New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-16
Republican National Com
mittee Likely to Delay
Call to 1915.
MAY ASK STATES
TO DECIDE ISSUE
Members Discuss the Matter at
Dinner Preliminary to Open
Meeting To-day.
From The Tribune Bureau. J

washington. Dec 15-IndiCations
CLEANED from the sentiment expressed
by the members Of the Republican Ma
tional Committee Of the dinner given
by Chairman Hilles at the Metropoli-
tan Club tonight. point to the defeat
Of the plan of some Of the progressives
10 have a special national convention
i'm 1914.
Probabilities are that the question
Of a special convention and important
changes in the rules IF the party will
be referred to the respective states for
final decision. and that a special con-
vention. if any is held, will be called
for not earlier than 1915. Those mem
bers favoring special convention
favor the referendum as an alternative
70 the 1914 convention plan.
There was frank and free discussion
Of the special convention proposition,
and the proposed changes in the rules
were also discussed The after dinner
speeches were intended to bring out the
ideas Of the committeeman.
The sessions Of the committee to-
morrow will he open TO the press. In
view of this the dinner tonight and
the subsequent discussion were strictly
secret. and the members Of the COM
mittee felt at liberty to speak freely.
HiIles Gives Counsel.
In a speech TO the diners that pre-
ceded the discussion Of the merits of
the question Mr.. Hlles outlined at
length the matters which the commit
tee and a convention, If called, will
be asked 10 settle, gave some Of the
arguments on each side and declared
that in any event the Republican
party should get together
This conference" said Mr. Hilles,
is not q counsel of despair. Republi-
cans have every reason TO feel hope
full"
The national chairman did not dis
close his personal views on the adVisa-
bility Of an extraordinary convention.
but called on other committeeman 10
debate its merits.
IN order that we may again tri-
umph," said Mr.. Hilles, we must have
some motive other than a desire 10
win. For the sake OF mere success at
the polls we must not discard or under
mine the sound principles which our
predecessors thought out and fought
and wrought out.
we areHhe trustees Of the Republi-
can party. fact which should inspire
in us a sense Of cogent responsibility.
Republicans and former Republicans
can go very far in a protocol Of union
if a surrender Of principles is not in
volved. We will not embrace theories
Of government that are destructive Of
al that we hold essential 10 the main
tenance of liberty regulated by law"
Mr.. Hilles referred TO the meeting Of
The national committee as abnormal"
but directed by the executive commit
tee and warranted by conditions.
Mr.. Hilles dwelt at length on the pro-
posed recognition Of primary laws and
the proposal TO change the basis Of
representation which would lead to a
reduction in the delegates from South
ern states. Discussing the proposed re-
duction, Mr.. Hilles pointed out the sue
cess of the Republican party in several
states south of Mason and Dixon's line
and summed up the argument Of the
opponents Of the plan.
Rights Of the Negroes.
They" said the chairman, argue
that if the party ignores the great body
OF Republicans-denies representation
Continued on sixth page. third column.