The Washington times., 1916-01-13
G. 0. P. BAROMETER
SETS STEADILY At
4EAIR. AND CLEAR"
Republican Leaders GIaddened
BY News Of Progressive
Action in Chicago,
.-...Bp P. T. RELLIHAN.

BY r. I. RELLlHAN.
NEW YORK. Jan. 1s,--The Republican
party barometer YESTERDAY pointed
steadily to fair and clear" The lead
ers were in buoyant spirits over The
news from Chicago. RUNNING through
all Their talk on the Presidential out
look was the hope strongly expressed OK
a union Of Republicans and ProgrcssivsJ
In Chicago next June.
In that relation the decision Of the
Bull Moose leaders to hold their ma
tional convention in Chicago, June q
the same time and place as the Re-
publicAns, and admittedly with view
to united action, was accepted as an
almost certain assurance the two wings
of the party will get together on
candidate for President who will sweep
to q great victory in the fan.
There seemed to be less fer OF Coloncl
Roosevelt AS q probable obstacle TO mar
mony, a more general disposition among
the Republican leaders to speak respect
fully Of his motives and to assume he
will adopt q fair attitude I'm the nsyotla-
tions that must precede the collection OIL
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
guardeGly. as was to have been eX-
peeted. -
But 1t was recognized the time to say
something had arrived, and to Merton
e. 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-
sebted by what may be called the or
Ealization view.
"The decision Of the Progressives at
Chicago does not surprise me-" said
Lewis. That party has been dom-
mated from its birth by Colonel Roose-
welt. Whatever may be said OF the
and all along has been ultra-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 possible great danger. Because OF
this, he will not make himself respon-
sible for the reelection OF Wilson.
mo doubth he would like to assume
the leadership himself; no doubt he
would like to lead a reunited party
to victory, and, az President. once
tertains for the eo6ntry's welfare. -
This, in my opinion, and / believe in
his opinion, too, Is impossible. l. think
that he recognizes that he cannot be
knI DnRH l.n
his ability to he elected II nominated.
For those reasons he win seek to
influence the Republican nomination;
TO an extent he may, succeed. i do not
dictate the choice of the Republican
national convention. But he and his
followers will influence that choice.
Amy clean. capable Republican with
good record, or no record, on a plat
form demanding protection for Ameri-
can citizens everywhere and asserting
the purpose to maintain the dignity
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 q Republican year; the
colonel knows, it. 4 republican Pres
knows that also. Better. for him and
for all Progressives to have share
In the result and be in a position to
advise as to future policies than to
obstruct and be forever ostracised,"
Several Important Republican lead
ers VINO were told what Lewis had
said admitted 1t reelected their views
and as they believed the views OF the
organization men generally.
Hilles Sanguiue.
Charles D. Hilles, 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 COMMITTEES will
meet In this city tomorrow I'm the Re
publican Club at noon. II 3 expected
1t will call a Republican State confer
ence in Syracuse for February 10 to
designate four delegates-at-iarse to the
Chicago convention, and that It also VIII
issue a declaration of Republican prin-
c!ples that will be a guide Ger party ac-
ton in other States.