Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-12
LEADERS CONFER WITH COLONEL
Friends Assert Would Be Forced to
Accept the Honor.
FIGHT OVER BIG SUBCOMMITTEE
Hilles and Hitchcock May Be Ar
rayed in Opposition.
VICTOR ROsEWATER MENTIONED
Name OF NebrNskan on Tentative
slate for Committee Formed by
Postmaster General aud Act-
Ing Chairman Hill.

WASHINGTON, Dec. il.-Ali attempts
to disguise the fact that a concerted
movement Is on foot looking to the nomi-
nation OF Theodore Roosevelt as the re-
publican candidate for president In 1912
were apparently dropped today when It
became known that members OF the ma
tlonal committee we're being sounded as
to their view Of the feasibility of fore
Ing" tho nomination OF the former prcsl-
dent.
ON the eve ftho assembling of the
republican national committee little was
talked OF today but the prospective attl-
tude OF Colonel Roosevelt Il became
known that several leading republicans.
on their way TO Washington to attend
the conferences, had stopped over in Naw
York and had long talks with Colonel
Roosevelt and that stlll others had made
engagements to see him either at New
York or oyster Bay following the meeting
OF the national committee.
The supporters OF Colonel Roosevelt
now here are baslng all of their argu-
ments in his behalf on the claim that
while the former president has announced
that he is not a candidate he has not
said he would not accept the nomination
II It were rendered to him.
They claim that as a good American
citizen Colonel Roosevelt could not do
otherwise than accept once the conven-
tion had acted
seek Convention Victory.
No attempt, It was said, would be made
to bring the Roosevelt sentlmen to a
focus at this time. Tho hope OF his sup
porters is to achieve victory in the con-
vention itself. For this reason they have
practically dropped the fight to have the
national committee declare In favor OF
presidential primaries, but they are press
Ing the argument that delegates should
go TO the convention uninstducted.
Friends of President Taft are meeting
the Roosevelt sentiment everywhere and
assert that the movement is n well d.
rected one They are urging President
Tafts nomination on the ground that TO
refuse to indorae his administration would
be to dlscredlt the party.
Chairman w. l.. Houser. Of the, pro
Rressive republican campaign committee
today gave out the text Of a letter written
by him to President Taft requesting the
president to join IN the effort to secure
country primaries for the direct
nomination of presidential candidates.
lie said he believed a word from the
president approving the plan would as
sure its adoption by the national COM
mittee.
II is reported sharp fight will occur in
WASHINGTON, Dec. n.-It was re-
ported that sharp fight win come up in
the republican national committee over
the proposed naming OF the all-powerful
subcommittee OF five to make plans for
the convention, to choose the chairman,
etc, and that the fight would find the
secretary TO the president, Mr.. Hilles. and
Postmaster General Hitchcock. arrayed
against each other.
Mr.. Hitchcock. accompanied by Acting
Chairman Hin and Secretary Hayward of
the national committee, went to the White
House this afternoon and had lengthy
conference with Secretary Hilles. IT was
said that Mr.. Hill had already agreed
with Mr.. Hitchcock as to the personnel OF
the subcommittee and that their list did
not include Colonel New.
II was said that three names on their
slate were those Of Mr.. I'm himself, Vic
tor Rosewater Of Nebraska and Cecil
Lyon OF Texas. the latter an intimate
friend of Colonel Roosevelt
Mr. Hiiles has favored naming the sub
committee at this time with Colonel
Harry S. New of Indiana as chairman.
MIR Hitchcock. it is said, is directing a
movement to leave the power to name
the subcommittee In the hands OF the
chairman of the committee.
This fight gives further indication. II
was pointed out. of desire OF some
republicans 10 leave all matters affecting
the coming campaign open for the time
being, In the belief that something might
happen 10 change the situation.
Dispute May Be settled.
II was reported that at least partial
adjustment of the factional differences
among tho Ohio republicans probably
would result from the continued confer
ence between Walter Brown, chairman of
the state committee. and Arthur l. Vorys.
the republican national committeeman.
The differences are largely over the