The sun., 1916-12-25
GARDNER FOR G. 0. P.
CONGRESS REVOLT
Bay State Representative
Wants Constructive Pro-
gramme by His Party.
TO FORMULATE POLICIES
He Is Not Content With Mere
ly Opposing Democratic
Proposals.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.-Agitatlon for
a conference Of House Repubiicans 20
outline definite plan Of constructive &C.
tion during this and the next Congrsse
to replace the present policy Of msrsU
opposing Democratic proposals began ~
day to take definite form.
Upon his return from Cincinnati. whore
no announced his opposition to Repu0-
iican Leader Mann for Speaker Of the
next House and his support Of Repre-
sentative Lenroot Of Wisconsin for the
place. Representative Gardner Of Mas.
sachusstts said he would immediately
seek to have . conference called for the
purpose Of formulating policies for the
future.
He made II clear that his efforts 70
obtain q conference should BE- entirely
disassociated from his opposition to Mr..
Mann. which. he says, Is based solely on
his conviction that MIR. Mann stands for
Prussia and Prussianism" in interna.
tionai affairs. Until Mann indorsed
President Wilson's recent peace message.
Gardner said. he favored the Illinois
leader.
Mr.. Gardner's Aim.
"I shall endcavor to have a con.
ference called to formulate policies ana
discuss them rather than personalities"
said the Massachusetts Representative.
81 am tired to death OF waiting for lot
Of bigwigs in the Republican party to
prepare u. platform for us that means
nothing. The Republican party more
nearly represents the people than any
other. and It Is high time that We were
planning for urging the adoption OF
many progressive ideas which already
have been Incorporated into laws IN
other countries"
Representative Lenroot evinced keen
interest in the conference proposal. ana
said he favored a similar plan. 'Thers
is a very general sentiment on the Re-
publican side" he said." for a confer.
ence TO discuss tho future action OF the
party representatives in the House.
think, that We should not be content with
merely opposing Democratic proposals in
the present Congress.
"If we do not favor them We should
state our reasons and offer substitutes
which We believe to be better. I should
like to see the Republicans adopt such
plan for the remainder OF the short
term Of Congress and outline q general
session."
Conferred with Roosevelt.
Coincident with the return Of Mr..
Gardner II became known that he re-
Gently conferred with Col. Roosevelt on
the House situation. Other than saying
that conference had been held. how.
ever Mr.. Gardner declined to discuss
the meeting.
Representative Schall of Minnesota,
one OF the two Progressives elected TO
the next House. also is in receipt Of an
invitation TO call on Col. Roosevelt. In
political circles tho Colonel's activity 10
interpreted as indicating that no intends
to take more than a passing interest In
the organization OF the House.
Representative Gardners announce
ment of his intention to agitate for .
conference met a cordial response among
many of the rank and file Republicans
who are anxious to prevent the present
ranking minority members OF several
committees, who are classified as irrec.
oncilable stanpattcrs from getting chair.
manships unless they make declara.
tions OF Progressive principles.