New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-20
MOOSE ON FENCE,
MCCORMICK SAYS
Progressives' Future De-
ponds on Republication
vention, He Asserts
MAY SHED ANTLERS
FOR EARS AND TRUNK
After Seeing Roosevelt Talks OF
Hughes as Acceptable Candi-
date and Opposition to Root.

Whether Theodore Roosevelt and the
remaining loyalists in the Progressive
Party ere to fight under the Repuoil-
can banner In the national campaign OF
1919 will depend entirely upon the &C.
. ton Of the Republican National Con-
vention. II the Republicans do what
the Progressives want them to do IN
regard to platform and the choice OF q
candidate, the Bull Moose will draw in
his antlers and grow the large ears
and long trunk Of the emblem Of the
G. o. P.
That was the opinion Of Medill
Mccormick, Of Chicago, former vice
chairman Of the Progressive National
Committee, upon his return yesterday
from Oyster Bay, where he had two
hour talk with Colonel Roosevelt. Mr..
Mccormick defined his present position
when he said that he expected TO con-
t.nue to work with the Republicans.
He said he had not gone as mis-
sionary" to the Colonel, or an emissary
for any one, and while they talked
politics his visit had been social and
of no political significance. He would
not say what Colonel Roosevelt
thought of the political situation.
Mr.. Mccormick was seen at the
Plaza. He went to Washington last
night. He has travelled over the Mid
die and Far West during the last few
weeks, sounding political sentiment. 1t
was his decided opinion that the Pro-
gressives would never support ex-
Senator Elihu Root as a Presidential
candidate.
Sentiment for Justice Hughes.
He intimated that Justice Hughes, Of
the Supreme Court. might be salts
factory TO the Progressives.
There is more general sentiment
for Hughes than for any other Re-
publican mentioned" said Mr.. McCor-
mick, "just as there is more opposition
to Mr.. Root than toward any other
Republican mentioned for the nomina-
ton"
Mr.. Mccormick thought there was no
way of determining at present whether
the Republican party was progressive
enough to attract all the Bull Moose
back to it's enrolment, except in some
few states, like Massachusetts. where
Governor Mccall, the successful Re,
publican candidate, had been supported
by the most prominent Progressive
! leaders. That question would be de-
termined to the satisfaction or dis
satisfaction of the Progressives at the
Republican National Convention, he
said. :,
From what l have heard I would
say" said Mr.. Mccormick. that there
will not be q great difference in the
number Of delegates to the Republican
National Convention, as between candi-
dates who are stand-patters and those
progressively inclined. There will be a
great many Instructed delegates, and as
no one candidate will have a majority
these delegates will determine the plat
form and the choice of candidate"
In regard to the general situation
Mr.. Mccormick said:
President Wilson is strong through
out the country, though not popular;
stronger than most opposing politicians
in published statements have been will
ing to admit
Opposition TO Elihu Root.
"Elihu Root is the least available Of
the conspicuous candidates for the Re
publican nomination, and not merely
because the proposed New York consti-
tuition was beaten by a catastrophe
vote. The Bull Moose regard him as
the engineer Of the steam roller, Of
which Barnes and Penrose were just
stokers. 1t was under his guidance
that, in 1912, the Republican machine
defeated the Republican voters.