The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-08-30
FIGHT UPON TAFT
FOR 1912 OPENED
Progressives' Headquarters
at Washington to Direct
the Campaign.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Aug. 3d.
That the progressive Republican fight
against President Taft's denomination
Is not all froth was shown here when
formal announcement was made OF
the establishment of campaign head.
quarters.
The announcement is the progress
sives' answer to the speech Mr.. Taft
delivered last Saturday in Hamilton,
Mass. 1t proves that the opposition
to the present chief executives con-
tinuance in office is not scattered and
incohesive, but to have the form of
an organized movement. with branch
es in every state in the Union. This
Is the formal announcement:
"A campaign has been undertaken
by progressive Republicans both in
and out of congress to obtain the nomi-
nation of a progressive candidate by
the next Republican convention. A
fight will be made in every state and
congressional district where there is
any chance of securing delegates ia
vorable to progressive candidate.
The office from which the campaign
will be conducted are in the Evans
building, Washington, ID. c., and are
in charge of w. l.. Houser."
Two Causes for Delay.
, There are two significant features
OF this announcement: First, that,
while 1t undoubtedly was contemplated
before the Progressive Republicans OF
the senate and house left Washington.
its issuance was delayed until they
had had an opportunity to return to
ascertain the sentiment of their con-
stituents; and, second, that it does
not give the name of the man who will
be the Progressive candidate for the
nomination for President.
The Progressives are moving with
caution. They realize mistake would
be fatal to them. For this reason,
while they had formulated their plans
before they left Washington, it was
deemed expedient not to make an an
nouncement of the opening of head
quarters at the close of the extra SEES
sion, but to wait a few days for re-
turns from the country.
Senator Cummins, for example, de-
after few days In Iowa he felt him
self justified in announcing his sup
port of Senator Lafollette.
Lafoliette Not Pushing Boom
ing as to his personal ambitions That
he is a receptive and will become an
active candidate, no one here ques-
lions. He feels he should not an
nounce his candidacy, but it is for the
country to say whether it wants him
to run, and IL 1t does, he will gladly
undertake the race. But il it should
appear that Senator Cummins, for ex-
ample, has a better chance, he will
support him.
Every one has known Mr.. Lafollette
would oppose the Presidents nomina.
ton and every one believes that, If
the President be nominated, while
Fighting Bob" may not aid the
Democrats, he will at least stand
aloof and merely concern him.
self with the fate of the progressive
Republican candidates for the senate,
house of representatives, and guberna-
tOrial chairs.
For some reason, which is not clear,
Mr.. Lafollette has decided not to dis
cuss politics before the Pennsylvania
grange at Harrisburg today, unless
he Ia asked to discuss reciprocity"
Probably he will be asked and un-
doubtedly will answer in his usual
vigorous style.
Taft's Friends Not Surprised.
The administration is not surprised
ut the effort on the part Of the pro-
gressives to organize movement to
defeat Mr.. Taft for denomination.
Supporters of Mr.. Taft are conf.
dent the Wisconsin mans candidacy