The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-08
STILL UNDECIDED
 AS TO THE TAFT
 CAMPAIGN LEADER
Republican Committee in Ses.
 sion Today in Washington
WHITE HOUSE DINNER TONIGHT
Boss" Barnes and President Taft Discuss Situation = May Bounce Oklahoma Commit teeman

Washington, July S-Naming a man. ager for President Taft's reelection campaign was the job which the Pres ident and nine members of 8 sub- committee appointed by the Chicago convention wrestled with here today. Presence of a, dozen national leaders in the lobby of the Willard today gave the appearance of a miniature conVen- ton. Among those here. were Will Ham Barnes. Jr., of New York, A M. stevenson of Colorado, Uncle Joe Can non, Senator Crane of Massachusetts, Secretary William Hayward of the National Republican Committee, ex- Senator Hemenway and Joseph B. Keeling of Indiana.
 The nine members of the sub-corn- m1ttee-S. A. Perkins of Washington, Powell Clayton of Arkansas, R. O. West of Illinois. J. J. Adams of Iowa, c. B. Warren of Michigan. T. K. Niedringhaus of Missouri, F. W. Esta- brook of New Hampshire, Newell San- ders of Tennessee, and A1vah H. Mar tin of Virginia-net behind closed doors at 10 o'clock.
 The committee got in touch with President Taft shortly after noon, ad- Journing to the White House, where luncheon was served. Throughout the day the executive offices were throng- ed with politicians.
 Tonight the President plan, recep- fion 10 which he has invited the en- tire Republican committee-nearly all the members being in the city Senate and House leaders and a large number of lieutenants.
 That the picking of national chair man and Of an advisory committee to assist in the campaign was regarded as no easy task was evident today from the attitude Of the committee. Custom gives to .he candidate the prerogative. of naming his campa ign manager, but as yet President Taft The committee decided tentatively to agree on its own choice and suggest that man to Taft but 1t was with the understanding that if the President felt otherwise the cornmittee would Immediately Aratify his selection.
 The committee also tentatively sub m1tted to President Taft their choice of the personnel of sub committee of five, representing as many differ ent sections of sthe country, whose duty shall be to advise and assist the campaign manager in his fight for Taft's reelection.
 The conference of the members of the subcommittee ended before noon. Members said no agreement had been
  They thought it best to consult Presi- dent Taft before making a. choice. It was said another meeting would be held at the hotel at o'clock. Powell Clayton of Arkansas was elected chair man and Alvah H. Martin of Virginia, secretary of the sub committee.
 Only one contest of the SeatA ADf a national committeeman was heard by the subcommittee. Judge Priestly of Oklahoma was attacked by Oklahoma regulars as a pro-R Roosevelt com mitteeman. and his custer demanded. James A. Harris was suggested for PriestIy's seat but no action was taken. The regulars charged that Priestly signed the national progress sive call for convention and held that, under the new rule adopted by the convention giving the national committee authority to unseat com mitteemen who will not support the candidate, he should be released.
 General Clayton and Secretary Mar tin said it was probable no officers would be chosen before late tonight or tomorrow.
 Barnes hustled to the White House immediately after the sub-comrnittee' s meeting and was uShered into the i- brary by back door. There he held a long conference with President Taft and Secretary Hilles