Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-06-19
COLONEL BEING
PRESSED TO COME
0UTF0R HUGHES
Perkins Active in Bringing
about Reconciliation Between
Both Parties-Many Progress
sives Are Hesitating Between
Hughes and Wilson

New York, June 1S.-After an automobile
trip to Oyster Bay Saturday afternoon
Col. Roosevelt sent word that he was
feeling well, but he had not a word to say
about politics. Before leaving the city
he had conferred again with George w.
Perkins, Gov. johnson and others at the
Hotel Langdon but he refused to discuss
the statement that ne had decided to take
a definite position in favor Of Mr.. Hughes
this week.
Mr.. Perkins, who had previously re-
fused to discuss his activity in holding
a series of long conferences as a mutual
friend of Col Roosevelt and Gov. Whit
man, said Saturday:
Nothing can as yet DE said with any
degree of definiteness Several people are
holding conferences and, from my stand
point, these conferences are working out
in a perfectly satisfactory manner. OF
course there are a great many things to
be considered and Strengthened out and a
number of conferences will have to be
held"
Members Of the provisional staff of Mr..
Hughes at the Hotel Aston said they had
heard nothing new in the political situa-
ton since Mr.. Hughes had gone to Wash
ington, but that indications were Col.
Roosevelt would make his statement in
favor of the Republican candidate with
the least possible delay.
Progressives Uneasy
1t is felt by the supporters of Gov
Hughes that the earlier the statement
is made by Col. Roosevelt the more
powerful its political effect will be. TIE
danger of delay is believed to lie III
the growth of factions and bitter feel
ing in the Progressive party, which
is following what is called the virtua!
withdrawal of Col. Roosevelt from his
leadership of the party. A number OF
the most energetic members of the
party in this city are in favor of
declaration by the Progressive nation
al committee at it's meeting on June &c
that the Progressives, as a party, have
no choice between the two candidates,
and individuals are free to choose
President Wilson or Mr.. Hughes as
they see fit.
The leaders of both the Republican
and Progressive parties have sought to
CONVINCE SOl. TlOOSeNell lHdl lie NouIu
be satisfied with the stand of Mr..
Hughes on Americanism and prepared
ness and they want Col. Roosevelt to
deliver his Endorsement early this next
week in order to check the drifting Of
the leaderless Progressives.
Many Progressives who are now hesitat-
ing between Hughes and Mr.. Wilson or
are cherishng the vision of maintaining
a third party in the fight with a new
candidate, could be saved for the Repub-
lican party now by a vigorous declaration
from Col. Roosevelt, according to those
who are working for harmony between
Republicans and Progressives.
See Danger in Delay
But if Col. Roosevelt should withhold
his Endorsement until after the meeting
of the Progressive committee 1t would
be addressed to Progressives who had for
the most part already made up their
minds whether they would support
Hughes or Wilson.
Col. Roosevelt left the Hotel Langdon
Saturday morning and called on Arthur
D. Duel at q West 57th street, where he
remained three-quarters of an hour. He
swinging his arms as if he had entirely
recovered. His color had returned and
he said he would be perfectly fit again
after a day or two in the country.