Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-20

bany, N. Y, Sept. 19.--PreSident Taft
and Col. Roosevelt met today at New
Haven, Conn, for the second time since
the former Presidents return from
Africa. Col. Roosevelt sought the ron
ferenre with the President 1t was
plain from all that happened before and
after the meeting that the colonel and
his close political advisers are not a
little worried over the situation in New
York state and came to the President
for further evidence of his moral sup
port. This the President was glad to
give He said his position in the New
York state fight had been clear from
the very first. He said he sympathized
heartily with the fight against Boss
ism"
Mr. Taft reiterated the statement he
made in his letter to Lloyd c. Griscom,
president of the New York County Re-
publican committee, at the time of the
Sherman Roosevelt controversy over
the temporary Craftsmanship. This let
ter, he added, stated his position fully
and accurately and he was standing on
it absolutely.
Mr. Taft repeated anew to his callers
what he said to the Gr1scom letters
that he favored direct primaries for
the nomination for congressman and
state legislators. He understands this
to be the purport of the Cobb bill as
amended by the Seth Low and Joseph
Choate memorial. He said he hoped
that a declaration for such a primary
law would be written into the Republi-
can state platform and that a candi-
date for governor in sympathy with
this movement would be nominated.
President Taft is not ready as yet to
admit the advisability of doing away
with conventions for the nomination of
state officers from governor down. Mr..
Taft understands that both Gov.
Hughes and Col. Roosevelt are now
practically in accord with his own posi-
ton, although the governor fought at
first for direct primaries for all Offices
President Taft and Col. Roosevelt did
not discuss the question of the Pres
idencv in 1912. The President has not
been advised as to what Mr.. Roost
velts attitude is toward that campaign.
From sources close to the President, IL
was learned there was no occasion to
discuss this subject Mr.. Tafts posi-
ton is this:
He is willing to run if nominated. If
his friends think there is good
chance for him to be reelected, Mr.
Taft feels that they will see to his nom
ination. MI 1aft's political friends say
if the American people want him for
a second term, that not even COL
Roosevelt can prevent his nomination.
If the people do not appear to want
him, Mr.. Taft will be only too glad to
submit to their decision.
1t can be said that today's meeting
at New Haven. while it may have been
successful in the scenic effect ana
| Of moral advantage to the Roosevelt
leaders in New York state, it IS abso-
lutelv barren of results as to any bet
ter understanding between the Presi-
dent and Col. Roosevelt as to national
issues or their personal relations in
view of the many recent events.
Something in the nature of truce
seems to have been arranged regarding
the New York state situation. After
| that is over, events will shape them
| selves. Col. Roosevelt himself is sail
| today to have let drop the hint that az
| to his side of the matter something
would he doing" after the elections.
Mr. Taft is letting 1912 look out for it,
| self. He declares he has other matters
of concern at the moment.
Mr.. Taft is entirely satisfied with the
position he had taken. He is not out
| hunting for delegates or endorsements
| for denomination. Even the thought
| that Col Roosevelt may be in the tight
against him does not appear to disturb
| the President in the least degree. lie
| feels every man is at liberty to do as
| he pleases, Col. Roosevelt among the
| rest. There is no doubt, however, thaf
| the shadow of 1912 hung over today :
| gathering. There was not the cordially
| of old between the President and the
| colonel. 1t was the first time they had
| met since the story was given out at
| oyster Bay that Col. Roosevelt felt Mr..
Taft had not dealt fairly with him in
| New York and had sold out to the
| bosses" there in return for a pledge of
| delegates in 1912. The President felt
| the injustice of that story keenly, it is
| said. and as result of it their rela-
| tons can never he the same again.
1t came out at today's conference,
| which in addition to the President and
| Col. Roosevelt included Lloyd G. Girls
| com. Otto Barnard and Secretary Nor
| ton. that the Taft administration is to
| be endorsed at Saratoga. No mention
| of Mr. Taft as candidate in 1912 will
| be made.
| "It is not the province of a state con-
vention to nominate any man for Pres
1dent two years ahead" said Mr.. Ban
| nard, after the conference. Connect
| cut didn't do it; why should New
| York;
In this connection it became known
today that President Taft deprecated
the action of Ohio Republicans in de-
claring for him in 1912. He did not
think he had been made an issue The
| Ohio leaders were anxious. however.
! that the Taft administration and the