The Detroit times., 1912-06-05
TAFT AND ROOSEVELT
LEADERS IN CHICAGO
TO DIRECT FIGHT
Congressman Mckinley, Presi-
dents Manager, and Senator
Dixon Arrive on Scene
SCENE OF GREAT ACTIVITY
Republican National Committee
Meets Tomorrow, When First
Test of Strength Comes

CHICAGO, June 5.-Political battle
lines for the coming conflict for dom \
ination OF the Republican national con-
yention were sharply outlined here to-
day when leaders OF the Taft and
Roosevelt forces arrived on the morn
Ing trains. First came Congressman
Mckinley who Is assuming charge or
his headquarters stated that Secre-
tary Hilles, as the personal repre-
tentative OF the president, would be
on hand during the day and that he
would aid Senator Charles Dick, OF
Ohio, contest manager for the presE
dent In getting the Taft evidence
ready for presentation TO the commit
tee when II meets. Senator Dixon
| also arrived today and took charge OF
! the Roosevelt headquarters where the
feeling Is even more bitter than at any
time since the former president an
nounced his candidacy, because OF the
outcome in Ohio yesterday.
The result in. Ohio was peculiarly
disappointment to the Roosevelt
forces. who had expected victory fol-
lowing the success OF Walter Brown
In securing his reelection as state
chairman. IL was stated at Roosevelt
headquarters that the selection or
Taft delegates-at-large from Ohio. fol-
lowing the Roosevelt victory at the
popular primaries, emphasized the
difference between the Roosevelt
Leaders" and the Taft Bosses" aud
the talk OF bolt should the Taft peo-
pie control the national convention
was even louder than on yesterday.
! That the Roosevelt forces are GER
tain that they will have majority Of
the uninstructed delegates TO the con-
vention was made plain today when
the leaders analyzed the roll OF iele-
gates In the light of the expected ac-
tion OF teh national committee IN seat
ing the Taft claimants. They pointed
cut that when the roll Is submitted for
confirmation there will be with 1t a
. minority report brought In by William
IL. Ward, Col. Cecil Lyon and rhe
Roosevelt committeeman and that
they will then have the opportunity 10
demonstrate for the frst time just
how far their strength goes.
We will demonstrate Immediately
that the Taft claims are absurd de-
Iclared Ormsby McHarg today. "and
We will show that we have the votes
to control the convention"
At Congressman McKinley's head
quarters the clai mof the Roosevelt
force was characterized as absurd
"As a matter Of fact" said Senator
Dick, IF this were true, why would
the Roosevelt leaders be so anxious TO
impress the national committee with
the strength of their absurd contests
II they have the votes to overthrow
this result. Whether Mr.. Roosevelt
comes here or stays at Oyster Bay,
the Republican party of the United
States will demonstrate during the
next three weeks that IL Is still the
party OF the people and not the organ
of any one individuals ambitious"
The procedure for tomorrow's meet
ing Of the national committee was
practically completed today. The con-
mittee will meet at 2 o'clock Thursday
afternoon In the quarters set aside for
1t In convention hail. The opening
meeting will be secret. First will
come the calling OF the roll OF the
members and this was expected today
to precipitate the initial contest
through the presentation OF demands
by newly elected committeeman TO
have their names substituted for the
sitting members. There will probably
be lengthy wrangle on this point, but
Il
that was that the committee would
fatty reject the contentious OF the
new men. The later may go into
court to secure mandates TO force
. their claims. although this Will not
be known positively until the actual
: meeting, but the committee VIII be
prepared and lawyer members have
, already compiled dozens OF decisions
which they claim prove conclusiycly
that the committee Is the supreme
Judge OF the qualifications and which
will be ready In case OF need.
Then will come the election OF
chairman for the three weeks life or
, the committee to succeed the late Gov,
, , Hin. of Maine. Unless the committee
members who have not yet reached
(, the scene should change the plan
; Victor Rosewater, vice-chairman of
the committee and member from Ne
: braska. will be chosen. The cCmmit-
tee will then consider the report or
|, the special comittee appointed last
wear OF which Committeeman Brooker,
? Of Connecticut Is chairman and which
4 has revised the rules OF the commit
2 tee The nature OF this report is not
: known. but Il was believed today that
Il would clear up disputed points IN
, connection with the terms Oi tue HeAh-
4 bers OF the committee procedure In
handling contests and other matters
: about which there has been dispute.
: All OF tomorrow's sessions of the
: committee we're expected TO be ex-
/ ecutiye. but when the hearing OF the
actual contests Is begun, which VIII
not be until Friday II present plans
are adhered to. the newspapers VIII
he permitted to be present at the hear.
ings. Most OF the members favored
= publicly In the hearings. although Har
+ ~ New and some -ef the others In
I sisted public hearings would consume
. much more time than private and
would necessitate three sessions day
. OF the committee. including lengthy
! night sessions. While the bearings
!, IN the contests win be public. the
. committee will act on them In private.
, ! n h expected that as soon as con-
test has been presented BY he Op
, posing counsel the meeting room win
, be cleared. the vote win be taken In
II -.