Evening star., 1916-06-28
POLITICAL FIGHT
SOON UNDER WAY
Appointment of National
Chairman Wilcox Signal
for the Opening.
EACH OF PARTIES TO HAVE
NEW YORK HEADQUARTERS
Progressives to Aid the Regular Re-
publicans in Framing Up and
Conducting Campaign.

y
liam R. Wilcox of New York as chair
man of the republican national commit
tee, following the previous naming by
the democrats of Vance Mccormick OF
Pennsylvania as their national chair
man. the presidential campaign Will
soon be under way. Both chairmen
will have headquarters in New YORK
city, and there will be branch head
quarters in Chicago
The selection of Mr. Wilcox was not
surprise He has long been a close
friend of Candidate Hughes and ac-
companied Mr.. Hughes when the latter
left Washington to take up his resi-
dence in New York. Mr.. Wilcox was
the first chairman of the public service
commission of New York under ap-
pintment of Gov. Hughes. President
Roosevelt appointed him postmaster Of
New York city, and he served from
1905 to 1907. He is a friend of Col.
Roosevelt. and his neighbor at Oyster
Bay. 1t is assumed by republicans here
that his appointment as national chair
man will be satisfactory to the pro-
eressive republicans. Mr.. Wilcox is a
lawyer. flfty-three years of age and is
well known to politicians in New York
state.
Will Consult Freely.
It is understood here among repub-
licans that Mr.. Wilcox will be in con-
slant touch with such republican lead
ers as former Senator Murray Crane,
former Senator Hemenway of Indiana,
Senator Penrcse. Senator Gallinger
and Senator Smoot. and will be guided
largely by the advice and support of
the executive committee in the con-
duct of the campaign.
Also it is said that leaders formerly
identified with the active management
of the progressive party will form part
of Chairman Willcox's cabinet" and
that in the determination of important
questions arising in the campaign the
progresSives will be consulted as freely
as the men hitherto affiliated with
what is known as the "old guard"
In republican circles emphasis is laid
upon the statement that no occasion
will be offered for the suggestion that
the direction of the affairs of the re-
publican party in the coming cam
paign is monopolized by any faction
or group of men. Attention is called
to the letter of Candidate Hughes to
Col. Roosevelt thanking him for his
the colonel to give him all the support
and advice possible.
Gov. Johnson's Message Pleases.
Republican leaders in Washington
were pleased today over the dispatch
from Sacramento quoting Gov. Hiram
w Johnson, one of the progressive
leaders. as cordially supporting the
Iol;
his record warrants it," Gov. johnson
was reported as saying
Chairman Mccormick, at democratic
national headquarters, issued a state
ment in New York last night in which
he said he had already received as
sarances of sufficient progressive sup
mort to make the reelection of Pres
;dent Wilson certain. MIR. Mccormick
announced tina. Henry Morgenthau.
chairman of the finance committee. and
Homer S. Cummings, chairman of the
speakers bureau. had their work well
under way.
Declares for President Wilson.
A dispatch from Seattle says that
Ole Hanson, one If the leading bull
moosers of the state of Washington
and candidate for United Suites SEN
ator in 1914. has refused to follow Col
Roosevelt and has announced that he
will vote for President Wilson. In a
speech in Seattle yesterday Mr.. Han
son urged his fellow progressives to
stand by the President.
1t is sid that the seven progressives
in the lower house of Congress, Rep
Martin of Louisiana, |
Chandler of New York. Elston, Nolan
and stephens of California. Copley of
support Mr.. Hughes.