New-York tribune., 1908-01-22
BRYAN FOES HAVE CHILL
CALLED OFF.
Hot Water Bottles Needed as Soon
as Plan Became Pubic.

The conference of conservative Democrats ali
of them supposed to be opposed to the non1na-
ton of William J. Bryan, called for 1nursody
at the Waldorf Astoria was officially cahed OH
last night by Sherman NJ Crager who sent
out the invitations last week.
The political leanings of those invited to the
conference were so clearly anti Bryan lhat the
deduction was generally made that the meeting
was to be one to start a movement TO prevent
the nomination of the Peerless Leader AS
Mr. Bryan is practically sure of the nomination
on the first ballot. it at once struck those in
vited to the tea party that it was bad politics
to be seen at such conference
Another thing which hurt the project was pre-
mature publicity. The Tribune told all about II
on Sunday and some of the men who were ap-
pealed to at once denied that they were gong
to attend the conference. Before Monday night
nearly every prominent Democrat invited sud
denly discovered that he had previous engage
nent and that it would be impossible for him 10
attend.
The proposed conference within twenty-four
hours became q sort of target for abuse anu
nearly every we'll known Democrat around the
country reported to be In sympathy Win tho
movement shied A rock at it. Mr.. Craiger. eX-
Justice Morgan J. O'BTien, Lieutenant HoEelhol
C,hanler and others saw the inadvisaoliity OIL
rr-;r things further at present, and Mr.
C,raiger was advised to call off the conference
rrbis be did last night by issuing the follow
ing:
II had been deemed advisable by certain gen
+1apoen interested in the success of the Demo
cratic party that a conference should ne heIu y
men representing the different views as 10 o,e
issues that should be urged upon the 1Dero t.
cratic National Convention the purpose oeihs
10 secure unity of action and strength LOT % %tile
party Accordingly invitations We're sen. out %
fo- to be nGld IN lIllS city Oi
the 29d inst In view of the tact that II was
not the purpose of those Interested III tne IN g
Foranca 70 nrOnote or retard the prospects OF
a,I,, of the candidates mentioned for the nomi-
nation for the Presidency. it is thought advis-
able in order to- avoid misconstructioi u pos'-
none the conference to a later date
Whom OK Justice OBrfen was seen last night
he said: There is nothing more to be said.
,,,as asked about the matter by Mr.. Craiger
and others and deemed it inadvisable to have
conference at this time.
WAS it because of the few responses?
NO The reason the conference was called
off twas that it was considered too early to have
If at this time when the national convention is
ca far awav 1t would be premature to be
holding a formal conference on possibilities.
notice that the printed reports Of the conference
said that it was for the purpose of bringing
about unity We all want unity, but 1t is too
early to hold formal conference on that sub
ject"
Did you not take leading part in calling
the conference"
NO Mr.. Craiger took the initiative. l was
only one of those invited and was one Of those
who suggested calling it off,
Mr. Craiger. who suddenly has reached the
limelight is the financial secretary of the Civic
Forum Formerly he active in Maryland
politics. He lives in East 49th street, and has
many friends in both the Democratic and City
clubs.