Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-21
Conferees Postpone Action
Until July I, in Washington.
NO HURRY, DECLARES TAFT
Selection, of Treasurer Also Goes
Over Until That Time.
MEETING HELD IN CINCINNATI
Secretary Of Wars Preliminary Cam.
paign Manager Pleads Need Of
Rest to Explain Declination.

CINCINNATI. Ohio. June 20.-Secre.
tary Taft's visit to his home CITY, SO far
as 1T concerned the selection OF a repub-
lican national chairman, was a fruitless
mission.
Frank II. Hitchcock. who managed the
preliminary campaign of the War Secre-
tary at Washington. might have had the
Craftsmanship. At the last moment he
declined TO permit the use of his name be-
cause of the condition Of his health
telegram was received by Secretary
Taft from Hitchcock today requesting
that he be not considered in connection
with the chairmanship. He said his ply
sical condition was such as to render IL
substantially impossible for him to un-
dertake the onerous duties OF campaign
manager at the present time.
1t is significant that after a conference
lasting about two hours, Secretary Taft.
Representative Sherman and the MEM
bers of the subcommittee Of the national
committee decided to postpone action on
the craftsmanship and treasurership or
the national committee until July 1. On
that date a meeting of the candidates. nd
the members OF the subcommittee be
held In Washington finally to deter nine
the problems which could not be solved
today.
Statement Given Out.
The announcement of the inaction OF
the conference was made In a statement
issued by direction of Secretary Tart
shortly before o'clock this afternoon.
The following official statement was is
sued Immediately after the conference:
Yesterday the national committee, In
session at Chicago. delegated to sub
committee. consisting o: eight members.
the power to act in the matter or the
selection of a chairman and treasurer OF
the national committee. and directed Its
subcommittee to confer with the nominees
for President and Vice President before
action.
"All members of the subcommittee were
present today at the conference with the
nominees except w. L. Ward OF New
York. who was represented by Mr.. Hart
of Iowa.
..The conference of the committee
showed harmonious views as to the quail
fications necessary for a chairman. but
disclosed an indisposition on the part or
several who were suggested as avalable
to accept the place. including Mr.. Hitch
cock. who declined to be considered on
account of his health.
After conference the committee de-
cided the matter was OF such Importance
various persons suggested as available
for the place that an adjournment was
taken until July /. when the committee
will reconvene In Washington.
1.-The committee delegated Myron T.
Herrick to make public this statement.
The proceedings of the conference WITH
this exception were executive.
Taft in Preliminary Conference.
The events leading up to the issuance
of this statement were interesting, and.
in a degree. significant The members OF
nf
mittee were requested to assemble at the
residence of Charles p. Taft at IL o'clock
this morning.
would consume more than an hour and
a half That. at least, was the idea OF
the committeeman when they left their
hotel. AS a matter Of fact the real con.
ference did not begin until 1890.
The delay was caused by some inter-
views which Secretary Taft had with
members of the Ohio state central COM
mittee. and with some friends from other
states who had come to Cincinnati to see
him. These interviews. it is understood.
had more or less direct bearing on the
selection of a national chairman.
The War Secretary was put in possess
sion of information concerning the matter
which II was thought he ought to have
before reaching a conclusion in so weighty
a question. At these preliminary confer
ences the whole Ohio situation was dis
cuSsed carefully.
Its bearing upon the approaching ma
tional contest was considered. The Sec
retary was urged not to be hasty In an
nouncing his choice of campaign mana
ger.
Finally, when Taft, Sherman and the
members of the subcommittee came to-
gether. they were in position TO consider
the subject in the light of information
from all sources.
Members of Committee Present.
Those present at the meeting. in addi-
ton to republican national candidates.
were Cen Powell Clayton of Arkansas.
Frank B. kellogg Of Minnesota. Charles
Nagel of Missouri z. z. Hart OF Iowa.
Senator w E. Borah of Idaho. E. c. Dun
can of North Carolina, Frank o. Lowden
of Illinois and Myron T. Herrick OF Ohio.
w. l.. Ward of New York was named as
a member of the subcommittee. AS he was
Obliged to return home to meet pressing
business engagements. his place was
taken by Mr.. Hart.
The conference was entirely executive
DESPITE. however the agreement that IL
should not be discussed by the parties 70
it, ii is known that a considerable oit-
ference of opinion arose as to the choice
of a national chairman.
Secretary Taft. il can be said. felt that.
in all the circumstances. II would De the
part of wisdom to postpone dennite action
on both the chairman and the treasurer
for time.
Later in the afternoon he said:
1T was deemed wise to defer action TOT
the present both as to chairman and
treasurer Of the committee II was not
a question that absolutely had to be de-
cided today. On the decision nnaIly
reached momentous issues may depend
I'VE felt ii might be well for the smoke
of the battle at Chicago to clear away
before determining the matter before us
We have plenty of time, and the SUBJ
committee which has full power to act.
may be got together almost any time.
..The time and the place-July at
washington-were satisfactory to all par
ties to the conference. When we convene
there I think We shall be able to reach a
conclusion that will be satisfactory TO
ALL
Hitchcock in Bad Shape.
Hitchcock. Secretary Taft added. was
in a state bordering on nervous collapse
and needed a good rest.
Secretary Taft's discussion OF the SUBJ
ject with the members of the committee
substantially was an elaboration of what
he Is here quoted saying. With this
view the committee fully agreed.
The official statement does not say that
declined the chairmanship. but