New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-28
DEMOCRATS PICK
PLATFORM MAKERS
Closed Conference Fav-
ored in Drawing Up
Planks for Campaign.
SUFFRAGE LEADERS
MAY BE RECEIVED
William F. McCOmbs Says Presi.
dent Will Probably Speak for
Congressional Candidates.

These are the men who will make the
Democratic state platform Of 1914:
William F. McCombs, chairman of the
national committee; William Church
Osborn, of Duchess, chairman Of the
state committee; Senator George Biau-.
welt, Of Rockland: ex-senator George
b. Burd. Of Erie; William Temple En-
met, Public Service Commissioner, of
Westchester; Judge d. Cady Herrick,
Of Albany; Martin W. Littleton, Of
New York. and Fay c. Parsons. of Cort-
land.
They compose subcommittee OF
I the platform committee appointed two
weeks ago by Chairman Osborn. The
names were announced last night by
Mr.. McCombs. They will practically
] have the platform drafted when the
entire committee meets for the first
time at the Grand Union Hotel in Sara
/ toga at 10 o'clock August %.
"There will probably be no open
hearings before the full committee at
Saratoga" said Mr.. McCombs. ''inas-
much as il is thought that too much
time will be consumed. Women repre-
/ senting the suffrage and anti-suffrage
movements may be heard
When. following the lead Of the Pro-
gressives. two years ago. the RepuDll-
cans and Democrats both held open
! sessions Of their platform committees
and gave the frecst opportunity for
discussion of all propositions, 1t was
heralded as a great step forward.
The only excuse Mr.. McCombs had
to offer last night for returning to the
old method Of secret platform building
was that there would not be time to
hear the general public at Saratoga.
However" he said. 1--WE will wei
come suggestions for the platform
from any Democrat in the state, as
well as from members Of the plat
form committee who do not happen
TO be on the Subcommittee. These
suggestions may be sent in writing TO
me-"
Some Of the questions that will
come before the committee, according
TO Mr.. McCombs. arc:
Internal improvements and measures
for the extension OF the hydro-elec-
trio power Of the state; the question
of executive reform and the concen-
traton Of the executive authority IN
the Governor: the adjustment OF the
power Of confirmation nov vested IN
the Senate; the adjustment of the
right by the Senate 10 consultation on
removals; a short ballot; the reduction
Of the number CT elective officials; the
adjustment of overlapping terms OF
office: the freedom from federal inter
ference with the ownership and control
Of the WATERWAYS Of the state; state
constabulary outside of the metropoli-
tan district. and the submission OF the
question of woman suffrage.
Mr. McCombs said he favored most
Of these propositions and believed they
would be incorporated in the platform.
The presence of Mr.. McCombs in the
city yesterday was somewhat OF mys-
terry. He was on his way West from
his conference with President Wilson
in Washington when he was recalled
from Chicago. Private business was
said to be the reason, but it was sig
nificant that Thomas T. Pence, VINO
keeps in touch with things in Washing
ton for the national committee, spent
the evening in the city with the ma
tional chairman. The afternoon he
spent with Mr.. Osborn.
Mr.. McCombs will make another start
on his Western trip to-day. HIS object
. IS 10 lOOk INTO lne tolls i'So'N"ei u"
ton. He is going TO Minneapolis, Den
yer, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle
and possibly Kansas City. He VIII be
gone for about three weeks, not get
ting back much before the Saratoga
conference. His mail on the state plat
form will be handled here. and the sug-
eestions will be turned over to other
members of the committee, while copies
arc forwarded 10 him.
In San Francisco Mr.. McCombs has
beon invited 10 talk before the Demo
cratic women and on behalf OF James
6. Phelan. former Mayor. who Is
candidate for denomination at the
primaries this year.
"If there is any opposition 10
Phelan." said Mr.. McCombs. 81 cannot
talk for him. as my trip is for the pur-
pose of harmonizing rather than 10
take sides in factional fights
Chairman McCombs said he did not
know whether President Wilson would
sneak in this state in the Congress
sional campaign. but he assumed he
would. He would not comment on the
decision Of the Congressional delePa-
ton from this state 10 go TO the Presi-
dent and ask that they be recognized
in matters of patronage. 1t wouic Dc
time enough for him TO comment after
they had been to the White House, he
said. ill.,.
He thought the Congressional sltua-
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