The Washington times., 1912-01-29
ROOSEVELT MEN
PLAN DEFINITE
LINE OF ACTION
Prominent Republicans Map
Out Campaign for
Nomination.

Whether these plans are going to re-
suit in the defeat of President Taft and
the nomination of Colonel Roosevelt,
or some man other than Mr.. Taft is a
matter on which the opinions of poll
ticians differ widely. As to one fact,
however. there Is no longer any dis
pute. This is the formidable nature of
the ant-Taft movement that includes
the candidates. of Colonel Roosevelt
and Senators La Toilette and Cummins.
For many weeks the leaders Of the
Taft forces sought to make light of the
anri-Taft movement, and especially to
blanket the rotion that Colonel Roosc.
welt was seriously to be considered as
pc ssible nominee, But that sort Of
talk has been about silenced. The ef-
forts on the part Of influential Repub-
hcans to place Colonel Roosevelt in
and 80 formidable, and the indications
that Mr.. Roosevelt stands willing to ac
cept the nomination are 50 numerous.
that scarcely anyone now attempts to
portray the former Prcsideut as othsr
than receptive candidate.
The Roosevelt movement has as
sumed such proportions that President
Taft IL being urged by most OF his ad-
visers to take prompt steps for q most
aggressive campaign. One of the re-
suits Of the feeling OF Mr.. Taft's adj
lrisers that aggressive work must be
fdone is the tentative decision to open
headquarters in Washington nnd put
some good politician, probably Secre-
tary Hilles. in charge
Urge Vigorous Talk.
In his speeches, too, the President
has been urged to come out in most
vigorous fashion This has been espe-
ciaIy true Of his Ohio speeches. The
President is being counseicd by a num-
Der Of the men on whom he leans more
or less for advice that he must nut on
his nghting clothes and so after the
enemy ell along the line.
The program OF the Roosevelt leaders
is a comprehensive one. and they are
letting no grass grow under their feet
In their purpose to carry 1t out. One
part of 1t Is to keep the New York
delegation away from President Taft.
This accomplished. the Roosevelt men
believe they will have gone far to block
Mr.. Taft's denomination, for they will
be able to argue, with force. as they
believe, that Mr.. Taft cannot carry the
State in the elections, and that some
other man must be put up. The latest
word from the Roosevelt camp is that
two-thirds Of the New York delegates
are going to be pro-Roosevelt and op-
posed to the President.
New England is the seat too, of some
extremely active anti-Taft work. At
is being promoted there. the at Senator Logs tose
Spf Massachusetts, is helping the Roose-
Telt movement.
Pennsylvania Situation.
Despite the fact that Senator Penrose
Is saying that Pennsylvania will be
for President Taft. he has encountered
powerful opposition. 1t remains to be
seen whether he can iron things out.
The Roosevelt leaders still insist that
Pennsylvania will send to the conven-
ton an uninstructed delegation.
. In Ohio, the Roosevelt and anti-Taft
activity continues unabated.
The recent declaration Of Governor
GiasscoSk .O Of ~, West st. Virginia Virginia that he
and for the sixteen delegates from the
State. is pointed to by Roosevelt lead
ers as the best evidence Of what IL
o9hs All thronsh IN enss 'Gfs'S the Middle West the
Roosevelt movement is being carefully
fostered. BY no means an unimportant
feature of the situation Is that the
%bv are ssrd n IN
Senator Nelson will do nothing in behalf
of President Taft. Should this prove
true. 1t will be serious for the Admins
0ration.
Pacific Coast Instructed.
The word has gone to the Pacific
coast to active political workers to get
busy for Colonel Roosevelt. And there
Is authority for saying that much work
y being done there.
1t Is denied by the Roosevelt leaders
that they are doing much work In the
South. They declare 1t is not necessary,
and that If they make the showing
they expect in the rest Of the country
the South will join the procession. But
already the Roosevelt leaders profess to
have the delegations from half the
South corralled, including the delegates
from Texas, Louisiana, both Carolinas,
and scattering districts.
That there are some obstacles In their
path is not denied by the Roosevelt
leaders. For instance, there Is James
Hin is standing by President Taft be-
cause of reciprocity. And this support
Is a factor that Is worthy of considera-
ton. The attitude Of Senator Smoot is
taken to indicate that the Mormon
Church Influence is going to be for the
renomination of Mr.. Taft. and this is
powerful.
II Senator Penrose can keep Pennsyl-
mean much. Senator Crane will be of
value to the President In New England.
though 1t does not appear he intends 10
do much in the Massachusetts stua-
Iion.
Powerful Weapon Held.
Furthermore. there Is no doubt the
Administration has weapon in its
hands in Federal patronage. The
Roosevelt leaders insist that the Ad-
ministration is welding the patronage
whip in the most relentless fashion.
They insist they have evidence OF some
Of 1t, and that 1t Is likely to come out.
One Of the arguments that is being
made much of for the Administration
Is that to change horses now would be
in itself hurtful to the Republican
party. AS against this argument, the
Roosevelt, La Toilette, and Cummins
forces keep insisting that TO nominate
President Taft again means sure defeat,
and the dethronemept OF hosts OF Re
publican officeholders.
When all is said and done, this Is the
most powerful weapon used to break
down the Taft defenses, and II he
should fail of denomination II will be
largely due to the constant hammering
on this idea by his opponents.