Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-15
Lively Fight
 is Indicated
SOME OPPOSITION TO A SPECIAL
 CONVENTION
IN REPUBLICAN RANKS
Effort to Be Made at Meeting of Na- tional Convention to Secure Adoption of g Progressive Platform.

Washington, Dec. 14.-Leading mem bers of the republican national com nlittee here to attend the meeting to morrow expressed belief tonight that 8 special convention of the republican party probably would be called to re- organize it's method change the basis of delegate apportionment and to con- slider the preparation of a new party platform that would unite its broken ranks.
 Convention Advocates Have Majority
 Among nearly dozen committee men who had arrived today several were of ''open mind' as to the eonven- tion plan, and one or two were out spoken against it. Several confer enoes held during the day, however, and the statements of committee mem bers who have been in touch with a majority of that body, indi cated that plans have been tentatively made looking toward the calling of the convention and that the advocates of the plan believe they have a majority of the committee behind them.
 Nevada Committeeman Opposed.
 Charles B. Warren of Michigan, chairman of the law committee of the republican organization, said he thought 8 majority of the committee members would favor the holding of a. convention Chairman Charles D. I1iues has not yet indicated his own opinion as to the wisdom of a special party gathering. John T. Adams of Iowa and F: W. Estabrook of New Hampshire declared they had "open minds" on the plan. H. B. Maxson of Nevada openly opposed the conven- ton
 A Concession to Proqressives.
 The plan now in contemplation, if the committee decides to summon a convention. is to provide in the ca.l that the various state committees shall control the method of selecting dele gates. except where there are state primary laws covering the subject
 This plan, if adopted, would be the firt step toward one of the changes in rules demanded by the so-called pro- gressiYe faction of the party, that the district unit" system of selecting del- egates be abandoned and the primary laws Of various states be recognized as final by ths national committee
 Fight Likely Over Platform.
 While the formal committee session does not begin until Tuesday morning, the fight over the convention will be inaugurated tomorrow night at a din- ner to be given to the coami ttee by Chairman Hflles> This dinner will be participated In only by members of the committee and it is expected that the real issues of the convention will be settled before it's conclusion. The com nlittee session of Tuesday probab bly will be held with open doors The prospect of 8 fight in a convention for the adoption of a platform of party principles has been an important fac tor in strengthening the opposition Of some committeeman who do not favor the project Senator Cumnins former Governor Hadley of Missouri and other leaders of the progressive republican forces have laid plans for a. campaign to secure the adoption of a platform of marked progressive character
 Objections of Timid Ones.
 Several committee members Insist that the sumTnpning of a convention would reopen party wounds that might in time be closed and would not oper- ate to draw the divergent factions of the party together.