Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-28
ROOSEVELT THE BIG GUESS
Politicians Cannot Agree as to Game
He Is Playing.
SOME THINK IT IS 1916
Others Figure He Expects Nomina-
ton Gets Into Deadlock.

The republican presidential political
caldron continues to seethe as new fuel of
gossip and incident is daily added to the
flames. To be sure. it is but as the crack
ling of thorns under the pot, with much
smoke and some flame.
Clifford Pinchot added his bundle Of fag-
gots to the fire last night when he made
an impa assioned speech before the 1nsur-
gents Club in New York and indorsed the
presidential candidacy of Senator La Fol-
lette. This occasioned no surprise. as the
politicians have never expected him to
support President Taft since the execu-
tive found it necessary to separate Mr..
Pinchot from the public service.
Takes Roosevelt at Word.
Col. Roosevelt's voluntary abnegation of
presidential aspirations was accepted in
good faith by Mr.. Pinchot and the ex-
forester perforce. fell back upon his next
best bet Senator La Toilette. Mr.. Pin
chot's speech is accepted as the beginning
of an active propaganda OF the La Fol
lette movement in New York state, with
the purpose of influencing delegates 10
the national convention.
Col Roosevelt's attitude is the main
subject of discussion among politicians
at the National Capital, and many and
varied are the guesses hazarded about
his motive. Here is sample of two
contradictory views:
Roosevelt believes the republicans are
doomed to defeat in 1912. and he does
not want to be the standard bearer: he
is waiting for 1915, and for the clouds
to roll by
mo. you are wrong; he wants the
nomination now. but he is playing pos
sum and expects the convention, in the
midst of q bitter night between the pro-
gressives and the regulars, to turn to
him to save the party"
Not Like 1904 Avowal.
Take your choice If either view COM
mends itself In the meantime it will
be observed that Col. Roosevelt only dis
suades his friends from urging his nomi-
nation. and that at no time has he made
a f1at-footed statement that under no cir
cumstances would he accept the nomina-
ton if offered to him, such statement,
in fact. as that which he made on the
eventful night of election in 1904.
Two weeks from today the republican
national committee will meet in this city
to arrange the details of the national
convention which will nominate candi-
dates for President and Vice President
and write a platform The meeting Is
expected to be big Taft demonstration.
The committee will designate the old
method of selecting delegates turning
down the suggestion of Senator Bourne
and Senator La Toilette that they be
chosen at primary elections
No Clamor for Convention.
There seems to be a strange apathy on
the part of the big cities toward the
honor of entertaining the national con-
vention. Never before at a time so close
to the meeting of the committee has there
been such notable absence of rivalry
among the cities. Not word is heard
of boomers, nor the eager claims of the
cities for what has heretofore been con-
sidered as a privilege.
1t is said that this situation Is a source
of some anxiety to the national committee
leaders, and they are wondering whether
the usual certified check for 100000 ad-
vanced by the successful city will be
Forthcoming. That money is mighty
badly needed by the national committee
to start the campaign going