Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-27
ROOSEVELT RUNS
TO SQUARE GRUDGE
AVID PUNISH TAFT
Colonel Formally Enters Race
for Republican Presidential
Nomination = viii Fight to
Finish


WASHINGTON. Feb 2s-Theodore
ROosevelt's announcement for president
in opposition to President Taft the man
he made. is the elimination OF a series
OF differences and misunderstanding
dating from President Tafts Inaugural
ton. The friendship OF the two on the
day OF the inauguration, March 4. 1909.
was anectionate. They actually Rugged
each other in the United States senate
chamber as Roosevelt left the capitol
a private citizen.
II is claimed that Roosevelt made only
one request OF Taft and that was that
William Loeb. Jr., OF New York. should
have a place I'm the Taft cabinet. Loeb
had been Roosevelts secetary for many
years Taft declined TO take Loeb into
the cabinet. but finally made him col
lector OF the port OF New York.
LETTERS FROM AFRICA
In the few weeks following the inau-
guration. before Mr.. Roosevelt sailed
for Africa. frequent letters passed be-
tween the two men and while the colo
mel was on his biz hunt Mr. Taft read
several communications from him de-
scrfbing his experiences From the first.
however. there was an apparent restraint
between the two in regard to the dis
cussion OF legislation and other affairs
OF administration. Republicans in Wash
ington have been inclined to the opin-
ion that the president himself has re-
scented the popular impression that RoOse-
welt nominated and eletced him. and this
feeling has undoubtedly operated as a
bar 10 the continuance OF close Tela-
tons.
ONE OF TAFT'S ~OFFENSES.'
R0Osevelt's friends themselves acknowl-
edge. however, that one Of the of
lenses which the colonel harbors against
Taft, was the character Of letter which
President Taft wrote TO Colonel ROose-
welt Just before he sailed from Africa
The president sent Maj Archibald W.
Butt. his military aid 10 New York to
deliver this letter TO the colonel as he
was embarking. In this letter President
Taft wished the colonel a pleasant jour
ney and thanked him again for what he
had done for him. The presidents let
ter is said TO have closed with the ex-
preston: Il owe more TO Charles p. Taft
and you than 70 any other two men. on
earth" or ubstautially these words
Rcosevelt's friends have made no secret
OF his anger over that letter. They tell
sou he cried: Good Lord. so he puts
money above brains. does hep
Whether that was a tactful letter for
the president to write Roosevelt is a
question for political philosophers to
solve but the president told his friends
that he intended 70 pay Roosevelt the
highest compliment at his command.
THE PINCHOT INCIDENT.
With the refusal OF President Taft to
allow Clifford Pinchot. ROOsevelt's friend.
TO dominate the affairs of the depart
ment Of agriculture, followed in his dis
missaI from ONCE. the tale bearers and
the troubIemakers began TO get busy Mr.
Pinchot himself travelled 10 Italy TO get
ROosevelt's ear first and TO poison his
mind AGAINST Taft. Roosevelt returned to
this country after his African hunting
trip under the impression that Taft had
been backslfding from the sO-called
Roosevelt policies and the cOlonefs
friends declare that hts conviction in
this regard has steadily been growing.
and that that is the real explanation Of
his present entrance into the race.
TAFT is SILENT.
President Taft will make no direct an
swer 70 the announcement from Colonel
Roosevelt, prior TO speeches he viii
make in Ohio, according to statements
from oficial sources.
An expansion OF the Roosevelt head
quarters in Washington was announced
today BY Medin Mccormick. who is in
charge. The organization perfected by
the western governors in Chicago. ii
was said, would be strengthened in its
eastern connections; and various indie
pendent Roosevelt organizations be
brought TO a center at Washington