New-York tribune., 1918-01-20
"Standpatters" Will Back
Adams, of Iowa, for Will
COX Vacancy
Hughes Out of Fight
Hope Expressed That F Factions
Will Unite at St. Louis
Meeting

Will II. Hays, of Indiana. chairman
of the Republican State Committee Of
Indiana, and successful as campaign
manager two years ago, and A. T. Hcrt,
Of Kentucky, National Commit ttccman,
who had charge Of the National Com
mittec headquarters in Chicago in 1916,
arc regarded by local Republicans as
the leading candidates for the chair
manship to be made vacant by the re-
tirement of William r. Wilcox at the
meeting of the National Committee on
February IL in st. Louis. One of these
men is likely to receive the solid back
ing of the Progressivcs in the National
Committee. while NiccPresident John
r. Adams of the committee is likely to
have the support Of the so-callcd stand
patters."
Mr.. Hays is regarded as one Of the
coming men in the Republican party.
He is possible nominee for Governor
of Indiana in 1920.
Mr.. Hert made many friends on &C
count of the ability he displayed in
charge Of the Chicago headquarters.
and the Progressives in the National
Committee say that if Mr.. Hays's Gov
ernorship aspirations get in the way
of his becoming chairman of the Ma
tional Committee, Mr. Hert will be en-
tircly acceptable to the Progressivcs.
"Stand-pattcrs" for Adams
The "stand-patters" say that Mr..
Hays will meet with hard shedding on
account of the fact that cx-Rcpresen
tive James A. Hemenway, National
Committeeman from Indiana, is openly
opposed to him, and that this oppos-
tion will prove bad handicap.
The "stand-pattcrs," represented by
Senators Penrose and Smoot and w.
Murray Crane, of MASSACHUSETTS, arc al
most certain to back Vice Chairman
John Il. Adams, of Iowa, for the va
cancy. Mr.. Adams was elected to the
vice Craftsmanship year ago.
Governor Goodrich of Indiana. a sup
porter Of Mr.. Hays, was in town yes
terday, and called on number of
friends, including Chairman Wilcox.
He previously had seen many of the
leaders in Washington.
One Of the developments of the week
is the fact that ex-Justice Charles +.
Hughes, the Republican standard bear
cr two years ago, IS not to give assist
ance to any one in the contest for the
control of the national committee. To
those who have tried to draw him into
tllc arena Ic HAS ucCldTcu WIN Lnc III
most emphasis that he is out of politics
and is going to remain out.
Wilcox Going to Capital
Chairman Wilcox is going to Wash
ington to-day to be gone for half a
week, but his time in Washington will
= be given more to becoming acquainted
with his new duties as a member Of
the wages commission than to national
politics.
There is a strong probability" said
Republican familiar with the stua-
tion in the national committee last
night, "that when the Republican lead
ers get together in st. Louis on Feb
luary IL. common sense and patriotism
will dictate their action. and there
will be no contest for control Of the
committee. The Progressives to a
man. so far as known, are in favor
of the election of Republicans who
will stand firmly for a most en-
ergetic prosecution of the war. To
iris extent they will support Pres.
dent Wilson and his policies, but at
the same time they will not eAfacc
themselves politically. The 'stand-pa
ters' hink much he sam Way"