Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-12-15

the method of selecting delegates, eX-
cept where there are state primary
laws covering the subject This plan
il adopted would be the first step to-
ward one of the changes in rules de-
manded by the so-ealled Progressive
faction of the party that the District
unit system of selecting delegates be
abandoned and the primary laws OF
various states be recognized as final by
the national committee.
While the formal committee session
does not begin until Tuesday morning,
the fight over the convention VIII De
iaaugrrated, tomorrow night, at DIM
ner to be given to the committee by
Chairman Hilles. This dinner will be
participated in only by members of the
committee; and it is expected that the
real issues of the convention will be
settled before it's conclusion. The COM
mittoe session of Tuesday, probably
will be held with open doors. The pros
rect of a fight in a convention for the
adoption of a platform of party prin-
ciples has been an important factor in
Strengthening the opposition of some
committeeman, who do not favor the
project.
Senator Cummins, Former Governor
Hadley of Missouri and other leaders
of the Progressive Republican forces
have laid plans for a campaign to Sc
cure the adoption of a platform Of
marked progressive character. Several
committee members insist that the
summoning of a convention would re-
open party wounds that might in time
he closed and would not operate to
draw the divergent factions of the par
ty together,
The law committee through Chair
man Warren has made public its de-
ecision that the national committee
may change the party rules without
reference to a convention, but that the
reappertionment of delegates can be
made only by a convention. This de-
cision probably will play an import
ant part in the committee delibera-
tions, and has already brought about
pronounced demand that the commit
tee should register its decision as to
the recognition of state primary laws.
the term of service of national commit
tee members and htc REIMBURSEMENT Of
the power held by the national COM
mittee TO make up the temporary
role' of the national convention. SEN
ator Borah, one of the insurgents" in
the stormy sessions of the national
committee at Chicago in the summer of
1912, issued a statement, tonight. de-
nlanding that the committee go on rec
ord as to these proposed changes in
rules, whether or not it decided to call
q convention.
Inc committee is just now the
voice OF the party and the members of
the party generally expect q positive
declaration on these and kindred mat
tiers from this body" said Senator Bor-
ah. Il hope to see the national COM
mlttee at its coming meeting, whatever
eise II may decide to do or not to do
Win reference to the calling of a ma
uonal convention show that the COM
mittee itself has some view upon these
questions and is not afraid to declare
them in unequfvocal terms.
1t should declare in favor of prom
er apportionment and in favor of pri-
mary elections. 1t should declare its
position upon the entire proposition or
the reconstruction OF the machinery of
the party. We can at this meeting
place the organization of the party
upon record upon these vital questions.
1t is the organization, the machin-
cry of the party that we want to know
most about now. The whole trouble
mas been and is still as to the attitude
OF the organization and we should not
be left in doubt after the committee
has met and adjourned"