Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-19
MAY BE CANDIDATE IF
POLICIES ARE MENACE0
Friends of Former President Under
take to Outline Position.
HANDS OFF IN NEW YORK
Having Been Turned Down for
Chairman, Is Glad to Escape
Responsibility for Results

NEW YORK. August 19.-Col. Roose-
welt made it clear today TO his friends
that the reports that he cid not intend TO
take any part in the coming state cam
paign were well based. AS the colonel
put il, he did not think he had been en-
couraged to take an active interest by
the action Of the state committee in turn
ing down his name for temporary chair
man of the convention.
His close friends are the authority for
the statement today that Col. Roosevelt
has never indicated by the slightest word
what his intentions are with regard to
1912. The colonel. however. has always
said that he reserves the right to engage
in any situation at any time whenever he
feels that his policies demand 1t.
Confers With Politicians.
Col. Roosevelt put in a busy morning
today, receiving callers at his office. con-
ferring with Representative Hamilton
Fish OF New York. Representative Cocks
of Oyster Bay, Gen. James 8. Clarkson.
former surveyor of this port, and John
A Stewart. president Of the League of
Republican Clubs OF this state.
County Chairman Lloyd Griscom, who
I'D the fight for Col. Roosevelt in the
Ntats committee. plans to see President
Taft af Beverly within q few days, 1t
Nas learned today.
Garry the News to Taft.
ID
ehA conferences with Collector Loeb and
)Cely Roosevelt at Oyster Bay yesterday
hnA ths proposed visit to Beverly is q
hhoics morsei Of speculation among poll
Hc1ans today. Doubtless Mr.. Griscom
NH inform President Taft Of the various
happenings at the state committee meet
ing Tuesday.
Yesterday.s conference at Oyster Bay
probably was the most important Col
Roosevelt has held since he left the White
House. He gathered about him q group
Of his close friends. and talked over with
them the situation. which Is best ex-
pressed In the reports that relations be-
tween President Taft and himself are
strained to the breaking point.
Present at the Confab.
william Loeb. jr, collector Of the port
of New York: Lloyd C. Griscom. chair
man of the New York republican county
committee; Representative William NJ.
Calder Of Brooklyn, Frederick j. II.
Kracke of Brooklyn and Representative
w. w. Cocks of Col Roosevelts home
district took part In the conference.
From what was said by some of the
visitors IL was learned that the ex-Presi-
dent and his friends have agreed on a
plan of action which will hold until the
situation shapes itself more clearly.
Briefly stated. IL Is this: Col. Roosevelt
Is to stand aside in the New York state
campaign and let the "old guard hght
its own fight. and thus shoulder all the
responsibility for the conduct and result
Of the campaign. He Is neither to In
dorse nor criticise the Taft administra-
ton He Is to keep out all around II
he can.
Why Keep Hands or
Through some of yesterdays visitors IT
was learned why the colonel has decided
10 keep his hands OF. He feels that the
republican state committee in refusing to
indorse him for temporary chairman of
the Saratoga conventions position he
had agreed TO accept much against his
will with the knowledge that he would
be held responsible for election results
acted In q manner that would make fur
were leading a factional fight against the
administration. II was said that Col.
Roosevelt does not deem II either wise or
proper 10 permit himself TO become in
volyed In such a factional fight. and that
his present decision Is that he will not go
20 the convention or take any part which
would render him responsible. He has
come 10 no definite conclusion. however.
From what was said after the confer
ence II was gathered that Col. Roosevelt
believes the present attitude OF men who
ere influential In the national administra-
ton Is hostile to him and that an open
colonel feels that he may be compelled a,
eome juncture TO exert his influence
against the administration.
Defer Fight Till 1912.
Those who are closest to the former
President believe that he will do every
thing in his power TO avert such crisi:
during the fall compaign. II is their
opinion that IL he should decide to fight
he prefers to postpone the struggle unit
the 1912 campaign. when the question o.
years is to be brought before the entir'
country. and when successor 10 VII
liam II Taft Is TO be elected.
Should such an issue oed~een ,,nr r.s Co
itself al that time IL is the Arm belief o
the coloners intimate associates that n
will be in the fight TO the end. tnat ne VII
stake his own future on the outcome ant
again become a candidate for the pres
ideDcy II Is believed. however. that Col
Roosevelt regards such q situation as
remote contingency. which Is not TO re
ceive serious attention at the presen
time.
Situation Nay Change.
He has said repeatedly that he can forr
no plans for the future. for the situation
Continued on Second Page.)