The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-26

have given in my favor was not because he liked me, but because he felt more bit ter toward MT. Roosevelt. Without fur ther circumstances or knowledge it would have been unfair and unjust for MT. Roosevelt to attempt to draw down on me the popular indignation against Senator l.oriner and thus to carry the state of Illinois against me; but 1t was peculiarly unfair in Mr Roosevelt to do this when he knew what he did know as to my actual attitude toward Senator I.primer.''
 MT. Taft then read a letter he wrote to Colonel Roosevelt January 6, 19l1 in which he said he wanted the movement to oust senator Lorimer to succeed. The letter marked "personar follows; The White House.
 Washington, D. C., January 6. 1911.
 My Dear Theodore: 1t comes to me perhaps without foundation that you are going to write a strong article on the Lorimer case and publish it in the out look. I have been doing everything I could legitlmately to have the closest ex- animation made into the Lorimer case. I have read as much of the evidence as l could get at and am convinced that there was a mess and mass of corruption upon which his election was founded that ought to be stamped with the disapproval of the Senate. But I want the movement to oust him to succeed. I have urged diff ferent senators to read the records care fully and after a talk with Root, Burton and Knute Nelson and Crawford and some others, I believe we are going to line up good many of the regular republicans on the side of what I consider decency and honesty in politics.
 His Interest Leaked Out
 Tt has leaked out that have been talk ing some interest in the matter and l fear that 1t has not helped the situation generally because of that strong feeling of elupdom in the Senate and that resent ment against outside interference which nobody who is not intimately acquainted with the situation can understand the weight of 1 was talking with Borah this morning. I have consulted a good deal with him on the subject and he and 1 agree that it would be unwise either for you or for me to come out now against Lorimer and in favor of his being busted; that it would enable those who are determined to keep him in especially among the democrats. Bailey and others, to use an argument against outside inter- ference that would hold a number of democrats and would deprive us of the strength we should get by d quiet presen- tation of the full facts on the floor of the Senate, from the Senate itself. Root is going to make a speech. So is Burton, and believe that Lodge will do the same thing. Now, nothing would have stronger weight than speeches from them; where as, if either you or I came out with an attack it would enable the friends of Lorimer to shift the subject from the tainted character of his seat to the in- dependence of the Senate in acting as the judge of the qualifications of its own members.
 T suggest, therefore. that if you have an article on this subject you hold it until after the issues are more plainly made by speeches on the floor of the body, where the contest is to be won. want to win. So do you. This is my ex- cuse for writing you. Sincerely yours, (Sgned) WILLIAM II. TAFT"
 "P. S.--Of course, l may be misin- formed as to your purpose in this matter Since dictating the above l have had the telephone conversation with. you. but l let it go.'
 Indicated no Change
 MT. Taft added that by the telephone conversation and by subsequent eorre- spondence he would not publish, he learned that no such article was con templated, but Mir. Roosevelt would as- sist in the matter in other ways.
 ''I have never given MT. Roosevelt or anyone else the slightest reason to sup pose that l had changed my attitude.
 MT. Taft charged that MT. Roosevelt was now seeking 10 take advantage of the supposed leellnS among the laflneSf of the country against reciprocity with Canada. He said he consulted Colonel Roosevelt ten days before lie made the agreement with Canada and that the latter approved the agreement in the most enthusiastic terms
 MT. Taft next referred to MT. Roose- velt's charges that the President had been receiving stolen goods" and had profited by the use of dirty instruments to get delegates. No instance" said the President. "has been brought to my at tention in which specifications of frand have been sustained by evidence. Charges made by Senator Dixon as to Kentucky in an hysterical and insulting open letter to me were shown to be wholly without foundation in the Kentucky convention."
 No Fraud in New York
 Mr. Taft said if there had been, fraud in the New York primaries the courts were open to the Roosevelt supporters for redress
 As to Mr. Rooseyelts chargessof Inc