The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-06
National Committee Meets and Perkins Says Nomina- tiOn Will Not Be Made Right Off the Bat"
NO AGREEMENT TO
 WITHHOLD ACTION
 DECLARES MURDOCH
Many Delegates Outspoken Against Delay = Meeting
 Called for This Afternoon to Settle Question Finally

Chicago, June 5.-Conf1icting reports re- garding a plan of leaders. headed by George w. Perkins, to have the progress s.ve convention postpone nominations un- til some tangible result upon nominee is approached in the republican conven- ton followed today's meeting of the pro- gressive national committee. Many lead CTS favored marking time. MT. Perkins announced tonight that the convention would not nominate right off the bat, but would probably wait for time at least.
 On the other hand, former Representa- tive Victor Murdock of Kansas, national committee chairman, asserted that the committee had reached no agreement te withhold action upon nominations in the convention. So did Secretary Oscar K Davis and others.
 Against these assertions William Allen White national committeeman from Kansas, declared the committee had agreed to have the convention postpone consideration of nominations until Satur- day. awaiting republican action. He said steering committee had been named to launch a publicity campaign to boost Colonel Roosevelt among republican dele % gates and confer with a republican com mittee looking to joint nominations.
 MANY OPPOSE DELAY
 Many delegates were openly and vigor- ously outspoken tonight against delay. Some appeared determined to force inn mediate nomination of Colonel Roosevelt or Wednesday, the opening day. Several leaders expressed doubt tonight that the delegates be held in check and re- main virtually idle while the republicans are deliberating.
 The meeting called today for tomorrow afternoon with chairmen of all state dele gations, it was understood, is to thrash out the question of delaying the nomina- tions. final decision may be reached after the temper of the delegates them selves is sounded
 Leaders favoring the programme of de- lay were much perturbed over William Allen Whites announcement that the na- tional committee had definitely and form- ally decided upon such action They frankly dsiked the possible effect on delegates demanding Colonel Roosevelt S nomination regardless of republican ac- tion.
 
 Prompt and emphatic denial that the committee had acted came from Chair man MurdocR F. A. Van Valkenberg and others. In the committee room after the meeting Murdock and White had a friendly dispute.
 William, you're liar,'' Murdock jocu- larly shouted across the room to his fell low Kansan
 You're the liar vic,.' White smilingly retorted.
 In the committee meeting, which was executive, MT. Perkins, Governor Johnson and others discussed the question of the convention's withholding action upon nominations while waiting for results from the republican meeting.
 Reading a detailed report of the work of the executive, committee, of which he IS chairman MT. Perkins pointed out the dlniculty the progressive convention faces with its own delegates to prevent them from forcing immediate nominations He said he thought 1t important that the progressives should give the republicans at least chance to show their attitude toward joint nominations. He argued that by delaying action there would be better chance for the joint nomination of Colonel Roosevelt and in the event of failure the progressives would stand be- fore the country in the position of plac- ing responsibility for the deadlock upon the republicans
 MT. Perkins pointed out that neither the executive nor national committees could bind the convention upon ahy postpone ment programme beyond the moment of permanent organization. He said the progressives could act much more rapidly than the republicans, having fewer nomi- hating speeches and nominees. reso- luton indorsing the executive commit tees action was construed also as car- rying With 1t approval of the delay plan NO UNDERSTANDING, SAYS HE Governor Johnson said there should be no understanding that the progressive eonvention should wait indefinitely upon the republicans. He said the progress siyes could easily know before formal &C., uon was taken whether joint nomina- tons were possible and declared he would not be tied up by any resolution which would prevent action at the proper tme The resolution expressing confidence in the executive committee was then passed, but it was officially stated, without for- maj approval of the plan to hold up nominations.
 It was stated that no mention was made of postponing the nominations until Saturday, the exact time being left un- settled. and that the statement of Will Nam Allen White regarding suspension cntll oaturoay was based upon his own mathematical calculations of proba. bilities.
 MT. White said the progressives are standing solidly behind Colonel Roosevelt as their candidate and will await over lures from the republicans to learn any second choice candidate the progressives might have if the republicans positively refuse to accept the colonel.
 APPEAL FOR T. R.
 To this end the newspaper publicity campaign to be inaugurated tomorrow will be, it was announced, direct ap- peal to the arnk and file of the repubil- can delegates in behalf of Colonel Roose- welt.
 In the national committees meeting today, Mr. Perkins directly referred to the rendering of the olive branch" to the republicans, but stated it was mot automatic" In fact. the marked disposi- ! tion of the progressive leaders to treat with the republicans in the possibility ot reaching an agreement upon joint can didate was evident throughout the meet ing.
 The temporary convention roll was ap- proved Dean William Draper Lewis of the University of Pennsylvania law school was again appointed to make pelimi- nary draft of a platform. Governor John son. Horace Wilkinson ofTNew York and