Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-13

his fight for Wilson delegates to the
democratic national convention to his own
congressional district, but he announced
today that he will contest to the last
ditch for action by the democratic state
central committee favoring a statewide
expression of democrats to govern the Sc
lection and instruction Of the six dele
gates at large to the Baltimore conven-
ton. If such an expression is agreed
to by the committee Representative Whit
acre proposes to do his utmost to help
along the cause of Gov. Wilson through
out the state. The Ohio representative
was angered by a report sent to Ohio
that he had agreed to compromise in
his district, which would result in the
election of himself and one of Gov. Har-
mons friends as the two delegates to
the Baltimore convention. Denouncing
this report as absurd and without any
foundation in fact. Mr.. Whitacre said:
There will be no compromise. Instead,
there will be straight out-and-out fight.
The sentiment of my district is for Wood
row Wilson, as against Gov. Harmon. ]
am going to the Baltimore convention
to vote for Woodrow Wilson. and there
will be many other Wilson delegates
from Ohio. Harmon men will have to
fight me in the open in my district, for
the people will elect their delegates in
open primary to be held May q.
THE organization that is working for
Of men who are holding state offices. just
as the Taft organization in the south
is made up of federal Office holders, !"
continued Mr.. Whitacre- 'These men are
leaving no stone unturned in their fight
for delegates In many instances they
are candidates for delegates themselves"
The Wilson bureau also gave out the
following:
THE friends of Gov Woodrow Wilson
are immensely pleased with the action
of fhn .1,,1cn lot IN, an
acting a presidential preference primary
law. 1t was the New Jersey executive
who took the lead for the passage of
up-to-date preferential primary iegisla-
ton in the eastern states, and the Geran
law providing for direct primaries in New
Jersey. which was passed as the result
of persistent efforts on the part of Gov.
Wilson, is regarded as a model of it's
kind the country over.
Not only is Gov. Wilson one of the
leading advocates of the presidential
preference primary, but as recently as
last week his campaign manager, Mr..
William F. McCombs. came out in a
statement urging the adoption of the plan
in every state. In his statement he said:
7 do not doubt that Gov. Wilson will
be nominated under the existing cOnven-
ton system, but the primary plan would
render this assurance doubly sure
Gov. Wilson's friends are confident that
they will have most of the support OF
states to the Baltimore convention, and
they do not doubt that the presidential
primary law in Massachusetts will have
the effect of adding to and materially in
creasing that already large strength.
While the Roosevelt boomers make
much of the fact that this ACTION is
Roosevelt victory, the fact remains that
the law was passed because few Of the
republican members of the legislature
voted with the democrats who solldly
supported the primary law.
The Massachusetts, primary is a demo-
cratic institution, and is hailed with en-
thus.asm by the progressive leaders OF
the party. Although Gov. Foss is deserv-
eddy popular in his state, primary
tends always to weaken a favorite son
who is really not in the running:
Reports from Massachusetts. both from
friendly and unfriendly sources agree
that the new law is an advantage to VIII
son-the only democratic cand date who
is running in every state of the Union.
According to a statement issued from
the Taft headquarters last night, organ
izations of business men are being form
ed throughout the country in the interest
Of President Taft. Reports from Ne"
York, Philade phia, Chicago, st. Louis,
Boston and San Francisco show that the
business men are forming clubs and DEN
mite organizations for the purpose OF IN
surfing the denomination of the Presl-
dent. In Pittsburgh tonight conference
will be held at the Fort Pitt Hotel. In
which will participate manufacturers,
business men, wholesale and retail mer
chants laboring men, railroad men ana
men representing various professions.
B. F. Jones, jr.. president Of the Jones q
Laughlin Steel Company, will preside.
The purpose of the meeting is stated as
follows:
THE meeting will be a gathering or
men called to take some concerted action
looking toward the conserving of their
business and to find some manner of COM
batting the influences which threaten.
their commercial existence. 1t Will be
body of conservative men, many of whom
have had tangible experience Of the dis
asters which have resulted from playing
fast and loose with the established prln-
ciples of this republic
Director Dixon of the Roosevelt ma
tional committee has sent the following
telegram to Matthew Hale of Boston:
1.-THE action of the Massachusetts legis-
lature in passing the presidential primary
bill marks the downfall of political priv
ilege in the old Bay state. 1t is generally
realized here that this enactment will
serve as an inspiration to other states
WHICH also are struggling to throw off
the choking grip of political machines
and give impetus to the country wide
movement for a free and voluntary
expression by the voters of the
desire to lead them In the approaching
campaign. In forcing the passage of this
bill. progressive republicans do not act
alone in the interests of the party with
| which they are identified. but of the pub
lie as q whole. OF course, there can be
as there ought to be no question that
Gov. Foss will give his approval to this
great peoples measure. Such action on
his part Is required by the necessity of
granting to the people the right of self