The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-11-15
HARPER IN LEAD
FOR GUARDIANSHIP
Several Candidates Active for Head
Of the Wilson Inaugural
Committee.
ELDRIDGE JORDAN MENTIONED
FOR THE TREASURSHIP
Names Will GO to National 0rgani-
cation Early Next
Week.


ural committee seems likely to give W.
W. Mccombs, chairman OF the National
Democratic Committee, several busy
days. So many candidates among the
business men Of Washington have start
ed boomlets for the position that a con-
dition has arisen similar to that of the
national campaign itself
In the first place It was thought best
by those in charge of Democratic affairs
to tackle this matter early, so that IL
would be out Of the way, and the chair
man Of the local committee would have
abundance OF time to organize his forces
and work out the details or the inaugu-
ration. which Democrats hope will be the
finest ever. Accordingly. Assistant Sec
rotary Wick, OF the National Committee,
came to Washington last week, and
among other things talked over with
John F. Costello, committeeman of the
District. general plans regarding the in
auguration.
1t was decided between them that Mr..
Costello should make study OF the
situation and name to Mr.. Wick or Chair
man McCombs at a later time his choice
for chairman Of the local committee.
Since that time Mr.. Costello has been
hearing about the availability Of several
prominent men for the position, but as
yet has made no choice. or II he has
made one will not announce It
situation Becomes Complicated.
The situation is further complicated by
the absence from his ONCE in New York
Of Chairman McCombs, who has gone
away to recuperate his faded body and
shattered nerves. He will not return
until next week. and in the meantime no
chairman OF the local committee can be
appointed. simply because the appointing
power refuses TO act in the matter.
1t is understood that some Of the can
didates have decided to go over the head
OF Chairman Costello and present their
claim to Mr.. McCombs in person. 9th
ers are considering the propriety Of 60
ing directly TO the President-elect and
have him decide the matter without the
assistance OF his lieutenants. II is this
great activity on the part of several can
didates for the position that has compli
Gated the situation and made II harder
to arrive at the choice. In the meantime
II has been suggested to Chairman Nc
Combs that the choosing of the chairman
OF the local committee be intrusted to
a committee of business men and Demo
Gratis of Washington, who know the
available men, who have had experience in
past inauEurations, and who would be
well equipped to select a man who would
do honor alike TO President-elect Wilson.
to the Democratic party. and to the city
OF Washington. This was the pan pur-
sued in the first Inauguration OF Presi-
dent Cleveland. which was one OF the
notable functions Of the kind in the his
tory of the nation.
r. n. Harper I'm Lead.
While a good many candidates for the
position of chairman are getting busy
to present their claims somewhere, Rob-
ert N Harper. president OF the District
National Bank, seems at the moment TO
be in the lead. Mr.. Harper has been a
lifelong Democrat, has done much in the
past for the party, here and in Virginia,
where he maintains a voting residence.
Mr.. Harper has served on the stan of
one or more Governors Of Virginia, and
has been for years the acknowledged
leader Of the party in Loudoun County.
w. V. Cox, president of the Second
National Bank, is also running for the
Craftsmanship, and his friends say his
chances are bright.
Others are avowed candidates, but their
names are kept back for the reason that
their campaigns are being conducted in
secret, with such force as quiet methods
can employ.
VIII Go to National Committee.
In due time all these claims will go
up to the National Committee in New
York, and probably in a week or ten
days the chairman will be chosen.
Eldridge Jordan. president Of the United
States Trust Company, is being freely
named as treasurer OF the committee. Mr..
Jordan is out of the city. and his prefer
ences in the matter cannot now be pre-
scented. Mr.. Jordan is a man of great en-
ergy, OF public spirit. and would make an
ideal treasurer OF the committee II he
would serve. But II is an open secret
that Mr.. Jordan was Rough Rider I'M
der Col. Roosevelt, is a great admirer OF
the former President, and has been a
Bull Mooser OF the most pronounced |
type. Mr.. Jordan may or may not wish !
to serve on the committee, as the service !
will have to be squared with his personal |
and his well-known political |
activities. Mr.. Jordan conceivably would |
the work for Washington, with |
a view to making the inauguration Of Mr.. |
Wilson a success socially, and he is a |
man Of sufficient breadth OF view not to |
allow political bias to enter into the in |
duction OF a great man into the Presi- |
Dental Office.