Evening star., 1911-06-09
Progressive Republicans d.
vided Over Taft, 1t Is Said.
PRESIDENT NOT WORRIED
On the Contrary, He Is Just as
Placid Over Outlook Now as Ever.
PARTY LEADERS MAY UNITE
Growing Prospect That They Will
Set Aside Differences, So the
White House Hears.

White House atmosphere shows no cleo
trifying elation over the apparently well
founded stories that the ranks of the
Progressive Republican League are badly
split over the question Of renominating
the President as the standard bearer of
the republican party. The President is
just as placid over the political outlook
for the future as he was many months
back, when il looked for a while as II
he could never obtain another nomination
from his party. Now that this nomina-
ton is conceded to he a foregone con-
clusion. and that the Presidents chances
of reelection appear 10 be Frightening
each day his friends are delighted, but
he personally retains the same philosophic
attitude.
The President is of course. pleased with
what looks to be a growing prospect that
the party leaders. conservatives. pro-
gressives and others, will set aside their
differences He will be immensely
pleased after his nomination If he can
find the leaders of the progressives prac-
ticaly unanimous in his support. Party
harmony is what he has been seeking
fer months.
The personal relations of the progress
i've leaders at the White House continue
aS in the past. Many of them will ac-
ccft the Presidents denomination as
l.
personally they will consider il hard TO
swallow. Some Of them have their own
ambitions for the presidency and hope
to crafty these next year Others have
not found Mr.. Taft the least bit fright
ened over their opposition and methods.
Keep Away From White House.
Senator La Toilette. the most radical
of the progressives in the Senate. has
no. been to the White House in a year
or more. Senator Cummins of Iowa
has been a most infrequent visitor to
the executive offices. many months
passing between trips. The tall, an
gular Bristow of Kansas has also kept
away from the White House. His trou-
bic. aside from political differences
with the chief executive. has been
that the President has failed to agree
with what he wants in federal patron
age in Kansas Senator Clapp Of Min
nesota looks in upon the President at
intervals exceedingly far apart. al
there quite often.
Senator Bourne Of Oregon. the tE Oh
the Progressive League. the man
fought 10 tile lat for third te IN fo.-
Roosevelt. has tabooed the White House
for months. Senator Brown OF Nebraska,
ranked as a progressive and q member
of the league. goes to see the President
often. both on business and to introduce
ford of South Dakota, also OF the Pro-
gressive League. Is on good terms with
the President. and said recently that his
state would send q delegation to the re-
publican convention for Mr.. Taft. Sena-
tor Gamble Of the same state is warm
friend Of the President
Senator Borah of Idaho regarded as
coming man In politics. opposed to the
President on reciprocity and some other
questions is frequently with the Presi-
dent on business in Idaho and regarding
legislative matters. He will probably
support the President for another term
lie is not a member Of the Progressive
League. Senator Dixon of Montana. In
good standing in the Progressive League.
sees the President at intervals. Senator
Poindexter OF Washington goes TO the
White House when he desires and is well
coined by the President.
He has been there often In the last
few months. Senator Works Of Cali
fornia- new acquisition to progressive
consolidation. has visited the President
several times Senator Kenyon of Iowa
has never been at outs with the White
House, where he Is held in high esteem
Expect to Carry West.
President Taft's close political advisers
have not the least doubt that every west
ern state. unless II is possibly Wiscon-
sin. will go into the next national con-
vention with a Taft delegation. even II
these delegations are headed by men like
Cummins. Bristow, Works and others.
Roosevelts support of Taft is sure "a
bring about further disintegration of the
progressive forces on the denomination
question and also to bring the radical
voters into line for the President In the
election following.
The Presidents most earnest friends
want TO see a progressive man put on
the ticket for Vice President Senator
Borah is most often talked Of but
there Is much doubt whether he would
accept the nomination. II not he
would proba bly, be offered the place of
chairman of the republican national
committee and conduct the campaign.
Unless a western man Is chosen, Post
master General Hitchcock will again
be chairman II he is willing to accept.
Next to him as manager would come
William Loeb. jr., of New York, II is
known
Senator Bourne IL expected to keen
up opposition to the denomination OF
President Taft. but the latter's friends
assert that the Oregon senator will not
be able to control the delegation of
that state. and consequently feel that
the fight of Mr.. Bourne will be fruit
less. even If not farcical Mr. Bourne's
tenacity in sticking to lost cause is
referred to by those who remember
that he was practically the lone man
in the republican convention at Chica
go three years ago to insist tha:
Roosevelt should be renominated Al
the same time he issued most gloomy
forehodings at rapid period as to the
defeat OF Taft IL nominated.