Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-11-21
T. R. AND TAFT BOND
True Story Of Shattered Friend.
ship as Now Told by Wellman.
Answers Old Observation-Disclosures nt
Thought Successor betrayed Him
All shock 10 Other--Did Not
Even Realize There Was a
Misunderstanding.

(Walter Wcilman In the New York SUM-
Here lis told for the FIRST time the true
story of the break in the friendship be-
tween President TAFT and former Presi-
dent Roosevelt, It is a story which adds
an important chapter to the history Of
our times. for In all the political annals
OF the United States there Is no parallel
case, no instance in which the sunder-
ing of a friendship was followed by
such tremendous consequences, such
far reaching effects upon parties and
party leaders and their fortunes, and
possibly upon the control OF the gov.
eminent Itself for years to come.
For long time the people Of the
country have been asking the question
over and over again, What Ia the real
truth about the quarrel between Taft
and Roosevelt?" The question has not
yet had an adequate. satisfactory an
swer. Various speculations and theories.
OF parts of the facts. have become cur
rent in distorted form; the actual truth
remains to be told.
ROOSEVELT DID NAME TAFT.
That the causes Of the estrangement
may appear in their proper perspective
1t Is necessary to recall the historic
fact--thc one important point upon which
both sides agree-that MI Roosevelt did
rame Mr. Taft as his successor: that II
the colonel had not used mis- power as
the party leader and as president. to-
gether with his great political skill and
his well known popularity and prestige
r his protege's behalf probably another
would have been chosen. 1t Is not con-
/ have reached the White House II Presi-
dent Roosevelt had kept hands off the
ante convention campaign of 1908.
All this is known to every one: but
it is cited here because It Is part
OF the story, something which should
he borne In mind in Weighing the facts
given hereinafter. Roosevelt's direct re.
sponsibility for Taft. and Taft's obl!ga-
tons of gratitude to Roosevelt. and the
! constraints and attitudes OF mind which
thus devolved upon each Of them in theil
mutual relations. form the psychological
base Of the personal and political tragedy
| which ensued.
The reader should also remember The
larger purpose Mr.. Roosevelt had In view
II. thus using his power to name his sue
cessor. for this too Is part OF the story
His purpose was to assure a continuance
of what was known as the Roosevelt
rolicies." Mr.. Roosevelt felt that he hat
led sort OF reformation within thu
PARTY: that the forward movement begun
by him must be kept going. and he be
lteved implicitly that Mr.. Taft was tn
man above all others who could be 90
pended upon to do this.
HE INTENDED TO RETURN
II is no secret among his friends tina
when Mr.. Roosevelt renowned a thir'
consecutive term--which he could hav'
had without any doubt-his eyes wer
set upon the future. He voluntarily LET
the presidency. but he had every inten
ton to return to 1t, and belief that hi
return would be at no distant day. Henc
II was his perfectly natural wish to hav
as successor one who in broad sens
would be loyal to himself his policies
his fame and perhaps his future. 1t wa
only human nature that he should ex
pect the man picked and placed by him
and that man one OF his most intimat
and affectionatc friends. to be in som
sort OF fashion his representative; at tn
least his near and sincere friend afte
the choice as before IT.
The former presidents attitude of min
; In this particular relation was clearl
expressed By his reply to the questo
VI friend:
Why did You select Taft 10 be you
successor"
Because It had TO be either Taft o
~ n
campaign Hughes would have been nom
mated and elected. And n had pei
mitted Hughes to get into the VIII,
House I shouldn't have had a frien
about the place. There's no telling whs
Hughes would have done. He might hav
changed the Panama canal to a sea leve
ditch. so that It should not be known 1
history at the Roosevelt canal"