The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-11-13
JOHNSON BALKED At
MEETING Mr.. HUGHES.
New Version Of Why Candidate
and Former Governor Did
Not Confer.

NEW YORK. Nov. B.-whiie Charles
r.. Hughes and william r. WILCOX.
Republican national chairman. con.
tinued to maintain today that the cleo
ton would not be determined until the
California vote IL officially tabulated,
a prominent member OF the Hughes
stan tffew a new light on the bitter
fractional fight In the Pacific coast State
by asserting Gov. Hiram johnson re-
fused to meet Mr., Hughes when the
latter was campaigning in California.
when the unofficial returns from
California showed that President Wilson
had carried the State the report wa
circulated that MIR. Hughes lost II be-
while in San Francisco and refused 70
see him. Governor Johnson replied
angrily to this charge Saturday by as.
| sorting that the Republican "Old Guard
ring" including william IT, Croker,
Republican national committeeman, and
Francis ID. Keesling. former Republican
State chairman. defeated Mr.. Hughes
by creating the impression that the Re-
Governor johnson also denied he had
KNITTED" Mr.. Hughes. and called atten-
tion to the fact that he urged the can
didate's election In all of his speeches
| throughout the State.
Hughes did not refuse to greet Gov
| ernor johnson while he was In San
Francisco" the Hughes stan member
| said.
sage was sent to Governor Johnson that
| Mr.. Hughes desired to meet him. but
| Johnson did not respond. I know that
Ia so because was there at the time"
Factiosal Fight Blamed.
Whether Governor Johnson "knifed'..
the Republican candidate or whether II
was because OF the attitude taken By
| Croker and Keesling. the Republican
leaders Of California, 1t was agreed
unanimously In Republican circles today
| that the fractional fight in that state
| cost the Republican ticket the election
| Governor Johnson. the Progressive lead
/ or OF the state. and the most powerful
political factor In California, was or
lposed bitterly to Croker and Keesling
and while both the Johsnon and CROKER
Keesling forces were supposed TO be
i united on the Republican Presidential
| candidate, the psrtisans of both factions
took sides, according to the Republican
leaders here; with the result that TIE
| vided. There IL. of course. no doubt
| that the bulk OF the 1912 Progressives
swung to the President but whether
this was due to Governor johnson or
the Croker Keesllng faction the Repub-
lican leaders at headquarters are not
prepared to say.
| Chairman Wilcox spent several hours
| with Mr. Hughes at the Hotel Aston.
and at the conclusion OF the conference
| the chairman said:
| I'VE have not changed our position.
and do not intend to until the officia
i count is taken in California. The Of
fcial count begins In that state TO-DAY,
by the result"
II Congratulations Withheld.
"will Mr.. Hughes wait until the Of
folal count before sending telegram OF
congratulation to the PRESIDENT" the
chairman was asked.
ct think such a telegram should be
| withheld until the official count IL made
known" he replied. But in taking that
attitude l want II distinctly understood
that the Republicans are not crying
| over the result or we wish to deprive
President Wilson OF any OF the glory OF
success IL the ANAL count verifies the IN
| official vote. In view OF the situation n
California, however. I think We are JUS
tifed in waiting for the official count
before conceding defeat"
do you intend to ask for a recount
lif the final figures give the State to the
PRESIDENT" he was asked.
mo. wouldn't say that. All we went
Is the official tabulation."
| Have you received any evidence OF
fraud IN the California voter
mo, we have no evidence, but we have
received q number of complaints"
The chairman declined to 60 into de-
tails concerning the nature OF the com
plants, but II was learned that he has
rec eived several kilograms from Call
fornia Republicans suggesting that re.
count be demanded. AS things stand AZ
present such a demand will not be mace
II the official count gives the State to
the President unless some definite evil
dence Is submitted.
Mr.. Hughes spent yesterday In Sc
clusion with his family, and his only
caller In addition to Mr.. Wilcox was
Charles IL Sheriff., who managed the
Hughes parade on November 4. As far
as could be learned the only plans MT.
Hughes has made call for month
rest, probably at some winter resort In
this country or possibly Bermuda.
Chairman Wilcox will remain at his
office In the Republican headauarters-
! the only office not dismantled--until the
final count in California has been an
nounced. He intends to take long rest
after the final result Is known, which
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