Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-03
Former President Assails Atti-
tude of Republicans in Sem
ate, Who, Although Not
Identified With Progressive
Detection, H a We Played
"Good Lord and Good Devil"
1t Is This Attitude Which Has En-
couraged Democratic Progressive
Propaganda Looking to Nomina-
tion of Colonel Roosevelt or That
of Some Candidate of His Choice
and Selection"

bU a StuU correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.--The Cincn-
natl Times star, owned by C. p. Taft
brother of the former President. today
will publish a letter from it's Washing
ton correspondent, Gus ]. Karger giv-
ing an outline of the former Presidents
views with regard to the suggestion that
Colonel Roosevelt may be the Republican
presidential nominee In 1916, or dictate
the choice of the Republican National
Convention, IL Mr.. Roosevelts personal
ambition shall not be realized. Mr..
Karger was closely identified with the
cause of Mr.. Taft in 1908 and 1912, acting
as his press representative, position in
which he continued during Mr.. Tafts
White House incumbency. What he says
with reference to Professor Tafts opinion
Is accepted as authoritative by his WASH
ington colleagues.
WHAT THE LETTER SAYS.
Mr.. Karger's letter to the Times-Star
follows:
'"rhat any other than q real Repub-
iican shall be the Republican nominee or
have a part In determining the choice OF
the Republican National Convention, Is
regarded as an absurd suggestion n
ridiculous proposaI,' by Prof. William
Howard Taft, former President of the
United S'Gtes And he Is far from SYM
pathetic sith the attitude of certain lead
Ing Rep" hllcans in the United states
Senate, Republicans who, although not
Identified with the Progressive detection.
have been playing the game of good
Lord and GOOD devil for the sake of re-
naming in the good graces OF both OF
the factional elements.
az saw former President Taft In WASH
ington on the occasion or his recent Vlslt
IN connection with Red Cross anairs. Mr.;
Taft has thrown himself vigorously and
enthusiastically into the work and has
been Immensely interested In the diver
sity OF Red Cross activities. He had but
little time lille here to discuss politics.
but what he said was direct, emphatic,
aggressive and to the point. His animad-
versions were directed not to the spirit
OF compromise designed to bring back the
erring brethren. but to the mere sugges-
tion of any plan to conciliate the So
called Progressive leaders at the cost and
surrender of Republican principle.
"AIr. Taft was not discussing the sttua-
ton with a view to publicity. But he has
ro objection, / am sure, to having it I'M
!ers.ood that he takes 1t as matter of
cout,c that Colonel Roosevelt and Mr..
Taft having been the opposing leaders in
the quarrels of 1912, the Republican party
will nor court another defeat by the nomi-
nation of either.
''I take tho liberty of putting what fol-
lows in quotation marks, for the sake OF
simplicity. 1t may be accepted as pre-
senting Mr.. Taft's opinions, without COM
mtting him to the language.
Regular Republicans have shown no
disposition to make themselves conspicu-
Gus in the political discussions of the
day. Assured of the survival OF their
party. of its rehabilitation and restora-
ton to a position of aggressiveness and
militance, they have been careful to
throw no difficulty into the path of the
returning brethren. Their silence seems
TO have been misinterpreted. Leaders OF
the old Progressive movement have taken
advantage of it for purposes of self
nd nf
ing men OF Congress, although not iden-
tined with the Progressive detection.
anxious to remain in the good graces or
both factional elements, have been play
ing a game of good Lord and good
devil a game that can't be played sue
cessfully at this or any other time. 1t
Is this attitude on their part which has
encouraged the acknowledgement
propaganda looking to the nomination or
Colonel Roosevelt or to that of some
candidate of his chice and selection.
But the Republican party will be
maintained as a Republican party. II Wlll
not become a Progressive party, with the
fads and isms contemplated by the
change The returning Progressive Will
have standing In the Republican party
put that OF the regular Republican VINO
did not stvay cannot be impaired. The
Republicf party is not dependent on the
Progressive leaders for success In the
next campaign. The Progressive voters
who have come back attached no condi-
tIons to their coming.
''rhe leaders who are left without sup
port are using their genius for public
ity 10 the greatest advantage in order
that they may create the impression that
they are really leading large force,
which they will throw one way or the
other as the nomination OF the Repuo-
ncan party shall happen 10 please or dis
please them; and the most radical mis-
take the Republican party can make is to
sacrifice its principles either in its plat
form or In the character of its nominee
for the purpose OF securing their sup
port. If the Republican party viii nomi-
nate a regular Republican 1t can win;
and If it cannot win with a regular Re-
publican 1t ought not to win in any
event. The backbone OF the Republican
party is in the business men of the coun-
try, and they want true note struck as
to business conservatism and a medium
course prescribed in the matter of peace
and war preparedness. II the plan should
be 10 eoneiliate the Progressive leaders
at whatever cost, IL viii be at a cost mer-
tied BY such a course. Even though vic
tory could be secured by fiabby promise
II would avail nothing, for the party
would divide again as it did before.
Real Republicans will protest against
the adoption OF any coIorless opportu-
MIST policy in dealing with men with
whose views the delegates 10 the con-
vsntion are not in real sympathy. They
wlll protest against any attempt 20 in
duce them to support the Republican
marty by making allowance In advance
for their feelings in the hope and pos
slhIe expectation OF pursuing = subse-
ousnt course which shall not crafty
those feelings.
1T i the timidity shown BY certain
Republican leaders IN asserting the prin-
eI1Iaa OF the Republican party which
5 .sIses color TO the absurd suggestion. the
Iazldlculous proposal that any other than
= real Republican shall be the Repub-
.Iean nominee or take part In deter
s1zz.z=siuIne the choice or the Republican Ma.
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