Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-03
Fails to Authorize Organized
Fight in His Behalf.
ADOPTS PASSIVE ATTITUDE
Holds That if the People Want Him
They Will Nominate Him.
GETS ENCOURAGING REPORTS
Effective Work Done for Him by
Supporters-Ex-Gov. Herrick
at the White House.

There will be no Taft headquarters
In Washington. That Is the way 1T looks
today. The President has not yet passed
the word that will authorize anything like
an organization in his behalf. He still
believes that if the people want him they
should nominate him upon his record and
without the activities that accompany
an organization. Some friends urge him
to permit the opening of an establish
ment where those favoring his nomina-
ton may go and receive instructions as
to what to do.
Others take the position that the Presi-
dent does not need organization, and that
he will be nominated without 1t. What
ever fight there is being made by sup
porters Of the President. with no par
ticular head to direct the work except
Secretary Hilles. single-handed doing the
best he can and handicapped by official
duties.
The Presidents friends declare that the
outlook for his nomination Is brigh ,er
every day. but they also declare that
this is true despite the absence Of organ
1zation and because willing friends are
rising and voluntarily forcing the issue
as between him and others who are either
openly in the field or in the background
waiting for developments.
II begins to look as If the same lack
OF organization will continue in many
of the states. the Taft fight going on
by volunteers. The fighting everywhere
VIII be between self-constituted volun-
teer troops, and regular troops. disciplin-
ed under the best political fighters in
the country. enthusiastic and eager.
Wherever organization has been made
1t is elective and that &c hA hopof,,I
feature OF the situation for Taft sup
porters. They have been slow in get
ting their organizations to working. But
all reports are that the work has shown
colors
Feeling in Congress.
number of strong friends of the
President In Congress and elsewhere are
threatening to go forward with a gen
eral organization in his behalf, of a
strictly voluntary nature, without con-
sulting him.
NO movement toward that end. how
eyer. has yet ben made The talked
rose and Crane is now without either
head or quarters. Congress is full of
loyal friends of the President willing
and anxious to do something in his be-
half, but in the absence Of concerted
effort or understanding, they are simply
waiting, keeping an eye on the situation.
with organization they would declare
their positions and fly the flag that is
considered SO essential to the rallying of
the elements really favorable to the
President. but still "in the bushes ac-
cording to a western term.
Ex-Gov. Herrick Luncheon Guest.
Ex-Gov Myron Herrick of Ohio was a
guest of President Taft at luncheon
this afternoon. Reports have placed Mr.
Herrick in charge Of Taft headquarters
here, but the fact is that Mr. Herrick
has been offered the position Of am
bassador to France. and his visit to the
President today was to talk about that
Naturally he will talk politics, too. He
is one Of the best liked men Ohio has and
knows the situation there well. He has
told the President that the delegates Of
the state will be for him.
Claims West Virginia for Taft.
The visit Of ex-Representative Wood
yard Of West Virginia at the White
House today discloses a situation there
similar to other states. The Roosevelt
men, headed by Gov. Glasscock. have
perfect organization and are beating the
bushes with all the noise possible.
The Taft men are spontaneously getting
together under the leadership of q few
men, but thy are slow in starting. the
opposition having long start. But Mr..
woodward declared today that Mr.. Taft
would get the delegates from that state
''In spite of the lack of organization
the Taft people will carry West Virginia
for the President" asserted Mr.. Wood
yard.
Thousands of substantial men are now
coming to the front for the President and
their influence will be felt in plenty OF
time to give him the delegates, but it is
the most peculiar situa-
ton 1 ever saw in presidential politics. 1t
is only because the people, quiet. forceful
men, want the President that he will be
as l am sure he will. He has
the support Of the large majority of true
faithful to their party and
to it's real policies and traditions"
Two More Taft Delegates.
Joseph L. Crupper Of Alexandra said at
the White House today that President
Taft will in a few days have two dele
gates from Virginia, the first to be elected
in that state. The republican convention
Of the eighth congressional district will
assemble in Alexandria February II.
'"rhirty-two out Of seventy-six delegates
to the convention have already been
elected and every man is instructed to
support Taft men for delegates to the
national convention" said Mr.. Crupper.
THE two delegates to be elected Will
be true friends of the President, Taft
men at heart, and they will be instructed
BY the convention to stand by him to
he last The other congressional dis |
.ricts In Virginia will follow suit and all
will be for him"
Thomas A. NARROW. national commit !
.eeman Of Montana. today called the
White House by long-d stance telephone |
rom New York and declared that news |
paper reports that he and other Montana |
republicans were In New York to of1er |
hat state to Roosevelt were untrue.
I'VE are here on business and do not |
expect to see Col. Roosevelt or anybody |
him." declared Mr.. NARROW,
who said he also spoke for ex-senator |
Mantle, Nathan Godfrey and DR.. O. M.
Landstrum. who are in New York with |
him.
Mammoth Cave a National Park.
Senator Bradley today introduced to the
President MAI M. X. Crump OF Bowling |
Green, KY, who Is seeking to have the