New-York tribune., 1918-06-22
Whitman Leaders
Preparing to Call
State Convention
Indications Are 1t Will
Not Be Merely an
Assembly"

Inc supporters of Governor Whit
man are preparing to call a state con
Ventlon. In the absence from Albany
Oh the Governor. who was in Sala-
manca yesterday, neither State Chair.
man George A. Glynn nor any one
else was in position to say definitely
that the Whitman men would unite ir
call for state convention but the
political wind was blowing that way
indications at present are that il
Will be convention called according
to the rules of the state committee
and not merely an "assembly," as asked
Tor by Senators Wadsworth and Calder
IN their call on Thursday night. Under
the rules, the convention is to be held
at least five weeks prior to the off
clal primary day, for the purpose OF
formulating party platforms and poll.
cles and the transaction of business
relating to party affairs"
Senators Calder and Wadsworth
were misinformed if they were told
that had been asked and had declined
to call a meeting of the Republicans
OF the state" said Chairman Glynn last
night to Tribune reporter. GAS a
matter of fact, have not been request
ed to call meeting. The state, com-
mlttee has met every duty and obliga-
t,on placed upon it by the election laws
and by the rules of the state commit
tee, and will continue to do so.
Busy Enrolling Women
The work by various county organi-
cations throughout the state in the
party enro ment, extending in the coun-
try districts until July 10, has kept the
machinery of the state committee busy.
There are about 100000 women vot-
ers, and it has been a heavy task to
superintend the enrolment Upstate
the work is heavier than it is here, as
the ratio of Republican women to Dem
ocratlc women runs from 2 to / to 10
to /:
The organization never was in bet
ter shape Tor campaign than it is at
present. While some voters are ap-
parently much concerned about candi-
dates and conventions, the working
force has been attending to the me. =
canical work. If the Governors oppo-
nents desire to supersede the rules Of
the state committee, it would seem that
they first ought to exhaust the means
laid down in the rules"
The call issued by Senators Wads-
worth and Calder was disconcerting to
the Whitman men, but after the first
shock they professed entire willing
ness to have regular convention, with
addresses from the leaders and with a
platform that will appeal to he voters.
Under the rules the county COM
mittees name the delegates to the
state convention. Speaking for my
self, / would like to sec a convention
held and allow every one to learn
just where he stands" said John J.
Knewitz, leader of Bronx County, at
the state committee headquarters yes
terday.
Claims of Whitman Men
There is doubt about the anti Whit
man men pressing a demand for a
regular state convention, with the
basis of representation, as laid down
by the rules, for the reason that the
supporters of the Governor seem to
have a clear lead among the county
organizations.
Another phase OF the situation is the
fact that since Will Fl. Hays became
chairman Of the national committee the
relations between that body and the
various state committees have been
much more direct and important than
formerly. Chairman Hays does not
interfere with factions or nomina-
tions, but Governor Whitman and Sen
ators Wadsworth and Calder are in
agreement with him in one objective,
which is that whoever wins in the
primaries must be Loyalty supported
in November. This working under
standing embraces state and Congress