Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-08-14
FISH OR CUT BAIT.
Chairman Jones's Desire Of Ger.
tain Committeeman.
TALKS OF FILLING THE PLACES

or Those Of the National Body Who Are
Holding Aloof from the Fight for Bryan
Tho Latter to Take the Field Himself
Next Month and Lead the Battle to the
End-National Gold Democratic Com
mittee Keeps Moving-veterans Visit
Mckinley.
NEW YORK, Aug 13.-Chairman Jones.
Of the national Democratic committee.
was in anything but q pleasant frame Of
mind yesterday, and 1t is said that he
made threats as to what would be done if
there was not active participation in the
Bryan campaign by all the national com
mitteemen. For the past few days the
more radical members Of the national
committee have been urging some action
by the chairman against tho absent and
supposed-to-b inactive committeeman
from New York, Connections and Penn
sylvnnia. Jones has steadfastly refused
to do anything, and the committee by vote
"Wednesday refrained from interfering
Yesterday, however, there came q change
In the situation. Following closely the
visit Of a delegation Of Pennsylvania men
to Bryan, Chairman Jones attempted to
influence the action Of the Pennsylvania
gram that James Kerr, Of Clearfeld,
would be n proper man to elect as chair
man in place OF Wright. resigned.
Harrity Men Win the Fight.
The lIarrity incn did not believe this
and had n candidate of their own, Colonel
Spangler. Late in the afternoon a tele-
gram from Harrisburg related that Spang-
Ter would he elected. 1t is said that
Chairman Jones then answered that If
Kerr was not chosen he would use the
power conferred upon him and would re-
move Harrity from the national commit
tee and appoint Kerr. Jones was shown
the dispatch relating this story. He read
1t through carefully and then positively
declined to talk. When he received a tel
egram saying That Garman, in whose
favor Spangier had retired, had been elect
ell over Kerr, thus giving the victory to
the Harrity people, Jones is said to have
made the threat that all national commit.
teeincn who did not take an active part in
the campaign would be ousted from the
committee.
what Jones Probably Will Do.
Later in the night friend of Jones ex-
pressed what may be the plan of
the chairman in disciplining the al
legged obstinate members of the committee.
He said: II think that Chairman Jones
attitude has been misconstrued in the
matter. He will not attempt to remove
the members Of New York, Connecticut
and Pennsylvania, who have not taken
any part In our proceedings. But he will
do this: The chairman in making his
campaign and executive committees was
given power to select persons outside Of
the national committee. The states Of
New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania
will be represented on the committee but
not Ivy the nation ] committeeman.
Kerr Will Represent Pennsylvania.
flames Kerr will probably be chosen
for Pennsylvania. Alexander Troop for
Connecticut and William Sulzer for New
York, although the latter matter may be
left open until the New York state com
mittce meets. That may be set down as
Mr.. Jones plan" Chairman Jones sent
word last night to all newspaper men that
he had rot yet completed his list fully. In
the meantime the matter of selecting n
| national headquarters remains unsettled.