Visit To Roosevelt Casts Down Leaders.

New York Times 100 years ago today, July 21, 1912:
Jerseymen Go Away Moody and the Colonel Again Declares Against Compromise.
HE IGNORES DISSENSIONS
But Evidence Accumulates That Harmony Is Lacking — Poor Chance in New England.
Special to The New York Times.
    OYSTER BAY, N. Y., July 20.— Developments to-day served rather to broaden than heal over what seems here to be the impending break in the third party. Leaders from New Jersey and the New England States, who came to Sagamore Hill, went away in no pleasant mood, and when Col. Roosevelt was seen later he was aggressive. He was asked if any course had been decided upon to relieve the situation in the States of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and he clung to his ultimatum that he would sanction no compromise of any kind.
    "The plan of action will be left to the States themselves," said he, "out as have said, I will not sanction any arrangements which will let Roosevelt and Taft electors go before the people and have the popular vote decide for whom they shall cast their ballots."
    To this he added that he would also oppose the indorsement of any State candidate of another party where the State candidate was not heart and soul with the Progressive cause. He was asked flatly if he would say anything about the reports of a breach among the leaders of the party, and replied:
    "You who were with me in Chicago know how much truth there is in that"
    Despite Col. Roosevelt's cheerful view it was apparent from what his visitors said that he heard little from them encouraging him. George L. Record, one of the New Jersey leaders, admitted that all was not going on peacefully within the third party.
    "I am in favor of making the fight at the primaries and placing Roosevelt electors on the Republican ticket," said Record.
    Some of the others believe, in fact the concensus seems to be, that it should be made a straight third party movement.
    "I don't see the use of throwing away the chance to win."
    Charles H. Thompson, who has been selected by Senator Dixon, the Roosevelt campaign manager, to lead the fight in the New England States, and who made upon it as a pretty hopeless battle, was asked if he counted on any of the New England States.
    "No," said he, but he added that some of the other leaders in New England were more hopeful.
    Not a leader from Pennsylvania or Maryland, where the situation which threatens the open areas first came up, was near Sagamore Hill to-day. Col. Roosevelt received Herbert Knox Smith, who resigned as head of the Bureau of Corporations to aid the Colonel in his fight, and Prof. Charles McCarthy of Wisconsin University, who wanted to talk over economic subjects with him.
    Mr. Record arrived at Oyster Bay on an early train, and before he went to Sagamore Hill seemed willing enough to talk of New Jersey politics as they relate to the Progressives. It would be easy to carry the primaries there for Roosevelt, he said, as there wasn't a bit of Taft sentiment in evidence.
    "I don't see why some of the others are against such a plan," said he.
    Asked if he thought there was a good chance to win in New Jersey on a straight third party ticket, he replied:
    "Well, a great movement like this would naturally have to develop slowly, and no definite plan has been reached yet. Of course, the nomination of Wilson makes the situation in New Jersey more difficult."
    Asked what plan he thought would be adopted in the end, whether an attempt would be made to capture the Republican Party or not, he simply replied that the Progressives of New Jersey would probably defer to the wishes of Col. Roosevelt.
    Herbert Knox Smith, who was with Mr. Record, said that he had come on to ask Col. Roosevelt what he wanted him to do. It was probable that he would make some speeches, he said.
    Charles M. Thompson, who started in the Roosevelt fight as the Vermont manager, talked freely of the situation in New England.
    He was asked if there was any sentiment for President Taft in the New England States. "Yes, there is," he replied, "especially in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. Wilson has strength in Massachusetts and Roosevelt is probably the strongest in Maine.
    "Some seem to think that Wilson will I run ahead in the New England State and that Taft will trail him. I don't believe that."
    He was asked just what he meant by that statement, and replied that if Wilson did run ahead of the other candidates, and he gave the impression that such was his belief, Roosevelt would run second.
    Mr. Thompson said that a great meeting of the Progressives in New England would probably be held at Revere Beach on August 17, and that Col. Roosevelt would then make a speech.
    "We agreed to-day with Col. Roosevelt," said he, "not to assist any State candidate who did not agree to support the Progressive electors, and who was not with the Progressive movement and the principles for which it stands."
    The Vermont convention, he said, would be held on July 23, that in Massachusetts at Fanuiel Hall. Boston, on July 27; the Connecticut convention at New Haven on July 30, and the Maine convention at Biddeford on July 23.
    "The situation in Massachusetts had worried us a bit because we couldn't decide on the right man to run for Governor," said Mr. Thompson. "Col. Roosevelt put his finger on the man we want to-day. and if we can get him to run it looks pretty favorable." He wouldn't tell who the man was.
    Col. Roosevelt talked to-day about how glad he was that he at last was in a fight where the "bosses" counted for nothing and the people would decide.
    "I have a free hand," said he.
    "We ... will make no promises which we cannot keep. I shall go before the people in the speech I make at Chicago and tell them where I really stand in a manner so that they will fully understand. I am bound by no ties. This movement goes over the heads of the bosses and politicians to the people."
    Col. Roosevelt made another attack upon the tariff plank of the Democratic platform, saying that it comes out for the removal of the tariff. It is a question, he said, how much the tariff has to do with the high cost of living, and whether if the tariff were removed it would reduce the cost of living by 10 per cent. "It may be the trusts," said Roosevelt. "We are going to find out."
    How to form a new party without appearing to be a boss is one of the hardest conditions which the Colonel is facing, with the National Progressive convention only a fortnight away. The Colonel was asked to-day what arrangements had been made for the convention, in the way of the usual machinery for such assemblages, and said that he did not know much about it. The question of Temporary and Permanent Chairmanship, nominating and seconding speeches for the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, floor leadership and committee assignments are yet to be settled, and so far as could be learned little has been done in that direction.
    Controller William A. Prendergast of New York, who was to have nominated Col. Roosevelt at the Republican National Convention, and who made the nominating speech at the mass meeting in Orchestra Hall on the night the Republican convention adjourned, probably will present Col. Roosevelt's name to the National Progressive Convention, although the Colonel said that he was not sure who would do so.
    Judge Ben B. Lindsey of Denver, usually classed as a Democrat, will probably make one of the seconding speeches. As to the Vice Presidency, Col. Roosevelt would only say that it was a matter for the convention to decide, and that if it named him for President, it certainly would not wish him to name his running mate. The names of Judge Lindsey, Gov. Johnson of California, and several others who have been mentioned in this connection were suggested to Col. Roosevelt, but he declined to comment upon them.