The Washington times., 1913-12-14
CHARLES D. H|LLES
HERE FOR MEETING
Members of Republican National
Committee Arriving to Go
Into Conference tuesday.

National Chairman Charles D. HilIes,
head OF the Republican national COM
rnittee, has arrived for the meeting OF
the committee which will be held here
Tuesday to consider the calling of a spe-
can party to bring about its reorganiza-
tion and rehabilitation.
Other members of the committee are
also arriving. Among those registered
at the hotels today are Charles B. War
ren. of Michigan, former Senator Newell
Sanders of Tennessee, Alvah H. Martin,
OF Virginia; Thomas Thorson, of South
Dakota, and John.T. Adams of Iowa.
81 tomorrow, it is expected, most OF
the committee will have arrived, along
with various other Republican political
leaders who are aware of the impor-
tance of the movement for a. special
national convention
Former Governor Hadley of Missouri
Is due here tomorrow morning. He viii
confer with Senator CUmmins ard Wit
other progressive Republican leaders
soon after arrival 4 meeting of the
''conciliation committee" named at last
springs conference in Chicago, will be
Hadleg for the purpose of considering
the situation with respect to calling q
convention.
Lacking Unauimity.
Today various informal conferences
among members of the committee were
held Varying opinions about the wis.
dom Of holding convention are ex-
pressed. However, the majority o:
opinion is that a convention viii be call
cd. This plan is strongly oppos
some of the members of the COMMITTEES
but the indications are a majority win
vote in favor of it.
Washington. ST. Louis, ana Cincinnati
continue to be the places most talked
of for the convention
Denver and Philadelphia are also men,
toned. Eoth these places. it was learn
ed today. are anxious for the meeting
Denver is willing to put up $50 900 for it
st Louis stands ready to give s20.0O1.
Bv reason of the fact that Washington
ern and Southern delegates, and because
rlany OF the men in Congress will be
delegates. there is much sentiment in
favor of no ding the convention mere.
Chairman Hjlles, and some OF the South
eru members want the convention held
there because they can reach il easily.
Chicago will not get the convention, and
has practically no support for it.
The fact that If convention is held
there will be big fight over the plat
form question is looming UP more dis
unctly BY day. Senator La Toilette
Is determined to put the question of
adopting a progressive platform I'D TO
the convention if il Is held. Conserya-
tive Republicans object. But il is
pointed out if the convention should
turn down platform of an advance
r~r-n1 7 1n-.
shape than ever before.
Struggle Over Platform.
The knowledge that a critical struggle
over a platform is likely In the con-
vention is one of the factors which is
strengthening opposition to the holding
Of any convention.
The further question whether. If a
convenuonAis held, it will be possible
TO get q large crowd, is causing some
OF the members of the committee to
hesitate. The insistence of the pro-
gressive Republicans on a convention.
however, is expected to turn the scales
In favor Of calling a convention.
senator Cummins. who has been fore
most In urging a convention, said to-
decide to hold one.
Senator Borah, though he believes
the national committee is empowered
to make the changes in the rules
which are demanded, expects a con-
vention will be called.
Southerners Are Opposed.
Strongest opposition to a convention
comes from the South. National Cm-
mitteeman AIvah Martin of Virginia
is one Of those leading the fight against
a convention.
The changes in the rules. which are
demanded include reduction of Southern
representation, provision that will in
sure respect for State primary avs
regarding selection Of delegates. and a
rule TO prevent the old national COM
Inittee from making up the temporary
roll Of the convention. The demanl
is made that the old committee sur
render its functions as soon as the
new committee is elected
Various members of the committee
express the opinion that the convention
will vote, if il is held, to change the
rules as progressive Republicans de-
Jnand. and so vote almost unanimous
More than this, there is demand that
the committee itself declare emphatic
ally for the revision of the rules. SO
the country will understand the organi-
zation is ready to go forward instead OF
taking reactionary course.