The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-01-17
MOOSE LEADERS
OPEN new FIGHT
ON old GUARD
Roosevelt, Perkins and Col.
by Denounce Selection of
Vice Chairman Adams.


New York, Jan. 1.-THE breach
between the Republicans and Pro-
gressives caused by the selection of
National Committeeman John T.
| Adams Of Iowa as vice chairman of
the Republican National Committee
| at the meeting of the executive COM
| mittee of the national committee on
Monday afternoon widened further
Yesterday, when the element of the
! Progressive party represented by
George w. Perkins and Everett Colby
of New Jersey fatty refused to have
anything to do with the peace over
lures held out by the Republican Old
Guard.
] Col. Theodore Roosevelt, at Oyster
Bay, last night expressed extreme in
terest in and approved the stand
taken by Mr.. Perkins and other Pro-
gressives. II heartily approve of
what sMessrs. Perkins and Colby have
DONE" he said. 81 think they have
rendered a great service to the Ameri-
can people and to the Republican
party
It was the Old Guard victory over
Chairman William r. Wilcox that
angered Perkins and his followers.
Mr.. Perkins said yesterday that it
was an attempt of reactionaries in
the Republican organization to con-
troll the Progressives. Republican
leaders responsible for the selection
of Mr.. Adams as vice chairman said,
they merely acted in self preservation
as Mr.. Perkins and his Progressive
followers were intent upon Selling
control of the Republican organiza-
ton. Back Of it all rises the figure
of Colonel Roosevelt, who has been
in close touch with Perkins. Roose-
Welt, it was said yesterday, had scent
ed an Old Guard plot and advised
Mr.. Perkins to be wary.
No Halt In Plans.
Despite the criticism and objection
Of Mr. Perkins the Republicans went
ahead yesterday with their plans to
welcome back the Progressives. The
special committee appointed by the
Republican executive committee met
at the Union League club and adopted
resolutions to provide for way for
the Progressives to get back. Their
resolution did not mention the Pro-
gressive party by name, and therein
it containued to stiIS up the animosity
of the Perkins crowd. The resolution
read:
Moved, seconded and unanimously
carried, that it is the sense of this
committee that in some manner and
method to be determined at a future
meeting of this committee, to be call
ed by the chairman, a committee sup
Elemental to or associated with the
National Committee and the Execu
tive Committee be formed consisting
in part at least of members of the
National Campaign Committee who
were not members of the Executive
Committee.
Resolved, That the next meeting
of this committee be called by the
chairman after the members of this
committee shall have had an oppor-
tunity to discuss plans with the,
members Of the Campaign Commit
tee, who were not members of the
Executive Committee, and with leaN-
ers of the party in Congress and in
the states.
Mr.. Perkins charged yesterday that
the Republican Executive Committee
in, selecting Mr.. Adams as vice chair
man was simply furthering a plan to
place the onus of the defeat of Chas.
E. Hughes upon Chairman Wilcox
and to have Mr. Wilcox deposed as
National chairman. What particu-
larly aroused the ire of Mr.. Perkins
was the selection by the Executive
Committee of subcommittee of
three to pass upon all matters Of pub
licity, finance and expense. On this
committee are Chairman Wilcox,
Vice Chairman Adams and Cornelius
N. Bliss, Jr., treasurer of the Ma
tional Committee. Mr.. Perkins con-
tention is that Adams and Bliss are
reactionaries and, as the majority of
the subcommittee will have power
to carry out their own plans.
Opposed by Wilcox.
Just what happened at the meeting
of the Republican Executive Com
mittee on Monday, became known
yesterday. There were IA men
present, eight regular National Com
mitteemen, three ex-of1cio members,
including Chairman Wilcox, and
three who held proxies, including
Lafayette B. Gleason, who was un-
derstood to represent William
Barnes. After the routine business
of the meeting had been disposed Of
ex-Representative c. N. Arthur of
Oregon, who held a proxy for Ralph
e. Williams of that state, offered a
resolution which was promptly sec
onded by James A. Hemenway of In
diana, that Mr.. Adams be elected
vice chairman. r. B. Howell of
Nebraska, opposed it, saying that the
organization got through the cam
paign without a vice chairman, and
didn't need one now. Chairman
Wilcox also strongly opposed it, on
the ground that the time was not ripe
for selection, and that it would
create fll-feeling among the Progress
ives just at the time when pacific
methods were needed. He suggested
that the selection be left to the full
National Committee. The Old Guard
members Immediately brought out
their steam roller and the resolution
was adopted only Wilcox, Herbert
Parsons, Charles B. Warren of
Michigan, A. T. Hert of Kentucky,
and Mr.. Howell voting against it.
This action taken a resolution wa