The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-12
DISCUSS PLANS FOR
REORGANIZATION Of
REPUBLICAN PARTY
Conference in Chicago Yes
terday Between 38
Leaders
REPRESENTATION IN
SOUTH TO BE REDUCED
Subject of New National Committee
Not Touched Upon Nor Were Pres
idential Primaries Considered.
Conference Was Informal

Conference Was Informal
Chicago, May 11.-A concrete pro-
posal for the rehabilitation of the re-
publican party is to be presented to-
morrow to the conference of repub-
lican senators and leaders here by q
committee of five appointed 'ght af-
ter the conferees had dis Sr>d fully
the situation. Tomorrow 4 Snferencc
is to revolve about the csrt which
the committee drafted SSlght and
which is to express Z q S,ncensus Of
opinion of the repub 90 leaders at
tending the meeting 50 committee is
composed of Rober . Zee, Massaehu
s,tss; Senator Borg a aho State SEN
ed States Senatol S. Kenyon, Iowa,
and State Senator James Traulman,
Kansas
Chicago. May E.-Proposals to re-
organize the republican party were dis
cussed at conference here today be-
tween six republican United States SER
ators and &c other republican leaders,
representing nine states. The immedi-
ate subject before the conference was
as to what action shall be sought at
the meeting of the republican national
committee at Washington on May %
looking toward "reorganizing the party
along progressive lines" and as to
whether there shall be a republican ma
tional convention this year.
nv.
four hours and was held in a hotel
Hooking the lake in a room where
the seven governors last year drafted
the letter urging Colonel Roosevelt to
be a candidate for the presidency. AL
though the public was not admitted
senator Albeit 3. Cummns stated 'it
was merely an informal talk, a sort Of
round table discussion of what may bo
done for the best interests of the party
by reorganizing it along progressive
lines"
Senator Sherman Presides
Presided over by Senator Sherman of
Illinois, the discussion was participated
In by Senators Cummins. William f..
Iiorah of iadoha, Crawford of South
Dakota, Gronna of North Dakota, Ken
yon of Iowa, Congressman Hayes of
California, Congressman Goode of Iowa
and many members of state legisla-
lures.
did you come to a decision whether
there ought to be a national conven-
ton this year?'' Senator Cummns was
. slled.
we did not decide on that, but ev-
prV one seems to fool tbat ron
dition of the party seems to neces-
state convention this year. Our in
formal talk today will be followed by
a more formal conference tomorrow,
when former Gov. Hadley of Missouri
viii be here. We shall then issue a
statement telling just what we think
ought to be done in behalf of the
party"
somebody asked Senator Kenyon
whether there was to be am effort
nlaoe TO get a new national commit
tee.
n hat subject did not come up. but
most of us would have no objection If
the present committeeman resigned .
replied Senator Kenyon! what did
come up was proposition to have the
next committee take office soon after
its election so that it might pass upon
1916 convention"
The conference brought together the
largest assemblage of republican lead.
ers in Chicago since last years con :
Vention. When Senator Kenyon noticed
that the room assigned for the con-
ference was also the one used as the
progressive party headquarters, he
said: What! What! are we going to
rForganize the republican party in the
very room where the progressive party
WAS born?"
Synopsis of Discussion
When the meeting adjourned for the
day, Senator Sherman gave out what
he said was synopsis of the discus
sion.
We considered" he said, whether
tne national committee should be as
ln1iexlble in character as it has been.
The opinion was that the committee
would be amenable to public opinion
aoa keep pace with what is going on.
There was no definite action on the
question of calling a national conyen-
ton this year. A call, OF course would
have to come from the national COM
mittee. The question then arose as to
whether the committee would issue q
call, and we felt that the COMMITTEES
would yield to the sentiment of repub
Leans generally on that point as last
years election was pretty positive
indication that radical changes should
be made.
we agreed that southern represen-
tation in the convention should be cut
down according to the strength of the
party in each southern state. We did
not take up the details as to how this
should be done, but left that to be
worked out later
presidential primaries were not con
siScred. but | think we are all agreed
as being in favor of them. Our Who'll Q
conference was merely informal. per-
mltting us free and easy interchanp pe
o! views as to ways and means of re-
orsanizig the party as some of us pro
eressive republicans see it,"
Senator Cummins, who has been here
since yesterday arranging for the meet
ing, was asked why the formal meet !
ing was put off until tomorrow to
await former Governor Hadley's ar
rival
Well he said. "our meeting tomor-
row won't be anything more than a
continuation of today's meeting only
on account of it being Sunday we did
not want to transact what might be
coneidered business"