Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-12-15
National Committee Confer
ence Likely 10 Issue Call for
Special Convention to Re-
wise Rules,
SOME OPPOSITION IS
VOICED TO POLICY
Senator Borah Issues State
ment Urging Incorporation
of Progressive Rule for
Selecting Delegates,

nv voswNa JOURNAL SPECIAL LEtsrp wlRr
Washington Dee IA. - Leading
members Of the republican national
committee here to attend the commit
tee meeting Tuesday, expressed belief
tonight that a special convention of
the republican party would be called
10 rcorganize its methods. change the
basis of delegate apportionment, and
10 consider the preparation of a new
party platform that would unite It's
broken ranks.
Among nearly a dozen committee
men who had arrived today several
were Of open mind as to the con-
vention plan and one or two were out
spoken against it. Several conferences
held today, however. and the state
mcnts of committee members who
have been I'm communication with
majority Of that body indicated that
plans have been tentatively made look
ing toward the calling of the conNcn-
ton and that the advocates of the
plan believe they have a majority of
the committee behind them.
Chairman Charles y. Hilles has not
yet indicated his own opinion as TO
the wisdom OF a special party gather
ing John II. Adams of Iowa, and F
W Eastabrook Of New Hampshire,
declared they had "0pen minds on
tae nlan VI y. Ala son ~ Nevada
was openly opposed to the conyen-
ZION. but Charles lI. Warren OF Michi-
gam. said he thought a majority of
the committee would favor it.
The plan now in contemplation. IL
the committee decides to summon q
convention is TO provide in the call
that the various state committees shall
control the method Of selecting dele
gates, except where there are state
primary laws covering the subject
While the formal committee ses-
sion does not begin until TUESDAY the
fight over the convention Will be in
augurated tomorrow night at din
ner TO be given TO the committee by
Chairman liles This dinner VIII he
attended only by members of the COM
mittee and it is said that the real is-
sucs Of the convention viii be settled
before its session
The committee session Of Tuesday
probably will be held with open doors
The prospect of fight i'm the conVen-
ton for the adoption of q platform OF
party principles has been an import
ant factor I'm strengthening the oppo-
sition of some committeeman who do
not favor the project senator cum
Minis, former Governor Hadley of Mis-
souri,, and other leaders of the pro-
gregsive republican forces have laio
plans for campaign to secure the
adoption of platform of marked pro-
ercssive character
Several committee members insist
that The smmoning of q convention
would reopen party wounds and
would not operate to draw the diver
gent factions of the party together
Fl believe it would be political
mistake to call convention at TINS
time. said Committeeman MaXson to-
night 81 believe the national COM
mittee has full power to make any
changes necessary in the party rules
and / can see only trouble ahead ol
any special party gathering at thlsI
time"
The law committee, through CHAIR
man Warren. has made public Its de-
eision that the national committee
may change the party rules without
reference to a convention, but that the
re-apportionment OF delegates can be
made only by a convention. This deel-
sion probably will play an important
part in the committee deliberations
I. oil "a
nounced demand that the committee
should register its decision as to the
recognition of state primary laws, the
term of service Of national committee
members and the REIMBURSEMENT oi
the power held by the national com
mttee to make up the temporary
role Of the national conventions
senator Borah. one Of the 'insur-
gents" in the stormy session of the
national committee at Chicago in the
summer Of 1912, issued statement
tonight demanding that the commit
tee go on record as to these proposed
changes in rules whether or not itl
decided to call convention.
The committee is just now the
voice Of the party and the members
oI the party generally expect a posi-
i've declaration on these and kindred
matters from this body said Senator
Borah.
hope to see the national com
nuttee at its coming meeting, what /
ever else it may decide to do or not
@ do with reference to the calling |
y national convention, show thal
the committee itself has some view
upon these questions and is not afraid |
y declare them in unequivocal terms /
u should declare in favor Of pro-
per apportionment and in Favor OF
lImarN elanled dnleentes Il ahould |.