Evening star., 1911-01-17
Taft Not to Mix in New York
Chairman Row.
NO CONFERENCE TO-DAY
Story of State Leaders Meeting at
White House Denied.
WADSW0RTH MAY BE CHOICE
President Informs Members Of Con-
gress That Administration Insists
on Permanent Tariff Commission.

on Permanent Tariff Commission.
President Taft. in reiteratfon Of his Oft
expressed policy to keep hands of" in
state political matters. today authorized
statement to the effect that republican
leaders of New York had not been in
vited to the White House for a confer
ence at which a successor to Ezra p.
Prentice as chairman Of the state COM
mittee would be selected.
According to reports. Senator Root. ].
Sloat Fassett, Francis Hendricks Of
Syracuse Timothy L. Woodruff Of Kings
and George w. Aldridge Of Rochester,
representing the old guard. were to meet
the President, with representatives Of the
progressives. the latter delegation was
to be made up Of Lloyd C. Griscom, Her
bert Parsons and Samuel S. Koenig, for
mer secretary Of state for New York.
The meeting at which Mr.. Taft was to
pick leader who would harmonize the
factions of the q. 0. p. in the Empire
state was to have been held today.
Willing to Get Together.
The story which emanated from New
York city was to the effect that the old
guard was willing to forget what hap
pened at the Saratoga convention, when
they were bested by Col. Roosevelt. II
an upstate man is selected as the new
chairman. The progressives, too, were
reported as eager to sink all differences
and get to work to carry New York next
year for Taft.
For this reason, SO the story runs, ar
rangements were made with the chief
executive to unite the warning factions
under leader who could be depended on
to restore harmony in the organization.
Secretary Norton, speaking for the
President, said he knew nothing of the
proposed conference and added that Mr..
Taft would not meddle in the situation.
leaders individually might confer over the
matter with Mr.. Taft. but Mr.. Norton
was emphatic in stating that the Presi-
dent would not select successor to
Chairman Prentice.
Must Be Acceptable to Taft.
1t is understood, however, that the New
York. organization would not select a
leader who is not acceptable to the Presi-
dent.
Senator Root, who was mentioned in
the story as one of the moving spirits in
arranging the conference, called at the
White House today. He said the reported
meeting was news to him, ara that 1t
had not even been mentioned to him by
any of the leaders in New York state.
What is regarded by many as singu-
lar coincidence is the fact that Lloyd
c.: Griscom and Mr.. Prentice are both in
Washington today and have been invited
to attend the diplomatic dinner at the
White House tonight. Senator Root also
will attend this function.
Wadsworth Possibility.
Among leading republicans in New
York James w. Wadsworth, jr, for
mer speaker of the state assembly. is
regarded as the logical man to succeed
Chairman Prentice. Young Jim" as
he is known among his confreres, was
classed as one of the old guard during
the last campaign He opposed Mr..
Roosevelt openly
Another likely candidate, it is said,
for the task Of harmonizing the party
is Commissioner of Shipping Eltinge,
chairman of the republican Organiza-
tion in Ulster county.
Representative ]. Sloat Fassett said
today that he was not candidate. The
selection OF a new chairman will be
made next Saturday
Insists on Tariff Commission.
Members of Congress who called on
the President today to talk tariff were
informed that the administration insists
that legislation providing for permanent
tariff commission be passed at this ses-
sion. Mr.. Taft is said to be optimistic
over the chances for such bill. in spite
OF the rumOrs that democratic filibuster
or the failure Of the republicans to unite
on measure may work against its
passage
In the House the insurgents are in
clined to favor the Longworth bill,
which provides for permanent commits
sion with inquisitorial powers. This
measure also contains a provision author
izing the commission to certify to the
House the names of individuals or cor
porations that refuse to comply with re-
quests for books or papers.
To obtain harmony In the ranks, the
members of the ways and means COM
mittee are to meet tomorrow to decide
between the Longworth and Dalzell
hills. The chances favor the latter,
which provides for the continuation of
the present tariff board. For this
purpose an appropriation of $50OO0O
is asked.
Would Blame Democrats.
1t is understood. the democrats are
opposed to this appropriation, which
will allow the board to work during
two years of democratic control of the
House.
The President. it is said. takes the
stand that should the democrats fill.
buster to defeat consideration of the
commission bill the people ;of the !,
country will place the blame where it
belongs.
President Taft has commuted to ex-
pire Immediately the sentence of
Michele pe'fino, an Italian, convicted
at Ossinins. n. Y, of perjury in nat
uralization proceedings. Delfno was
sent to Blackwell's Island for one
year 49,
Civil Service Commissioners John c.
Black. William S. Washburn and John
\. McIlhenny conferred with the Presi-
dent. today regarding affairs in that
bureau e -
Speaker Cannon. who was in consulta1
ton with the President for q few minutes
this morning. just before the cabinet
meeting. said, as he was leaving. that his
visit was Of purely personal nature,
and did not deal with politics.
To discuss LEGISLATION now pending, Sem
ators Burton, Bradley Crawford and Gal
linger called on President Taft today.
Representatives Langley Of Kentucky
and Morse of Wisconsin conferred with
Mr.. Taft on patronage questions.