The San Francisco call., 1903-12-12
Republican Party Leaders
Hold Brief Meeting, After
Which They Call on Roose-
welt and Are Photographed
PRESIDENT EXTENDS
CORDIAL GREETINGS
Chicago and st. Louis Making
Hard Fight for Next National
Convention and Their Claims
Will BE Heard To Day


WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE Repub-
ncsn National Committee to-day, at the
Arlington Hotel, began its initial meet
ing. preparatory TO the Presidential
campaign of 1904. The committee, which
was called to order by Chairman
Hanna, represented. every State and
Territory, either by the regular member
or proxy, except Hawaii.
The principal business to be transact
ed is the selection of the time and place
for holding the next Republican Ma
tional Convention. Neither of these
questions was discussed at the meeting.
Perry S. Heath, the secretary, read
call of the meeting, stating its pur-
pose. A number of communications
were then presented, including one
from the National Republican League,
asking for an opportunity TO be heard
on the question of some plan of co-ope-
ration between the'league and the ma
tional committee. In the last campaign
the league was supplied with funds and
literature and this plan is favored
again.
When Chairman Hanna called the
meeting to order he was greeted with
a round of applause. He expressed
briefly his thanks to the committee for
the work in the campaign of 1900, say
ing:
Il desire to improve this opportunity
to thank the members OF this commit
4Lnf koo
ration in the campaign, for which ser
vice they were chosen by the conven-
tion held in that year. From per-
sonal standpoint it is a pleasure to me
TO make this acknowledgment of unani-
nous support on the part Of this COM
mittee III this campaign. Those of you
who may be unfortunate enough to be
chosen again will have that experience.
"All of interest to the Republican
party that centers in this meeting can
be told in one word-that is, Success
And all that is necessary to bring
about that result is to stand pat upon
the principles and policies of that
party"
This statement was greeted with
hearty applause. Chairman Hanna ex-
Liained HAT the meetings of the COM
1aitipe 1ludid be public, except at the
m ,stil,s t,i-.tu CIV. when balleting for
a I,Eice IL hCld the next convention
would Take llace
4 tiibute nas paid to the late George
Wfsweu of Milwaukee. sergeant at
arms Of the committee.
This afternoon the committee pro-
-ceeded 10, the White House. After wait
ing q few minutes in the green pa-lor
the President entered ana was heA -rily
greeted by the committee. Chairman
Hanna said as he took Mr.. Roose-plt's
hard:
Mr.. President, have the honor to
present en- masse the members of the
Republican National Committee In my
experience with this body Of men I have
found them all true, loyal Republicans,
ready to support the principles of the
Republican party at all times.
President Roosevelt replied:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: 1t is
a peculiar pleasure to me to greet here
the men to whom not merely the party
but the country has owed so much in
the immediate past and the men to
whom~both party and country. will owe
so much in the immediate future"
This sentiment was applauded.
You would better pass around the
room. Mr.. President, and shake hands
with each one remarked Senator
Hanna.
"Al right" responded the President.
i was just wondering which was the
best way TO get at them
You will have no trouble in getting
at these fellows" responded Senator
Hanna. They are all anxious to see
you"
As the laugh subsided the President
remarked, bowling TO Senator Hanna:
Il have sat at the feet of Gemaliel.
He then passed around the room and
shook hands with each member, after
which a photograph of the committee
was taken on the portico of the White
House, with the President and Senator
Hanna in the center. Secretary Heath
did not accompany the committee to
the White House.
Tomorrow the session will begin at
10 o'clock, when time viii be given to
the committees representing cities de-
string the convention to present their
claims.
ST. Louis and Chicago, which seem
TO be the chief rival cities for the con-
vention. are maintaining headquarters
at the Arlington and viii be given an
opportunity to present their claims.
Q o
STATESMAN STRIKES HARD.