Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-22
TAFT HAS PROBLEM
Who Shall Be Running Mate?
Is the Issue.
HIS POSITION A SECRET
Gives No Intimation as to Just
Whom He Favors.
BARNES HAS GREAT POWER
Nav Force the denomination of
Sherman, Rather Than a
Progressive.
HIS POSITION A SECRET
BARNES HAS GREAT POWER

President Taft today faced the prob
lem of deciding whether he would or
would not dictate his running mate on
the republican national ticket
With every prospect that he would be
the republican nominee for President
before midnight. and that the extremely
important question Of filing second
place would be taken up by the conven-
ton Immediately after his own nomina-
ton. the President gave no intimation
to the few callers who saw him as to
his position in this matter.
The unofficial view around the White
House was strong that the President
would absolutely decline to intimate
whom he would prefer on the ticket,
and that he would leave the whole ques-
ton to the convention.
Favor a Progressive.
Considering the advantages to be gain
ed. it is the almost unanimous view OF
close friends Of the President that the
ticket would be strengthened by the NAM
ing OF progressive as running mate with
the President. They feel that the per-
sonality and popularity Of Vice President
Sherman should not be permitted to out
weigh the larger considerations Of policy
and success for the ticket.
The argument they advance is that the
republican leaders in the convention can
not safely ignore the sentiment that is
represented by Roosevelt. Hadley, Borah.
La Toilette and other progressives. That
sentiment must have recognition some
where on the ticket. The President him
self holds a. middle ground between the
ultra-conservative and the progressive.
His work. it was expected. would give
him strength with the progressives when
his record was better understood and
when his proposed policies are made pub
lie. But It was declared that the
threatened bolt Of Roosevelt might be
averted If a sane progressive should be
placed on the ticket with him.
Arguments for Sherman.
AS opposed to the idea of a pro-
gressive on the ticket the friends of
the Vice President urge that the fight
this fall must be made upon the record
of the administration and that Mr..
Sherman is a part of this record; that
he is a good campaigner and popular
man, even though part Of the old
guard of New York; that the President
will be able to hold the progressiyes
in line by announcements. through
speeches and otherwise. Of his atti-
ment of the party is so deeply inter-
ested, and that the matter of second
man on the ticket is not of such ex-
IRENE Importance.
William Barnes. jr.. has been Of in
calculable value to the Taft people in
Chicago, and it is said to be positive
that he will demand the right to have
Sherman on the ticket again. If he does
this the Taft managers will, it is said,
be unable to turn him down. Without
md fhn ctr hoT Si in hn hos
given, it is said, the Taft fight might
have been a defeat. What Barnes says.
therefore. may be the deciding word in
the contest for the vice presidency.
Friend of Mckinley.
Mr.. Sherman's personal relations at
the White House have been close. and
he is an intimate friend of Represent
alive Mckinley, the man who has man
aged the Taft fight. Looking at the
matter from a personal view, there
would appear to be little doubt of Sher-
mans denomination From political
considerations, as stated, another view
is presented. The progressives do not
take kindly to Mr.. Sherman. Among
the leaders in the Senate he is liked
and respected. In the country at large
he is associated with Aldrich, Cannon
and other old-time leaders whose rec
ords are referred to in terms of dis
like. He is a standpatter on the tariff
and numerous other questions. Would
his nomination be a red flag to those
republicans who have reached the stage
where they are willing to bolt and
nominate Roosevelt or vote for a demo-
crat?
But for Barnes power in the conven-
ton the selection of new man for
Vice President would apparently be al
most certain. With Barnes a tremendous
factor. and able to dictate almost any,
thing. Mr.. Sherman's denomination Is,
1T is said, not improbable.