The Detroit times., 1911-12-14
INDIANA c. 0, ?, LEADER
TELLS TAFT FlATLY He
CANNOT CARRY INDIANA
State Chairman Lee Says Con-
clusion Was Reached After
Thorough Investigation.
AROUSES NEWS WRATH.
Presidents Supporter Sees Pre-
Arranged Plan-Roosevelt
Seen in Background.
ARoUSES NEWS WRATH.

WASHINGTON, Dec. t3-The In
diana situation held the center OF the
boards in Republican circles today
with renewed counter-statements by
Capt. Harry S. New and State Chair
man Edwin Nj. Lee The latter as
serted that Taft could not carry In
diana.
New charged at the White House
today that Lees statement was in
spired and part of "pre-arranged
plan" that brought Lee TO Washing
ION by way Of New York. Lee came
back with a statement that he had
aid the situation plainly before Pres
ident Taft three weeks ago.
II had information several days ago
when Mr.. Lee was brought to Wash
ington by way OF New York, that he
would issue that statement" said
New today.
Il know OF the influences that are
responsible for Mr. Lees change or
statement" continued New. 1T Is
part of a pre-arranged plan, and Is
entitled to the usual discount allowed
in matters of this kind. Up TO the
time Mr.. Lee left Indianapolis, he
was a candidate for reelection as
chairman OF the state central com
mittee with the full knowledge, as re-
peatedly expressed by him in news
paper interviews, that Mr.. Taft would
be the nominee of the presidential
convention for the presidency. Mr..
Lees change OF sentiment Is as ie-
markable as IL is sudden. / am still
OF the conviction that Mr.. Taft is the
logical candidate of the Republican
party TO succeed himself as president
of the United States, and | am just
as firmly OF the opinion that the Re-
publicans of Indiana believe in him
and are for him without qualification
and that the state delegation to the
convention will give him its full sup
port.
IF the Republican party cannot
win with Mr. Taft, il certainly can
not win with anyone else. Mr.. Lee
and | differ radically in our opinions.
believe that the electoral vote or
Indiana will be cast for Mr.. Taft, and
that the attempt OF the gentlemen
who have inspired Mr. Lees state
ment will fail OF It's purposes"
Chairman Lee this afternoon issued
the following statement:
My attention having just been call
ed to a statement Issued by Capt.
New, from the white house, in which
the sincerity of my convictions is
questioned, I have only to say that
nay conclusion is based on thorough
investigation of political conditions in
Indiana, and was reached indeed, re-
luctantly.
"My friendship for Mr. Taft was
materially in evidence in the prelim-
mary steps in the campaign in 1908
and the Republicans of Indiana know
that so far as | am concerned, this
friendly interest still exists.
81 would state further that this
Sudden change OF heart was com
PEELED by the yery apparent chaotic
and unsatisfactory conditions among
Republicans In Indiana. On the 2lst
day OF November--in a conference
with Mr. Taft at the white house
advised him that In my best judg-
ment he could not positiy ely carry
Indiana next year. In conversation
with Mr. Hilles. on the same day.
advised him that the use OF federal
patronage in Indiana and the attempt
to force activity OF federal appointees
In the building up of Taft machine
would result only in the promotion OF
additional factional feeling.
II am a Republican. As chairman
of the state organization | have de-
voted my entire time for two years in
attempting TO promote the success OF
our party. I know political conditions
in Indiana at first hand. With me il
is not question of men but party.
My very sincere desire is to promote
Republican success in Indiana as
we'll as the nation. and | do not be-
lieve il Is possible for Mr. Taft to
carry Indiana in 1912"
Resolutions TO provide that iron
clad Taft instructions be given to
delegates TO the next national conven-
ton were framed by Secretary Hilles
and Chairman Harry s. New, OF the
committee or arrangements. In this
way the men plan TO prevent STAN
pede in the convention and hope to
have instructions to the delegates TO
insure Taft's denomination. Hilles
and New were in conference all morn
ing In the meantime. Cecil Lyon, OF
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