The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-14
There Seems Little Doubt
That Big Shake Up Will
Occur In the Party
WESTERN REPUBLICANS
MUST HAVE SATISFACTION
It Is Believed That the Elimination of
Cannon, Aldrich and Ballinger
From Taft's Councils VIII
Help Wonderfully

one high in the councils of the repub-
ican party, an intimate friend OF poth
President Taft and Col. Theodore Roose-
velt, 1t was learned today that the report
about the Presidents intention to get rid
of his old advisors, Aldrich, Hale and
Cannon, and especially to dismiss Secre-
tary Ballinger, was true
'The news is important" said this
man, .,but it is not as surprising to me
as to the public. l have been expect
ing It,"
That President Taft had decided final
ly to get rid of his old standbys was
tidings so sensational that the majority
of the persons who could be found to
discuss the matter today were almost too
surprised to talk about 1t at ALL 1t was
generally agreed that 1t was one OF the
most momentous moves In the recent
history of the party and an astonishing
change of front.
The effect, It was agreed, would be far
reaching. while there was no doubt that
Aldrich, Hale Cannon and Balllnger and
their friends would not give up without
a struggle. Such action on the part or
the President would tend to bring the
two wings of the party, now rapidly
growing part into harmony.
IT would mean further that the west
ern republicans who had been refusing
to give the President anything but
half-hearted Endorsement, would take up
the cudgels for him as avidly as they had
opposed him. And 1t would mean, In all
nrobability, his denomination with little
Krnosltion in 1872 as 1t had been under
stood by those close to Col Theodore
Roosevelt that he would not want the
nomination for himself unless forced to
10 So
Others Are Doomed
The passing of Ballinger. Aldrich and
Cannon undoubtedly would be followed
In short time, it was surmised, by the
RESERVATIONS of George w. Wickersham
and Philander C. Knox from the cab
met.
Hamilton Fish. the only consistent in
Vurgent republican representing New
York state in Congress, was delighted
pver the probable shake-up in the party.
srbis will be a great thing for the fall
campaign." he said. ut will have Its
effect all over the country and I feel now
thai the party will be able to present a
united front. The best thing about 1t is
10 drop Secretary Ballinger and Speaker
Cannon. The measure was necessary
one"
When asked what he thought about
the future position and attitude of Mr..
Aldrich, he replied:
"I think he means exactly what he
says and that he plans to retire. /
do not think he has been playing with
the people about his attitude at all.
Puzzle for the Leaders
What was more puzzling to the lead
ers of the party in this vicinity was
that there had been no intimation OF
any such move on the part of the
President The selection of Senator
Murray Crane to report on the political
conditions in the troubled sections or
the country could not seem to Indicate
to the men on the inside that the
President had changed his views or was
| inclined to pay attention to the up
| rising" in the west The nearest ap-
| proach to a suggestion that something
of the kind might happen came the
other day when a member of the Pres
ident's cabinet told visitor who was
bewailing the decline of the party that
while conditions were admittedly bad.
"they are coming out all right
This man, known for his sagacity
as we'll as his secretiveness Is generally
regarded as one of the members of
the administration best fitted to do the
harmonizing that is so badly needed.
If the move reported from Beverly Is
true there is little doubt that he had
much to do with 1t.
One thing Is sure and that Is that
not even Colonel Roosevelt or his
contemplating such a change Of front.
With an expected desire not to do or
say anything to widen the split In the
party, Roosevelt was going west to
make speeches that would of neces-
sity be encouraging to the insurgents.
In the face of the administration bur-
dens, especially Cannon, Aldrich ana
Ballinger, 1t was difficult to see how
he could give hearty praise to the ad-
ministration for such, and If there had
been any hint that these men were to
be bundled overheard no doubt it would
have been received joyously at Saga
more Hill.
Campaign II Changed
That the President by this action has
changed the face of the entire cam
patgn Is to be assumed. With Cannon.
Aldrich and Ballinger out Of the field
the insurgents who will be in control
will hardly hesitate to indorse the ad-
ministration and 1t is more than like
ly that Roosevelt himself will soon
make the long delayed statement as to
how he regards the administration OF
his successor The ex-President's de-
lay In speaking out has not been at
al pleasing to Mr.. Taft and his friends
Democrats as well as republicans were
referred to as the usual republican
luck" While, Of course, no member of
the opposition party would say openly
that 1t would make a great difference in
the results of the fall elections 1t was ad-
mitted privately that the upset would not
only deprive the democrats of many
campaign issues but would go to make
president Taft many friends.
In the west, the announcement will have
IN important bearing on senatorial cleo
lions that are to be decided thisf fall The
most important will be in Wisconsin,
where LaFollette and Beveridge are up
tor reelection. In the Wisconsin pri-
mary 1t is said that the senator will win,
but the regulars have been talking
about ignoring the primary and electing
Ianother man whom the legislature may
Iindorse.
Mr.. Ballinger is said to have lost nearly
lail his personal fortune in defending him
self from attacks that have been made
Iupon him. 1t Is said that one OF the
attorneys fees on the congressional in
vestigation cost him $4,000. II the secre-
tary Is to recover these losses he must
w (CONTlNuHD ON FACE ~