Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-09
HITCHCOCK SAYS HE
HAD HIS SUSPICIOUS
OYER BRYAN COURSE
Nebraska Senator Unwilling to
Commit Himself on Action
Taken by Secretary
State.
DAHLMAN ON PARTY MATTERS
Mayor Believes Commoner May Still
Be Power at Washington in
Spite of Break.
SAYS PARTY NOT AFFECTED

"'I had my suspicious" was the
only definite statement Senator
Hitchcock would make when asked
for an expression regarding the
resignation of Secretary Bryan.
That statement by Nebraska's
senior senator was in reply TO
question asking him whether, in
in the light of recent events he was
surprised when he heard of the i'm
portant news from Washington yes
terday.
The senator was on tn egolf links at
the Country club when apprised of the
action of Nebraska's distinguished cab
met member. Unperturbed. he remained
at the links until dusk and then motored
to his apartments at the Highland, where
he tarried short time in preparation for
a wedding.
Awaits Further News.
Senator Hitchcock did not seem to be
disturbed by rumors that Mr.. Bryan may
be intending to return to Nebraska and
oppose Mr.. Hitchcock for the United
States senate. The senator was disin-
clined TO commit himself on the resigna-
ton. wishing, as he said, 10 go over the
| situation carefully when detailed reports
have been received.
The senator would not express himself
regarding the relations between the presi-
dent and the secretary of state.
DahImnn's View of II.
Secretary Bryan's resignation will not
necessarily have any special effect upon
patronage or politics in Nebraska. or
upon the national party organization. ac-
cording TO Mayor Dahlman.
"Bryan's action Is a big surprise to
me- the mayor said. soon after hearing
about the press dispatches concerning the
resignation and its acceptance. "I'm sorry
that he is going out of the cabinet. As TO
the effect II is hard to say anything
about Il right away Only time can de-
termine what he results Of Bryan's resig-
nation will be. 'N
Need BE No Overturnine.
'It Bryan ieaves the cabinet in a
| friendly mood, that is, in order to avoid
giving President Wilson any embarrass-
ment over their difference OF opinion on
foreign policy. there need necessarily be
no great effects from the action.
II should say that II the status OF
Bryan's resignation is correctly reported
from Washington. the patronage question
in Nebraska may remain unchanged. The
chief trouble in the Hitchcock
deadlock over patronage. as understand
it, has been Bryan's friendship and in
fluence with President Wilson which has
prevented nomination by the president
OF the men the senator recommended.
May stiu Have Power.
'"rhat being the case, Bryan is still
liable to exert the same influence against
Hitchcocks future recommendations
providing only that Bryan should want
to do so. He may lose interest in the
matter after leaving the cabinet. although
I don't think so, Bryan will be even
more OF a Nebraskan out of the cabinet
than he was while secretary OF state.
Bryan Will certainly continue TO re-
main a big figure in democratic affairs,
nationally and In the state. 1 believe.
The fact that he failed to agree with
President Wilson will not necessarily
mean that the two democratic leaders will
sever their cordial political brotherhood.
Both are broad enough to agree on many
things although failing to agree on one
matter.
National Organization Unaffected.
'I am quite sure that the democratic
national organization win not be espe-
cially affected by Bryan's resignation.
He Is too good a democrat to cause any
party disruption. When the 1918 preE-
Dental convention and campaign comes,
Bryan can still be a Wilson man. for tho
foreign policy will be all settled by that
time. and things will probably be back
to normal. with Wilson and Bryan in the
Same boat
"The effect OF Bryan's action on Ne
braska politics will all depend upon what
[ Bryan does after leaving the cabinet AS
| II Is not known what Bryan will do. the
whole question of his influence i'm Ne
braska politics Is problemmattical He
may remain at Washington. but perhaps
is more apt TO come back TO Nebraska.
which would mean big developments In
democratic politics here"
Smyth Expresses Regret.
| c. j. Smyth. who through the combined
influence OF Bryan and Hitchcock holds
the position OF special assistant TO the
attorney general. said:
'I saw Mr.. Bryan in Washington three
weeks ago. To the best OF my informa-
tion at that time Mr.. Bryan and Mr.
Wilson were in perfect harmony The
Information this afternoon came as bolt
from a clear sky. am very sorry. ]
think II Will be distinct loss 10 the
administration. As to what plans Mr..
Bryan might have in Nebraska politics.
anything coming from me would be the
merest guess. I have heard the rumors
that he might run for the senate. but