New-York tribune., 1912-03-21
TAFT STRONG IN MISSOURI
Will Get at Least Majority of DEL
egates, Say Political Observers.
NO ROOSEVELT "DEMAND"
President Said To Be Gaining
Friends Daily as People Study
His Record Closely.
LFrom Tho Tribune Bureau.

Washington, March 2C.--A well informed
Washington correspondent. who has just
returned from a trip through Missouri, has
made the following report TO Director Nc
klnlcy.
There is no state In the great Middle
| West where the Roosevelt leaders have
! been making more confident claims OF
sweeping success than in Missouri Their
optimism with respect TO the result in this
commonwealth of the selection Of delegates
TO the Chicago national convention appears
TO be based on the following:
Fifst-That Governor IIadley, Missouri 5
first Republican Governor In forty years.
who commands considerable strength for
this reason If for no other. has been work.
ing openly and vigorously TO secure Roose-
welt delegates and has thrown the weight
of his personal influence and the power Of
the state machine into the conflict.
Second-That the state has been blank
eted by literature from the various ROoSc-
yelt headquarters opposing the renomina-
tiCn of President Taft and severely CRITICS.
ing him for his advocacy Of Canadian reci-
procity, while naturally emitting all men
tion OF the fact that Colonel Roosevelt Is on
record with an unqualified Endorsement OF
the reciprocity pact and CT the President y
efforts in its behalf.
Third-That postmasters and other fed
cral OH1cholders appointed by President
TAFT are observing the letter and spirit OF
the strict order OF some months ago. warm
Ing them against political activity, and arc
taking no part in the spirited contests in
thc various districts while such az are
hold9vers from the Roosevelt regime are
openly and avowedly working In the inter-
est OF "A third term for the former Presi-
dent
Add 10 this the fact that only during the
last few weeks have President Taft =
friends in Missouri been organized and ac-
tive IN the conduct Of a campaign Of educa-
t'pn through the state, and there IS appaT-
eni the foundation uIOn which tho ROosc-
i..nN laa fs,f.H
OF sweeping the state and sending ROose-
volt delegation 10 the Chicago convention.
a tour OK the state during the last week
has revealed the fact that there is no de
mana FOR Mr.. RoOSeVelts candidacy in
tho popular sense that much Of the senti-
meut Is plainly manifested, and that Mr.
TAFT has gained so much ground during
IN" last ten days that II IS now assured
he VIII have a majority of the delegates.
This is admitted by the Roosevelt leaders
IN their willingness to compromise on A
split delegation, but Mr. Tdfts friends,
believing In the good Judgment Of the peo-
pie Of the state and entirely satisfied with
the present trend Of sentiment and tile
manner in which the President is making
friends, are continuing the REORGANIZATION
campaign assured of a majority Of the
states thirty-siN delegates. with number
OF now doubtful districts, i'm which ROOse-
welt leaders are making strenuous efforts,
gradually swinging toward President Taft.
Representative Barthodt. of Missouri.
who returned to-day from st. Louis. con-
frmed this statement. saying:
In my best judgment, President Taft will
get two-,hirds Of tho delegates from the
sixteen districts, and also the four dele
gates-at-large. Every one in 81. Louis tells
me that the President is making friends
daily, as the truth concerning the Opposi-
ton TO his denomination Sits throughout
the state and as the people begin to appre-
ciate what Roogeyelt stands for.