New-York tribune., 1918-07-03
Republicans Call
On Woods to Quit
Committee Post
D e m and Congressional
Chairman Resign as Re-
suit of Anti-War Stand
CSpeosol Dispatch to The Trtb~ne>

WASHINGTON, July 2.-The resigna-
ton Of Frank P Woods as chairman
Of the Republican Congressional Com
rnittee was called for IN q joint letter
addressed to him today by Representa-
tives Edward ". tray, or New Jersey,
and Jacob h. Meeker, Of Missouri.
Woods's record in voting against war
and other votes before and since the
declaration was held up in the letter
as reason why it would not be to the
best interest of the Republican party
for Woods to continue rs chairman.
1--WE do not doubt your patriotism
nor question your motives in voting
against the declaration Of war and
other war measures" says the letter,
"but the fact remains that you did vote
against these measures. that your rec
ord, therefore, presents those undesir
able elements which, when found in
other candidates, should and in all
probability will result in their defeat
in every district where American SEN
timent predominates, and that, in the
respect in question, you do not repre-
sent the great majority Of your Repub
ican colleagues in the House"
Beaten for denomination
ul w oouS IcCeHCl! WAS QeIedLeQ lOf
denomination by the Republicans in his
district, his opponent making his fight
purely on the loyalty issue and Woods's
record Of votes on wa measures in the
House
Following is the letter
Dear Mr.. Woods:
1T is with great reluctance that we
bring ourselves to the Gisagree&ble
~ nf ooIyi
from the Craftsmanship Of the Rcpub-
lican Congressional Committee. Our
relations with you in the past, both
personally and officially, have been
exceeding pleasant. We have ad-
mired your devotion to your work as
chairman and your readiness and will
ingness at all times to place yourself
at the disposal of the Republican
members Of the House 1t is there
fore entirel. apart from personal
grounds. but in obedience to what we
consider TO be our duty to the coun-
try, the Republican party and our
selves, that we thus formally address
you and request your resignation.
"We think we are not pre- ecipitate in
taking this step. On the contrary, we
have endeavored painstakingly to de.
fer to all the proprietes involved be
fore doing SO. We have discussed the
situation with many of our Republican
colleagues and found them practically
unanimous IL the opinion that your
retirement as chairman was not only
desirable but necessary. And. while
none of them seemed willing 10 lay the
case before you, we felt sure that thei,
attitude had become known to you anc
would lead to your retirement on youl
own initiative.
Thought He'd Take Hint
'in addition. we felt equally sure
that some of the many newspaper ar
ticles and editorials that have beer
i printed on the impropriety of your re
naming as chairman in the existing
circumstances would have the desired
Jesuit. AS, however, you &c not seen
! to have been impressed with the ser
BUSINESS of the situation. we think ",
: should not be justified in longer with
holding from you our personal view
on the subject. And while we addres,
you merely as two Republican mem
btrs of the House, and in no oficia
! sense beyond that, we believe. as sug