The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-13
The Situation Is Exceed
ingly Tense and Is
Growing More So
THE BOLT TALK
is EVER PRESENT
Mckinley Charges Opposition Is
Attempting to Buy Taft Dele
gates-Neither VIII Ac-
cept Defeat

Chicago. June 12.-Apparentiy irreeon-
cilable of differences between Taft and
Roosevelt leaders In the republican party.
borne on rising tide of charges of
bribery. theft and other accusations to-
night threatened to precipitate decisive
developments before the opening of tho
national convention next Tuesday
The charges of corruption were made in
an open statement given to the press to-
night by Director Mckinley of the Taft
bureau. which directly accuses the Roose-
velt managers of an effort TO capture the
convention by force.
Prominent men on both sides tonight
admitted the situation mad become so
acute that almost anything might happen
within the next few days. Among possi-
bilities discussed in conference rooms.
hotel corridors and party headquarters
were two that continued TO come up again
and again.
The first of these was the possibility of
bolt by the Roosevelt forces and the
organization of Progressive party If
President Taft is to be renominated The
bolt talk was ever present during the
day, and once In a meeting of Roosevelt
leaders rose to point to where William
Finn of Pittsburg. who was presiding.
refused to let 1t go further.
| The second possibility. and this seemed
to hold the center of the stage tonight,
was that of a compromise on a third can
didate.
Neither Will Accept Defeat
! A number of leaders declared that 1t is
now beyond question to expect either the
Taft or Roosevelt people to abide by the
nomination of the others candidate.
The situation has crystalzed to great
degree by the action of the national conn
mitee In the contest hearings. particn-
larly the California case Roosevelt men
insisted that they could expect noth-
ing for their candidate at the hands
OF the Taft majority In the national
committee and criticised the work of
that body with increasing bitterness
The question of whether or not Colonel
Roosevelt would come to Chicago and
what effect his coming would have upon
the tense situation came up at almost
every turn of the endless discussions
and arguments. Nearly all agreed TINT
the arrival of Colonel Roosevelt would
| bring the situation TO an immediate focus
but the outcome of such an event was
disputed.
| Late tonight after repeated confer
that the mass meeting set for Friday
afternoon had been postponed to Mon
day night. No reason was given for this
change in the holdins of the Roosevelt
demonstration
There was considerable speculation as
to just why the date had been changed
to the night before the formal opening
of the convention.
The Roosevelt States
The states that loomed large In tho
calculations of the Roosevelt leaders in
case of bolt were California. Oregon.
Kansas, Nebraska, Pennsylvania. New
Jersey, West Virginia. South Dakota.
Minnesota. Wisconsin and North Dakota.
Several other states were named also
bpt the Former Presidents campaign
chiefs seemed to get greatest satisfae-
tlon out of their survey of those listed.
The third candidate talk included Cum
minis and LaFollette and then went on
TO the much debated dark horse pos
sibi!ity A dozen names were mentioned
in the latter connection but there was
no unanimity of opinion.
Early in the evening Director McKin-
ley issued a lengthy statement which,
after claiming that Taft would be NOM
mated on the first ballot. charged that
the Roosevelt forces were planning more
desperate measures to prevent the In
evitable."
''The effort to corrupt Taft delegates
to the convention" said the statement.
has been under way for several weeks.
II Is common knowledge that seven weeks
ago money was sent to two Taft in
structed delegates In certain southern
state by telegraph by well known
Roosevelt leader now in Chicago.
within the last week two men sent
from New York to a southern state
have brazenlw approached Taft dele
gates with offers of money In return
for votes for Roosevelt. other agents
on similar mission have made their
appearance I'm several states recently
"That well defined effort is on foot
to buy the presidential nomination for
Theodore Roosevelt is beyond ques-
ton"
Riot Is Wanted
The statement then charges that
plan Is on foot TO influence the local
police force with view to packing
the convention hall with non-ticket
holders and TO "perpetuate in the hall
n system OF intimidation and terroriza-
ton which might easily eliminate In
full Pledged riot"
"a plain campaign lie was Mr..
Dixon's retort to the Mckinley state
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