New-York tribune., 1912-02-22
[ From The Tribune Bureau.1
Washington Fehrua


ROOsEvELT's President
Roosevelts Columbus speech Is the oc-
casion of disappointment and anxiety to his
insurgent supporters in Washington. They
are disappointed because 1t contained no
intimation that he would enter the race
for the Presidential nomination and anx-
ious because they believe his views are too
radical TO command great popular support
The omission Of all announcement OF his
candidacy they regard as the lesser de-
feet because that can be easily remedied
when he makes his reply to the governors;
but his advocacy OF the referendum, the
Initiative and especially the recall or
judicial decisions they regard as a serious
mistake Certain Of Mr.. Roosevelt's most
ardent supporters said tonight that, while
his views were not too advanced for them,
there were, after all. comparatively lew
states which had progressed" to a point
where these propositions would command
a majority of the people. Under such cir
cumstances ii was, they submit, mistake
for one seeking the delegations from and
the electoral vote OF a majority of the
states to take so advanced position. They
believe or pretend to believe, that it was
Just such radicalism which put Senator La
Toilette out of the race, and they are
amazed that the former President should
not have been more discreet. OF course
they want him to advocate all these lnno-
vations, but they want him first TO seek
and to gain the election, and then TO eN-
erCise the power he would enjoy wheh
speaking from the White House to promote
such policies The regular Republicans also
believe that Colonel Roosevelt has made
a blunder He has been La FouetteiZed'
according TO them, although there are not
many OF them who will shed any tears over
the fact There is one Senator, however
who is doubtless greatly distressed. That
is Senator Lodge who abhors the Initiative
and referendum and recall. especially the
latter, and who took occasion recently to
express himself in unequivocal terms III
opposition 10 IT, 1t must be said, TO MI
Lodges credit, that he has never permitted
his intimacy with Mr.. Roosevelt to sWerVe
him from his convictions. He has not hesl-
tated TO express his views with perfect
candor, even when he had reason to be-
Ieve that they would conflict with those
Of his friend, and when the general arbl-
tration treaties were under consideration
some years ago, Mr.. Lodge did not falter
when II came to voting TO amend them,
although such vote threatened rupture
with President Roosevelt Mr.. Lodge would
not say anything for publication tonight.
but II is known that nothing would have
afforded him greater satisfaction than to
have been able TO prevent his friend from
Being led to espouse these vagaries, as he
considers them.
STOP TO FIGHT.-House Democrats,
actuated primarily by an uncomfortable
desire for publicity. have forgotten for the
time being 20 continue their investigation
Of the Major Ray case while they are en-
gagged in a bitter interparty war. Two
committees. that headed by Representative
Hay and that headed by Representative
Helm, are both claiming Jurisdiction. Ever
since certain sensational letters which are
a part of the Ray record won place on
the front pages OF numerous newspapers
the war between these committees has been
on and to-day Il was waGed so furiously