The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-06-18
TROUBLE AROSE
IN DELEGATION
North Dakotans Unwilling
to Have Gronna Named
Temporary Chairman.

Chicago. June 17-North Dakota's 9
La Toilette delegation joined willingly
in the decision made by La Toilette
leaders yesterday not to propose a
candidate for temporary chairman.
The question already had threatened
and most of the delegates were glad
to drop it.
When the suggestion first was made
that Governor McGovern of Wisconsin
be put forward by the La Toilette men
for chairman. the name of Senator
Gronna was put forward also. 1t was
urged that the La Toilette candidate
might better come from a state other
than Wisconsin, and as Gronna had
been largely instrumental in getting
La Toilette his only outside delegates
he was favored by some as the logical
| selection.
But this started trouble in North
Dakota's delegation. Several delegates
raised objections at once to Gronna on
the ground that he is not standing by
the progressive organization at home
by supporting c. A. johnson of Minot
for governor instead of j. a. Blu
chanan. They proposed instead to
bring Judge Lauder forward as
North Dakota's candidate for tenn
porary chairman.
That was the situation when the
North Dakotans arrived yesterday. and
when the Wisconsin leaders announc-
ed their decision not to put up any
man to whom the Roosevelt delegates
could rally as against Root. there was
no protest from North Dakota. The
most disgruntled man, it is said. was
Governor McGovern. who had hoped
by the aid OF Roosevelt votes to be
placed in position to make the key
note" speech.
North Dakota's ten delegates had
their first informal caucus last even
ing and when they adjourned all wore
an air of mystery. 1t was announced
that absolutely no business had been
transacted. and the delegation would
meet again today. but it was evident
that momentous questions had been
discussed.
Some Cor Roosevelt.
The fact is that the North Dakotans
had been importuned all day by
shown signs of yielding under pres
sure. Roosevelt's organization had
gone after them just as it has been
going after the New York men and
southern delegates.
Two Roosevelt men from North
Dakota. A. NJ. Baker and A. Y. More
of Fargo. accompanied the delegation
all the way to Chicago. and at once
brought Roosevelt workers in touch
with them. Andy" Rain called on
them Sunday afternoon, and just be-
fore last evenings conference, Howell
national committeeman ELECT from
Nebraska. interviewed some of the
delegation. The North Dakotans still
say they are standing by La Toilette
to the last. but 1t is evident they are
watching developments very closely
and some of them do not favor the
Wisconsin attitude, which heretofore
has preferred Taft to Roosevelt.
The North Dakota delegates who ar
Fargo; P. r. Thorson, Grand Forks;
T. Twichell, Mapleton; w. S. Lauder.
Wahpeton: A. L. Nelson, Rolette: L.
B. Garnaas, Cheyenne: Aug johnson,
Washburn; James H. Cooper Willis
ton: Emil Scow. Bowman. and o. T.
Tofrud. In addition were Thomas F.
Marshall of Oakes. national commit
teeman-elect: r. D. Ward and w. w.
Harvey. Garrison: L. r. Nostad and
O. 2. Ferguson. Rugby.
II the Roosevelt delegates bolt to-
morrow, the La Toilette men will re-
main regular. This is the decision
reached by the leaders Of the La Fol-
lette camapign. who today took the
bolt seriously and decided to prepare
for possibilities.
I'VE have nothing to bolt for" said
one Of them, "and we feel sure more
Is to be expected from the Taft people
than We have from Roosevelt"
The North Dakota delegation held a
caucus today. They did not take up
the possible bolt but the La Toilette
leaders say they have assurances from
the North Dakota delegation that they
will act under orders Of Houser.