The spectator., 1919-10-21
NATIONAL COMMITTEES OF THE BIG PARTIES WILL SELECT
 THEM IN DECEMBER.
CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS LEAD
Many Others Will Submit Their C'alms-Gatherings to Nominate Next President Probably Will Be Early in June.
By JAMES p. hoRNApAY.

tees or the two p0lltlcal parties are already beginning to prepare for next years presidential campaign. The first actual step by either of the old party committees will be to select convention city. Each committee will do this at meeting which will be held here about the middle of De cember. Having decided where the convention will be held, as well as the convention date each committee will issue the formal call for the con- vcntion. Custom dictates that the party that Is not represented by the occupant of the White House shall hold its convention first, and unless this custom shall be disregarded the Republicans will meet at least one week, and probably two weeks, in ad- vance of the Democrats.
 In 1916 the conventions were held | about two weeks earlier than ever be- fore, the Republicans meeting on June at Chicago and the Democrats on June 14 at St. Louis, and the represent atives of the parties seem to like the idea of getting the nominations out of the way early in June. So it is gen. orally assumed members of the na- tional committees say, that the con- ventions next year will be over by the middle of June, or soon thereafter. Many cities already have let It be known that they would like to enter tain one or both of the old party conventions. Chicago and St. Louis have come to be known as favorite political convention cities. and the pol iticians express the view that 1t is al- together likely that one of these cit ies and possibly both of them will be favored next year.
 Among the cities from which the party chairmen have received invita- tions which they will submit to the December meetings are Cleveland. In dianapolis, Minneapolis, Kansas City and Denver. At least two Pacific coast cities. Los Angeles and Port. land, have indicated that they will In due time let it be known that they also will extend invitations
 Chosen City Must Pay the Bill.
 The city that takes care of na- tional political convention must obli- gate Itself to pay the bills of the con. vention. This rule has been followed for a good while. This does not mean that the city becomes responsible for the hotel bills or other expenses of the delegates. but 1t does mean that II l must provide the hall free of cost and take care of the legitimate expenses of the national committee. The situa- ton Is usually met by the city turn Ing over to the national committee q cash sum sufficient to cover the le- gitimate convention expenses.
 Next years conventions will contain the same number of delegates that sat in the conventions In 1916. The num- Der of delegates from each state is based on the number of senators and representatives the state has in con- gress. and although q new census will he taken in January next year. the re- apportionment for congressional pur- poses will not be made in time to af- feet the political conventions.
 Reducing Army to Peace Basis.
 The army of the United States has been reduced to almost its normal strength. It now numbers about 3.0,0O0 men and 2S,O0O oai- cers. The high water mark of the war was reached November II, last year, the day that the armistice was signed. when the payroll of the army contain ed the names of 3.6T0.SSS men. A bill signed by the president the other day provides that there shall not be more than 1S,OO0 commissioned officers from October 3. 1919. until June 30, 1920. This means that 10000 officers must be let out. The legislation which the president has just approved also au- thoriZes the secretary of war to re- tain such officers us may be necessary in grades above their present rank.
 Difficult as the process of building up the army has been. the tearing down and shaping into peace time organization Is a more difficult mat ter. The difficulties of adjustment have been increased by the uncertainties as to the future military policy of the government, the inadequacy of pay in
 
 the failure of all classes to realize that economies must be promptly met. In peace there cannot be permitted the latitude in the use of officers that is necessary In war and the rank and promotion of officers must be governed by consideration of length of service, experience and general value to the military establishment as we'll as oi accomplishments during the war.
 Ten Thousand Must Go.
 In anticipation of the passage of the bill providing for 1S.0OO officers. the war department allotted this nun. Der of officers to various commands and military activities of the army al home and abroad. The total numbe, of officers that may be retained by an, command or activity for the time be ing was fixed and the commanding off. cers of these organizations were iirec- ! ted to select from the officers under