The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-12-22
REPUBLICANS TO
MAKE BIG FIGHT
Stirred by Disclosures on
Conduct of War by
Democrats
WILL FIGHT FOR
CONTROL OF CONGRESS
Wilcox Said to Be Ready to Resign as
Chairman of National Committee =
First Drive to Be Made for New Mem
bers i'll the House.

First Drive to Be Made for New Mem |
bers in the House.
WASHINGTON. Dee 22-Reorgani- |
cation Of the Republican national ana
Congressional committee III prepare
ton for the Congressional election next
November are now being seriously dis
cusscd by Republican leaders who see
in the present developments before the
| Congressional committees issues that
can be effectively used against the Dem
ocratS.
In the past ten days groups of Re
publican national committesmen have
come here to discuss the advisability Of
beginning without delay the plan OF
campaign which will'be used to capture
the next house.
These leaders did not receive much
encouragement for an early campaign
until last week. when the exposes fol
lowed one after another. As the It
suit of the delays III the war depart
mcnt and other alleged deficiencies Ia
the conduct Of the war these Repubil-
cans decided that prompt preparation
and an educational campaign should be
started. Accordingly a meeting OF th1
Republican national committee has been
called to assemble in st. Louis the
middle of February.
William r. Wilcox. Republican ma
tionaI chairman, it is expected, will an
nounce his resignation at this meeting.
Mr.. Wilcox has informed his associates
that his other duties interfere with his
being active and if II is proposed to re-
habilitatc the committee long before
national campaign he Will be unable
TO continue as chairman. John /.
Adams of Dubuque. Iowa, vice chair
man, will be elected to succeed him
should he decide to retire.
I There is no disposition to force tnt
| retirement OF Mr.. Wilcox, although
many national committeeman do not
hesitate to say that a man Of more
yi9or is needed to direct the PARTY OF
l ganization.
I Cornelius y. Bliss. treasurer of til,
Republican national committee, ac
cording to a member of the committee
viii also announce his resignation a
A tAis meeting. Mr.. Bliss Is now en-
gagged in Red Cross work and desire
to be relieved of his duties +. ]
l Stotcsbury OF Philadelphia, membe
! Of the firm Of Drexcl 4 Co, has beer
I mentioned aS his possible successor.
Reorganization Of the Republican con
| areSsional committee Is deemed .
I greater necessity by the leaders. TIN
l committee will be called upon to diree
/ the Congressional fights next Noyemho
| and therefore the formation Of Ntron
l organization in place Of the presen
| one filled with differences, will be IL
l mandcd as soon rs Congress reconveuc
\ after the HOLIDAYS.
1t is understood that the Prooressiy
| element, led by Representative Medi
Mccormick. will not oppose the scle
tion Of REPRESENTATIVE Martin N. Mac
den of IlIionois TO head the committe
in place of REPRESENTATIVE Fran
/ Woods Of Iowa.
1.-THE issues are here in GREAT nun
l bcrs. said Senator Peurose RerubI
can National Committeeman from pom;
/ svlvania. after talk with Other n,
1 tional committeeman. 9Th CONDITION
of the wa, der.rtncnt Tho nnola.t
II