The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-20
Led by Perkins, the Progress
sive Republicans Plan for
Next Presidential Race
OLD GUARD ELEMENT
COMPLETELY ROUTED
With the Election of Hays as Chairman
Progressiyes Feel That They Will
Have Control of Party-Perkins Calls
on Roosevelt.

NEW YORK, Feb. 20.-The progress
sive element of the Republican party
through their victory at st. Louis,
where they brought about the defeat OF
John T. Adams of Iowa as chairman of
the Republican National committee and
the election of Will Hays of Indiana,
have obtained such control of the or
ganization that the selection of a pro-
gressive candidate for the presidential
nomination in 1920 is a certainty, ac-
cording to their leaders.
The progressive victory was sweep
ing one, and the old guard element of
the organization was completely routed,
the Hays supporters asserted. With the
| gaining of the organization machinery
the progressives feel that they will
| have complete control of the party from
now on. That it means the selection
| of Colonel Roosevelt as the party S
standard bearer at the next presiden-
/ tial election was taken as matter of
course. Already the progressives, head
ed by George W. Perkins, are laying
! their plans to draft the colonel for the
F.! big national contest
1.-The old guard has lost control, and
if the party wants the colonel to lead
it in 1920 it can have him. was the
way one of the progressive leaders ex-
pressed it.
1t was said that the matter had al
ready been put up to Colonel Roose-
Welt. a few hours after Mr.. Perkins
arrived in the city he called on Mr..
Roosevelt at the hospital, where the
colonel underwent a serious operation
and informed him of all that had taken
place at St. Louis. Just what occurred
at the meeting is not known. but Mr.
Perkins earlier in the day was jubilant
over the election of Mr.. Hayes. He
hailed it as a complete victory for har
mony within the Republican party.
The effort for harmony at st. Louis
was complete success, - Mr.. Perkin.
said, Before Mr.. Hayes was chosen
| chairman by the unanimous vote an(
voice of all in attendance at the st
Louis conference, the Republican ex
: executive committee, by unanimous
vote, had offered permanently to con
tinue the campaign committee of 1916
The progressive members of this com
mittee, while approaching the offer, fei
that it would be unwise. as ii nigh
seem to the public to indicate contin
uance of the old fractional differences
so they suggested that this committe
t be done away with. Later the old eN
ecutiye committee decided TO retire al
SO, and iii this way give Mr. Haye>
r the new chairman, a clean slate and
= free opportunity to draw to his supper
such men from all quarters as h
!, deemed best qualified to carry on tn
strenuous work ahead
- Mr. Hayes has been chairman o
4 the Republican state committee of II
0 diana for several years. His manag,
. ment of the Hughes campaign in II
diana during 1916 was a signal success
3 He reunited the party completely, an
L his attitude toward the progressive
0 was so fair that it was remarked o
c b. all Progressives throughout tn
d United States. The St Louis meetin
! adjourned by all hands joining in sins
) ing America and the scene in til
i hotel lobby afterward, where all ioine
p in hand clasping and congratulation
L showed unmista kably that every OF
felt that the effort to reach harmon
lie Gus agreement had been completed
d successful -
n 1t was indicated that the Progre
IS sives would not rest with their victor
y in defeating Mr.. Adams for chairma
az of the national committee, but wou
begin q fight to have him deposed
vice chairman of the committee. Ju
Is how much is to be brought about h
I'd not yet been arranged, but it is expeC
lc- ed that if Mr.. Adams does not hmm
ut liately resign a way will be found
he bring about his retirement. The Pl
of gressive leaders feel that if he was II
fit to be national chairman because