New-York tribune., 1905-08-31
TO PLAN FUSION TONIGHT
Mr.. ODELL OPTIMISTIC.
Thinks Outlook for Strong Ana-
Tamnsany Increment Good.

The first fusion anti-Tammany conference viii be
held CT the Republican Club tonight at o'clock
President Halpin Of the Republican County COM
.nittee who called IL said last night that the ist
nights work would be almost wholly discussion
ahout the practicabilty and desirabihty OF FUSION
by the Republicans the Citizens Union ana 'he
Municipal Ownership League. The prospects loi d
.uccesstt,l coalition are none brilliant, Tor the
reason thai the Citizens Union has made up us
mind that M Jerome Is the only promising caho-
date and wiz insist his nomination Inc AZ
rlicpal Ownership League is opposed 10 jerome anu
as soon as his name is suggested in conferences
will present the signatures OF more than one nun
dred thousand voters. collected by the league pro
testing against the nomination of the District Al
torney for Mayor.
President HaIpin Will bend all his energies 70 oo
tanning agreement on the fundaineh'al - ~ 80.
tion of a fusion against Tammany. Then Wi! come
the framing of platform. and later the canuio@peS
Il don't think we shall get down 10 oonsloera-
Ton of candidates for the first two or three meet
tngs- said Mr. HalIin. THE Republicans as yet
have no candidates for any Office. The most I'M
portant thing is TO agree on fusion
The Municipal Ownership League last night sent
10 Mr. Halpin an acceptance Of his invitation Tor
fusion conference. but significantly stipulated 'hae
St would cooperate with other anu amman
bodies II the platform and Candidates are saus-
factory The executive committee of the league
viii be .ts conference committee tonight, as fol-
lows: William Randolph Hearst. ]. G. Phelps
Stokes. Justice Samuel Seabury. Justice John Pal-
1nfer4 Thomas C4illeran 9. Augustus HaV1lano Mel
win G. PaIlser and NJ F. Ihmsen.
The acceptance Of the invitation was as foAo"s'
william Fsalpfn. Esq. President OF the Republi-
County Committee. . ,., -,
Dear Sir: We accept the invitation whlch you
have extended 10 the Municipal Ownership Leae " u.
we note With much satisfaction, that You cleatiN
Fealize that the administration OF Mayor NC 6a
has placed before the citizenship OF the city the
question: 'Shsl the great public utl4ty coIloLa
lions continue 20 control <ud misuse the govern
men Of this city against the interests OF an oul
people and sole gain OF tnose cofPoie'iO4'
and the leaders OF Tammany Hall?
telaxsne that the correct answer to TINS quesuon
rsrries with N the assumption by the fusion forces
OF progressive attitude toward the huIIiTlpat iSip
ownership and operation of those pubic uuhlles
which IN their nature monopoiies. We beg 70
snfoyTn YOU that the league viii cooperate WIN
other anti i-Tammany bodies. provided a platform
.n favor OF municipal ownership Is adopte9 @Ilu
o-Ss have evidenced the4r loyalty TO the princpies
of municipal ownership
Ex-Governor Oden at Republican State head
quarters yesterday in consultation with President
iHalpin and others with reference to the fusion
campaign. Two OF his callers were Edward lau-
serbach former president of the county committee
and Arthur Brisbane Of The American" When
Mr.. Odeu was asked about the prospect for
fusion movement he said:
The outlook now is very good indeed The posi-
ton of the Republicans. as l understand II after
talking with the local leaders is very conciatory
think it viii be some days before the conferrees
get down 10 a discussion OF candidates. The first
asneeting viii be for exchange OF views.
When Edward Lauterbach was asked. after see
..ng Mr.. Odell If he was in favor of fusion. he
saughed and said:
'Nran the leopard change his spots?'