The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-06

Roosevelts executive chairman:
 My Dear NIr. Mckinley:
 For the purpose of determining def1- nitely whether the republican voters of the country desire Col. Theodore Roose- welt or President Taft as their candi- date in the approaching presidential cam paign, I hereby challenge you to test by means of primaries in every state in the unon." Senator Dixon states that the obvious purpose of both the republican campaign committees is to elect a republican next | fall that both are interested primarily in the success of the party; and that the first requisite to such success is to choose the candidate with the greatest popular strength.
 Need Free Expression / We ought 10 have a free and volun- | tary expression of opinion directly from the voters. who will carry the ballots that will determine finally the verdict at the polls" the letter continues. "The time 10 find out what the voters want is before the nomination is made rather than afterwards. It will be too late after the convention is held"
 Senator Dixon states that the repub- lican national eomnmtee was not justified in leaving the primary question to the action of the states.
 
 proper arrangements can be made and effectively carried out, he said, flor securing free and voluntary express sion of the will of the republican voters. If it cannot be done by a statewide pri- mary, which would be preferable, 1t can be arranged for districts under the su- pervision of proper committees" The letter calls attention to the various states where arrangements have been or ara hainp made for nrna ripS and adds.
 Could Have Primaries
 with your cooperation similar ar engagements no doubt can be effected in all other states where legislatures are not now considering the enactment of presi- dential preference primary laws l am informed that in several states where the presidential preference primary question is awaiting legislative action the influence of men who are working with you is cast determinedly in opposition. Your cooper ation with me in such states, no doubt, would result in the enactment of these laws and the considerable spread thereby of the presidential preference primary un- der direct legal sanction by the state. Let me call your attention again to the | fact that Colonel Roosevelt has declared | repeatedly that he is not an active can didate for the nomination but will accept | it if it comes to him the demand of the voters of the party. His letter to | Mr. Moore of Pittsburg, sent out by | your headquarters last night and pub lished in the newspapers this morning, Is al additional proof of this attitude, and of the fact that in now saying he will accept the nomination under the condi- tions specified he is merely responding to a popular demand.
 "The voters of the country have an un- questionable right 10 press their desire, I h afo challenge and prepare to cooperate with mo in the arrangements of such primaries. Commissioned officers are necessary 10 diI ect an army, but it is the rank and file that win the victory. Respectfully yours, JOSEPH M. DIXON"
 Mckinley's Reply
 Director McKinley's letter in reply was brief. He wrote:
 q am just in receipt of your letter of the 5th inst, delivered by special mes- senger. Since you are pleased to apply to your combination so grave term a g challenge it becomes somewhat important to have our respective relations to candi- dates made clear at the outset.
 'I would therefore say that l have been asked by President Taft to act as di- rector of a bureau with headquarters jn Washington. organized for the purpose of securing of his renomination. Before an swering your challenge l desire to know whether you are acting as chairman of the Roosevelt executive committee, either by selection or by authority of MT Roose- welt, and also whether your so-called challenge was issued by authority of MT. Roosevelt, whose nomination for a third term as President ] understand you and your organization are attempting to se- cure. Respectfully yours.
 CIVILIAN B. M'KINLEY,
 
 Use of Patronage The national Roosevelt headquarters gave out a statement today. It says:
 Further evidence of the manner in which the administration campaign managers are conducting the fight for delegates has come to light in a cir cular letter which is being sent to post masters and other federal employees throughout the northwest.
 That a similar form of letter writ ing is being observed throughout the south already has been stated, but it's exact terms have not as yet come to the fore.
 "The letters received by the federal employees in the northwest are very fnessely worded in verbage-such let ters as only the diplomatic MT. Me 1Iinley could well turn away from his pen. and abound with yelled insnua- l ting threats and praise.
 "Boundless enthusiasm is expressed and it is declared without hesitation | that the sentiment in favor of the nom ination of President Taft is rapidly growing. Hints are then thrown out that assistance of all good office hold CTS is needed.
 MT Mckinley evidently forgetting the optimism expressed in the pre- ceding paragraph says different things. | Already several hundred letters have gone forth More contain a personal vein and appeals to federal office hold CTS displaying reluctance to render aid. Tn these later epistles 1t is stated the hints as to what would be the portion of federal servants who fail to faithfully serve the interests of President Taft are made more plain" With the statement the Roosevelt headquarters gave out a copy of one of the Taft circular letters addressed in blank After expressing optimism Taft and the opening of the national Taft bureau, the letter concludes:
 Tt will be the aim of this bureau of publicity to conduct a dignifed and energetic campaign in keeping with the Presidents ideals. l would therefore thank you to render such assistance as you can, consistent with your duties. and would appreciate an early reply, giving me such information as in your PLANTS HOG