Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-07

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr, Mrs Alice Roose
welt LonRworth and other relatives Of the
Colonel
Every State chairman in the Progressive
party ranks was Sitting on the lid" when
the delegates began 20 assemble for the con-
vention. They were, acting under. positive
orders to prevent an explosion. There was
no attempt to disguise the fact that the rank
and file of the Bull Moose had run wild.
I'VE want Teddy" was the battlecry
that had no variation: a vocal choosing
| that had no second thought
| Only the threat Of a campaign without
| an angel of a fight without checkbook
of feeding time with no nose-bag checked
the declared determination Of the Progress
sve privatesNto proceed in utter disregard
for the main show at the Coliseum.
The story of the sudden roping OF mad
| Moose came to light today.
Bands and banners. badges and badinage
all combined to pave the way to the un-
usual situation. The while the Old Guard
played checkers in silent seclusion, the Pro.
Rressives marched and counterma rched,
shouted and enthused They had cornered
the convention market on enthusiasm and
were boosting the stock of their candidate
in full war paint.
When the Hiram Johnson-Victor Murdoch
radical element motor fuel had begun to
take effect word came from George w
Perkins to throw In the low speed clutch
and to take the bumps under brakes Not
a brake was applied.
Then the National Committee Of the Pro-
gresslves came together in secret session
with them met the chairman Of the State
delegations An earnest young person, car
rying the slgnet ring of the national chair
man, addressed the session.
lie said Mr. Perkins had potent and
hitherto unused charm which was being
applied to the Old Guard. The charm had
certain merit, known. but which he did not |
describe. Mr. Perkins was sure that 1t |
would work in the end, that the recalctrant |
regulars would see a light in the window |
and place the Colonel at the head of the |
ticket.
What was the nature of this new inlu-
ence? The state chairman wanted to now.
NOT FOR THE LAYMEN.
As william Nelson Cromwell once said
10 the stockholders of the Pacific roads the
directing genius moved in higher atmos-
phere to which few might hope to live. and
II was not necessary to say what charms,
what coiijurations and what mighty magic
was on tap That was the answer.
But, said Mr. Perkins spokesman, the
regulars would have to come across"
our delegates will not listen to any can
didate except Colonel Roosevelt" declared
the State leaders,
THE national chairman and tlte Naional
Committee also have but one choice" said
the spokesman.
Then he urged by what affection they
bore the cause. that the State chairmen 20
forth into the byways and hedges and check
the flood for Immediate and irrevocable
action. He urged that the Moose conven-
lion should not nominate until the Re-
Dublcans had time to shake down the
'avorite sons, and show their real inten-
ions.
Any other course. he pointed out. would
urn the wrath of the delegates in the
'egular convention upon the small force of |
delegates sitting therein and
make subsequent hope for the Republican |
vanish.
CHECKBooK STUFF.
Then II was that the word was quietly
,assed along that 1t takes money to run
campaign, and that, If the rank and file
IS, Lmed to run away from the leaders they
night find a hitherto eloquent checkboolt
ent, and fountain pen noted for the
low of its figures as dry as the rock from
which Moses drew water for the perishing I
hldren of the Exodus
Renewed assurance was given that moth Il
ng was being dealt from the under por-
ion of the political deck. The efficiency q
f a spell that is being cast upon the reg b
lars was asserted and the State leaders
vent out to seek their men and to tell \
hem that IL they couldn't work under the
naffle. the curb would be tied
All night long there was evidence that the |
naders were doing their best to reduce the
peed without choking the enthusiasm.
Out of the whole situation the day came
nth uncertainty the chief element The
rowds began making their way toward the N
auditorium in advance of the time for OPEN v
lg the convention On every tongue there U
'as the question: cl
Can the Moose be held?"
Least OF all the men able to answer that d.
ueston was George W. Perkins, who was S
'ying to hold the relns over the fretting 81
,aming, cheering and shouting aggregation p,
enthusiasts. tc