Evening journal., 1918-02-26
Open DOOR FOR ALL
Is Republican PLAN
We Won't Know What
Factions Are,' Says Re-
publican Leader
FREE FIELD. NO
FAVOR, HAYS ADDS

NEW YORK Feb. 20.-Dccl0rlng en-
photlcaDy FOR the "open door," win II.
Hays, the new chairman OF the Re
publican National Committee, camo to
This city from Indiana yesterday TO start
bis conferences preparatory to placing
the party Organization on harmonious
and efficient basis.
Without any prec0nccivcd notion as
10 an unalterablc policy and with an
absolutely open mind. Mr.. Hays has set
for himself the iask--he does not call
II a task-of seeing and talking 20 any
one who may have the best interests OF
the Republican party ot heart.
I'VE won't know what factions are
he said TO a group Of newspaper men
with whom he talked IL never knew
the meaning Of the word My method
is political assimilation, not elimina-
tion.n
And there is going to be no question
Of progressives or conservatives or
radicals.
I'VE have no time 10 cast up old
scores" he replied when asked what he
would do 10 settle the differences be-
tween the "Old Guard" and the mem
bers Of the one time Progressive party
We are all going 10 be Republicans.
our party troubles grcw out Of the
management. ] believe that The rights
Of individuals in the party should re-
main equally sacred and sacredly equal
Our troubles are all over. II makes no
difference now how a man voted in 1912
or 1916. We have got work 10 do for
our party and for our country now,
and we are all needed
Il want every Repubiscan 90 take
an active part In the party's affairs.
have no use for a man who is too busy
or too tired to take an active part IN
politics. We will always have political
parties in this country. and that is as
Il should be, but they must work in the
open. Our politics must be Of such a
character and on such a plane that
there Is no need for concealment.
There is no twilight zone Ia politics.
Right Is right and wrong Is wrong
The conversation drifted to the war
and its conduct by the administration
IN Washlngton.
II am very strong for the war" de-
clared the chairman, pounding the arm
OF his chair. There Is only one side
20 the war. We must absolutely sup
port the cause. The loyalty and help
fulness OF the Republican party should
be measured only by its opportunities
for usefulness"
But that does not mean TO him that
the Republicans should not aspire 10
obtain control Of The House Of Repre-
sentatives and the senate. we are
anxious 10 do this so we can be more
effective instruments for good govern
ment." was the way he put IL.
Il do not mean that we Republicans
should not have any suggestions as TO
the conduct Of the war, he added. u
can't begin 10 understand a man who
does not want suggestions made in
spirit Of helpfulness. We want them
IN Indiana and | assume they want
them IN Washington
Then you would draw a distinction
between the cause Of the war and It's
conduct by the Administration? was
asked.
You mean the specific war moves ?"
asked Mr.. Hays Il haven't studied
them analylically. ! think that 10 win
the war and 90 prepare sanely for re-
construction Is the only real business
Of this country now. All else is chores.
You haven't given any thought 20
the issues for which The party should
stand?"
"No."
Not even a protective tarin?"
"Oh. OF course we always have stood
for a protective tariff But the world
moves and we must be an instrument
for progress. Conditions now are 80
awful in their compleXity and import
for the future that we want 20 make /
our party an effective agency In soly- /
Ing these tremendous problems. These 1
questions VIII be taken mp I'm confer
ence with members OF the party from
various parts Of the country Then we
will decide on a specific cause Of ac- .
ton"
Mr.. Hays said hc was not familiar /
with the situation in Congress- but the .
first man he would see in Washington
would he Representative Woods of
Iowa. chairman Of the Republican Con
gressional committee. There has beer
some talk of jealousy ON the part of
Representative Woods, but il any fric-
iion remains after the national chair
man sees him it will not be Mr. Hays
fault.