The Washington herald., 1916-04-09
ROOT And 7. R.
Seen TOGETHER
Most Washington Politicians
Believe Both Combined
to Defeat Hughes.
TO TIE UP THE DELEGATES
Close Observers Believe Colonel and
Not Root Is Desired by the
FHaDcial Powers.
BY JOSEPH p. AMIN.

Whether it's Root for Roosevelt or
Roosevelt for Rotor both--a practical
unantnafty Of opinion among politicians
here yesterday declared that q combtna-
ton Of the two had been effected to pre-
vent the nomination Of Charles z.
Hughes at the Republican convention
While surface conditions indicate
strongly that the Colonel has again
SHE'D his stetson into the ring. some OF
the prognosticaters believe that the con-
ference In New York at the now me-
morable Bacon luncheon marked the
commencement OF an active campaign to
put Elihu Root in the White House, with
the active support and cooperation of
Theadore Roosevelt
But even those who hold to this view
are painfully aware that the ColonePs
lightning rod still projects expectantly
into the political ether, and that II will
not be withdrawn until someone else
shall have been nominated
That a wide difference OF opinion ex-
lists among political leaders as to vheth-
er Roosevelt, once nominated. could de-
feat woodrow Wilson, becomes more ap-
parent each day, nor are the differences
sectional All agree, however, that
Hughes could poll the greater vote, and.
privately. all politicians agree that
Hughes is the last man-except only the
present occupant-whom the Republi-
can leaders want in the White House.
May BE Mere Anti-Hughes Move.
UnquestionabIy the Root movement
has received great apparent impetus
since the Bacon luncheon in New York
Whether this Is sincere, or merely a.
means Of Withholding New York dele
gates from pledging their votes to
Hughes is a question. As far as New
York Is concerned. II Is pointed out that
about one-third OF the delegation to the
next Republican convention could be-
counted Roosevelt men; that another
third would vote for Roosevelt in pref
erence to many candidates, and that the
remaining third, powerful financial in
terests could sway a large percentage to
Roosevelt On the other hand, there Is
grave danger lest a large number OF
these New York delegates, in the alb
sence Of another pronounced candidate,
declare In advance for Hughes-the last
thing In the world leaders want them
to do. 1t is suggested then that the Root
boom Is now being pushed strongly with
a view to restraining these delegates
from committing themselves to Hughes
Those who believe that the Root talk
is 100 per cent pure. declare that next
TO the late Senator Platt, Of Connecticut,
Theodore Roosevelt always has harbored
greater respect and admiration for EHhu
~,
and that there never has existed more
than a superficial breach between the
two men. They say further. that. as far
as his own prospects are concerned,
Roosevelt Is aware that the nomination
TO carry with II election, must come to
him with a unanintty which he is far
too Intelligent to expect Therefore, they
contend, Roosevelt Is actively and earn
estiy working for the nomination of
Root-barrtng always his own nomins-
ton by acclamation.
Roots Appeal Largely Sectional.
On the other hand, It is believed that
Roosevelt and not Root Is the man de-
sired by the financial powers. II is
pointed out that the Gary dinner in New
York, and the Philadelphia reception and
speech staged and arranged by z T.
Stotesbury, were for Roosevelt and not
Root; that at this stage the Colonel has
already In the neighborhood Of 300 dele
gates to Chicago, without having made
anything resembling a campaign Fur
ther, II Is claimed that Mr.. Root carries
little Of appeal to the middle or far
West except in one capacity-as a Sec
retary Of State; and II Is reported that
Mr. Roosevelt would name Mr.. Root to
that portfolio II elected.
A politician OF wide experience and who
has been engaged IN quiet investigations
for several months declared yesterday:
Il have scratched the surface Of sew
eral Of these so-caIled Hughes move
nents, and always I md a Roosevelt
movement under the surface" It Is gen.
orally conceded that Frank Hitchcock's
efforts, ostensibly in behalf Of Hughes,
in reality are a part Of pro-Roosevelt
movement, whether with a view to the
latter's nomination, or to the acquis-
ton Of sufficient strength IN delegates
by the latter to permit him to dictate the
conventions selection.
1t looks like the field against Hughes,
at any rate,