Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1912-06-18

mittee be rejected and that substl
tute roll, including the 70 or 80 dele
gates claimed by Col. Roosevelt, be
adopted.
In thus submitting the matter o.
the debated seats to the convention
en- bloc, none of the delegates affect
ed by the contests could vote on the
question and the Roosevelt men be
lieve that such poll would give
them the upper hand in the organi
zation of the convention.
Victor Rosewater Of Nebraska, the
chairman Of the national committee
! became the storm center OF this phase
Of the fight as soon as the plans OF
| the Roosevelt leaders were perfected
last night. In his capacity as chair
man Mr.. Rosewater will call the con
vention to order and will decide
whether to entertain or refuse the
motion of the Roosevelt men to con-
slider a second list of delegates.
The Roosevelt plan is revolution
ary and Mr.. Rosewater may insist
upon waiting for the report OF the
committee on credentials, which, US
, ually would not come up for consid-
Grafton before Wednesday.
Mr.. Rosewater conferred with Col.
Roosevelt in person regarding this
question and others late last night,
but is said to have declined to give
an answer until he had further time
to consider the matter
The chairman held a conference
with other members of the national
committee today and 1t is said that
the Roosevelt plan met with stubborn
opposition. Members of the commit
tee were reported to have insisted
that the chairman follow the usuai
procedure and the strict rules OF the
committee in relation to temporary
organization.
Unless the Roosevelt leaders get
this vote on contests at once, 1t Is
said that they plan to force the issue
further by Immediately moving the
nomination of Col. Roosevelt and at.
tempting to hold a convention OF
their own within the convention hall.
Seek to Block Scheme.
Fully aware Of the gravity Of these
developments, the Taft managers ana
of the national committee
favorable to the president held con-
tinued councils in efforts to evolve
methods of blocking the scheme sum-
marily.
Fears for the order of the conven-
ton were freely expressed and pre-
dictions of serious trouble were made
frequently during the day. Officers IN
charge Of the convention management
the police arrangements and
the sergeants-at-arms were given
instructions.
Excitement at the headquarters or
both sides and in the hotels increased
the day. In some quarters
city detectives and policemen were
ready to prevent personal clashes be-
tween delegates whose anger swept
beyond control.
The day was perhaps the most ex-
citing that has preceded the opening
If a republican national convention in
many years. The atmosphere was
.ense with charges and rumors of
various kinds.
Caucuses of state delegations came
IN an avalanche as there had been but
few caucuses until today. These eau
,uses were depended upon to con-
siderable degree to give lineup OF
he strength of the delegates on the
Iuestions aside from the presidential
nomination.
Col Roosevelt arranged for recep- |
ion this afternoon at which he hopes |
o meet every one of the 1,078 dele
yates to the convention. He plans to
speak to each delegate personally. To-
light at the auditorium theater he will
,e the principal figure at a mass meet
ng of the Roosevelt followers. Early
oday Senator Borah Of Idaho finally
md definitely was selected as the
,hoice Of the Roosevelt forces for tenn
)orary chairman in place of Gov. Her
,ert S. Hadley Of Missouri.
Gov. Hadley. because Of his success
ul fight In the Missouri republican
state convention and before the ma
ional committee, was chosen as floor
eader for the Roosevelt orga1.-1tion. !
Taft to Be Advised.
Washington, D. c., June 17.-White
louse officials have made preparations
o keep President Taft Informed OF
Zach move made at Chicago on the !