New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-27
Moose Leader Declares
Colonel Seeks Total
Ruin of Party.
HIS MANAGERS AT
CHICAGO SCORED
Disingenuousness, Sophistry and
Hatred of President Cited In
O'Connelrs Criticism.

A bitter criticism Of Colonel Roose-
velt's letter TO the National Progress
sive Committee was made last night in
statement issued by John j. O'Con-
nell. chairman of the Progressive Coun-
IS Committee. leader among the more
radical local Bull Moose.
The impressions one gets OF Colonel
Roosevelt's letter." he said, ARE its
d.singenuousness, its sophistry. then
It's labored attempt at justification, and,
finally. the very evident hatred Of our
President Usually. the Colonel has
found 10 easy 20 express his thoughts
and his desires in plain and pointed
language. Here, he evidently desires
70 complete the ruin OF the Progress
sive party by driving its members, If he
can. into the Republican party, but ap
raren.ly fears 20 express the direct
wish he hopes his audience will under
stand"
Mr.. O'Connell declared that the dele
gates 20 the Progressive National Con-
vention did not know that the Colonel
would decline 10 run on q third ticket
4 the Republicans nominated a man
Ike Hughes.
Fails TO Meet Real Cause"
He totally fails TO meet the real
cause Of anguish of the Progressives
who we're delegates and alternates TO
the convention" continued Mr.. O'Con-
nell. "Bamely, that they have now come
10 the belief that the Colonel never in
tended 10 accept their nomination
hafv a
club 20 force the Republican conven-
ton 10 nominate him. and that if the
club was ineffective, IL could go into
the woodpile for all the Colonel cared
The statement points out that the
ardent and loyal Progressives" who
went 70 the trouble of attending the
convention as delegates would never
had done so had they known the IN
generous purpose for which they were
being used"
1T may be that the Colonel is guilt
less Of such a course of action" the
statement continued. but certainly his
managers were not. | am not speak
ing from hearsay, but as one TO
whom the Colonels managers went
so far as 10 give me their most
sacred word Of honor on these
questions presume they in turn must
feel chagrined at the Colonel when it
turned out that the sacred word Of
honor had not as much truth in II as
could be covered by the skin of mus
;srd seed.
There are many Progressives who
believe that since 1912 the Colonel has
been anxious TO get the Progressive
party of his shoulders, and they would
instance his attempts TO influence the
nomination of Mr.. Whitman for Mayor
In 1918, his attempts to support Mr.
Whitman for Governor early in 1914
and his subsequent attempt 70 hand US
Mr.. Human, Of Binghamton.'
Finds Inconsistencies"
The county chairman picked out
what he called many inconsistencies"
IN the Colonel's statement. He declared
70 was not sufficient for him 10 say that
.nasmuch as he was willing 10 support
Nr. Hughes il must be accepted as
proof that the Colonel was certain Of
where Mr.. Hughes stool. Referring
20 the treatment of President Wilson,
O'Connell said:
:The Colonel himself has never hest
lated 10 use the sdroitest form of elo-
cution when his ends required II, and
this letter TO the Progressive National
Committee is a shining example,
Mr.. O'Connell declared he did not be-
lieve the country would 20 to political
or other dsmnation If Mr.. Wilson
should be reelected.