Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-18
SHREWD SCHEME IS
CONCOCTED BY 7. R.
To WIN HIS FIGHT
viii PreCipitate Strength Test
Tuesday in Which Contested
Delegates Cannot Vote at
All


hours remaining before the crash Of
the gavel viii be heard in the Repub-
lican national convention, the Roosevelt
and Taft forces this morning staked final
hands in their bitter struggle.
The real things that were happening
today were entirely lacking in the spec
tacular; while enthusiastic bands were
playing about headquarters Of the vari-
Gus headquarters Of the various delega-
tons. and while admiring throngs sought
to catch giimpses of political heroes. the
final heart-rending. mind-rending strug-
gle was participated in quiet rooms.
In these last clashes there was no place
for the weak man. Contending leaders
who have spent their lives working to
perfect every artifice in the game of
politics besought to hear examinations
and quizzings that amounted to the
third degree" upon recalcitrant poll
ticians from. many states. And these
men heard forecasts of what would hap
pen to them year from now, two years
from now or four years from now un-
less they agreed to abide by the demand
upon them.
A MERCILESS FIRE.
The fire was merciless, and as it con-
tinued the keen-eyed, sleepless inquisit-
ors whose brains were keyed up to the
last degree of reaction. watched for pre-
liminary signs of panic or break. over
one side of the struggle there ruled the
master hand Of Roosevelt, and waging
against him were men whose political
keenness would stand a world of test.
Summarized terselT the situation is
whether the Republican elephant will re-
spond to the vigorous digs of either of
two contending drivers, or whether 1t
will twist its trunk about each Of them
in turn and hurl them aside, to go on
its own way There were indications
today that the last contingency is not al
all impossible.
In this connection, IT became apparent
that the division of delegates between
Roosevelt and Taft on the question Of
nomination does not hold on other propo-
sitions to come before convention. This
was shown plainly by the attitude of the
Virginia delegation. Although practical
ly ali are for the denomination of Taft.
nine of the Virginia delegates declared
they would vote to overrule the action
of the national committee in seating Taft
delegates over Roosevelt delegates from
California, Texas and washington.
Fl A ROOSEVELT ADVANTAG.
This sentiment among arriving dele
gates was seized upon quickly by Roose-
Welt and his advisers, who have deter
mined to attempt to break down Presi-
dent Tafts strength in the convention
through the medium of preliminary bal
lots.
The Roosevelt managers purpose to
focus the fight the minute the conven-
ton has been called to order, by precipi-
tating a roll call, in which only those
delegates whose seats are undebated by
Colonel Roosevelt shall vote.
The Roosevelt men expect to achieve
this end by demanding roll call on
the temporary Craftsmanship or the very
first question that comes UP before the
convention. Then it is planned to have
Governor Johnson, of California cast
the Is votes for that state on the ques-
ton. This action by Governor Johnson
II IS expected, will be objected by the two
Taft delegates from the Fourth Califor-
MIA district
This iuncture will be grasped by the
Roosevelt floor leader as the one upon
which to get the "expurgated" vote OF
delegates. The floor leader will move at
once that the temporary roll as made
I'D by the national committee be reject
al and that a sub-roll, Including the
20 or 80 delegates claimed by Colonel
Roosevelt, be adopted.
A SHREWD TRICK.
In thus submitting the matter Of the
debated seats to the convention en- bloc
none of the delegates affected by the con-
tests could vote on the question: and
the Roosevelt men believe that such
poll would give them the upper mana
I'm the conventions organization.
Chairman Rosewater, of the national
committee, became the storm center or
this phase of the fight as soon as the
plans of the Roosevelt leaders were per-
fected last night In his capacity as
chairman. Mr. Rosewater will call the
Convention TO order and will decide wheth-
er TO entertain or refuse the motion
Of the Roosevelt men to consider sec
ond list of delegates.
committee, became the storm center
The Roosevelt plan is revolutionary
and Mr.. Rosewater may insist on walt
ing for the report of the committee on
credentials, which, usually, would not
come up for consideration before
Wednesday.
Mr.. Rosewater conferred with Colo
mel Roosevelt in person regarding this
question and others late last night, but
is said to have declined to give an I'M
mediate answer.
The chairman held a conference
with other members of the national
committee today and 1t is said that
the Roosevelt plan met with stubborn