The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-05
Roosevelt Could Have Pro- gressive Nomination at Any Time Waiting to See What Republicans Do
GENUINE EFFORT TO
 WIN PROGRESSIVES IS
 APPARENT IN G. o. P.
Speculation Rife as to What
 Old Guard Would DoWere { It to Defeat Roosevelt.
 Are Fighting Hughes

4 Chicago, June 4.--Little more than half had reached Chicago tonight. Those who are here are uncertain of the attitude { of other men from their states.
 I It seemed certain that Colonel Roosevelt \ lcould have the progressive nomination at once if he would say the word and still leave the way open to withdraw his can sdidacy if the republican convention nomi- mated a man whom he was willing to ssupport.
 II One faction among the progressives favors nominating Colonel Roosevelt on the first day of the convention, and then await the action of the republicans. An |lother faction would prefer to make no nomination until after it was known what the republicans purposed to do.
 SPECULATION IS RIFE On every hand tonight there is specula- tion as to what the old guard will do if slit succeeds, in defeating Colonel Roose- EIvelt, whether they would go the whole EIdistance and nominate a man of their |lnumber, such as Root, Fairbanks, Weeks Elor Burton, or whether they would at Hrempt to conciliate the progressives by |lthoosing a man whom the latter might Ii5upport. The name of Justice Hughes is |lehe only one that has been brought for Award so far as having such possibilities. Among the rank and file of the republi- Ecans there are indications of a genuine |bffort to draw the progressves back into ! "a old y,or or-fx One of fbnc axyi1n ic he lack of harsh criticism and bellicose Demonstrations, which characterized the fS;onventi1m period of 1912. The supporters | |i,f candidates ramiliarly called favorite sons are firm in their arguments but are inclined to far greater degree than ordinarily to extol their candidates with ! put detracting from others.
 Street corner harangu.s in the interest |bf candidates and the usual partisan musical demonstrations have not been seen.
 Because of the fact that Justice Hughes and Colonel Roosevelt occupy places far I Tn advance of others, they have become he especial subjects of attack, each by he champions of the other and both by
 he adherents of the half dozen other hACH WuoSC itdIllCS etlc UclIlS IlCutlOACO
 CONCESSIONS OFFERED
 Most of the delegates who came in to- Hay were of the element that stood out
 or party solidarity in 1912, and although
 ome of them speak without rancor of Colonel Roosevelt, they take a positive sositon against his candidacy While they
 ontend that his nomination is impossi- ble, they agree that the influence of his
 Supporters may be paramount in naming
 he candidate and shaping the platform
 Many of them are willing to let Colonel Roosevelt pick the candidate if that will insure harmony among the republicans
 nd win the support of the progressives
 Those who are opposing nominating Jus
 ice Hughes lay their principal complaint
 gainst his failure to announce his posi- ion on current issues. This criticism
 ones from both republicans and pro-
 ressives. There was a widespread re- port tonight that Colonel Roosevelt him.
 elf had declared that he would not sup
 ort the Justice unless he made such
 statement. The progressive leaders
 ere made no secret of their intention
 ? demand satisfactory pronouncement be-
 ore they would give their support
 Supporters of Hughes contended that if
 e was nominated by the republicans he
 ould be- depended upon to send tele-
 ram of acceptance that would meet with
 he approval of delegates
 Even some of the progressives agreed
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