Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-28
EXPECT DRY PLANK
IN G. 0. P. PLATFORM
Upstate Leaders Confer and
Discuss National Prohibi-
tion Amendment
CHAIRMAN CROW HERE

The national prohibition amendment
occupies the middle of the stage todey
In the biggest Republican estate polti-
cal conference held'herc, for the coming
campaign. \ score of upstate leaders
are participating and every man ad
mitted the disposition of the amendment
is the one big problem
All admit it will be necessary To meet
the issue squarcly and a majority of
the leaders say they believe the situation
is rapidly progressing toward a prohib-
tion plank in the platform. 1t is prob
able, however. the issue will not be dis
posed of before the primaries as a party
matter. The suggestion of letting every
candidate stand on his own issues seems
to be most favored. The platform. it is
proposed. will be drafted after the party
has nominated its candidates. This
would put ii up 10 every candidate th
stand on his own feet
william T.. Crow of Cniontown.
chairman of the Republican state Com
mlttee. arrived unexpectedly. dIe said
that the prohibition issue is matter
of utmost Importance" but he would
have to sound out the sentiment of fae
leaders throughout the state before he
would be able TO state whether the
amendment will have n plac" in the plat
form of the Republicans or not"
United States Senator Boies Penrose
arrived in Philadelphia about noon and
Immediately went into conference with
the state leaders.
Among those who have arrived in ad-
dition to Mr.. Grow. are Max c. Leslie.
of Pittsburgh former Mayor Joseph c.
Armstrong, Pittsburgh W Harry
Baker, of Harrisburg, secretary of the
Senate and secretary Of the Republican
State committee; Coroner Samuel G.
Jamison, of PiSisOurgh; William e. Leib,
of Pottsville; James f.. Woodward. of
McI5eespurt, chairman of the Appripria-
tions Committee of the House and candi-
date for Secretary OF Internal Affairs .
A. L. Sisson, of Erie, former Auditor
General and former State Senator: for.
mer Judge W, T. Rice, of Warren. and
William Is, Gallagher. chief clerk of
the Senate and publicity man for the
Republican state committee
Robert r. Hapgood. of Braddock.
mentioned as candidate for the Gov
ernorship, was late arrival today and
is in the general conference.
Representatives OF the Town Meeting
party in thirty-flve of the forty-eieht
wards were present at a meeting of the
party's city committee at the Walton
Hotel last night In the course of the
meeting the members discussed the pos
sibility Of putting Il ticket in the field
for all seats in Congress and in the
State Senate and House, and it was said
after the meeting that the plan did not
meet with much favor. The members
apparently will favor only putting a
ticket in the field for the seats in this
city. The committee, however. agreed
that II might be possible to make some
deal with the Penrose forces whereby
independents could be run, unopposed
by Penrose candidates, in some sections
of the State.
Another point agreed upon was with
respect to the candidacy of Senator Will
liam C. Sproul for the Republican nom-
nation for Governor. The members
favor Withholding Endorsement and
Town Meeting support from Senator
Sproul unless he recognizes the party
Those present at last nights meeting
asserted that senator Ware will not be
able to carry out his threat to prevent
the Town Meeting party workers and
voters from voting AS Republicans at
the primary election next May. Senator
Ware, in statements and addresses, had
declared that the Town Meeting party
people, from Senator Penrose down,
have forfeited their right to vote at
the primary because they bolted the Re-
publican party.
George W. Coles. city chairman, pre-
sided at the meeting, which was ad
dressed by Thomas +. Armstrong. who
was the fusion candidate for Recorder
Of Taxes last November: john c. Win
ston, chairman of the Committee of SeN'
cnty; Former Director George u. Por
ter. Max Hrschberc. Hugh Mcllwain
Arthur &. Lea, John T.. Winston, llugl
j. Mccartney and John Walton.