New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-07
Friction Between President and
National Chairman So Acute
That Open Trouble Is
Expected Soon.
AT ODDS OVER PATRONAGE
Party Leaders Want Something
to Say About Distribution OF
0ffices-Henry Morgenthau
Also Grows Cold Tow
ard the Executive.
From The Tribune Bureau J

from The Tribune Bureau
Washington, March 6.-Desp!te fire.
quent denials. it became known to-day
that friction between the President and
William F. McCombs, chairman Of the
Democratic National Committee, and
the committee itself had become 80
acute that an open break was expected
before many days.
Mr.. McCombs had intended TO return
to New York last night, but sum-
mons from the President TO call on him
forced a change in his plans. The ma
tional chairman had a heart-to-heart
talk OF more than half an hour with
Mr.. Wilson this morning, and after IL
he was still undecided as TO whether
or not he would accept the Presidents
offer of diplomatic post.
II is understood that the friction be-
tween the President and Mr.. McCombs
Is over the distribution OF the federal
patronage. among other things. Mr..
McCombs f. standing for the organiza-
ton. He feels that, as chairman Of the
Democratic National Committee, lie
ought 70 have a lot 70 gay as 10 VINO
should receive the various places at the
disposal of the President, and he has
the solid backing Of the members OF
the committee in this contention.
Wilson's View Different.
Mr. Wilson is inclined 10 take a Diff
fercut view While recognizing the
work that Mr.. McCombs has performeC.
he is disposed TO listen TO the counsel
OF others for several reasons, some OF
which date back az far as the Balti-
more convention. Realizing, however
that. under the circumstances, II would
be somewhat embarrassing for Mr.. Nc
Combs % remain as chairman OF the
national committee Mr.. Wilson has
offered him a diplomatic post, largely
TO relieve the situation.
Should Mr.. McCombs accept the dip
lomatic post it would mean that he
would have to throw down some Of
his warm friends for whose recogni-
tion ne has been fighting. These
friends ere urging Mr.. McCombs 10
decline the Presidents offer and 20
stay here and fight II out with Wilson.
They insist that the President has not
given Mr. McCombs's suggestions the
recognition 70 which they were entitled.
As result Of the tense feeling be-
tween President Wilson and the friends
of Mr.. McCombs, Henry Morgenthau,
close friend Of the national chairman
and heavy contributor TO the Wilson
campaign fund. left hurriedly for New
York. with the announcement that
under no circumstances would nc ac-
cept a place from the President. 1t is
reported that Mr.. Morgenthau caused
this information 10 be taken 10 the
White House.
Morqenthsu irritsted.
Mr.. Morgenthau showed unmistak-
Bile traces Of irritation when he left
here. II is an open secret that he eX-
pected to be in the Wilson Cabinet
and he had the backing OF Mr.. Nc
Combs for a portfolio. But when the
Cabinet was announced Mr.. Morgen-
thau found that not only was lie not on
the slate, but no other Jew had been
chosen as a member Of the Presidents
official family.
Mr.. Wilson, L is understood, tried to
make up for his omission by Offering
Mr. Morgenthau a diplomatic post. but
il is understood that when he looked
over the places in which Jew would
be acceptable they were so small In
his estimation, that he decided 70 wash
his hands of the whole administration
and take the first train for New York
Mr.. McCombs declined TO say any
thing about hrs conference with the.
President. He merely intimated that
he had not made up his mind TO accept
the Presidents offer of the French En-