Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-21
P|NCHOT makes THREAT
OF FIGHT ON OLD GUARD
Indications OF Battle Royal in Re-
publican Ranks in Few
Weeks.
LEADERS ARE GIVEN WARNING
Progressive Element Will Oppose
Nomination of Harding or Watson
for Presidency Mt Next Convention,
Is Declaration OF keystone Man.
Especial to The Tim es-Dispatch.l

Especial to The Times Dispatch
WASHINGTON. April 2O.-All Is not
harmony and hope within the ranks OF
the Republican party. All Is not devo-
ton and dedication to single ideal.
hungry ais the old organization Is for
victory and pining as il does for pa
tronage. there is still insurgency to be
dealt with. The old progressive lines
arc still being drawn. and old sores
are being reopened.
The issue between the forward
locker and the reactionary in the Re
publican party is still alive. 1t will
have to be faced when the campaign
opens next year. il Will have to be
fought out when the States begin the
selection of delegates to the next Re
publican convention. And unless the
sings are wrong another battle royal
between the two elements in the party
will take place when the time comes
to nominate the next candidate for the
presidency.
This is clearly indicated in state
rnent which Clifford Pinchot issued to-
day warning the Old Guard that it will
not be allowed to dominate the party,
to name the next ticket and to CON
sivcs. he says. will fight such n pro-
gram TO the last ditch. and If they lose
their tight, he predicts with frankness
that the party will be inviting third
defeat.
Pinchot insists that the country
needs a Republican President. He says
that only Republican policies can meet
the demand of the nation during the
period of reconstruction. But if there
is to be Republican administration
IN 1871 the party must nominate n man
who can win. No nominee can defeat
the Democratic candidate unless he be
acceptable TO the great mass OF Re-
publican voters, particularly those of
me west. We cannot win without
He then serves notice upon the coun-
try that the Old Guard is trying, and
has been since the death of Colonel
Roosevelt TO seize the organization of
of naming the next candidate. To all
low such a consurn1nation he saws
would be suicidal.
IF they succeed. they will add a
third Republican defeat to the two
they have already produced" he says
we are facing the same old quest ion
whether the nominee shall he openly
chosen TO win. or shall be hand pickcd
by the Old Guard to keep them, win
or lose. in control of the party or
Eanization." Continuing, Mr.. Pinchot
says:
Not for G. O. u. Bosses.
The Old Guard calls for HARMONY
am for harmony. but with the Rentlb-
lican voters rather than with the IRE
publican bosses. Harmony headed to-
ward defeat has little charm for me-
willing TO SEQ harmony made impos-
sible and defeat made inevitable by
the nomination of 4 reactionary cam
oidate out of touch with the mass of
the voters. they must take action, and
take il soon"
Mr. Pinchot does not take seriously
President Wilson's assurances that he
is not candidate for third term.
1t Is clear thai Wilson plans to run
again." Pinchot asserts. land that he
VIII be dangerous antagonist. The
ground he has recovered since his
slump last autumn is one more proof
OF that. Neither our position abroad
nor our safety and welfare at home
can wisely be intrusted to, the domi-
neerinE. secretive. reversible and ter
ribly costly dictatorship of Woodrow
watson. We cannot trust him, and we
must defent him. but we need a can
didate and platform that are gen
timely progressive to do it,"
VIII lie Candidate.
The Progressive leader does not con-
fine himself TO gencralities. He pro