The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-05-25
ROOSEVELT WON 7
HAVE ROOT FOR
CHAIRMAN
COIoneI's Forces viii Fight New
York Senator
ROOT HAS BEEN UNFAIR
ormsby McHarg Says That Under the
Circumstances the Selection of
Root Must Be Opposed

Chicago, May 24.-Col. Roosevelt
served notice today on the Republi-
can National committee that he
would oppose the selection of United
States Senator Root as temporary
chairman of the National convention.
The Roosevelt message was
brought to Chicago by Ormsby Nc
Harg, who has been intrusted with
the work OF breaking up the Taft del
egations in the solid South" and
subsequently representing the Roose-
welt claims before the National Com
mittee.
Mr.. McHarg, who said he spoke
with the authority of Col. Roosevelt
concerning Mr.. Root, declared that
the Senator would not be permitted
to call the National convention to or
der If the Roosevelt men controlled
the convention. The National com
mittees selection, Mr. McHarg said,
would be ignored by Col Roosevelt,
and his followers who would proceed
TO take charge of the convention i'm
mediately after the chairman of the
National committee had called it to
order.
In place of Mr. Root, If he does not
voluntarily relinquish the post as
signed him by the national commit
tee in the meantime, the Roosevelt
men will select United States Senator
Moses Il. Clapp of Minnesota and de-
Il - thr I'm Of he
temporary chairman. Gov. Hadley OF
Missouri is Mr.. Roosevelts choice for
permanent chairman.
you can take ii as definitely set
tied, said Mr.. McHarg that Senator
Root will not preside over the Nation
al convention as temporary chairman.
Col Roosevelt is determined that he
shall not. and in that determination
he will be successful
Il know what Col. Roosevelt's
views are on the subject and | repeat
that Mr.. Root will not be given an
opportunity to take any important
part at all in the National convention
II the friends OF Mr.. Roosevelt are
in control. and ] believe they will be
I'VE propose to organize this con
vention on lines that would make II
very uncomfortable for Mr.. Root to
assume any conspicuous attitude
when the delegates assemble. This
is to be a Roosevelt convention and
as such there is no room in II for Mr.
Root as one of the presiding officers.
| "Col. Rooevelt does not attempt Ia
hide his displeasure over Mr. Roots
attitude in this fight He feels hurt
There Is. perhaps. no other promin
ent Republican in the country who
has been battling for President Taft
this time who has earned the deeT
displeasure OF Mr. Roosevelt more
than Senator Root. The Senator has
undoubtedly gone out Of his way &c
assail Mr.. Roosevelt Mr. Roosevelt
takes the only attitude that could be
taken honestly in this matter.
1T would be absurd and stupid &c
assemble a convention committed tC
the Roosevelt program and then have
such man standing up there as TEN
porary chairman and making the key
note speech OF the convention. Tha
is about all temporary chairman has
to do-sound the keynote OF the plat
form on which the nominee will max,
the race. II would be a huge jok,
for Senator Root to get up and sounC
a keynote that would be denounced
by the next speaker to whom the ga
vel would be surrendered
NO, Mr.. Root will not preside al
temporary chairman. regardless o
the recommendation of the commit
tee, because Il would not be prope
for him to do so. His attitude Il
Numerically opposed TO that OF Col
, Roosevelt, and We do not propose {,
have a temporary chairman who will
not be In accord with the sentiment
OF a majority OF the delegates VIII,
will be supporting Mr. Roosevelt
when the convention assemblies"