Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-12-11
Roosevelt Sentiment Crops
Out Strong in National
Committee Meeting.
CAN'T REFUSE, IS CLAIM
Taft Supporters Declare Not to
Renominate Him Would Be
Black Eye for Party.

Washington, Dec. 11.-All at
tempts to disguise the fact that a
concerted movement is on foot look
ing to the nomination OF Theodore
Roosevelt as the republican presi-
Dental candidate apparently were
dropped today when it became known
that members of the national COM
mittee are being sounded as to their
feasibility of forcing" the nomina-
ton on the former president. Little
was talked of today but the prospec-
tive attitude of Roosevelt.
COULD NOT REFUSE
II became known that several
prominent republicans had long talks
with Roosevelt, and that still others
had made engagements to see him
after the committees meeting. Sup
porters OF Roosevelt, admitting that
while he has announced he is not a
candidate, claim that as a good
American citizen Roosevelt could not
do otherwise than accept, once the
convention had acted"
No attempt, it was said today, is
TO be made to bring Roosevelt SEN
timent to a focus at this time.
TAFT FINDS SENTIMENT.
The hope OF his supporters is to
achieve the victory in the convention
itself. Friends of Taft are meeting
Roosevelt sentiment everywhere and
l.
ed one. They are urging Taft's nom.
ination on the ground that to refuse
mis- administration would
be 10 discredit the party.
HuLEs AND HITCHCOCK SPLIT.
II Is reported a sharp fight is to come
ur In the committee tomorrow over
the proposed naming at this time OF a
subcommittee of five to make plans
for the convention. choose chairman
etc. and that the fight will find Sec
rotary to the President HilleS and
Postmaster General Hitchcock array
ed against each other. Hilles wants
the subcommittee named now, with
Harry S. New OF indianapolis as chair
man. Hitchcock, It is said. favorS
leaving the naming Of the sub-commit
tee in the hands OF the chairman Of the
committee.
SUBCOMMITTEE SLATE.
Hitchcock, accompanied by Actinj
Chairman Hill and Secretary Hay
ward. called at the White house thi
afternoon and had a conference witt
Hilles. II was said the Hill-Hitct
cock subcommittee slate did not In
clude New. II was said three name
on the slate were Hill, himself, VIE
tor Rosewater of Nebraska and Gee
Lyons OF Texas, the latter an int
mate friend OF Roosevelt.
EARLIER OUTLOOK.
Washington, Dec. 11.-Late conner
among the republican national commit
tee who arrived today for the meetin
tomorrow. found the program of pro
cedure had practically been agree
upon. and that apparently the only pos
sibility Of friction would be a tran.
position Of factional differences
Ohio to the national committee. Chail
man Brown OF the Ohio state commi
tee, who recently came out in oppos
ton to Taft, favors a presidential pre-
erence primary. while National Con
mitteeman Vorys, Taft's manager
Ohio, favors selection of delegates
q state convention, as usual.
HILL FOR CHAIRMAN.
The program includes the selectio
OF Chicago as the convention city an
fixing the time as the last week
June. Former Governor Hill of Main
will be made national chairman
serve until the convention selects
new committee. The committees d
cision on the primary question will
that delegates be selected as prescri
ed by law in the various states. S
states have adopted the primary sy
TEN.