The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-08-24
SHERMAN TO BE A scApEGoAT?

SHERMAN TO BE A SCAPEGoAT?
 In order to correctly understand he Taft-Roosevelt-S Sherman case, 1t nay be necessary to summarize as ,hronologically as possible the vari- ,us and multifarious reports concern ng the matter. On Aug. 18th, President Taft ac- 1uaesced in . suggestion by Griscom that Ex-Presfdent Roosevelt, if chos- an a delegate to the New York Re- publican convention, be made Its emporary chairman.
 On the 14th, President Taft tele- yraphed to vfos President Sherman advising him to confer with MT. Roosevelt, telling him that in this way and by reasonable concessions with reference to platform and can Hdates," the whole situation in New Fork may be saved.''
 On the 16th, Vice President Sher- man tslsyhoned toFPresident Taft a suggestion that Senator Root be rhosen temporary Schairman. In re- ply. the President protested, and asain urgAd a conference with Col. Roosevelt.
 N On the 18th, the State committee choses Sherman for temporary chair man over MT. Roosevelt.
 On the 17th, President Taft de- plored the committees action and again advised Sherman to confer with Roosevelt. Then, Sherman, after a conference with President Taft, de- clared that he had no intention of withdrawing and would serve 'in the interest of harmony"
 On the goth, President Taft in a letter made it, plain that he had not opposed Roosevelt for temporary chairman but had desired his cleo ton, and that he had never heard of the Sherman candidacy until after the Vice President had been chosen.
 On the 22nd, Col. Roosevelt said that, previous to the State commit tees action, he had expressed de- sire to meet the leaders in confer ence, but after it's meeting 'the situa- ton had become such as to admit of no compromise" He had consent ed to the use of his name only on condition-that the party should prove an intention "in good faith to serve the Interests of all the people of the State."
 He further stated that Sherman but at so late date that the request did not reach him until after the State committee had chosen. Sher- man.
 On the 22nd, Vice President Sher- man, when informed of President Taft.s statements, declared that he had nothing whatever to say"
 It is now intimated that the pri- maries may elect delegates who will overturn the State committees ac- ton and elect MT. Roosevelt to the temporary chairmanship. This. the convention can do, if it chooses, for the action of the State committee is only advisory. The only question is as to whether even the Taft influence will suffice to carry. the primaries oyer the "old guard"
 To an outsider, the matter looks as if Vice President Sherman is to be made a scapegoat. It seems in credible that after he had conferred with President Taft on the 17th and, presumably had been informed of his (Taft's) desire for an adjustment of differences through a conference with Roosevelt, he should have inn mediately informed the public that he had no intention of withdrawing unless the President, instead of advising his withdrawal in Roose- velt's favor, had acquiesced in his selection for the temporary chair manship. It has been said that Pres ident Taft's disposition, except upon legal questions, is to reach decisions upon ~the line of least resistance" which, in this matter, would be an acceptance of Sherman's election by the State committee, in the belief that the trouble, if any of material consequence, would soon "blow over"
 The general result is to widen the factional breach in New York. It has not brought President and Elk President together upon any point of Federal policy. Their policies are still as "wide apart as the poles."
 But the facts seem to be as above in a chronological summary, and readers may reach their own conclu- gions tnerefrom.