The Washington herald., 1919-12-26
Backers Of Robert |. Miller
And Other Republican
Candidates for Party
Honor Hold Conference.
Petition f9r Registration
OF G. o. P. Adherents
Turned Down = Row
Over Rival Groups at
Chicago Conclave.

There seems to be a storm brew
ing on the local political horizon.
1t is currently reported that an
attempt will be made to do away
with the quadrennial primary cleo
tions in the District Of Columbia
and hand pick" the delegates and
alterpates to the Republican and
Democratic Presidential conven-
tions.
As no denial of this alleged plan
has been Forthcoming. the rank and
file of the two political parties are
inclined to accept the report as
true. Inslstent rumOrs concerning
the proposed change in the manner
of selecting delegates from the Dis
trict have resulted in considera Bile
comment and indignation.
MiIIer's Baekers Meet.
At a conference of friends of the
announced Republican candidates
last night the statement was made
that. notwithstanding the attempt
to change the manner of procedure
by a so-caIled State committee fol
the District of Columbia" the sup
>orters of Robert l. Miller and other
candidates for election as District
representatives at the Chicago con-
vention Will go. ahead with their
plans for the primaries.
1t was learned last night that at
the time of the meeting OF the
Republican National Committee in
this city recently. representations
were made to that body concerning
alleged disorders and scandals at
former primaries here. and the de-
STABILITY of selecting future dele
gates and alternates in a more or
derby manner" was urged.
1t was pointed out that at the
last Presidential convention of the
Republican party that nominated
Justice Hughes. three sets OF dele
gates from the District of CoIum-
bia presented themselves. and af-
ter a hearing at which there was
much ugly discussion" all three
sets of men were denied seats and
votes in the convention.
Committee Is Named.
Upon these representations. it is
said, the National Committee appointed
a committee to arrange with repre-
sentative local Republicans" for a
change in the manner of selecting the
delegates. The men selected for this
purpose are known as the State
Committee for the District of Colum-
bia." w. T. Galliher. E. F. Collady.
Republican National Committeeman,
and others prominent in local affairs
are said to be members of the State
committee
Since the particulars of this plan
leaked. certain active Republicans, in
GLIDING Robert I. Miller have pro-
tested to the National Republican
Committee against any change in the
procedure that has been in vogue here
since the District was formed.
Mr.. Miller says one of the Repub-
lican National Committeeman from
the South has kept the telegraph wires
hot with protesting messages to Chair
mane Hays since it was reported an
atteppt would be made to hand
pick" the delegates.
Petition Not Acted Upon.
In this connection it is also stated
that a petition was sent to the Re-
publican National Committee asking
that system of registering Repub-
lican voters in the District be adopted
by the committee so assto insure a
fair election. Nothing has been heard
OF the petition since. The silence OF
the committee on this petition>is con-
strued by the local leaders to mean
that the hand picking process has
been favored by the national commit
teemen to whom it was referred.
Harry A. Clarke, of the Interstate
Republican Association, which with
other political associations, has adopt
ed resolutions favoring the proposed
registration, says the local prole.
tariat" will elect delegates as usual
and send them to the Chicago conven-
tion with their credentials and put II
UP to the convention whether the reg
ularly elected or hand picked" dele
gates will be seated.
''In any event" Mr.. Clarke declared
I'VE will proceed as usual to arrange
for the primary elections"
Walter A. Costello. one of the lead
ers of the local Democracy, declared
his party in the District will continue
to elect its delegates and aIternates as
of yore.