The Sentinel=record., 1912-03-06
ROOSEYELT'S
 CHALLENGE
WANTS TAFT TO SUBMIT cANDl- DAcY TO THE PEOPLE IN Ev-
 FRY STATE OF UNION.
Taft's Manager Wants Further lnfor- nation Before He Pledges His Chief to Test of the Voting
 Strength of People.

Washington, March 5.-Senator Jo. seph NJ. Dixon, chairman of the Roosevelt executive committee, today challenged the Taft campaign forces ito test by means of primaries in every state in the Union." Senator Dixon conveyed the proposal in a letter to Representative William B. Mckinley. director of the national Taft bureau.
 Director Mckinley tonight sent a letter to Senator Dixon asking If the proposal were made with the author ity of Colonel Roosevelt, end also asking if Senator Dixon were acting as chairman of the Roosevelt execu- tive committee. either by selection or authority of the colonel.
 Senator Dixons letter was as fol- lows:
 My Dear Mfr. Mckinley: For tine purpose of determining definitely whether the republican voters of the county desire Colonel Theodore Roosevelt of President Taft as their candidate in the approaching presi- dential campaign, hereby challenge you test by means of primaries in every statesin the Union"
 Senator Dixon states that the ob- vIous purpose of both the republican campaign committees to elect re- publican next fall; that both are in- terested primarily in tine success of the party, and that the first requisite to such success is to choose the can didate with the greatest popularity.
 We ought to have free and vol nntary expression of opinion directly from the voters who will carry the ballots that will determine finally the verdict at the polls" the letter con tinues. "Ihe time to find out what the voters want is before the nomi- nation is made, rather than after ward. It will be too late after the convention is held"
 Senator Dixon states that the re- publican national committee was not justified in leaving the primary ques- tion to the action of the states.
 Tn every state and district in the Union. proper arrangements can be made and effectively carried out" he says, flor securing a free and vol untary expression of the will of the republican voters. If it cannot be done by a statewide primary which would be preferable, 1t can be ar ranged for districts under the super vision of proper committees"
 The letter calls attention to the va rious states where arrangements have or are being made for primaries. and adds.
 sWith your cooperation, similar arrangements, no doubt, can be ef- fected in all other states where leg islatures are not now considering the enactment of presidential primary laws. I am informed that in several states where the presidential prefer ence primary question is awaiting legislative action the influence of men who are working with you is cast de terminedly in opposition. Your CO operation with me in such states no doubt would result in the enactment of these laws, and considerable spread thereby of the presidential preference primary under direct legal sanction by the states.
 Let me call your attention again to the fact that Colonel Roosevelt has declared repeatedly that he is not an active candidate for the nomi. nation, but will accept 1t if it comes to him as the demand of the voters . of the party. His letter to MT. Moore of Pittsburg. sent out by your head quarters last night and published in the newspapers this morning, is an additional proof of this attitude and of the fact that in now saying he will accept the nomination under the con ditions specified, be is merely re spending to popular demand
 "The voters of the country have al unquestionabIe right to express th6I desire and sincerely trust you vii accept this challenge and prepare t cooperate with me in the arrange ment of sudh primaries.
 Commissioned officers are neees