The Washington times., 1916-01-13
c. 0. P. BAROMETER
SETS STEADILY At
FAIR AND CLEAR"
Republican Leaders GIaddened
BY News Of Progressive
Action in Chicago.
.Bv p. T. RELLIHAN.

by P. T. RELLIHAN.
NEW YORK. Jan. lS--The Republican
party barometer yesterday pointed
stesdily to fair and clear" rhr lead
ers were in buoyant spirits over the
news from Chicago. Runnin- through
all Their talk on the Presidential cut
look was the hope strongly exorcsssi | OK
a union of Republicans and i'r0grcsSifeJ
In Chicago next June.
In that relation the decision of the
Bull Moose leaders to hold their ma
tional convention in Chicago June .
the same time and pace rs the Re-
publicans. and admittedly with view
to united action. was accepted as an
almost certain assurance the two WINS
Of the party will get toGeth&t on
candidate for President who VIII sWetp
to great victoi~T In the fa'l.
There seemed to be less fer Of Colonel
Roosevelt AS a probable OBJ stacle TO har-
mony, q more general disposition among
the Republican ,cadcrs to speak respect
fully of his motives and to assume ne
will adopt a fair attitude in tile nsgota.
tons that must preCede the selection OF
a union. Presidential nominee.
Barnes Won't Comment.
Not all the party leaders discussed
the situation with equal frankness
William Barnes declined to comment In
any way on the proceedings of the Bull
Moose conference Those leaders who
consented to talk. for publication spoke
guardedly. as was to have been eN-
pected.
But it was recognized the time to say
something had arrived. and to Merton
X. Lewis. of Rochester. chairman OF
the executive committee of the Repub-
lican State committee. was delegated
the duty Of giving voice to the consensus
of party opinion in this State as repre-
sehted bv what may be called the or
ganZation view.
The decision Of the Progressives at
Chicago does not surprise me-" said
Lewis That party has been domi-
mated from its birth by Colonel Roose-
welt. Whatever NAV be said of the
colonel no one will dispute that he Is
and all along has been utra-American.
He sees a great CRISIS which this coun-
try will be compelled to face: no one
can tell how soon the situation will be
acute.
Democrats Lack Leaders.
Colonel Roosevelt realizes also that
the Democratic party is without lead
ers who can be trusted to guide the
country through a period of great trial
and possble great danger. Because OF
sible for the reelection of Wilson.
mo doupth he would like to assume
the leadership himself; no doubt ne
would like to lead a reunited party
to victory, and, as President once
more carrysintos effect the ideas he en-
tertains for the conntry's welfare.
This. in my opinion. and ! believe in
his opinion, too, Is impossible. L think
that he recosnizes that he cannot be
nominated. Perhaps he may even doubt
his ability to he elected If nominated.
for those reasons he viii seek to
TO an extent he may, succeed. / do not
believe that he will be permitted to
dictate the choice of the Republican
national convention But he ana his
followers will influence that choice
Amy clean. capable Republican vita
A good record, or no record, on n plat
form demanding protection for .Ameri
can citizens everywhere and asserting
of the American Government and its
institutions will in my opinion. com
mand Colonel Roosevelt's support and
the support OF his friends.
This is Republican year; the
colonel knows> il \ ltepuoliran ores
dent will be elected in November; he
knows that also. Better. for him and
for all Progressives to have a share
In the result and be in position to
advise as to future policies than to
obstruct and be forever ostracised:' -
Several important Repubncan lcdu-
ers VINO were told what Lewis had
said admitted it reflected their views
and as they believed the views Of the
organization men generally.
Hilles Sanguiue.
Charles D. Hlles, Republican ma
tional chairman. said he felt confident
the Presidential, candidate to be named
in Chicago will be supported by the
Progressives, And by many Democrats
as we'll" he said.
The Republican State committee will
meet In this city tomorrow in the Re
publican Club at noon II S expected
1t will call a Republican State confer
ence in Syracuse for February - to
designate four delegates-at-iar;;e to the
Chicago convention, and that il also wi'l
issue a declaration, of Republican prin-
cples that will be a guide Ger party ac
ton in other States