Imperial Valley press., 1913-12-16
Corpse.ss
Tries to Sit Up
(By United Press Associations

/ Washington, Dec. 1G.-The curtain
was rung up here today upon the
/ biggest drama Of "big politics" since
the schism in the Republican party
last year. The Republican national
committee-"the oligarchy of Repub.
! licanism"-met today in special ses-
sion to consider plans for it's rehabili-
tation.
/ Most of the SO national committee
men were present today when Nation
al Chairman Charles ID. Hilles, sec
retary Of former President Taft,
called the meeting to order.
Whether special Republican ma
tional convention shall be called next
year, to provide a new system of re-
apportionment of delegates to nation
al conventions by reducing the number
from southern Democratic states, was
the principal question before the COM
mittee. Party leaders predicted that
the committee Sessions would last
three or four days and that conven-
tion would be called, probably for next
spring. The national committee met
today at the call of special "ways
and means" subcommittee, appointed
last December, of which Senator Cum
Minis of Iowa was chairman. Cummins
is championing the special convention
plan.
The law committee of the national
committee today presented it's report.
That the national committee itself
does not have power to make new
delegate reapportionment rules, but
may call convention which can over
4,,, tho tot
the finding of the law committee.
Charles B. Warren of Michigan, chair
man of the committee, presented the
report. It's adoption by the committee
seemed certain. A certain faction to-
day threatened, however, to fight for
immediate eapportionment by the
committee itself.
Most of the Republican committee
men favored a special convention, if at
all, next April. A few argued for a
later date. The former pointed out
an alleged strategic advantage in ia
vor of the earlier date. Many state
and county primaries and conventions
will be held next spring. If the con-
vention is called early and adopts
some progressive" ideas, those favor
ing the April convention believed
many Progressives4 would leave the
Bull Moose party and reassume their
Republican affiliations.
The progressive wing of the nation
al committee promised fight over the
question of deciding contests of dele
gates at the proposed national con-
vention. Several plans of deciding be-
tween contesting delegates were un-
l.. i fN fpIxy hn
convention itself and deprive the ma
tional committee of the power to de-
eide contests, as was done at the 1912
convention at Chicago.
President Wilson's plan for presi-
dental primaries, with national con-
ventions only for ratification purposes
and platform framing by the senator
ial and congressional candidates. them
selves, also promises to be aired in
lengthy debate before the committee
adiourns.
If national convention is called,
the call will probably recite that its
purposes shall be to make new reap
portionment rules and to prepare for
of the party, with the
aim of direct effect upon the congress
sional and direct senatorial elections
next fall.
That Chairman Hilles will resign
was a rumor secuted by prominent
committeeman today.
Hilles is known to be anxious to re-
tire because of personal and business
reasons, however. But it is believed
he will serve out his full term until
after the congressional elections, at
least.
A new chairman will replace him in
any event$for the presidential cam
paign of 1916.
Resignation of William (Boss)
Barnes of New York from the ma
tional committee was a possibility
when the committee met today
Barnes, a conservative, is under in
structions from the New York state
convention to support many progress
i've policies adopted when Henry l..
Stimson, former secretary of war, and
other New York progressives defeat
ed Barnes in the state meeting.
Barnes said he would carry out the
instructions of the New York conven-
ton if possible, but if not he would
resign.