New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-23
Senators to Urge Prompt Prep
aration for Congress Campaign.
CALL FOR A JOINT CAUCUS
Progressive Spirit to Rule New
Congress Committee of Up
per and Lower Houses.
From The Tribune Bureau J


Washington, May 22.-The work OF pre-
pairing for the coming Congress campaign
was begun to-day by the Republicans In
the Senate. who had conference at
which a committee was appointed to pro-
vide for a joint caucus Of the party in
both Houses Senators Gallinger, Clark.
OF Wyoming; Jones. Townsend and Norris
will confer with 2 similar committee from
the House. The joint caucus will outline
the plans for the campaign.
Much more interest is being shown by
Senators in the work OF the Congress
committee since the adoption Of the
amendment providing for direct election
Of Senators. With this committee will
rest the task OF shaping the policy to be
pursued by the Republican party.
II is probable that a decidedly progress
sive spirit will rule when the fun COM
mittee is selected. Senators Townsend
Norris and Jones have identified them
selves with the demand for reform in
PARTY organization. and IT is expected the
same element will predominant in the
House membership.
Senator Townsend. who urged the Sen
ate conference to-day to prepare for the
Congress campaign at once. takes the
view that much can be accomplished by
the Joint committee in rehabilitating the
Republican party He has advocated TINS
method Of bringing all elements together
in an aggressive campaign in which pro-
gressive principles will be incorporated In
the party platform
The conciliators appointed as result
Of the Chicago Progressive Republican
conference q few weeks ago have been
called to meet with Senator Cummins TO-
morrow. 10 plan for presentation Of their
plans to the National Executive Commit
tee. called by Chairman Hilles to meet on
Saturday. The members OF the concila-
ton committee are Senators Cummins'
era wford and Jones, Representatives
Cramton. Michigan; Rogers. Massachu-
sets. and Anderson. Minnesota, and eX-
Governor Hadley. of Missouri. The latter
probably cannot get here for the meeting
tomorrow.
The conference will outline 10 the eH-
ecutive committee the desires OF the fro-
gressive Republicans for a convention TINS
fall "a reorganize the party and REFORM
its machinery relating TO the selection OF
delegates and conduct OF contests.
In line with these ideas, Senator Sher-
man. Of Illinois, introduced In the Senate
to-day a bill which would provide that
delegates TO national conventions Of all
political parties be elected at primaries
Under irs terms the delegates would be
chosen according to the vote cast at the
preceding election for candidates OF the
respective parties. and state primary laws
would govern policy such as this VIII
be urged by the liberal leaders before the
national convention. which they believe
will be called by the national committee
The Progressive wing OF the party IA
vors a convention for reaTangement OF
the apportionmant with view 10 strength
ening the apportionment among Repubn-
can states A proposition Is urged 10
either arbitrarily increase the representa-
tion in the Northern States or reduce II
in the Southern States. There is differ
ence Of view among the committeeman as
IN the necessity or wisdom of conven-
ton for this purpose, and some OF them
contend the national committee itself has
ROVER TO change the apportionment.