The Washington times., 1912-06-26
Clark Men Say He Should
Have Accepted Kern's
Compromise.
BELIEVE HE LOST
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Some Of Speakers Friends Do
Not Relish Too Close Tam
many Alliance.
By JOHN sSNURE.


Clark men today, frankly said that
Judge arPker yesterday made a mis-
take when he did not instantly accept
the offer Of Senator Kern for a COM
promise on the temporary chairman
ship. They say that II this had been
done 1t would have removed large
stumbling block to harmony here.
suppose, Parker had jumped to his
feet at once, had said to Mr.. Kern, "I
am with you in desiring peace, and
propose So and So for chairman. Do
you agree with me-" Mr.. Parker
would have been the biggest man of
the country. But he let the oppor-
tunity pass and now the aPrker mat
ter is being used to hurt Clark
chances
Some of the Clark men say that the
selfish desires of New York polite.
ians. meaning Tammany leaders, are
largely responsible for the troubles
now arising from the fact that
Clark's progressivism is being chal-
lensed. The fact that Murphy sent
Congressman Fitzgerald to the plat
| form to make a speech for aPrker
was not relished by Clark leaders,
who didn't want the combination with
Tammany to be too conspicuous.
Fighting Desperately.
| Still fighting desperately in spite of
the defeat of William J. Bryan for tenn
porary chairman, the forces OF pro-
gressiVism in the Democratic national
convention the battling drive back
! the triumphant Clark coherents. Last
, night and far into the morning, they
We're keeping up the battle. This morn
ing they were once more in the thick of
| the fray "
For the purpose Of helping prevent
the nomination of Clark, the Under
| wood and Harmon forces are for the
| time being enlisted with the Wilson
ana Bryan delegates. Every effort is
pelnS made to form some combination
that VIII hold against the apparently
victorious Missourian, whose legions
haye thus far been sweeping things
the, song of the "Houn' Dawg."
The combined opposition to Clark is
py TINS time aware that this same
Houn Is rot an animal that can be
kicked about easily or with impunity.
he has become a beast that has to be
treated with consideration.
The only hope of beating Clark lies
made his appeal to the convention II
was an eloquent appeal. 1t carried in
IT to thoughtful Democrats a note of
prophecy as to what would happen the
before the country tainted with the
support of Ryan and Belmont and Boss
Murphy. Bryan, to be sure. did not
attack attack Clark. G,dl He cannot well do 30,
| being Clark delegate from Nebra ska
But everybody realized he was striking
blows at the Clark candidacy while hit
ting at Parker.
Now the question that remains in this
convention Is whether the moving
words of the Nebraskan will go out tc
the country and so stir up opposition
to Clark and the men backing him as
to lead some of his strength to desert
him. This is what the Wilson men still
insist will happen. And this is what
the opponents OF Clark generally are
praying for.
Still Fear Roosevelt.
The utmost use possible is being made
Of the cry:
Nominate Clark after the perform
ance in electing Parker and Roosevelt
Will be President"
The ugly temper of many of the Bry-
antics in this convention who resent
the manner in which their hero was
treated is making them a factor in the
, situation.
Meantime. with the struggle still surg
ing about them, former Senator Dubois
and Senator Stone of Missouri, are de-
claring at the Clark headquarters that
1t is all over and their fight is won
This Is so far true. that they have
begun to talk about plans for the cam
) naiGn on the assumption Clark is to be
, nominated. The question of the national
Craftsmanship is being discussed in Clark
circles. The division of opinion has al
: to be chairman Others say Dubois is
the man to take the lead,
: Question of Funds.
The question of campaign funds Is
already being considered. II Clark is
named, there will be plenty of campaign
money available. This fact is assured.
The men AT the helm in the Clark
organization. plan a campaign that will
3 be no child's play. In framing up the
combination that has pushed Champ
Clark to the point where he is in this
fight, they have shown themselves mas
ters of organization. Among them are
, men who have genius in this respect
who are peculiarly capable in the mat
ter OF smoothing down differences and
matchmaking seemingly conflicting ele-
ments.
1t !s a strange thing that brings such
rcn as Pettigrew, of South Dakota
!, and many Western progresslves into
: working partnership with Ryan and
: belmont. and Murphy, and Roger Sui.
s livan. and Tnggnrt. But the fact re,
= mains that 1t has been effected, and
e the campaign tho Clark people purpos,
S will be one OF mastery organize ton
e Speaker Clalk will be kept OFF thC
l. stumr. II" will be figurehead, iusa =.
e he has been III the pre- convention fight
s The Speaker Il in close touch will
the situation here. A special wire hai
, been run into mis- ofiice connecting witt
d the Clark headquarters here. He know
:. what Is dnfng every minute But h
y is not the directing spirit.
:, Last night and today the Speaker wa,
e at the high pitch of good spirits oveI
g the news his managers gave him from
Baltimore.