New-York tribune., 1911-01-19
TAFT WON'T TAKE SIDES
To Let State Leaders Agree on
Successor to Prentice.
DELEGATION COMES BACK
Wadsworth and Merritt Spoken
of as Available for Republican
State Craftsmanship.

Chairman Prentice, OF the Republican
State Committee. Lloyd c. Griscom. presi-
dent OF the New York County Committee,
and Samuel :. koenig. former Secretary
Of State. returned from washington last
night On the same train was Senator
Root.
Although the question Of successor 10
Chairman Prentice. who will present his
resignation at a special meeting of lne
committee he has called for Saturday. was
discussed by The state leaders IN Wash.
ington with President Taft, no solution OF
the problem was reached.
II is understood that President Taft in
dicated clearly that he had no desire 70
inject himself into the situation In this
state, and would much prefer that the
members Of the committee get together
and decide upon 4 man as state leader who
would be acceptable 10 both the Progress
slves and the old guard" Although vsri-
Gus names were discussed, IT IS said that
the President refrained from making any
comments on them.
mot Put Up 70 President"
Mr.. Griscon, Collector Loeb, who will not
return 70 the city until tomorrow, and Mr..
Koenis, saw the President together.
Chairman Prentice and some Of the New
York Congressmen. who were unable 10 be
present then. saw the President At other
times.
so far as ] am concerned" said Mr..
Griscom last night. there vas no dispo-
sition 10 put any Of the responsibility OF
selecting a new state chairman I'D 10 the
President. Ny visit TO Washington was 10
keep social engagement made A month
ago"
II vss said last night that unless some
Of the Prosressives made too vigorous OBJ
iections that James ". Wadsworth, ir..
former Speaker Of the Assembly. would he
chosen 10 succeed Chairman Prentice He
has been a close friend OF Mr.. Prentice for
some time and Is we'll liked, even by those
who have opposed him politically. He has
worked with the "old guard" but many Of
the Progressives have expressed the opln-
lon that he would be acceptable to them.
Mr.. Wadsworth is now abroad, and had
not intended to be back for six months.
There is no pressing business for state
chairman at this time outside OF acting in
an advisory capacity in the stand that Re-
publican members Of the Legislature might
take on various measures.
Say Wadsworth Would Accept,
Before going abroad Mr.. Wadsworth was
told by Chairman Prentice Of the latter's
intention to resign. and il was suggested
to him that he might take the place. lie
is said TO have laughed and said he was not
looking for trouble. 1t is understood. how
ever, that he would take the Office if it
came to him as the desire Of both factions
OF the party.
Assemblyman Z. A. Merritt jr., is also
being seriously considered. lie, too is said
not TO be seeking the Office, but he has been
suggested by one Of the most prominent
figures at the last Saratoga convention.
Before the state committee convenes on
Saturday noon there will he a series of
with the upstate members Of
the committee and a definite understanding
will nc reached. it is expected
William Barnes, jr., is expected down
from Albany to-day, and possibly George
W Aldrdge and Francis Hendricks. In
addition TO these members OF the old
guard" some of the upstate Progressive
members Of the committee probably Will
come to-day or tomorrow.