Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-16
National Committee WrestIes
With the Problem of Re-
organization.
FEW OPPOSED TO CUTTING
SOUTH'S REPRESENTATION
Split Is Over Whether There Should
Be Convention or Referendum
to States.

Two main proposals for reorganization
of the republican party and to lind a
basis upon which discordant clements
can unite were presented to the repub-
iican national committee at its meeting
today at the New Willard Hotel
Foremost Was proposal for a special
national convention u readjust the
system Of delegate representation. The
other was that no convention be called.
but that the national committee fix a
plan of reapportionment for ratification
by republican state conventions
\ resolution for a special convention
WAS prepared by a special committee,
which also formed another resolution in
accordance with a compromise sugges-
ton by Charles y. Warren Of Michigan,
chairman of the law committee, pro-
posing that after the national committee
fixes basis Of delegates reapportion-
ment the plan be ratified by two-thirds
of the states which east republican plu-
raites for President in 1905
Committee on Resolutions.
On the special committee drafting the
resolution were Committeeman Warren of
Michigan, BoIah of Idaho. Had.ey of
Missouri, who holds also a proxy from
Louisiana; Snoot of Utah and Howell of
Nebraska. They went into session early
10 report to the entire committee.
Former Gov Hadley OF Missouri, a
member OF the special committee APP
pointed last year BY the Chicago con-
ference of progressive republicans to
make overtures for party REORGANIZATION,
was not averse to the compromise plan
Mr.. Hadley said he favored national
v2v,{f b..f f.nf tn at "a he
would hope for submission of the party
problems to referendum of the states.
Senator Borah declared early today that
he intended to fight for final disposition
of the reapportionment plan by the ma
tional committee without reference to
tie state conventions. The law commit
tee decided recently that the national
committee could not do that solely on its
own authority.
Young Republicans Plan.
Another plan for a basis of representa-
ton was brought to the attention Of the
national committee today by Robert Nj.
Marsh OF the New York Young Republi-
can Club. 1t proposes that each state
shall have four delegates at large, that
there shall be one delegate from each
congressional district where the republi-
can vote is more than 20 and not more
than 40 per cent of the total vote; that
there shall be two delegates from each
congressional district where the repub-
lican vote is more than 10 per cent, and
that each state having cOngresSmen-at-
large shall elect one delegates for each
of such congressman
The percentages would be based on the
election of 1905 and the territories would
each have two delegates The plan also
PROPOSES that the national committee
xo Ifre he
national convention, but should be bound
by a certificate from the secretary OF
state of any state, provided that the
national convention should be the final
Judge of the elections and qualifications
of its members. His plan would provide
331 delegates instead Of los.
Warren Urges Action.
Before the special committee was ready
to report the national committee began
its session and was addressed by Mr..
Warren, who declared there had been no
division in the republican party on aues-
tons of political or economic policy. but
because of differences of opinion as to
the methods employed in expressing
party sentiment"
The problem" he said, lis to prevent
the continued division of the members
of tho party. Let us administer our own
democratic party to use a position gained
solely by division III our ranks TO DC
stroy the good our party has done the
nation.
mo one should expect representation
to be determined by rules providing for
absolutely equal representation. But
when one state sends one delegate TO a
national convention for every 1854 votes
cast for the republican candidate for the
presidency in the preceding lection, and
another state one delegate with Out dll
equal voice and vote for every lu,oco
votes cast; when one state sends one deie-
gate for every SS7 votes, and another a
delegate for every l0S6l: when one sends
a delegate for every All votes ana an
other "A delegate for every ll,lso votes
when one state sends delegate Tor every
30 votes and another state dee a.e fof
every IL 633, all must know that sucli i
method and such a system must cease.
McHarg Opposes Convention.
Ormsby McHarg, who represented the
Roosevelt forces in the contests proceed
ing the Chicago convention last year. ad-
dressed the committee in opposition TO a
special convention.
IF the committee has power TO call
a convention il has power 10 change
representation. If this committee has
decided that abuses should be corrected,
il should manfully SO announce. Such
course will restore to very large eA-
tent the confidence OF the people who
must become the adherents of the repGb-
Iican party if il is To be successful az
the next national election. 1,.le .
adage "a wrong confessed Is half re
dressed will have wholesome and practi-
cal application at this critical Juncture
in our party affairs
Speaking OF the chicago contests,
Mr. McHarP said.
Il knew that Roosevelt was defraud-
ed. and "A majority OF the members OF
that committee knew that he was de-
frauded and / remained silent, fire.
ouently haunted with the statement
that proceedings were Instituted solely
for the purpose of confusing and be-
Jogging the committee, and what
then protested against is precisely that
which you admit now.
Informal discussion among commit
teemen developed > somewhat general
opinion in favor of the proposal for
the committee to change the basis of
and refer tn state