West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-10-01
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
Republican Leaders Afraid OF tho
Complete Destruction OF the Psrty
and Are Trying to Persuade the Dr.
ferent Factions to Join Hands Until
After the Election
FRoM GEoRaE w. SuMMRrs.

factions oil the Republican party have laid
aside their political differences for the
present, in an effort to do all that is pos
sible toward the election of Republican
candidates mt the coming election. This
does not mean that there is any degree
OF harmony whatever, but that the fac
tons will agree 10 an armistIce for the
time being, the usual warfare among them
TO be resumed Immediately after the cleo
ton. OF course, Davis Elkins, Isaac T.
Mann and William Seymour Edwards can
not be expected 10 assist in the election
OF any candidate nominated through the
influence OF Governor Hatfield, owing to
the treatment they received at the hands
OF the governor, who was under obliga-
tons To each of them and threw his in
fluence against all OF them. They were
"double-crossed" once and apparently
not one OF them intends to place himself
in the position where he may receive
similar treatment again. But, in spite OF
the hatred existing between these "Allies
OF the Double Cross" on tue one side and
the governor on the other, the situation
is so desperate that in order to try TO pre-
vent the utter destruction of the Repub-
lican party even these men who have
been defeated through the Vaccinations
OF the governor are willing for the present
to fall in line with him and undertake to
elect a few OF the Republican candidates
this year, hoping TO fight out their own
battles at later date. The different fac.
tons are even working together to such
an extent that it has been determined not
to remove Howard n. Ogden from the
public service commission till after the
election. For some time it is understood
he has been slated for removal and it
was promised Arnold G. Scherr that he
would succeed Ogden on September 10.
Scherr went to Charleston to take the
job, but found Ogden on the job and the
situation such that it was thought best
not to undertake his removal till after
the election, lest it endanger the support
OF the Wheeling Intelligencer, owned by
Ogden's brother and the leading Repub-
removal of Ogden is said to be slated for
some time Immediately after the election.
He is said to be too independent; unwill-
ing to take orders and ANNOYED when the
prerogatives OF his office are assumed by
some one else. There is little chance for
man of that type In the present admin
istration at Charleston, and it is little
surprise to those who know him that he
has been picked for removal.
Thomas j. Sherrard, Republican state
chairman, was in Washington last week
comforting with Republicans. He said
state headquarters would be opened at
Charleston by his committee, which
would take an active part in the congress
sional campaign this year. Robert b.
Bernheim, secretary of the committee and
also Of the public service commission, will
be in charge OF the headquarters and the
personnel OF the force will be determined
at later date.
Still there is no decision as to what the
house judiciary committee will report in
the matter OF the investigation by con-
gress of the judicial conduct of Judge A.
q. Dayton. Albert NJ. Belcher, counsel
for the labor leaders who are back of the
proceedings, arrived here few days ago
with some new evidence, which was pre-
sented direct to the committee. The sub
committee is working on the case, and is
expected at almost any time to make its
report on the resolution calling for the
investigation.
West Virginia national banks which
are considered by the secretary OF the
treasury to be holding too much money
as reserves are the Citizens National Bank
at Morgantown, which has 40 per cent
held in reserve; the First National Bank
at Sistersville, with p per cent; and the
Citizens National Bank at Wheeling, with
30 per cent. He threatens to withdraw
government deposits from all banks which
do not loan their funds at reasonable
rates to meet the legitimate demands of
business and the movement OF crops.
Fifteen per cent is all that il required to
be held as reserves by these banks.
ID. w. Gall, formerly of Philippi, was
chosen president of the West Virginia
Society OF Washington last Friday night.
w. +. Braithawaite was made secretary
and j. w. DeGrange treasurer. Resi-
dents OF other states who are natives of
West Virginia may join the organization
as well as residents living here.
Busy as he was in the house, Congress-
man w. G.. Brown found time TO 90 to
Fairmont for the Grand Lodge meeting
OF the Knights of Pythias last week. He
is one OF the Grand officers and an en-
thusiastic member of the order, who
never misses a meeting II he can avoid IT,
He met many friends at Fairmont, and
those from the Second district gave him
encouraging reports Of conditions there
large number OF valuable volumes Of
government publications have been added
10 the library of the rural school at Ma
nown through the courtesy OF Congress.
man Brown. a course i'm agriculture has
been added 10 the school work there and
a large number OF volumes pertaining 30
agriculture and kindred subjects have
been sent 10 assist the teachers and pupils
in their work Mr.. Brown has for years
offered prizes for the best corn raised in
the district by members Of the boys corn
club and has in other ways shown his in
terest in the agricultural education Of the
BOYS Of the Second district. Ills GIFT 10
the Manown school library shows that he
still takes the same interest in the subject.
a bill has been introduced in the house
BY Congressman Brown providing for the
payment Of a pension 10 Thomas NJ