The Washington times., 1908-02-24
PARTY MANAGERS
BEGIN CONTESTS,
MANY IN FIELD
Hitchcock and Crane
Seem Most Favored
by Republicans.
Democrats Undecided
Between johnson, Pet
tigreW, and Douglass

For chairman of the Republican Ma
tlonal Committee, Frank II. Hitchcock
or Senator Murray Crane of Massa-
Chusetts
For chairman Of the Democratic Ma
ton Committee. former Senator Petit
grew Of New York and South Dakota;
former Gov. w. l.. Douglass, OF Massa-
Chusetts or Mayor Tom J.. johnson, OF
Cleveland.
The game: Strictly practical politics
with a veneer of educational effort.
This seems TO be the managerial slate,
up TO date. for the campaign Of this
year. Mr. Hitchcock's selection as
chairman OF the Republican committee
of course depends on the success Of the
Taft campaign for nomination. The
anti-Taft forces would urge the place
on senator Crane II somebody aside
from Taft were TO be nomlnate-. unless
that somebody would be La. Toilette %:
dark horse outside the combination
OF strictly anti-Taft forces.
Pettigrew Favored.
On the Democratic side the preference
seems decidedly to favor Senator Petit
grew, who is known as a resourcefuL
practical, and skillful politician. 1t is
said that he would rather ike the po-
sitiOn. and it is further intimated that
If selected he would devote a good deal
of attention TO South Dakota with a
view to the possibility Of his own return
10 the Senate.
Senator Pettigrew has been on both
sides OF the political fence and Is some
thing of an expert in the demOraliza-
ton OF party lines. which is one OF his
chief recommendation for the man
agerial function. He would like to come
back 90 the Senate, and he believes that
the lnIerneclne night among South Da-
kota Republicans is likely to end in
so much soreness that there Will be a lot
of boiling on the legislative ticket by
the defeated faction, giving the Demo
Gratis a. chance which, IL properly cult
waited. might open the way for his own
return to the Senate. If he should break
zn again under present conditions he
would be recognized as one of the lead
trs or the upper house.
Pettigrew's claims TO the leadership
include the assertion that he would be
able TO raise more money than Tom
Johnson could hope to produce, He is
on intimate terms with the Hiil-MOrgan
interests in Wall Street. and is himself
wealthy. Johnson is a. much richer
man, but his relations with the powers
or finance are not good because his
municipal policies in Cleveland are look
ed upon as menacing 10 investments in
Iranchised corpora tons in cities and
nowadays these investments are closely
complicated with pretty much every
thing financially potent In his favor as
q campaign manager is a strong belief
IN some quarters that he would know
how 10 appeal to the masses in the big
cities which more and more dominate
results in States whose electoral votes
are necessary to the success Of either
party. II is especially urged that ne
would make an effective fight in Ohio.
taxing advantage to the utmost OF the
division among Republicans there.
Claims 20 Leadership.
Governor Douglass is strong with
people who want the campaign to be
safe and sane, and who think the tariff
issue should be forced to the front. He
has plenty or money. and enjoys rela-
tons with the big interests which want
tariff revision. through which he is wide
ly regarded as the most effective money
getter in the list
Whoever is chairman of the Demo-
clauc committee there is belief that
Wills J. Abbott VIII be secretary be-
cause OF his TalaFfara 70