The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-06-19
HARDING ACCEPTS WILSON CHALLENGE
 FOR TREATY ISSUE
Confident Republican Atti- tude of Preserved Ma tionality" Will Receive
 Endorsement
By Associated press

Washington, June 1S.-Senator Harding, day answered President Wilson's chaI- lenge to make the peace treaty the domi- nant issue in the coming campaign with statement that the republican party would gladly welcome referendum on the question of the foreign relationship of this republic"
 The republican candidate in further re- plying to President Wilson's declarations, as contained in an interview published today, expressed confidence that 'the re- publican attitude of preserved nation- ality will be overwhelmingly indorsed' D MT. Harding's assertions made to news paper men at his daily conference were closely followed by statement by Her bert Hoover. one of the senator's rivals for the nomination, indorsing the choice of the Chicago convention and urging all republicans to support the national ticket Mir: Hoover issued his statement after a breakfast conference with Senator Har- ding, arranged by the latter. The con- ference, it was explained, was part of the republican nominee's general plan of meeting party leaders to learn their views and bring together into har- monious organization the various party groups.
 PROGRESSIVE PLATFORM
 The former food administrator in his statement said the republican platform for the most part was constructive and
 
 on the treaty and labor, as well as on a number of other subjects, were sns- ceptible to 'forward-looking interpreta- tion' Some issues, including reorganiza- tion of election expenditures and the pri- maries, he added, were mot adequately dealt with, but the development of sev- eral party organizations built upon scv- eral individual viewpoints would be dis astrous."
 Senator Harding spent virtually the en- tire day in conference with Harry M. Daugherty of Columbus, his pre-conven- tion campaign manager; George Clark of Canton, chairman of the Ohio state re- publican advisory committee, and others il regard to plans for the campaign.
 The conference with MT. Daugherty related almost entirely to < discussion of plans connected with the formal noti- fieation ceremonies Announcement was made, however, that nothing final had been decided.
 ACTION EXPECTED MONDAY
 Definite action on a number of sub jects is expected to be taken Monday at a conference which the nominee will have with committee appointed at Chicago and composed of Chairman Hayes, Ma tional Committeeman A. T. Hert of Ken lucky, Jacob l.. Harmon of Oklahoma. .. D. Hiles of New York and Ralph E. Williams of Oregon, and former Senator John w. Weeks of Massachusetts
 Senator Harding had planned to leave Washington tomorrow for a vacation be- fore going to his home in Marion, O., but his plans were unexpectedly changed today, and it was said the vacation trip, might be entirely abandoned Certain friends of the senator were understood tn believe that in view of the numerous conferences in prospect it would be more advisable for him to remain in Wash ington until he goes home.
 Governor Sproul of Pennsylvania, who was one of the candidates for the re- publican nomination, in letter received today, congratulated Senator Harding and assured him of his support in the campaign.
 Tt is needless to tell you" wrote Wov- ernor Sproul, "that I am pleased with the whole situation, and that you VIII have my devoted services in any way Tn which they may be useful"
 A similar letter was also received from Franklin MacVeagh. former Secretary Of .he Treasury who asked the senator to accept the hearty and loyal good wishes of a beaten Wood man.
 Nv guess is' said Mir. MacVeagh, s.that your attitude in the campaign. from the beginning, will show that progressives of the Wood stripe are easily included ir your political sympathies. and that as
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