The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-03-06
TAFT AFRAID TO
TRUST CHANGES
TO THE PEOPLE
Manager Plays School Boy in
Evading Challenge to the
Popular Will

Washington. March 6.-Senator
Joseph NJ. Dixon. chairman of the
Roosevelt executive committee, today
challenged the Taft campaign forces
to test by means of primaries in
every state in the union" Senator
Dixon conveyed the proposal in a let
ter to Representative William Il. Nc
kinley, director of the national Taft
Nureau.
Director Mckinley today sent let
er to Senator Dixon asking of the
proposal We're male with the authori-
ty of Colonel Roosevelt and also ask
chairman of the Roosevelt executive
committee either by selection or au-
thority Of the colonel.
Senator Dixon's letter was as fol-
lows:
My Dear Mckinley:
For the purpose of determining
definitely whether the Republican vot-
ers OF the country desire Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt for president as
their candidate in the approaching
presidential cmpaign. l hereby chal-
lenge you to test by means Of prim-
aries in every state in the union"
Senator Dixon states that the obvi-
GUS purpose of both the Republican
campaign committees is to elect a Re-
publican next fall; that both are in
terested primarily in the success of
the party; and that the first requisite
to success is to choose the candidate
with the greatest popular strength.
We ought to have free and VOL
untary expression of opinion directly
from the voters who will carry the
ballots that will determine finally the
verdict at the polls" the letter con-
irp1n . a
the voters want Is before the nomina-
ton is made, rather than afterward.
1t will be too late after the convention
is held"
Senator Dixon states that the ma
tfonal committee was not justified in
leaving the primary question to the
action of the states.
In every state and district in the
union. proper arrangements can be
made and effectively carried out" he
says For securing a free and VOL
republican voters. If it cannot be
done by state wide primary, which
would be preferable, it can be ar
ranged for by districts under the SUI
pervision Of proper committees"
The letter calls attention to the va
rious states where arrangements have
been or are being made for primaries
and adds:
With your cooperation similar ar
rangements no doubt can be effected
in all other states where legislatures
OF presidential preference primary
laws. l am informed that in several
states where the presidential prefer
ence primary question is awaiting leg
islative action. the influence of men
who are working with you is cast de.
termtnedly in opposition. Your Coop
GRAFTON with me in such states no
doubt would result in the enactment
Of these laws and the considerable
spread thereby of presidential prefer
ence primary under direct legal sane.
ton by the state.
Let us call your attention again
to the fact that Colonel Roosevelt has
declared repeatedly that he is not an
active candidate for the nomination,
but will accept 1t If it comes to him
as the demand of the voters of the
party. His letter to Mr.. Moore Of
Pittsburg. sent out by your headquar-
ters last night and published in the
newspapers this morning in an addi-
ttonal proof of this attitude and Of the
fact that In now saying he will accept
the nomination under the conditions
specified he is merely responding to q
popular demand.
THE voters Of the country have the
unquestlonable right to express their
desire. and I sincerely trust you will
accept this challenge and prepare to
cooperate with me in the arrange
ment Of such primaries.
commissioned officers are neces.
sary to direct an army but it is the
rank and file that win the victories.
Respectfully yours.
Joseph NJ. Dixon"
McKinley's Reply.
Director McKinley's letter In reply
was brief. He wrote:
II am just in receipt Of your letter
Of the 5th inst. delivered by special
messenger. Since you are pleased to
apply to your communication so grave
term as challenge. 1t becomes some-
what important to have our respective
relations to candidates made clear at
the outset.
II would. therefore. say tht have
been asked by President Taft to act as
director Of bureau with headquar-
ters In Washington. organized for the
purpose Of securing his denomination
for Q second term. Before answering
your challenge, I desire to know
whether you are acting 40 chairman
Of the Roosevelt executive committee,
either by selection or authority of Mr..
Roosevelt. and also whether your 10.
called challenge was issued by au.
thority Of Mr.. Roosevelt, whose nom.