Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-25
Time Is Ripe for Practical
Campaigning, Say Friends.
LEADERSHIP is LACKING
No One Now With Authority to Dl-
rect Fight for denomination.
TO AVOID DANGER OF STAMPEDE
Concern Over Situation at Chicago
if President Has Not Majority
of Instructed Delegates.

Senators and representatives who favor
the denomination of President Taft de-
clare that Information coming to them
from their respective constituencies shows
that the time is ripe for the President 5
friends to begin practical and vigorous
work i'm his behalf. tightening up their
lines and assuring instructed delegatlons.
They say that Favorable Taft senti-
lnent is generally existent, but that II
needs to be crystalliZed, and Immediately.
They point to the absence of personal
leadership and direction in his campaign
and deplore that condition They con-
trast IL with the situation at this stage
of the game four years ago, when prac-
teal and active propasanda, under def
mite direction. was in progress TO secure
Taft delegates.
They point out that while there is a
general impression that certain men are
at the head of the movement to ienom-
mate President Taft. there is mo- one Hla1,
nor even a group of men, who can be re-
garded as authoritative campaign man.
ayers, with whom the local leaders in
the states can communicate, and whose
decision will be authoritative ard final.
They say that what is needed at this
time, and indeed imperatively demanded,
is a director or a staff of directors who
can be relied upon to represent the Pies
ident and to stand by the action which
may be taken in his behalf by his friends
at large. as we'll as to assist in shaping
such action I'M aggressive form.
Need Publicity Bureau.
1t is also intimated that the admins
tration would do we'll to provide enlarged
facilities for, publicity, that is to say.
make it easier for the newspaper corre-
spondents who at least are independent
and disposed to give everybody fair
show, as well as those affirmatively for
the President candidacy, to obtain in
formation accurate and authoritative
about the state of the Taft campaign.
Among senators and representatives OF
the republican faith. omitting the avoWed
insurgents and hackers of Senator La
Toilette. there is general preference Tor
President Taft's denomination. but IT Is
said that there is danger of case or
what's everybody's business is nobody 8
business arising wherein valuable Op-
portunities will be lost for lack OF direc-
tion
rhis situation has been the subject OF
much discussion in the past few days ano,
ii might be said. of some complaint ana
cause of apprehension. Republicans who
have been associated with the 'oid guard
faction. so called. have hesitated ABOUT
pushing themselves forward as active
srunsoIs of Ine Presidents campaign
only moments reflection to show tnat
most of the potential leaders and man
ayers of the republican party are inciuued
in this category.
All of them. IL is declared. will gladly
turn to and help the campaign along at
an intimation from the President tnat
their public connection with his political
fortunes is acceptable to him and II they
can have an organization to work with.
Convention Gives Concern.
Some of these republican politicians
think that a very dangerous situation will
arise at Chicago if the convention assem-
bles without President Taft having a ma
jority of instructed delegates. They say
it will afford encouragement to his op-
ponents to resort to stampede methods
and at least occasion opportunity for dis
cussion of the possibility of the nomina-
ton of another.
What these friends of the President
want is an instructed majority which
will preclude possibility of stampede.
and then to devote their attention to
placating warning factions in the party
10 bring about as much harmony as
possible.
But they all say that the first step in
this direction should be taken imme-
diately-the selection of a definite head
or organization of heads TO direct the
campaign and to do things and say
things which the Presidents sense OF
delicacy might forbid him to undertake.
To put 1t more bluntly. they want
campaign manager with plenipotentiary
powers. somebody we can tie to" they
Mr. Hiiles or any one the President Will
stand by but they must have somebody