The Washington times., 1912-06-04
Stampede From Taft
Predicted to Follow
Alabama Delegates

CHICAGO, June 4.-That the switch
OF two Alabama delegates to the Re-
publican convention from Taft to Roose-
welt heralds a general scramble that
will crowd the coloners band chariot
by the time nomination day rolls around
was the jubilant shout today of the
host of Roosevelt followers who are
already here for the big event.
Their claim of a portent of a victory
in the switch Is denied by the Taft men,
who are here in equal numbers, and
q score Of stalwarts fluttering from the
headquarters of the different factions
giving various views Of the matter gave
Chicago a genuine convention air to-
day.
That the forces are lining up for a
terrific struggle was apparent and the
earnestness of the chatting groups of
politicians gathered in the lobbies of
the hotels indicated that they recognized
the Importance to their candidates of
the contest hearings that will open
Thursday before the national commit
tee.
Already the party leaders have begun
to arrive. BY tonight 1t is expected that
most of the members of the national
committee would be on the scene.
Sidney Bieber There.
Col. Cecil Lyon, national committee
man from Texas, close friend and hunt
ing companion of the former President;
Sidney Bieber. Of the District of Col
umbia, a Roosevelt supporter; General
Powell Clayton, of Arkansas, and Henry
s.. Chubb, of Florida, Taft supporters,
are here, ready for the delegate fights.
kilograms at the Roosevelt headquar-
tiers announced that Senator Dixon,
campaign manager for the colonel would
join forces here today. Dixon, who left
Washington yesterday, and hurried to
oyster Bay for the final conference,
is coming with a full knowledge of the
fights to be carried on.
That one of these fights was to be di-
rected against Senator Elihu Root fol
temporary chairman of the convention
caused some surprise among Roose-
velt's forces here. Yesterday they had
given out the statement that no oppo-
sition to Root would be made. Fol-
lowing the announcement at Oyster
Bay 1t was decided to wage the fght
and at the headquarters of Roosevelt
here. managers were preparing for one
more battle.
CONGRESSMAN William B. Mckinley
head of the Taft campaign expected
yesterday, also stopped en- route for 6
conference His lieutenants here assert
cd today that he would arrive before
night.
Preparing Evidence.
In the meantime Joseph B. Healing. O.
indianapolis, who has done the prelim
inary work for the Taft forces in th'
contests, continued the preparation o
evidence that will be presented befor,
the national committee. Healing ha
made trips to many of the States wher'
the contests were filed and has gather
cd much Of tho evidence that is to b.
presented.
Whether this evidence will be present
ed at hearings at which newspaper mel
will be allowed to be present, was on
of the questions that aroused interes
here today. 1t has always been tn
rule of the national committee that tn
preliminary hearings of these contest
fhe held in executive session. How Harr
s. New, chairman of the subcommitte
on arrangements and one of the mos
powerful politicians in the nationa
committee has received letter fror
President Taft coinciding with tn
Roosevelt idea that the hearings b
thrown open to newspaper men.