The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1912-03-25
TWO MYCH|NES IN
DEADLY CONFLICT


Oklahoma City, March %. = The
showing of disposition upon the part
of the administration to support for
democratic state chairman candidate
who is a factional enemy of former
Governor c. N. Haskell, candidate for
United States senator, causea the lat
te rto make hurried trip to the cap
ital. Hasken was met with an air Of
frigidity from the Cruce official family
which caused him to get busy
Since large number of Haskell's
supporters in the democratic state con-
vention here last February attempted
to howl" Governor Cruce from the
platform b-cause he had refused to
comply with their wishes for a special
session, that executive has shown a
disposition to put into effect signifi-
cant. remark made at that time to the
effect that hereafter he would know
} his enemies and look after his own in
terests The Cruce org nization is
''peeved" at the attitude of the for
mer governor, now candidate for
Senator Owens toga, during that con-
vention. Haskell, it is said, not only
did not tur ma hand to assist the ad-
ministration in its convention fight,
but sat quietly by and allowed the
enemies of the administration to at
tack the governor openly without Of
fering a defense.
Cruce Men For HarriIl
Haskell asked the Cruce men to
withdray their support of Tom Tarrill'
of Wagner, who has been placed in
the race by the Cruce administration
for chairman of the state central COM
mittee to succeed Fred Branson who
has resigned. Harrill not only is close
friend of Governor Cruce, but is op-
posed to Haskell and is said to have
a preference for Senator Owen. Has
kell suggested that any member of the
state central committee other than
Harrill would be satisfactory to him.
The administration forces told the for
mer governor that they had selected
Harrill not because of his attitude in
the senatorial race but because he is
friend Of the administration and
that they considered 1t time for the
Cruce administration to have some
thing to say regarding control of the
state committee
Meeting with little encouragement
from the administration, Haskell then
went to the supporters of Robert Gal
breath of Tulsa, national committee
man, and reached an agreement with
them. it is said, to support George Keys
of Lawton for state chairman to sue
ceed Branson. This was not agreed to
by the Cruce followers who say they
will stand with Harrill. A compromise
candidate who would not meet serious
opposition from Senator Owen. Has
kell or the administration in case Har-
rill should become impossible is D. H.
Linebaugh of Atoka who was perma-
nent chairman of the recent demo
cratic state convention.
Haskell Has Machinery.
Some of the administration men
stated today that Haskell said during a
conference here yesterday that if it be-
came evident that Harrill could be
elected state chairman he, Haskell,
would have Fred Branson remain as
chairman of the committee Haskell
was met with the reply that If Bran
son remains as chairman after an
nouneing his resignation the admins
tration will see to it that he is defeat
ed for nomination as congressman-at-
large. j
The control Of the democratic state
central committee is in the hands Of
Haskell so far as its machinery is con
cerned. Whether ne retains control
over majority of the seyenty-six
members of the committee is prob
lematical Branson was Haskell's per
sonal choice for chairman and was
one of the former governors valuable
allies in the last campaign. The chair
manship Of the state committee at
this time is of great Importance be
cause of the contest for United States
senator and congress which will be