The Detroit times., 1912-07-09

WASHINGTON, July s.-Choice oil
a national chairman TO manage the
Taft reelection campaign had mar
rowed down to Charles d. Hilles. sec
retary TO the president, and Repre-
sentative James X. Mann, house min
orlty leader, when the subcommittee
of the national Republican committee
today resumed its task OF picking ths
man for the job.
The odds were said TO be In favor
OF Hilles. The president favors hlm
strongly. There is, however, strong
opposition TO the young secretary
among the old guardsmen, VINO re-
gard him as too much OF a novice ia
politics to be intrusted with the re-
sponsibility this fall.
The chief strength in Hilles' can
didacy is Taft's support in view OF
the fact that the committee cannot
agree on any other man who would
be satisfactory 10 The president. Tne
chief obstacle In the way OF Hilles
selection is Hilles himself. who pro
tested today that he did not want the
Job. Hilles said he was tired OF poll
tics. Besides, he said, he Is not a
wealthy man and cannot afford poli
tics as a hobby. He would accept the
Craftsmanship only on President Tart
earnest solicitation. There Is no OPP
position TO Mann for the place. HIS
work as minority leader has brought
him prominently before the country,
and Taft and the committee nave
high opinion of his ability. Should
Hilles be eliminated, Mann Is likely
TO be the choice.
VIM. Barnes, Jr., OF New York, has
been mentioned, but 1t Is said that
his chances are slim. Barnes, II Is
said. would give too much or the
boss" idea, something the Tart
forces want to avoid. In addition,
Barnes Ia expected to have his hands
full.iwith the New York situation.
The president himself is said, to OPP
pose Harry NJ Daugherty, Of ONO.
feeling his choice would be unwise
because OF factional differences In
Ohio. Senator Sanders, or Tenles-
see. who loomed up as possiblllty'
il a member OF the subcommittee
making the selection. The confer
ence today took the form OF a triD-
unal, Taft acting as the Judge, and
Gates. The president listened most Oh
he time, occasionally advancing sug-
ystions.
The way the situation was outlined
to Taft today: Wilson, Roosevelt ana
Debs may be expected TO divide the
radical vote, Wilson getting the most,
Roosevelt second, with Debs getting
more votes than were ever polled by
the Socialists before.
The leaders have told Tart that
under such circumstances he will get
all the conservative votes, which they
said, would be enough 10 elect him.
A nationwide movement to pst!-
tion President Taft to withdraw as
the Republican presidential candidate
ia being backed by a large number or
Republican office-holders who feel
that they face defeat In November
,Hlnless the breach In the party can be
healed.
These mon include members OF con-
gress, members OF state legislatures
which will elect senators, state and
county oficeholders, and party candl'
dates. IL the movement to petition
-.fr-faft- to Withdraw succeeds In
gaining any volume, II Is said these
same men in the interest OF party
harmony may ask Col. Roosevelt also
TO withdraw as q prospective canG''
date for an independent nomination,
and permit a compromise selection
OF some man agreeable to both fac.
,tions of the party. II Is the desire
of the promoters OF the scheme that
decision shall be reached before
e
plans to hold convention in Chicago.
The circulation Of petitions, 1t was
declared today, would start within a
week