New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-12
.|EADERS LINING Up
FOR PARTY CHANGES
Republican Senators and Others
from Nine States Discuss
Reorganization Plans.
FAVOR EARLY CONVENTION
conferrees in Informal Debate
Agree That Southern Repre-
sentation Should Be Based
on Party's Strength.

chicago May n.-Proposals to reor-
osnize the Republican party were dis
used al a conference here to-day be-
,u,esn six Republican United States Sen
tors and thirty-twO other Republican
leaders. representing nine states.
The immediate subject before the con-
,,,snce was what action should be sought
Of the meeting OF the Republican National
Committce in Washington on May a look
ing toward recognizing the party along
aggressive lines" and whether there
should be a Republican national conven-
ton this year
The conference lasted more than four
hours. and was held in a hotel Overlook
ing the lake. in the room where the se%fn
Governors last year drafted the letter
,roinc Colonel Roosevelt 10 be a candi-
date for the Presidency. Although the
nublic was not admitted, Senator Albert
r Cumnins said Ill was merely an in
formal talk. a sort OF round table discus
sion of what may be done Tor the best
interests of the party by reorsanizing II
along progressive lines.
Presided over by Senator H. y. Sher-
man. Of Illinois. the discussion was par
ticipated in by Senators Cummins. Will
lam Z. Borah. OF Idaho. c. !. Crawford
of South Dakota: A. j. Gronna. Of North
Dakota. and William ;. Kenyon, of Iowa;
Representatives z. A. Hayes. of Cali
fornia. and J. W. Good. Of Iowa. and
several members Of state legislatures.
Inclined to Early Convention.
Did YOU come TO a decision whether
there ought 10 be a national convention
this year." Senator Cummins was asked.
We die not decide on that" was the
answer. but every one seemed to feel
that the condition of the party seemed
70 necessitate a convention this year Our
Informal talk to-day will be followed by
more formal conference tomorrow,
when former Governor Hadley Of Mis-
sour will be here. We shall then issue
statement telling just what we think
ought 10 be done in behalf Of the party.
Senator Kenyon was asked whether
there was 10 be an effort made 10 get a
new national committee.
That subject did Lot come up. but
present committeeman resigned replied
Senator Kenyon What did come up
was q proposition TO have the next com
mittee take Office soon after its election.
so that II might pass upon credentials Of
delegates 10 the 1916 convention.
The conference brought together the
largest assemblage OF Republican leaders
4
When Senator Kenyon noticed that the
room assigned for the conference was
also the one used as the Progressive
PARTY headquarters. he exclaimed: What,
Are We going TO reorganize the Repub-
acan party in The very room where the
Progressive party was born"
Want an Amenabe Committee.
When the meeting adjourned for the
ssy Senator Sherman gave out what he
aid was a synopsis of the discussion.
We considered" said Mr.. Sherman.
whether the National Committee should
be as iniilexble I'm character as 1t has
peen The opinion was that the commit
ce should be amenable to public opinion
There was no definite action on the ques-
ton Of calling a national convention this
year a call, OF course, would have 10
some from the National Committee. The
question then arose as 10 whether the
committee would issue a call, and we
(elt that the committee would yield 10
me sentiment Of Republicans generally
on that point. as last years election was
pretty positive indication that radical
changes should be made
We agreed that Southern representa-
ton in the convention should be cut down
according TO the strength Of the party
In each Southern state. We did not take
Up the details as 10 how this should be
done, but left that to be worked out
later
Presidential primaries were not conslo-
ssd. but / think We are all agreed as
being in favor Of them. Our whole con
terence was merely informal, permitting
Us free and easy interchange Of views
ss 10 ways and means Of reorganizlng
the party as some o. us Progressive Re
puolicans see it
A concrete proposal for the rehaoilita-
lion Of the party will be presented TO the
conference tomorrow by committee or
I'VE appointed tonight. This report Is to
express the consensus of opinion OF the
Republican leaders attending the meeting.
The committee is composed of Robert
Luce, Massachusetts; Senator Borah'
Idaho; State Senator W. Frank James
Michigan Senator Kenyon. Iowa, and
state Senator James Trautman, Kansas