New-York tribune., 1913-11-19
MCOMBS ASKED TO
LEAD "CHIEF'S" FOES
Goes to Washington To-
day to Confer with
President Wilson.
DEMOCRATS HERE
BACK OF MOVEMENT
National Chairman Said to Have
Promised to Do SO, If Time
Will Permit.

II President Wilson approves. William
F. McCombs. chairman OF the Democratic
National Committee probably VIII head
the independent movement in this city to
reorsanize Tammany Hall and eliminate
Charles r. Murphy as leader. Mr. Nc
Combs will go to Washington to-day to
lay the matter before the President acting
on the request of prominent Democrats
here. After conferring with the Presi-
dent and taking time to familiarize him
self with the local situation. Mr.. McComos
said he would announce his decision.
Since Mr.. McCombs's return from
Europe on Friday with his bride many
prominent local Democrats, as well as
others high in the counsels OF the party
throughout the state, have conferred with
him and urged him to take the whip
hand in the reorganization OF the party
In this city and state. The national chair
man was deeply impressed with their
arguments. IL is understood, and encour-
aged some Of the leaders to the extent OF
assuring them he would head the move
ment
This statement was issued yesterday
upon the authority of Mr.. McCombs:
Chairman william +. McCombs Of the
Democratic National Committee has been
asked by number OF prominent Demo
Gratis to assume the leadership Of the
fight to reorganze Tammany Hall. Chair
man McCombs. when seen yesterday. ad-
mttted that he had been asked to lead the
movement to reorganze the Democratic
party I'm the state and city, but further
than that refused to discuss the matter
Mr.. McCombs will leave for Washington
Tomorrow morning for his first confer
cnce with President Wilson since the
chairman returned home 1t Is expected
that the New York situation Will be gone
over fully and that following that con-
ference Mr.. McCombs will be in position
10 announce his decision"
George Gordon Battle and other Demo
Gratis identified with the reorganization
movement in the local Democracy would
not discuss the probability of Mr.. Me-
Combs becoming the leader OF the anti
Tammany fight yesterday. but they inti'
mated that no announcement would be
made until the movement had become
more definite. II Mr.. McCombs accepts
the leadership in the movement II is ex-
pected the campaign against Murphy and
Tammany will he directed toward a reor'
canlzation OF the city and county com
mlttees. along the lines OF the suggested
reorganization from the inside.
II Mr.. McCombs refuses 10 lead the
movement II is likely that fight VIII ne
made by independent Democratic orsanl'
cations to elect at the primaries SUM
cient number Of Democratic district iead'
ers opposed 10 Murphy to accomplish his
removal from the leadership Of Tammany
Hall.
When seen at the Hotel Vanderbilt Mr.
McCombs declared that strong pressure
had been brought upon him 10 lead the
fight against Tammany Hall As he had
lust returned from Europe and was not
altogether familiar with the local situa'
ton. he said he would have 10 give the
matter serious attention before making
any decision. Asked I'm regard 10 the re-
port that he had declined a nomination as
president OF the National Democratic
club. he said q was true. The nominating
committee had offered IL 10 MN s'N''"
DAYS ago. he said but he had been forceu
TO decline because OF the weight OF ousi'
ness, as well as private affairs and MS
duties az national chairman.
The nominating committee OF the ciun
announced yesterday that 1t hah hoIni'
mated these officers: President, Judge Ed
ward +. O'Dwyer; first vice-presiueh'' eA-
nrk
president. Herman y. MetZ' Ueaou
Milo ]. D. Tinstein; secretary "h.iai
n. Jasper: corresponding secretary Jon"
j. Quinlan; governors. John H. hass
locher. John NJ Richie. Thomas +. oh''",
John II. Campbell, John f. y brleh anu
Charles S. Guggenheim The electon VIII
, be held at the clubhouse on Decen'oer -
and il is not believed there Will be an op'
position ticket