Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1912-01-06
ABBOTT DISCUSSES COLONEL
Roosevelt Asserted Not, Candidate
for the Presidency.
RELATIONS WITH TAFT RAISED
Colleague of Former Executive Says
Third Term Could Come Only
Because Country Wanted
Certain Job Done.

CORNwALL-ON-HUD N. Y, Jan.
5.-Colonel Theodore Roosevelt is not
candidate for the presidency, according to
Lawrence F. ABBOTT, president Of the Out
look company of New York, with which
Mr.. Roosevelt is actively associated
This statement is made today in the
Local Press, a weekly newspaper pub
lished here, the home of Mr.. Abbott.
The statement reviews Mr.. Roosevelts
connection with national politics during
the last three years. 1t was brought out,
the editor of the Local Press says, when
he asked Mr. Abbott whether Mr.. Roose-
welt is a candidate for the presidency.
"You must understand. to begin with"
Mr.. Abbott asserted. in what is termed
a dictated statement. that whatever
say in answer to your question, say
solely on my own responsibility and with
out any consultation with Mr.. Roosevelt
You ask me whether Mr.. Roosevelt is
a candidate for the presidency. I answer,
no, he is not a candidate, he does not
desire to be a candidate; he has dis
couraged and is dscouraging in every
possible way, all talk of his candidacy
and he will take no active share Of any
kind in the contests OF various candidates
for two or three months preceding any
national convention"
Reviews Political Affairs.
Mr.. Abbot tells how Mr.. Roosevelt de-
clined the republican nomination in 1908.
(which he very easily could have had"
and how Mr.. Taft's nomination and cleo
ton were brought about.
His (Roosevelt's political experience
La %, .f,vI
election that his critics have said that he
alone nominated and elected Taft" Mr..
Abbott says. and continues:
unfortunately some OF Mr.. Taft's
advisers took this mistaken view Of the
case and urged him TO separate himself
so thoroughly from any Roosevelt associ-
ations that his administration could
create its own policies and that thus he
might be renominated and reelected in
1912 on his own Individual merits with
out any faint Of Rooseveltism.'
Mr.. Roosevelt has never failed, Mr..
Abbott declares, TO respond quickly and
cordially TO the slightest wish expressed
by Mr.. Taft for his company or his views
and he Instances the private interview at
New Haven during the autumn OF 1910
between Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Roosevelt.
fortunately announced as having been
sought by Mr.. Roosevelt for the purpose
OF getting some help in his contest with
the "old guard" OF the state. He adds:
THE facts are-and 1 have learned
/ them, not from Mr.. Roosevelt, but from
friend Of Mr.. Taft who knew all the
circumstances-that Mr.. Taft sent word
| TO Mr.. Roosevelt asking him TO come in
order that he CMr. TafD might get tho
benefit OF Mr.. Roosevelt's advice regard
ing the serious split in the national af-
fairs OF the republican party which re-
suited from the fight OF the progresslves
against so-called 'Cannonism.'
Trust Article Explained.
Mr. Abbott declares that whateyer Mr.
| Roosevelt does or says will be interpreted
/ by some critics to his disadvantage, and
/ he Instances an article OF Mr.. Roosevelt =
on the trust question published several
weeks ago. Its publication was held By
some, Mr.. Abbott says, to be an indlca-
ton that Roosevelt was seeking the presi-
dency and that the appearance OF the
article was timed by him at just tho
psychological moment to produce the
greatest effect.
II there was any political astuteness
in its appearance, according to Mr.. Alb
bott. IL should go 20 the editors OF his
publication, who suggested the article and
fixed the date for its publication.
II Mr.. Roosevelt Is ever elected presl-
dent again, according to Mr.. Abbott, il
will not be because he seeks or wants the
office, but because the country wants him
To perform a certain job.
Persistent Advertising Is the Road IA