The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-06-01
LAFOLETTE'S BOOK
IS INTERESTING
Personal Narrative Of Political Ex-
perlencesv by the Wisconsin
Senator Read With Con-
siderable Interest.
IT INTERESTS 1oWANs
Representatives Kennedy, Pepper and
Col. Hepburn Are Taking
Time to Peruse the Renln-
iscences Of LaFoIlette.
Especial to The Gate city1

WASHINGTON, d. c., May 31.--Sen-
ator Robert NJ LaFollette's new book,
"A Personal Narrative of Political
Experiences" is being much read by
politicians In Washington, but by
none with more interest than those
from Iowa. Among prominent Iowans
who were reading the book this week
we're Senator Kenyon. Representa-
tives Kennedy and Pepper and Col
sonel w. P. Hepburn
The cause for the interest being
shown by the Iowa men is the chapter
of the book which deals with the pres
idential campaign of 1912. In this
chapter Senator LaFollette tells how
Senator Cummins went back on his
word. The Iowa senator. it seems,
told Senator LaFollette he would not
be candidate for the presidency in
1912 in words equally as positive as
those in which he told Senator Dol
| liver that he would not be a candidate
for the senate against Senator Allison.
Senator LaFollette relates in the
narrative that on April 80, 1911. a con.
ference of progressive republicans
was held at Senator Bourne's com
mittee room at the capitol to discuss
the question of whether the progress
sives should put candidate in the
field to attemp. to win the republican
nomination from President Taft. La
Toilette names the following as those
present: Senators Cummins, Clapp,
Bourne, Gronna, Poindexter; Repre-
sentatives Lenroot. Hubbard, Norris;
Professor Merriam, State Senator
Clyde Jones, progressive leader in the
Illinois state senate; Walter S.
Roger of Chicago. representing
Charles R. Crane; ellison Gardner;
Angus McSween, representing Mr..
/ Van yalkenburg OF the Philadelphia
/ North American
| The story at this point reaus as
follows:
Practically all who were present
took part in the discussion. There
was unanimity of sentiment that the
tprogressives must unite upon one of
| the progressive leaders as candidate.
Though some one suggested the ia
vorite son plan, putting forth several
progressive candidates, no one serious
I ly regarded such plan as feasible.
Senator Cummins, whose name had
been widely mentioned in the press
as a possible candidate, took promin-
ent part in the discussion. He said:
1 There Is but one man who should
be considered as the progressive can
didate, and that is Senator LaFol
lette.''
When asked as to his own candi-
tdacy, he emphatically replied, Il shall
not be a candidate; it is out of the
question
He added that he felt he ought to
say regarding Iowa that there would
be sharp contest between the stand
Ipatters and the progressives and tha'
no progressive candidate, himself OF
any other, could carry the state solid
lily. he had no doubt. he said, that E
number of districts could be carried
for Senator LaFollette, and he added
elf he consents to make the fight,
will do everything in my power t.
elect as many delegates as possible t.
support him in the convention"
Senator LaFollette relates that Thu
conference was typical of man. 9th
ers that were held before and after
attended by some of those who wer,
present on this occasion and by 9th
or senators and representative VIII
likewise urged him to stand as tn
candidate. Among these, the senate
names Bristow of Kansas, Works o
California, Crawford of South Da
lkota, Murdoch of Kansas, Lindbers o
Minnesota, Helgeson of North Dakota
Haugen of Iowa. and Nelson, Mors
and Cary of Wisconsin.
Proceeding another step. Senate
LaFollette relates:
Before beginning national cam
Ipaign for the progressive cause | wa
limpelled to exercise every REASONABLE
precaution against miscarriage an
disaster. I could foresee the possibi
ity, as the campaign progressed, an
Taft,s real weakness developed. as
personally believed 1t would, tina
: either Curnmins or Roosevelt, Or PEI
haps both, might then be tempted t
thrust in, thus dividing the progret
s.ve strength and defeating the req
progress which a cleancut, uncon
promising campaign, even though
losing one. would insure for the pr
i pressive principles. But Senator Gun
Minis word had already been passed
and his position affirmed by his r,
peated assurances made to others. a
we'll as to myself Indeed, is the Las
interview | had with him, at tn
close at the reciprocity session, b
4. said to me:
Il want to say to you, Bob, befor
going home, that / think 1t impossible