Evening journal., 1913-12-15
TO MAP OUT
COP. PLANS
National Committee viii Meet
in Washington Tomorrow
to Begin Work
SPECIAL CONVENTION
PLANNED BY MANY

WASHINGTON, Dec. l5-Leading mem.
bers OF the National Republican commit
tee here to attend the committee meet
ing Tuesdry expressed belief that a spe-
cial convention OF the Republican party
probably would be called to reorganize
its methods, change the basis of dele
gate apportionment and to consider the
preparation of a new party platform
that would reunite its broken ranks.
Among nearly a dozen committeeman
who had arrived, several were OF "open
mindS as to ihe convention plan, ami
one or two were outspoken against it.
Several conferences were held during rh ?
day. however, and the statements Of
committee members who nave been in
communication with a majority Of that
body indicated that plans have been ten
tatively made looking toward the call
ing of a convention, and that the advo-
Gates of the plan lelieve they have a
majority of the committee behind them.
Charles B. Warren Of Michigan, chair
man of the law committee Of the Repub-
lican organization, said he thought a
majority of the committee members
would favor the holding of a convention.
Chairman Charles d. Hilles has not yet
indicated his own opinion as to the wis
dom Of a special party gathering. John
T.. Adams of Iowa and f. w. EstabrooN
of New Hampshire, declared they had
"open minds" on the plan. H. B. Max
son of Nevada, was openly opposed TO
the convention.
Plans for Selecting Delegates.
The plan now in contemplation, if the
COMMITTEE decides to summon a conven-
tion. is TO provide in the call that the
various State committees shall control
the method of selecting delegates, except
where there are State primary laws COW
ering the subject.
This plan, If adopted, would be the
first step toward one of the changes
in rules demanded by the so-called
progressive faction of the party, that
the district unit" system of select
ing delegates be abandoned and the
primary laws of various States be
recognized as final by the national
committee.
While the formal committee ses-
sion does not begin until Tuesday
morning. the fight over the convention
Will be inaugurated tonight, at a din
ner to be given to the committee by
Chairman Hilles. This dinner will
be participated in only by members
of the committee, and it is expected
that the real issue of the convention
will be settled before it's conclusion.
The committee session of Tuesday
probably will be held with open doors.
The prospect of a fight In conven-
ton for the adoption of platform Of
party principles has been an import
ant factor in strengthening the op-
position of some committeeman who
do not favor the project. Senator
Cummins, former Governor Hadley, of
Missouri, and other leaders of the
progressive Republican forces have
laid plans for campaign to secure
the adoption OF a platform of marked
progressive character
Fear ReOpen'ng Old Wounds.
Several committee members insist
that the summoning of a convention
would reopen party wounds that
might in time be closed and would not
loperate TO draw the divergent factions
of the party together
"I believe il would be a political
mistake TO call a convention at this
time" said Committeeman Maxson. Il
believe the national committee has
full power to make any changes
necessary in the party rules, and /
can see only trouble ahead of any
special party gathering at this time"
The law committee, through Chair
man Warren, has made public its de-
cision that the national committee
may change the party rules without
reference TO a convention, but that
the reappointment of delegates can be
made only by a convention. This de-
cision probably will play an import
ant part in the committee delibera-
tions.
Senator Borah. one OF the "insur.
gents" in the stormy sessions of the
national committee at Chicago in the
summer of 1912, issued a statement
tonight demanding that the committee
go on record as to these proposed
changes in rules, whether or not it
decided to call convention.
"The committee is just now the
voice OF the party and the members
of the party generally expect a posi-
tive declaration on these and kindred
matters from this body" said Senator
Borah. Il hope to see the national
committee at its coming meeting,
whatever else it may decide to do or
not to do with reference to the calling
of a national convention, show that
the committee itself has some views
upon these questions and are not
; afraid to declare them in nnenniSocal
terms"
4 Southern committee members, in
cluding Alvah H. Martin, of Virginia; T;
Newell Sanders. Of Tennessee, and Sen
ator Jackson, of Maryland, held a con-
ference today, as a result of which
some support is expected for the con-
vention plan from the Southern
States.