New Britain herald., 1916-07-15
WILL II BE MILAN,
 TAFT OR CUMMINGS?
Former President Being Seriously
 Considered for Seat in Senate

Washington, July 15.--One hears good bit of gossip at the national capital about the senatorial situation in Connecticut. The recent report that former President Taft may be brought forward as a candidate for United States senator this year in Connecticut is attracting attention and discussion in Washington.
 We'll informed Connecticut repub- licans now here admit frankly that their party would have great difficulty carrying the state for it's senatorial candidate unless the latter is one of two men. namely. Senator George P. Mclean or former President William Howard Taft. Republicans say that Homer s. Cummings, the prospective democratic candidate for senator will be elected unless one of these two republicans is nominated, and they are not sure that Cummings will not make a strong race even against them. Democrats say that Cummings can defeat Taft or Mclean or anybody else.
 Friends of both Taft and Mclean say they do not think the former will run for the senate against Mclean. They believe, however, that if Mo- Lean should withdraw and retire Taft would be willing to be "drafted" for the senate. They say that the former
 president has very conscientious idea about his duty to his party and
 his country and that he could be pre- vailed upon to re-enter politics, which he claims to have abandoned March 4, 1913.
 That Taft would get out a big re- publican vote and carry the state of Connecticut for the senatorial. ticket is the claim of Connecticut republi-
 cans. They base it in part upon the
 fact that Taft is Yale alumnus and
 Yale professor and popular with Yale men everywhere. They say that
 practically all such men in Connec- ticut would line up behind the former president and do their best to put him over" However. 1t is not known that these prophets make full allow ance for possible refusal of bull moosers in Connecticut to follow Col. Roosevelt into the republican camp. While Taft has many friends in the state it is pointed out that the bull moose party had no more earnest members anywhere than 1t did in Connecticut.
 Another source of weakness for Taft in the opinion of some Connec- ticut republicans here, is the fact that he has been a resident of the state only three years and it is said that some old line republican leaders in Connecticut may not be satisfied if comparative newcomer were to cap n r0riza
 If Taft were nominated for the sen ate the country might face the in teresting possibility of two former presidents being members of the sen ate, as there is good deal of talk about Col. Roosevelt becoming the re- publican and progressive nominee for senator in New York state. The presence of these two ex-presidents in the senate once such warm per sonal and political friends. then such bitter enemies. in 1912 and since then, but now united once more in support ing the candidacy of Charles E. Hughes would be a spectacle the like of which has never been seen in this or any other country. it is believed. Did somebody suggest that it is a shame that this beautiful plan might be spoiled by the refusal of Senator Mclean to retire and the refusal of the G. O. P. leaders of New York to stand for Roosevelt as senatorial candidate to succeed. Senator O'Gor- man, a democrat?
 As to the first of these thoughts, Senator Mclean has made no public statement so far as known as to his plans in politics. One hears rum that he may decide to retire this year, but inquiry among his friends brings forth the tip that he will prob ably run again. His friends say that he would not be a candidate for re- election if there was republican oppo- sition to his nomination. but they do not believe that there will be such to any substantial extent, Taft may be from consideration in con-