The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-02-08

DECLARES He HAS
Physical Breakdown of the
Senator Assigned as the
Cause For Action
(By Louis w. strayer.)

washington. Feb. S.-Senator Rob-
ert M. LaFollette is out Of the run
ming. From now on the race Is be-
tween William H Taft and Theodore
Roosevelt. and whether it lis to be a
real contest depends entirely upon the
course pursued by Roosevelt. If he
publicly declares his willingness to be
q candidate then the battle lines will
be formed and the administration
forces will fight him as they have pre-
pared to fight EaFollette. Taft is in
the contest. to the finish and will go
into the convention under any circum.
stances.
1t is expected that the progressive
strength that has rallied to LaFollette
VIII. IN large part, shift to Roosevelt.
Inat, however. will he sufficient to
give him the nomination If he follows
the same course he has pursued up to
this time. Mother declining nor ac-
cepting but permitting his friends to
go ahead in the hope that he will take
the nomination If it comes to him.
The time is approaching when Roose-
welt must break his silence.
Today was given over to confer
ences by the supporters of LaFollette,
and this evening 1t was stated upon
good authority that LaFollette's name
would not go before the convention.
1t is expected that tomorrow or in the
near future formal statement will be
issued withdrawing him as a presi-
dental candidate.
The serious physical breakdown of
the senator is the immediate reason
assigned by his close advisers and po-
litical managers for the expected elm
ination Of the Wisconsin senator as a
presidential factor. The events OF to-
day. forecasting the final retirement
IT Senator LaFollette. furnished the
O. verification of the announce
~ 1t the Wisconsin leader was
through with all active campaigning.
John d. Fackler. head Of the La
Toilette organization in Ohio, was
among the conferees at the LaFollette
headquarters today.
Roosevelt Majority in Ohio.
State Chairman Walter F. Brown OF
Ohio also was here most Of the day.
He did not see Fackler, and the pres
ence OF both the anti-Taft leaders
here on the same day was a coinci-
dence. Brown blandly stated that he
vas here in connection with business
before the Interior department, invol-
wing oil land leases in which he is in
terested. The state chairman saw
Senator Burton and went over the en-
tire Ohio situation. He declared it to
he his belief that Roosevelt would get
a decided majority Of the Ohio delega-
ton. Senator Burton took a seat high
on the Taft band wagon. He disa-
greed with the Brown prediction.
All chance of resumption of cor
dial relations between President Taft
and his predecessor, il there has been
any such chance for months past
seems to have been obliterated. In
the most influential administration
circles the animosity over the course
followed by the former president has
developed into an intense bitterness.
That this feeling la shared by the
president is we'll known in all official
circles here.
May Have Some Bombs.
The administration forces positive
~ will refuse from now on to yield a
single inch. Rather than remaining
passive 1t can be stated IL the necessity
arises the administration will hurl a
few bombs calculated to impress the
country with the conviction that COL
onel Roosevelt, If nominated, will
have very rocky road to travel in the
campaign with the chances against his
election.
The administration leaders took a
keen interest In the developments of
the day as affecting the withdra wal of
LaFollette as candidate. They ap-
preciated that for the time being, per-
haps. 1t would add to the strength Of
the Roosevelt talk. This realization,