The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-09
PRESIDENT TAFT ID ASSUME OFFENSIVE IN THE CAMP PA|GN Will Open Headquarters Near the White House
 Immediately MIR. M'KINLEY WILL
 DIRECT THE FIGHT Announces That He Will Begin Series of Conferences With Prominent
 Regular Republicans
 at Once

Washington, February S.-Taft head quarters are to be opened here imme- diately and Representative William B.. Mckinley of Illinois, chairman of the republican congressional campaign com mlttee, will be in charge of the Presi- dents political interest from now until the Chicago convention This announce ment was made tonight.
 MT. Tafts friends have advised such a step, but no action was taken until the pressure of political work became so great that Secretary 1Iilles found it all most insupportable. Besides it was inter- fering seriously with the regular and necessary work of his office.
 MT. Mckinley, in his capacity as chair man of the republican congressional com- mittee, will have exceptional means of keeping in close touch witis political af- fairs throughout the country.
 Near White House
 The headquarters will be opened as soon as suitable quarters can be found and these probably will be within easy hail of the White House.
 Mr Mckinley this evening announces his intention of holding a series of con ferences at once. He will begin tomor- TOW morning and the remainder of the week probably will be devoted to map ping out a plan of campaign. MT. Me Kin1ey later gave out statement con corning his appointment and his plans. He said:
 "The suggestion which came to me late this evening came as such a surprise that l must plead for time to think. l cannot make any prediction tonight except to reterate what Secretary Hilles already has said, that the renomination of MT. Taft is assured. It is however, the de- sire of the friends of the President throughout the country to have some cen- tral place from which they can be kept advised of the details of the campaign.
 Central Bureau
 "The idea now is to arrange within a few days for a central bureau, from which the country will also be informed in a thorough manner as to what the administration has accomplished There will be no attacks .on other candidates nor intriguing; it will be an open cam paign. MT Taft will stand on the rec ord of his administration and the record of his party.
 AS to when headquarters will be es- abolished in Washington l cannot state, until I have had opportunity to confer with the party leaders. I will start to work in. the morning.
 The sudden announcement of the de- csion to open headquarters here imme- diately came as complete surprise. but it occasioned no more surprise than did the selection of MT. Mckinley to take comand.
 Frequent Visitor
 It was recalled tonight, however, that MT. Mckinley has been a constant visitor at the White House daring the past Few weeks. He has conferred with the Pres ident and MT. Hilles almost daily, On one of his recent visits he was asked whether he would accept reelection as chairman of the republican congressional campaign committee.
 Well" he said, laughingly. I'm a little fellow and I would have some diff fculty in resgning.'
 In the national campaign the congress sional committee of which Mir. Mckinley then, as now. was chairman, worked in complete harmony with the republican national committee in advancing Mir. Taft's political fortunes The work done then by Mir. Mckinley, it is believed. had much to do with his selection again to look out for MT. Tafts fences.
 Postmaster General Hitchcock, who is taking an active part with Secretary Hilles in the pre-convention work for Mir. Taft, will be among the first with whom MT. Mckinley will consult. The Postmaster General, Mfr. Hilles and MT. Mckinley probably will go over the sit nation together tomorrow and make ten- tative plans for the launching of the campaign. a-.sss, '.