New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-06
ROBERT ROGERS CALLED
COMING MAN IN CANADA
likeIiest Leader in Any Split
Which Might Occur in
Borden Cabinet.
A "PRACTICAL POLITICIAN"
Critics of Present Premier De-
clare He Is Not Develop
ing as One in His
Position Should.
IRON The Tribune Correspondent.

IRON The Tribune Correspondent
toronto. oct. 5.-With four interesting
..slections approaching. Robert Rogers,
Ia nv oppositionists to be the Machia-
III, NJ Premier Borders Cabinet. is in
80 ,r,eIight He IL is who was credited
18th winning the famous or notorious (a"-
.ording TO the point of view victory in
-. constituency Of Macdonald, Manitoba,
vear ago. That victory in the reel
..oc,ty loving West did more 10 increase
-. nrestige Of the government than any
.,bsr event since fits advent TO power.
possrs's admirers expect he will accom-
.usb something equally spectacular this
.,,,nron. and they would not be surprised
a. n the Western vernacular. he mailed
Liberals hide TO the fence" in each
=, the four constituencies.
pobert Rogers is what is known as n
TACTICAL politician. Up to date he has
-, had much Of a test outside of his
orn province Of Manitoba, though there
,s has had for fifteen years the reputa-
,on OF being able 10 deliver the goods
There Is nothing particularly subtle
.hout Rogers or mis- methods. In per-
,onality he is genial-delightfully so. He
,s the original Mr.. Mix Of the Mixer
,orn,ly. His creed contains belief in
c-ask fire, Roman candles. brass bands
and other simple Joys. He pats all his
friends on the back, calls every one by
hs front" name and keeps open house.
IN Parliament he cultvates the business
air He never wastes words. is moder-
stely lucid and has thus acquired a repu-
,atIon for business acumen and efficiency.
IN physical attributes his thin. why face
ns is the smallest man in the Cabinet).
his cold. passionless voice. the frozen
sleam OF his little gray eye and the
benevolent wisp of sallow gray hair do
not AZ with the common view Of what
practical politicians look like.
Incidentally Is a Millionaire.
He is one Of the many millionaires in
the Borden Cabinet. Before he entered
Manitoba politics, less than twenty years
ago he was a country merchant in
little Godforsaken prairie town. They
say he has been lucky in land and wheat.
His popularity with the rank and file OF
the government party in Parliament Is
cutie remarkable He has impressed the
House with his ability as a tactician.
and, besides. he cultivates friendships. He
Is always the friend In need. For ex-
ample, he undertook 10 get through an
Increase in members indemnity from
$50 to 5000, and nearly but not quite.
accomplished IT, During the last session
Sir Edmund Osler NJ. p. gave Premier
Borden a complimentary dinner. At that
function. al which the Premier was in
tended 10 have the undivided spotlight.
the ovation accorded Rogers was so
warm as to be almost embarrassing. Not
once but many times he was raised aloft
on shoulders and carried around the
room.
Every once in a while there are rumors
that there Is an Instruction smouldering
N the Conservative ranks, and that when
breaks out Premier Borden will be de-
posed and Rogers will succeed. A revo-
luton did develop, and was barely
crushed. just previous TO the general cleo
ton which launched Mr.. Borden in the
Premiership. Many persons. however,
will find IT difficult TO think of Rogers as
Premier.
Borden's Record Scrutinized.
Meanwhile critics Of the Premier de-
clare that he is not developing, as might
be expected OF a man holding his posi-
ton. They admit his eminent respecta-
billy, his gentlemanliness, his ability and
honesty OF the downright sort. But they
cay he lacks decisiveness; that he doesn't
know his own mind; that he follows the
Hhe OF least resistance. In proof. they
ask what he has accomplished during his
'Soy years OF power. TO excuses they will
not listen. Results count. and what have
oeen the results OF two years OF Borden
rue' they ask.
Mr.. Borden has the indeclsion he IS
charged with there is little doubt that
zone section Of his following will soon
est out OF hand. But even his critics
nave TO admit that so far there is no in
Ces'ion Of any weakening OF his power;
uSt SO far az the eye can discern his IN"
nuence In his party has increased rather
usa decreased during the last two years.
conservatives in private conversation
cypress confidence that they are now In
pO"er FOR a generation. They clair they
.sh break the solid Liberal West by dis
Hshchising the tens OF thousands OF
americans who. they say. were improp-
cry Permitted TO vote in the 1911 elections.