New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-20
Longer Meeting Is Put OF
the Worse for Party,
He Declares
MOOSE QUESTION
HIS LEADERSHIP
Radicals Ask by What
Right He Claims to Head
the Progressives

As time wore on yesterday without
any official intimation from Chairman
William r. Wilcox Of the Republican
National Committee as TO when he
would call meeting to consider the
Progressive revolt, the Bull Moose
leaders prophesied dark happenings.
u was said that George W. Perkins
had already held secret conferences
with Progressive chiefs looking toward
the reorganization Of the third party.
Several leaders called on Mr. Perkins
at his office, but he would not admit
that matters had gone as far as re-
ported
Mr.. Perkins suggested a new battle
hymn for the future Progressive army.
if it should be modified Instead Of
Onward, Christian Soldiers he de-
clared 10 would be Lead. Kindly Light,
One Step Enough for Me-
THE longer the meeting of the Re-
publican National Committee is put off,
the worse 10 will be for the Republican
party" said Mr. Perkins. "Our fight
is not against tho rank and file, but
against the machine Of that party,
which for years has refused to allow
the voters 10 have n voice in party at
fairs. That Is what caused the split in
1872
Asked If revolt meant a revivification
Of the Progressive party, Mr. Perkins
said that he could not say now what
II would lead to, but that it at least
meant Timely and vigorous action"
Some Of the Progressive leaders de-
clared that they did not expect the
meeting Of the Republican National
Committee would be called for a month
or two. and then that some other pre-
text would be found for calling the
meeting. TO preserve, publicly at least,
the dignity of the "old guard" leaders.
Question Perkins's Leadership
Some of the true-to-the-end follow
ers Of the Bull Moose who refused to
work with the Republicans at the last
election. took exception yesterday to
what they termed the usurpation OF
leadership by Mr. Perkins. Matthew
Hale. national chairman of what IS
left Of the old Progressive organiza-
ton; John r. Taylor, head of the pres
cnt Progressive organization in Kings
County. and other radicals wanted TO
know by what right MIR. Perkins called
himself a Progressive, and why ne
used the pronoun we in talking about
what the Progressives would or would
not do. They declared that most OF
the commendatory kilograms Mr.. Per-
Eins had received from various sections
of the country had cone from men who
had returned t. the Republican fold
and were row kc' ing because they
didn't get what they wanted. Served
them right" said the radicals.
Messages 10 Mr.. Perkins from Pro-
cressive leaders continued to pour IN
Yesterday Ch;rlcs Sumner Bird, OF
Massachusetts,. sent one reminiscent OF
the DAYS when the New England Puri-
tan. struggled 20 gallantly with Satan
81 would tcll'th Republican national
and executive committees 10 90 TO the
devil" wired Mr. Bird. They VIII
hang themselves"
Cut Connections, Finn Urges
William Finn. Of Pennsylvania
urged Mr Perkins 10 sever his con
nectione" unless the national commit
tee acted fairly. Just what Mr.. Per
kns's present connections are ls
hard to see. He was "A member of the
Rcpublican National Campaign Com
rittce last tall. but hat body went out
Of existence at the end Of the campaign
He is still an enrolled Progressive.
A. /. Garford. of Ohio, telegraphed
that the time had come for a real
showdown II. b. Anderson, OF Ten
nessec. wired that .he ProRressiyes
who supported Hughes were unwilling
TO accept "old guard domination, and
unless given fair treatment they would
ioir the Democratic party. II. p
Gardner. Of Maine, declared that "ii
Roosevelt. Joir.on, Perkins, Colby and
Wilcox policies had been honestly fol
lowed, hughes would have been elect