Evening star., 1918-02-27
RAYS CONEERS WITH
. LEADERS OF G. 0. P.
Republican Chairman Makes
Calls and Is Guest at
Luncheon.
URGES PARTY HARMONY

CHAIRMAN hays OF the repuDllc3n ma
tional committee began series of con-
ferences here today with party leaders
at national headquarters after a formal
call at the Capitol on Senator Gallinger
of New Hampshire, republican leader in
the Senate, and on Representative Woods
of Iowa, chairman Of the republican
congressional campaign committee.
1 Mr. Hays was a guest Of Indiana repub-
lican representatives at luncheon Later
he went to the office of the ational COM
mittee. His statement last night that he
desired to meet all republicans who would
| call on him, regardless of their 1912 or
subsequent alliances in the party, resulted
| in his having a busy day.
The National election of 1920, it was said
today, will for the time be lost sight or
and the efforts of Chairman Hays and the
republican organization will be devoted
to the coming House and Senate contests.
While here Chairman Hays will meet
Senator johnson Of California and other
progressives.
Win War First.
win the war, meanwhile preparing
for reorganization in our own country
after the war. But win the war, first"
This is Mr.. Hays conception Of
the duty of the republican party and of
republicans of all factions. as he, the
newly elected chairman of the repub-
lican national committee announced
last night to an enthusiastic and ap-
plauding assemblage of republicans of
national renown at reception at the
New Willard.
Time and again. during his speech,
did Mr.. Hays revert to the necessity
of making victory paramount. harping
upon that string until it sounded the
dominant note of his entire address.
Politics must be submerged, if neces-
sary. he insisted. although it need not
follow that republican policies and
principles of government should be
abandoned, looking forwarS to the
time to come after peace is declared
and the country resumes its normal life.
Urges Need of Party Harmony.
The next important consideration
upon which he laid stress was the
necessity for republicans to harmonic.
There is much to be DONE" he said,
"an dit will take US all to do it,
This sentiment was enthusiastically
applauded by his auditors, republicans
OF every description.
In saying that, Mr.. Hays repeated
what he had told others in eonversa-
ton prior to the meeting, that his visit
to New York and Washington was to
get in touch with progressives. regulars
and any other elements of the repub-
hcan party that exists. He. had seen
Roosevelt in New York, and will see
all the progressives in Congress while
here.
Takes Form of Love Feast.
1t was a great republican love feast,
this meeting last night. Several hun
dred of the party men assembled in the
small ballroom of the New Willard,
filling it to capacity and overf1owing
into the adjacent chamber. They in
cluded all the leaders of the republican
party in House and Senate, and the
rank and file as well, together with
resident partisahs and some visitors
from out of town. prominent among
them former Chairman William R.
Wilcox.
The meeting had been arranged by
Chairman Woods of the congressional
campaign committee, who met Mr.. Hays
at the station and escorted him up
town. Senator Gallinger, who presided; !;
Senator Harding, Representative Wins
low and Representative Wood of In
diana addressed the company, and then
Mr.. Hays was introduced.
He is slender, wiry, active man,
breathing energy, activity and earnest
ness. a live wire" is the expression
oftenest used in terse description of
him, and it applies. He strikes one as a
live wire carrying heavy voltage with
a manner of high tension.