The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-13
ROOSEVELT GETS
GREAT, BIG LAUGH
Amused At Rumor That He
Is Lining Up Progress
sives for Taft
MIR. M'kINLEY GETS
HIS FACTS MIXED
Roosevelt in the Fight to His
Eartops-Not Exerting
Himself for Taft by
Any Means

OYSTER BAY. l.. l., Feb. l2.--Col.
day. II came when he was asked what
he thought Of published interview
with Chairman Mckinley. Of the Taft
campaign forces. in which the Con-
gresham asserted that Roosevelt is
lining up the progressires so as to
turn them over TO Taft.
Congressman Mckinley. in apparent
seriousness, had declared that he knew
prefectly well where the Colonel stood,
and that the appearance of being in
sympathy with the opposition to Taft $
denomination Was mere pretense. The
| Taft manager had discovered that
Roosevelt was simply working to keep
the progressives under control with
the purpose OF seeing that they were
safely led into the Taft fold.
When asked IL he had seen the in
terview, the ex-President assumed a
puzzled expression.
mo. | haven't seen IT. ! haven
heard a word of it until just this
minute. observed the Colonel. When
the substance of the interview was told
to him, the Colonel began to smile.
Then he let out laugh that cracked
over Sycamore Hill.
We'll, so Mr. Mckinley really said
that, did he?" asked the Colonel be-
tween fits of laughter.
win you dispute what Mr.. Mckln-
ley has so confidently asserted was
| ventured.
| "Oh my. no." replied the exPresi-
| dent good humoredly.
II never talk politics. YOU know.
The Colonel laughed again and then
| turned abruptly aside from the Nc
| kinney incident.
While Mr.. Mckinley may actually
| believe that Col. Roosevelt Is striving
/ to accomplish the denomination OF Mr..
| Taft, there are ample evidences here
| that the Congressman has got his facts
| mixed Roosevelt. to state IL plainly,
! is in the fight NTH the progressiyes
: up to his ear tops. and he is not think
! ing Just at this juncture of exerung
| himself for Mr.. Taft.
II the progressives are to WELD any
| power at the Chicago convention. with
| the chance of bringing about the nom
| nation of some one else than Mr.. Taft
ft-rrav- be safely set down that the
| oyster Bay statesman Is not going to
| stop them.
Politicians here take the Mckinley
| statement as a rather audacious effort
to force Colonel Roosevelt into the
| Open If that was It's purpose It VIII
| fail, for Roosevelt Will not be coa&ed
| caioled or coerced into emerging from
cover until he thinks II expedient.
II was suggested hero today that the
| Mckinley interview was timed so al
to have some effect upon the situation
in New York State where Roosevelts
cohorts are trying 10 stifie the senti-
ment in the Republican machine In
Taft's favor.
The Coloners managers are desir-
Gus of preventing an instructed Taft
delegation being sent from New Yorh
State. They hope to have an open
fight on the floor OF the convention
between Taft and Roosevelt delegates
This they are seeking to accomplish
not alone as to New York but other
States upon whose delegation the Col.
onel must rely for a part of his sup
port If he expects to get the nomina'
| ton.
| Colonel Roosevelt expects to meet
the confereres at the recent Chicago
progressive confab at his editorial Of
fees tomorrow.