The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-12-17
Plan for Special Convention
Lost by Vote of
:0 to II.
RECOGNIZE PRIMARY LAWS
Enemies Shake Hands and Old
Wounds Are Healed at
the Meeting.


vote the Republican National Committee
adopted to-day a resolution pledging the
committee to carry out reforms in party
procedure and mana cement Of its own
motion, instead of submitting tho reforma-
tory measures to special conven-
tion for ratification. as proposed by cer-
tain progressive leaders.
Repeated references were made by
speakers at the committee meeting to
business depression under the Democratic
Administration. Smokeless chimneys.
dinnerless pals and crowded soup houses
were predicted by most OF the speakers.
In fact the argument that the Demo-
cratic Administration would solidify the
Republican strength without the neces-
sity Of "A special convention was one Of
the arguments that blocked the proposal
for the national party gathering.
The special convention proposition.
presented in accordance with resolutions
introduced at II Progressive conference in
chicago some months ago. was defeated
BY vote OF 35 to II.
II is the belief OF both the so-called
regular and progressive leaders that the
days work OF the committee amounts to
revolutionary change In the organiza-
ton OF the Republican party and that It
will go long way toward restoring the
harmonious relations that took wings In
the convention OF 1912.
Such conservatives as William Barnes
Jr.. Of New York and James r. Watson Of
Indiana. who were the steam roller mon"
in the Taft convention. and ex-Gov Had
ley of Missouri and Senator Bor..h n
OF Idaho, VINO were crushed BY the steam
roller on that memorable occasion. ex-
pressed satisfaction with .o-days work
PrORressive Reforms Conceded.
The resolution adopted practically con-
cedes all the reforms in party procedure
demanded by the Progressives. II. t.piedges
the party to adopt unit OF representa-
tion In national conventions that will
minimize the influence of the Southern
States. 1t recognizes the primary law
Of the various States and comedies to
every state the right to choose delegates
r. II may elect
1t deprivcs the National Committee of
u
rolls Of conventions. a power that has
stirred up scandals in the party in the
past and that led to the Roosevelt bolt
Of 1912, This change. however. affects
only such delegates as may be named
in primaries.
Only one change demanded by the
Progressives was ignored That was their
proposal that members of the National
Committee shall be elected Immediately
before instead OF after conventions
While the authority OF the National
Committee to make the changes EN-.
bodied in the resolution adopted to-day
has been questioned. no one believes thu
work will be challenged by the conven.
tion of 1916, 1t was expected that BY
that time the reforms will be ratified
by the various State organizations.
WORKING Committee Appointed.
Immediately upon the adoption Of tn,
resolution the committee appointed a sub
committee to work out details Of a plar
under which the States shall get repre-
sentation in proportion to the Republican
vote cast in 9OS.
Every section is represented on thi
WHICu VIII ITlAht V8 re
port to the full committee tomorrow
The committee is composed Of Natiuna
Committeeman Barnes Of New York. Es
tabrook Of New Hampshire. Senate
Borah. Senator Smoot. ex-(;ov. Hadley
National Committeeman Sanders OF Ten
nessee. Howell OF Nebraska, Remell O
Arkansas, Warren Of Michigan and Chair
man Hilles.
To-day's gathering Of Republicans 1
the room set aside for the committe
meeting in the New Willard was repre-
sentative Of the party in every wa,
Nearly all OF the men who fought wit
such bitterness on opposing sides In tn
convention Of 1912 were present.
Ex-Gov Hadley. the Roosevelt foe
leader at Chicago and Jim Watson q
Indiana. who performed "A similar ofic
for the Taft forces, exchanged compl
ments and expressed the hope that tn
party would prosper in the future.
Senator Borah, who sat up on the hs
nights that marked the Chicago cor
vcntion of 1912 hating William Barne
passed verbal bouquets at the New Yor
leader. Fix senator Murray Crane
Massachusetts whispered his way aroun
the committee room. sparing neither Pr,
gressive nor regular.
Twelve months ago Chairman HilIs
regarded Senator A. h. Cummins Of low
ps one of the arch enemies Of the =,
public. Mr.. Hiles smiled and cordial
Eraspcd Mr.. cummins by the hand to.ds
~ the Iowa Senator ascended the platforl
to speak, Mr. Estabrook Of New HAM
shire, who predicted the reelection
President Taft on the eve OF the 'b
nd" shook hands with all comers
Every body tried hard to harmonixe or