The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-11-16
ACTIVITY OF LA TOILETTE
BOOMERS IN MICHIGAN IS
WORRYING G.O.P LEADERS
Chairman Knox Suggests That
Something Be Done To Stem
Tide of Insurgency.
ACTION IS DEFERRED.
F. NJ. Alger Likely To Succeed j.
w. Blodgett on National
Committee.

while IL is true that there is some
anti-Taft sentiment in the state and
feeling of resentment on the part
of many of the farmers on account
OF Taft's reciprocity program, there is
no pro-LaFollette sentiment to speak
of. as far as have been able to
learn" declared w. Frank Knox, of
the 800" chairman OF the Republi-
can state central committee, We'd
resday.
Nevertheless, Senator LaFollette's
candidacy for the Republican presi-
Dental nomination, seemed to bother
the members of the Republican state
central committee a good deal when
they met in the Pontchartrain, We'd
pesday afternoon, TO discuss cam
paign plans in general and boom the
candidacy of Fred NJ. Alger. treas
Urer OF the committee. to succeed
John w. Blodgett, Of Grand Rapids,
as Michigan member of the Repub-
lican national committee.
The fact that the EaFoliette forces
are beginning to bestir themselves
in Michigan seemed to worry some
of the upstate stalwarts of the G. o.
T., who think President Taft should
be nominated for second term, and
who profess to believe that he has
a good chance to land again.
II was Chairman Knox who start
ed the committee talking about La
Toilette. He produced a copy OF a
circular which he said had been sent
to the publishers OF country newspa-
pers all over the state offering to
furnish boiler plate matter on la
Toilette free of charge. While the
committee cannot take sides In any
campaign, Knox suggested that the
members consider the advisability OF
taking some action to counteract the
insurgent movement in the interest
of the party organization.
After a rather earnest discussion,
consideration of Mr.. Knox's sugges-
ton was postponed until the next
meeting, which will be held some
time in January. That the Republi-
cans OF the state realize that the sit
uatfon Is serious was evident from
the expressions of the speakers.
Judge william ID. Gordon, OF Mid
land, formed United States district
attorney I'm this district, said that
they would not vote for Taft for re-
election, and one OF them said he
would vote for Taft for reelection,
and one of them said he would vote
the Socialist ticket before he would
vote for Taft.
"The farmers up my way are very
sore on President Taft for his stand
on reciprocity" said Judge Gordon.
IF Taft is re-nominated there is no
question that we will have hard
time holding the Republicans In line
The question of special session
of the legislature TO deal with taxa
ton and other matters, also came In
for considerable discussion. John
Owen, of Benton Harbor, was Tor
taking some action against 1t In the
way of a resolution. w. >. DeVer, OF
Detroit. thought that was none OF the
committees business, and Audltor
Milton Oakman sided with him. Owen
replied with some heat that spe-
cial session would hurt the party, as
the people didn't want one, and he
thought 1t was entirely within the
province of the committee to take
some action that would show the gov
ernor the party is opposed to II.
~ think we can trust the governor
to do the right thing" said Mr.. Dever.
The question was finally dropped.
From the opinions expressed. botn
openly and privately, however, IL was
apparent that the members, individ-
ually, we're opposed to a special ses-
sion, almost to a man.
Chairman Knox came forward with
one suggestion that met unanimous
approval. II was that the Republican
clubs of the state hold a number OF
big banuuets during the winter 10
keep party interest and enthusiasm
alive. He and several others volun-
teered TO go 10 Washington when con-
gress convenes and arrange for speak
ers. The committee adopted reso-
luton instructing the chairman to go
as far as he liked in carrying out his
plans in this regard.
The executive committee held
brief session after the general meet
ing adjourned and created the POSI-
tion of assistant treasurer, which Will
no rendered TO Claude Hamilton, vice
president of the Grand Rapids Trust
GO. The idea is TO have a treasurer
on each side of the state.
Capt. Fred NJ. Alger entertained the
committeeman and Congressman
Hamilton, Loud, Doods and Smith at
dinner I'm the Detroit club, and the
social session lasted until late in the
evening II seemed TO be the gen.
oral impression that Capt. Alger would
be rendered the national committee
man appointment.