New-York tribune., 1908-07-21
ESCAPE OF HITCHCOCK
AUTO NEARLY WRECKED.
Plans Campaign scith Western Lead
ers at Colorado Springs.


sion of the Republican leaders with Chairman
Frank H. Hitchcock OF the national committee
opened at 9 o'clock this afternoon and continued
until nearly o'clock this evening. During
that time, members OF the national committee
and the chairmen Of the state central commit
tees from sixteen states and territories addressed
the assembly and explained state conditions
Tonight Mr. Hitchcock talked individually
with the leaders from the Western states 10
work out with still greater detail plans lor
opening end conducting the campaign. Inc
greatest enthusiasm was displayed by all the
participants in the conference.
Because Of the late arrival OF some OF the
Western leaders, no effort was made to get to-
gether in the forenoon Instead, those VINO hao
already assembled took automobiles and made
tour of the Garden of the Gods and Manitou
Springs
The machine carrying c. c. Bursum, CHAIR
man Of the New Mexico committee w. T.
Martin. Republican leader Of that territory
and T. L. Weed of Mr. Hitchcocks CLERKS
stalled On a steep hill approaching the balanced
rock, and through the failure of the brake sud-
denly started down hill backward
The chauffeur commanded his passengers to
Jump, and they cleared the car just as 1t reacned
the brink Of a deep gully. The car turheo
turtle and was wrecked rocks below, with
AOA---'
meath. He not seriously hurt
Two cars were closely following the wrecked
machine. In one Mr.. Hitchcock was riding and
in the other was James T. Williams, jr., of
Washington, who is associated with Mr.. Hitch
cock. Through prompt action by the drivers OF
the machines a collision was averted, but both
cars and their occupants were In danger OF
being carried the brink. The road where
the accident occurred is dangerous for auto
and mos driy fak %
avoid 1t.
At . O'Clock the representatives OF all the
states and territories invited. by Mr. Hitchcock
TO meet here had arrived. with the exception OF
Nevada, and it decided to 20 with the
conference. Mr.. Hitchcock addressed his CO.
workers briefly, and explained that he had
brought them together to broaden their labors1
and procure cooperation Of efforts. After that
all of the present talked about conditions in
their states. They recited the shortcomings in
the management of the national campaigns in
past years, they affected their state, and gen
eral discussion held to devise means Of
remedying any defents that had been felt. The
conferrees described the meeting as stock
taking session."
The representatives from California Colorado
Idaho, Kansas. Montana, Nebraska. North Da-
kota, Oregon South Dakota, Utah, Washington
and Wyoming declared in positive terms that
their states could be carried for Taft and Sher-
man, but al the same time insisted that the
campaigns there should be carried With the
greatest viger. the enthusiasm extending to
oklahoma and Texas and to the territories.
Speaking for Oklahoma. National Committee
Cade and State Chairman Hunter urged
that the fight in that state be not ignored. They
said that if earnest effort be made there q
close race could be run with the Democrats with
some prospect of success, notwithstanding the
Democrats have the administrative machinery.
The posttiveness Of the representatives Of the
! new state impressed their colleagues and it was
1 agreed tacitly that strong work should be done
|, in Oklahoma
Colonel Cecil A. Lyon, who Is both national
committeeman and state chairman from Texas.
complained that his state had been neglected by
Republic. national campaign managers in the
past, and he wanted strong speakers sent there.
The situation in Texas will be taken up at some
other time.
There is factional fight in the Republican
ranks Of Colorado which is just now attracting
much attention here. An effort has been made
to involve Mr. Hitchcock in the controversy by
getting him to act referee He made it clear
to-day that he would not be drawn into fights in
any capacity, and he told the local leaders that
they should settle their differences not to
injure Republican chances in the national con-
test.
The party of Republican leaders has arranged
to ascend Pixies Peak tomorrow and TO resume
the conference at p. m. 1t has not been de-
cided by Mr. Hitchcock when he will call the
leaders from the Central States to meet in Chi
cago but it is probable that the date will be
soon after the Taft notification ceremonies In
Cincinnati
NO FIGHT. SAYS KERR.