The Republican journal., 1918-08-22
Letter from Augusta.

publican editors of Maine at the Augusta
House, at which the fraternity was well
represented. The writer was privileged
to represent The journal although he
cannot claim to be but an amateur The
members of the Republic State COM
mittee and several other prominent men,
bers of the party were present. The din
ner was served in the annex dining room
where table was laid for so guests and
every seat was taken. The company
came as the guests of the publishers and
editors of the Portland Evening Express
Governor Milliken was seated at one end
of the table and at the opposite end were
Chairman Ham of the Republican State
Committee and Will H. Hays, Chairman
of the Republican National Committee
who had expressed a wish to meet and
confer with the knights of the stub PEN
Gil Another reason for the meeting was
to give an opportunity for the editors to
form an organization, which should assist
in systematic way the successful prog
ress of this campaign. This organza tion
was. effected by the choice of j. Norman
Towle as chairman, Arthur G. Staples as
secretary and treasurer and r. Worm
wood, G. R. Chadbourne and L. P. Evans
as executive committee. Before this was
done however the table was cleared and
two hours conference followed. Chair
man Ham in few we'll chosen sentences
called on Governor Milliken to present to
the editors and the other gentlemen in
the company, the facts relative to the
much discussed matters concerning re-
classification and the so-called depen-
dency law. What the Governor said
was better and more convincing tn ar
speech. 1t can better be described by
saving that it impressed the listeners as
being an earnest, and absolutely truthful
heart-to-heart recital, given without the
slightest evasion of detail. In referring
to the matter of re-classification the Gov
ernor said that the matter of re-classiti-
cation first came from Washington not
as an order but as suggestion. He de-
cided to take no action, but not long af-
ter orders came from Gen. Crowder to
re-classify Mr.. Hays said in corrobora-
ton that re-classltication was ordered IN
his State, Indiana. Of course Gov. Mil
liken had to obey the order. Very soon
a protest was made and chiefly through
the efforts of Senators Fernald and Hale
General Crowder was induced to rescind
his order In regard to the dependency
law the Governor said that being in
doubt concerning the proper interpreta-
ton of that law, he obtained the advice
of the Attorney General and other legal
authorities and proceeded in accordance
with their advice. When he had finish
ed those who were present felt that the
truth about these matters had been told
and that the criticisms of the Governor
which had been made was kind of poll
tics which ought to be Adjourned. Owing
to lack of time MIR. Hays made a brief
speech, but every sentence breathed pa
triotism and not word was tainted by
partisanship. In an assembly of twenty
well dressed men, all strangers, one of
them being Mr.. Hays, it is unlikely that
an observer would consider Mr.. Hays to
be the Chairman of the Republican Ma
tional Committee. He is man about Sc
years of age, of medium height, there is
not an ounce of superfluous flesh on him
and | should Judge would weigh about
14O pounds He seems to be physically
fit to make a great record in the coming
political Marathon. His mind is both
alert and cultivated as may be proved by
reading his speeches or an article con-
tributed by him to the August number of
the Forum. His energy is tremendous. He
is more than live wire. He is dynamo.
He is tireless as the sun. Last Tuesday night
he left New York at 6 p. M, arrived in
Bangor about 10 the next forenoon, shook
hands with people all the rest of the day
and in the evening addressed an audience
of 5000. The next morning Thursday, he
motored to Augusta, left there at p M,
and Friday forenoon we had telegram
from him in New York asking for infor-
nation concerning political matter OF
| importance in this State. Words fail to
describe this man. When he speaks he
shows his real power, and after one has
| +,lLoJ .,,;+h hin, five rniputas he feels