The Washington herald., 1912-06-09
.FLINN EVOLVES
4 BATTLE PLAN
VIII Force Roosevelt Delegates Into
Convention and Shout Down
Taft Followers.
CLAIM TO HAVE $40 DELEGATES
d. HuGH 5. NfILLER.

Chicago, June S-Unlted States Senator
Boies Penrose OF Pennsylvania, known
In his State as 'the boy" because OF his
half century's experience as a profess
sional politician, locked horns to-day
with "Old BIZ Finn. OF Pittsburg. who,
besides being an elder In one OF the
Smoky City's best Presbyterian churches.
Is a contractor Of note, and the same
Finn who threw Penrose over the ropes
in the Pennsylvania fight which took
place April l6 or thereabouts.
This was the net result.
Finn made the first move in behalf
OF Col. Roosevelt. Under his direction
steering committee of twenty-one was
at once organized, and he elected him
self chairman.
It was then decided that Theodore
Roosevelt should bolt the convention and
that he should be placed in nomination
by the delegates who are pledged to sup
port him.
Taft Leaders Plan.
Two hundred feet away in another room
in the same hotel was Senator Penrose,
his ancient enemy and the chief political
adviser Of the Taft forces. GrimIy SenR-
tor Penrose heard the news OF Flinns ac-
tivities.
Half an hour later the word had gone
out from Senator Penrose that as soon as
the prayer which opens the convention is
said the Taft delegates should jam
through what is known as the famous
COnkIing resolution which pledges every
delegate not to bolt the convention.
Having concluded these preliminary ar
rangements old Bill Finn and Sena-
tor Boise Penrose went to dinner-but
not together-and spent pleasant even
ing with nothing to do till Tomorrow -
Theodore Roosevelt will bolt the con-
vention, or he will not bolt it, n all
depends on whether one looks at Il from
the Roosevelt or the Taft side. 1t is the
intention Of the Roosevelt leaders to
nominate the colonel in the Coliseum on
the date set for that item on the pro-
gramme, and to then present him to the
people Of the United States as their
choice for the Presidency.
No Rump Convention.
There will be no rump convention. no
mass meeting in another hall. The
Roosevelt leaders claim they have SO
delegates. including 16O of the 80 con-
tests. This means that regardless Of what
the Taft steam roller may do toward
fatteninG out the Roosevelt claims-and
when the supper bell rang tonight II
showed no signs of breaking dOwn-the
Roosevelt people will take into the hall
100 Of their contestants and will give
them seats meEhere in the auditorium.
With the $40 uncOntested delegates they
claim and the $50 they will force II nee
essary into the hall-6IO in ala con-
vention will be held. A chairman will
be elected. a platform will be adopted.
other routine matters will be attended
to, and Theodore Roosevelt will be nomi-
mated for the presidency. 1t will make
no difference whether Senator Elihu Root,
the Taft chairman. is pounding franti-
cally for order in one end OF the hall.
Can't Bolt from Self.
This is the plan on which the Taft
leaders were attacked to-day. under the
general Jurisdiction OF "OId BiII' Finn.
of Pittsburg. When the sun went down
tonight. it was the positive intention of
the Roosevelt leaders to nominate RoOse-
welt. It will not be a bolt. they say.
How could he bolt from himself?" said
George L. Record. of New Jersey, who
is here to aid in the fight.
AS an incidental step in the develop
ment OF this plan. Finn to-day called
about him all the available strong men
in the Roosevelt camp, and organized
a committee Of twenty-five to button
hole delegates as they arrive.
Senator Penrose and his associates in
the Taft camp denied they were at all
perturbed about the arrival of Finn
Nerertheless, Penrose, who is both per-
sonally and politically interested in Mr..
Films doings, for reasons quite be-
tween themselves, spent a bong day In
hard work. He was putting
more coal in the steam roller in short.