The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-06-15
his MANAGERS CLAIM
TO HAVE 5s4 DELEGATES
Assert Roosevelt's Coming Is Des-
perate Effort to Stave
on Defeat


CHICAGO. June 14.-Coi. Roose-
velt's actual start from New York
this afternoon TO inject his own per-
sonality into the situation surround
ing the battle for delegates TO the Re
publican national convention was
practically the only topic OF converse
ton after the fact became known. To
the Taft leaders the announcement
Of Col Rooseveit's coming was In the
nature OF "a red rag to a bull" Df-
rector Mckinley. OF the Taft cam
paign management, issued a state
ment soon after Mr.. Roosevelt's
starting became known. IN which he
declared unequivocally that. the GER
tain Taft strength was 5s4 delegates
-54 more than enough for nomina-
ton. He and all the other Taft lead
ers declared Roosevelt's coming was
the snrest possible Indication Of des-
peration and knowledge OF defeat
He asserted that at a conference OF
the Roosevelt people held Thursday
afternoon. their most optimistic figur-
Ing showed a Roosevelt total of IS
votes short OF the necessary $40.
Claim Texas for TAFT
More significant. however. was the
table of delegate figures which accom-
panied Mr.. McKinley's statement-the
594 delegates which he listed In the
Taft column included all Of the con-
tested delegations. 81 In number. from
Texas. Virginia and Washington, upon
whose cases the National Committee
has stiil 10 pass
About the same time rumors were
current everywhere that the Taft ma
jority had decidedly definitely to give
TAFT every remaining vote within their
power from the contests still pending
before the committee. Early IN the
evening Il was expected that a more or
less formal caucus OF the majority
would be held before the night was
over to adopt this as a definite policy.
In spite OF all the talk in various
quarters during the past few days
about Mr.. RoOsevelt's coming, and the
positive declarations OF many Of his
enthusiastic supporters that he surely
would be In Chicago before the con-
vention, II appears to have been the
subject OF doubt on the part OF the
Roosevelt managers up to a very short
time before he decided 20 start.
Some os the more exuberant Roose-
welt adherents at once proposed a
triumphal entry for their candidate.
but Il was instantly discouraged by
Senator Dixon and others.
These counsels prevailed. and up TO
a late hour tonight there were no
plans for any special reception for Col.
Roosevelt other than that Alexander
Reyell should meet him with his auto
mobile upon his arrival and except for
special police protection take him az.
ter the manner of an ordinary citizen
20 the hotel where a suite has been
reserved for him.
Speech IN Convention.
Whether Colonel Roosevelt will be
given opportunity to speak before the
convention depends altogether upon
whether he desires TO do 80. Even
his bitterest opponents here conceda
tonight that so distinguished a Re
publican. formerly president OF the
United States. must be welcomed by
the National committee OF his party
10 a place on the platformwhatevel
might be the private feeling OF other
prominent members OF the party re
garding his political views OF posi-
ton. 10 was not known tonight
whether Colonel Roosevelt would
think u expedient 10 attend the con
vention in person.
As for Mr.. Taft. his principal riva
for the nomination, nobody here hai
q serious thought that he viii coms
to Chicago under any conceivable con
di1ons in connection with the conven
ton. In fact, Il has been positively
announced BY the president thai un
der no circumstances viii he coms
here
One thing that happened durine
the evening interrupted even tn
talk abont RoOsevelt's trip. Thal
was the Issue from the Roosevelt
headquarters of what Durported TO b,
n letter 20 director Mckinley of tn
Taft campaign. from Charles Banks
one - the negro delegafea-af-iarg,
from Mississippi. seated by the Nat
Ccouaiausd on nfrbsh p1~sa