New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-10
ROW OVER WILSON'S ROD
Conflict in Air Because OF Ex-
eCutive Interference"
BIRCH FELT AT CAUCUS
President Has Organization of
the Campaign Committee
Postponed.
from The Tribune Bureau. !


From The Tribune Bureau
Washington. May 9.-President wilson
firm hand prevented the organization o
the new Democratic Congress campalgl
committee tonight. and the first interna
row I'm the new administration Is brew
ing. The members duly elected by IN
various state delegations TO represen
them on the Congress committee met Il
conference. were Informed that the Presi
dent wanted delay. and after hearinI
protests from Senator Stone and Repre-
sentatves Floyd. Taggart Frank Clarl
and others. decided to postpone the OF
canization OF the committee.
The conference was called with tn
cards apparently stacked in favor Of TIN
opposition to the President, who has hi
own ideas concerning the conduct of tn
1914 campaign. The schedule was 10 elec
Representative Ben Johnson OF Ken
mckv. chairman OF the committee. bu
the two hours debate was so illumnatiV'
that Mr.. Johnson himself asked unani
nous consent TO postpone the organiZa
ton Of the committee. thus yielding 4
White House influence. The meeting o
the new committee had been called b.
Mr.. 1ohnson's friends. who are incident
ally the friends of Speaker Champ clark
and this faction freely predicted to-da.
that Mr.. Johnson would be named chair
man tonight
"The interference" OF a co-ordinat
branch of the government with cam
paign heretofore handled solely by mem
hers OF the House was discreetly cru
cised at the conference tonight. Repre-
sentative Frank Clark, Of Florida, an
Senator Stone. of Missouri. were TN
most outspoken advocates OF the immedi
ate reorganization Of the campaign com
mittee. the advice OF the President TO m
contrary Notwithstanding.
Clark Man Opposed.
Senator Stone. who was the Cham
Clark campaign manager last year Is re
ported TO have been especially insisten
that the organization OF the committee
should proceed lie had no sympaih
with the President policy OF delay
which is prcdlcated on Mr.. wilson's de
sire TO enlarge the committee by addin!
more members from the Senate. Tn
President desires. Furthermore. that tn
Democratic National Committee sinai
take an active part in the off year cam
paign.
Representative Lloyd retiring chair
man Of the committee. Informed the con
ference that Mr.. Wilson wanted Sena
tor on the committee from each stat
which is 20 elect a member Of the uppe
BODY in 1914 under the direct election
law. There are at present only sever
Senate members OF the committee MI
Llovd also described his recent confer
ence with the President at which he Wa
informed that Mr.. Wilson desired post
ponement Of the organization until tn
Executive had had opportunity 10 consul
with members Of the national committee
.The President disclaims any pui
pose" said Mr.. Lloyd, TO promote o
defeat the ambition OF any person 10
Mace with the committee, and states b
feels sure that any suggestion that an
of the leaders OF the House have be
come partisans IN respect TO the ahair
OF the committee for the preferment o
any one man Is likewise without foun
dation. He Is anxious that the organlza
ton OF the party shall be perfected :
as 10 make II most effective. and III
plan he has suggested is certainl
worthy Of consideration.
Mr.. Lloyd urged the committee t
avoid friction. secure harmonious actio
and pursue that course which viii ten
to unity and build up the party" What
ever IS done tonight" he added. II be
Won to do II I'm the interest OF the part
and the country"
Representative Baker. OF California
moved 20 postpone the organization. MI
Clark moved 10 organize at once, despit
the Presidents advice. Mr.. Reilly. o
Connecticut. moved 10 lay all motions a
the table. and at this point Representa-
tive Johnson. OF Kentucky. candidate 70
the Craftsmanship and n stanch ClarI
adherent. ended the wranele by askin
consent that the present chairman an
secretary continue In office for the tim
being. and be authorized meanwhile {
consult with Senators regarding Mr. WI
sons scheme Of organization.
Issue Of National Gravity.
A story OF national politics underlie
the incipient row in the Democrat
party. The President feels that his al
ministration will be on trial at the poll
next year. and his advisers are dubiou
of leaving the campaign entirely In IN
hands OF the so-called House machine
or the Clark and Underwood factor
Two members OF the Cabinet have al
vised against the selection Of Mr.. John
son as chairman OF the new committed
The virtual demand Of the Presiden
that the Senate be given more represer
tation on the committee, and his pohc
of delay until he has consulted Wit
members OF the national committed
which has heretofore been inactive In OF
season campaigns. is fraught with pos
sibiiities u conflict within the party. y
President heretofore has taken the WIN
hand in a Congressional campaign.
In accordance with the action to-nigh
Mr.. Lloyd will continue as chairman q
an unorganized committee, being "A hold