The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-03-06
CHALLENGE TAT I.
MANAGERS TO
TEST VOTE
Dixon Wants Them To Call
Popular Primary
TAFT MEN DON'T. BITE
Want Dixon to Say Whether His De-
mand Comes From Roosevelt
or Not
TAFT MEN DON'T. BITE

Washington, March 6-The follow
ing letter challenging the Taft cam
paign forces at Washington ito
test by means of primaries" was sent
to Director William b. Mckinley OF
the Taft campaign committee late
yesterday by Senator Dixon, Theo-
dore Rooseyelt's executive chairman.
For the purpose of determining def
nitely whether the republican voters
OF the country desire Col. Theodore
Roosevelt or President Taft as their
candidate in the approaching presi-
dental campaign. | hereby challenge
you to a test by means of primaries
in every state in the Union"
Senator Dixon states that the obvi-
Gus purpose Of both the republican
campaign committees is to elect a
republican next fall; that both are
interested primarily in the success OF
the party; and that the first requisite
to such success is to choose the can
didate with the greatest popular
strength. THE time to find out what
the voters want is before the nomina
ton is made rather than afterward, -
he adds 1T will be too late after
the convention is held"
Senator Dixon states that the re.
publican national committee was lot
justified in leaving the primary ques-
ton to the action of the states. an
every state and district In the Union
proper arrangements can be made and
effectively carried out" he says, "foI
securing a free and voluntary express
sion of the will of the republican yo
ters. If it cannot be done by state
wide primary, which would be prefer
able, it can be arranged for districts
under the supervision of proper com
mittees."
The letter calls attention to the var
ious states where arrangements have
been or are being made for primaries
and adds: 81 am informed that in sew
eral states where the presidential pre-
ference primary question is awaiting
legislative action the influence OF men
who are working with you is cast de
terminedly in opposition. Your CO
operation with me in such states nc
doubt would result in the enactment
of these laws and the considerable
spread thereby of the presidential pre-
ference primary under direct legal
sanction by the state.
LET me call your attention again
to the fact that Col Roosevelt ha:
declared repeatedly that he Is not al
active candidate for the nomination
but will accept it If 1t comes to hin
as the demand of the voters of the
party. His letter to Mr.. Moore o.
Pittsburg, sent out by your headquar
tiers last night and published in the
newspapers this morning, is an addit
ional proof of this attitude and of the
fact that in now saying he will accept
the nomination under the conditions
specified, he is merely responding t
a popular demand.
"The voters of the country have al
unquestionable right to express theil
desire, and | sincerely trust you viii
accept this challenge and prepare L
cooperate with me in the arrange
ment of such primaries"
Director Mckinley last night sen
letter to Senator Dixon, asking 1
the proposal were made with the auth
ority OF Col. Roosevelt, and also 1
Senator Dixon were acting as chair
man OF the Roosevelt executive com
mittee, either by selection or author
ity Of the colonel. His reply to Sena
tor Dixon was brief. "Since you ar,
pleased to apply to your communica
ton so grave term as challenge,
the answer said, 1T becomes some
what important to have our RESPECTIVE
relations to candidates made clear a
the outset.
81 would therefore, say that hav
been asked by President Taft to &C
as director Of a bureau, with heat
quarters in Washington, organized 70
the purpose OF securing his renominj
ton for a second term. Before ans
wering your challenge, / desire I
know whether you are acting as chair
man of the Roosevelt executive con
mittee, either by selection or author
lty OF Mr.. Roosevelt and also whethe
your so-called challenge was issued b
authority Of Mr.. Roosevelt, who's
nomination for third term as pres
dent ! understand you and your o.
ganization are attempting TO secure