Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-08
Republican National Commit
teemen to Choose Chairman.
HOLD EXECUTIVE SESSION
Little Is Done Except to Hear Okla.
homa Contest.
SEVERAL LEADERS SUGGESTED
Mckinley Would Take Job Of
Handling Campaign-Barnes Has
Backers-Hilles Not in Field.

President Taft's campaign for re-elec-
ton began to take practical form today
when a subcommittee Of the republican
| national committee. consisting of nine
members. assembled in Washington to
confer with the President and recon-
| mend to the national committee the elec-
tiOn Of a national chairman, who Will De
the campaign manager.
President Taft's personal preference
will sway the subcommittee, and the ma
| tional committee will ratify its recon-
mendation, according to custom.
The subcommittee comprised Gen. Pow
| ell Clayton, Arkansas; Roy o. West I'LL
nois; John J. Adams, Iowa: Charles B.
Warren. Michigan; Thomas X. Neidring-
haus. Missouri; F. w. Estabrook, New
! Hampshire; Senator Newell Sanders,
Tennessee; Alva H. Martin. Virginia, and
Samuel A. Perkins. Washington.
The subcommittee went into executive
session at the Willard Hotel shortly after
| 10 o'clock. for a general confab over the
Craftsmanship and exchange of views,
without intention of taking definite ac-
! ton.
Available Timber.
The names Of available timber for
| chairman included these: Harry NJ.
| Daugherty of Ohio, William Barnes. jr.,
New York; Carmi Thompson, Ohio; Harry
8. New and James A. Hemenway Of In
diana, and Senator Sanders of Tennessee
1t was said this morning that Repre-
| sentative William B. Mckinley, who con-
Quoted the Presidents pre-convention
campaign. as director Of the national
chairmanship il Mr. Taft and the com
mittee wanted him. Up, to a short time
ago Mr.. Mckinley had rejected the sug-
gestion that he take the place, because,
as he put it, he thought he had made
one part OF the fight successfully and
some one else ought to make the other.
William Barnes, jr., New York state
chairman. was still being considered for
the place. Some Of Mr.. Barnes friends
declare he could not take the national
Craftsmanship because Of the heavy work
connected with the campaign In his own
state. but others said the national chair
manship would not be unwelcome to him.
Hilles Not Aspirant.
The subcommitteemen here understood
that Mf. Hilles, secretary to. the -Presi-
dent. was not an aspirant for the place,
the President desiring his services by his
side throughout the coming campaign.
After comforting for an hour the SUBJ
committee adjourned to meet at the
noon at luncheon. Another feature OF
the subcommittee work will be to select
an advisory committee of five. having
charge OF as many great subdivisions of
territory throughout the nation. the men,
bers of which will be held responsible
for conditions in their respective baili-
wicks.
Two main suggestions are under consid-
Grafton by the assembled wise men Of
the old party; one is that the new chair
man shall be man entirely aloof from
connection with the erstwhile bosses -
so stigmatized by the third term candi-
date, SO as to deprive the third term
party of that much campaign material
The other is that the new chairman
must be man acquainted personally
with the existing republican organization
in the states. man known to the dis
trict and county chairnnen. and whom
they can follow with confidence and en-
thusiasm.
The republicans who advance the latter
suggestion insist that il President Taft
win this campaign he can win It only with
the aid Of the existent machine. the men
who have won victories for the past ten
years and more.
Oklahoma Contest.
At the morning session the subcommit-
tee considered the so-called Oklahoma
contest between George w. Priestley and
James A. Harris, for national commit-
teeman.
On behalf Of Harris, Judge c. w. Ray
mond OF Oklahoma presented an argl-
ment and briefs contending that the cleo
ton OF Prtestley was irregular for the
reason that the Roosevelt delegates in the
Oklahoma delegation to the Chicago con-
vention did not remain throughout the
sessions Of the convention. Judge Ray
mond also contends6 that as Priestey's 8
name appeared on the call for the new
no RI hv fnr
Theodore Roosevelt's manager, his seat
should be vacated under the rule adopted
at Chicago which provided that any mem
ber of the national committee who did
should be removed. Pnestley was not
present nor represented at the meeting.
The committee took no action.
Taft's Arrival Delayed.
President Taft's delayed arrival in the
city today from Beverly. where he went
to establish Mrs. Taft in their summer
home, prevented conferences with a num-
Der of callers at the executive offices.
On reaching the White House, after IL
| o'clock, the President went to the library
| mained going over accumulated business
until the arrival of the subcommittee Of
the republican national committee at 80
O'Clock for luncheon.
The general expectation at the Whlte
House was that there would be little
real business toward the selection of a
| chairman of the republican committee to-
| day and that the actual selection would
be made tomorrow.
| Tonight the President will have with
! him guests at the White House the
visiting committeeman and large num-
| ber of prominent republicans from all
lparts Of the country, invited to meet
| them. The guests will be received by
| the President About 500 of the best
known republicans in the country have
received invitations to be present and
| have accepted. Private conferences will
be out of the question In such gather
| ing. and the President will have con-
| ferences tomorrow that will settle the
chairmanship and number of other
| matters.
| Barnes Sees Taft.
| William Barnes, jr., OF New York, rode
/ up to the executive Offices about 1880