South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-03-18
Conference of Democratic
Leaders Develops a Plan
Which Will Be Submitted to
State Convention.
KERN ARRIVES TODAY
WITH WILSON'S LETlER
StOII, Hoffman, Simon and
SimmS Will Draft Proposed
Plank on the Statewide
Primary Question.

INDIANAPOLIS. March 1S.-Plans
for the solution of the most perplex-
ing problem confronting the demo-
cratic party leaders-that or state
wide primary law which appeared
likely to furnish some real fireworks
when the 1856 delegates assemble in
state conventioa Thursday, were ten
tatively agreed upon at a conference
of the chief counselors at the Denni-
son hotel. when adjournment was ia
ken at , o'clock this morning.
The entire state primary matter
probably will be shifted TO the shout
ders of the voters of Indiana at the
general election next fall.
committee consisting OF Edward
q. Hoffman. FIT. Wayne: John Il. Stoll,
South Bend; Abe Simon. Button, and
Dan w. Simms. Lafayette, was named
to draft a plank of the primary ques-
ton embOdying the views of the con
ferees and TO present il TO the reSoiu-
tions committee tonight.
Conference Called.
The conference was called after
word had reached Indianapolis that
Senator John W. Kern was en- route
with letters from the president and
Secretary Bryan. expressing the hope
that the convention would adopt pro
gressive planks relating TO this sub
ject. Those in attendance included
Governor Ralston. Thomas TaggarL
Lieutenant Governor O'Neill john X.
Prill Of Evansville. State Senator
Fleming and Edward G.. Hoffman ot
Ft Wayne. Judge Spencer of the Indl-
ana supreme court, B. B. Johnson. sec
retary TO the governor, G. i. ShivelN.
Public Service Commissioner Murphy
and members of the state committee
The discussion is said to have
ranged from a proposition 10 ignore
the primary subject altogether in the
platform. TO the other extreme OF Civ
ing il a blanket endorsement
It is possible that the matter OF en-
dorsing the initiative, referendum ana
recall as urged by Secretary Bryan
may also be handled in the same man
ner. To emphasize his declaration
that there is no break" between Sen
ator Kern and himself. Thomas Tag
CART national committeeman. re.ter-
ated his statement that Kern VIII pe
permitted to write as many planks OF
the state platform as ne wishes To-
and that he. Taggart, will provide
Kern with a proxy as delegate even
if he has 10 surrender his own.
The action of last nights confer
ence. however, is believed TO nave ma
teriaIIy decreased the probability or
serious dissensions arising.
Speculation as TO other planks IN
the platform. aside from the primary
election plank. has been somewhat
neglected. Fred Feick Of Garrett
Ind. for the railway employees asso-
citation Of the state has his proposed
mediation and cOncilatlOn planh
ready for submission TO the platform
committee when il meets tonignt.
Feicx will recommend that board or
10.
and its work 70 be done after media
ton and Cancellation have failed. His
provisions for the appointment OF the
arbitration board cOntemplates the
selection Of one arbiter each by the
two sides 70 the dispute and the third
by the state board of mediation anu
conciliation. Feick has planned MS
proposed board of Cancellation and
mediation on the Erdman federal act.
The different district delegations be
gan 10 pour in Wednesday. The act
uaI organization by districts take
place tonight at Is district meetings
in the state house.
Kern Arrives.
Senator J. w. Kern arrived In n
dianapolis from Washington at noon
today and went direct 10 his nome
That ne was 10 be made permanent
chairman Of the state convention
Thursday was news 10 Senator Kern.
the kilograms which passed between
him and National Committeeman
Thomas Taggart Tuesday, Senator
Kern said that they were conhdential
and private and that he was not az
liberty 10 discuss them He likewise
refused TO discuss the Kirby risk let
ter which has stirred up so much
comment.
Senator Kern said that ne would
make no statement regarding any
the activities Of the state cOnventiOs
in which ne is TO participate until af-
ter he had conferred with party lead
ers."
Albert Venneman and J. w Boehne
OF Evansville. Kirby Risk J. a. Nc
Gill. John W Hoffman and other So
called insurgents" were on the union
station platform when Senator Kern
stepped of the train. To was Hello
there, senator and other greetings
which Senator Kern received as ne
was asked 70 hold a conference with
the progressive forces" but he as
firmly told them that ne wanted 20 60
home and get a rest before taking on
any politics.
The statement Of Mr.. Taggart Vat
he had requested that he be not sent
as a delegate 20 the state convention,
was confirmed by Senator Kern
Letters Are Personal.
Senator Kern said that he had 40
intention OF trying to force anything
on the convention IN regard 10 his
views on the primary election plank
and that the MESA ges" OF Wilson and
Bryan We're more I'm the nature or
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