New-York tribune., 1912-01-22
Believed in Washington CoIoneI's
Position Toward "0verWhelm.
ing Demand" Soon VIII
Be Untenable.
MUCH MONEY EXPENDED
Morgan Partner and His Agents
Especially Active Since Mr..
Taft Refused to Urge
Trust Law
Change.
[rrom TIE Tribune Bureau J

| Perkins pursuing CouiS SO "N
cause himself and his friends OF tne
steel trust to be as effectively Harvey
lied" as the enthusiastic editor OF
"Harper's Weekly" has been by his
friend Woodrow Wilson? This Is the
question which is agitating poltiea'
Washington at present.
That certain interests. Of whom George
" Perkins is the exponent and agent
are spending money with prodigal lioer-
ality to produce IAN overwheimins oe-
mand" for the nomination OF Theodore
Roosevelt for President Is no longer
matter of political gossip; 1t Is a de-
monstrable fact.
Mr.. Perkins has been conducting tnis
campaien ever since the institution OF
the suit against the steel trust, but with
redoubled energy since President Tart
refused TO recommend to Congress the
amendment OF the Sherman antitrust
law. Political leaders from seVersi
states have been sent for and have gone
to see Mr.. Perkins. who, sometimes IN
the presence Of his lieutenant, ormsny
McHarg, and sometimes not, has oHereo
the men he believed could control their
state delegations TO the national conven-
ton practically all the hard cash they
might ned to swing their delegations
to Colonel Roosevelt.
Found Roosevelt Non-committal.
In some Instances, after their inter-
views with Mr.. Perkins, these men nave
been sent to call on Colonel Roosevelt
! No one of them, 30 far as known. can
truthfully say that he was sreatB
encourag ged by the ex-President. but
certain IL is that several OF them nave
come away with the impression that IL
Mr.. Perklns's efforts proved successful
and the demand for Colonel Roosevelts
nomination was sufficiently "overwheim-
ing" he would not turn deaf ear to the
demands of his party.
few of the more valorous have re-
ported Colonel Roosevelt as evadin2
every question designed to gain from
him an expression of his position. but
as meeting such inquiries with the ques-
tion. Gould carry your state?'
There seems, too, to be little DOUBT
that Mr. Perkins is seriously misrepre-
senting the ex-President. For instance
a recent political caller said to the
financial hacker of the Roosevelt boom.
Does Colonel Roosevelt realize that
business is in the condition you depica'
and would he remedy that condition II
ba were re-eIected?" To which Mr.. Per-
kins replied "Of course he realizes II.
That is the very reason he wishes TO be
| elected. He wants to set things straight
again"
McHare Has Been Hard at Work.
Mr.. McHarg has been travelling about
the country doing yeoman's work In the
effort to produce this overwhelming de-
mand." II he has not been successful
| i'm many instances 1t is tribute rather
to the character of the politicians to
whom he has appealed than reiec-
ton On the monetary assistance he has
been able to offer.
In Alabama he arrived too late. but
| this was no. the case at st. Louis, where,
aided by a recent decision of the courts
placing one faction in control or the
city committee. he found N offer or
absolute freedom from harassing anx'
iety regarding the fund TO carry on the
campaign all sufficient TO accomplish his
| purpose.
With unlimited financial resources
wonders can be accomplished In politicss
even among Republicans, and this u
| notably true in certain states. More
over, Mr.. McHarg has experienced no
difficulty in making it clear to certain
men that the course OF President Taft
in enforcing the Sherman antitrust law
without the slightest discrimination is
| certain to have its effect In the coming
campaign, and that those who fight
under his banner will have to contend
with the trying, II not insurmountable.
obstacle of campaign fund OF the most
meagre proportions That Is prospect
essentially depressing to those poll
ticians who carry or profess to carry.
their state delegations in their vest
pockets, and who make the swaying OF
local committees profession.
Early Reputation Expected.
Despite the activity of Mr. Perkins and
his lieutenants, the administration re-
fuses to believe that ex-President Rooss-
Welt is party TO II or that he has thus
far been even wholly aware of the meth
ods which are being employed TO impress
on him the istence of "a demand for
his candidacy. 1t is felt, however, that
these methods are of a character which
must soon come to the knowledge OF
Colonel Roosevelt, and entire confidence
is expressed that once they do he will
repudiate Mr.. Perkins and his lieuten-
ants quite as effectualy as Governor
Wilson repudiated the support of Colonel
Harvey.
1t Is pointed Out that Colonel Roose-
welt is under no obligations to Mr.. Per-
kins which would make such step an
act of ingratitude, and that ii is there
fore no reflection on Colonel Roosevelt
TO assume that he would repudiate meth
ods which are of character which cam
not possibly square With his ideals. II is
for this reason that the Vaccinations OF
Mr.. Perklna and other enemies of Pres-
dent Taft are viewed by the administra-
ton with an equanimity which is mex
plicable to those who have less faith In
Colonel Roosevelt
There are two facts in connection with
Colonel .Ioosevelt's position which are.
perhaps, more keenly appreciated by
those who know and believe in him thaa