New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-10
First Steps To Be Taken Next
Month, When National Com
mittee Meets in Capital.
"STEAM ROLLER" MUST GO
Reorganization Restricting the
Southern Representation and
Successor to Chairman
Hilles To Be Considered.
From The Tribune Rureau.I

Washington. Nov 9.-The first actual
steps toward the reorganization of the Re
publican party and preparations for the
campaign Of 1916 will be taken when the
national committee meets at the capital
next month. pursuant to the call issued by
Chairman Hlles,
The reorganization of the national COM
mittee and the selection Of successor to
Mr. Hilles, who, 1t is expected, will give
up the Craftsmanship, are some Of the mat
ters to be considered. on the questions of
restricting Southern representation ana
recognizing delegates chosen by primary
elections there is little difference of opin-
ion. The ACCESSIBILITY of carrying out
these fundamental reforms meets with al
most unanimous approval.
Some Republicans do not think 1t is
necessary to call a national convention to
make these changes and that the COM
| mittee has the authority to do SO, while
| even those who do not agree TO this ldea
| do not actually oppose IT, The question is
one of expediency alone. There is some
doubt that full attendance can be secured
at an off-year convention, and some fear
that the impression which might go out
as a result of small attendance would be
disadvantageous TO the party
Others Want Convention.
! There are those, on the other hand, who
/ believe that, even If the national commit
| tee had the power to carry out the de-
sired reforms, a convention would be adj
vantageous TO demonstrate before the
country that the party is more virile than
/ its opponents believe or are willing 10 ad-
nit and that II is devoting itself earnest
ly TO the task Of putting its house in
order.
In any event, the steam roller" is TO
be sent over the cliff to It's final destruc-
ton, whether 1t be to the blare of trum-
pets or not. and, as far as possible. all oc-
casion for protest against the methods 1t
typifies is to be removed.
| Senator Cummins has conceived the
plan Of permitting the states TO settle their
own controversies in the case Of contested
delegations. Objection is made to this on
the ground that 1t is impracticable. The
question involved in the matter OF con-
tested delegations will be much mini
mixed in the 1916 campaign, because a
large percentage Of the delegates will be
selected by primaries. and the usual cry
Of machine methods in rounding up South
ern delegates can no longer be raised.
Int - 90, 70
the Democrats in power, who are In a
position to use the patronage at their dis
posal to carry through a preconceived
campaign.
One of the perplexing questions before
the committee will be the choice of a
successor to Mr.. Hilles as national chair
man. 1t appears to be difficult to find the
right man. One who has not been identi-
fed with either faction during the pre-
liminary fight at the Chicago convention Is
sought. The situation seems to be favor
able to the selection of dark horse
one who can convince the committee that
he has the energy and the ability to make
future for himself
Leaders Taking Heart.
Republican leaders in Washington are
disposed to take heart, not only because
of the results of the recent elections, but
also because of the general conditions
which involve the fortune Of the Demo-
cratic administration. Many of them take
the view that the country, which is al
ways disposed to look with favor on a
new President, will soon take stock and
weigh the deficiencies against the accom-
plishments Of the administration. They
believe that the tariff law. the agitation
over the currency legislation and the
threat Of more trust legislation at the
regular session of Congress, all taken to-
gether, are beginning TO shake the conf
dence of the country in the efficiency of
the administration
The progress of political events it is
generally believed, tends TO prepare the
l.ground for the return Of the Republican
party to power, and It is felt that the
question of success or failure will rest on
the capacity Of the party TO put It's own
affairs in order and to make a clean and
! aggressive fight.
! -1--