The Washington herald., 1918-02-14
FORMER ENEMY
OF G. 0. P. HEADS
1918 CAMPAIGN
Will H. Hays, Indiana, Fol-
lowed Roosevelt Out of
Party in 1912.

st. Louis, Feb. 13.-Will H. Hays, of
Indiana, who was secretary to Albert
j. Beveridge during the Progressive
campaign of 1912. was the chairman
elected to day by the Republican Ma
tional Committee to attempt to lead
the party back into power on a speed
up the war" platform.
Hays election by acclamation on
the motion of John T. Adams. the
Iowan whose letters from Berlin
snatched the honor away from him,
was in the nature of a triumph for
Frank Hitchcock, Postmaster General
under Taft.
He forced the decision.
George w. Perkins, of New York,
who backed the Progressive move
ment financially, gets the credit for
the ruthless attack that put the Iowa
committee man out of the running.
Twelve votes modified by Hitchcock,
however. broke the deadlock that
might have run for days.
Committee Abolished.
Perkins likewise was able to get a
little consolation from the committees
last-minute action discontinuing the
campaign committee with its Progress
sive representation that DESTROYED his
one remaining connection with the
committee.
Reclaimed PTogressives in the Marty
though, found victory enough in the
erection Of Hays. Harold Ickes. of
Chicago, also a member of the cam
palSn committee, urged the national
committee to have no apprehension
over Progressive feelings on discon-
unuance of the campaign body.
Following Hays election the fifteen
places on the executive committee
were declared vacant to wipe the slate
clean for the new chairman. BY a De-
culiar mix-up. Mr.. Adams, despite his
words of praise for the Kaiser. re-
mains as vice chairman.
Among members of the committee
there was difference of opinion ON
the Adams tenure of office. Many.
including the retiring chairman
William r. Wilcox. contended that
the resolution by r. w. Howell of
Nebraska. on future election of Of
hcers was an custer for the Iowan
Nevertheless, the records of the
meeting when officially compiled by
the secretary, James B. Reynolds.
left Adams secure in the position of
vice chairman. He has resigned hi,
perth on the executive committee
TO make way for the new regime.
The twelve executive committee
members besides Adams were Fred
w: Estabrook, of New Hamp-
shire; James A. Hemenway, Of
Indiana: A. T. Hert, of Kentucky:
K. B. Howell. of Nebraska: A. II
Martin, of Virginia; Herbert Par
sons, of New York; by proxy.
Ralph E. Williams. of Oregon.
Under the action the party is with
out. an executive committee until the
new chairman calls a meeting of the
national body.
Opposition to the treasurership
candidacy of Fred w. Upham. of Chi
cago, appeared at the eleventh hour.
Eastern States proposed the name of
George X. Sheldon. of New York, a.
former treasurer, but on a roll call
the Chicagoan was made Cornelius
Bliss success or by a vote Of "a to p
Edwin p. Thayer. of indianapolis,
was unanimously reelected sergeant
alarms for the committee. Guv w
Howard. of Minneapolis, and Charles
ii. Henning, of West Virginia, were
named assistants.
Hays Accepts Position.
In the last hour of the meeting the
committeeman rescinded the execu-
tive committee action toward forma-
ton of an advisory woman's COM
mittee. Hays accepting the chair
manship. said:
Gentlemen, I accept the chairman
ship with a full knowledge of the re-
sponsibilities, multiplied many times
by reason Of the national situation
and the reconstruction that is to come
Everyone knows that there will be
political activity. The Democratic
party has been busy for months. This
political activity should be open and
acknowledged. and of a character and
on a plane that there is no subter-
fuge.
There Is but one side of the uues-
uon of war. On that side, supporting
the country's cause, shall stand every
political party and every member of
every political party entitled to any
consideration whatsoever"