Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-15
C. 0. P. SPLIT IN
THREE FACTIONS
OVER CONVENTION
Two Clans at Washington Fa'
vor Meeting-Third Is OPP
posed to 1t.

WASHINGTON, Dec. is. Such
members Of the Republican National
Committee as had arrived here to.
day indicated almost an even division
OF ssrtirnent on the questions Of
party reorganization which are to bt
taken up In conferences beginning
tomorrow.
The forces opposed to an extraor-
dinary convention were lining uI
against the proposed reduction in
Southern representation. Some COM
mitteemen regarded as probable that
before the actual work of the COM
mittee begins tomorrow there will be
three divisions of opinion. In the
first will be found the national COM
mitteemen, who favor the calling OF
a convention Immediately; In the sec
ond will be those who are opposed
to any convention at all, and in the
third will be others who are willing
to have national convention, but
who do not see any pressing need
for it,
The first and third groups are ex-
pected to join against the second, and
the odds are said to be in favor of a
convention.
According to predictions of Chair
man Hilles the convention probably
will thresh out its differences in open
session and the advocates of all pro-
posals will have an opportunity to
give their arguments in public.
Informal conferences between COM
mitteemen marked the day but the
real work will begin tonight when the
entire committee will be guests at
dinner of Chairman Hilles. All fac
tions are expected to have a clearer
understanding of the situation when
it is over.
Aside from purely legal arguments,
one principal point against calling a
national convention is being made by
committeeman who do not believe use
can be made of the primary machin-
cry provided in several States for the
election of delegates. Many State
laws provide that elections for dele
gates to nominating conventions shall
be held every four years.
Those who favor an early convention
contend that recognition OF the prin-
ciple of primaries by the national
committee would be a sufficient guar
antee of the good faith OF the party.
If the committee decided tomorrow to
call a convention il is highly probable
that there will be some discussion of
how best to reduce Southern represen-
tation in future.
The view that the committee may
not decide to call a convention is not
shared by boomers from several large
cities whose representatives were on
hand early today. stocked with cash
and prepared to press their claims to
the limit.
Among the cities contesting are
Philadelphia. Indianapolis, Cincin-
natl, st. Louis and Denver. The lat
ter was on the ground with promise
of $50, 900, st. Louis was said to be
ready with $4,000, and other cities
probably will back their attractions
with money, IL the situation tomor-
row warrants.
Charles b. Warren, of Michigan,
chairman of the law committee, con-
ferred at the capitol today wit Sem
ators Cummins. Nelson, Root and
others, and announced that Senator
Cummins had no intention of de-
that a national convention
should adopt a general party plat
form.
Former Governor Hadley, of Mis-
souri,, conferred with representatives
of the Cancellation forces of Pro-
gressiVes and Republicans.
Recognition of State primary laws
and reduction of the representation
from Southern States in the national
does not satisfy demands
of the more radical forces, who intend
to demand that the convention shall
take away from the national commit
tee it's power to make up the tenn
porary rolf of the convention and
shall give to the Republican organi-
cation in each State the right to
settle it's own delegate contests.