Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-20
GUARDIANSHIP
OF COMMITTEE
HARD PROBLEM
CONFERENCE WITH TAFT WILL
BE HELD TODAY
EIGHT MEMBERS LEAVE FOR
CINCINNATI
Republican Nominee VIII Be Per-
mltted to Name Head Of National
Body--Three Names
Suggested
Ry Associated Press.

CHlCAGO, June 1J.-Elgnt members
of the Republican committee left Chi
Cago tonight for Cincinnati to confer
with Secretary Taft concerning the
election of a national chairman to man
age the Republican campaign. The sub
committee was appointed at the sug-
gestion of Secretary Taft, who is said
to be somewhat embarrassed by ap-
peals from his friends in Ohio for the
appointment of Arthur 1. Vorys or
Myron T. Herrick OF that state, and by
the demand made in a petition by a
majority of members of the national
committee for the appointment OF
Frank H. Hitchcock. The latter, be-
cause of his success In the Taft cam
paign for delegates, is being strongly
pushed by his friends, while those who
are personally attached to Mr.. Vorys
have announced that they intend to
make efforts in his behalf.
Congressman James S. Sherman OF
New York, who was today nominated
for the vice presidency, accompanied
the subcommittee to Cincinnati.
The men who will confer with Secre-
tary Taft over the chairmanship are
Powell Clayton of Arkansas, Myron I.
Herrick Of Ohio, Frank B. Kellogg OF
Minnesota, Charles Nagle of Missouri,
e. e. Hart of Iowa, Senator w. u: Bo-
rah of Idaho, E. G. Duncan OF North
Carolina and Frank .. Lowden OF
Illinois.
Half for. Hitchcock
The subcommittee was selected when
the new national committee met for or
ganization Immediately after adjourn
ment of the convention. The friends or
Hitchcock insist that more than half or
the eight members will vote to elect
him chairman, while the advocates or
Vorys say that five members favor the
election of the latter, or of some man
however, that the chairmanshlp de-
pends absolutely upon the wishes OF
Mr. Taft, who has not publicly ex-
pressed any preference. Nevertheless
he has indicated that the question is
one of practical politics, and that no
selection will be made for sentimental
reasons.
Keen interest in the selection of a
political manager for Secretary Tart is
taken by Charles p. Taft of ONO ana
Henry w. Taft, OF New York, protners
OF the Republican nominee. In view OF
the fact that Mr.. Hitchcock ana MI.
Vorys both have strong following, an
effort was made today by Charles +.
Taft to have both withdraw from the
race. The suggestion that this course
be taken when made to Mr.. HitcncocK
caused him to state that he had at no
time been candidate for the cnair-
manship and that he would net emDaro
place. Mr.. Vorys would make no state
ment. however, leaving his interest en-
tirely with his friends.
Mr.. Hitchcock in his reply to Charles
p. Taft said that while he would not
ask for the chairmanship, he would not
consent to accept subordinate STATION.
He said he had been invited to partlci-
nate in the pre-convention activities
and had served to the best OF his abili-
Nv. but that his work was over unless
the nominee desired that he continue
in a capacity that would be congenlal
to Mr.. Hitchcock.
Power to Select Chairman
That the subcommittee Is empowered
to select a chairman and treasurer
was asserted by Myron T. Herick after
the adjournment of the subcommltte.
All of the members of the commlttee,
however, do not understand the author
ity given them in the same manner as
Mr.. Herrick. 1t Is the belief OF these
that the subcommittee has the author
ity to elect in the event that Secretary
Taft declares whom he favors. Any
choice the secretary may express VIII
be accepted. That he will Indicate
preference for chairman and treasurer
is not doubted, but 1t is likely that
meeting of the full committee will be
called to fill the position In the event
that Mr.. Taft does not express a pref
erence. -
The secretaryship and the position of
sergeant -at-arms were settled by the
election of Elmer Dover of Ohio and
William F. Stone of Maryland, to sue
ceed themselves as secretary and SER
geant- tat arms, respectively.
Gen. Powell Clayton of Arkansas was
chosen to act as chairman until per-
manent official is named.
The motion to create the sobcommit-
tee was made by Myron T. Herrick of
Ohio, and included the names of the
committee as appointed. with the ex-
ception that Mr.. Ward of New York
was nut in the place of Mr.. Hart of
Iowa.
The motion carried in the original
form. but later Mr. Ward was COM
pelled to return at once to New York,
and Mr.. Hart's name was substituted.
An effort was made by Senator Scott
of West Virginia to have the commit
tee enlarged to eleven members, but 1t
was defeated.
IT was decided the committee should
start for Cincinnati late tonight, and
the conference with Secretary Taft is
to be held tomorrow morning, the Sec !
retary having left Washington today.
Before the subcommittee met score
of the members of the national COM
mittee who are insistent that Mr..
Hitchcock shall be appointed. met in
an adjoining room. They drew petit
tion addressed to Secretary Taft ask
ing for the selection of Mr.. Hitchcock.
II will be delivered tomorrow. Twenty
four signatures were secured In the
meeting. and it was then circulated
among other members who had been
absent. Before the meeting of the sub
committee was held a majority of the
national committee, 1t is asserted, had
signed the petition. and the signatures
did not include any member of the sub
committee appointed to confer with the
secretary.
This petition is intended by the
friends Of Mr. Hitchcock to augment
the influence of individual letters mailed
to the secretary several days ago.