The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-01-06
INTERESTING FIGHT
IS ON At B|$syARCK
Attempt Made to Call Prog >
sive Republican Caucus,
But it Failed.
SAID IT WAS DONE
TO ELIMINATE SOME
Several Candidates Declared They Re-
fused to Sign Such q Call-Farm.
er's Caucus Which Was Organized
Yesterday, Has Influence.
(Bx H. D. Paulson.l

caucus, which began at o'clock this
afternoon. His election will be brought
about unless Ployhar, Divet and Ward
rope can muster their strength and
considerable feeling. however. at least
upon the part of some men in the
camps of the Divet and Ployhar
forces, against WARDROBE. His late
entrance into the campaign. being
charged with breaking UP the pro-
gressive forces to marked degree.
Anderson Of Ramsey and Hendrick-
son will have very light vote on the
hrst ballot. and their strength will not
30 to WARDROBE. Hendricksons falling
70 Thompson and Anderson's proba-
ply going to Divet or Ployhar. On the
last ballot the fight probably will be
between st Frame and either Ployhar.
chances depend entirely upon the
turn taken when Ployhar drops from
the race. as he will on the fourth or
nth ballot. The balloting will be done
on tho low-man-out basis, and the
speaker will he known about O'Clock.
At noon call for. progressive eau
Gus was issued, and with about thirty
nve members participating, no de-
cision was reached, the caucus adj
5ourning before the regular republican
caucus was scheduled to meet. o. j.
eorlie's name may not be presented
to the caucus this afternoon.
Bismarck, N D., Jan. 6.-Many in.
teresting features marked the skirm-
ish preliminary to the signing of the
call for the general republican eau
Gus OF house members. in which all.
Bpeakership candidates. with the ex-
ception of Sorlie of Trail county, par
ticipated as a signer.
Last evening an attempt was made
to secure call for a progressive re-
publican caucus. About twenty mem.
bers were instrumental in that move
ment. after those present, when the
call was drawn, had signed up and
1t became necessary to call in other
members to secure majority. it was
found then that the movement would
not hold water. A. G. Dewitt of Wah-
peton was one of the first to he called
In. and when the call was shown to
him and the purpose stated. he re-
fused to participate, declaring that
the. object of eliminating Frainc,
Streeter and Thompson, which was
quite evident was one that he did not
approve Of.
Frank Ployhar expressed himself in
much the same manner. and finally
Frame was called in. To him it was
suggested that Streeter and Thompson
be eliminated and he at once declared
himself against the plan. The call
for the general republican caucus had
been signed by previous to the at
tempt at calling progressive repub-
lican caucus. As result Of the views
expressed by Divert Ployhar and
Frame. the plan was abandoned. there
being members present when the
movement fell through. The call for a
Progressive" caucus was posted at
noon today with o. j. Sorlie. as the
leading light. This call resulted from
the refusal of the so-called farmers"
caucus to hear MIR. Sorlie state his po-
sition. Several members Of that cau-
Gus. unique organization in this
fight, attempted to have Sorlie invit-
such step and the meeting ended few
minutes before noon today. Sorlie i'm
media+sly made the call for the pro-
gresslte caucus.
This Farmers" caucus was launch
ed Saturday evening. when the first
meeting was held. Sunday two ses-
sions were held and again this morn
pose of this gathering, it was explain
ed by those prominently Interested,
was to secure the election of a speak,
ership candidate who would not be in
any manner tied down with promises.
as they charge was the case two years
ago when the so-called Near Speak,
er club" was said to have copped all
the committee prizes before the cleo
tion Of Speaker Hanley was brought
about.
The direct purpose of the caucus. it
has been claimed about hotel Hobbies
yesterday and today. was to eliminate
from the race Messrs. Ployhar, Street.
er. Frame and Sorlie. In this. how
ever. the caucus has failed.
Last night vote was taken on the
question of endorsing speakership
candidate and 1t was found that Col.
Frame was high man. The first and
second choice system of voting was
used. under which Frame had four
teen first and ten second choice votes.
The other candidates stood as fol-
lows: Streeter one first and four sec
onds; Ployhar three frsts and three
seconds; Anderson four first and four
seconds; Divet eight firsts and one
second; Hanson seven 1irsts and five
seconds; Thompson one first; Ward
rope five firsts and eight seconds: Sor-
lie one first and one second: Dean one
first; Burnett one first. and one sec
ond.
Analysing the situation as 1t existed
today. prior to the call for the pro-
gressive caucus. one sees a sentiment
engendered against WARDROBE among
the so-called progressive republicans
that appeared to make the election Of
Colonel Frame in the general repub-
lican caucus this afternoon seem al
most q certainty. In the general eau
Gus. without considering the effect OF
the progressive caucus. in progress at
noon. while this article was being
written. the Thompson and Streeter
strength will 90 to Frame after the
first vote and II 1t is found that they
have no chance for election. Bernt
Anderson of Ramsey county Is not
especially friendly to Wardrope be-
cause his entrance in the race cut
down the field for him. He may 20 to
Divet. but the most natural thing