The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1911-12-13
Republican State Chairman
Returning Home to Make
Active War on Indiana
Taft Organization.
HE is THREATENED
WITH READING OUT
Taft's Friends, Because State
Chairman Told the Truth,
Promised Him with PARTY
Banishment."
palladium Specially

palladium Specially
WASHINGTON. Dec. 13.-Edwin NJ.
Lee, chairman of the Republican state
Of Indiana. has thrown
down the gauntlet to the Taft admins
tration and the old guard OF Indiana
He is returning to Indiana tonight to
lead an active fight for an anti-Taft
delegation to the next Republican M.
tional convention. Chairman Lee haA
served notice on the president, Col.
Harry c. New, Joseph B. Kealing.
James A. Hemenway and others OF the
old guard, that this is to be his course
and that no compromise will be made.
and no quarter will be given.
Chairman Lees attitude was made
known here today. despite the efforts
of the old guard from his own state to
induce him to remain silent. The
state chairman's statement has caused
the greatest political sensation Of the
many sensations which have been
sprung during the present meeting OF
Republican leaders In Washington. 1t
is regarded as even more significant
chairman of the Ohio Republican COM
mittee, to the effect that Taft cannot
carry his own state.
To es Fierce Fight.
1t Is generally believed here, and
Mr.. Lee would not deny It, that he
but reflects the attitude Of ex-senator
A. J. Beveridge, and that from now ou
the fight for supremacy In Indiana
will mark the bitterest political con-
test in the Union. In event Chairman
Lee carries out his threat, and there
10 no doubt that he will, he will re-
ceive the active support OF the entire
La Toilette organization.
THE Presidents friends told me
that the only effect Of my statement
would be to read me out of the Indiana
Republican party" said Chairman
Lee.
IF that is to be the result of my tell
ing the truth about conditions in my
state. then 1 accept the responsibility.
statement. let him investigate the
truth for himself. President Taft has
not the slightest chance to carry In
diana. l have taken pains to find out
and l know"
Chairman Lee today visited the Pro-
gressive Republican headquarters and
had an extended conference with the
La Toilette managers. Col. Harry 8.
New and Joseph b. Healing have CIV
en- Taft assurance that they will de-
liver the goods to him in the form Of
an instructed delegation.
There is no conceding the fact, how
ever, that Chairman Less ultimatum
has placed the old guard of Indiana
in an embarrassing position. 1t has
been known for some time that they
have been in consultation with certain
. Eastern interests who are not hostile
to Taft, but who feel he cannot be re-
elected.
A Fairbanks Boom.
The purpose of these negotiations
has been to bring out at the proper
time Charles Warren Fairbanks ~
the compromise candidate. 1t 10
! known that the Taft organization. ad-
mitting the impossibility of his re-
election. stands ready to deliver all
the votes it can control to Fairbanks.
The purpose Of the fight In Indiana
was to secure a solid Fairbanks dele
cation, SO that Indiana might lead
in the break from the Taft standard.
1t is the general feeling among nation
al politicians gathered in Washington
that Indiana will be the political storm
center of the entire United States dur
ing the next two months.
Col. Harry 8. New and J. B. Kealing
! were in consultation with the presi-
| dent this morning and they leave for
home this afternoon. 1t is understood
the first fight will come ON the re-
organization of the state committee.
Lee will make fight to succeed him
| self, while the old guard will en-
deavor to bring out aaman who ID sat
| isfactory to them, and at the same
time is not 50 obnoxious to the Bev-
eridge forces as to enable them to op-
pose him violently. 1t Ii said that
VIII H. Hays of Sullivan, Indiana,
member OF the present state commit
tee, from the second district, 10 the
man upon whom the old guard will
center, in event he will consent to
| make the race. While Hays II salts
factory to the old guard, he has also
played fair with the Beveridges forces,
and they would find It very embar-
RAISING to oppose him.
4 STATE 3EN9ATJ0N.
INDIANAPOLIS, Disc 1.-THE an
| nouncement in Warrington By Chair
man Lee that he will lead the fight
for in anfi-Taff deIegntioa - IL Re-
(continned q sPAee T.