The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-17
5Grea t Scheme for
Readjustn nent of Lead
ership Fails.
. ALL DECLINE TO
BE NEUTRALIZE
President Taft and Senator Crane
in Long Conference at Beverly
Over Situation, and II Is
Realized That Ambitious
Scheme Cannot Be Car
ried Through.
/ tspecial,to The rimes-Dispatch.1

...- -.
tSpecialtto The Times -Dispatch.1
Beverly, Mass. August 16.--It may
~ said tonight with every confidence
that the great scheme for readjust-
ment OF leadership in the Republican
party which has been fostered en-
Enthusiastically In the last few days by
some OF those close to President Taft.
has gone on the rocks. It was a beau
tlful scheme, like that OF Secretary
Knox for the naturalization OF the
Manchurian railways. But 1t has
failed. for reasons very similar to
those which defeated the Knox prop
'osition, the refusal OF the parties most
concerned to be neutralized.
Senator Crane spent two hours this
afternoon talking politics with the
President Al the conclusion of the
conferences he motored in to the execu-
tive Offices here with Secretary Nor
ton. who had been present during the
talk. Mr. Norton remarked cheer
fully that the President had sent word
to the newspaper men that he was all;
most afraid to let Senator Crane
leave, lest he talk too garrulously.
clined to say single word about his
conference with Mr.. Taft and even
would not admit that politics had been
the subject, Mr. Norton was equally
reticent, and thus there was not q
word OF Official report OF the discus
sion.
Situation Not Cheerful.
But in spite OF the cheerful tone in
which earlier in the daY.it had been
said that things were going very well.
snd that the prospects were quite
the promoters OF the ambitious plan
for saving the party at the approach
ing election had realized their close
proximity to the rear. This was even,
more apparent after the conference
with the President.
4 OF course It did not need the report
OF Senator Crane to inform the Presi-
dent that. so far as Speaker Cannon
was concerned. the talk OF readjust-
worse. The Danville statesman is
making 1t clearer every day that he
intends TO go down lighting and to do
all the damage he can In the process,
no matter who may be the sufferer.
The blast OF scorn with which he
greeted the readjustment proposition
In an interview at his home yesterday
Is only one more admonition to those
who have been trying to bring about
better situation In the Republican
camp that Mr.. Cannon Will be respon-
sive neither to persuasion nor force.
1t is becoming evident also that
Secretary Ballinger. on his side, will.
take the same position as far as he is
nble. BeiNg subject to the Will OF the
President Tor his tenure of Office he is
.amenable to discipline by the Presi-
dent, where Speaker Cannon is not.
But there has not been the slightest
indication as yet that he is even ap-
preaching the point where he would
be willing to WELD the axe on Bailin-
ger
Problems to BE Faced. i
Despite the official uncommunica-
Stiveness Of those present at the con-
ference this afternoon, there Is sub :
2stantial ground for saying that Sena-
tor Crane called the situation with
reference to the Speaker and Secretary.
Ballinger5 pointedly to the attention Of
the President. There was also some
talk about Senator Aldrich. It was
pointed out that many Republicans be-
slieve that Senator Aldrichs and Speaker
Cannon have borne the burdens Of the
4D0TLyN44 III 1c6 loAdklSc s3IudllSTSTaflOn
enough to entitle them to greater con-
isideration than some readjusters seem
to be willing to give. And the great
dififulty Of eliminating Secretary Ball
3lingers from the administration in the
Immediate future was not overlooked
Senator Crane has demonstrated
amply by his work in Washington
that he is an accurate Judge Of politi-t
cal situations and conditions, and
there is no doubt that great deal
of weight attaches to the report that
he made to the President to-day.
The fact is that the Republican par
W Is in q very bad way in most, II not
aall,Bof the States in which 1t now has
control. The use OF the party whip to
compel discipline in States where the
Insurgent sentiment has been growing
has resulted dlsastrously in practical.
4 ly every instance. Il.
ON Verge Of Disruption.
The old organization, which was 50
tremendously successful for g many
years, is on the verge Of disruption,
and there is no i longer the political
leadership at 8the centre that can
bring back unity and discipline.
othing elbows It more clearly than
what happened In New York City to-
day When Theodore Roosevelt made
leader, ana was defeated. The New
* ork Repub licans are riding for n5 fall
as hard as they car go. Il and the up
State bosses seem to glory. In the dis!
fruption they are helping along.
si8 The same thing is obseryab blet 4 al
over the country, New j Jersey3 5is lpo,
for It., Even In Pennsylvania q there
are signs Of trouble for the Repub-f
8llcans. and the mana ayers of affairs In
the Republ lican con grassipnnl coHl-S
gnittee have been exerting g. themselves!
Tor weeks to get things strai ghtened,
Gout there, So rs to ret ain theiry res
'ant sire ths he con gressio q dellss
Scoptlnusd On ssco Page..)l