Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-13

Tho announcement Of the presidential
..,didacy of Governor Martin G.. Brum-
Saveh which was made last night by the
Governor, formally opened the long-threat-
sned factional war for control of the Re-
nublican Organization In pennsylvania
The fght promises to be one OF the most
hlt,er In the history of the Organization,
nd will extend all down the line, from
hattie for control of the Pennsylvania
Allegation to the Republican National
conyention to the State ticket, the Con-
eressmen and the Legislature.
The Governor. in q receptive letter to
national Committeeman Henry G.. Was
son. frankly said that he was casting his
hat in the ring" in order to lead the fight
for a reunion of the Progressive element
IN the Republican party and the Progress
syes who left the party in 1912. He de-
eared war on Senator Penrose by assert
Ine that "those who are held to be re-
sponsible for the disaster of 1912 cannot,
/ am assured by many, bring together the
broken forces of the party and lead 1t to
q decisive victory"
PENRoSE WILL REPLY.
Senator Penrose will reply to the Cover
nors announcement within a few days.
NJ said Friends of the senior Senator
said today that he would announce his
own slate of candidates for delegates-at-
large to the Chicago convention, and that
at the same time he would attack the
candidacy of the Brumbaugh-Vare-Sm
leutenants, who are in the field for other
Offices to be decided at the May primaries.
The Senator declined to discuss the an
nouncement today. Other leaders also
we're silent. Senator McNichol said, II
have no comment to make"
Congressman William S. Ware said: 'It
is needless for me to make any comment
at this time. My friendship for Governor
Brumbaugh is well known and 1 see no
reason why>I should say anything. Later
may have something to say"
National Committeeman wasson invit-
ed the Governor to become a candidate.
In letter sent to the Governor month
ago he assured the Executive that his
record as Governor of Pennsylvania
makes him the logical man to lead the
fight for a reunion of the Republicans
and the Progressives, and asked the Gov
ernor to consent to the use of his name
as candidate for the Republican nomi-
nation for President.
Mr.. Wasson, In his letter to the Govern
or. predicted the disastrous defeat of the
Republican party this year If men who led
the party four years ago again dominate
the convention. A second defeat he said,
may put the Republican party out OF ex-
istence.
CONSENTS TO USE OF NAME.
The Governor in his reply consented
to the use of his name and assumed the
leadership in the fight against the Penrose
forces, with the qualification that he with
draw from the fight at the convention In
the interests of some one else upon whom
both the Republicans and Progressives
might unite.
Governor Brumbaugh further qualities
this statement, however, by declaring that
he would withdraw in favor of some one |
else from sister State" thus eliminat-
ing from consideration any candidate who |
might be put forward by Senator Penrose. |
The Governor will have aligned with |
him in the tight against the Penrose ma
chine, Mayor Smith and the Wares, and |
their allies and the State Administration !
senator Penroses principal lleutenants |
Will be Senator McNichol and Mayor Arm |
strong. OF Pittsburgh. The senior Senator |
VIII go to Pittsburgh in few days to |
look over his fences In that part Of the |
State, as his forces in the eastern part |
81 the State are in bad shape.
The -Vare-Smith forces are
expected within few days to announce
N entirely new list of candidates for
delegates at large to the Chicago con-
eention. as the list made public two
months ago by Mayor Smith contains the
names OF five PenFose followers This
isl included: Governor Brumbaugh, Ssna-
ors Penrose and Oliver. Mayor Smith
md Mayor Armstrong, ex-Lieutenant
Governor Watres, of Scranton; E' j,
'saekpole, OF Harrisburg; Colonel James
,lverson. Jr, of Philadelphia; Colonel
aehry w. Shoemaker, OF Altoona ex-
,peaker George Z. Alter, of Allegheny
.oanty; Major General Charles M. Glenn
4s anu ex-Lleutenant Governor Reynolds.