The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-21

II rs II concerned the selection OF
a chairman for the Republican
~ National Committee, Secretary
Tafts visit to his home city
was fruitless mission.
Frank II. Hitchcock. who managed
the preliminary campaign of the can
d.date, might have had the position,
but at the last moment he declined to
permit the use of his name, because
of the state OF his health. a telegram
received by Secretary Taft from Mr..
Hitchcock to-day requested that he be
not considered in connection with the
craftsmanship, as his physical condi-
tion is such as to render II almost I'M
possible for him to undertake the
'onerous duties OF campaign manager.
Official Statement.
1t is significant that. after con-
ference lasting about two hours Sec
rotary Taft, Representative Sherman
and the members of the subcommittee
of the National Committee. decided to
postpone action on the Craftsmanship
and treasurershfp of the National COM
mittee until July 1st.
ION that date meeting of the can
didates and the members OF the sub
committee will be held in Washing
ton finally to determine the matters
which could not be solved to-day. me
following official statement was is-
sued by direction of Secretary Taft
this afternoon:
yesterday the national committee
in session at Chicago delegate1 TO
subcommittee, consisting OF eight
| members. the power to act in the mat
ter of the election of chairman and
treasurer of the national committee.
and directed it's subcommittee to COM
fer with the nominees for President
and vice-President before action. All
the members of the subcommittee were
present at the conference to-day with
the nominees. excep, Mr.. 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
qualifications necessary for chair
man, but disclosed an indisposition on
the part of several who were suggest
ed as ayilable to accept the place. in
GLIDING Mr.. Hitchcock, who declined to
be considered on account OF his health.
After conference. the committee de-
cided that the matter was OF such inn
| portance and required such careful
| consideration. with various persons
suggested as available for the place.
that an adjournment was taken until
July 1st, when the committee will
| recOnyene IN washington.
The committee authorized Hon.
Mvron T. Herrick to make public this
| statement
The proceedings of the conference
with this exception were executive.
Difference of Opinion.
The members of the subcommittee
met with Secretary Taft and Mr.. Sher-
| man shortly after IL o'clock, after
| the War Secretary had had several
| interviews with members of the Ohio
State Committee and others in regard
| to the matter Those present at the
| meeting, in addition to the Republic
can candidates. were General Powell
Clayton. of Arkansas: Frank B. KEEL
logg, of Minnesota; Charles Nagel. of
| Missouri: f. E. Hart, of Iowa; Senator
w. e. Borah. OF idaho: T.. G. Duncan,
of North Carolina; Frank o. Eowden.
| of Illinois. and -tyron II. lIerrick, OF
Ohio.
| The conference, as stated, was exc
cutive, but despite an agreement that
| 1t should not be discussed by the par
ties to it. it is known that a consid-
| BILE difference OF opinion arose as to
the choice of a rational chairman.
Secretary Taft,lit can be said, felt
that. in view of Ill the circumstances.
It would he the part of wisdom to post
pone definite action for a time.
Later in the afternoon he said 10 a
representative OF the Associated Press:
1T was deemed wise to defer action
for the present. both as to chairman
and treasurer of the committee. 1t
WIS not a question that absolutely had
| to be decided to-day. On the decision
i finally reached. momcntous issues may
/ depend, and we felt that it might be
we'll for the smoke Of the battle at
i Chicago to clear away before determin-
l ing the matter before us. We have
4 plenty Of time. and the subcommittee,
4 Continued on Second Page,)