Arizona republican., 1913-12-17
After Five Hours Debate National Committee De termines It is Authorized to Readjust Composition of National Conventions
SOUTH LOSES
 SOME DELEGATES
Sub-Committee Outlines the Policy and Pla tfOrm Which Will Probably Be
 Adopted at Meeting of Whole Committee Today
ASSOCIATED PRESS DIsPArcH1

ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 16. - After five hours of debate the republican national committee determined to- night that it is clothed with ample power to readjust the composition of the party's national conventions and had the authority to make reforms in the convention rules, a procedure that has been demanded by many ele- ments since the convention of 1912 and the democratic victory at the Iolls last fall.
 With little bitterness and no tan gihle evidence that the differences which arose over methods could not be reCOnciled, the committee took steps which have been agitated in the party for thirty years and which have been a vital factor in the exciting conventions in it's later day history. Without a dissenting vote, the com mittee decided to make a change in the basis of representation in the national convention which will great Iy affect the southern states, give full recognition of the principle of the primary in the election of delegates to such conventions, approved the laws regarding such elections adopt ed by several states which provided that all delegates be selected at large. and accepted the principle that delegates properly accredited by state authorities shall be placed on the temporary convention rolls.
 Informally it had been agreed that the new basis of represen tation should be referred to the republicans of var ious states for ratification. Of the forty-nine committeeman who voted on the one roll call taken, fourteen favored calling a special convention and bringing about the changes men toned and thirty-fiv declared them selves opposed. This was the only difference of opinion developed during the day
 After this ballot the progress was marked by friendly spirit with an expressed desire to harmOnize and to face the political enemy with a re- united and solid party.
 A resolution adopted by it's own terms expresses the party's faith in the primary election of delegates, and ic the right of a state to choose them at large, but the details of the method of reducing the southern rep Icsentation was left tO a special sub committee composed of Chairman TIilles and Committeeman Warren, of Michigan: Borah. of Idaho; Shoot, e Utah; Hadley, Louisiana (prOXy); Howell. of Nebraska; EstabrOOk, of New Hampshire; Barnes. of New York: Saunders. of Tennessee, and RemmeH. of Arkansas.
 The subcommittee expects to make a report at the meeting of the full committee tomorrow. It was predict ed tonight that it will favor a com promise between the plan advocated by the republican congressional com mittee. by Chairman Hilles and other leaders. This plan would provide for four delegates at large from each state: one from each congressional district and additional delegates from each congressional district where the republican vote bears a certain ratio to the total vote. With the adoption of the report of this subcommittee the national committee will adjourn probably until 1916