Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-17
GENERAL WOOD, CLOSE
FRIEND OF ROOSEVELT,
CONFERS WITH HUGHES
Effort to Bring the Nominee and
the Colonel Into Harmonious
Relations Seen in Army
officers Visit
PARTY CHIEFS PERTURBED

WASHINGTON, June 17-Further tun-
neling to get Colonel Roosevelt and Charles
Evans Hughes together appeared to be in
process here today. 1t took the form of a
conference this afternoon between Hughes
and General Leonard Wood, stanch friend
of Roosevelt and strong Americanism and
preparedness advocate.
AS an army man Wood cannot battle in
politics There is nothing to prevent him.
however from being personal emissary
between the two men, and II is believed he
will add his voice to that of other men who
hope to see Roosevelt with his coat off
working for the Republican nominee.
During the afternoon Hughes renewed his
conferences with Republican leaders, includ-
ing Representative Stephens, California
Senator Works, California Representative
Austin, Tennessee former Senator Butler,
North Carolina and Representative Mad
den. Chicago
Mr. Hughes will remain here until Sum
day night. He returns Monday to his head
quarters in Manhattan to meet the Crane
steering committee. Politicians in Wash
ington are discussing the unusual procedure
which Mr.. Hughes adopted in going to New
York almost Immediately after his nominal
tion TO take charge of his fight before w.
Murray Crane or any other OF the Old
Guard could reach there from Chicago and
forestall him. Many see in It situation not
entirely to the liking of Crane and his
henchmen.
The political conjecture now runs some
thing like this
First. Mr.. Hughes went to New York
for the purpose of getting the jump" on
crane Penrose, Smoot, Warren, Hemenway
and other Old Guard leaders who 1t seemed
apparent would control the developments
at the convention city after the nomina-
tion, such as the selection OF the steering
committee of eight of the National Commit
tee, which Mr.. Crane has since organized.
Second. Mr.. Hughes acted without con-
sultation with the Old Guard leaders, and.
for that matter, without consulting any of
the leaders. In this connection 1t Is pointed
out that Herbert Parsons, the new National
Committeeman from New York State, did
not know when he left Chicago after the
convention that Mr.. Hughes had gone to
New York, and. on his own admission, went
through to Washington to greet Mr. Hughes,
returning to New York when notified by
telegram that the nominee was at the Hotel
Astor
Third Mr. Hughes, by his unique form
of opening his campaign, loomed up as the
dominant figure and by opening head
quarters in New York. where he received
hundreds of visitors, placed himself in the
position where the Old Guard leaders, such
as Crane. must come to see him firmly in
trenched as the new and all-powerful leader
invited to rally If they saw fit
Crane, Smoot Penrose and the rest on
the Steering Committee, most of them Bit
ter enemies of the Roosevelt cause. will
meet Hughes Monday afternoon before the
nominee leaves for Providence. Aside
from Crane none of them have yet seen
Mr.. Hughes, They have received their
information from Crane
The selection of national chairman
and executive committee to conduct the
campaign will be one of the main things
at issue on Monday. Mr.. Hughes has
placed himself by the steps he has so far
taken in supreme command of his cause.
A rumor has been In circulation. founded
on nothing that Mr.. Hughes has said, that
William Loeb. one time secretary TO. Colo
mel Roosevelt hut always a Republican.
although with leanings toward Roosevelt,
might be selected as committee chairman.
The Old Guard could accept him with some
grace If 1t saw fit, for he did not bolt the
convention of 1912.