Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-20
New Jersey Republicans Begin
State Convention.
TAFT-ROOSEVELT CHEERS
Enthusiasm Aroused by Speech of
Temporary Chairman Wilson.
PLATFORM READY FOR ACTION
Fails as Drawn by Committee to De-
clare for Direct Primaries.
Gov. Fort Indorsed.

TRENTON. n. j., September 2O-The
republican state committee labored for
more than two hours this morning on a
platform prepared by a subcommittee of
that body for submission to this after
Moons state convention, which will select
large number Of amendments was offered.
most Of them coming from the progress
sives, and in nearly all instances the
amendments were defeated.
At the conclusion Of the meeting the
platform was referred back to the sub
committee to be put in proper phrase
ology. II Is understood that the platform
as finally agreed upon does not make spe-
cific declaration for rate-making power
for the public utilities commission.
The plank as drawn simply states that
the republican party favors making such
amendments to the present public util-
tiles law as experience may determine to
be necessary. including rate-making
power. The platform does not declare for
direct primaries, and a plank favoring
the physical valuation of railroads was
defeated.
Gov. Fort Warmly Endorsed.
The platform was finally fixed up by
the state committee contains a warmer
Endorsement of the administration OF
Gov. Fort than was provided by the
subcommittee. The platform also pro-
vides for q more comprehensive en-
ployers' liability law.
State Chairman Murphy declined to
give out any advance copies of the
platform, fearing that the document
might be materially changed by the
conventions committee on resolutions
It was twenty minutes after II
o'clock when the convention was called
to order by State Chairman Franklin
Murphy. The opera house was not sc
crowded as at last Thursdays demo
the 973 delegates were still on the out
side holding county caucuses.
Mr.. Murphy presented Attorney Cen
eraI EdmuMd Wilson as the state COM
mittee's choice for temporary chairman
of the convention. Mr.. Wilson in his
speech said the republican party had
upheld the dignity Of labor and indi-
vidual independence.
Cheers for Taft and Roosevelt.
He aroused the enthusiasm of the
convention by particularizing; repub-
lican leaders. in which he mentioned
1.-The flaming Roosevelt and "the wise
and tactful Taft" Both names were re-
ceived with prolonged cheers.
Mr.. Wilson referred to insurgency,
and said there were two kinds of in
surgents-the kind that fights within
the party and the kind that fights
without. He said there were two main
things responsible 'for insurgency
Cannonism and the tariff. OF Cannon
ism he said that no man was bigger
than his party. and If the rules of Con-
gress were too drastic they should be
changed He defended the present
tariff law, and said if it needed any
changing the changes should not be
permitted to be made by the enemies
Of protection.
At the close of Attorney General Will
sons address the usual committees were
appointed. The committee on resolutions
included Representative Gardner. who
helped draw the platform approved by the
state committee. and George l.. Record,
the leader of the new idea republicans,
which gave indication of fight in the
committee on the resolutions to be pre-
sented to the convention.
Recess was then taken until 2:3O