Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-09
H|LLES At THE HEAD
Unanimously Elected Chair
man of Republican Committee.
CHOICE OF subcommittee
Has Accepted and Will Resign Post
at White House.
NEW SECRETARY NAMED ALSO
James B. Reynolds, Former Treasury
Official, Designated-Selection
of Treasurer Comes Next.
CHOICE OF SUBCOMMITTEE
NEW SECRETARY NAMED ALSO

of Treasurer Comes Next.
Charles ID. Hilles secretary to Presi-
dent Taft. was today unanimously select
ed chairman of the republican national
committee by the subcommittee of nine
appointed to choose a chairman.
James B. Reynolds Of Massachusetts.
| former assistant secretary of the Treas
ury, and now a member of the tariff
| board, was elected secretary to succeed
| William Hayward of New York. The
| subcommittee adjourned this afternoon
to meet in New York July 19. at which
| time a treasurer, an executive committee
and an advisory committee of five will be
| chosen.
| Up to midnight last night the selection
| of chairman Of the national committee
| was still in the air. Republican politi-
| clans of nationwide prominence, who
| gathered at the White House at the
Presidents invitation. spent the evening
exchanging views over this important
| question. When the last of the guests
had departed the President and the men,
bers of the subcommittee went into a
conference which lasetd until nearly 2
| o'clock this morning. The whole situa-
| ton was gone over very thoroughly and
| even when the lights blinked out in the
! executive mansion and the last carriage
| rolled away the chairmanship was still
| undecided.
| The subcommittee of nine. however,
| had obtained some very definite ideas
during the course Of the evening. as the
result Of their talks with prominent re-
publicans and with the President. The
subcommittee met at 9:3O this morning
at the New Willard, and Immediately
went to the White House for a last word
with the President.
| dilles Unanimous Choice.
Returning to their conference room,
they quickly and unanimously elected
Mr.. Hilles. proceeding thereafter to the
selection Of Mr.. Reynolds. Charles B.
Warren of Michigan was appointed a
committee of one to invite Mr.. Hilles to
the meeting. When Mr.. Hilies came in
he was heartily congratulated by all the
! members present.
/ Mr.. Hilles will resign his position as
] secretary to the President next Saturday
! night and will Immediately take up the
| arduous and important work before him.
| He said today that national headuuarter
will probably be established in New York,
with western headquarters In Chicago.
In the present campaign headquarters
| will also be maint6ined upon the Pacific
coast. probably at Portland. Greg, and
probably in charge OF Ralph e. williams.
Mr.. Hilles was very much surprised at
being drafted for this work. Last Sunday
night he and the President talked over
the Craftsmanship and both agreed that
| MI. H1lleS should remain with the Presi-
| dent throughout the campaign. That was
| the status Of affairs until last evening
| when the wise men and elder statesmen
Of the party assembled at the White
House.
Points Argued.
| The changed aspect grew out of the in
sistence of some Of the western men,
bers OF the committee and western re-
publicans in the conference that the best
interests Of the party required the Sc
lection OF national chairman who should
| be regarded as a progressive and, at
| least, not definitely aligned with the ''old
| guard"
/ 1t was equally as stoutly contended,
| however. by some others in the confer
ence. that no attention should be paid to
| this consideration.
They insisted that what this campaign
needs is chairman who can rally the
old guard-who can assemble the old ma
chine and put 1t into working order. VIII
liam Barnes, j., OF New York was the
choice OF this faction, but they were out
| numbered and Mr. Barnes withdrew his
| name from consideration
| Mr.. Hflles selection, it was thought
by the subcommittee, will meet with
| general approval and will be acceptable
to all republicans who desire tho re-elec-
tion Of President Taft. His ability is un-
questioned. as wellsas his fairness and
progressiveness. and he is promised the
| loyal support Of the seasoned old war
| horses of the party who had borne the
heat and burden In many a hard-fought
| campaign.
Mr.. Reynolds, the new secretary of
the national committee has had wide ex-
perience In political campaigning. For
many years he was the secretary of the
state republican committee Of Massach chu-
setts, and in many campaigns has rem
dered valuable assistance to the national
| committee. He was assistant secretary
of the Treasury under a part of President
ROosevelts administration, and later a
member OF the tariff board He has a
wide acquaintance among public men.
possesses genial nature and makes
and holds friends.
Selection of Treasurer Next.
The next important question for the
subcommittee of nine to solve is the Sc
committee. AS stated, this has been post
poned until July 10. in order to allow
the leaders to look over the list of names
suggested for this appointment.
Il This list includes Otto Barnard Al
New York, G. G.. Dawes of Chicago
David r. Forgan OF Chicago, f. r. Swim
ney of Kansas City, Mo; John Wan
maker OF Philadelphia and John Hay,
Hammond of Washington.
The executive committee and advisor,
|, committee of five are not yet under con
sideration.
: May Not Name a Successor.
! 1t was not known at the White Hous.
today whether the President would nam.
a successor to Mr.. Hilles as secretary
1t was suggested that he might leave
! the place open. with Assistant Secretar,
Forster performing the duties OF the OF
:ice, as he has been, to large extent
for some time. II he should fill the posi-
ton Mr.. Forster would be the logica
, man for the place.
Cabinet officers. on going to the White
, House to attend the regular cabinet meet
ing, congratulated the President on thu
ton the Presidents cabinet advisers be
, lieved Mr.. ,Hilles would be the right man
Secretary Knox voiced the general sentt
ment when he said:
u think the selection Of Mr.. Hilles wal
most admirable one. l have great con
Z fidence not only in his ability, but in hi.
loyalty to the President"
: The Oklahoma contest between Jane.
"A. Harris and George G. Priestley will bt
, taken mp by the committee at the meet
ing July 10. After the subcommittee
! finished its executive session today, A. NJ
, Stevenson OF Colorado and former Gov