Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-03-06

Charges and counter charges that
the federal pork barrel was being
rolled into the Democratic state central
committee meeting which opened this
afternoon at o'clock at the Grand
hotel. were being made just prior to
the opening of the conclave. which ap-
pears to have stage setting for a
lively time over the issue of a pref
erential primary election for the Sc
lection of delegates to the next state
convention which, it is very probable
will go to Twin Falls, the principa,
contender. A majority Of the mem.
bers of the committee are in the city.
A number of those absent are repre-
sented by proxies of which there are
Is.
The pork barrel charges are made
against the supporters of Robert H.
Elder, national committeeman of the
party for whose position Jerome J. Day
is contending. Senator Day Is not
here but his brother, Harry l.. Day,
one of the most prominent Democrats
In the state, is looking after his inter-
ests. Associated with him is Senator
RaveneI Macbeth, another prominent
party leader They haye a strong
backing. It is claimed that the organ
ization committeeman are strong for
any action which State Chairman j. T.
Pence directs. Several federal office
holders are said to be very active in
behalf of National Committeeman Ell
der, and one or two Of them are said
to hold proxies.
Committeeman Send Proxies.
-
of meeting that number of state COM
mitteemen who favor a preferential
primary election but who are friendly
to the national committeeman, failed
to appear in person for the meeting but
instead gave their proxies to some one
from their county or forwarded them to
friends in Boise, so that they could be
voted. This action Is said to have
weakened tn epreferential primary ad-
vocates although late today they claim
ed to have an even break with the or
ganization National Committeeman
Elder is on the ground and has been
active in his own interests. The Day
hackers lost no time in making their
campaign effective for preferential
primary 1t Is not believed that the
committee will go so far as to declare
against a preferential primary. but the
issue may be sidestepped by leaving the
manner Of selecting delegates with the
county committees. This Is the very
thing 1t Is hoped to prevent. and
against which so strenuous fight has
been made. for it Is believed that
majority of the county committees will
hand-pick the dele-ates to the state
At least that seemer to be
the impression gained by those inter
ested in the fight promised this after
noon.
Quote Baltimore Plank.
The following part of the Baltimore
platform plank on the preferential pri-
mary was being quoted to committee
and proxymen present to take part in
the meeting
Committeeman who are hereafter to
the membership fthe Demo-,
cratic national committee, and whose
election is not provided by law. shall |
be chosen in each state at such primary |
elections, and the service and authority |
Of committeeman, however chosen. |
shall begin Immediately upon the re-
,eipt of their credentials. respectively" |
A number of the proxies which will |
be reported this afternoon will be held |
Dy friends of the state cha 'rman in
Boise and will be directed against
preferential primary election, it is al
eyed.
Remote Possibility Of Split.
The fireworkss will start when the
of selecting the dele ates come
lp for consideration. 1t is probable
hat motions will then be made both
o leave II to the county organizations
o decide an dto hold preferential pri-
naries. Upon that issue will develop
iome activity. There were even threats
made today that IL the spirit of the ma
ional platform Is not carried out in
he manner OF selecting delegates,
political history may re-
,eat in Idaho and two state conven-
ions be held with the result that two
ets of delegates may be elected.
Included among the prominent Dem
,crats here for the meeting are Harry
= Day, Wallace; Robert H. Elder.