Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-06-24
sAnDAhMA As BATTLE FLAG.

haps 500 men. some of them recognized
leaders Of the movement. others mere
ly onlookers. the first formal step was
taken. Governor Hiram Johnson. Of
California. was empowered to appoint
a committee Of seven members to con-
fer with Colonel Theodore Roosevelt
and formulate plan Of action.
"Here is the birth Of a new party"
said Governor Johnson. when this was
done.
"The movement is going steadily
ahead" said James r. Garfield, Of Ohio.
Those who think this is flash in the
pan are mistaken"
In the opinion Of the leaders. the new
party enters the field with formidable
equipment at the outset. These lead
ers, however. said that as to the men
who took conspicuous part in the
campaign for Colonel Roosevelts NOM
ination. each must speak for himself.
The attitude Of Governor Hadley, Of
Missouri. was the chief point OF dis
cussion along this line. The governor
left town without waiting to declare
himself
The Committee Of Seven.
No definite idea of the plan to be fol-
lowed could be obtained. and 1t was
said that period Of several weeks
may elapse before the program Is de-
cided upon. Governor Johnson. In the
meantime. will act as field marshal and
in cooperation with Colonel Roosevelt
will decide upon the membership Of the
committee of seven to guide the pre-
liminary work OF organization.
Colonel Roosevelt will leave for
Oyster Bay today and Governor john
son will return at once to California.
They will keep in touch with each other
thru the mails and by telegraph.
The meeting was held in the head
quarters OF the national Roosevelt
committee. under the direction Of the
most prominent Roosevelt supporters
who had not left town. Seated at a
table with Governor Johnson were Mr.
Garfield. Clifford Pinchot. Governor
Stubbe. OF Kansas. Medill Mccormick.
Of Chicago and Senator Clapp. OF Min
nesota.
Scattered thru the hall were a large
number OF Roosevelt delegates to the
republican national convention. as we'll
as some Of the "steam roller" delegates
10 whom seats were refused. 1t was
Impossible to ascertain how large a
proportion Of the full Roosevelt strength
at the convention was represented. al
tho 1t was said that nearly every state
which sent Roosevelt delegates to Chi
cago had its share Of men there.
eandanna the Badge.
The bandanna handkerchief was
adopted as the Roosevelt battle rag.
Most Of the delegates wore flaming
bandannas tied around their arms. ana
others were distributed by the nun
dreds to the crowds The bandanna, II
was explained, stands for the plain
people who ordinarily use them.
We're all plain people here. and this
is q movement OF the plain people,
said one Of the delegates
Colonel Roosevelt gave his sanction
to the battle flag by appearing
last night with one In his hand'
which he waved to the crowd on the
street. His daughter. Mrs. Nicholas
Longworth, wore bandanna on her
hat. Scattered thru the hall were
large number OF Roosevelt delegates to
the republican convention.
Il am not acting as the leader OF this
new movement" said Governor John
son when the meeting OF delegates had
been called to order. THE active lead
er must be man from more accesi-
BILE state than California. I am merely
acting as chairman of this meeting, at
which we are to begin on the road
which leads to political freedom"
Solemn and Patriotic.
Judge Ben b. Lindsey. Of Denver,
democrat. arose. Surely there can be
no more solemn occasion than this
one" he said. "We are beginning on
Sunday, a great new movement. l be-
lieve that we should begin 1t by asking
the guidance of Him for whom we are
here
DR.. w. H. Nixon. of Selma. Ala.
negro clergyman and Roosevelt dele
gate who was excluded from the re-
publican convention, began to recite
the twenty third Psalm, which begins:
THE Lord Is my shepherd" The dele
gates arose and repeated it with him. A
prayer by DIR. Nixon followed
Some one began to sing America.
and in moment the others were sing
ing. The meeting was In contrast to
the uproarious ones which had been
held in the same room while the con-
vention was in session. There was no
cheering or hand -clapping. no Cry Of
Eat 'em alive, Teddy" The solemn
ity of the occasion, which was believed
to signalize the birth OF the new party.
Impressed itself upon the gathering
and a hush fell over the crowd, broken
only by the voices OF the speakers.
Work, Not Talk.
Governor Johnson In his opening ad
dress appealed to the delegates to stay
in the fight which they had begun.
This Is a solemn OCCASION" he told
them, "as 1t was Saturday night. when
we met to tender the nomination for
president to Theodore Roosevelt. The
time for action has come. Let us begin
to act, rather than to waste our time in
talking
Mr.. Garfield said they realized that
extreme care must be taken in the or
ganization Of the movement. Each
state. he said, must work out its own
problem of organization. and adapt It
self to the laws which govern the
election Of candidates for the electoral
college.
No Name Chosen.
As he was about to adjourn the
meeting southern delegate arose with
the suggestion that the new party
should be ehristened then and there.
Mr.. Garfield opposed the idea, saying
that this matter and all others should
be left to the national convention,
which It 10 proposed to call together