The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-09-21
By WALTER I. FAHY.

By WALTER J. FAHY.
COLUMBUS, Ohio. Sept. 21--CaE
President Taft influence the election in
his home StaJe2 It might be regarded
as a lOreEOBe conclusion that he could,
because he Is ere leader OF the Repub-
lican party and a native son Yet there
Is considerable doubt in the minds of
many Republicans whether the Presi-
dent can he OF any assistance
The fact Of the matter Is. President
Taft is practically unknown IN Ohio
That seems like a strange statement,
out It is a fact nevertheless. He has
been 50 situated throughout his entire
public career. that he IS entirely out Of
touch with party affairs in the State in
which he was born and in which he
holds a voting residence
Is Taft Popular.
Ohio is not unacCUstcmed 10 Presi-
dents Grant was born here; Hayes was
born here and lived here all mis- life:
Garfield was born in CUyahOza county,
an5 his family still lives there MCkin-
ley was known in every city and hamlet
II the State Taft was born here too,
but he is unknown here, and there is
very grave doubt whether he IS popular
here
This question Of the popularity OF
the President is going TO prove i'm
pOrtant in this campaign because Of
the purpose Of the campaign speakers
70 appeal TO the voters to roll up a
big majority because William Howard
Taft IS a native son
The Republican ticket has a hard
row ahead Of II, and in the effort to
catch votes there will be repeated aP-
peals TO sentiment
The only manner in which one can
judge the feeling of the voters Of the
STATE toward the President is that
which Is expressed at a political meet
ing. If judgment IS to be returned
on the single opportunity thus far
given the voters TO whOOp IL up for
Taft, then it looks as Il the stump
speakers must look UP some other
touch OF sentiment on which they can
arouse their audiences TO enthusiasm
Indifference To Taft.
At the opening OF the Republican
State campaign at KentOn last Satur-
day. there was an evidence Of indIner-
ence when the Presidents name was
mentioned which has set the poll
ticians thinking
The presiding officer on that occasion
had an extremely difficult time trying
70 make his audience realize that IL
WQS UP 10 them To cheer the President
He referred TO that distinguished IA
tive SON. without ever getting re-
turn he next designated the President
as the pride of Ohio who now occupies
the White House, and still not a pair
of hands were brought together he next
used the simple term The President of
the United States, and there Contin-
ued that same painful silence
Finally -he speaker started himself
OF on another sentence, which he
wound up with the Presidents fun
name BY that time the hundred or
more prominent members of the party
on the speakers platform realized that
some one had TO break the ice and 50
Lhey started round Of applause in
which a few Of the audience Joined
weakly
There Are Reasons.
It may be that this disposition TO
evince no emotion OF interest v-hen. the
Presidents name is mentioned is. pecu-
liar 70 the country in which the cam
paign was opened
II is true that uD in that country the
voters Irrespective Of party. are q little
suspicious Of EGe President on the sub
Ject OF the tariff Kenton IS in the
wool growing district The voters are
suspicious Of President Tafts tariff
commission. for they are firmly con-
WINGED that the wooden schedule is the
first scheduled for attack
II Is such situation as that TO be
IoUii0 III the country surrounding Ken
TOT that is bEelv to 90 Harding, the 1
hspublcan candidate for governor, con-
SldeF25ic damage. for the reason that (
y other parts OF the state he vgiII have
70 come stronslN for the tarifr commits /
SION IN order 10 meet The sentiment for |
sun IIItner downward revision
Outlook Not Good.
Secretary Wilson went through the f
same experience as the chairman OF the 4
meetin-- Fis TOD in great detau Of the 7
great deeds G The Prcsfderr and his
aJId-enCs llSte-ea 20 him as asie:lv as
they did q rrc- portion Of his sDeecn
which described the arid lands OF the
West
- Tie voters 1f this state are .-oin-- ~
be asked - show the TEST OF sls conn
Try that Il stands behind the President.
nut IL TnUst DC said o. there * the ea1t. E
indifference IN other sections Of 4n.
state As that which was - nsfnf11gT-
evidenced at kentou the o,rtfoo< TOR
Republican victory based on a 5esire
show confidence IN the President is M
encouraging
one OF the chief problems coner.--
ing the Republican organization Is
lack Of funds This IS almost 1I-bf.r--
Of IN Ohio. but Il Is true this year
In the first place. Charles P. T1fr- IN,
Presidents half-5rOther. who spent hi
money literally in the Presidential cam