Omaha daily bee., 1912-06-16

CHICAGO, June 15.-(Special Telegram. }
In view of the universal interest TO-
cused on the impending national conven-
ton soon to be staged at the Coliseum
I take it that a special interest attaches
to the personalities of the prominent fig
ures looming up in the political turmoil
whose names are appearing fro mday to
day in all the accounts Of the proceed
ings. There are two big political camps
here, passing over the two smaller ones
without disrespect. the one marhaling the
Taft forces and the other the Roosevelt
phaianX. In between the lines are many
men Of more or less distinction, and it
seems strangely peculiar that I hould
know most of them by long acquaintance,
and many Of them by intimate personal
association.
Presiding over the Taft headquarters is
Congressman William B. Mckinley, a
quiet, unostentatious, bald-headed, blue
eyed, little man, really boyish in manner.
Although quite a little heavier than l
am he is just my height, and 1 will tell
You how l happened to know. One of
McCutcheon's cartoons the other day por-
trayed row Of Taft strategists, among
whom he for some inexpainable reason,
gave me place, and depicted me as the
smallest one of all. Mrs. Rosewater
wanted to know If these men looked any
thing like that. There may be some re-
semblance," I said, but there is one
gross misrepresentation. I am ure I am
no shorter than Mr.. Mckinley. You come
right down stairs with me and I'll prove
It," So down we went, and | measured
up, and there was not a difference of a
halrsbreadth. Four years ago when I
was directing the publicity work for the
national campaign Mr.. Mckinley was at
the head of the congressional campaign
committee and we were frequently In
touch on publicity matters. l learned
then, and have had the lesson no wre-
inforced, that he has prodigious capacity
as a political tactician, and is a man of
cool, calculating judgment and good or
ganizing ability.
The chief factotum in the Roosevelt
movement, Senator Joseph M. Dixon, was
four years ago conducting the speakers
bureau in rooms adjoining those where |
held forth with the literary department.
Senator Dixon is native of North Caro-
lima, whose residence in Montana has not
eliminated his southern traits. He is al
ways talkative, and sometimes excitable,
but l do not know a man whose steady,
sober judgment would rather have We
used to consult together a great deal dur
l. 1ne, i 4..1l
never been to Washington since without
being cordially received by him. He is
smooth shaven and dark, impressive and
earnest, and needless to add, widely &C
quainted and well informed,
The much-heralded contest expert
Ormsby McHarg, is another member ot
the staff who graced our western division
headquarters four years ago. McHarg is
lawyer, who first bobhed up politically
in North Dakota, where he was once a
member of the Legislature, which elected
a United States senator who opened the
door of national politics to him. He is
tall, big eyed, sharp featured fellow with
iron gray hair and clear-toned. musical
voice, which he raises to a high pitci,
when he wants to say something forcibly.
He had charge of the contests in 1908 on
behalf of the Taft people, and astonished
the committee at that time by the mas
terly manner in which he had prepared
them, so perfect that the opposition could
scarce find a flaw. During the campaign
later he did what we called scout work.,
broadening his familiarity with political
conditions all over the country. He was
made assistant secretary of commerce
and labor when President Taft took Of
flee as an accommodation to Secretary
Nagel, it being stipulated that he would
hold but six months, although he was
prevailed on to remain little
longer. l explain this because it is only
fair to him that it be known that he did
not expect to hold the position, and that
his antagonism to the president now is
not due to separation from the pay roll. |
1t is worth noting, however, that even the
best lawyer cannot make good contest
case out of nothing. and that McHarg' g
this time is due chiefly TO the
fact that his cases have not had any legs
to stand on.
III charge of the opposing contestants
Is former Senator Charles Dick of Ohio |
He is veteran in the political army. l |
was reading biography of Mark Hanna !
the other day from which I learned that
Colonel Dick was the confidential agent |
sent south and west during the pre-
iminary campaign in 1896 to string the |
wires by which the delegations were to
be brought in for William Mckinley. He /
did a good Job then. and the /
experience he gained under Hanna has ,