Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-28
Think THE COLONEL
MAY CHOOSE ROOT
Progressives Discuss Lead
er's Probable Preference
Should Justice Hughes
Be stopped"
REGULARS NOT FEARING
STAMPEDE TO ROOSEVELT
Willing to Make Concessions, But
Say Threat of Bolt Will
Not Brighten.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

b N. ". MESSEN6Gns
CHICAGO, May 27-One of the devel-
opments of today was discussion among
the progressive leaders of possible con-
siderations which might be weighed by
| Col. Roosevelt in contemplating the ex-
| igency of accepting Elihu Root in case
Mr.. Justice Hughes Is stopped by the
allies and the Roosevelt interests.
| The only ground of possibility of the
| colonel doing this. in their opinion,
! was that Mr.. Root is regarded as stand
ing for Americanism and preparedness
! almost as vigorously as the colonel,
having made speech on that line
which. it is intimated here, was vised
by the colonel before its delivery. The
progressives said that while humanita-
rianism is the keystone of progressive
principles, an Americanized and pre-
| pared country must come first, and
Root is for Americanism and prepared
ness.
But the leaders said further that II
they should accept Mr.. Root the ticket
would certainly lose the support of the
co-called conscience progressives.
That is to say. the men who stand for
radical progressivism, no matter
whether they win or lose in the cleo
tions.
Such a threatened loss would not dis
may the regular republicans at all.
They know that a certain percentage
of extreme bull moosers will be salts
fed with nothing short Of absolute die
they have discounted their disaffection.
1t does not seem to threaten to amount
to great deal, anyhow.
Radicals Are Vociferous.
In fact. it is well known that the
radical bull moose element Is vocifer-
Gus rather than potential. They will
have more delegates than the regulars.
ers. Take the case of Nebraska as an
example. The sixteen bull moose dele
gates from that state were elected by
432 votes cast in the entire common
wealth. the state which in 1912 gave
Roosevelt 1900 votes. In the recent
primaries the delegates to the repub-
lican convention represented 10000
votes and the democratic delegates
$4,000 votes.
Another development of today was an
expression OF opinion in important pro-
gressive quarters that II the radicals
in the bull moose convention run away
colonel as their candidate before the
regulars have acted. the colonel will
withhold his acceptance or rejection Of
that nomination until after the repub-
licans have expressed their choice
The regular republicans maintain
that the primaries in Massachusetts,.
New Jersey. Colorado and California
clearly demonstrated that Col. Roose-
Of the question. The regulars do not
believe the colonel can get the support
Of the regular convention, and the only
question that concerns them in con-
nection with the colonel is whether
they may obtain his Endorsement of the
candidate they name.
The "field." or the "allies,'' as the
fayorite favor sPn .a; candidates are termed s.iil
gether with the influence they expect
the colonel to exert will stand as bar
to the selection of Mr.. Hughes on an
early ballot They claim. in fact, that
the Hughes strength will wane from
now on. under the questioning of dele
gates as to his position on public ques-
tions and his inability to answer
Acknowledge the Hughes Strength.
But the progressives do not under
value the Hughes strength. 1t is known
beyond a doubt that Col. Roosevelt re-
CARDS Mr.. Hughes as the obstacle to his
own nomination. and that at this mo-
ment the colonel's chief efforts are
being bent to heading off Mr. Hughes,
and that he realizes he cannot make
move for himself until Mr. Hughes is
out of the way.
Well. he hasn't anything on the
field" in this regard. They are in the
same boat. 1t is rather pathetic to see
them. Here are the managers hugging
to their bosoms the delegates they
claim to have in leash for candidates,
nd fpr rd ho
mass of uninstructed delegates, where
in lies that much heralded but un-
known quantity. the Hughes senti-
ment."
Could they but get a line on that
bright flame. which. like will O. the
wisp, futters ahead of them. how happy
they could be. they murmur.
These facts stand out prominently
situation; first. that this will be an "or-
Kanization" convention in spirit; sec
ond. that the "handpicked" delegates
will not be amenable to stampede tao
stration expected from the bull moos-
ers.
Spirit of Cancellation Manifested.
However. it Is not to be understood
that this signifies an attitude of def
ance to progressive sentiment or to con-
tTOt ny tHc oiN . ooio nlu inc
patters On the contrary, a spirit of
conciliation and sincere desire for har-
mony will be dominant. The leaders
of the regular republicans will make
the broadest concessions on platform to
the progressives.
But they will not tolerate a position
by the bull moosers. which seems now
foreshadowed. of take us. our candt-
date and platform, as we demand. or we
bolt" II 1t comes to that, 1t seems to
be the present intention of the guiding
spirits of the regular organization to
heave q sigh and let them go their way.
Before such a crisis arises, however.
there will be a world Of conference and
coaxing and negotiation.
The bull moosers apparently are de-
pending upon definite line OF action
in their effort to induce the regulars
to take Col. Roosevelt. The principal
feature will be q tremendous demon
stration to foster the suggestion Of a
country wide demand for tho colonel.
hoping to Undue the old-line repub-
/ liican leaders themselves and the
hand picked" delegates as well with
the idea that perhaps 1t would be best
after. all to accept the colonel. An
other line of procedure will be to give
free rein to their radical crusaders,
with threats Of bolt. and say to the
Regulars: We are afraid we cannot
hold our people; tf.you don't take the
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