The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-15
ROOSEVELT STARTS POSTHASTE FOR THE 5 POLITICAL CENTER Makes Statement at Outlook Offices-Is Not Much
 Surprise PRESIDENT TAFT
 IS CONFIDENT Will Win on First Ballot, He Says. Is Not Considering Com
 promise Candidate, He
 Wires Hilles

New York, June 14-col. Theodo1 2 Roosevelt started for Chicago late to- day to lead the fight for his nomination at the republican convention. He left on the Lake Shore line at 5:so p. m. He is due in Chicago tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock. The colonel said he was going l in response to unanimous demand of the Roosevelt delegates. that he come not l as candidate, but because flor the time being stand as representing the prin- cipies for which the rank and file of the republican party have overwhelmingly decided in the states where they have had an opportunity to express their wishes at primaries"
 The colonel announced his decision to start for the political storm center and take personal charge of the fight. for dele gates, shortly after midday, making a statement at the Outlook offices. While during the forenoon he was be- sieged with inquiries as to his intention. he had been non-committal up to that time.
 Caused Little Surprise The fact. however. that the former President motored up from Oyster Bay today, accompanied by Mrs. Roosevelt. with baggage aboard the machine. gave rise to expectations that he had decided to go and the announcement did not cause much surprise.
 There were nine in the Roosevelt party beside the colonel. Mrs. Roosevelt, Regis H. Post. former governor of Porto Rico; Theodore Douglas Robinson, nephew. George D. Roosevelt a cousin: Kermit Roosevelt. Colonel Harper of the Outlook staff and his wife and ". H. Howland and Trayers D. Carmen also of the Out look staff. They occupied a Pullman car, and in order to accommodate the squad Of newspaper men that accompanied the colonel an additional car was attached to the train. Arrangements were made also to get telegraphic reports of the situ- ation in Chicago tomorrow at various stops.
 Has New Attire The colonel blossomed out today in d brand new hat of sombrero type and of pearl gray hue. Another distinct fea- ture of his garb was a large blue neck tie with wide diagonal stripes, which left little to be seen of the familiar turn down collar and which contrasted braveiy with the dark overcoat he wore over his , ilS Tt bta9 putt
 The colonel. accompanied by Mrs Roose- welt and Theodore Roosevelt. Jr.. who went to the station to see his father off. left the colonel's office to enter a taxicab about half an hour before train time A small crowd had gathered out side, but aside from the waving of hats and hands there was no demonstration. An army of photographers snapped the colonel as he emerged from the building. da the newspaper automobiles were left be- hind. but the colonel hardly had disap- peared down the elevator before the news papermen's machine had arrived.
 After the colonel had given out his statement efforts to obtain any further in- formation from him were unavailing. He made but one appearance from the se- cusion of his office during the after noon, when he was shown a newspaper headline quoting President Taft as say ing, T will win"
 The colonel. who was walking briskly through the corridors as the paper was spread before him. and a request made for his comment gave it quick glance and frowned. His only response was an impatient grunt. #
 His Explanation k
 ''Is your decision the result of what you have heard from Chicago?' the ex- President was quizzed.
 T have heard a great deal he re- sponded All I've got to say Is this: Several delegates have been in to see me here and I have. received countless teie- grams The absolutely unanimous de- mand of the delegates who have already reached Chicago Is that I go. They say that the action of the national committee in the California. in the Arizona, the ln- oiana and the Kentucky cases is such as to make the issue absolutely clear as to whether the people have the right 70 make their own nomination or whether q small lot of professional politicians is to he permitted to steal that right from them
 Robert Tarlau. an enterprising young ster of IA and the proprietor of boys magazine. dropped in on the colonel diir- ing the excitement today with a copy of his publication referring to the colonel in high terms of praise. Formerly he had called on Mir. Roosevelt at Oyster Bay and when the colonel learned today who his young visitor was he made it point tc see him for a moment.
 "NelI,'' he said as he glanced at tho tory article in the magazine Robert landed him. T am glad to see that there is some other paper besides The Outlook that is supporting me"
 NdTIOW ESCdve HIOm VIeCh
 Albany. N. Y. June 14.-A large boulder in the path of the train which is bearing Col Theodore Roosevelt to Chicago brought his journey to an abrupt halt for q short while tonight.
 The train was bowling along at a high rate Of speed when two miles north of Tarrytown it came to sudden stop with series 0 jolts and a crashing of brakes The accident, fortunately, was not serious.
 The train reported here at 955 p. m. ard Jeff for the west at 1928 p. m. Colonel Roosevelt sat quietly in his stateroom during the halt down the river without coming out to inquire the cause of the delay.
 T did not know what had happened until it was all over. he said. "I won |dered at the long delay, but had no idea what the cause was
 The ex-President remained in exclusion during the trip up the Hudson chatting with Mrs. Roosevelt, except when he went