New-York tribune., 1908-07-16
FIGHT IN MIDDLE VEST.
Hitchcock Summons Leaders Vest
of Missouri to Conference.
from The Tribune Bureau ]

washington July 15.-Convinced that the Mid
die Vest is to be the most closely contested ter
rtory in the coming Presidential battle the Re
publican national chairman, Frank H Hitch
cock who arrived in washington to-day from
Utica, has begun preparations for a vigorous
campaign in that section. and will leave here
for Colorado early tomorrow morning For
some days he has been formulating plan by
which he might gather the Republican leaders
of all the states west of the Missouri River ia
conference. and he announced to-day that such
meeting would be held at Colorado Springs on
Monday and Tuesday Of next week He has
already requested the national committeeman
from each of those states and the officers of the
Republican state organizations TO be present,
and from the number of favorable responses al
ready received Colorado Springs will entertain
large gathering
This meeting Of Republican leaders is a dis
tinctIy new idea. and originated by Mr.
Hitchcock, although it was heartily sanctioned
by Mr. Taft and Mr.. Sherman Many have al
ready signified their intention Of being present,
including George A. knight. of California:
Charles Cavender and Governor BurchelI of Col
orado; Senator Borah, of Idaho; c. NJ Cade. OF
Oklahoma. AMI Ralph Williams. of Oregon II
is Mr. Hitchcock's purpose TO hear the views OF
each Republican as to how the campaign should
be conducted, to put himself in close touch as
possible with the leaders in that section and to
issue his preliminary instructions
He intends holding a similar conference IN
Chica go later in July at which the leaders from
states east of the Missouri and west of the AIIe-
ghanies will be present In order to make ar
rangements for this gathering and to make a
personal survey of the Chicago headquarters.
Mr.. Hitchcock will stop in that city on his way
Colorado Springs He will return East in time
al VI
its visit of notification to Mr.. Taft Mr. Hitch
cock has consented to represent Alaska on that
committee in place of National Committeeman
L. p. Shackelford
Mr. Hitchcock will not announce the member
ship of the executive committee of the national
committee until his return from the West.
Fe was busy receiving visitors to-day. c. z.
Swsher. Secretary of State of West Virginia
and a Republican candidate for Governor was
one of those coseted with him Mr. Swisher
told MIR Hitchcock that West Virginia was safe
for Mr. Taf, and that the Republican majority
would exceed the 35CO0 given 70 President
Roosevelt in 1901
Il base this claim said Mr.. Swisher, ION the
confidence that our people have IN Mr.. Tart. on
the suspicion with which they regard the dan
gerously radical views Of Mr.. Bryan, the
bitter fight between the Democratic state Lead
ers. McGraw and Chiffon. and on the utter sat
isfaction of the PEOPLE with the administration
of President Roosevelt
Regarding the split in the Republican party
whici resulted in the holding OF two conven-
tions Mr. Swisher said: The fracture in West
Virginia has been greatly exaggerated. 1t is true
that two Conventions were held and two tickecs
put in the field. but all the members OF the bolt
ers' ticket have withdrawn with the exception
of Arnold Scher. the candidate fer Governor.
am reliably informed that he viii withdraw
shortly leaving us in perfect harmony Any
how the result of a local fight will not in any
way affect Mr.. Taft's vote. as both factions are
loyalty Republican and enthusiastic over the
Republican national candidate"