New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-11
Western Leaders ] to
Rebuild Party on
Modern Lines
WORK TO BEGIN
IN 1918 PRIMARIES
Next National Election
to See Confidence
Restored

West intend to take over the Republi-
can party bodily before the next ma
tional convention of the party in an ef-
fort 10 make it again worthy OF the
confidence of the people
A remarkable plan to accomplish this
end within the next four years already
has been formulated. 1t is believed by
those familiar with the details that it
viii be the most comprehensive and in
tensive effort to remake a political
party that has ever been attempted in
this country.
As The Tribune told on Friday, the
meeting of Chester II. Rowell. Repub-
lican state chairman Of California;
Raymond Robins. Clifford Pinchot, Har-
old L. Ickes, William Allen White and
James r. Garfield at Chicago few
days ago was significant of some such
move. It was more than that, however.
The plan itself was perfected at that
conference. Mr. Rowell, who came East
to sound sentiment about It, outlined
the general scope Of it yesterday to
reporter for The Tribune.
It is proposed to ''progressivize" the
Republican party in its entirety. When
the Chicago conferrees issued their
statement last week many persons con-
cluded it was a scramble on their part
for place in the Republican councils. As
a matter Of fact. according TO the con-
ferrees, it was no such move. The state
ment, Mr.. Rowel SAID yesterday, had a
far deeper significance, and the plans
perfected have in view a reorganiza-
tion OF the party from the bottom, as
well as from the top.
Plan TO Remake the G.. o. p.
"We propose" said Mr. Rowell, who
is the spokesman Of the Progressives
and Progressive Republicans Of the
West and Middle West in the absence
Of Hiram Johnson, "that the Republican
party shall be restored TO the conf
dence of the people before the next ma
tional election. To do that it is essen
tial that the party shall have leaders
whom the people trust; that the party
shall be truly representative OF the
people in its administration and or
ganization. We propose to make the
Republican party the Progressive party
in 1920"
Briefly. the plan TO accomplish that
purpose is as follows:
l. Starting in almost Immediately, an
effort will be made to do in as many
states as possible within the next two
years what was done by the Pro-
gressives in California prior to the
election of Hiram Johnson as Governor.
That is. 10 go before the people Of these
states in the 1918 state primary cam
paigns with Progressive Republican
candidates on Progressive Republican
programmes and 10 make the election
turn upon these candidates and these
issues.
This part of the general plan, II ef-
fected. will concentrate the fight for
Progressive control Of the Republican
state organizations on the 1918 pri-
mary and state elections. IL is the be
lief of Mr. Rowell and his associates
that in such a way the state organiza-
tions can be made truly representative
Of whatever is the Republlcanlsm OF
the people governed by those organiza-
tions. That would be remaking the
party from the bottom.
National Committee Organization
2 With respect TO the national ad
ministration of the party the national
committee reorganization will have 10
be accomplished. the Progresslye-Ke
publicans believe, in one of three other
ways because, according TO the present
scheme of things. the national commit
tee, the governing body OF the party
holds Office until after the next ma
tional convention. That would be TOO
late to appeal 70 the people on change
of makeup Of the national committee
Consequently, Mr.. Rowell said, the
Progressive Republicans Of the West
and Middle West have three methods
in view:
First-As was suggested in the state
ment Of the Chicago conferrees, TO con-
tinue the present campaign committee
Of the Republican party IN the func.
tions of the executive committee OF
the party. The campaign committee
consists Of ten regular Republicans and
six Progressiyes. That is regarded by
Mr.. Rowell and his associates as the
most obvious thing 70 do.
Second To carry out the reappor-
tionment Of delegates which was start
ed three years ago in cutting down the
Southern representation-that is, 20 ap-
norton the delegates from the various
states TO the national convention ac-
cording 10 the number of Republican
votes in those states rather than ac-
cording 10 population.
Third-That the national committee
adopt the rule of the Progressive party
that the national committeeman be
made subject to the state committees
Of their respective states during the
interim between conventions. Such
nile would provide for a change of na-
tional committeeman more often than
every four years if the state commit
tees so decided.
Radical Part of Plan
"This last proposition" Mr.. Rowell
oxnIained. els only a suggestion at
nresent because it is the most radical
~ the whole plan. 1t Is very essential,
bowever. some Of the Western Progress
we Republicans believe. In 1912, for
Instance, deciding votes were cast by
states through their national commit
teemen who did not represent the real
Republicanism of their states because
they were four years behind the times.
Continued on page 4, column