New-York tribune., 1912-08-25
1.-The Public Ledger" Asserts
Senator Denied Requests
Months Before Convention.
FlINN THEN WAS ENLISTED
Enemies of Pennsylvania Lead
er Enrolled to Defeat Him
in State, Circumstan-
tial Story Relates.


PHILADELPHIA. Aug. 24.-"The Public
Ledger tomorrow will print the follow
ing article:
"It was learned yesterday that Colonel
Roosevelt sought the active aid OF Sem
ator Penrose in his campaign for the Re-
publican Presidential nomination long be-
fore the lines in the Republican primary
contest had become clearly drawn. Sen
ator Penrose. after careful consideration
OF the proposition, and after having con-
suited his political friends in this state
and at Washington as TO the advisability
Of aligning himself with Roosevelt, refused
TO throw his influence TO the colonel. so
the story goes.
The result OF this decision was that
Roosevelt then formed an alliance with
ex-senator william Finn. OF Pittsburgh.
and Z. A. Van Valkenburg, the editor
politician. present leaders OF the Roose-
welt movement in this state, Joining with
them IN a fight 10 eliminate Senator Pen
rose as a potent political factor in Penn
sylvania politics.
Colonel Roosevelt not only importuned
Senator Penrose very early in the cam
I
President Taft would seek a denomination
on the Republican ticket-but Roosevelt
waited on Penrose two weeks for his an
swer.
las the contest had not taken definite
shape and the leaders did not have
definite plan of action regarding the Re
publican Presidential nomination Senator
Penrose agreed TO take up the proposition
with the leading figures in the Republi-
! can party in this state and with the ma
tional leaders at Washington.
AT the end of two weeks. following
numerous conferences here and in Wash
ington. Senator Penrose was convinced
that il was inadvisable to aid Colonel
Roosevelt in his effort to be nominated az
the Republican Presidential candidate,
and he so informed the colonel
"Smarting under this rebuke OF his can
didacy by Penrose. Colonel Roosevelt
turned to the enemies OF Senator Penrose
for support. and almost Immediately al
lied himself with The Flinn-Van Valken-
burg combination, both of whom are i'm
placable political foes Of Penrose. and
they were Jealous TO seize upon this op-
portunity TO cause trouble for Penrse.
Subsequently Senator Penrose. who, as
chairman OF the finance committee, had
been the Presidents closest adviser, be-
came the leader II the fight TO obtain the
Republican Presidential nomination for
Mr.. Taft.
''The bitterness OF Colonel Roosevelt
toward Senator Penrose since the early
stages Of the campaign for the Repdbli-
can nomination is cited as proof OF the
fact that Roosevelt had been disappointed
In his effort TO gain the support Of the
Pennsylvania senior Senator in his fight
for the Republican nomination for the
Presidency.
1T is said here on good authority that
the bitterness between Colonel Roosevelt
and Senator Penrose has grown 70 such
an extent that the Pennsylvania leader
will even go 10 the extent Of naming the
men who approached him IN behalf OF
Roosevelt If the Colonel faces him before
the Senate committee. The men have be-
come so enraged AZ each other that the
exposure that is hinted az as soon TO he
| forthcoming will far exceed any sensa-
tion that has made its appearance In a
| Presidential campaign"