The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-07
ROOSEVELT WILL
 SUPPORT MR. TAFT Two Men Have Cordial Meeting at Baltimore 1912 RUMORS .AFLOAT Roosevelt Has Made It Understood That He Will Never Oppose Taft
 and Some Republicans Are
 Disappointed

Washington, June 6.-President Taft in his candidacy for the presidential nomination in 1912, will receive the un l qualified indorsement of former Presi- dent Roosevelt which will be uttered just as cordially as it was prior to the campaign of 1908 This is the best po lltical news that MT. Taft has received in many months and it comes to him in l manner that leaves no doubt as 10 its authenticity.
 The information that Colonel Roose- welt, under no circumstances, will allow his name to be presented to the repub- lioan national convention was conveyed 10 the White House several days ago hut ii did not become known until to- night. That Colonel Roosevelt feels that the Taft administration should be rs suit of a cordial greeting between the two men at the Cardinal Ribbons jubilee in Baltimore today.
 Whether the Roosevelt approval of Mir. Taft's candidacy will go far enough to take the former into the campaign as all active stump speaker is prob lemati cal, but that the force of his person. ality will be with the President is as-
 
 prove pleasing to republicans who have made no secret of their desire to bring Colonel Roosevelt forward a formida- ble rival for the 1912 nomination.
 Many of these republicans no doubt will refuse to abandon hope until Col onel Roosevelt himself. in a quoted statement, announces his position. and thus break the silence concerning the administration which he has maintained since iandnig in New York on his re- turn from his Africa hunt
 The information that Colonel Roose- welt would be found aligned with the President rather than against him was brought directly to MT. Taft from Mir. Roosevelt by a mutual friend high in official life who was connected with both the Roosevelt and Taft adminstra- tions in a ca pacity that enabled him to gain and retain the confidence, in fact, the warm personal friendship of both men.
 The meeting at Baltimore between the President and Mr Roosevelt was only incidental to the celebration of the Car dinai Gibbons jubilee, but it was an in- cdent that awakened the political in terest of the senators and congressman and others in official life who saw the two men together
 They met first in the reception room in the Fifth regiment armory where
  talked together for ten minutes.- They shook hands with old friends: they chatted laughed, and behaved just as they used to do when MT. Roosevelt was in the White House and MT. Taft was Secretary of War. They carried the spirit of friendship up to the plat form and sitting side by side they con versed in undertones through much of the afternoon.
 MT. Roosevelt was also glad to see former Speaker Cannon; he shook hands heartily with Vice President Sherman; he expressed the greatest pleasure at seeing Senator Penrose. and, of course, Senators Root and Lodge. old friends, came in for the old time affectionate greetings Altogether the scene resem- bled a republican love feast
 Mir. Roosevelt reached Baltimore be- fore the President and was waiting for him at the armory.
 Hello MT. President" he said in the high pitched Soice that Washington used know so we'll I'm so glad to see you. I want to inquire about Mrs. Taft"
 Hello, Theodore" the President re- piled. How are you?'
 "Where's Archie?" the colonel 1n- ouired a minute later. looking around sonal aid in his White House days and who is now aid to MT. Taft.
 After he had spoken to Senator Root, been introduced to Secretary Hilles and said some nice things about everybody in the party, he was taken aside by the President. The. two men were to- gether about ten minutes beyond ear range of any other person.
 Afterwards it was said they talked about Mrs Tafts health" The Presi- dent invited the colonel to come to Washington on June 19 70 be his guest in the White House at his silver we'd ding anniversary. MT. Roosevelt said he would try to manage 1t.
 When the score or more senNors and congressman entered the reception room the conference was over. Although sorae of the men in the crowd were never classed as his friends in the old days the colonel was ready for them all.
 If I go forward to greet them,' he said to one of the party they'll say I'm forward, and if I don't they'll say Pm sulky." So he went forward and we wasn't sulky by any means. For Chief Justice White, Mir Roose- welt had an especially cordial word It was the first time he had seen the chief justice since his elevation to that po- sition Afterward they talked in low tones on the platform. As he had to return immediately to New York from Baltimore Mir. Roose- welt declined an invitation to be the Presidents guest here tonight. The President arrived In Washington at o'clock.
 After the meeting broke up both men walked over to congratulate Cardinal Gibbons. After he had shaken the prel- atcs hands the President put out his hand to the colonel "Goodby, Theo- dore," he said. Then he leaned forward or Mr Roosevelts shoulder and whis- pered something. They both laughed and the meeting was over.