The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-04
TAFT WILL DICTATE !. ID THE CONVENTION Will Follow in R0Osevelt's
 Footsteps MAY OPPOSE SHERMAN "Flare Back" Expected in This Event, However-Friendship for John
 Hays Hammond Incites
 Several Rumors
MAY OPPOSE SHERMAN
ax SIDNEY EsPEY

Theodore Roosevelt, PreSldent LaIt nas determined to act the part of dictator al the next republican convention. In the case of Roosevelt, the big stick welded Its force in behalf of William Howard Taft for the presidency and the issue wal @uccessful, notwithstanding great dea of opposition. In the case of Taft diplo macy will take the place of force. the Is sue being the selection of vice presi dent or running mate for MT. Taft in 1912 | At the last convention Roosevelt an( Taft opposed the selection of James School 1 craft Sherman for the vice presidential | nomination, but were unable to stem th' tide in his favor. The same forces whicf controlled the destinies then hold tho balance of power now, and are just al strong for Sherman for a second term should the republican ticket, headed b1 President Taft, be the choice of the party as 1t was in the stormy days of 1908. From present indications it is gathered that should President Taft attempt to dictate to the leaders of the party, a successor to Sherman, the issue might cause a great flare back" against him, in his attempt | to obtain the renomination
 The gossip originates from the close friendship of President Taft for John Hays Hammond, and Hammonds opposi- tion to Sherman as a running mate in the next campaign. Hammond, 1t is known, Is very desirous of becoming pres ident of the United States Senate, having made bid for 1t during the campaign of 1908, when his candidacy was announced at Chicago. | Since those days Hammond has made himself "solid' at the White House, being one of the closest of the President s | friends. The President has reciprocated Mr. Hammond's friendship in numerous ways, the latest of which was the ap- pointment of Hammond as special ann bassador of the United States to the cor onation of King George of Great Britain. | Still greater honors, it Is believed, the President intends to show his friend by making him his running mate in 1912, if it is within his power to do so.
 | According to politics gossip, this will not be an easyy matter for President Taft to do, for the possibility still exists that MT. Sherman may run again for the vice presidential nomination., notwith- standing his quoted remarks of some months ago that he did not intend to be- come a candidate again. Then, too, the progressive wing of the republican party have candidate of their own whom they would like to see either as President or as vice president, Senator Albert B. Cum mns of Iowa. Cummins, however, has It, tie relish for the vice presidency, his ann bition being to become President. Other places on the republican ticket are not to his liking, he preferring to remain as senator from Iowa rather than to accept any other berth short of the presidential nomination.
 Even President Taft's friends admit that they will have most determined fight on their hands at the next national conven- tion The standpatters are not over-en- thusiastic in offering second term to President Taft, being opposed to him for many reasons, and this respect are quite as vigorous in their opposition as the in surgents.
 | Consequently even at this early date, Taft's friends and enemies are getting together and some talk of compromise Is drifting around. Hence, it is whispered | that Senator Cummins is the most likely man to be selected as a compromise can didate for vice president, although the place is not one that he would desire. | Therefore the road will be opened for the selection of John Hays Hammond as the candidate.
 | Since his candidacy for vice president | in 1908 was announced MT. Hammond has | been booming his qualifications for the office unceasngly, and now. having the backing of President Taft and following l in his own state Massachusetts, 1t is like l ly that he will be a prominent figure in the next presidential campaign.
 | MT. Hammond's friends are confident that he will make a respectable showing | in the republican convention. He Is at present president of the League of Re publican tSate clubs, the membership of which has affiliations throughout the country, and he has done much to keep that organization alive. especially in a financial way. Consequently, MT. Ham, mond will call upon his friends in that or ganlzation when the proper time comes to produce delegates for him at the next lconvention.
 | President Taft's friends make no secret | of the fact that If Hammond Is selected as Tafts running mate it will be dis tinctly pleasing to the President, and will | tend to harmonize certain factions in the republican ranks.
 l Should the much talked of arrangement go through without a hitch, President Taft, of course, being reelected as Pres ident, it is pointed out that the President. with Hammond as vice president, would have active support as well as an enthu- siastic friend in the councils of the Sem ate At the present time he is without that particular brand of friendship In either the House of Representatives or the Senate. and it Is said that this situation | is partly responsible for the opposition | to his Canadian reciprocity agreement | For a long time it has been known that Vice President Sherman has not been an enthusiastic supporter of President Taft, either as presiding officer of the. Senate or as a party leader of wide influence. In fact it has been stated that, through sherman's course in the Senate the pro- l gressives have been able to maintain their position of opposition to the Presidents schemes, with the support of the demo- crats.
 Therefore, it is pointed out, President Taft is particularly anxious to secure l Hammond as an aide and supporter, not wlthstanding the fact that 1t might cost i him many votes which would otherwise | be cast for him as President.
 
 EulOgy of Musicians
 Paris, June 3.-(Special)-M. Fallieres | delivered a charming eulogy on the work