The Washington times., 1916-04-17
PARTIES TO MERGE
ON 1916 CANDIDATE.
ON BOTH TICKETS.
Republicans and Progressives
Plan Harmony in Chicago
Conventions.
BY p. T. RELLIHAN.

NEW YORK. April 17.-Harmony In
chicago in June next is now regarded
by Republicans and Progressives as a
settled fact. or the next thing to one.
1t 10 exceptional to find a Republican
or Progressive who any longer thinks
u necessary to consider the chances
to get together in Chicago and the re-
suit IL going to be satisfactory 70
them and to the country. Tho candi-
date may be Theodore Roosevelt, or
II may be Charles p. Hughes, or Elihu
Root, or any one OF half dozen other
men. but he will be union candidate.
Republicans and Progressives alike
reject the split Of 1919 by any chance
Will be continued In the PRESIDENTIAL
There VIII be union, of course"
Republicans say.
"of course" is the Progressive
assent.
How Long Will Union Last?
II is not until they begin to dis
cuss details that any divergence OF
opinion comes to the fore. The even
tuaI union OF the parties on a Presi-
Dental candidate, which Is the COM
mon desire. calls for preliminaries.
The politicians in both parties are
trying to figure just what will hap
pen and how It will be brought about.
A question of great interest to Republi-
cans is whether the union contemplated
in Chicago will be for this campaign
only or whether II IL to be a closing
for good OF the breach of four years
ago.
The general Republican view is that
the coming Progressive National Con-
vention Is likely to be the last one to
he held under that party emblem.
Republicans hope the determination
which is expected in Chicago six weeks
hence. will close up for good the breach
OF 1872. They want to- see the Progress
sive party merged back into its original
Republican elements.
A great many Progressives, probably
majority OF them, undoubtedly are in
sympathy with that wish. They want
to be Republicans again. az they always
have been at heart, they say. But they
contend the terms of reunion must be
acceptable terms.
Specializing On Policy.
There is not little speculation among
Republicans as to what the policy OF
the leaders on both sides will be on
reaching Chicago. It is supposed there
will be parleys between the two parties
preliminary to final action. But moth
ing certain is known. II the Republi-
can and Progressive leaders. or either
OF them. have q fixed program, they
have not disclosed It to their rank and
file.
Some fear II expressed in Republican
circles that the Progressives may 60
ahead and nominate Colonel Roosevelt
out of hand In the hope to club the
Republican convention into similar ac-
tion. such course. II is said. would
be unfortunate, as IL would be certain
to arouse Republican resentment and
make, more difficult the task of the
party pacihsts.
Colonel Roosevelt, whose ability as a
politician no Republican questions, is
relied on to prevent any rash action on
the part OF his followers. some OF whom
are sure to be ultra-zealous in his cause
Conference Is Suggested.
The proper and reasonable thing. It is
said. would be for both conventions on
their organization to appoint confer
ence committees with a view to mutual
agreement on candidates and the adop-
ton Of harmonious platforms.
There Is another question the answer
to which will be given in Chicago. 1t is,
Will the union candidate for President
run as a Republican only or will he run
on two tickets. Republican and Pro-
gresslve7 1t Is supposed the two par
ties will be continued as separate politi-
cal entities at least for this years cam
paign, but there Is lack OF absolute
knowledge on the subject
1t Ia agreed generally the two conven-
tions which will meet in Chicago on
June : will not be second in point OF
interest to any that have been held in
a generation. They are expected to
attract great crowds to the convention
. cfty. The Progressive convention will
be the smaller OF the two, but the
Progressives say they will have an army
of Roosevelt boosters present from all
parts of the country.
There won't be many Republican poll
ticians of a sizable calibre who will not
attenq the Republican convention either
as delegates or as interested spectators
at hittory in the making.