The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-11-11
TAFT NOMINATION
IS NOT PROBABLE
Senator CumminS of Iowa SO
Expresses Himself On
the Situation
SEES GREAT WEAKNESS
RECENTLY DEVELOPED
Progressive League, Back
ing Senator La Toilette,
Challenges President
to Primary

WASHINGTON. Nov. 10.-'I be-
ueve 1t probable that President TAFT
will never be the nominee OF the Re
publican party In l812." said Senator
A. B. Cummins, Of Iowa. to-day.
Three months ago." he ~contin-
ued, Il would not have made such q
prediction, or expressed such an optn-
ton. But the Weakness the president
has developed since that time
convinces me that the Delegates 10
the nominating convention Will drop
him as a candidate impossible OF
election
Senator Cyayoins 10 ono OF the lead
Ing Republican progressives of the
country.
Il am for La Toilette for the Re-
publican nomination" he said. and
will do all / can to bring about the
nomination"
He has advised Iowa to send del
CATION in favor OF La Toilette to the
convention. and has suggested that
the La Toilette work in Iowa be
placed In the hands Of Howard Clark.
one OF his closet friends and most
vigorous political workers in the
State
Cumn,ins No Candidate.
The senator was reminded he has
been suggested as possible choice
j
to agree on either Taft of La Follotto.
Il know that" he answered, ."and
1t is slightly embarrassing. / shall
make no move to secure the nomina-
ton or to get delegates 10 the con-
ventton. am for La Toilette, and
hope TO see him nominated"
Senator Cummins said he looked
for little legislation at the approach
Nc session Of Congress. although many
matters of great importance to the
country would be discussed. Presl-
Dental politics will be played TO tho
injury Of legislative enac9mentA In
his judgment the most important
matters to be discussed are corpora
ton control and regulation, tariff.
currency reform and government for
tho Panama canal
J. The mAttsr ofe tolls and re9uiations
should Be settled at this xesaion." said
Senator Bristow. Those who are look.
Ing forward to the use Of canal want
TO know what thAy can expect. Tolls
should be put on q permanent basis.
Tho canal will cost about $4,000, 900 q
year to maintain. and a. much Of this
A. possible should be made up Of tolls.
The tolls should be put at tho point
where they bring In the greatest reve-
nues. There will be much coastwise
trade. trade from the Atlantic Ocean
to the west coast OF South America,
and trade from Japan to Europe II the
latter can be diverted from the Sues
route by mors favorable tolls"
Challenge 70 Taft.
Following tho emphatic declaration
OF the Iowa Senator to-day. the Re-.
publican progressive league. with
headquarters here In charge Of Char
man w. & Houoer. Of Wisconsin. -
sued . challenge to Prendent Taft To
try conclusions a. to personal poaita
cal strength with the Republican voters
OF the country.
II came In the shape Of an identical
letter addressed to the chaarmsn OF
all Republican S&ata committees. TO tn
Governors Of the States. the presidents
OF state eenates. and the speakers Of
the lower houses Of the Leg1slatursa
requesting the holding OF presidential
preference primaries and the perma.
nent enactment Of such laws where
thsy Do not now exist. Five States
have such . law.
TT 10 obvioua." says Chairman
Houser. that no nominee selected de-
spite the wishes OF tho rank ana fils
OF the Republican party. can inspirt
the ocnndence or commend the united
ana enthuGiastic support necessary 10
Republican success In 1e11 A mar,
from the intrinsic merit Of the plsn Sor
direct popular nun1nation, Il ies b
be noted that friends Of Senator ~
Toilette are ready 10 submit his name
for nomination to . direct vote Of the
rank and nie Of the party"
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