New-York tribune., 1912-03-17
RIVAL MANAGERS CLAIMS
Taft 131, Roosevelt 13, Nc
KinIey Asserts.
DIXON ISSUES STATEMENT
Roosevelt "A and Taft 14-Wlll
Take Contests to National
Committee.

Washington. March 16-Contests against
Taft delegates from all Southern states to
the Republican national convention Will be
taken before the national committee III
June by the Roosevelt forces, according TO
a statement given out here to-day over the
signature OF Senator Joseph NJ. DlSoh'
Colonel Roosevelt's campaign manager
The announcement makes the definite
statement that "in every Southern state
and in almost every district in those states
which have elected delegates to date con-
tests will come before the national COM
mittee."
The purpose of the Roosevelt managers
TO attempt the overthrow of all of Presi-
dent Taft's Southern strength before II can
be seated In the Chicago convention Is fur-
,ber borne out by tables contained in the
Dixon statement. The Dixon estimates give
Colonel Roosevelt torty-four delegates ana
concede only fourteen to President Tatt'
The Taft delegates from Southern States
eighty-four in number. are placed III the
contested" column.
William B. Mckinley, director OF Presi-
dent Tafts campaign committee VINO also
published a tabulated estimate OF strehgth
to-day claimed 13l delegates for the Presl-
dent and conceded only thirteen TO Colohei
Roosevelt. The only item on when the
widely divergent statements of the cam
paign managers agree is the concession OF
two delegates from the 7th Iowa District
to Senator Cummins.
Senator Dixon says that contests VIII be
made in all Southern states because most
of the conventions have been called ana
controlled by officeholders and have been
illegal and fraudulent, both In character
and in the methods and tactics pursued
Convincing proof of this fact will be pre-
sented 10 the national committee by the
delegates instructed for Colonel Roosevelt,
none Of them officeholders. elected by legal
and proper methods and in accordance with
the call of the national committee. IL Is
apparent that the Taft managers propose
TO carry the plan os contesting delegates
into Northern states In order To cloud con-
dtions. This is demoralizing to the party,
hut the issue. as thus made. will be met
with vigor. In adopting this plan the Tart
managers have assured n decision OF the
contests on their merits. Northern states
and districts never will submit 10 the man
handling OF their delegations through bogus
contests. When the national committee Is
confronted with the necessity Of making
fair decisions in Northern districts, 1t VIII
establish precedents that must insure fair
decisions In Southern districts also.
The Taft claims. as given out by d.
rector Mckinley, concede contests in the
lst Georgia. Sd Virginia. Sd and 9th Mis-
souri, and Sd Oklahoma districts. Thls
makes a total Of ten delegates.
The Roosevelt statement declares that
the following delegates, now claimed by tho
Taft forces will be contested: Alabama,
"A; District OF Columbia, 2. Florida, Il:
Georgia, 20: South Carolina. s; Tennessee.
u, and Virginia. Is.
The conventions In the Southern states
were all called and held strictly in con-
formity with the call issued by the ma
tonal committee" said Mr.. Mckinley to-
night. so far as we know, the Roosevelt
supporters went into those conventions and
made their fight; II they have held separate
conventions and elected other delegates we
have not been advised OF the fact