The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1913-05-12
Senator Cummins Declares
Convention Would Be
Like Lords Supper.
CHANGE OF RULES
Is Urged upon the National
Committee of the Party to-
Be Made at Once.
suY Aseee.hrsn easss,


Republican leaders from ten states
are expected today to draft prelimi-
nary plans for the reorganization OF
the party. They will decide whether
a convention shall be held soon, the
attitude to be taken toward the ma
tional committee, what will best re-
unite the forces of Republicanisna
and other questions, which were dis
cussed informally at two meetings
yesterday.
The statesmen already here were
strengthened this morning by the
arrival OF former Governor 1adley,
of Missouri, while Senator Works, OF
California, telegraphed that he hoped
to reach the city this afternoon.
other politicians VIII
Swell the Attendance
to more than fifty. Senator Borah,
OF Idaho, is opposed to calling Re
publican national conference and his
stand on this question has precipi-
tated an animated discussion. He
asserts that it would be useless to
attempt to reorganize the party from
top down as any meeting that might
be held at this time would be con-
trolled by the men who dominated
the convention last June. While
still fighting the idea of a confer
ence he has little hope that his plan
will prevail.
D-fYerence of Opinion.
Hostility to the present national
committee has been openly expressed
by several OF the progressives. Sen
ator Kenycn's statement that most
OF us would have no objection to
most of the national committee's're re-
signing" is backed up by Senator
Sherman, of Illinois, who said:
THE feeling is that the tnational
committee should be left inf1exible
and more amenable to public opin-
ion"
Favor Progressive Rules.
one of the aims of the conference
is 10 curtaiI the powers of the exist
ing national committee. The con-
census of opinion tavors following
the rules adopted by the Progressive
and Democratic national conventions
providing that members of the ma
tional committee shall assume their
duties Immediately upon election in
stead of waiting until the dissolution
o fthe committee at the close of the
national convention. by such an ar
arrangement the new committeeman
would handle the credentials of the
1916 convention.
The attendalfSo o Senator Gronna,
North Dakota, is said to have the
disapproval CT Senator LaFollette.
who is not in sympathy with the
gathering. Gronna and LaFollette
have been strong political allies.
The conference decided to ask the
Republican national committee at its
meeting May "a at Washington to is
sue call for a national convention
this year.
To Reorganize.
To reorganize the party along pro-,
gressive lines, Senator 'Cummins, OF
Iowa. senator Borah, of Idaho, and
former Governor Hadley. of Mis-
souri,, together with the other lead
ers at the conference agreed that the
proposed convention shall change
the basis of representation in future
conventions and make otner -ze--;cal
changes SO that the party shall
stand for constructive and progress
sive activities in the affairs of gov
eminent"
.Does the suggestion to reunite
the party mean that those who have
Joined the Progressive party are to be
invited to come back?" Senator
Cummins asked.
1T means Just as have said be-
fore. that the convention would be a
sort Of Lords supper and all those
who believe might partake.'' said
Senator Cummius.
Statement Issued.
After the conference, which
journed this morning, the FOLLOWING
statement was given out:
AT an informal conference of Re
puhlicans held at Chicago May ~.
1913. it was voted that It would be
submitted to the national Republican
civ