Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-10-28
CONVENTION CITIES
TO BE NAMED soon
NATIONAL COMMITTEES OF THE
BIG PARTIES WILL SELECT
THEM IN DECEMBER.
CHICAGO AND ST. LOUIS LEAD
Many Others Will Submit Their
claims-Gatherings to Nominate
Next President Probably viii Be
Early in June.
BY JAMES p. HoRNAoAY.

BY JAMES p. HoRNADAY.
WashingtOn.-'rhe national commit
tees of the two political 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 a
convention city. Each committee will
do this at a meeting which will be
held here about the middle of De-
eember. Having decided where the
convention will be held. as well as
the convention date. each committee
will issue the formal call for the con-
ventiOn. 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 adj
vance of the Democrats.
In 1916 the conventions were held
about two weeks earlier than ever be-
fore. the Republicans meeting on June
- - CAAhNh-O OI
June IA 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 if is gen.
orally assumed members of the ma
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 il 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
i'icians express the view that it is al
together likely that one of these cit
les and possibly both of them will be
favored next year.
Among the cities from which the
party chairmen have received invita-
tfons 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 n ma
ilonal political convention must obi
gate itself to pay the bills of the con-
ventiOn. This rule has been followed
for good while. This does not mean
that the city becomes responsible for
the hotel bills or other expenses of
the delegates, but it does mean that it
must provide the hall free of cost and
take care of the legitimate expenses
0f the national committee The situa-
ZION is usually met by the city turn
ing over to the national committee
cash sum sufficient TO cover the le-
Ultimate convention expenses.
Next years conventions will contain
the same number of delegates that sat
i'm the conventions in 1916. The num-
her of delegates from each state is
based on the number of senator's and
representative the state has i'm con-
greSs, and although 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 100000 men and $4,000 Off
GERS. The high water mark of the war
was reached November IL, last year.
the day that the armistice was signed,
when the payroll of the army contain
ed the names of 1870, SSS men. A bill
signed by the president the other day
provides that there shall not be more
than $4,000 commissioned officers from
October 3, 1919. until June 80. 1920
This means that 10000 officers must
lie let out. The legislation which the
president has just approved also au-
,hOrizes the secretary of war to re-
tain such officers as may be necessary
In grades above their present rank.
Difficult as the process of building
mp the army has been. the tearing
down and shaping into a peace time
organization is more difficult mat
ter The difficulties of adjustment have
been increased Oy the uncertainties as
10 the future military policy of the
government the inadequacy of pay in
the face of the high cost of living and
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
ny consideration of length of service,
experience and general value to the
military establishment as well as OF
accomplishments during the war.
Ten thousand Must Go.
In anticipation of the passage of
the bill providing for $4,000 officers.
the war department allotted this mum.
her of officers To various commands
and military activities of the army al
home and abroad. The total number
of officers that may be retained by am
command or activity for the time be-
ing was fixed and the commanding Off.
GERS OF these organizations were direc-
ted to select. from the officers under
their command, a sufficient number of
She Had Different Ambition.