The Washington herald., 1912-02-06
IA TOILETTE NOW
OUT OF THE RACE
MediIl McCarmick Issues a
Card Aligning Himselfwith
Roosevelt Forces.
MORE DEsERTIONS SEEN

After one of the longest and hardest
fights in the history Of American poll
tics, Senator La Toilette last night au-
thorized a statement which is regarded
by even his friends as an admission that
he can no longer continue to the lead in
the progressive cause. or make the fight
for the Presidency that he has planned.
Throughout yesterday the Senator had
under consideration an unqualified with
drawaI He is under no illusions as 10
his physical condition. He knows as well
as his friends that he is now absolutely
UNIT TO take part in any political battle.
but his managers, unwilling TO permit
him To withdraw till the last hope has
ebbed, persuaded him to modify the
statement When Il was issued II was to
the effect that he must take Few weeks
rest; that his friends would have TO make
his fiEht for him; that where delegates
could not be instructed for him an enori
should be made to secure delegates
pledged to the progressive principles, and
that in order TO prove his sincerity, his
name would be presented to the hepuo-
lican national convention.
The statement was issued by W. L.
Houser, Senator La Follette's manager
in this city. With him, during its
preparation, were Senators Bourne and
Bristow, both La Follette's friends. Both
were in a serious frame OF mind and did
not conceal their belief that Mr.. La
Toilette had been practically eliminated
from the Presidential race.
Mccormick Goes TO Roosevelt.
The first evidence OF the dissolution of
of the La Toilette boom came last night
in the announcement that Medill Nc
Cormick, of the Chicago family OF that
name, and part owner Of the Chicago
Tribune, had deserted La Toilette for
Roosevelt 1t is expected that the action
Of Mccormick will be followed in a few
DAYS by a similar declaration on the
part of Clifford Pinchot and other La
Toilette supporters. Mr.. Mccormick has
been actively identified with the La Fol-
lette movement since its beginning, hav-
ing been one Of the active managers, as
we'll as one Of the most liberal con-
tributors.
It was learned last night that at the
meeting Of the La Toilette managers
several days ago both Mccormick and
Clifford Pinchot Joined in serving notice
that they would no longer tolerate the
open hostility that la Toilette was show
ing toward the Roosevelt movement At
that meeting the withdrawal Of McCor-
mick and Pinchot from the La Toilette
boom was foreshadowed. Mr.. Pinchct
has contributed about $4,000 10 the La
Toilette movement, and II he joins Nc
Cormick in switching to Roosevelt, as
now seems certain. two of la Toilette $
principal financial hackers will have left
him.
Mr.. Mccormick Statement.
Here is the statement issued last night
by Mr.. Mccormick:
TO the Illinois Progressive Republican LeaEGs:
Considering all the circumstances, in-
cluding Senator la Follette's physical
condition, in the opinion OF the over
whelming majority OF the progressive
members of both houses Of Congress,
proEressives in Illinois must unite
to send Roosevelt delegates to
the next Republican national convention.
With Roosevelt and Jones, the progress
sives can sweep Illinois and establish, in
State and nation, progressive administra-
tions which will substitute a policy OF
positive leadership for a policy Of COM
promise with principle or concession to
special interests.
"MEDILL MCCORMICK"