Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-21
Speculation About Fairbanks.

announcement from MN that ne "OulQ
decline.
Speculation About Fairbanks.
That statement was widely discred-
tied, however. by other republicans.
who said they are morally convinced
that II the convention should, upon an
early ballot. choose another man by
anything approaching unanimity, Mr..
Fairbanks could not refuse the nomi
nation for second place If it should
come to him.
1t was said by leading republicans at
the Capitol yesterday that the Oregon
returns, coming at this interesting stage
of the contest. will assuredly give the
friends Of Mr.. Hughes, who are urging
his nomination great encouragement and
have important bearing in swaying SEN
timent among the uninstructed dele
gates.
The Oregon outcome was all the more
remarkable. it was explained. because of
the fact that while other candidates made
personal campaigns in the state, it was
necessary to resort to mandamus pro-
ceedings even TO get Mr.. Hughes name on
the ballot. as he had refused to sanction
its use there, as he did in Nebraska.
Reports reached Washington from
Massachusetts, that Gov Mccall is to be a
candidate for the nominate and contest
the support of his state with Senator
Weeks 1t was said that this alleged in
".
developed by friends of Gov. Hughes, who
are sounding out sentiment in the Bay
state. Senator Weeks managers claimed
yesterday that he will have more strength
on the first two ballots than any other
favorite son candidate or suggested
candidate.
Representative Mckinley of Illinois, who
is the eastern manager of the Sherman
boom, gave out statement claiming
that the fight between Hughes and
Roosevelt supporters in New York will
turn attention to the west in the search
for a candidate and that Senator Sher-
man will be the favorite of the middle
west.
However. at this time very little de-
pendence is being placed upon the esti-
mates of strength developed on the first
two ballots. all politicians agreeing that
the great unknown quantity in the sit
uation. the uninstructed delegates and
their second choice of candidates, will
in the end determine the contest
Progressives Flirting With Root.
From sources close to the Root man
agement comes the statement that
progress seems to have been made be-
tween the progressives and the Root
people concerning the platform There
are no negotiations. no formal ex
change of views. it is said. but each
seems to know where the other stands
on what is agreed will be the live
issues of the campaign.
These are preparedness, the tariff
and foreign relations. On basic re-
publican principles Root. it is claimed,
stands where he always has stood
Roosevelt. on his part, no longer
seems to consider referendum and
initiative and recall as principles
which need be incorporated in a
political platform
Mr.. Root himself is said to be es-
pecially anxious for the progressives
to be satisfied with the platform, as
well as with the candidate. It is un-
derstood that he has been visited bv
delegates from several states. whose
presence in New York has ESCAPED
newspaper notice, and has impressed
this on them.
Western progressives on their part
have shown very open minded dis
position. it Is said. The Root campaign
committee found an unexpected de-
mand for literature which gave Mr..
Roots speeches on various subjects of
interest to progressives. One of these
was his address on Invisible Govern
ment." which at the time of its de-
livery panied the old guard in New
A statement from the former secra-
tary of Agriculture. James Wilson.
strongly indorsing Root, has been ex
tensively circulated in the west and
is credited with doing much toward
the farmers.
The Root and Roosevelt followines
are said to be in complete accord in
the opinion that the candidate shouid
be able to interpret in advance the
platform and emphasize it before the
public. e
The Root managers will listen to M
talk of a complimentary vote for Root
on the first ballot. They do not want
compliments. they say, and are more
interested in the third ballot than In
the first one. They claim that they
have the majority of the New Yorl,
delegation nailed down and copper
riveted. and that few extra rivets
were put on during the last few days
Hence, they say. the desire of the
minority of the delegation to let them
selves out of difficult situation by
complimenting Root. Instead, they
prefer that Hughes be complimented by
his followers. voting for him on the
first ballot. Back of this talk of COM
plimentary votes Is said to be a real
endeavor to secure harmony In the
New York delegation