New-York tribune., 1910-08-31
Griscom and Allies Announce
Decision as to Temporary
ChairmanShIp.
DISCUSS PLANS FOR FIGHT
Declaration for Primary Reform
Plank in Platform in State
ment Following Con
ferences

were discussed at an informal series OF
conferences of upstate and Brooklyn
Progressives with Lloyd G. Griscom
yesterday and last night
In these conferences were Postmaster
Fred Greiner of Buffalo. leader of Erie
County: Naval Officer Kracke. leader Of
the 18th District of Kings; Darwin r.
James. jr.. president of the Young Re-
publican Club. of Brooklyn; exMayor
Cutler of Rochester. one of the leading
independents in George W. Aldridge's
baiIiwick: Collector William Loeb. jr..
and Senator Davenport Of Oneida
County.
Following these conferences, Mr..
Greiner made public this formal state-
ment:
Mr. Greiner Mr. Kracke and Mr..
GrisCom are agreed that Mr.. Roosevelt's
name shall be presented TO the coming
state convention as a candidate for tenn
porarv chairman. and also that they
will use their best eudeavors to have in
cluded in the party platform a direct
nominations plank
This gathering yesterday was the first
of number of similar conferences
which Mr. GrisCom expects to have with
Progressive Republicans from upstate
counties in the next week or two. No
effort was made to have a formal meet
ing of large number of upstaters. Mr..
Griscom will have talks with many men
from all parts of the state who have
written to him, and with them endeavor
to work out fairly general and compre-
hensive scheme which shall result in con-
troll of the state convention by the Fro
greSsve element.
1t was the first opportunity the New
York County leader has had TO talk with
Mr.. Greiner since the state COMMITTEES
meeting Mr.. Greiner was at Mr.. Girls
CONS office early. and spent most Of the
day there. He and Mr. GriSCom dis
cussed the upstate situation in detail
with Mr. Cutler. Senator Davenport and
the Brooklynites. All seemed well
pleased at the outlook.
Greiner Makes His Report.
Mr. Greiner told them that the Pro-
gressives were easily in control of the
Western end of the state The only
county there which was in doubt. ha
said. was ATlegany. where the Witter-
nations He had strong hopes. though.
that this county would fall into line be
fore the convention day. In Niagara
County. he said Collector Merritt had
repudiated the vote of Speaker Wads-
worth. his proxy. as misrepresentins
him Mr. Merritt never has been known
as an advocate of direct nominations.
though political conditions in his county
were overturned last fall on that issue.
Mr. Greiner said that if Mr. Merritt did
not stick by the t-Taft-H Hughes
forces on the Progressive issues, his
county would turn to and beat him.
Senator Davenport likewise brought
good news He told Mr.. Griscom and
Mr. Greiner that Oneida County was not
over the Sherman selection This
county is strong direct nominations
county The Presidents political
strength, Senator Davenport said. had
been waning somewhat there The ISSUE
forced by the "old guard between him
and ex-President Roosevelt. in which
President Taft sided with Mr. ROose-
Welt and the Progressives. had resulted
in alternating many Republicans from
Mr. Sherman.
Senator Davenport said that he did not
expect the entire oneida County dele
CATION would be with the Roosevelt
Taft Hughes men. but he thought the
ma ioritv of Oneida's delegates would bs
Progressives. This information agrees
closely with an estimate of the situation
there made by Douglas Robinson. which
he laid before Mr.. GrisCom on Monday.
Xmas Said To Be All Right.
Nessrs Kracke and James reported
that conditions looked good in Kings.
They thought from twentyeisht 20
thirtv-five of the delegates certainly
would vote with the Progressives all
through the fight. while on the Roose-
velt- Sherman issue great many nnore
would vote for Mr.. Roosevelt.
Ex-Mayor Cutler told the conferress
that there was a great deal Of Progress
sive sentiment in Monroe County IA
affairs stood. though. he thought George
Aldridge would he able 10 control the
entire delegation. Monroe County. there
fore. is being conceded 10 the old
guard.
Mr.. Griscom is in almost daily receipt
of communications from various up
state counties where Progressives ask
his advice and cooperation in COntern-
Mated primary fights against old
guard" leaders The situation regarding
this phase of the fight on the 'old
guard" was discussed thoroughly yeSter-
day None of those at the conferences
would say anything about what decision.
n any. was reached in any of the eases.
MIR. Griscom early in the light announced
that ne was ready to cooperate with
ANYBODY within the party 10 overthrow
the old guard element which rejected
Mr. Roosevelt at the state COMMITTEES
meeting and was fighting direct nomina-
tions.
There was considerable gossip about
the possibility of calling a special meet
ing of the state committee TO reverse the
action taken at the last meeting IN
selecting Vice President sherman for
temporary chairman of the state con-
vention. Mr. Greinsr said he was thor
oughlv in favor of such a plan Mr.
Criscomb is not. and several OF the state
committeeman in the greater city think
~ would not he a wise course.
Word has come from upstate to the