glamor of the game. How
eyer. Mr.. Hitchcock refuses to alter that
declaration He will not admit that he Is
to take part in the campaign this year,
nor will ne admit that the national head
quarters win be utilized for sending out
literature.
silence Is Significant
The Postmaster General is noted for tact
and tactiturnity at times when he should
rot talk His silence is significant rather
In the affirmative than the negative,
Backed BY President Taft he viii be the
guiding hand during the coming summer
and early autumn~campaign- He will not
work as openly as he did in the presi-
Dental campaign but his influence will
be felt, nevertheless.
The arrival of former Vice President
Fairbanks in Indianapolis and his init
nation that he Is not out of politics was
hailed with delight by the old guard OF In
diana
The old line republicans never thought
Senator Beveridge was strong enough to
hold together the warped factions of the
republican party In Indiana and overcome
the popular lead of Governor Marshall.
So far as know Mr.. Fairbanks at this
time is not active. But within the past
"a hours he has held conferences at his
home in Indianapolis. which augurs that
he will soon become active. The Wes-
ieyan Methodists, and that body is very
strong in Indiana, look upon the former
vice president as somewhat of a hero
after the Vatican Incident
Victory for Democrats
The democratic invasion of the repub-
iican stronghold in Massachusetts this
week is the first real skirmish of the
year and the democrats won signal
victory Champ Clark, minority leader
In the House, says that this Is the first
OF series of victories which will event.
ually give the United States democratic
administration.
Taken in connection with the result
in Missouri, 1t shows that the same spirit
of democratic strength is not confined to
any one particular locality said Mr..
Clark. The cause of the democratic vic
tories which have begun show a wide
spread dissatisfaction with the republican
national administration. The republican
Congress does not stand any higher in
the eyes Of the people than the admin
istration. Exposures, both national and
local are being made, which will help the
democratic cause immensely
Meanwhile the distressed leaders are
keeping an eye upon Europe 1t would
be foolish to attempt to discuss the pres
ent state of political affairs without reck-
oning on Col. Theodore Roosevelt. The
democrats fear his homecoming. The re-
publicans welcome him, although there
Is trepidation In some Of the republican
ranks as to what the former President
will do when he arrives in New York
in June.
'Roosevelt Politics"
~
that the Roosevelt policies must be
clinched by the time the huntsman ar
Seves at Sandy Hook. No further evil
4ence Of the attempt to do this Is needed
beyond the activity of the department Of
Justice. That department not only has a
number of suits entered and pending, but
Attorney General Wickersham is gath
ering mass of data which presages
new trust busting operations in the
future.
A new element has entered into the
general superstructure of politics never
before felt SO keenly. This is fhe in
f1uence of labor organizations, and from
the attitude of President Gompers of the
Federation of Labor 1t is evident that
labor Is now ready to embark into poll
tics with q tenacity never before dis
Mr.4 030Afs and his advisers stand
rea4y Q44f rnxious to form a political
pAr Xfl-1F may be known as the ma
do Qr party. AS this would draw
eQu tom the ranks Of republicans
an Ne 1t might come in time to
ho Mearly hold, the balance of
POI nre is always the uncertainty,
he nat the workmen will not stick
"a ~ their movements when poll
U ncerned. Party breeds fickle-
e. 41nust always be considered
Plans Of Gompers
X5H ance with the Farmers union
tn of President Gompers, who
n sees the opportunity now for
~ IN Brkmen to unite with the farm
III concerted attack
HYArmers' union will meet in an
W Es,lvention in May. when Mr. Comp
IN make an address. in which he Is
hoAd to give the first definite out
IN, eet Ills plans. Mr.. 0ompers does not
lone In his ambition to initiate
lsh labor party. He is holding
ices with his allies in the teder-
h ..ssd understand that John Nit