New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-25
Gardner. Tired of Plat
form THAT Means Moth
ing" to Call Conference
ROOSEVELTS HAND
SEEN IN AGITATION
LenrOOt for Action Other
than Mere Opposition
TO Democrats

Washington. Dec 24.-Agitation for a
conference of House Republicans 10
outline a definite plan Of constructive
action during this and the next Con-
gress TO replace t., present policy oil
merely opposing Democratic proposals
began to-day to take form.
Upon his return from Cincinnati
where he announced his opposition TO
Republican Leader Mann for Speaker
Of the next House, and his support OF
Representative Lenroot. of Wisconsin
for the place, Representative Gardner
of Massachusetts,, said that he would
Immediately seek 10 have conference
called for the purpose Of formulating
policies" for the future. lie made II
clear that his efforts TO obtain con
ference should be entirely disassoci-
sted from his opposition to Mr.. Mann
which he says is based solely on his
conviction that Mr.. Mann stands for
Prussia and Prussianism" IN interna,
tonsl affairs. Until Mann Indorseu
President Wilson's recent peace mes
sage, Gardner said, he favored him.
Time for Progressive Ideas
81 shall endeavor to have con-
ference called to formulate policies and
discuss them rather than PERSONAL
ties" said the Massachusetts Represen-
tative. 81 am tired 10 death OF waiting
for a lot of bigwigs in the Republican
party to prepare platform for Us that
means nothing. The Republican party
more nearly represents the people than
any other. and il is high time that We
were planning for urging the adoption
of many progressive ideas which al
ready have been incorporated into laws
in other countries"
Representative Lenroot evinced keen
interest in the conference proposal and
said that he favored similar plan.
There is very general sentiment
on the Republican side" he said, for a
conference 10 discuss the future action
of the party representatives in the
House ! think that we should not be
content with merely opposing Demo
cratic proposals in the present Con-
gress. II we do not favor them we
should state our reasons and offer sub
stitutes which we believe TO be better.
| should like to see the Republicans
adopt such a plan for the remainder Of
the short term Of Congress and outline
a general programme Of legislation for
the next session"
Representative Lenroot declined 10
discuss the Speakership situation.
Roosevelt's Hand Seen
Coincident with the return Of Mr.
Gardner il became known that he re-
Gently conferred with Colonel Roose-
Welt on the House situation. Other
than saying that conference mad oceu
held. however. Mr.. Gardner declined 20
discuss the meeting. Representative
Schall. of Minnesota, one Of the two
Progressives elected to the next House.
also is In receipt Of an invitation 10
call on Colonel Roosevelt.
In political circles the Co.onels
activity is Interpreted as indicating
that he intends TO take more than a
passing interest in the organization OF
the House. Some observers see in the
present agitation for changes in the
conduct of the Republican work IN the
House part Of general move of pro-
gressively inclined Republicans to COM
mand a hearing in the 1920 campaign
work.
Representative Gardeners announce
ment Of his intention to agitate for
conference met a cordial response
among many of the rank and file Re
publicans. who are anxious TO prevent
the present ranking minority members
Of several committees who arc CLASSIFIED
as irreconcilabe standpatters from
getting chairmanships unless they
make declarations OF Progressive prln-
ciplps