Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-26
Taft Leaders Driven to
Complete Rout at St.
Louis.
INSTRUCT DELEGATES
Presidents Supporters Charge
Violation of a "GentIemen'S
Agreement"

St Louis, April Ex-Governor Had
ley and his friends swung the Mis-
souri, state republican convention for
Roosevelt after 24-hour deadlock, in
which the Taft leaders were driven TO
a complete route. IN the delegates-at-
large 70 the national convention, in
cluding Governor Hadley. all Roose-
welt men were elected, after two Taft
leaders had been elected, and then re-
signed when the convention voted in
structions for Roosevelt. The conven-
tion, which adjourned at G.3O this
morning. Was one of the most stub
bornly contested in the history Of re-
publican politics in the state.
BROKEN FAITH ALLEGED.
The Taft delegates, Mayor Kreis-
mann Of st. Louis and Charles Norris
of ST. Joseph, in resigning, charged Vi
olation OF a "geutlemcn's agreement"
and they declared the Roosevelt man
ayers assured them the delegates-at-
large would be uninstructed.
Thomas Niedringhaus of st. Louis
was elected national committeeman
for Missouri 10 succeed Secretary Of
Commerce and Labor Nagel.
TAFT DELEG ATES NAMED.
The Taft leaders, dissatisfied with
the results Of the republican state con-
ycntiCl, met this morning and named
four dolegatcs-at-large TO the national
convention.
TAFT DENIES STATEMENT.
New York, April 2G.-Before leaving
the home OF his brother. Henry W.
Taft, 20 attend the funeral OF Major
General Grant, President Taft issued a
formal denial that he said in his
Springfield. Mass, speech yesterday,
that Roosevelt would be dictator and
stick 10 the White house like a leach
if he we're elected for a third term.
oyster Bay April 2G.-Roosevelt ir
a speech at Worcester tonight, promis
es 20 reply strongly TO Taft. The col
onel is in a jovial mood and thorough
Iy aroused for fight.
COLONEL IN 4 DENIAL.
Oyster Bay. y. Y, April 2G.-"ThC
port is nonsense" said Coionel Roose
welt last night in statement setting
forth his connection with the Interna
tional Harvester company case.
Colonel Roosevelt asserted that at Z
meeting with his cabinet, at which Mr.
Taft was present. II was decided tha
the bureau of corporations be instruct
81.
Harvester company before any sui
was instituted. following the usua
course OF procedure in such cases. Mr.
Taft, he added, concurred in this de
Cision
During the remainder Of his admins
tration, a period of year and halt
Colonel Roosevelt said, the commits
sioner OF corporations was unable 4
complete his Investigation lie sat
that in the three years OF the presen
administration Mr.. Taft at any tim
could have ordered the attorney ger
eral 20 bring suit against the Harves
ter company OF could have requeste
the commissioner OF corporations &
hasten his investigation. but that Nj
II art mad taken no action. except tha
now taken five days before the Massl
chusetts primary"
REFERS TO SECURITIES CASE.
Colonel Roosevelt also said tha
when the Northern Securities suit wa
brought against the Morgan interest
IN 1904 be was expecting to run 70
president. but that when the Harve!
ter company matter came up In l9O
he knew he would not be a candidat
the following year. so that II the a,
ton taken in this case did secure III
good will of any Of the Morgan inte
ests for anybody. It secured their goo
will for Mr.. Taft"