The Washington herald., 1910-08-23


com that such a conference with Mr..
Roosevelt might conveniently be had.
and would be welcomed by him be-
fore the state committee. meets on
Tuesday Hope you will beNable to re-
port satisfactory solution when you
come on Wednesday.
Csigned) wv. H. TAFT"
Protested Against Opposition.
ION the afternoon Of Monday, August
Is, Mr.. Sherman telephoned me from New
York. and for the first time apprised me
of the fact that there was a proposal to
oppose Mr.. Roosevelt for the temporary
Craftsmanship. and that with MI Roots
name. No other name than Mr.. Roots
was mentioned. ! protested against the
idea of a contest on such a matter. per-
emptorily declined TO be drawn into
fight against Mr.. Roosevelt. and again
renewed my urgent advice that there be
prompt and fun personal conference with
Mr.. Roosevelt before the committee
meeting. with a view ito securing har-
mony and victory for the party.
Mr.. Sherman called upon me here on
August Il 10 meet an engagement Of a
weeks standing, made with him and Mr.
Loudenslager 70 discuss the Congressional
campaign textbook Mr.. Loudenslager
was prevented from coming 5y an illness.
During the conference with Mr.. Sherman
I told him that I deplored the result Of
the meeting Of the New York State COM
mittee. because unless the break were
repaired it meant division between New
York Republicans and probably defeat
Upon leaving me. Mr.. sherman agreed
to go into a conference with Mr.. Roose-
welt, provided he were invited 10 do so.
with a viSW 10 adjusting the situation II
possible even at that late date. Mr. Mich
olas Longworth was present. and said
he would send a telegram 70 bring about
a conference What the result has been
do not know.
Anxious for Harmony.
Finally. in your telegram received this
morning. you state that efforts have been
made TO create the impression that I IA
vor a particular candidate for election az
state chairman. This is absolutely I'M
true. I have expressed no opinion on the
subject since an effort was made last
winter by the New York Congressional
| delegation 10 secure Mr. Woodruff re-
/ tirement which FAILED
/ II am sorry indeed 10 observe columns
| Of unfounded assertions in the news
! papers concerning my attitude in respect
/ to the New York situation. You know.
/ however as well as other New York
/ leaders. that whenever my advice or
assistance in reaching a satisfactory ad-
! justment Of the difficulties arising has
/ been sought, 1 have urged the necessity
| for the fullest conference with Mr.. Roose-
welt by the members Of the organization
and, with due Difference to honest differ
ence OF opinion, have expressed the view.
/ which I still entertain. that the solution
/ Of the direct primary issue can be found
| in provisions similar 10 those of the
/ Cobb bill as amended in accO~ lInce with
| the memorial signed by Mr.. Seth Low.
Mr.. Joseph Choate, and other prominent
| Republicans OF New York city. Sin
! cerely yours.
WM H. TAFT
J Hon. Lloyd c. Griscom, Presidest Re
publican county committee. l Madi-
son avenue New 2 oFh.
Roosevelt Not Consulted.
AS Mr. Taft points out. Col. Roosevelt
was not consulted before the committee
met In order TO carry out their promise
70 the President, Mr. Ward and Mr..
Barnes, Il IS true, did meet Col Roose-
welt by appointment in the Manhattan
Hotel but that was an hour after the
meeting OF the State committee
/ Mr.. Taft. over the Iong-distance phone
and by means OF telegraph messages. had
! expressly told the leaders Of the regulars.
as the Woodruff Barnes combination like
! 10 call themselves, that il there was any
! disaffection likely TO arise at the meet
/ ing his name was not to be used. and
that on the contrary, in the interests OF
! harmony. he wished that the members
OF the State committee should consult
before the meeting with Mr.. Griscom and
/ Col. Roosevelt.
! Mr. Griscom. after the meeting on Tues
| day, stated that Mr. Taft had told him
that he would do nothing which would
/ seem antagonistic TO Col Roosevelt. and
/ Mr.. Griscom stated further that ne was
sure that, the statements made by Mr.
Woodruff. Mr.. Barnes. and the others who
! led the NOV ement for the choice OF Mr.
sherman. that their action had beer
sanctioned by Mt. Taft, was entirely
without foundation
Put in AnaDins Club.
When Mr. Woodruff. Just after the
meeting. was told what Mr.. Griscom had
said. the state chairman insinuated that
Mr.. Grlscom ought to be enrolled as q
member of the Ananias Club He said
that Mr.. Sherman, with whom he had
had a long talk on the night before, had
spoken with Mr. Taft over the phone
as had also Mr.. Ward. and that both had
been assured by the President that II
should be announced at the meeting thai
the selection Of Mr.. Sherman had his
approval
So far from Mr.. Taft sending any such
message to either Of these men. he sent
a telegram TO Mr.. Sherman. insisting
that before any action was taken by the
committee. Col Roosevelt should be con
suited with. and that II there was need
reasonable concessions should be made
with the progressives. both with regard
to platform and candidates
Former Assemblyman Norwin K. Hart
Of Utica. fresh from a conference he hac
with Col. Roosevelt on Friday. made
speech in his home city on Saturday, In
which he asserted that Mr.. Sherman had
received letter or a communication bS
telegraph from Mr.. Taft. and that he hac
/ suppressed this
Mr. Sherman left New York for hl'
home on the Monday night before Tho