Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-15
.LEADERSOF G. O.P.
FALLING INTO LINE
National Committee Expected
to Issue a Call for
Convention.
TO HOLD IT IN 1915,
ONE OF PLANS URGED
Program May Be Agreed Upon at
Dinner Which Chairman
Hilles Gives Tonight.

While there are differing opinions. as
might be expected. among the members
of the republican national committee as
sembling here today, sentiment prepon-
derates in favor of calling a special ma
uonal conventional and will crystalline at
the UNOFFICIAL gathering of the committee
tonight.
This will be dinner to his colleagues
by Chairman Hilles at the Metropolitan
Club, and is to be made the occasion for
free expression of views under the
sanctity of club exclusiveness. The meet
ing of the committee tomorrow will be
open to the press.
Strong sentiment appeared today to
be developing in favor of the post
ponement of the special convention to
1915. The proponents of this sugges-
ton would limit the action of the pres
ent meeting to changing the rules Of
representation and carry over to 1915
all other questions solely under the
jurisdiction OF the national convention.
Says Committee Lacks Power.
The law committee of the national
committee has previously decided, after
full deliberation, that only a national
convention can change the rules of ap
portionment of delegates to regular con-
change certain party rules. There is
insistent demand for change in rep
resentation, the latest voice urging it
being that of the republican congress
impossible that the demand can no
ignored. despite the apprehensions of
many committeeman as to the outcome
Having gained their first point, in the
action or the committee thus far the
progressive republicans who started the
movement have broadened their de-
mands on the national committee
Senator Borah. one of the leaders of
the progressives. says:
THE committee is just now the voice
of the party, and the members Of the
party generally expect a positive dec
!aration on these and kindred matters
Il hope to see the national commit
tee at its coming meeting, whatever
else 1t may decide to do or not to do
with reference to the calling of a ma
mittee itself has some views upon these
questions and not afraid to declare
them in unequivocal terms
Would GO on Record.
1t should declare in favor of proper
apportionment and In favor Of primary
elected delegates. 1t should declare it's
position upon the entire proposition of
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 machinery
of the party that we want to know most
about now. The whole trouble has been
and still is as to the attitude of the or
ganization, and we should not be left in
doubt after the committee has met and
adjourned
Extreme reluctance to comply with the
demand for the holding of national con-
yention In 1914 was in marked evidence
among many of the members of the COM
mittee. II they yield it will be only be-
cause they are convinced that they are
choosing the lesser of two evils by ac-
quiescing in the plans already matured.
A southern member of the committee
has polled A of the So committeeman
He has % favoring and % opposing the
holding of a convention