New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-20
Control of Republican
Party Aim in Big
Four Contest.
GARDNER FEARS
COLONIES RETURN
Use of Name for Pledging
Delegates May Be
Refused.
By HOWARD ID. HADLEN.
by Telegraph TO III. Tribune

Boston, March 19.-Contrary 10 the
impression which prevails throughout
the country generally outside of Mas5a-
chusetts, the fight in the old Bay State
this spring for delegates to the Re.
publican National Convention is not a
straight out fight between supporters
and opponents Of Theodore Roosevelt.
1t is simply fight for control, for the
leadership, for the upper hand in the
Republican party here between the
Gardner Gushing -Washburn- CO.
horts and the McCall-Weeks-Crane-
Lodge forces.
IL is most extraordinary contest
and will be fought to the finish with
all the great resources that both sides
can muster, and it will not be ended
on primary day. April 25, either.
They've enlisted on both sides, sp-
parently, as did the soldiers on both
sides during the War Of the Rebellion,
"for three yeara oi during the war.'
The followers Of Governor Mccall
United States Senators Weeks and
Lodge and former United States SEN
ator W Murray Crane are contend
ing for the election Of a delegation TO
Chicago which shall not be pledged
to any single candidate among all the
men who have been mentioned, either
within or without the state.
Far-Seeing Man Wanted.
They maintain that under the ex
traordinary conditions prevailing
throughout the world largely as re-
suit Of the European war, and the pitt
fully impotent situation in which this
country now finds itself in consequence
Of the aimless. drifting, "ls this the
road TO Notevile?' policy, defined by
the President himself as his "watchful
waiting" doctrine, the plain duty OF
all Republicans and Progressiyes, at
least, is 10 send to Chicago, as Colonel
Roosevelt himself earnestly urged, un-
pledged delegates.
These. II Us asserted. should pc the
most level-headcd. far-sightcd, public
81 irited and representative men IN tnclr
several communities men with VISION
TO see the opportunity which now pre-
scnts itself 10 the Republican and Pro
gressivc parties. and who shall be able
TO put aside personal ambitions and
make genuine sacrifices, II need be, for
the welfare Of the nation.
REPRESENTATIVE Gardner, former
Lieutenant Governor Cushing, Charles
Sumner Bird and Robert Nashburn, IN
their sensational pronunciamento is
sued about a month ago. declared that
they wished 10 be elected delegates
from Massachusetts for the purpose OF
working and voting at Chicago first,
last and all the time for Theodore
Roosevelt as tho one and only man TO
lead in the coming campaign. When
this announcement was made United
States Senator John Wingate Weeks,
who had been for many months an
openly declared candidate for the Pres
idency, and Governor Samuel Walker
Mccall. an undeclared but receptive
and perhaps lightning ay-strlke-mc'
candidate for President, were appar-
emily drifting into a contest for dele
gates 70 the national convention.
Forecasts Another Fight.
This was in = way a revival Of their
memorable contest five years ago for
tho scat in the United States Senate
rclinauished by Murray Crane, in which
Weeks finally won, and which doubtless
forecasts another heart-breaklng fight
between these two Massachusetts,
statesmen for the Senate when Weeks's
term expires. next year.
Al what seemed at the time tho
psychological moment. Gardner, son
in law OF Senator Lodge (who, by the
way. had already pledged his support,
TO his colleague IN his tight for the
Presidential nomination., and Grafton
Continued on page I. column